Fall 2010

Risen
The New Hispanic Ministry
2010 Convention
Resolutions
Nominations:
Who’s Who.

The
Convention
issue
 RISEN
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2 RISEN / FALL 2010

puties. Delegat our Diocesan C ea
es are required to onvention has C
vote as represen le rg y m embers and

Contents
resented read th tatives of their P
e following the arish, so to mak
ten resolutions e sure you
let your Parish’ which were sub
s delegates know mitted to this ye
what you’d like ar’s resolu-
to see happen,
and what you w
ouldn’t.

14 FEATURES
e
Convention Resolutions 14

y V o i c
rk -

M !
a erwo
p C o nven Will your voice be heard? Read these resolutions and
ch P al c-
Chur h Annu land re talk about them at your parish to make sure.

Will
22 0 t s
e I he
this of Rhod es of t urc-
a t
, Th iocese odi
ll b lable r
eso Nominations Who’s Who 22

?
y

?
e D e a full

d
th r ag ai e Meet this year’s nominees to diocesan leadership posi-

r
o u a v o b
enc all

hea
s t ng
and i l ize form ncludi t tions and to the next General Convention.
u t da p t i , bu

Be
e to e and a ple: by al name a s
revi
s peo leg w ell
v e
l l
of a for one
’ s
n ame
a s
n p refe
r- New Hispanic Ministry 13
s i ly rre d ou
o t on p refe d pron The Diocese of RI has started a new Hispanic Min-

Do::
n n

To Do
s e’ s ty a
r on enti istry at Ascension Cranston. Read about our new
o fo nder id Hispanic Missioner, The. Rev. Mercedes Julian.
e
’s g in
ce. – held up-
tion
on
enti olution er
s s Pumpkin Junction at St. John’s 10
xpl a n a
e n• *READ these Resolutions!The Annual Pumpkin Junction at St. John’s Bar-
e ral
C o
e
n
r
v
a
s
l re ransge
nd
so-
7 6 th G ted sev g the t rch. Re er rington becomes a People Junction as the whole com-
The n nd
• *Go to that Deanery M
adop ffirmi u
9 – a o p a l Ch ransge n- munity gets involved.
t ly i
200
n g and e E pisc rting f u l
i h o
port rs of T ed supp rting a scrimi-
mem b e
inc l ud ppo n-di tion
d su ent No
COLUMNS
o n s a n
luti ts oym 10 13
i l righ ( Empl esolu-
ci v END A r
u s ive ) . This by h
is
c l
on
nati ds into
A Openings 4
c t
th g o
n From
. the Bishop 4
exte name Body Building 5
d l e
mid
Fhristian Formation 6

NewsBriefs 8
On the Qur’an Burnings 8 22 9
RSCM Summer Course 9
Scenes 11
Episcopal Charities 12

Episcopal Life 28
Postlude 34
FALL 2010 / RISEN 3
 When Autumn Came
Faiz Ahmed Faiz (translated by Naomi Lazard)

This is the way that autumn came to the trees:

it stripped them down to the skin,
left their ebony bodies naked.
It shook out their hearts, the yellow leaves,
scattered them over the ground.
Anyone could trample them out of shape
undisturbed by a single moan of protest.

The birds that herald dreams

were exiled from their song,
each voice torn out of its throat.
They dropped into the dust
even before the hunter strung his bow.

Oh, God of May have mercy.

Bless these withered bodies
with the passion of your resurrection;
make their dead veins flow with blood again.

Give some tree the gift of green again.

Let one bird sing.

4 RISEN / FALL 2010

From The Bishop
“Now you are called to work as
Openings

a pastor, priest, and teacher, to-

gether with your bishop and fellow
presbyters, and to take your share
in the councils of the Church.”
This statement is part of The Examina-
tion of a person about to be ordained
to the Priesthood. (Book of Common
Prayer, p. 531). As Diocesan Conven-
tion draws near, ordained and lay lead-
ers will gather to attend to those things
that make it possible for us to engage
in the work of the Gospel.
Bishop Wolf at the Rev. Anne Marie Richards’ Installation at Trinity, Newport
As one who has attended over 35 con- programs will need to be diminished out of your life in Christ Jesus.”
ventions in 5 dioceses, I can attest to or cut, and this will affect the people (Philippians 2:5) And so, as we
the sometimes tedious content of “the who bear responsibility for their im- gather as the Church, the Body
councils of the Church.” However, I plementation. It will also affect those of Christ, our conversations take
also find myself praising God for the who have looked to these ministries for on a holy and sacred search for
open process by which we engage in sustenance, guidance, and hands-on what God would have us do.
decisions that inspire our common assistance. We are being called to take
mission and its implementation. seriously Paul’s words to the Church To lead us into our Godly de-
at Ephesus, “Try to find out what liberations, we will celebrate the
One of the challenges this year is to Eucharist on Friday, October--
would please
balance financial ---at 6PM. Our preacher is The
the Lord.”
resources, dioce- Rev. Canon Andrew White, the
no one person, church, ( Ep h e s i a n s
san mission, and “Vicar of Baghdad”, Iraq. His
or diocese 5:10)
the needs of the ministry was highlighted in a
can fulfill the whole
local congrega- When we section of 60 Minutes, and his
of Jesus’ call.
tion. The Gospel take council message speaks of enormous faith
Thankfully, Jesus is speaking
calls us to par- together, we and courage, which is available to
to the whole Church,
ticipate in many will not ar- all of us.
in which we take our part.
important min- rive at a per-
istries, but no fect solution, Everyone is invited to share in
one person, church, or diocese can ful- but hopefully, at the best decision un- the Eucharist, and to attend con-
fill the whole of Jesus’ call. Thankfully, der very difficult circumstances. Some vention. It is a good opportunity
Jesus is speaking to the whole Church, accept decisions and make the best of to observe the workings of your
in which we take our part. At the 2010 them; others express their dissatisfac- diocese. Hope to see you there! 
Convention, we will make difficult tion, and a few announce their depar-
decisions as to the ongoing course of ture from the Church. Paul and Timo-
our common mission and ministry. thy said to the Church at Philippi, “Let
We cannot do everything, and some your bearing towards one another arise
FALL 2010 / RISEN 5
 Openings BODY BUILDING:congr egational
Creative
collaboration
By Betsy Fornal, Canon for
Congregations and Clergy
A
year ago, a new relation-
ship began in South
County. Representatives
from five churches – St. Peter’s by-
the-Sea in Narragansett, St. Au-
gustine’s in Kingston, St. John the
Divine in Saunderstown, Church
of the Ascension in Wakefield
and Church of the Holy Spirit in
Charlestown - gathered to discuss
Clergy Transitions
Churches in Self Study
• St. David’s-on-the-Hill, Cran-
ston
• All Saints’ Memorial, Provi-
dence
• Transfiguration, Cranston
• Trinity, Cranston
• Christ Church, Westerly
• Chapel of St. John the Divine,
Saunderstown
• Emmanuel, Cumberland
• St. Paul’s Church, Wickford
Receiving Names
• St. Elizabeth’s, Hope Valley,
Vicar
Recent Calls
• The Rev. Robert Marshall has
been called as Rector of St.
6 RISEN / FALL 2010
development
how they might work together to pro-
vide ministry both to and with youth
in their churches. While few of these
churches had a large enough census
of teens to provide a full program, to-
gether they had the numbers not only
of teens but also of interested adult
leaders. From their initial meetings,
the South Deanery Youth Group was
formed. During the past year, they’ve
gathered twice a month for fellowship,
fun, worship, study and have partici-
pated in several diocesan programs like
the 30-Hour Famine. This summer,
members of the group took a pilgrimage
to the Borderland Ranch in South Da-
kota. This year’s plans include monthly
outreach opportunities along with their
ongoing program. About twenty young
people in grades 6-12 regularly attend
this program.
Three years ago, the wardens of the
Episcopal churches in Warwick began
meeting quarterly to get to know one
John’s in Barrington.
• The Rev. David Dobbins has been
appointed as Interim Rector, St.
Paul’s in Wickford .
• The Rev. Donald Parker has been
appointed as Interim Rector, Em-
manuel Church, Cumberland.
Ordinations/Celebrations of
New Ministry
• The Rev. M. P. Schneider was
ordained to the Priesthood on
9/25 at the Cathedral of St. John,
Providence. Empy has been called
as Rector of St. Mary’s Church in
Northfield, VT, beginning at the end
of October.
• The Rev. Edmund Harris, Assistant
to the Rector at Epiphany in East
Providence, will be ordained to the
another and the ministries/activities
of the churches that are located a few
miles from one another. Although the
wardens change, the commitment to
work together, to support each other,
and to look for opportunities to provide
ministry to Warwick continues. The
same conversation has begun among
the leaders in our Cranston churches.
What each church might not be able to
do alone, a larger group of churches can
accomplish together.
In Rhode Island we are blessed by our
compact size which means that no
church (with the exception of St. Ann’s
on Block Island) is located more than
10 miles from their nearest Episcopal
neighbor, most within a much smaller
circle. We have the opportunity to
work together, to capitalize on our as-
sets of place and person, to do greater
things than any one person or one
church might do.
...Continued on Page 8
Priesthood on 12/11/10 on behalf
of the Diocese of Chicago.
• The Rev. Patrick Greene, Assis-
tant to the Rector at St. Paul’s in
Wickford, will be ordained to the
Priesthood on 12/18/10
• Emmanuel Church in Newport
and the Rev. Dr. Anita Schell
Lambert will celebrate their new
ministry on 10/17/10 at 4 p.m.
• St. John’s Church in Barrington
and the Rev. Robert Marshall will
celebrate their new ministry on
Friday, 11/12/10, at 6 p.m.
• Grace Church in Providence and
the Rev. Jonathan Huyck will
celebrate their new ministry on
Sunday, 11/21/10, at 4 p.m.
• St. Andrew’s-by-the-Sea in Little
Compton and the Rev. Peter Tier-
ney will celebrate their new minis-
try on Sun 1/23/11, at 4 p.m
Notes From Christian Formation
and many of the ECC counselors gath-
ering God’s children in the Olneyville
section of Providence, in Joslin Park, for
days of safe and fun games, fieldtrips to
museums, the beach, and other oppor-
tunities to be together. I will remember
Meghan quickly moving from speaking
Spanish to English sometimes all in one
breath as she made it easy for each fam-
ily and their children to participate.
I will remember All Saints Providence
and St. Barnabbas, Warwick who regu-
larly offered their parish halls to City
Camp as a safe and dry place for them
to be when the weather turned inclem-
Openings
I will remember that first night
when we all gathered for com-
pline in Ochre Court, and the
young people who sought out
our Chaplain Scott Gunn to ask
about adding someone to the
prayers or offer to lead them.
I will remember the generous gifts
of time and snacks provided by
parents of St. Luke’s music pro-
gram and the gracious hospitality
and the joy and celebration felt at
Trinity Newport and at Emman-
uel Newport during the services

