Mission Task Force - 2012

MTF Minutes for May 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 14:47:00 +0000

Minutes of the Mission Task Force- May 10th, 2012

Noon – 2:00 pm, St. Paul’s Pawtucket

Noonday Prayer in the chapel (15 min.) Ricky Brightman, Jennifer Pedrick (Chair), Gail Peet, Modesta Pellot, Paul Jordan (Secretary) Peter Lane, Bill Locke, Ken Poulton.

Catching up, checking in:
We shared experiences of Holy Week and Eastertide that were particularly nourishing for our congregations and us.

Review of Convocation:

What went well?

Friday night worship and meal well received, especially bi-lingual worship and music.
Saturday morning worship was well prepared and meaningful
Workshops presented multiple viewpoints and voices

Mission task force members and other volunteers stepped in as needed throughout the day to keep the event moving smoothly

Convocation was a good effort by MTF to follow through on its initial plan for community and ministry building in the Diocese

Excellent assistance from diocesan staff with publicity, registration and planning

Ruth Meteer invaluable.

What could be done better in the future?

More time for audience interaction and participation in workshops
Better written description of workshop content

Include questions for keynote speaker on the event registration form

Optional lunchtime discussion session with keynote speaker or other
Include with the take-out menu of ministry ideas a schedule of additional follow-up events or mini-workshops to continue building on theme

Convocation evaluation results

Questions on overall satisfaction with various elements of the event such as speaker choice, theme, program and length indicated a high level of satisfaction. Detailed individual comments were a bit of mixed bag of mostly positive feedback with a few negatives about the speaker included.

Finance Report

Total Event Revenue $18,761

Total Event Expenses $22,952

Net Apportionment $4,190

New MTF Business

Gail Peet has been exploring the potential for a “backpack” feeding ministry that would send children on free or reduced price lunch programs home each Friday afternoon with a discrete backpack full of nutritious meals and snack items. Programs have or currently exist in Providence and Pawtucket via the school lunch providers. Gail and her outreach group at St Martin’s – Providence will continue to investigate the concept. Ideally they would launch a program and then provide the model and methods for others to do the same.

Jennifer reported on a recent event at which dozens of volunteers portioned and packaged 20,000 ready to cook meals for distribution to those in need. We discussed the potential for organizing a diocesan event to do the same.

Discussion led to proposal that MTF produce a catalog of successful church feeding ministries that would include a program description, suggestions for getting started and contact information.

Members were asked to think more about how to feed diocesan leadership.

Meeting adjourned with a brief prayer at 2 pm.

Why I'm excited about Convocation - Deacon Buck Close

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 16:50:00 +0000

This Lent I am using a devotional guide written by Bishop Tom Wright, the noted English New Testament author and scholar. Today he used the story of Jesus calming the storm that is found in Mark’s 4^th chapter as his text. He talks about the incredulity of the disciples when confronted with Jesus’ miraculous calming of the stormy seas. And then he comments, “Part of the point of Christian discipleship is to have our minds and imaginations challenged, opened, stretched, reshaped.” This observation made me think of the work of the Mission Task Force over the past few years and of the Diocesan Convocation that is coming up at the end of next week.

In trying to think about ways in which our Diocese can unite in the mission of Feeding the Hungry, we have been challenged by the difficulty of getting any group as large and diverse as our Diocese to focus on a single mission. Fortunately, our mission focus on Feeding the Hungry can be interpreted in as many ways as there are hungers out there to feed. So we have been thinking and talking and praying about those many interpretations with open and, yes, stretched minds for the past couple of years. Some of the fruit of all this thinking, talking and praying will be on display at Convocation and I urge every RI Episcopalian to come and share in this exploration of mission next week at Convocation.

Sara Miles is our speaker and reading her books Take this Bread and Jesus Freak make me eager to hear her in person. One thing she wrote especially applies to Convocation. In the introduction to Jesus Freak she wrote, “…I found that Jesus does not, anywhere in the Gospel, spend too much time calling his people to have feelings, ideas, or opinions. He calls us to act: hear these words of mine and act on them.” At Convocation we will concentrate on how we can put Jesus’ words into action right here, right now. Come join us.

Deacon Buck Close

Three Things That Excite Me About Convocation

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:09:00 +0000

by The Rev'd Peter Lane, Interim Rector
St David's on-the-Hill, Cranston

The first is having the chance to see Sara Miles again. I was part of a convocation she facilitated two years ago in the Diocese of Olympia. Ms. Miles is dynamic, provocative (in the best sense of that word) and passionate about her ministry. I’m glad to have the chance to see her again, and to have my friends and colleagues here in the Diocese of Rhode Island meet and work with her as well. Get ready to be inspired.

The second thing that excites me about Convocation is the energy and enthusiasm I’m picking up every time I talk with someone about our focus of feeding hungers in our lives. People are quite literally hungry for ways to get involved in feeding ministries. I think the Mission Task Force has really tapped into a vital concern in our parishes across the diocese, and folks are ready to both learn how they can help and to bring that message back to their congregations. Get ready to be involved.

The third thing that really excites me is re-discovering that wonderful truth about God’s economy – “give and you will receive”. Every time I’ve had the chance to offer a hand up to someone – a bag of groceries, a hearty meal, a roof over their head, hope for a better tomorrow – I come away realizing how deeply I’ve been blessed by the chance to help. Its part of the wild and wonderful way God operates. The more I give away, the richer I feel, the more I empty myself, the fuller I am. Get ready to revel in God’s abundance.

Don’t forget that every parish has been invited to bring a display about feeding ministries going on in your parish – food pantries, soup kitchens, community gardens, nutrition programs – whatever is feeding people in your community, come and share with the rest of us so that we might learn from you and be inspired to go and do likewise.

Minutes of the Mission Task Force - January 12th, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:25:00 +0000

Noonday Prayer in the chapel (15 min.) Ricky Brightman, Buck Close, Paul Jordan, Peter Lane (absent), Bill Locke, Jennifer Pedrick, Modesta Pellot (absent), Melody Shobe, Susan Wright

Catching up, checking in

We spent a bit of time discussing recent experiences of the mystery of the incarnation that have caused us to change direction or inspired us to try something new. We also learned that Modesta is in the hospital; we will pray for her speedy recovery and return to us.

Business Details

Ricky and Jennifer continue to coordinate with Ty on Marriot space and food requirements. Additional space for breakout sessions is included in the fee for the main ballroom however there may be an additional charge of $600 for the room off the lobby that we want to use as a worship/breakout space. Jennifer reported that the budget is in the green with $5000 (Diocese), $4,500 (Gifts), $500 (ECW), $2,500 (Bishop), $4,500 (CDC) and a projected $5000 in registration fees (200@$25)

Publicity

Ricky will work with Ruth Meteer on publicity and registration needs. Melody is adapting the card we distributed at Convention for use as a promotional flyer/poster for distribution in diocesan bulk mail.

The Congregational Development Commission will promote a diocesan wide reading of TakeThis Bread and/or Jesus Freak in the coming weeks.

The following announcement went to Ruth for the next eRisen:

“Freaky Fridays”

Join friends from around the Diocese of RI in discussing the book, Jesus Freak: Feeding, Healing, Raising the Dead, by our convocation speaker Sara Miles.

All Fridays in February

10 a.m. Seven Stars Bakery, 20 Newman Ave. Rumford OR

5:30 p.m. at Hope Street Pizza, 772 Hope St., Providence

Please email or call Edmund Harris or Jennifer Pedrick for additional information or just read the first chapter and show up on February 3.

Contact info: edmund@epiphanyep.org, jennifer@epiphanyep.org, 401-434-5012. Book info: saramiles.net

Hospitality for Sara Miles

Sara will fly in on Friday to be greeted at the airport by Buck & Susan who will serve as her hosts for the weekend. Buck is responsible for getting Sara reimbursed for any expenses and for paying her bill at the Marriot.

Friday Evening Liturgy

In a recent e-mail to Jennifer, Sara mentioned being somewhat in the dark on details of the liturgy. Bill will coordinate between her and Karen Fraioli to be sure that all are up to speed. He will also check with Bishop Wolf on the possibility of using real bread for the Eucharist.

Friday Evening Supper

Paul has sent out a second announcement to the e-mail list gathered at Convention and commitments have come in already for many gallons of soup. The supper team is planning for 200 guests with the understanding that the Event Brite registration form will include a means for tallying those who will attend both Friday & Saturday events and/or will make use of the childcare facility at St Luke’s. They will maintain close contact via e-mail and if necessary meet in the next few weeks to iron out any problems.

Saturday

Breakout session facilitators & presenters are mostly on-board. Ricky and Melody are finalizing the roster.

ECW will help with registration table staffing.

MTF members will serve as greeters.

Episcopal Charities will have time on Saturday to talk about how they are embracing “Feed The Hungry” as one basis for making a greater impact in the community and they will announce the start of the 2012 Charities Campaign.

Deadlines

Buck suggested that with time getting short, we need to develop a to-do list with hard deadlines. MTF will meet again on Thursday January 19^th to address this. Ruth Meteer and Ty Creason will be invited.

Next Meeting: Thursday, January 19^th, 2012, noon at St. Paul’s.

Minutes of the Mission Task Force Meeting - December 8th, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:18:00 +0000

Noonday Prayer in the chapel (15 min.) Ricky Brightman, Buck Close (absent), Paul Jordan, Peter Lane, Bill Locke, Jennifer Pedrick, Modesta Pellot, Melody Shobe (absent), Susan Wright

Catching up, checking in

The committee welcomed new member, the Rev’d Peter Lane. Peter told us of his passion for feeding the hungry, summarizing his interests in the phrase ‘table fellowship’. MTF members told Peter some of what our work means to us. Common themes were: joy, connection with people, doing meaningful work, serving in any small way that we can, grassroots effort within the diocese, MTF is a pebble in a pond, outward rippling. We want to inspire others to get out into the world in service.

Update on Feeding 1,000 – Ricky

Ricky has spoken with Ray Jorgensen (St Paul’s, Wickford) about the event now scheduled for December 17^th, noon to 4pm at the RI Convention Center. She reported that the event is well organized and that the Episcopal Diocese of RI is a sponsor. Check website at www.Feed1000.org for more info.

Sharing draft of Convocation Eucharist -- Bill

Draft completed, Spanish language hymn singing, first lesson in Spanish, youth choir for the psalm, bi-lingual gospel and prayers of the people, Sara Miles preaching. Peter wondered about the offering to include “fruits of our labor”, locally grown produce (tough in March) maybe something canned from last year’s harvest? Other items? Ensuing discussion about potential for direction a portion of monetary offering. Committee liked Southside Community Land Trust for all the work they do promoting community gardens on Providence’s south side.

