This collaborative style marks the Episcopal Church at every level of governance. Parish meetings, required by canon, gather at least once per year. The rector—not a bishop, in this case—presides, and all adult confirmed laypeople of the parish receive seat, voice and vote in this key parish body. Diocesan Conventions include all active clergy canonically resident in a Diocese, along with representative laypeople from the various parishes, missions, and other faith communities. The General Convention of the Episcopal Church meets every three years and has a distinctive synodical style, in that it is bicameral. The bishops meet in one House, while the representative laity and clergy (deputies) from the 108 dioceses meet simultaneously in another House. Resolutions must pass both Houses to be binding. The Lambeth Conference, an assembly of all active bishops in the Anglican Communion who meet once each decade, though important, is not a synod, since it excludes laypeople and the other orders of ministry from its deliberations.

These musings are pertinent, coming on the heels of a very fine Diocesan Convention in November, and with the anticipation of Parish Meetings almost everywhere in January. Plus the General Convention meets in July 2012, this time in Indianapolis.

The synodical style of governance looks to Acts 15 for inspiration, and a glance at Galatians 2 gives an interesting and alternative slant on the Acts account. Reflection on these passages makes good preparation for any Church meeting.

Synods are by no means unique to the Anglican way, but they characterize our method of governance at every level. They find their roots in scripture, and they take into account the insight of everyone involved. At its best, synodical governance results in decisions transcending the mere sum of the individual insights. Here is Spirit-inspired collaboration at its best.

-Bishop Wayne Smith
January 2012

The Bishop’s Column is published monthly in parish bulletins and newsletters. You can download a PDF version to print here, or view previous bishop’s columns here.

With a joy and fellowship filled 4 weeks time with the Diocese of Lui’s new bishop Stephen Dokolo and his wife Lillian just concluded, diocesan members were stunned to read this past weekend’s letter from Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, primate of the Episcopal Church of Sudan.

In the letter he writes to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, “It is with a heavy heart that I write you informing you of our decision as a House of Bishops to withdraw your invitation to the Episcopal Church of the Sudan (ECS). We acknowledge your personal efforts to spearhead prayer and support campaigns on behalf of the ECS and remain very grateful for this attention you and your church have paid to Sudan and South Sudan. However, it remains difficult for us to invite you when elements of your church continue to flagrantly disregard biblical teaching on human sexuality.”

An attached statement from the House of Bishops of ECS recognizes the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) as the “true faithful Orthodox Church” and continues,  ”we will work with them to expand the Kingdom of God in the world. Also we will work with those Parishes and Dioceses in TEC who are Evangelical Orthodox Churches and faithful to God.”

“What we know right now,” said Wayne Smith, Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri, “is just the contents of this letter. I would encourage the people of this diocese to avoid the rush to judgment until all facts are in, especially since the inner workings of ECS are often complex.” Smith has calls in to the Presiding Bishop’s office; to Suffragan Bishop David Jones of Virginia, president of AFRECS (American Friends of the Episcopal Church in Sudan) and who was at the November meeting of the ECS Bishops; and Bishop Stephen Dokolo of Lui Diocese– and will advise this diocese as more is learned.

UPDATED 2:05 PM:  Neva Rae Fox, TEC public affairs officer confirms receipt of the letter.

UPDATED 12/20/11 9 PM:

http://afrecs.org/E-Blast_12.20.11.pdf

Several blogs have published a letter from Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, disinviting Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori from a hypothetical visit to the Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan. Both ECS and TEC have confirmed that the letter was sent and received. Neither the Episcopal Church of Sudan nor the office of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church has commented definitively on its implications. Honoring all our ecclesial relationships, the members of the AFRECS board are seeking further conversations with both parties before responding, but initial communications with the Archbishop’s office suggest that the letter was not meant to end partnerships between the ECS and the Episcopal Church but rather to reiterate the stance of the ECS against certain actions and beliefs in TEC, and to affirm additional partners. The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Lee of Chicago posted a moving statement about the letter and Chicago’s partnership with the Diocese of Renk, which has been cross-posted on the websites of Episcopal Cafe and several other dioceses with partners in the ECS.

EPHT.org provides visitors with access to a downloadable version of the new Missouri Common Grant Application, guidelines for receiving funds, information about past grant recipients, and practical advice for congregational leaders or community members seeking support for their healthcare ministries.

“For over 63 years, our two churches have shared a commitment to providing quality healthcare to all St. Louisans.  The Trust developed this new tool to strengthen our connection to nonprofits offering critical health services to those who are underserved in our region,” said the Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and chair of the Trust.

Recent recipients of EPHT grants include the Integrated Health Network, Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri, St. Patrick’s Center, St. Louis Effort for AIDS, and the Washington University SPOT Program.

The new website is part of a larger rebranding effort by the Trust to raise awareness of its grant programs.  The organization changed their name in early 2011 from the Episcopal-Presbyterian Charitable Health & Medical Trust to its current, more concise version.