Blessings
of Evensong and Sunday’s Eucha-
ent and the lead- rist.
ers from these

all around us It is the seemingly simple,

parishes who of- I will also
fered to take the yet constant and committed re m e m b e r
By Mary Ann Kolakowski Director of calls at any time ways in which we the gener-
Christian Formation of the day or eve- as Christ’s followers ous gifts

I
n my notes to you in the latest
Christian Formation Catalog, I re-
ferred to the abundant blessings I
have been given by serving in the midst
of all of you, the faithful, ministering
to all of God’s people and each other.
I hope these few and simple thoughts
will give you a glimpse of what I meant.
During July and August this year, I had
the privilege and gift of working side
by side with some deeply committed
servants of the Lord. As I reflect on my
work and ministry in the diocese and
beyond, I always have this gift, however
this summer it seemed to be even more
vibrant.
When I remember the summer of 2010,
I will hear
“C- I- T- Y City, C- A- M- P Camp,
we’re loud and proud, we don’t mess
around, so listen to us chant!”, coming
from the voices of young day campers. I
will see Meghan and Jordan and Deirdre
ning in order to gather to worship and then given by
be ready for the offer ourselves for God’s work parishes
day ahead. of reconciliation and indi-
in the world viduals in
I will remember the dio-
the smiles and cese which
joy on the faces of these young people brought 4 teens and one adult
everywhere they went, and one time chaperone from the diocese of
in particular as a group of young girls Louisiana to attend a week at
smiled with delight as they touched the ECC.
sting rays swimming in their touch tank
at Mystic Aquarium. I will remember the spirit of
commitment and dedication I
I will also remember the tireless plan- observed as Laura and Deborah,
ning and organizing put into this year’s Terry and Ciana spoke about
very first RSCM (Royal School of sewing quilts late into the night.
Church Music America) Newport, RI Quilts which needed to be ready
Summer Course. A week long summer to be blessed at the Eucharist the
program for choristers (41 attended this next day to be ready to be sent to
year), taught and led by RSCMA’s gift- All Souls Parish in New Orleans,
ed musicians. I will remember Priscilla’s Starbirth (a program for Mothers
vision and passion for the course and and Children in Rhode Island)
Allen’s meticulous attention to details and Youth Pride Rhode Island.
as he organized and ran the registration I will laugh when I remember
and documented the week’s activities in
photographs. ...Continued on Page 8

FALL 2010 / RISEN 7

 NewsBriefs
Body Building
Continued from page 6
In the next several months, mem-
bers of the Commission on Con-
gregational Development plan to
start these conversations in other
areas of our diocese. The meet-
ings are intended to introduce
the great potential of collabora-
tive ministries which will be de-
fined by the group that gathers.
Each group will be self-directed
and there is no limit on the min-
istries that may arise from these
creative conversations.
As God’s hands, feet and voice
in this world, we need to dream
and work creatively to meet the
many needs around us. Together
we are stronger than any one of
our congregations is alone. Let
the conversations begin! 
Christian
Formation
Continued from page 6
the story of Deborah and the Po’
Boys she made as a special snack
to share with the rest of the team
for that week.
I could go on, but will stop here
for now as I leave you with this
thought. It is the seemingly sim-
ple, yet constant and committed
ways in which we as Christ’s fol-
lowers gather to worship and then
offer ourselves for God’s work of
reconciliation in the world that
makes us church, and it is happen-
ing here every day in the Diocese
of Rhode Island. May God con-
tinue to bless us and give us the
grace to move into the uncharted
places where we will be led. 
8 RISEN / FALL 2010
Against Qur’an Burnings;
Bishop Wolf at the RISCC Press Conference
By Susan Chase Pracht of St. Martin’s, Providence
O
n September 10, 2010 at
Prospect Park in Provi-
dence, the Rhode Island
State Council of Churches (RISCC)
and interfaith leaders lodged their
protest against the planned Qur’an
burning by a pastor in Gainesville,
Florida. This denouncement of re-
ligious fanaticism took place on
the last day of Rosh Hashanah and
Ramadan, only one day prior to the
Anniversary of the 911 bombings.
Against the backdrop of Roger Wil-
liams’ statue, families with small
children gathered along with com-
munity activists, government of-
ficials, students, and clergy people
of all faiths. It was a reminder that
Rhode Island was founded on Rog-
er William’s premise that people
who held a variety of religious be-
liefs could live in peaceful harmony.
Eight local clergy members spoke
out against the proposed burning,
including a Jewish Rabbi, a Catho-
lic Priest, a Muslim Imam and the
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of
Rhode Island, The Rt. Rev. Geralyn
Wolf.
Bishop Wolf reminded Rhode Is-
landers that while our country pro-
vides for many liberties in the name
of free speech; Christians are called
to pattern their life and actions on
the one who revealed his love for
all human kind. Referencing a full
page ad placed in the New York
Times that day which stated ‘Burn-
ing the Qur’an does not illuminate
the Bible’, she explained that the
spiteful destruction of the sacred
texts and religious symbols of oth-
ers runs counter to Jesus’ call for
mutual respect.
Officials of the RI State Council
of Churches spoke of the outcry
against this burning from faith
groups across the nation, espe-
cially the Florida State Council of
Churches, and in a particularly poi-
gnant moment, Rabbi Stein of the
RI Board of Rabbis quoted the Ger-
man poet Heinrich Heine, “Where
they have burned books, they will
end in burning human beings”.
David Coolidge, the Muslim Chap-
lain at Brown University, spoke
to the heart of the protest when
he explained that Muslims revere
books because “they are a sign of
the inherent nobility of the human
being”, representing the intellect
which is considered God’s greatest
gift to humanity. In closing, he read
the first revelation of the Qur’an
which begins with the simple com-
mand “Read”, to read for God gives
knowledge to humanity by the pen.
Although the Florida pastor did
not follow through on his planned
burning, the nationwide desecra-
tion of the Qur’an he petitioned
for still occurred. According to The
Guardian (UK), the Qur’an was
torn up at gatherings in two states
and burned by pastors and a church
group in at least two additional
states.profession.
 Photos by Allen Hill NewsBriefs
August 8th.

Rehearsals were held at Ochre

Court, one of the smaller New-
port mansions which is also a
tourist attraction at the college.
Enthralled tourists frequently
stopped to listen to the Choris-
ters rehearsing.

To keep it fun, practice and

learning were interspersed with
activities such as swimming at
the many beaches of Newport, a
dance with a DJ in the elegant
lobby of Ochre Court, and a hi-
larious Saturday evening skit and
talent show run by choristers for
Youths make music and friends choristers.

at the rscm summer course With a successful first year be-

By Priscilla Rigg, Music Director St. Luke’s Episcopal Church hind us we plan to offer the
RSCM Summer Training Course

T
his year the Episcopal Diocese seemed very engaged in the closing again next year. Salve Regina has
of Rhode Island and the Roy- discussions of it. invited us to return August 1 -7
al Church School of Music, 2011 and many choristers have
America (RSCM) held the first ever The schedule for the week also includ- promised to return too. What
Rhode Island RSCM Summer Train- ed rehearsals in preparation for leading could be bet-
ing Course. The course was held the Evensong at historic ter than a week
first week of August at Salve Regina Trinity Church on in Newport
University in Newport, and there was Wednesday, where What could be better singing by the
great interest and excitement on that afterwards they took than a week in Newport sea? Check
beautiful campus all week. a tour of the church singing by the sea? out http://
and had a barbeque www.emman-
The Course drew young people ages picnic. Choristers also lead worship uelnewport.org/rscm-newport-
9- 17, from 7 states for a great week at Emmanuel Church, which was the course-2010 for additional pic-
of singing, learning and friendship for site for a second Evensong on Friday tures and more information. 
all involved. Choristers were housed and the closing Eucharist on Sunday,
in Miley Hall with gorgeous views of
the ocean, and a beautiful new chapel
which was completed in the spring of
2010 was used to begin each day with
Morning Prayer and close with Com-
pline.

On the educational level, choristers

received private vocal coaching from
a highly qualified teacher as well as
classes in liturgy. On their course
evaluation sheets the choristers gave
high marks to the Liturgy Classes and
FALL 2010 / RISEN 9
 NewsBriefs kin Junction. Over the next month
around 120 St. Johns’ parishioners will
volunteer to work a one or two hour
shift in the pumpkin patch. It’s a great
way to meet other parish members,
and to introduce community members
to the people of our parish. It is truly
amazing what we can do as a collective
family.