Bill will layout a service bulletin that we hope will be printed by diocesan staff. He is meeting with Bishop Wolf to review the draft liturgy with her and he will seek her guidance on the possibility of using real bread for the Eucharist

Review Convocation project plan and schedule -- Jennifer

Detailed and productive discussion of event details, schedule, workshop content and preesentation guidelines. Remaining issues to be resolved are reflected in the follow-up assignments below:

Modesta will speak to ECW regarding their staffing of morning registration tables
Ricky will meet with Ty & Ruth about EventBrite registration details. We will need something on the registration form indicating attendance on Friday evening. Our expectation is that, as in past years, diocesan staff will continue to manage convocation registration.
Ricky will contact Marriot directly about cost of additional space for workshops and worship. With additional private fundraising in hand we believe we have the budget covered for expenses above and beyond previous convocation costs.
Ricky is also firming up plans for the youth workshop. Dante Tovolaro, Patrick Greene and a representative from ECC will be involved. She is also seeking active youth to participate. Ivy Swinski (St Paul’s, Patucket) was suggested as a possibility.
Peter Lane will think about leading a workshop on feeding bodies and strengthening the body of Christ. He would like to visit a few parishes around the diocese to see what is currently working well here.
Jennifer will contact Sara Miles to finalize a contract and to offer the possibility of staying as a guest in a private home (TBD) rather than at the Marriot.

Convocation Dinner and Logistics updates -- Paul

Over 100 e-mails sent out following convention to potential “potluck” contributors. This was done mainly to verify addresses. The supper committee will begin a major effort to reach out across the diocese in the New Year. A temporary website has been created to help promote and organize the potluck supper. As we get a handle on contributions to the meal, these will be posted on the site so others can see who is bringing what and what is still needed. https://sites.google.com/site/convocationsupper2012/

Paul will communicate with supper committee on the need for volunteer staff to cover all entrances at St Luke’s and to serve as greeters on Saturday morning at the Marriot. Must also work on child care provisions for the Friday worship.
Order 8 more “Feed the Hungry” aprons from Cafe Press for MTF members and others serving as greeters at Friday and Saturday evens. (will need reimbursement for these)

Finance Update: Jennifer

Congregational Development Commission providing $4,500 funding. They will be promoting reading/discussion of Sara Miles’ book(s) ahead of convocation.

Private donors have contributed $4,000 for event budget. (Thank You!)

Communication review and updates

· Paul – add Casey Shobe, Chair of Congregational Development Commission to distribution list for approved meeting minutes

· Bill – another newsletter ready for translation to Spanish. Paul will provide e-mail list collected at convention.

Next Steps: Review of action items to be addressed between now and the next meeting. (Bulleted items above)

Next Meeting: Thursday, January 12, 2012, noon at St. Paul’s

Minutes of the Mission Task Force Meeting - November 10,2011

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:47:00 +0000

Noon – 2:00 pm, St. Paul’s, Pawtucket

Noonday Prayer in the chapel (15 min.) - Ricky Brightman, Buck Close, Paul Jordan, Bill Locke, Jennifer Pedrick, Modesta Pellot, Melody Shobe, Susan Wright

Catching up, checking in -- As a disciple of Jesus Christ, what are you hungry for? What feeding has made you thankful?

• Modesta thankful for soup Fridays at St Georges, two dozen people gathering for lunch with soup and fellowship, giving of time, sharing questions about the church

• Susan hungry for connection with people in the spirit, thankful for MTF and others who help her grow.

• Buck has a similar feeling, hungry for different experience as well. Went to St Stephen’s for their liturgy on all saints.

• Melody hungering for the slowing that comes in advent. Thankful that daughter Isabel is now saying I love you Mommie!

• Bill, thankful for feeding of all saints all souls, opportunities to come together and delve deeper, time to worship and pray in quiet

• Jennifer - thankful for church at occupy providence, opportunity to feed, hungering for a time of stillness

• Ricky - hungering to get out to do some hands on stuff, grateful for spent time in a food pantry in south providence, found a connection with the people there whose experience of life is so different from her own

Convention Report of the MTF

• Written report submitted Tuesday morning

• Oral - Jennifer will give report, Paul will talk about enthusiasm for Convocation 2012. Not sure if we have 15 minutes or only 10, will plan for 15.

Update on Feeding 1,000 – Jennifer

• Ray Jorgensen planning a huge meal with professional chefs, flower arrangements, would like us to bring a spiritual presence to the event. Ricky will attend planning meeting on 11/16 to get us involved.

Reports or Updates from Convocation Planning Sub-Committees

• Program – Buck

• three presenters and a moderator for workshop on transcendent worship will bring multiple viewpoints;

• children's workshop on worship/liturgy, music, bringing children into adult service;

•youth workshop - looking for young adults to share their experience and desires for worship

• hospitality workshop in Edmund’s capable and enthusiastic hands

•Jennifer putting together workshop on physical feeding, building community

• Friday Worship and Dinner -- Logistics: Ricky and Paul

• Friday evening Worship and Dinner -

• Bill - draft liturgy complete, will be presented to Bishop Wolf for review. Bishop has OK’d Sara Miles to preach.

• Ricky/Paul - buttons, aprons, sign-up sheets for convention. Ricky will investigate details of paid child care provider at St Luke’s. This will be for the service only. All kids at dinner.

• Liturgy for Saturday - Bill coordinating with Karen Fraioli and Sara Miles for 1/2 hour morning prayer and afternoon prayer

• Next steps and meetings

Financing Convocation

• Budget, current income and projected expenses, $7000 short of our need for convocation, Buck and Jennifer can raise $4000

• Next steps -- fundraising , how to collect the money, who gets the checks, provides the receipts for tax purposes, keep Jen in the loop to send thank you notes. MTF needs to find $3000. Ask Clergy Association of RI for help?

• Cards, aprons & buttons used at Convention were donated.

Communication review and updates

• Electronic Newsletter: Would Edmund be willing to submit his write-up of the Church at Occupy Providence?

• Interface with diocesan communication structure (Paul) -- Ruth very helpful in updating MTF and convocation web pages. Paul will continue to keep her posted as we move forward.

• Jennifer noted that the direct link to the MTF page was no longer on the website front page.

Next Steps: Review of action items to be addressed between now and the next meeting.

• All sub committees to meet before our next full meeting

• Paul & Ricky to look into child care for the dinner

• Paul will ask Ruth about getting an MTF link back on the Diocese website home page.

• Get Edmund's Church at Occupy Providence story into the next news letter

Next Meeting: Thursday, December 8, 2011, noon at St. Paul’s

The Church at Occupy Providence

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:41:00 +0000

Since the Occupy Wall St. Movement began, you may have seen clever signs inviting you to "occupy the pews of your Episcopal church." But what if the Church came out of the buildings and occupied the streets instead? Jesus called his followers "out" to feed people with bread, justice, and love, and to build the Kingdom of God. Won't you be part of the Church that does the same?

The Church at Occupy Providence
4 p.m., Sunday, October 23, Burnside Park, at General Burnside statue
or show up early to hang out before it begins
Holy Eucharist followed by food, fellowship and healing prayers
Offered by local Episcopalians, ALL are welcome
Clergy, please wear clericals, bring stole and oil stock if you want to offer healing ministry
Christians wear church garb: T-shirts identifying with church, Jesus, crosses, etc.
Musicians bring instruments
Bring food and warm drinks for "coffee hour"

Feed The Hungry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:42:00 +0000

160,000 men, women and children, a staggering 16% of Rhode Island’s population, receive Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Benefits (SNAP). Known to many as food stamps, the average benefit is only $31.50 per week/person. That works out to just $1.50 per meal!

If you want to understand how difficult this can be, take the “Food Stamp Challenge.” From October 27^th to November 3^rd participants will spend no more than the SNAP benefit on meals. Sign up online at http://foodstampchallengeri.eventbrite.com/

Consider going a step further by pledging to donate to the RI Food Bank the difference between your spending that week and your normal food budget. With Thanksgiving coming up this would be a great way to recognize how blessed we are while taking action to Feed The Hungry.

Minutes of October 13th, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:06:00 +0000

Mission Task Force Agenda

October 13, 2011, 2011

Noon – 2:00 pm, St. Paul’s Pawtucket

Members present: Ricky Brightman, Jennifer Pedrick, Modesta Pellot, Melody Shobe, Susan Wright, Buck Close, Paul Jordan, Bill Locke

Noonday Prayer in the chapel Most of us were late to arrive and not present for prayer. At the request of our chaplain, Bill Locke, we will all make a greater effort to arrive for prayer with the understanding that it is central to our work.

Catching up, checking in -- As we approach this Diocesan Convention, what are your greatest hopes and fears? For what shall we work and pray?

· That we will generate a sense of hope, joy and enthusiasm across the Diocese for Convocation and Feeding The Hungry.

· Sharing examples of feeding that inspire others.

· Make our excitement contagious.

· That Convocation will push this mission focus to the forefront and empower others to think about launching their own feeding ministries.

Reports from Convocation Planning Sub-Committees (45 minutes)

• Logistics (Ricky) – Talk of Saturday logistics led in to a discussion of some feedback from Sara Miles about creating a space more conducive to worship than the standard ballroom layout used in the past. This led to thoughts of a separate space at the Marriot arranged for morning & afternoon worship. Ricky will check with Marriot on availability of additional space.

• Program (Buck with updates for JP and MS) - The program is starting to gel. There are some concerns about when a brief presentation by the Bishop Search Committee will fit into the day without distracting from the overall theme. Sara Miles will lead a morning worship lasting about ½ hour then move onto to a 45 to 60 minute keynote before we move into workshops. The committee is still working out the details of the workshops and guidelines for workshop leaders. Following the afternoon workshop session we will come together again for worship led by Sara that will include a commissioning and anointing of those present to go out and feed the hungry.

• Friday Worship and Dinner - Full Eucharistic service at 6pm with Sara offering a brief address/sermon/homily of about ten minutes. Worship to be followed by a “potluck” dinner at 7. Paul & Ricky have pulled together a small sub-committee to arrange the dinner. The goal is to have every parish represented and participating in feeding others. Sub-committee members will be present at convention and identified as the go-to people for each parish to provide at least one name, e-mail and phone number of a contact person to participate in this event. There will be childcare available Friday evening and the registration form will include a check-box for those needing this service so we can get a sense of numbers and required arrangements and care providers needed

• Liturgy for Friday and Saturday (Bill) – Draft plan nearly complete with much thought given to appropriate hymns, Hispanic music, involvement of youth & children and use of handbells. All of this must be presented to the Bishop for her thoughts and final approval.