How very fortunate we are that we are

actually selling a product that people
really want! We have been able to sell
all of our pumpkins for the last 4 years
running and last year, as Halloween
neared, we had customers rummaging
through the rotten pumpkin pile, will-

Pumpkin Junction at St. John’s ing to buy anything to use for carving.
At last years’ parish Halloween party, I
becomes a people junction
-Kerri Payne, St. John’s Church, Barrington
stepped outside (fully adorned in my
best gypsy costume!) to run to my car

E
at about 8pm and was approached by
ach year St. Johns’ Bar- raising money. As I stopped into vari- a woman desperately seeking a pump-
rington receives a mas- ous businesses in town hanging posters kin, which I happily sold her! Indeed,
sive delivery of pumpkins this year, I became more aware of just we have found our niche!
from the diocese of Navajoland how famous our not-so-little pumpkin
which carpets our long front hill patch is becoming. I got comments On Saturday September 25th at our
in orange from late September like, “Oh, yes, it’s that time again isn’t Pumpkin Junction opening event we
to Halloween, turning it into a it?” or “I hear the pumpkins are com- had a record-breaking sale day in the
fun fall gathering place for the ing early this year!” patch. There were an abundance of
whole com- smiling faces as people browsed our
munity. The The entire com- 50 plus vendors; rode Okie’s Old Fash-
pumpkin What started out munity has now ioned rides; rode ponies from Stony
sale always as a small fundraiser come to expect Creek farm; pet Rupert the teacup pig;
opens with has grown into something that delivery truck ate our delicious offerings from the
a Saturday that is now as much about and that “sea of café; or sang, danced and played in-
family fes- outreach and fellowship orange” each fall. struments with our storyteller amongst
tival called as it is We have had new the areas finest mums and pumpkins!
“p u m p k i n about raising money. families join or at
j u n c t i o n” least return to our
and then the parish as a result,
pumpkin patch is open seven and at the very same time this is our
days a week, 8 hours a day until largest fundraiser, which allows us to
Oct. 31st. grow so many of our vital ministries!
Now that’s called icing on the pump-
What started out as a small fund- kin cake!
raiser has grown into something
that is now as much about out- This year many hands of all ages and
reach and fellowship as it is about sizes came together to unload the
2,489 pumpkins and set up for Pump-
10 RISEN / FALL 2010
 NewsBriefs
Scenes 1

2
4 AROUND THE DIOCESE
1 About 50 people at the Program & Bud-
get Hearing at St. Michaels’ Bristol 2 Cel-
ebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Anne
Marie Richards and Trinity, Newport 3
The Rev. Mercedes Julian preaches at the
new Hispanic Ministry at Ascension Cran-
ston (Photo by F. Leon Sibielski) 4 Gen-
erous Stewardship at Trinity Church, Newport 3

7
6 AND MORE
5 The Rev. Empy Schneider ‘s
Ordination to the preisthood.
6 Bishop Wolf offers a toast
to the new Rector at Trinity
Church Newport 7 Choris-
ters at the first annual RSCM
America summer course in
5 Newport RI this past August.

FALL 2010 / RISEN 11

 NewsBriefs
Episcopal Charities Update
The Link Between Healers and Healing
Campaign Update:
Together, we are continuing a great
tradition of being a link between
healers and those in need of healing.
Please help reach this very impor-
tant goal.
Many thanks to our dedicated vol-
unteers who are continuing to work
hard to encourage people in their
parishes to participate in the impor-
tant and wonderful work of Episco-
pal Charities.
Congratulations to our donors for
their support and commitment
to helping so many of our fellow
Rhode Islanders who are in fragile
situations and living on the edge.
As we get back into the routine of
fall, we have asked our volunteers to
contact their others who have not
yet made a contribution to the Epis-
copal Charities Fund.
If you have not participated yet, just
think of all the good your gift will
do for so many. And, how good
you’ll feel!
Please join with others across our
diocese to help Christ in healing
the gaps, hurts, and brokenness in
thousands of lives. We are all feel-
ing the pinch in our economy and
the problems it has brought, but
none more than the most marginal-
ized across our state.
As of September 21, 2010, pledge
total $327,964.
This is 66% of our $500,000 goal.
For more information on the work
of the agencies, go to
www.episcopalri.org/Charities and
click on “Who We Support”. 
12 RISEN / FALL 2010
Your Episcopal Charities Dollars at Work:
For twenty three years WARM – Westerly Area Rest Meals has been a safe haven to
the homeless, the hungry and the most vulnerable in the greater Westerly community.
Over the years WARM has provided safe, temporary drug/alcohol shelter for homeless
adults and nutritious lunches and dinners to the hungry; each day, every day in our
Community Soup Kitchen.
To respond to the increasing and often changing needs of our clients and the commu-
nity, WARM has expanded its programs to include: Attire for Hire – clothing at no
cost for people returning to work; Community Critical Needs – financial assistance to
help pay basic necessities; WARM-Up transitional housing as residents take their final
steps to independence; Harvest Homes – apartments that provide supportive hous-
ing for homeless families with intensive case management services ; and Basic Health
Care – where a registered nurse practitioner provides basic medical care for residents
and soup kitchen guests.
All of WARM’s programs meet a critical need but over the years the Community Soup
Kitchen has seen the greatest increases. The number of hungry and those facing food
insecurity in the greater Westerly area is staggering. We are seeing more low-moderate
income families and the aging elderly on a fixed income visit the kitchen. Individuals
and families are forced to make difficult financial decisions – food or rent, food or gas,
food or medical bills. Last year, the soup kitchen served 38,036 meals.
I think a good view of WARM’S soup kitchen might best be conveyed in a recent letter
I received from a volunteer at an evening meal at WARM.
“Dear Jean, Cooking and serving an evening meal was a great success. We had so much
fun. When we got to WARM we worked with Richar, Food Services Assistant, to get
everything cooking; then we started working on the placemats. My children helped for
about 20 minutes and then they went outside. I was going to call the kids back in to help
but I noticed they were playing basketball with a few of the residents and I thought that
was just great! We served about 45 meals I think; many guests complimented us on the
cooking. Thank goodness – I felt a lot of pressure to deliver a good meal! We met some
really nice people that were both residents and guests.
Everyone had so much fun we want to do it again soon. I forgot how nice it was to come
and hang out at the Community Soup Kitchen…it had been awhile. It makes you feel that
you make a difference.”
The Rev. Deacon Jean Barry is the Executive Director of WARM – Westerly Area
Rest Meals at 56 Spruce Street, Westerly, RI 02891, 401-596-9276
WAYS TO GIVE:
• Donate online at North Main Street, Providence RI.
www.episcopalri.org/charities 02903. Include your name, ad-
• Respond when contacted by our dress, phone, and parish.
parish representative. • Call 401-274-4500 to learn more.
• Send your donation to us at 275
 NewsBriefs
tion is a challenging task, but on
June 1st Mercedes began meet-
ing and talking with the local
Hispanic community through
visits to places people frequent
such as supermarkets, banks,
laundromats, parks, post of-
fices, and restaurants. She also
has been helping at the Cranston
Food Pantry every week.

Mercedes Julián says, “This is a

new opportunity to serve and of-
fer others the chance to begin or
Photos By F. Leon Sibielski reinitiate a relationship with our
Lord Jesus Christ. The spiritual
New Diocesan Hispanic Ministry at need is latent in our society; the
strengthening of human values
Church of the Ascension, Cranston and the importance of the family

O
are aspects where the church is
n August 22nd the first cel- the Church of the Ascension. needed to guide the community
ebration of a Spanish lan- of God in its search for a better
guage Eucharist and the The Rev. Mercedes Julián, native to world.”
baptism of two children at Church of the Dominican Republic, was called to
the Ascension in Cranston marked the ministry in the late 70’s. She finished The new ministry at Ascension
commencement seminary in 1981 holds its own services and edu-
of a new Hispanic in the D.R., and cational programs in the Spanish
ministry in the Di- “This is a new opportunity was ordained in language, but the hope is that in
ocese of Rhode Is- to serve and offer others Panama in 1990. many areas of congregational life
land. Many came the chance to begin Since 2004 she the Hispanic/Latino congrega-
from the Diocese or reinitiate has resided in the tion will be fully integrated with
United States as a the existing English speaking
of RI’s other His- a relationship with Hispanic Mission-
panic Ministries our Lord Jesus Christ.” congregation of the parish. For
at St George’s ary, first at Grace example, the choir program for
Church in Central Church in New children age 6-12 takes place be-
Falls and Church of the Messiah in Orleans and then at San Juan in South tween the English and Spanish
Providence to join Church of the As- Carolina. services so that children of both
cension on this exciting day, and it was services can participate. 
The beginning of any new congrega-
a glorious celebration.

In response to the growing Hispanic/

Latino population in our state, Rhode
Island parishes collectively voted at our
Diocesan Convention last October to
expand diocesan ministry to this par-
ticular population. In the following
months, after a careful search, the Rev.
Mercedes Julián was called as our new
Hispanic Missioner and asked to begin
the new Ministry in partnership with

FALL 2010 / RISEN 13

 2010 Conventi
on Resolutions
E ach Parish in th
meet October 2
what these reso
e Diocese of R
3rd to vote on th
hode Island has
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a few delegates
to our Diocesa
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e Episcopal Ch life, and through now
urch’s General C your parish deleg
lay Delegates, n onvention, our ates you have a
ot Deputies. D Diocesan Conve
elegates are requ ntion has Clerg
are being correc ired to vote as re y members and
tly represented presentatives of
read the followin their Parish, so
tions committe g the ten resolu to make sure yo
e, and let your tions which wer u
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es know what yo th is year’s resolu-
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irm sgen n-
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14 RISEN / FALL 2010 th g
 NTION
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FALL 2010 / RISEN 15

 1. Inclusive Church Paperwork

RESOLVED, That this 220th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Rhode Island recom-
mend and encourage all bodies of the diocese to utilize all available resources
to revise and adapt forms to be fully inclusive of all people: by including lines
not only for one’s legal name, but also for one’s preferred name as well as one’s
gender identity and pronoun preference.

Explanation

The 76th General Convention – held in 2009 – adopted several resolutions support-
ing and affirming the transgender members of The Episcopal Church. Resolutions
included supporting transgender civil rights and supporting a fully inclusive ENDA
(Employment Non-discrimination Act). This resolution extends into the life of the
Church the respect and recognition of transgender people conveyed by these other
resolutions, by calling for a small but significant change in forms. This reso-
lution would add four lines to Church forms: legal name, preferred name, gender
identity, and pronoun preference. The addition of preferred name would benefit
many people. A person’s legal name could be William, but he might go by his middle
name. For transgender persons, the “preferred name” line can facilitate respectful
treatment even if they do not have the financial means to legally change a birth
name to one that reflects their gender identity. The choice to write out one’s
gender identity (one’s inner sense of oneself as a man, a woman, or another gender
category), rather

than the restriction of the categories “male” or “female” from a multiple choice
dropdown menu, would significantly facilitate the ability of transgender people
to access and take their place within the life of the Church. Similarly, the abil-
ity to choose the pronouns by which one is referenced deeply impacts transgender
people’s experience on a very concrete level, moment by moment. The imposition of
pronouns with which one does not identify can be experienced as profoundly de-
humanizing. Adding these four lines to church forms would represent a small but
significant step forward as transgender people increasingly take their place in
the life of the Church. In a highly concrete way, these changes would reflect our
conviction, as stated in our Baptismal Covenant, that we respect the dignity of
every human being. Forms are, in a real sense, doorways that can significantly
frame our experience of the Church. For transgender people – and indeed, for all
– they should stand open, inviting and valuing full participation.

Submitted by

Ms. Caryl Frink, Good Shepherd, Pawtucket

The Rev’d Jennifer Pedrick, Epiphany, Rumford
The Rev’d Jennifer Phillips, St. Augustine’s, Kingston
Mr. Dante Tavolaro, St. Paul’s, Pawtucket
Report

The Resolutions Committee recommends adoption of this resolution.

16 RISEN / FALL 2010

2. Handicap Accessibility at Diocesan Events

RESOLVED, That in order to ensure that all people can be welcomed at diocesan
liturgies and events, the Diocese of Rhode Island shall commit to holding
diocesan events only in those spaces which are substantially compliant with
the standards of the “Accessibility Mini-Audit for Churches”, especially those
items concerning wheel chair access, and be it further

RESOLVED, that this shall apply to Diocesan Convention, the Convention Eucha-
rist, Convocation, and Confirmations.

Explanation

The holy obligation of extending hospitality requires that we make our diocesan
events open, welcoming and accessible to people with physical disabilities.
While churches may not reach every standard of the Accessibility Mini-Audit,
it seems good to set a standard toward which to strive. Meanwhile, we hope to
ensure that people in wheel chairs are able to access diocesan liturgies. The
Episcopal Church does not seem to have created a compact checklist such as the
one to which this resolution refers, so this resolution relies on good work by
the United Methodist Church.

The “Accessibility Mini-Audit for Churches” is available online at: http://

tinyurl.com/miniaudit

Printed copies will be available at each table during Diocesan Convention.

Submitted by

The Rev’d R. Casey Shobe, St. Peter’s by-the-Sea, Narragansett

Report

The Resolutions Committee recommends adoption of this resolution. This resolu-

tion is presented here in a form slightly different from the way in which it
was submitted. The Resolutions Committee suggested changes to the submitter,
who was supportive of the proposed changes.

FALL 2010 / RISEN 17

3. Transparency in Finances and Leadership

RESOLVED, That in order to encourage open access to information, the Diocese of Rhode
Island shall make financial and other leadership information available on its website,
and be it further

RESOLVED, That an accurate list of Diocesan leaders, including the members of all
elected bodies and all appointed Commissions and Committees of the Diocese, shall be
kept on the website and that these lists shall be updated within 30 days of any changes
of leadership position whether through election, resignation, appointment, or replace-
ment, and be it further

RESOLVED, That monthly treasurer's reports shall be posted within 30 days of the end of
each month, and be it further

RESOLVED, That the full report of the audit of the Diocese and a summary of all sig-
nificant assets of the Diocese shall be posted annually, including current balance and
a brief description of each restricted fund and of any real estate holdings, and be if
further

RESOLVED, That summaries of meetings from Diocesan bodies, including Standing Commit-
tee, Diocesan Council, and all Commissions, recognizing that some confidential infor-
mation may be redacted, shall be posted regularly on the diocesan website or shall be
linked from the diocesan website if posted elsewhere, and be it further

RESOLVED, That complete annual reports, including financial reports and audits, of
all diocesan institutions, shall either be posted on the diocesan website or shall be
linked from the diocesan website if posted elsewhere, and be it further

RESOLVED, That Diocesan Council shall monitor compliance with this resolution.

Explanation

Open access to information is essential in healthy governance. This resolution en-

sures that members of the Diocese of Rhode Island will have ready access to financial
information. Moreover, this resolution ensures that interested Episcopalians and oth-
ers will know who the leaders of the Dioceses are, should they have questions or sug-
gestions.

Submitted by

The Rev’d R. Casey Shobe, St. Peter’s by-the-Sea, Narragansett

Report

The Resolutions Committee recommends adoption of this resolution. This resolution is

presented here in a form slightly different from the way in which it was submitted. The
Resolutions Committee suggested changes to the submitter, who was supportive of the
proposed changes.

18 RISEN / FALL 2010

4. Mutual Ministry Review

RESOLVED, That the Bishop and Standing Committee engage in an annual Mutual Minis-
try Review (MMR) each year and publish the results of each MMR in RISEN and on the
diocesan web site.

Explanation

Mutual Ministry Reviews are considered “best practice” throughout the Church. The
Diocese requires MMR’s to be done in the first year of any Rector’s tenure and en-
courages their use throughout a Rector’s tenure. The ongoing use of MMR’s by the
Bishop and Standing Committee would both add to the effectiveness of their work
together and set a good example for the entire Diocese. An increasing number of
Bishops and Standing Committees are already practicing annual MMRs.

Submitted by

The Rev’d Robert T. Brooks, retired

Report

The Resolutions Committee recommends that this resolution be referred to the Stand-
ing Committee. The Resolutions Committee believes that the intent of this resolution
can be achieved by encouraging the Standing Committee to address this topic with the
Bishop.

5. Merger of Diocese

RESOLVED, That the Bishop and Sanding Committee or their designees enter into dis-
cussions with the Dioceses of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Western Massachu-
setts regarding the possibility of merging the Diocese of Rhode Island with one
of those dioceses, and report the results of those conversations to the Diocesan
Convention in 2011.

Explanation

In times of continued economic uncertainty and the ongoing mergers of parishes in

the Diocese of Rhode Island, our diocese should explore the possible benefits of
partnering with a neighboring diocese. Provisions for what the Constitution of the
Episcopal Church refers to as “the junction of two or more dioceses” can be found
in Article V of the Constitution.

Submitted by

The Rev’d Robert T. Brooks, retired

Report

The Resolutions Committee recommends that this resolution be referred to the Stand-
ing Committee. The Resolutions Committee believes that the intent of this resolution
can be achieved by encouraging the Standing Committee to address this topic with the
Bishop. The Resolutions Committee notes that there is another resolution covering
substantially the same topic as this one. The Convention may address only one reso-
lution on the same topic, so if the other resolution has been acted on, then this
one will not be acted on.

FALL 2010 / RISEN 19

6. Begin study of possible merger between the Diocese of Rhode Island and a neighbor-
ing Diocese.

RESOLVED, That the Standing Committee appoint a study committee to investigate di-
ocesan mergers already effected and those under study in the Episcopal Church, and
report back to the 2011 Convention their findings, which should include, but not be
limited to, options for possible merger.

Explanation

The recent economic decline and the continuing merger and closing of parishes in
the Diocese of Rhode Island dictates that it would be prudent to study the possi-
bility of merger with another diocese. Our ability to provide fundamental minis-
tries in Episcopal parishes and for the common good has been threatened and dimin-
ished.

Submitted by

The Rev’d Marsue Harris, Trinity, Cranston

Report

The Resolutions Committee notes that there is another resolution covering substan-
tially the same topic as this one. The Convention may address only one resolution on
the same topic, so if the other resolution has been acted on, then this one will not be
acted on. It is the Committee’s sense that the other resolution more effectively ad-
dresses the intent of the proposers to encourage conversation about a diocesan merger.

7. Balance the diocesan budget by a one-year reduction of all staff compensation and
continuing the compensation freeze through 2011, protecting core ministries

RESOLVED, That the diocesan budget be balanced through the combination of a one-year
compensation (and work hour) reduction for all diocesan staff, and the continuation
of the compensation freeze for 2011, protecting core ministries through the current
downturn.

Explanation

A unanimous resolution of the vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church, Pawtuxet: Having

expressed our opposition to some proposals to balance the diocesan budget through
core ministry cuts we feel obligated to offer viable alternatives. We propose that
the convention consider balancing the budget in part by temporarily reducing sala-
ries for all diocesan staff while preserving church-defining ministries including
Christian formation and prison chaplaincy. It is a common practice in industry to
preserve the strength and accumulated expertise of the organization through diffi-
cult times by retaining all staff while temporarily reducing all staff compensation
and working hours. As conditions improve the organization emerges from downturns
with full strength.

Submitted by

The Rev’d Marsue Harris, Trinity, Cranston

Report

The Resolutions Committee recommends referral to the Commission on Finance. The

Convention should address budget concerns when the budget itself is being considered,
not through resolutions.

20 RISEN / FALL 2010

8. Retain Director of Christian Formation and Resource Center

RESOLVED, That the position of Director of Christian Formation and the associated
resource center, proclaimed as high priority ministries of the diocese, be main-
tained at 2010 funding levels in 2011, and not reduced and not eliminated to balance
the diocesan budget.

Explanation

A unanimous resolution of the vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church, Pawtuxet: For

our parish Christian formation is a core ministry that depends in important ways
on expertise, oversight and resources at the diocesan level. We agree with the
high priority the diocese places on Christian formation among its ministries. We
therefore oppose proposals to eliminate or to halve the Rhode Island Diocese po-
sition of Director of Christian Formation and the associated resource center as a
way to balance the diocesan budget.

Submitted by

The Rev’d Marsue Harris, Trinity, Cranston

Report

The Resolutions Committee recommends referral to the Commission on Finance. The Con-
vention should address budget concerns when the budget itself is being considered,
not through resolutions.

Don’t
D orget:
on’t FForget:
Convention is October 22nd and 23rd 2010
-October 22nd 6pm Opening Eucharist @ the Cathedral
-No RSVP necessary & Its FREE!
-The Rev. Canon Andrew White “The Vicar of Baghdad” will be
guest preacher. Watch his crazy videos of ministry in Iraq online at
www.episcopalri.org/diocesan convention .

-Business Stuff is on October 23rd.