Review of our Planning Calendar for Convocation

Financing Convocation

• Congregational Development request - Pending

• Bishop’s Discretionary Fund request - Pending

• Next steps – Jennifer will continue working with Ty Creason. Modesta will request funding from ECW to cover cost of Saturday breakfast buffet at Marriot.

Communication review and updates (10 min.)

• Electronic Newsletter: October issue, update (Bill) – October issue is largely complete. Bill will work with Ruth Meteer to expand mailing list. Bill also would like some help from MTF members (others?) with content.

• Interface with diocesan communication structure (Paul) – MTF and Convocation web pages have been updated.

Convention Report of the MTF

· We will have 15 minutes at convention to preview convocation. Jennifer, Ricky and Paul will work on collecting a few photos of feeding mission with accompanying stories for brief presentation. We want to mention our survey results of how parishes are currently feeding the needs in their communities and what we hope to facilitate coming out of convocation: Statewide adoption of this mission focus

· We will show a brief Sara Miles video.

· The Friday night supper team will be present to get a commitment and contact info from every parish to participate in providing the meal. Paul is ordering aprons imprinted with “Feed The Hungry” for the team.

· Susan will work on a design for a convocation invitation. Buck will handle printing on heavy card stock and these will be distributed at convention.

· Generate convocation buzz

Next Steps: Review of action items to be addressed between now and the next meeting.

· Paul - New web updates to Ruth Meteer for date and time of convocation events. Fri 6pm worship, 7pm dinner, Sat 9 to 3. Registration opens mid-January.

· Melody – check on timing of search committee announcement at convocation. We don’t want this to distract from end of day commissioning

· Susan – convocation invitation design. Scripture – “..feed my sheep…”

· Bill – get liturgy plan completed and to Bishop for review

· Jennifer – budget, brief article about ECW luncheon for clergywomen. Program planning sub-committee. Communicate with Sara re the program.

· Program committee meeting to finalize plans.

· Modesta – ECW funding request

· Buck – invitation printing

· Ricky – checking on availability of a second large room at Marriot for worship space separate from main ballroom. Before convention - speak with Ty about Saturday logistics and registration process

· Jennifer, Ricky & Paul – what are we saying at convention? All should think about this and pass along a few sentences or a paragraph to J, R & P. Draft presentation to MTF on 11/10

· All – feeding ministry stories and photos to Paul. Contributions to newsletter and Facebook page

Next Meeting: Thursday, November 10, 2011, noon at St. Paul’s

Minutes of September 8th, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 22:54:00 +0000

MTF Minutes

September 8, 2011

Attended: Jennifer Pedrick, Bill Locke, Modesta Pellot, Ricky Brightman, Susan Wright, Melody Shobe

Absent: Paul Jordan, Buck Close

The MTF meeting began with noonday prayer led by our chaplain, Rev. Bill Locke, in the chapel at St Paul’s Pawtucket.

The group was asked to reflect on the question: What is one thing, program, change, event, you are looking forward to this fall? How will it feed the hungry? How it will feed you? Each of us had an opportunity to share.

Reports from Convocation Planning Sub-Committees

v Logistics Sub-Committee– Ricky reported that Paul Jordan and she will be meeting at St Luke’s, EG tomorrow to do walk through- 2 people from St Luke’s will be the committee connections.

v Liturgy Sub-Committee - Bill, Modesta, Susan, and Patrick Campbell met on Sep 1. Karen Fraioli was unable to attend– Bill noted that Mar 9, the day of the Convocation Eucharist, is the feast of St Gregory of Nyssa – The committee reviewed readings for the feast day along with those of Mission of the Church I and II. The committee is proposing that readings for Mission of the Church I be used. They discussed ideas to make this a joyful liturgy including music, movement, candles, and vesture. One reading will be read in Spanish, one in English; the gospel will be read in both languages. Spanish will also be the language for some of the music and prayers during the liturgy. The committed discussed the need for hospitality and the challenges the space may present to movement within the worship space of St Luke’s. They also discussed use of banners in the procession(s) and their placement. When the committee is clearer about music and prayers, they will present the proposal to Bishop Wolf. They will also consult with St Luke’s parish musician in planning the music. Liturgy subcommittee will design and plan morning and noonday prayer services.

Financing Convocation

It seems that the diocese has allocated $5000 for Convocation 2012. If registration costs $25/ticket and 200 people come, that will be another $5000.

Previously additional money has come from the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund and CDC. MTF will seek funds from those sources and discussed looking for financial help from ECW (perhaps asking them to sponsor breakfast and coffee), asking clergy to fund out of their discretionary fund, asking major donors for $1000, for example. MTF will also communicate program budget needs to Program & Budget as they prepare the 2012 Diocesan budget.

Communication Review and Updates

v Last meeting’s minutes were approved – Were they sent to the bishop? -

v Electronic Newsletter – Sent out yesterday to rave reviews from the MTF. It will be forwarded to Ruth Meeter to ask her how it can be distributed to wider audience or if we could use her emailing lists. – For next eNews, discussed intention to include a meditation and a recipe. If anyone has an idea for the meditation, recipe or other news worthy items, please forward these to Bill.

v Interface w Diocesan Communication structure – Paul will take over communication with Ruth.

Planning Calendar for Convocation

v September –

- Jennifer will be in touch with S Miles regarding contract, publicity, expenses, travel and hospitality requirements;

- Clarify convocation 2012 budget to know if MTF needs to ask for money at convention;

- Ricky will talk to Ruth about dedicating an issue of Risen to feeding the hungry;

- Program sub committee – begin to identify and invite workshop leaders (5 workshops);

- Develop guidelines for workshops

v October –

- Agenda and Brochure for convocation for distribution at convention (Melody will ask Ruth if she would design);

- Liturgy will develop outline for liturgy to present to bishop;

- Liturgy subcommittee will provide directions for parishes to create a banner include dimensions, theme, ideas with web resources with good examples of what is possible (Google “liturgical banners”).

v November-

- Convention is Nov 11-12 – MTF Report will be presented– ask for 30 minutes – include video of feeding the hungry throughout diocese, Sara Miles clip;

- Publicity for Convocation both Fri and Sat on tables; ask parishes to think of making banners and about what food their parish will bring to the Biggest Church Potluck Supper;

- Have a draft of the Friday eve Eucharist bulletin for bishop to review.

v December–

- Begin to invite worship participants: guitar, ushers, acolytes, lectors, Eucharistic Ministers etc.;

- Creativity Month –party favors, agenda, menu, theme

v January –

- Registration sent out in January (?)

- Meet with Ruth Meeter about getting registration communication out;

- MTF makes parish contacts via letter mailing party including brochures for Convocation (same as were distributed at convention).

v February - Printing

v March 9, 10 – Convocation

Next meeting: Oct 13, 2011, noon to 2 pm at St Paul’s Pawtucket.

Action items:

Every sub committee will meet

Ricky meet w Ruth and Ty; ask Paul about communication and get potluck committee going

Jen budget clarification; will the Bishop and CDC subsidize? be in touch with Sara Miles

Melody will talk to Ruth about brochure design and will draft guidelines for workshops

Bill will prepare next eNewsletter for October 1.

Susan will prepare minutes.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Wright

Minutes of August 25th, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 22:49:00 +0000

Mission Task Force Minutes
August 25, 2011
Noon – 2:00 pm, St. Paul’s Pawtucket

Noonday Prayer in the chapel (15 min.)
Since most of us were late arriving our Chaplain, Bill Locke, got us started with a short prayer. In attendance: Jennifer Pedrick, Modesta Pellot, Susan Wright, Buck Close, Bill Locke and Paul Jordan. Absent: Ricky Brightman and Melody Shobe

How are we feeding the hungry?
As always we included some time to talk about the things we are doing or have seen around the Diocese (or beyond) that are working
Modesta spoke of visiting Ecuador for the ordination of a young priest. He is paid $100/month to serve 4 churches and must supplement his income making small musical instruments for the tourist trade. Despite that, she observed a deep spirituality within him and a commitment to his work.
Susan told us of the first anniversary of the Hispanic congregation at Church of the Ascension in Cranston. She sees that in just a year two congregations are joyfully coming together as one. People are coming together to create a single Sunday school for the children that will be bracketed by the English and Spanish language worship services.
Buck had a joyful story of St George’s families coming together at his farm for the annual parish picnic. He saw a deep hunger for companionship outside of worship being fulfilled as children followed the farm animals around or took cart rides through the woods with his wife.
Jennifer has found that young families in her church are eager to do more despite the daily demands of work and small children. One in particular has offered to lead a regular bible study in her home.
Paul reported that Church of the Ascension - Wakefield combined the annual picnic with the regular Sunday supper where a meal is prepared and shared among all comers. He says that after a cautious start, good food and live music had everyone coming together, at least for the day, as one church family.

As these tales of Jesus visibly at work around us unfolded we were reminded that feeding the hungry is not about providing for those “less fortunate” than ourselves. Instead, it is a sharing of whatever we have in abundance with others who need some of what we have. The point is that all bring something to the table and in turn all take something away.

Diocesan Task Force 2015

A sub committee of the 2015 Task Force asked for 2 members from the MTF to join an ad hoc committee for evaluating all Diocesan programs. They also asked us for input regarding what the process might look like. None of us are able to commit to serving on another committee. We offered the following suggestions for the process:
The evaluation process should encourage thinking and planning in terms of the diocesan mission focus. How do programs and ministries "feed the hungry"?
What are the goals? How does a program, process and ministry lead to a fulfillment of goals? How is the progress measured?
Consider money spent vs. measurable outcomes and progress toward stated goals? Do the outcomes justify the money spent? This is an issue of stewardship of resources and valuing mission over loyalty to and maintenance of the institution and the status quo.

Reports from Convocation Planning Sub-Committees (45 minutes)
Note: Some information was sent in advance with this agenda. In each area we should identify next steps, potential problems, new ideas and calendar planning.

Logistics (Jennifer for Ricky)
Sub-Committee made a good start on identify issues and event management requirements.
Minutes are appended with this report

Rhode Island’s Greatest Potluck (Paul)
A number of volunteers have been identified to help organize the potluck
Paul, Ricky and Ken Poulton will meet briefly at St Luke’s upon Ricky’s return from vacation to scope out the facility and identify any problem areas
Soon after, the entire sub-committee will convene to begin event planning
Will consider idea for creating a cookbook from the recipes served. Each parish to have it’s own page with recipe and list of 5 ways they fee the hungry. Diocese would print and bind books for distribution at convocation.