-Check in at 7:30am & Continental Breakfast by the ECW !
-9:00am SHARP call to order
-Register (for this part) online by October 18th. $20 + handling
Theres a late fee so do it now at www.episcopalri.org/diocesan convention

FALL 2010 / RISEN 21

The Who’s Who
Convention 2010’s Nominee Biographies

I am pleased to announce this year’s nominations for the open leadership po-

sitions in the diocese, as well as for our deputation to the next General Con-

vention of the Episcopal Church. Read these biographies carefully, because

at Diocesan Convention on October 23rd your parish Clergy and Delegates

will be asked to vote on your behalf. You’ll need to let them know what you

think, and there are many fine men and women to choose from. Rhode Island

I am proud to present to you the people who will form our future together.

Standing Committee
The Rev. Robert T. Brooks, retired
Bob has served as rector of two parishes (Christ Church in Kent, Ohio and Grace
Church in Providence) and as the Interim at St. Andrew’s-by-the-Sea in Little Comp-
ton. In the Diocese of Rhode Island, Bob has served on Diocesan Council, Finance
(Chair), and College Work. Bob serves as a trustee and Treasurer of Episcopal Di-
vinity School, as Chair of the Audit Committee of the Episcopal Church, and as a
member of the faculty of CREDO.

The Rev. Dr. Anita Schell-Lambert, Emmanuel

Church, Newport
The Rev. Dr. Anita Louise Schell-Lambert is the 18th rector of Emmanuel Church,
Newport. She is a native of Lancaster, PA and holds degrees in music, English litera-
ture, and world religions from Brown University, General Seminary and most recent-
ly, the Episcopal Divinity School, where she wrote her doctorate thesis on the topic
of environmental justice. She began her ministry at Emmanuel on May 9, 2010.
Before moving to the Diocese of Rhode Island, Anita served as the founding Chair of
the Diocesan Stewardship Committee of Vermont, President of the Standing Com-
22 RISEN / FALL 2010 mittee of the Diocese of Vermont and as an alternate delegate to the Province I
Synod. She chaired the program committee for the Diocese of
Vermont’s 2008 Convention which showcased environmental
stewardship. While serving St. Peter’s, Bennington, VT, Anita
served on various community boards, including Bennington
Project Independence, the Turning Point Recovery Club, and
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light. As a member of the Ben-
nington Interfaith Council Anita founded the free clinic of
Bennington, VT. Anita looks forward to serving in the Dio-
cese of Rhode Island.
The Rev. Susan Wrathall, St.
Mark’s, Warwick
The Rev’d Susan Wrathall is the Rector of St. Mark’s Church
in Warwick. She is completing her term on Diocesan Council
where she also served on the Executive Committee. She serves
on the Program and Budget Committee and on the Episcopal
Conference Center board. Susan was ordained to the priest-
hood in 2006 while serving as the Assistant to the Rector at St.
Paul’s Church in Pawtucket. She has three adult children and
two grandchildren.
Mr. William Plumb, Trinity
Church Cranston
Cradle Episcopalian and lifelong member of Trinity Church
Cranston. Vestry person for over 20 years, Assistant Treasurer,
Junior Warden and Senior Warden. Also served on Finance
Committee, Stewardship, Usher and Head of Acolytes. Con-
troller at SafeData, Disaster Recovery Firm in Warwick, RI,
Past Secretary, Pawtuxet Volunteer Department, past Co-
President Pawtuxet Village Association. Harbormaster, City of
Warwick, Pawtuxet Cove area. Board of Governors Edgewood
Yacht Club. Delegate to Rhode Island Diocesan Convention
past 15 years. Standing Committee 4 years and President of
Standing Committee 2008.
Diocesan Council
The Rev. William Locke, St.
Paul’s, Pawtucket
Fr. Locke was ordained deacon and priest in the Diocese of
Rhode Island by Bishop George Hunt. He has served as Rector
of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Pawtucket, and since
2002 as Rector of St. Paul’s, Pawtucket. Fr. Locke has served
on the Christian Social Relations Commission, and as chair
of the Financial Assistance and Missions Commission and the
Liturgy and Music Commission. He is a two time Deputy to
General Convention (2006, 2009) and is completing a term
on the Standing Committee, serving as President for the past
two years. He is currently chaplain to the Mission Task Force
and Dean of the Blackstone Deanery. Fr. Locke is a member of
the Homeless Working Group in Pawtucket and serves on the
Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects at Rhode
Island Hospital.
The Rev. Robert Marshall, St.
John’s, Barrington
The Reverend Robert K. Marshall was recently called as the
14th Rector of St. John's Church, Barrington. He came from
St. John's Church in Lynchburg, VA, a large parish in the Dio-
cese of Southwestern Virginia, a responsibility which he has
had for the past four years. In addition to participating in the
liturgical life of the parish and pastoral care of members, Rob-
ert has had particular responsibility for outreach and ministry
to young families. He has worked extensively in developing
children's liturgies and in leading youth mission trips to El
Salvador, Belize, Mexico and Navajo land. He holds the degree
of Master of Divinity from the Virginia Theological Seminary.
Prior to his ordination to the priesthood he was a TV anchor
in North Carolina and Georgia. His interests are varied, and
include hiking, camping, fly-fishing, cycling, golf, as well as
song-writing and participation in a pop/rock band.
Mr. Dave Siefert, Grace Church,
Providence
Dave Seifert is currently Senior Warden at Grace Church in
Providence and is a former member of the parish’s Search
Committee and Welcoming Committee; he also serves as
a lector and intercessor. Before moving to New England, he
twice chaired the Communication Committee for the Diocese
of Kansas. At St. Michael and All Angels in Mission, Kansas,
one of the nation’s 50 largest Episcopal churches, Dave chaired
the Search Committee, Stewardship Committee and Christian
Education Committee, and served on the Vestry. Dave spent
more than 20 years in employee communication leadership
positions with Hallmark Cards and Sprint and now operates
his own communication consultancy, whose clients include
Hasbro, Hallmark, Textron and National Grid. He is a former
worldwide chairman of the International Association of Busi-
ness Communicators, the world’s leading resource for effective
communication practice and a professional network of nearly
16,000 business communicators in more than 70 countries.
FALL 2010 / RISEN 23
 very hard to find the time for her hobbies of creating stained
Mr. Dante Tavolaro, St. Paul’s, glass and copper enameled jewelry.
Pawtucket
Dante is in his Senior Year at Rhode Island College, where he
The Rev. Canon David J. Lucey,
majors in Political Science with a minor in International Non- St. Michael’s, Bristol
Governmental Organization Studies. He has served in several
The Reverend Canon David J. Lucey has been serving as the
ministries in the diocese including ECC, the Environmental
Rector of St. Michael’s Church in Bristol, R.I. since February
Stewardship Task Force, as a General Convention Deputy in
2009. Sponsored and ordained in the Diocese of New York,
2009, and has just completed the Diocesan Discernment Pro-
Canon Lucey has served in three parishes from New York to
gram. As a parishioner of St. Paul’s Pawtucket, he is involved
Illinois with a focus on family ministry, and Christian Forma-
heavily in the music program, is a Rite 13 leader, serves in vari-
tion. In addition to Christian Formation issues he has worked
ous liturgical capacities, has been involved with EfM, and is a
in parish development and successfully led the financing and
delegate to Diocesan Convention. Dante is also a part of Epis-
restoration of an historic Episcopal Church building in the
copalians for Global Reconciliation, TransEpiscopal, Integrity,
diocese of Maine while his parish also improved their annual
and the Episcopal Public Policy Network. In the community
Stewardship Commitment by over $100 thousand. Canon Lu-
he is involved at Youth Pride Inc., the LGBT Substance Abuse
cey currently chairs the Diocesan Program and Budget Com-
Council, and Student Community Government at RIC – with
mittee as well as serving on the Commission on Ministries.
service as a Finance Committee Member, By-laws and adjudi-
He came to ordained ministry after fifteen years in the finan-
cation member, and a student representative on the Council
cial services industry, primarily with the Bank of New York in
of RIC.
Manhattan.

Commission on
Congregational Development
Ms. Jaquelyn Kirby, St. Matthew’s,
Jamestown
Jacquelyn (Jackie) Kirby is a graduate of Berkely Divin-
ity School at Yale (MDiv, 2008), where she received the St.
The Rev. Susan Carpenter, St. George's College, Jerusalem Award for her commitment to in-
Thomas’, Greenville terfaith dialogue. She completed her pastoral education (CPE)
at the Eleanor Slater Hospital in Cranston, RI and served as
Susan was born in Providence, RI and grew up in Scituate. She
an intern at St. James Episcopal Church in New London, CT
earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Rhode Island
and St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Kingston, RI. Prior
College in Education and a Master of Divinity from The Gen-
to attending divinity school, Jackie was a writing professor and
eral Theological Seminary. She was a sixth grade teacher in the
Associate Director of the Writing Program at Boston Univer-
Scituate School system. She and her family lived in Gloces-
sity. She currently serves on the vestry, preaches, and performs
ter on a 50 acre farm, and in 1987 left teaching and opened
a variety of other ministries at St. Matthew's Church in James-
"Cherry Valley Herb Farm". She operated the herb farm until
town, RI. Jackie lives in Jamestown with her husband, Ed, and
going to NYC to seminary in 2005.
her two-year old daughter, Annie.
Susan was active for many years at her home parish of Trinity,
North Scituate in numerous roles. She has been involved in
the wider church community in the Central Deanery as well as
serving on the Diocesan Council, Executive Council, Bridge- Deputation to The
builders and the ECC board. She was the Associate Rector at
St. John’s in Barrington, before becoming the Priest-in-Charge
at St. Thomas’ Church in Greenville, as well as the Program
General Convention
Director at ECC this past May. Susan has been married to The Rev. Scott Gunn, Christ
Brian Carpenter for 35 years and they have two sons, Scott and
Peter. She and Brian now live back in Scituate, where she tries
Church, Lincoln
24 RISEN / FALL 2010
The Rev’d Scott A. Gunn is Rector of Christ Church in Lin-
coln, RI. Scott is committed to the Church and its need to be
both relevant in our modern context and rooted in the ancient
traditions. At Christ Church, he is seeking to build on the
best aspects of local tradition while radically expanding minis-
tries and mission. Scott is running for re-election as a Deputy,
having served at General Convention in 2009. In addition
to his service as a Deputy, Scott serves on Diocesan Council
and as the chair of the Resolutions Committee. He is a native
of Iowa and was educated at Luther College, Yale University,
and Brown University. Prior to ordination he worked in in-
formation technology, working for a variety of for-profit and
non-profit organizations (The Atlantic Monthly, MIT Media
Lab, Education Development Center, IBM). He is married to
Sherilyn Pearce.
The Rev. William Locke, St.
Paul’s, Pawtucket
Fr. Locke was ordained deacon and priest in the Diocese of
Rhode Island by Bishop George Hunt. He has served as Rector
of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Pawtucket, and since
2002 as Rector of St. Paul’s, Pawtucket. Fr. Locke has served
on the Christian Social Relations Commission, and as chair
of the Financial Assistance and Missions Commission and the
Liturgy and Music Commission. He is a two time Deputy to
General Convention (2006, 2009) and is completing a term
on the Standing Committee, serving as President for the past
two years. He is currently chaplain to the Mission Task Force
and Dean of the Blackstone Deanery. Fr. Locke is a member of
the Homeless Working Group in Pawtucket and serves on the
Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects at Rhode
Island Hospital.
The Rev. Jennifer Pedrick, Church
of the Epiphany, East Providence
I have been a priest for eleven years and Rector of Church
of the Epiphany, East Providence for eight years. During
this time I believe I have grown in leadership and ministry.
It has been a privilege to lead Church of the Epiphany as it
has grown in faith, size and service in Christ. Over time, I
have served the Diocese as a member of Diocesan Council,
the Clergy Continuing Education Committee, Bridgebuilders,
the Commission on Ministry, and the Standing Committee. I
was a Deputy to the 2009 General Convention and was the
Chair for the Diocesan Mission Task Force in 2010. In my life
beyond church, I am happily married to Mike DeAngelo and
we have two daughters, Lydia and Bella.
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Philips, St.
Augustine’s, Kingston
I attended the last General Convention for RI as an alternate.
The particular usefulness I offer to this diocese if re-elected,
being Vice President of the Standing Commission on Liturgy
and Music that has been working for years on rites for the
blessing of same sex relationships and civil marriages, new
Eucharistic rites, creation and Creator-honoring rites, Holy
Women Holy Men (now in evaluation process), and liturgical
education materials, is the chance to carry this work forward
& take your voice onto Committee 13 (Liturgy, BCP, and Mu-
sic) at Convention. I have just edited and helped author an
SCLM book on Reconciliation rites coming out this fall from
Church Publishing. My prayers appear in the new Prayerbook
for the Armed Services and two books of my own from CPI.
I’ve served as Rector in RI 10 years, MO 5 years, MA 7 years;
7 years hospital chaplain associate.
The Rev. Melody Shobe, Christ
Church, Lincoln
The Reverend Melody Wilson Shobe has been serving for two
years as the Associate Rector of Christ Church in Lincoln, RI,
where she focuses on Christian formation and outreach. Mel-
ody grew up in Virginia and was educated at Tufts University
and Virginia Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to Rhode
Island, she served at St. Thomas the Apostle in Nassau Bay,
Texas. There she was a member of the Christian Formation
Commission of the Diocese of Texas and wrote for Episcopal
Café. As a priest who is not yet thirty, she hopes to engage
more people her age in the life of the Episcopal Church, be-
cause she believes our rich liturgical tradition and emphasis
on intellectual engagement have a lot to offer those searching
for meaning in today’s world. Melody is excited about being
a delegate to General Convention, where she can get a vision
of the wider church that reaches beyond our geographical and
ideological differences to try and serve God. She hopes that,
following General Convention, she will be able to bring some
of that excitement back to the Diocese of Rhode Island.
Ms. Carol Anne Bennett, St. Mar-
tin’s, Providence
Currently, I am the Financial Administrator at St. Martin’s
Church in Providence,
FALL 2010 / RISEN 25
President and Executive Director of New England Amateur
Skating Foundation, and Bookkeeper at Preserve Rhode Is-
land. In the diocese, I am Chair of the Commission on Min-
istry, and have served previously on the Standing Committee,
Resolutions Committee, Commission on Financial Assistance
and Missions, Admissions Committee, and ECC Board of
Managers. I have been a Deputy to General Convention four
times. In my parish, I have served on the Vestry and Finance,
Outreach, and Worship Committees. I am a licensed lay read-
er and chalice bearer. In the community, I have served on Al-
location Committees for United Way and when my children
were small I served on the Board of Governors and various
committees at their school.
Ms. Amy Esposito, St. Martin’s,
Providence
Amy Esposito is a freshman at Georgetown University. She is a
recent graduate of Lincoln School in Providence, RI where she
was an active member of the Judicial Board, Student Council,
and the Center for Peace, Equity, and Justice. At St. Martin’s,
Amy has served as a lector, acolyte, Sunday school teacher, lay
Eucharistic minister, and was an active youth group member.
She also served on a mission trip in New Orleans in the spring
of 2009. She attended ECC in 7th grade and Happening #62.
Amy was a RI delegate to the Episcopal Youth Event in 2008
and was a member of the Official Youth Presence in General
Convention 2009. While at Convention, she addressed the
Episcopal Church Women and wrote and spoke to a resolution
that promotes youth participation on parish vestries. Amy re-
cently returned from a two week Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
sponsored by Camp Kanuga.
Mr. Joel Gardner, Christ Church,
Lincoln
Joel Gardner is a communicant of Christ Church, Lincoln
where he serves as Senior Warden. He previously served on
the vestry, as treasurer, and as warden at St. James Church in
Woonsocket. He has been a delegate to diocesan convention,
and was a presenter at this year’s Leadership Development
Day. A graduate of Bryant University and Rhode Island Col-
lege, Joel is a second career teacher employed as the Math De-
partment Chair at Shea High School in Pawtucket. Teaching
in an urban school with a diverse student population gives Joel
an appreciation for the richness that various cultures bring to
a community. He would very much like to bring this experi-
ence, and his commitment to supporting congregational devel-
opment and mission work in his parish to share with members
26 RISEN / FALL 2010
of the wider church. In return, he knows that collaboration
with those members will provide a wealth of ideas that can be
brought back to our diocese. Joel and his wife Doreen have
two children who are currently preparing for college.
Ms. Maryann Kolakowski, St.
Paul’s, Pawtucket
I am a lay person, and my daughter and I are active members
of St. Paul’s Church, Pawtucket. I am currently serving as Di-
rector of Christian Formation offering support and resources
to parishes, individuals and ministries throughout the diocese.
Prior to serving on Diocesan Staff, my previous parish and di-
ocesan leadership experience includes having served as a Vestry
person, Jr. and Sr. Warden, leadership in the Central Deanery,
Diocesan Council and over the years serving on a variety of
task forces and committees formed by the Council in order to
support and grow the life of this Christian Community, one of
which was the Program and Budget Committee at the time of
the first triennial budget. Currently, I am active in Province 1
and serve as the Co Convener of the Christian Formation and
Youth Networks.
I am seeking election as a Lay Deputy to the next and 77th
General Convention having served as an Alternate Deputy in
2006 and as a Deputy and part of the World Mission Commit-
tee in 2009. I hope that what I have learned and experienced
in the previous two General Conventions will help me to offer
myself and my gifts in the way that can best serve our wider
church. I will bring my passion for mission and commitment
to Lifelong Christian Formation to this body if elected.
Ms. Phoebe Pettingell, St. Ste-
phen’s, Providence
A professional writer and lifelong Episcopalian, Phoebe Pet-
tingell attended every General Convention from 1979 through
1994 as a lay delegate from the Diocese of Fond du Lac, Wis-
consin; and has since continued to attend in various capaci-
ties for such official bodies as the General Convention Office
and the Ecumenical Office. In 1995, she was appointed to The
Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM), where
she chaired the Expansive Language Project which produced
volumes 1 and 2 of Enriching Our Worship in 1997 and 2000.
Continuing as a consultant for the SCLM, she was principal
editor of EOW 5: Liturgies and Prayers Related to Childbear-
ing, Childbirth, and Loss (2009), and worked extensively on
the new Episcopal Calendar of Saints, Holy Women, Holy
Men (2009). Here in the Diocese of Rhode Island, Phoebe
serves on the Commission on Ministry and as Clerk of the
Vestry at S. Stephen’s Church in Providence.
Mr. Dennis Stark, St. Martin’s,
Providence
Dennis is a member of the Vestry and Treasurer of St. Martin’s
Church in Providence and a member of the Diocesan Coun-
cil and its Executive Committee. He is a past Treasurer and
Chairman of the Finance Commission of the Diocese. He is
on the board of the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge,
MA and is Chairman of their Audit Committee.
He has served as a Deputy to General Convention for three
terms, as a Lay Deputy on the Executive Council of The Epis-
copal Church, and as a member of its Administration & Fi-
nance Committee and Investment Committee. Dennis has resided in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Pawtuck-
In addition to his church service, Dennis is President of the
Pawtucket History Research Center, President-Elect of the
Gilbert Stuart Museum, Vice President of the Preservation
Society of Pawtucket, Vice Chairman of the Historic District
Commission of Pawtucket, and Chairman of the Audit Com-
mittee of the Redwood Library & Athenaeum.
PHOTO: Bishop Wolf with our Deputation to the 2009 General Convention in Anaheim California.
He is also a board member of the Rhode Island Historical Soci-
ety, Friends of the Brown Library, Museum of Primitive Art &
Culture, Rhode Island Philatelic Society, Chorus of Westerly,
Friends of the Pawtucket Public Library, and a member of the
Pawtucket Police and Firemen Pension Commission. He has
served as Vice Chairman of the Budget Panel of the United
Way, Treasurer of the Greater Providence YMCA, and on the
board of the Rhode Island Philharmonic and Music School.
Dennis served for five years as Vice President for Business
& Finance at the University of Rhode Island and was Chief
Financial Officer of six banks in five states over a thirty-five
year banking career. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business
School, studied international economics at Princeton Univer-
sity, and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois Wes-
leyan University.
et since l998.
Mr. Dante Tavolaro, St. Paul’s,
Pawtucket
See Dante’s Biography printed in full on page 24 as he is also a
nominee for Diocesan Council.
FALL 2010 / RISEN 27
 +
episcopal
news
quarterly episcopalchurch.org/ens
fall 2010