Program Planning Sub-Committee (Buck)
Jennifer Pedrick, Melody Shobe and Buck Close met on July 27th.
Their discussion began by identifying those hungers we wish to address at the 2012 Convocation. These are physical, spiritual, intellectual, justice, righteousness, beauty, community, hospitality and transcendence.
Possible workshops include:
Creative Feeding - featuring the best of gardens, soup kitchens, pantries, etc.
Radical Hospitality - getting people out of the kitchen and into mingling with guests, avoiding a “painful” coffee hour, creating a welcoming environment, feeding the workers needs.
Children/Youth Workshop - nurturing spiritual hungers of children and youth
Transcendence and Celebration - the best of creative liturgies, how to get started, what works and what doesn’t
Much care will be needed in selecting presenters and format
Their notes are included with these minutes as an addendum.

Liturgy (Bill)
Committee has not met formally (Bill on vacation)
Do have a number of ideas and a basic direction in mind
Planning will occur in conversation and consultation with Bishop Wolfe
Bilingual Spanish/English
Each church represented by a banner - good Sunday school project

Report from Conversation with Ruth Meteer – Jennifer (5 min.)
We need to update our web page with news of our main objective this year for a superb convocation - Paul will coordinate with Ruth.
Ruth is prepared to help us with convocation publicity but we must take the lead.
We will update MTF membership info on webpage

Proposed budget for Convocation – Jennifer (10 min.)
Convocation budget derived from a number of accounts
Getting a handle on previous event costs problematic
Our proposed budget is ~ $20,000 and seems to be in-line with past years
discussed lowering cost by eliminating morning muffins and switching from buffet to box lunch. Most felt that bad food would be a negative and detract from message
We may raise ticket price to $30 if deemed necessary, but will work out scholarship for those who find price burdensome

Communication review and updates (10 min.)
Paul - remember to send meeting minutes to Bishop following approval by four MTF members
Electronic Newsletter: Bill working on MTF newsletter and mailing list. Next issue for early September
Discussion of independent newsletter vs eRisen. Agreement that a separate MTF newsletter would be best
MTF secretary (Paul) will maintain communications with Ruth Meteer on website, blog, Facebook, event planning, publicity and MTF news. Paul to connect with Lavonne Seifert about access to MTF blog
Paul will work with Ruth to update the MTF webpage
Reminder that we have stories to tell and should be getting them onto our Facebook page

Convention 2011
What do we want to communicate to the Convention in November?
Our excitement about convocation at a launching point of new Diocesan wide mission focus of feeding the hungry,
Show off newsletter, blog and Facebook page - get involvement
How are parishes feeding the hungry - Eastertide letter and responses
What educating, inspiring, inviting to we hope to accomplish at convocation?
How will we do this?
Voices of mission task force, video of sara miles

Next Steps:
Jennifer will meet again with Ty about program and budget considerations
Jennifer will meet with Peter Tierney (Task Force 2015) on recommendations for program evaluation evaluating programs
Paul and Bill will contact Ruth about communication issues.
Paul to work on blog with Lavonne Seifert and web with Ruth Meteer.
Ricky and Paul need to get Potluck sub-committee moving soon.
Bill, Modesta, Susan and other will meet on Thursday, September 1 at St Paul’s to discuss Liturgy

Next Meeting: Thursday, September 8. Susan Wright will take minutes as Paul cannot attend Addendum
Convocation 2012 - Logistics Sub-Committee (meeting date?)
Ahead of Tine
Publicity –
Through e-risen
Through churches, bulk mail, parish administrators, wardens
Have something to give out at Convention in November 2011
Develop a recognizable Logo to say __________
Registrations
Electronic registration – who to set up and compile
Friday need to know how many for meal and what people are bringing (may need to readjust menus)
Saturday
#1. Workers on site
#2. Name tags and packets – ahead of time
#3. Meal count and tickets
Friday – On Site at St Luke’s
Altar Guild etc. preparations and clean up
Greeters, giving directions – to church and auditorium
Ushers
Service Program
Any Audio setup
(could service be recorded)
Extra chairs for service
Pot luck
#1. place to receive, store, and heat food
#2. serving tables
#3. Places to eat
#4. Garbage and cleanup
Point person for problems – program and facility
Shut up church when all done
Saturday – on site at Marriott
Registration area and tables
Registration workers
Program – Packet - signs for various parts of the day – who to prepare and give out
Audio set up – to check and monitor
Introduce sessions, conclude sessions
Where and what needed for worship, speaker, breakout sessions
Point person for problems – program AND facilities
Conclusion and clean up

Addendum

Minutes from Program Planning Sub Committee Meeting
July 27, 2011
Buck Close, Jennifer Pedrick, and Melody Shobe

Convocation will be on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at the Marriot in Providence
These are the hungers we wish to address in the convocation: physical, spiritual, intellectual, social justice, righteousness, beauty, community, hospitality, transcendence.

Pre-Convocation actions:
We want to include Friday night worship and dinner attendance in Registration (so we have a head count)
We want to have an initial registration time frame for Diocese if RI people, then open to the general public

8-9 a.m. Registration/Sign-in
We still need to decide on the the following:
Registration fees
Nametags
Breakfast/snacks
How to set up the main room during the keynote
Need to identify people to volunteer with welcoming/nametag pick ups, greeting

9-9:15 Morning worship
Sara Miles to lead
Need to decide upon music
Will we use projection or leaflets at tables?

9:15-9:30 Welcome/Introduction of Sara Miles

9:30-10:15 Keynote: Sara Miles (inspire, teach, challenge, and motivate us.)

10:15-10:45 Q & A with Sara Miles

10:45-11:00 Break/moving time

11:00-11:50 Workshops A (four breakouts)

11:50-12:00 Moving time

12:00 Noonday prayer in main ballroom, led by Bishop Wolf

12:10-1:00 Lunch

1:00-1:50 Workshops B (four breakouts)

1:50-2:00 Moving time

2:00-2:45 Closing Keynote, final reflections including Q & A

2:45-3:00 Gratitude and Good-Byes
Evaluations
Follow-up questions/discussion for parishes distributed

3:00 Search and Nomination Committee announces the Bishop's slate

Guidelines for workshops/workshop leaders: Each leader will be given these when they are invited to lead a workshop.
Each should begin with a piece of scripture-- Where does this relate to what God calls us to be and to do?
Clearly connect the content to specific hungers you are addressing. Go beyond the obvious to explore: physical, spiritual, intellectual, social justice, righteousness, beauty, community, hospitality, transcendence. Elaborate a little on this-- how each is addressed.
We want workshops to include lots of practical tips/tricks, dos/don’t’s
Offer handouts!
We hope there may be a few carefully chosen people to give their brief, to the point personal stories as illustrations of feeding in these particular ministries.

Workshop options 1, 2 & 3 offered in morning and afternoon, #4 would focus on children in the morning and youth in the afternoon.

1. Hunger for transcendence/celebration: worship that truly feeds
-including feeding our Aesthetic side-- beauty in worship (maybe Sara would be one voice in this?)

2. Community Gardens/Feeding Operations

3. Radical/kingdom hospitality in and beyond coffee hour. Who are the guests, who are the hosts?

4. Nurturing the spiritual life of children and/or youth (EYE, J2A pilgrims) (divided- one in the morning for children, one for youth)

To be done:
Jennifer is meeting with Ty to work out budget
Melody to put together a guideline sheet for workshops
All of us, including MTF members to be thinking about who we might ask to do some of these (finding one person to be leader of workshop, have them invite others?)

Minutes, August 9, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:46:00 +0000

Mission Task Force Minutes
Monday, August 9, 2010, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Church of the Epiphany, East Providence

Attended: Jennifer Pedrick+, Standing Committee, Chair; Susan Wright, West Bay Deanery, Secretary; Ricky Brightman, Narragansett Deanery; Modesta Pellot, Diocesan Council; Brian Ehlers, Bishop’s Appointment, Master Blogger; Fran Gammell-Roach, Standing Committee; Buck Close, Blackstone Deanery; Scott Nicholson, Bishop’s Appointment
Unable to attend: Bill Locke+, Chaplain; David Isherwood, East Bay Deanery, Jim Segovis, Central Deanery; Pam Mott+, Aquidneck Deanery.

Following our opening prayers, we reviewed our entire process to date and our goals.
Our goal to design and implement listening process has been achieved. We have linked with the diocesan bodies and staff and this goal is complete. Now we continue to discern what we have heard so that we may write our report and make our recommendations to the Diocesan Convention.

Jennifer presented the observations from our last meeting during which we discussed what we heard in the listening process.

Observations from our last meeting were posted and we refined them and added to the list. These ideas and observations will form the basis for our report as well as any recommendations and resolutions we present.

What we have learned, observed, and discovered in our MTF Journey

This list is based on the listening process, our conversations, meetings, Facebook, prayer, and Diocesan Council reports.

1. People are engaged. There is more energy for mission than we expected. We have talented ministers, leaders, and many resources for mission.

2. The people of the diocese are looking for leadership and opportunities to be part of planning and developing programs. We also heard, “If we are led, we will follow.”

3. As a Diocese, we are confused about the distinction between Diocesan Mission and Diocesan Programs. This is a great problem and an opportunity for us to clarify the difference. Programs should support and promote the mission; they are not the mission.

4. MTF seeks to envision future Mission. While we have listened to opinions about programs, and we have some recommendations about how to improve the administration of programs connecting resources to mission, we are unable to evaluate any current programs. Our focus on mission must be clear. In the future we hope programs will be evaluated based on some criteria that show how they promote diocesan mission.

5. There is a desire for more coherent Mission strategy, definition and communication. We want more connection among parishes and between parishes and the Diocese with regard to mission.

6. The current budgeting process needs revision if it is to be effective in promoting the mission of the diocese as we move forward. Many people experience a dis-connect between the budget, mission, and programs.

7. We have a very strong desire to CELEBRATE our common life in Christ and to offer ministry together. We deeply value and want to share worship, fellowship, service and new life together as a Diocese. We also want to share how we are doing in our parishes. This feeds us.
• As Episcopalians our liturgy is one of the great gifts we receive and share with others. We heard again and again how important it is to members of our diocese that we gather for worship that is the very best we can offer and experience. We hope for greater planning, preparation, and commitment to diocesan liturgy.
• We heard that we want to serve together in “hands on” mission opportunities.
• We benefit from the times we are learning, working and eating together. Gathering for work and play, especially meals, is GOOD! Feeding and being fed brings us together.