BISHOPS
SEE BORDER
REALITIES
By Pat McCaughan

THE NAMES OF those who died trying

to cross the desert sounded against the
hum of rush hour traffic Sept. 14 as 60
Episcopal Church bishops, their spouses
and others moved along the Pan American
Highway in Douglas, Ariz., toward Mexico.
As the roll was called, the procession
responded: “Presente,” answering for
those unable to speak for themselves.
Then, each participant placed a 12- by 18-
inch wooden cross, inscribed with a name or
“No Identificado” followed by a number for
the unidentified dead, on the curbside.
By the procession’s end, 300 crosses
stretched for a quarter-mile to the border,
representing the bodies discovered in the
Bishops participate Sept. 14 in the Healing our Borders vigil organized by Frontera de Cristo, a desert in Cochise County since 1994.
Douglas, Ariz.-based organization, to commemorate the 300 people who have died crossing
the border in Cochise County since 1994. Photo/Lynette Wilson
The vigil was part of a three-day “border
immersion experience” before the House of
Bishops meeting in Phoenix (see Page D).
DIOCESAN DIGEST CHURCHWIDE DIOCESAN DIGEST Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori
Bishops speak on Moravians vote for Dreaming of orchards said she gained a sense of the situation’s
migration, Haiti, MDGs full communion as recovery continues
complexity and thought the visit would “help us
to reduce both our own caricatures and preju-

p.D p.E p.F dices and maybe do the same for others.”
 THE PRESIDING BISHOP’S MESSAGE
WE MUST JOIN
IMMIGRATION
DIALOGUE
by Katharine Jefferts Schori
MOST EPISCOPALIANS are aware of,
and probably invested in, the current
public debates about immigration in
the United States. The 15 other nations
represented in the Episcopal Church also
are engaged in similar debates and
struggles over the same issues of
national security, economic and
political refugees and the rela-
tive priorities of citizens and
immigrants.
Our biblical tradition speaks
loudly and prophetically about
God’s intent for a healed society
in which distinctions based on
nationality or ethnicity are tran-
scended. The Hebrew Bible speaks
more often (38 times) and more vocifer-
ously about welcome for the alien and
the sojourner (the non-Jew who resides
in or travels through Israel) than any
other topic of identity: “Remember that
you were slaves in Egypt … do not op-
press the aliens in your midst” (Deuter-
onomy 24:18-22).
The great prophetic vision of Zion is as
a light to the nations, where all will worship
God and do justice together (Isaiah 42:6-7;
Isaiah 60:3), where people from every lan-
guage, family and nation gather before the
throne of God to build a city of peace and
justice (Revelation 5:9-10; 21:22-26). That
overarching dream of differing peoples
gathered to worship and build a just society
also underlies the founding vision of the
United States. Those American forebears
B episcopal news quarterly fall 2010
claimed that vision of a “city built on a hill”
to which the nations shall stream.
The Episcopal Church long has
claimed a particular place in seeking
to build those divine visions into reality
through engagement with our political,
economic and social structures – and
not only in the United States. That
engagement with society is a
central aspect of the Episcopal
Church’s mission in every part
of the world in which it exists –
those like Honduras and Haiti,
which still are part of this church,
and those like Liberia and the Philip-
pines, now in other provinces of the
Anglican Communion. We believe that
our faith has something essential to do
with how we engage major social issues,
and migration is a central one at present.
Attitudes and political approaches to
migration in the United States and across
the globe have changed in the last decade
both because of increased fears about
terrorism and national security and be-
cause of the ongoing economic crisis. Both
realities have engendered responses that
turn inward to focus on personal security,
both physical and economic.
Those fears are powerful forces, and
they are understandable, even if they are
not always wholly rational. Uncontrolled
migration across the U.S.-Mexico border,
for instance, actually has decreased by
two-thirds over the last decade, and the
total number of undocumented immi-
episcopalchurch.org/ens
grants in the United States has declined
about 10 percent. Violent crime in the
border states has decreased significantly
over the same time period. Yet most
American citizens still believe that more
people are coming and that violence
continues to increase.
Those fears, whether substantiated
by declining employment opportunities
or baseless prejudice, are contributing
to increased tribalism across the globe.
Tribalism is the belief that our group is the
only “good” one and that “we” must protect
ourselves from all “others” who are really
out to destroy us. That attitude is funda-
mentally un-Christian, for it denies that the
“other” really bears the image of God.
At the same time, that kind of attitude
has emerged repeatedly in the United
States and elsewhere as the local people
are threatened by changes represented
by newly arriving groups. Immigrants to
the United States from Ireland, Spain, the
Basque country, Italy, Poland and many
other places have experienced that kind
of xenophobic response in recent centu-
ries. That sort of response is not terribly
far from racism, which forced-immigrants
from Africa and their descendants
continue to experience, and which in an
ironic reversal continues to shape Anglo
responses to Native Americans.
Human beings have packed up and
moved for millennia, (to page D)
The Episcopal Church
welcomes you