8. We noticed an absence of children and youth in diocesan life.

9. We seek greater leadership development and nurturing. This has an impact on our mission or lack of mission. Leaders would like to participate in the planning and evaluation of this.

10. We heard that people in parishes feel that they exist to serve “headquarters” rather than diocesan staff serving/supporting parishes. The absence of a clear mission supports this perception.

11. The Episcopal Church of RI has no “brand”. A revitalized mission could give us greater name recognition and help us to be known beyond our current membership.

12. During the listening process, these were the specific mission areas of interest/passion identified as important to individuals:

• Offering a spiritual resource for individuals and for parishes, e.g. study, liturgy, music
• Serving beyond our Diocese, e.g. Haiti mission, New Orleans
• Developing ecumenical relationships
• Caring for the homeless and hungry and working to eliminate conditions that perpetuate homelessness and hunger
• Serving the imprisoned and helping those released from prison make a successful transition back into the community
• Addressing immigration issues, welcoming the stranger, defending families who are vulnerable due to their immigration status
• Promoting literacy
• Serving, supporting and empowering youth
• Raising awareness about the faces of racism and promoting the dignity of every human being regardless of gender or sexual orientation
• Feeding people through food pantries
• Feeding people through soup kitchens
• Reaching out to the homebound
• Promoting and working for justice in society and in promoting policies that support the marginalized
• Continuing to expand the racial/ethnic/cultural reach of the Episcopal Church in RI encouraging a more diverse body of Christ
• Leading the parishes in a campaign for environmental stewardship
• Growing and distributing food through community gardens
• Supporting and educating parents

13. Our energy needs a focus – building on strengths is a place to begin.

14. The diocese seems to have no programmatic evaluation process. The evaluation reports from Diocesan Council on current programs revealed that there is no evaluation process for diocesan programs. The reports revealed that there are:
• No clear plans for diocesan programs. There is a significant absence of strategy, vision and goals in all programs evaluated.
• There do not appear to be current evaluation mechanisms.
• Since nothing is measured, we do not notice or celebrate successes and we do not address failures in diocesan programming. We do continue to fund them, however.

15. A question came up again and again, “How can Episcopal Charities link resources and support to Diocesan mission?” There may be an opportunity to get the resources of Episcopal Charities to promote the Diocesan Mission, this could revitalize EC, and be a way to engage and promote the Mission. Something we heard many times was the hope that we might focus the resources for Episcopal Charities to give larger grants to fewer agencies, thereby having a larger impact.

16. We do not have a vision for where the Diocese of RI will be or what it will look like in five years. We keep hearing and saying that this is a critical time to have a strategy in this time of change/apparent decline. This strategy should apply to both the number of parishes and the structure of the diocese in the future.

We cannot afford to ignore these significant issues,
• Not financially
• Not pastorally
• Not spiritually

17. We seek to be free to engage our mission as parishes and as a diocese. We are not currently free because we experience ourselves as bound by financial burdens and concerns for our buildings, whether as parishes or as a diocese. This is distracting us from engaging in mission.

We have an opportunity now to plan for a different future.

Now --- Moving ahead
Our Recommendations:
We affirmed that we wish to propose a new mission focus to our Diocese.
o The Mission focus we propose for next 3 years:
 Feeding the Hungry
 Transforming the world in which there is such great hunger
• As a Diocese our Mission is to feed spiritually and physically
o We hope to do this as we gather as a diocese in Worship, fellowship, service opportunities,
o We hope the diocesan staff and structures will support parishes in feeding the hungry, strengthening the parishes and leaders of the diocese and helping them to feed others

We discussed many ideas for how we could do this. We discussed resources that will be needed to sustain this focus and our vision for mission. We decided to work on this in the future as we prepare the report and have enough to present to the convention. The point was made that there will need to be some body, either a reconfigured “MTF” or an existing diocesan body to develop the mission strategy. This is beyond the scope of our work and our goals for this year.

Scripture cited for basis of mission to the hungry: “Feed my sheep…” and Matt 25, “when did I see you hungry…sick…imprisoned…”

We discussed the possibility of convocations and conventions that are focused on mission. We had some ideas about reading a book together as a diocese, having the author come to speak to us, and then at our tables with members of our parishes, planning for mission through our ministry. We like the idea of having a more sustained effort and follow through when we gather for learning.

Example of a book that could be promoted for all in the diocese to read and discuss: Take This Bread by Sarah Miles.

We had a discussion about the power that seeing and understanding injustice has on people. We want our new mission to go beyond simply feeding the hungry and eventually we want to transform the system, conditions, policies that exacerbate the plight of the poor. We also said that if we suggest “Feeding the Hungry” as a three year mission priority that we begin by feeding within and then move out, eventually addressing the systemic injustice of the poor.

We will ask for money in the 2011 budget. Jennifer and Jim Segovis will work on this.

Jennifer will be working on our deliverables during the week of August 23-29. We agreed to meet again during that time. She will connect with individuals regarding various parts of the process.

Date for next meeting was not decided but the group decided that a morning meeting works better for people than an evening meeting.

Closed with prayer.

Respectfully submitted by
Susan Wright

Minutes, June 10, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:02:00 +0000

Mission Task Force Minutes

June 10, 2010
St. Paul’s, Pawtucket

Attended: Jennifer Pedrick+, Standing Committee, Chair; Susan Wright, West Bay Deanery, Secretary; Ricky Brightman, Narragansett Deanery; Modesta Pellot, Diocesan Council; Brian Ehlers, Bishop’s Appointment, Master Blogger
Unable to attend: Bill Locke+, Chaplain; Fran Gammell-Roach, Standing Committee; Buck Close, Blackstone Deanery, David Isherwood, East Bay Deanery, Jim Segovis, Central Deanery; Pam Mott+, Aquidneck Deanery; Scott Nicholson, Bishop’s Appointment

The meeting opened at 7 pm with Worship in the Chapel. This was followed by a brief sharing about how we hope God will be present for us as summer approaches.

We decided that no further action was needed to wrap up the listening process. We discussed how we would distill the information gathered from the Listening Meetings during the past 2 months. It was decided that Jennifer would forward the reports from each meeting to each task force member. Task force members are to read all the reports, summarize their understanding of the responses to each question and be ready to give their perceptions to the task force at the next meeting.

We discussed the progress of Diocesan Council in evaluating the current mission priorities as well as the contact made with Program and Budget committee.

When we talked about the conversations we need to have with each other to discern next steps, we decided that it would be essential to get the whole Mission Task Force back together. Jennifer agreed to contact Jim and Brian agreed to contact Scott.

Ideas where generated on how we should approach the “Report to Convention.”

Next meeting is July 8 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s, Pawtucket.

The meeting closed with prayer at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Wright

Are we endeavoring to be faithful to the Gospel and to our God?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Sat, 15 May 2010 11:57:00 +0000

Hello all -

I thought this was an interesting and useful article. It is posted at http://www.episcopalcafe.com/daily/

Bill+

By Richard Helmer

I commented on a thread at Episcopal Cafe on Monday on the subject of church growth. Frankly, the subject is starting to wear quite thin on me, because it so often turns to matters of institutional preservation, which is not only deadly dull, but I am increasingly convinced deadly spiritually.

Standard congregational development schema I was taught to appreciate involve the transitions between various sizes of parishes -- family, pastoral, program, etc. The jargon goes on from there, and leads. . .well, where? Nowhere much in my view, and many of our leaders are left scratching their heads and wondering why. We often talk about "cultural change" in our congregations as though it is somehow divorced from and devoid of the language of the Gospel, which is not simply about system theories or whatever else is hot right now, but about the mysterious transformation of the human heart and transformation of the human family by God's loving grace and our active embrace of that through prayer and service to others.

I write this all with a straight face. I am a child, both literally and figuratively, of the institutional church. I am beholden to it at present both by vow and income, and I indeed wish to see it thrive and flourish. But it will most certainly not by navel gazing and hand-wringing, nor by romanticizing the blip of high mainline attendance in the 1950's, from which we are still declining. . .or perhaps a better word is recovering, as we move towards a more real place in a world where people are free to seek out spiritual community that nourishes their hearts, minds, and being.

I'm all for congregational development, building the church up and all that. Just ask anyone in the parish I serve. Our numbers right now are good and modestly improving, though, not because we've been good congregational developers and I've taught the theory well, but because we've identified the tangible spiritual needs in our community and have begun the hard work of addressing them. Because we've identified gifts in our community for leadership and ministry and empowered them. Because I've struggled to set aside the egotistical notion that I, as parish priest, can "save" the church and at times have managed to get the hell (literally and figuratively, again) out of the way.

At the end of the day, a lot of congregational development writing and talk is about ego -- feeding the ego by possessing "how to grow a church" through specialized knowledge or methodology. Or feeding the ego by romanticizing a supposedly greater past. Or feeding the ego by projecting current trends in a straight line and claiming we have control over the future, or at least some special knowledge about it. Or feeding the ego because "my family and I depend on this job." None serve us or the Christian Gospel at all well. We need to stop if we are to move forward. Idolatry is one way to talk about our egotistical obsessions. Idolatry is one way to talk about much of our chatter over church growth.

Growth is not the goal here. It is only the natural, God-given outcome of living faithfully into Christian mission. And growth has a great deal less to do with numbers than it does with the vibrancy of ministry and the freedom of the Spirit to move in community.

Here are my thoughts, for what they are worth:

No one wants to join a community wringing its hands and navel gazing over its own demise.

Nor does anyone want to simply become a number to prop up a flagging institution.

The real questions we need to be asking are those like these:

Are we endeavoring to be faithful to the Gospel and to our God?

Does our institution serve our mission of Christ Jesus to transform hearts and reflect God's work in the world? Or do we distort our mission to serve the institution? This is a simple (but not easy) matter of correctly ordering the carts and horses.

Are people finding spiritual nourishment, hope, and empowerment for ministry and service in their communities both within and beyond the walls of the Church?

If these criteria are being addressed with intention in people's real lives and grounded experience, growth of all kinds may very well follow. If they aren't, institutional death is a natural outcome.

We all fear death of institutions we love, of course. But at the end of the day, and indeed in God's gracious reign, we are not children of the institution.

We are God's children. We are people of the resurrection. And that's what truly matters, even as we face decline in many places.

The Rev. Richard E. Helmer is rector of Church of Our Saviour, Mill Valley, Calif. His sermons and reflections have been published widely online, and he blogs about spirituality, ministry, Anglicanism, church politics, music, and the misadventures of young parenthood at Caught by the Light.

Minutes, April 8, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:46:00 +0000

Mission Task Force Minutes

April 8, 2010
St. Paul’s, Pawtucket

Attended: Bill Locke+, Chaplain; Jennifer Pedrick+, Standing Committee, Chair; Fran Gammell-Roach, Standing Committee; Susan Wright, West Bay Deanery, Secretary; Ricky Brightman, Narragansett Deanery; Brian Ehlers, Bishop’s Appointment, Master Blogger

Unable to attend: Buck Close, Blackstone Deanery, David Isherwood, East Bay Deanery, Jim Segovis, Central Deanery; Modesta Pellot, Diocesan Council; Pam Mott+, Aquidneck Deanery; Scott Nicholson, Bishop’s Appointment

The meeting opened at 7 pm with Worship in the Chapel. This was followed by a brief sharing about glimpses of mission in parish ministry during Holy Week and Easter.

Dates were solidified for “listening” meetings across the diocese. There will be a meeting in each deanery and one with clergy of the diocese.

The following meetings have been scheduled and conveners assigned:
April 24, Saturday, 10 a.m. St. Paul's, Pawtucket, Bill Locke
April 28, Wednesday, 7 p.m. Cathedral of St John, Providence, Brian Ehlers
April 29, Thursday, 7 p.m. St. Mark's, Warwick, Ricky Brightman
May 5, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. St Columba's, Middletown, Scott Nicholson
May 8, Saturday, 10 a.m. Epiphany, East Providence, Jennifer Pedrick
May 12, Wednesday, 7 p.m. St. Luke's, East Greenwich, Ran Gammell-Roch
Clergy, May 19, 10 a.m. St. Paul's, Pawtucket, Bill Locke

MTF members will support one or more of the listening meetings. Ricky, Jennifer, Brian and Susan will be attending Blackstone meeting. Bill will also ask Modesta and Scott Gunn for support. Brian will ask Jim Segovis and others for Central. Ricky will assemble her team for West Bay. Fran and probably Pam will join Scott at the Aquidneck meeting. Ricky will join Fran at Narragansett. Susan, Ricky and probably David Lucey will join Jennifer at East Bay.

Ricky Brightman will write up and publish the structure as outlined in last month’s minutes that all the conveners will use. Conveners are to build their own teams of 4 who will help facilitate the small groups. Some materials that may be needed are goodies, butcher paper, masking tape, markers, a sign-in sheet for names, email addresses, parishes, the outline of the meeting papers with the 3 questions on them, conveners and facilitators will have a fourth question to ask after the first 3 have been discussed.

A fourth question was proposed and approved: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about Diocesan mission, going forward?

Jennifer will have the letter to the clergy out on Monday, April 12. Other ways of communicating the meetings were discussed: a blast through Liz Crawley to wardens and parish administrators, eRisen, post on Diocesan web page and on the MTF blog, and conveners will send out a reminder email to targeted audience one week before their meeting.

Mission Task Force members are reminded that they are to meet with parish clergy and wardens as well as take 2 other people to coffee/lunch and ask them the 4 questions and record their responses.

Goals and timelines were reviewed: goal 1 of designing and implementing a listening process is progressing and should be completed by May 19. Jennifer updated the task force on progress of goal 2, which is linking with other diocesan bodies and leadership: Bishop Wolf has invited Scott Gunn, as vice-president of Diocesan Council, to work with the Council to gather information about the current mission priorities. Scott has agreed to take on this task and has already formed sub-groups to explore each of the 4 current mission areas. The sub-groups will meet on April 21st and will report their findings at the May meeting of the Diocesan Council. To link with Bishop Wolf and the Diocesan staff, Jennifer, Ricky and Brian will arrange a “listening” meeting with the Bishop and staff. To link with Program and Budget, Bill, Ricky, Jennifer and Scott Nicholson will meet with P&B on May 6 at 10 a.m. Fran will check with Scott N. The third goal of reporting to Convention is yet to come.

Jennifer expressed the MTF’s gratitude to Bill Locke for making space for us and for leading us in worship each month. It makes a tremendous difference. Thank you.

Next meeting is May 13 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s, Pawtucket. We will gather together after the meeting at 7 p.m. to celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. Please note time change.

The meeting closed with prayer at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Wright

DIOCESAN CONVENTION 2009 RESOLUTION

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:10:00 +0000

Diocesan Convention 2009 – Resolution

RESOLVED, That this 219th Convention of the Diocese of Rhode Island invites a review of our diocesan mission priorities, and be it further

RESOLVED, That a Mission Task Force be created to facilitate this process. This Task Force shall be comprised of one priest and one lay person elected by the Standing Committee from its membership; one cleric and one lay person elected by Diocesan Council from its membership, and two people appointed by the Bishop. The Bishop’s appointees shall not be employees of the Diocese. The Task Force shall be constituted by November 39, 2009, and be it further

RESOLVED, That the President of the Standing Committee shall set the time and place of the first meeting of the Task Force to be held before December 31, 2009. At this first meeting, the Task Force shall elect a chairperson from its membership and shall recruit at least six members, one from each deanery of the diocese, in addition to its original membership; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall devise a process in which the lay and clerical members of the Diocese may express their hopes and ideas regarding the future mission of the Diocese. The Task Force may request reasonable staff support from diocesan staff (e.g. mailings, electronic communication); and be it further

RESOLVED. That the Task Force shall report to the 220th Convention of the Diocese of Rhode Island with its findings, including a recommendation for mission priorities to be adopted or affirmed by the Diocese. The Task Force is encouraged to be in regular communication with the appropriate people and groups for the budgeting process, in the event that a revised budget is to be presented to the 220th Convention of the Diocese to match modified mission priorities.

Task Force Committee Members

Rev. Dorothy Brightman (Narragansett Deanery) DLBrightman@aol.com
Rev Buck Close (Blackstone Deanery) buckclose@gmail.com
Brian Ehlers (Bishop’s Appointment) bce@cox.net
Fran Gammell-Roach (Standing Committee) fgammell@aol.com
David Isherwood (East Bay Deanery)
davidisherwood@isherwoodappraisal.com
Rev Bill Locke, Chaplain frbill@cox.net
Rev Pam Mott (Aquidnick Deanery) pam@smcportsmouth.org
Scott Nicholson (Bishop’s Appointment) scottnicholson@cox.net
Rev Jennifer Pedrick, Chair (Standing Committee) jennifer@epiphanyep.org
Modesta Pellot (Diocesan Council) moepellot@gmail.com
Jim Segovis (Central Deanery) jsegovis@bryant.edu
Susan Wright (West Bay Deanery) susandwright@gmail.com

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a. List of Committee Goals to be accomplished by ’10 Convention
#1. Design and implement a listening process to engage members of the Diocese in expressing their hope for future diocesan mission priorities and programs.
#2. Link with other diocesan bodies and leadership throughout the process, e.g.
Program and Budget, Diocesan Council, Diocesan Staff and Bishop.

#3. Report to the next Convention an articulation of energy and commitment to new and/or renewed mission priorities and suggested next steps.

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Communication

To keep up to date on the work of the Task Force look at the Diocesan Web Page (www.episcopalri.org) or the Diocesan Blog (http://episcopalri.blogspot.com/) or, most specifically, look at the Task Force Blog.

To connect to the Mission Task Force Blog, enter http://mission-task-force.blogspot.com/ into the address line of your computer's internet browser (Windows Internet Explorer for Windows PCs.). Soon there will be a link to the blog from the Diocesan Website (internet address is http://www.episcopalri.org/) Undo ?

ARTICLE FOR RISEN PUBLICATION

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:07:00 +0000

Mission Task Force 2010
“Where Meaning and Mission Collide”

The vitality of any organization depends upon a periodic review of its mission. Our mission priorities in the Diocese of Rhode Island have long been the Hispanic Ministry, Episcopal Camp and Conference Center, Congregational Development, and Christian Formation.

Last year a group of RI Episcopalians believed that it was time to look at these again, and so they presented a resolution to our Diocesan Convention in October calling for review. The resolution was adopted by the clergy and delegates of Convention, and the “Mission Task Force” was created.

The Mission task force will spend a year listening to and engaging with the parishioners, committees, and leaders of the diocese as they express their opinions on our current priorities and their hope for future missions and programs. Our goal is to present a report and resolutions to convention next October, which will articulate the energy and commitment of the diocese to new and/or renewed mission priorities.

So far we have been busy at work. In February we began our communication launch with our exhibit at Convocation and our blog at http://mission-task-force.blogspot.com.

The months of March, April, and May will be spent in a listening process. We will seek to hear from the youths and adults in our parishes, the leaders of the current mission priorities, and the diocesan staff and committees. At this same time, Diocesan Council will convene four groups to review the effectivity of our current mission priorities.

The listening process is probably the most important part of our work. We hope, dear reader, that you will be looking for opportunities to pray, reflect, and share your ideas with us about where you find meaning and mission colliding in your personal experience of being Christian and Church.

It is important that our conversations in this process reflect the diversity that we find in our churches and communities, so we request your feedback on these key questions:
✦ What are you doing when you feel most passionate and alive in the spirit?
✦ What is your congregation doing that you can celebrate and share with other parishes?
✦ What could we do as RI Episcopalians that would bring us together and make a difference in our community and the world?

In the months ahead we will be having regional gatherings to hear your reflections, and we invite you to also share and enter into a conversation with others across the diocese at the Mission Task Force blog http://mission-task-force.blogspot.com.

We intend to use the latter part of May and June to synthesize, discern and meet with Bishop Wolf and Diocesan Staff about our findings. During July and August we will prepare our reports and formulate resolutions for October’s Convention in plenty of time you’re your review.

We hope you’ll think about this in the days ahead and offer your feedback either on our blog at http://mission-task-force.blogspot.com or at one of the upcoming regional meetings. Feel free to email your thoughts to susandwright@gmail.com and visit www.episcopalri.org to find out more.

Task Force Members: Modesta Pellot, Diocesan Council; Fran Gammell-Roach and The Rev. Jennifer Pedrick, Standing Committee; Brian Ehlers and Scott Nicholson, appointed by Bishop Wolf. Deanery Representatives: The Rev. Pam Mott, Aquidneck; Jim Segovis, Central; Susan Wright, West Bay; The Rev. Dcn. Ricky Brightman, Narragansett; David Isherwood, East Bay; and The Rev. Buck Close, Blackstone. The Rev. Bill Locke is the Mission Task Force Chaplain.