“This is how one should regard us, as
servants of Christ and stewards of the
mysteries of God” (I Corinthians 4:2).
ON THE AUTUMNAL equinox just a few
days ago, as the earth was tipping on its
axis, congregations all across the Episco-
pal Church were hoping to tip themselves
‘Perhaps we are being
called to revisit our
concepts of success
and wealth, and invent
a lifestyle that reflects
the Christian values
we profess to hold.’
into the black by preparing for their annual
stewardship campaigns. In the Episcopal
Church, the fall stewardship campaign,
or “pledge drive,” is as predictable as the
rising and setting of the sun.
Even though the stewardship-cam-
paign ritual continues as usual in congre-
gations across the church, this year the
situation is different. All across the globe,
people face new and significant economic
challenges. Unemployment rates are at
all-time highs, funding for public educa-
tion is inadequate, and public services are
on the chopping block. Too many people
are unable to earn even a subsistence in-
come, and too many children and seniors
suffer too much.
The significant societal economic and
THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
BEING STEWARDS OF
GOD’S MYSTERIES
by Bonnie Anderson
environmental change happen-
ing all around us calls us to look
at old practices in new ways. Our
response to all that God has given
us through stewardship – the biblical
tithe and giving of our time, talent and
treasure – has a new sense of urgency.
Like a pebble thrown in a pond, the
pledge that an individual or family makes
to a congregation sustains the ministry of
the congregation and, in turn, contributes
to the ministry of the diocese through the
congregation’s contribution. The ripple
effect carries from our homes to our con-
gregations, to our dioceses and on to the
wider Episcopal Church to support and
enable God’s work in the world.
Until the last several years, giving
increased in the Episcopal Church faster
than the rate of inflation. While member-
ship in the Episcopal Church and at-
tendance at Sunday worship have been
decreasing since 2002, stewardship
trends primarily have been positive.
According to Kirk Hadaway, director of
research for the Episcopal Church, plate
and pledge giving increased steadily
from 1991 to 2008, when it dropped for
the first time since good records were
available. The average pledge among
domestic parishes increased from $1,791
in 2003 to $2,302 in 2008, and plate and
pledge giving per attendee increased
from $1,496 to $1,883 during the same
period, Hadaway has found.
Perhaps now we are being called by
episcopalchurch.org/ens
God to return to our pre-
2008 generosity, even in
the face of economic crisis.
Perhaps we are being called
to revisit our concepts of success
and wealth, and invent a lifestyle that
reflects the Christian values we profess to
hold. Our stewardship practice can exem-
plify our moral theology and demonstrate
the ways we are stewards of relation-
ships, time and money while maintaining
a balance between responsibility and ac-
tion. God’s work seeks a rare equilibrium.
Let’s put a lid on our own personal
spending and envision ourselves living
within a personal budget that is lower than
what we really have available. Let’s call
the difference between our real income
and our budget a “cost of giving” increase.
We can target our personal tithe on the
real income, then add the cost of giving.
Then give the total amount away.
Like the harvest moon, which unusu-
ally coincided with the autumnal equi-
nox this year, the yearly stewardship
campaign may look like just another
business-as-usual event to the unprac-
ticed eye. But God’s work is never busi-
ness as usual. Each individual’s, family’s,
congregation’s and diocese’s giving
takes on immeasurable significance in
these tough times, calling us anew to
unimagined opportunities to live as the
holy people of God.
episcopal news quarterly fall 2010 C
 TOP STORIES
BISHOPS SPEAK ON MIGRATION,
HAITI, MDGS, BENNISON
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
and Pat McCaughan
THE HOUSE OF Bishops, concluding its
Sept. 16-21 gathering, issued a pastoral
letter and a “theological resource” on
immigration, pledged to support a major
fund drive to aid rebuilding the Episcopal
Church in Haiti and reaffirmed support for
the U.N. Millennium Development Goals.
The bishops also called on Diocese of
Pennsylvania Bishop Charles Bennison
to “tender his immediate and uncondi-
tional resignation.” Bennison, saying
that he has “always been innocent of the
charges against me,” announced Sept.
22 that he would not resign. He said he
hoped that “the suffering I have endured
during the past three years has strength-
ened me and will enable me to work for
reconciliation within the diocese.”
Bennison resumed his role as dioc-
esan bishop Aug. 16, after the church’s
Court of Review for the Trial of a Bishop
overturned a lower church court’s finding
that he should be deposed (removed)
from ordained ministry because he
had engaged in conduct unbecoming a
member of the clergy. The review court
agreed with one of the lower court’s
two findings of misconduct but said that
Bennison could not be deposed because
the charge was barred by the church’s
statute of limitations.
On immigration, the bishops said,
the motivation for reform begins with “an
obligation to advocate for every undocu-
mented worker as already being a citizen
of God’s reign on earth and one for
whom Christ died.”
D episcopal news quarterly fall 2010
In their 17-page “The Nation and the
Common Good: Reflections on Immi-
gration Reform,” the bishops said that
concerns about “the threat uncontrolled
immigration poses to our safety and eco-
nomic well-being” must be “approached
within the broader context of a national
commitment and covenant to inclusion
and fellowship across all lines for the
sake of the common good.”
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts
Schori predicted that the document
would be “the subject of a great deal of
conversation and, I hope, learning over
the coming months and years.”
The Episcopal Church’s stance on
immigration reform is guided by the
policies set out in General Convention
resolutions. Most recently, Resolution
B006, passed in 2009, repeated
the church’s call for comprehensive
immigration reform.
In other actions, the bishops, noting
the Sept. 20-22 high-level United Nations
summit on progress towards achieving
the Millennium Development Goals, called
the goals “a response to God’s mission of
restoration and reconciliation” and pledged
“to re-engage our dioceses in helping to
achieve the goals of the MDGs.”
The bishops also backed a planned
fundraising appeal to help the Episcopal
Diocese of Haiti rebuild after a magni-
tude-7 earthquake on Jan. 12 devastated
the country. The idea began with Execu-
tive Council’s challenge to the church to
raise at least $10 million for initial recon-
struction. The council was due to discuss
the appeal in more detail during its Oct.
23-25 meeting in Salt Lake City.
episcopalchurch.org/ens
PRESIDING BISHOP, FROM PAGE B
in search of food, shelter, safety, better
climate, economic opportunity and free-
dom. The presenting issue in the United
States centers on American labor needs
and economic need in Mexico and other
Latin American countries. The American
economic system depends on labor that
is not being provided by citizens. Mexi-
can citizens seek to fill that labor need in
order to answer their economic need. We
currently do not have legal structures that
permit an adequate and appropriate flow
of labor to satisfy those mutual needs.
Americans benefit from the current
system, which encourages “illegal” migra-
tion, primarily in the form of low-cost food.
Americans also benefit from a larger
international system that privileges do-
mestic crop production through subsidies
and penalizes food production in other
nations through import duties. We cannot
separate the immigration issue from the
economic systems in which we all partici-
pate and from which only some profit.
We all agree that American immigra-
tion law is broken. Just and appropri-
ate responses can be shaped in public
conversations in which people of faith do
and must have a voice. As you engage
in that civic discourse, I would encourage
you to learn more about the underly-
ing issues and then gather with others
in your congregation and in the larger
community to reflect on a number of
questions:
What values do I as a Christian
hold about the dignity of every human
person?
Should immigrants be treated differently
from citizens and, if so, how and why?
What values do I believe this nation
should hold up as central?
What are my own fears in the midst of
this current debate?
What is my prayer?
churchwide
MORAVIANS VOTE FOR
FULL COMMUNION
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
THE SOUTHERN PROVINCE of the Mora-
vian Church voted Sept. 10 to enter into full
communion with the Episcopal Church.
The 121-74 vote came after two
hours of debate on the second day of the
church’s Sept. 9-12 quadrennial
Provincial Synod at Blue
Ridge Assembly in Black
Mountain, N.C.
Presiding Bishop
Katharine Jefferts Schori
said after learning of the
decision, “I am delighted that
the Southern Province has discerned
the rightness of a full-communion agree-
ment with the Episcopal Church. Togeth-
er we will be better able to serve Christ
our chief elder and all God’s people.”
“This is an important action for our
churches, both Moravian and Episcopal,”
Wayne Burkette, Moravian bishop and
outgoing Provincial Elders’ Conference
president, said in a press release. “Full
communion acknowledges our essential
unity as disciples of Jesus Christ and
enhances our witness to the world.”
Diocese of Milwaukee Bishop Steven
Miller told ENS that he hoped the decision,
paired with a similar agreement made in
June with the Moravian Northern Province,
“will mean that we can really support one
another’s ministries in some new and excit-
ing ways and deepen the learnings from
one another through some real experi-
ences of each other’s tradition and gifts.”
Miller, co-chair of the Moravian Episco-
pal Dialogue, addressed the synod before
the vote. He said he told the participants
“we were given an opportunity today to
witness that disagreement doesn’t mean
division and to witness to our com-
mon unity in Christ.”
During the ensuing debate,
members defeated an amend-
ment to table the issue indefinite-
ly. Earlier, a legislative committee
rejected as out of order a substitute
resolution critical of what it called the
Episcopal Church’s “rejection of the
authority of the Scriptures” and other
theological standards, and noted the
tension between parts of the church and
the Anglican Communion. The substitute
resolution would have postponed any
decision until 2014.
The Rev. Thomas Ferguson, the Epis-
copal Church’s officer for ecumenical and
interreligious affairs, told ENS that the
Episcopal Church was “not of one mind”
on certain theological issues.
“I firmly believe that this is something
that we can struggle with together,” he said.
“We can move ahead despite our dis-
agreements. In fact, I think we’re called
to move ahead with disagreements. I
appreciated the honesty and clarity with
episcopalchurch.org/ens
Diocese of Milwaukee Bishop Steven Miller,
co-chair of the Moravian Episcopal Dialogue,
addresses the Provincial Synod of the Northern
Province of the Moravian Church June 18 after
the synod agreed to be in full communion with
the Episcopal Church. Photo/Kat Lehman,
Diocese of Bethlehem
which the debate went on here – the fact
that people were clear and honest about
where they feel there are some disagree-
ments. I don’t think full communion
requires us to reach unanimity on those
[disagreements].”
The Moravian Church does not allow
service by openly gay and lesbian mem-
bers, but the church’s international body,
the Unitas Fratrum, has said the issue is
not a doctrinal matter, Ferguson has noted.
A liturgical service to inaugurate the
agreements will be held later this year or
early in 2011, and the denominations soon
will begin “the process of working together
in mission and ministry,” Ferguson said.
The Northern Province of the Moravi-
an Church on June 18 agreed by a near-
ly unanimous voice vote to enter into full
communion with the Episcopal Church.
Each province can independently enter
into full-communion relationships.
The Episcopal Church agreed during
the 2009 General Convention to enter
into a full-communion relationship with
both provinces.
episcopal news quarterly fall 2010 E
diocesan digest
DREAMING OF URBAN
ORCHARDS AS KATRINA
RECOVERY CONTINUES
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
FIVE YEARS AGO as New Orlea-
nians struggled to survive in the
wake of Hurricane Katrina, few if
any were thinking about trying to
plant an orchard in the Uptown
neighborhood.
A group supported by the
Jericho Road Episcopal Housing
Initiative is working toward just that
goal. The orchard will complement
the community garden that already
exists in the Faubourg Delassize
“sub-neighborhood” of what some
call the Uptown and others refer to
as Central City.
Jericho Road and Episcopal
Community Services of Louisiana
are two Episcopal Church-affiliated
organizations that have grown and trans-
formed themselves and the people they
serve since they began work during the
months after Katrina wreaked destruction
over the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, 2005.
Nell Bolton, ECSLA executive director,
recently told ENS that the organization
had spent the last year transforming itself
from the Diocese of Louisiana’s Office of
Disaster Relief out of “a real recognition
that as the church we do have a role to
F episcopal news quarterly fall 2010
An Episcopal Community Services of Louisiana volunteer builds a deck
for one of the many homeowners who had their homes destroyed by Hurri-
cane Katrina. More than 12,000 volunteers from across the United States,
as well as from other countries, have helped New Orleans-area families
restore their lives since 2005. Photo/ECSLA
play in addressing immediate crises in
our midst, as well as longer-term crises
around poverty, racism and exclusion.”
Brad Powers, Jericho Road’s ex-
ecutive director, said that organization’s
“core idea, which we still have, of creat-
ing housing” soon grew to where the staff
saw that high-quality, low-cost housing
was “one piece of an orchestrated effort
that we’ve come to discuss as commu-
nity revitalization.”
Jericho Road’s idea for an orchard
episcopalchurch.org/ens
was one of five winners in the Communi-
ties Take Root competition sponsored
by Edy’s Fruit Bars and the Fruit Tree
Planting Foundation.
“We would never have been able to
pick out of thin air that an orchard was
something that a bunch of residents
would want to have in their neighbor-
hood,” Powers said. Such ideas come
of “trying to provide confidence, trying
to provide improvements to the built
environment, trying to
link residents to each
other and trying to
brand the area a little.”
ECSLA has helped
more than 3,500
New Orleans-area
residents to restore
their homes, lives and
communities, and
hosted more than
12,000 volunteers who
came to the area to
help in the recovery
effort, according to a
summary of the orga-
nization’s work. Some
of ECSLA’s work has
occurred in the same
area where Jericho Road operates.
“Clearly people have gone through an
extraordinary healing journey, but many
others are still on that journey,” Bolton
said.
There is a “fragility of well-being”
among many Katrina survivors, she said.
Bolton’s work has reminded her that
“without real intentional focus the most
vulnerable will continue to get passed
by … and that that is a place that we are
called to be as a church.”
 Postlude 2010 Advent
Dear Readers
Here is a secret: The Convention Issue of RISEN Magazine is my least favorite
,
Confirmations
December 4th, 10am
issue of the year. I hear the feeling is mutual. And yet, this is perhaps the most Cathedral of St. John
important issue we release. 271 N. Main Street, Providence

As much as Convention details can be tedious, as much as we would all prefer to Clergy, Presenters, and
hear and do fellowship and ministry all the time, it is Convention’s planning and
crafting of our future that enables us to spend the rest of our time (or pages in
candidates should arrive 1 hour
RISEN’s case) in more meaningful feeling pursuits. early for orientation.

My hope is that this issue, if not as fun as others, will help you take ownership Additional info will be sent as
of our future together as a diocese, through being a part of Conventions’ deci- the dates approach.
sions. Read the resolutions and nomination biographies. Tell your parish Clergy
and Delegates what you think. You can help form the future of our diocese.
Contact :
Ruth A. Meteer, Editor in Chief
Canon Tylan Creason at
Ty@episcopalri.org or
THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF RHODE ISLAND 274-4500 X 242

2010 DIOCESAN
CONVENTION
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THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF RHODE ISLAND

2010 DIOCESAN
CONVENTION
FRIDAY
OCTOBER 22 6:00PM
The Cathedral of St. John
Opening Eucharist Followed by a Reception

SATURDAY
OCTOBER 23 9:00AM
The Marriott Downtown, One Orms Street

As Our Guest:
The Rev. Canon Andrew White
Canon Andrew White is the President of the Foundation for Relief and
Reconciliation in the Middle East, a non-profit organization dedicated see the latest issue at
to finding a peaceful solution to conflicts. www.episcopalri.com/christian formation