LETTER TO CLERGY

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:07:00 +0000

April 12, 2010

Dear friends,

You may remember when we gathered at our Diocesan Convention last October; we passed a resolution inviting a review of our diocesan mission priorities. This resolution called for the formation of a Mission Task Force to facilitate a process through which the lay and clerical members of our Diocese could express their hopes and ideas regarding the future mission of the Diocese. I write to you on behalf of Mission Task Force, which I have the privilege of chairing. We have been meeting since December and are prepared to begin the listening process. Please see the attachment for the full text of the convention resolution, the membership of the task force, our three goals, and ways to follow our work and to be in communication with us, including our blog. Our blog has all of our meeting minutes so you may know what we’ve been up to since our formation.

This is an interesting, challenging time for the Episcopal Church in Rhode Island. As you have heard Bishop Wolf discuss characteristics of “transforming parishes,” I am persuaded that this is also an opportune moment for us to grow and change as a diocese with regard to our mission. Many of our parishes are currently struggling and wondering what the future holds. At the same time we have considerable gifts and resources within our diocese including spiritual gifts, leaders, property, money, passion, new ideas, youth, maturity, friendship, wisdom and a desire to serve others. We have the most important gifts: the creative presence of God, the love of Jesus Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit. It may be that if we discern carefully and invest our gifts in a diocesan mission that makes a difference to those whom we serve, we will find that our parishes and our lives will be transformed along the way. This will take some time, but we on the task force are excited to begin and we hope you will be as well. As a first step, we have designed a listening process through which we believe we will begin an important conversation within our diocese about our future.

Your role in this first step as diocesan clergy is fairly simple and straightforward. Participate in at least one of the listening process gatherings taking place around the diocese and encourage the participation of lay leaders in your parish. Each listening session will take about one and a half hours and we have scheduled them in each deanery. We encourage people to cross bridges if necessary! We have built in a clergy morning for deacons and priests to meet together, even though we hope you will join one of the gatherings around the diocese as well. The clergy morning comes at the end of the schedule as our listening and conversation may have deepened by that point and this will be a chance for summarizing and planning. We hope to use the information and ideas we gather at these listening sessions to suggest future direction and initiatives of our diocesan mission priorities and programs.

Please consider using your parish communication vehicles (newsletter, electronic communications, bulletins and announcements during worship, and/or bulletin boards) to communicate the following gatherings. You may turn this letter over and photocopy, scan or post. This letter is also being emailed so that you may use it electronically.

Listening in on Diocesan Mission
Join one of these Gatherings!

The Diocesan Mission Task Force invites every member of the diocese to participate in a listening process to influence and inspire our future mission priorities.

· Saturday April 24, 10 a.m., St. Paul’s, Pawtucket
· Wednesday, April 28, 7 p.m., Cathedral of St. John
· Thursday, April, 29th, 7 p.m., St, Mark’s Warwick
· Wednesday, May 5, 6:30 p.m., St. Columba’s
· Saturday, May 8th, 10 a.m., Church of the Epiphany
· Wednesday, May 12th, 7 p.m. St. Luke’s East Greenwich
· Clergy Gathering: May 19th 10 a.m., St. Paul’s Pawtucket

In addition to the listening “gatherings” we are also linking with other diocesan bodies such as the Program and Budget Committee, Diocesan Council, and the Bishop and her staff. We are also interviewing individuals. If you would like to speak with one of the task force members individually, please be in touch with one. You can find more information on our blog: http://mission-task-force.blogspot.com We will be glad to have you join our conversation!

In Christ,
Jennifer Pedrick
Chair, the Mission Task Force

LISTENING GATHERING DATES

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 14:03:00 +0000

Listening in on Diocesan Mission
Join one of these Gatherings!

The Diocesan Mission Task Force invites every member of the diocese to participate in a listening process to influence and inspire our future mission priorities.

· Saturday April 24, 10 a.m., St. Paul’s, Pawtucket
· Wednesday, April 28, 7 p.m., Cathedral of St. John
· Thursday, April, 29th, 7 p.m., St, Mark’s Warwick
· Wednesday, May 5, 6:30 p.m., St. Columba’s
· Saturday, May 8th, 10 a.m., Church of the Epiphany
· Wednesday, May 12th, 7 p.m. St. Luke’s East Greenwich
· Clergy Gathering: May 19th 10 a.m., St. Paul’s Pawtucket

In addition to the listening “gatherings” we are also linking with other diocesan bodies such as the Program and Budget Committee, Diocesan Council, and the Bishop and her staff. We are also interviewing individuals. If you would like to speak with one of the task force members individually, please be in touch with one. You can find more information on our blog: http://mission-task-force.blogspot.com We will be glad to have you join our conversation!

Minutes, March 11, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:07:00 +0000

Mission Task Force Minutes

March 11, 2010
St. Paul’s, Pawtucket

Attended: Modesta Pellot, Diocesan Council; Bill Locke+, Chaplain; Pam Mott+, Aquidneck Deanery; Jennifer Pedrick+, Standing Committee, Chair; Fran Gammell-Roach, Standing Committee; Susan Wright, West Bay Deanery, Secretary; Ricky Brightman, Narragansett Deanery; Brian Ehlers, Bishop’s Appointment, Master Blogger; Scott Nicholson, Bishop’s Appointment
Absent: Buck Close, Blackstone Deanery, David Isherwood, East Bay Deanery, Jim Segovis, Central Deanery;

The meeting opened at 7 pm with Worship in the Chapel. This was followed by brief sharing about how God and we are using this season of Lent to prepare for new life in Christ.

Jennifer Pedrick+ reported that Susan Carpenter+ has had to resign from this committee due to her recent appointment as a diocesan employee for ECC.

We discussed progress on development of the listening process that we will use for this task. Ricky had compiled a list of the responses to our questions (attached) that were available at Convocation. A small sample answered the questions. We shared insights that we gained from our Convocation speaker, Reggie McNeal. We reviewed and revised our listening questions. They are 1) what were you doing when you felt most passionate and alive in the spirit? 2) What is your congregation doing that you can celebrate and share with other parishes? 3) What could we do as RI Episcopalians that would bring us together and would make a difference in our community and the world? We decided that this part of the listening process would be completed by the end of May.

To promote wide participation in the listening process there will be 6 regional meeting, one in each deanery. They will be held in the parishes of the MTF deanery representatives and Fran Gammell-Roach will contact each deanery representative to schedule open meetings for this purpose. In the meantime, each member of this task force will sit down with his/her clergy person(s) and wardens and ask for their participation by answering the questions and promoting the open forum in the parish and deanery. We will also each take 2 other people to lunch and ask them these questions.

The open meetings in the deaneries will last about 1½ hour. There will be a uniform format printed up for all to use in the facilitation of these meetings. We will prepare to have 5 facilitators for each meeting for breakout groups. The format will be
1. Welcome by …
2. Presentation about the purpose of these meetings, why we want this information and what we will do with it.
3. Talk about the overall process of the meeting.
4. We’ll count off 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 to break up into small work groups.
5. Each group will have an assigned facilitator and will enlist a note taker/reporter.
6. They will answer/discuss the 3 questions. All talk of money will be redirected.
7. Rejoin large group.
8. Each group reports answers to the questions and puts it on butcher-block paper if it hasn’t already been done in the small groups.
9. Debrief: This is what we saw today. What did you see?
10. Summarize
11. Tell people what to look for next – in Risen, on blog (encourage use of the blog for further reflections), pre-convention meetings where resulting resolutions will be discussed.
Jennifer will send out a letter to the clergy outlining how we’d like to see them participate. Ricky will add flesh to the above presentation format.

We reviewed our timeline and determined that the listening process deadline will be extended to the end of May.

Jennifer reported that her letter asking for Diocesan Council to review current mission priorities and produce a report was indeed sent to Bishop Wolf and Scott Gunn+. She reported that according to Scott, the Diocesan Council will organize four people to convene four groups: ECC, Spanish Ministry, Congregational Development, and Christian Formation. Their reports will be completed by the end of May.

We made a plan to schedule a meeting with Program and Budget for a Saturday in April. Scott Nicholson will arrange this.

Jennifer+ will contact David Lucey.

Next meeting is 4/8/10 at 7 pm at St. Paul’s, Pawtucket.

The meeting closed with prayer at 9:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,Susan Wright

Where Meaning and Mission Collide. (RISEN article)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:56:00 +0000

“Where Meaning and Mission Collide”

The vitality of any organization depends upon a periodic review of its mission. Last year a small group of RI Episcopalians believed that it was time for such a review. Thus a resolution entitled “Mission Task Force” was presented to and adopted by the clergy and delegates at the Diocesan Convention last October:

RESOLVED, That this 219th Convention of the Diocese of Rhode Island invites a review of our diocesan mission priorities; and be it further RESOLVED, That a Mission Task Force be created to facilitate this process. This Task Force shall be composed of one priest and one lay person elected by the Standing Committee from its membership; one cleric and one layperson elected by Diocesan Council from its membership; and two people appointed by the Bishop. The Bishop’s appointees shall not be employees of the Diocese. This Task Force shall be constituted by November 30, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the President of the Standing Committee shall set the time and place for the first meeting of the Task Force, to be held before December 31, 2009. At this first meeting, the Task Force shall elect a chairperson from its membership and shall recruit at least six members, one from each deanery of the diocese, in addition to its original membership; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall devise a process in which the lay and clerical members of the Diocese may express their hopes and ideas regarding the future mission of the Diocese. The Task Force may request reasonable staff support from diocesan staff (e.g. mailings, electronic communication); and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall report to the 220th Convention of the Diocese of Rhode Island with its findings, including a recommendation for mission priorities to be adopted or reaffirmed by the Diocese. The Task Force is encouraged to be in regular communication with the appropriate people and groups for the budgeting process, in the event that a revised budget is to be presented to the 220th Convention of the Diocese to match modified mission priorities.

A task force was formed. Representing Diocesan Council is Modesta Pellot (Susan Carpenter+ had represented DC until her recent resignation due to her new assignments); Standing Committee representatives are Fran Gammell-Roach and Jennifer Pedrick+ who is also Chairperson. Bishop Wolf appointed Brian Ehlers, our Blog Master, and Scott Nicholson. Pam Mott+, Aquidneck; Jim Segovis, Central; Susan Wright, West Bay, also Secretary; Ricky Brightman, Narragansett; David Isherwood, East Bay; and Buck Close, Blackstone, represent the 6 deaneries. Bill Locke+ is the Mission Task Force Chaplain.

So far, the task force has articulated its goals, developed a timeline in which to accomplish them and designed parts of its listening process. Optimally, we envision that, along with the Mission Task Force (MTF), the Diocesan Council (DC), Program and Budget (PB) Committee, and the Diocesan Staff (DS) will be part of the process.

The listening process is probably the most important part of our work. We hope, dear reader, that you will be looking for opportunities to pray, reflect and share your ideas with us. In the months ahead we will be having regional gatherings to hear your reflections about where you find meaning and mission colliding in your personal experience of being Christian and Church. If you are unable to attend one of these meetings that will be announced shortly, the Task Force has launched a blog at http://mission-task-force.blogspot.com where we invite you to share your reflections and enter into a conversation with others across the diocese. We would love for the conversation to reflect the wide diversity that we find in our churches and communities.

The Mission Task Force has this working timeline. In February, we began our communication launch with our exhibit at Convocation and the launching of our blog. We will be using the months of March, April and May for the listening process. We expect to have opportunities to hear from youth, youth leaders, clergy, Diocesan Council, Diocesan Staff, laity, the leaders responsible for the current mission priorities, and Program and Budget. At this same time, Diocesan Council will convene four groups to review outcomes of the Spanish Ministry, ECC, Congregational Development, and Christian Formation. We intend to use the latter part of May and June for synthesizing, discerning and meeting with Bishop Wolf and Diocesan Staff. We expect to prepare and receive reports and formulate resolutions for Convention during July and August. We’ll submit the resolution(s) by September, which will then be mailed out to clergy and lay delegates for convention in order to be reviewed at the pre-convention meetings.

By October at Diocesan Convention we hope to have accomplished these goals.
1. Designed and implemented a listening process to engage members of the diocese in expressing their hope for future diocesan mission priorities and programs.
2. Linked with other diocesan bodies and leaders throughout the process, e.g., Program and Budget, Diocesan Council and Diocesan Staff/Bishop.
3. Reported to the next convention an articulation of energy and commitment to new and/or renewed mission priorities and suggested next steps.

In order for any of this to have meaning the Church and Diocese needs your reflection on these key questions:
✦ What were you doing when you felt most passionate and alive in the spirit?
✦ What is your congregation doing that you can celebrate and share with other parishes?
✦ What could we do as RI Episcopalians that would bring us together and would make a difference in our community and the world?

We hope you’ll think about this in the days ahead and offer your feedback either on our blog at http://mission-task-force.blogspot.com or at one of the regional meetings that will be announced soon. Feel free to email your thoughts to susandwright@gmail.com or any one of the Task Force members.

The Bishop's Ten Points

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:09:00 +0000

These ten points from the 2009 Convention Address of Bishop Wolf are good for reflection but are not necessarily endorsed by the Mission Task Force at this time. .......Brian

Changed attitudes to own responsibilities. Instead of acting as victims, they re-set their vision.

Are people of abundance who speak of God’s blessings and experience the joy of giving instead of complaining they don’t have enough.

Place a high priority on Christian formation for all ages. Informed believers make faithful disciples.

See newcomers not as sources of money, but as people who are seeking a Christ-centered community.

Create an environment of mutual responsibility.

Develop achievable goals, and rely upon shared ministry to accomplish them.

Move from triangulation and gossip to effective ways of communication.

Give voice to the core of the Christian faith: to the sinful failings of the human condition, redeemed through the transforming love of the Word made Flesh.

Use new technologies in the service of evangelism.

Worship every Sunday, hearing the Word of God; receiving the Bread of Life.

Minutes, February 11, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:27:00 +0000

Mission Task Force Minutes

February 11, 2010
St. Paul’s, Pawtucket

Attended: Modesta Pellot, Diocesan Council; Bill Locke+; Pam Mott+, Aquidneck Deanery; Jennifer Pedrick+, Standing Committee; Fran Gammell-Roach, Standing Committee; Jim Segovis, Central Deanery; Susan Carpenter+, Diocesan Council; Susan Wright, West Bay Deanery, Ricky Brightman, Narragansett Deanery; Brian Ehlers, Bishop’s Appointment;
Absent: Buck Close (in Haiti), Blackstone Deanery, Scott Nicholson, Bishop’s Appointment; David Isherwood, East Bay Deanery

The meeting opened at 7 pm with Worship in the Chapel. This was followed by introductions including how God surprised us this week or month.

Susan Carpenter+ gave a report from the group charged with developing the listening process. Various methods of communicating in person and electronically with parishioners in parishes were discussed. In person: Due to the variability of the connections found in each deanery, we decided not to use the deanery structure for this process. However, we could still hold a meeting in each deanery to make it convenient for people interested. We plan to set up a table at Convocation. A meeting with just clergy was discussed being sure to include rectors, interims, retired clergy and deacons. An information letter about what we will be doing and how folks could engage in the listening process could be sent to clergy, parish administrators, delegates to convention, and senior wardens. Electronically: We could obtain parish email lists, invite people to a blog where they can leave their ideas, we could inform through Risen and eRisen. A 2-part listening process was discussed: 1) visioning and 2) how to join the vision with the budget.

Jennifer Pedrick+ presented a proposed time line for our work. The time line was modified as we discussed it. Optimally, we envision that, along with the Mission Task Force (MTF), Diocesan Council (DC), Program and Budget (PB), and the Diocesan Staff (DS) will be part of the process. It will look something like this:
February is the communication launch
✦ Launch the blog
✦ Publicize the listening process
✦ Communicate with clergy etc
✦ Exhibit at Convocation
March, April, May is for the listening process
✦ Listen to youth/youth leaders, clergy, laity, DC, PG
✦ MTF would have a time for conversation and prayer/reflection with DS
✦ Link with DC to turn over the examination/evaluation of current mission priorities and programs. Jennifer drafted a letter to Bishop Wolf, President, and Scott Gunn, VP of DC, to request this role for DC. She has asked for comments/revisions of this letter from us ASAP. The expectation for this evaluation would be that a report of the current mission priorities and programs would be defined with as many statistics as possible going back 2-3 years and would be completed by May 7, 2010.
May, June would be for discernment, synthesizing, meeting with the bishop and diocesan staff.
✦ Possible retreat for discernment on how to act out our mission
✦ PB would be working on budget
✦ Invite PB to meet with MTF
July, August – Reports
✦ Reports, next steps, Resolutions for Convention
✦ Preparing reports
✦ For PB, the budget process gets serious
✦ Joint effort of MTF and PB to come together for 2011 mission and budget
✦ Meet with Diocesan Council
✦ Report finished
August, September
✦ Submit resolution
✦ Reports mailed to delegates
Late September – Pre-convention meetings, possible joint presentations MTF & PB
October – Report to Diocesan Convention

At each MTF meeting the agenda will include questions about the need to revise the time line and ask if someone or some group has been left out of the process.

Goals for MTF were defined:
1. Design and implement a listening process to engage members of the diocese in expressing their hope for future diocesan mission priorities and programs.
2. Link with other diocesan bodies and leaders throughout the process, e.g., Program and Budget, Diocesan Council and Diocesan Staff/Bishop.
3. Report to the next convention an articulation of energy and commitment to new and/or renewed mission priorities and suggested next steps.

Discussion: How do we launch?
✦ Define the listening process and the questions to ask
✦ Create a conversation
✦ Create a link for MTF blog for eRisen and parish websites
✦ Have a meeting in each deanery
✦ Use the parishes’ communication process to reach people

Questions to use to generate responses for the listening process:
✦ Tell us your best ministry experience.
✦ What were you doing in relation to church work/service/ministry when you felt most passionate and alive in the spirit?
✦ What do we want to do together as RI Episcopalians?
✦ What do we/can we do together that we can’t do alone?

Other random thoughts on Mission and Diocese:
✦ Mission: connecting the diocese
✦ Diocese: Where prayer and fellowship happens
✦ Connect parishes to parishes
✦ Diocese is where Christians come together to do good things.
✦ Mission is about vocation and identity not about programs

Tasks:
✦ Ricky will organize the exhibit for the convocation. She’ll need the cards with questions on them before the 27th.
✦ Jennifer will write the letter that will be sent to the people mentioned in the second paragraph to introduce the MTF and the listening process.

Next meeting is 3/11/10 at 7 pm at St. Paul’s, Pawtucket.

The meeting closed with prayer at 9ish pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Wright

Episcopal Diocese of RI Website

noreply@blogger.com (Brian Ehlers) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:56:00 +0000

Have you ever browsed the newly designed and "living" Diocesan Website? If not, you should not only browse but study it. (http://www.episcopalri.org/)

If you don't know it, one of the new "missions" of the diocese relates to COMMUNICATION. Ruth Meteer was hired recently to be the first Communications Officer of the diocese.

Ruth is doing an excellent job! The web site design is excellent. Lots of useful information. Pleasant to look at and read! It will be most important means of communicating in the future as more and more people use it as a resource. It can in almost real-time link all of us and what we are doing parish to parish and headquarters.

If you study the site you will easily begin to learn about and understand the current mission/s of the diocese if you don't already. Many (most?) don't. (I wonder how many in our parishisioners have used this information service?) Current missions and programs are a good starting point for our Mission Task Force thinking. What works, what doesn't, and why.

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:38:00 +0000

I like the idea that as a task force we are posting our minutes on-line and inviting comments from anyone who is interested. This seems like a new way of connecting as a diocese. I don't think I've ever seen anyone actually comment on our diocesan blog. Will this be any different?

For anyone who happens to read this, My name is Jennifer Pedrick and one of my ministry roles is chair of the Diocesan Mission Task Force. I am interested in and excited about the work we have begun, even though it seems a bit daunting. For one thing, I don't think most people know about our work yet. This is February and by the end of the month, we hope to have launched our initial communications to members of our diocese to begin a big conversation about our diocesan mission and our future hopes and challenges.

We have established three goals to be accomplished by the next diocesan convention. Here they are:

1. Design and implement a listening process to engage members of the diocese in expressing their hope for future diocesan mission priorities and programs.

2. Link with other diocesan bodies and leaders throughout the process, e.g., Program and Budget, Diocesan Council and Diocesan Staff/Bishop.

3. Report to the next convention an articulation of energy and commitment to new and/or renewed mission priorities and suggested next steps.

We welcome your input, especially if you are a member of the diocese of Rhode Island or care about our future mission!