“Our hope is that by making the Trust and their grant application more accessible, we can support even more healthcare-related nonprofits. These organizations will help fulfill our mission of providing care to those who have had difficulty obtaining it before,” said Diane Drollinger, director of community partnerships with the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation (GSTLCF). GSTLCF acts as administrator for the Trust’s grant programs.

Those who are interested in applying for a grant or would like to learn more about EPHT are encouraged visit the website at www.epht.org or contact Diane Drollinger at 314-880-4961 or ddrollinger@stlouisgives.org.

About EPHT

The purpose of the Episcopal Presbyterian Health Trust (formerly Episcopal-Presbyterian Charitable Health & Medical Trust) is to provide health care and medical services to indigent people, primarily those who live in the City of St. Louis, Missouri, or immediately adjacent areas. The Trust makes responsive grants based on requests from area health care providers seeking critical dollars to expand services, model new approaches to health care delivery, or to build collaborations.

The Trust is stewarded by volunteer leadership from both the Episcopal and Presbyterian faiths and is administered by the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation.

###

Media Contact:

Amanda Cook
314-598-0544
amanda.g.cook@gmail.com

A-172 Implementation of Health Plan
Submitted by Diocesan Council
1. BE IT RESOLVED that this 172nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri require Congregations within the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Offices of the Bishop to pay 100% of the cost of individual health insurance coverage (selected from the offerings included in the Denominational Health Plan and administered by the Episcopal Church Medical Trust) for all lay and ordained employees working 1,500 or more hours annually, in accordance with Title I, Canon 8 of the Episcopal Church and to be implemented no later than January 1, 2013;
2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Lay and ordained employees of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Offices of the Bishop eligible for required individual health insurance coverage under Section 1 of this resolution may elect not to participate in the Denominational Health Plan if they have access to coverage through other approved sources, e.g. Medicare, Tricare, a former employer, or a spouse’s or domestic partner’s health insurance plan;
3. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congregations within the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Offices of the Bishop shall not reduce existing coverage or increase the cost of existing coverage to employees to comply with A177 or this resolution;
4. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that benefit design and premium support parity is required within each congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Offices of the Bishop in the provision of health insurance coverage for lay and ordained employees;
5. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED each congregation and the Offices of the Bishop may impose a monthly premium surcharge or incentive to lay and ordained employees who elect coverage for a spouse, domestic partner, or dependent who is eligible for comparable employer-sponsored health insurance (other than the Denominational Health Plan) through an alternate source;
6. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congregations within the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Offices of the Bishop are encouraged, if financially possible, to exceed the minimum standard of health insurance coverage for their lay and ordained employees; and
7. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that schools, day care facilities and other congregational and diocesan institutions, regardless of the independence of their incorporation or tax status, are encouraged to adopt the principles articulated in this resolution.
Resolutions passed by the 172nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, meeting Nov. 18-19, 2011, in St. Louis, Missouri

B-172 Companion Diocese
Submitted by the Companion Diocese Committee
1. BE IT RESOLVED that this 172nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri renews the commitment of the Diocese to the ongoing companion relationship with the Diocese of Lui in the Episcopal Church of Sudan for a second five-year period;
2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this convention encourages the bishops of Lui and Missouri to review the existing companion relationship agreement and make any needed adjustments or revisions in consultation with the Companion Diocese Relationship Committee and other stakeholders in each diocese; and
3. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Diocese of Missouri will continue to partner with Blackmore Vale Deanery in Salisbury Diocese of the Church of England and the Diocese of Lund in the Lutheran Church of Sweden in their mutual relationship with the people of Lui Diocese through transparency, accountability, and communications, and whenever possible, through joint travels to South Sudan.

C-172 HIV/AIDS Awareness Sunday
Submitted by Metro IV Convocation
1. BE IT RESOLVED by this 172nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri that each congregation be encouraged to annually designate a Sunday for HIV/AIDS Awareness;
2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each congregation be encouraged to have this HIV/AIDS Awareness Sunday on the Sunday closest to World AIDS Day, observed on December 1 each year; and
3. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that congregations may elect to recognize HIV/AIDS Awareness Sunday in one or more of the following ways:
• By asking a speaker from an agency that serves people infected with HIV/AIDS to address the congregation. Examples of such agencies include, but are not limited to: Doorways, which provides housing; Food Outreach, which provides meals; and St. Louis Effort for AIDS.
• By thoughtfully and intentionally preaching the good news of Jesus Christ in the shadow of the theological, ethical, and pastoral dilemmas raised by the HIV/AIDS crisis.
• By providing an educational program to parents/grandparents on how to discuss the risks of transmission of HIV/AIDS with their children.
• By directly referencing those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS in the liturgy; for example, in the Prayers of the People or with a Litany, such as the one created by the ELCA for World AIDS Day.

D-172 Letters of Agreement
Submitted by the Venerable Mark D. Sluss, Archdeacon
Substitute D-172 submitted by Resolutions Committee
1. BE IT RESOLVED that this 172nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri encourages rectors, vicars, vestries and bishop’s committees, as appropriate, to create or review letters of agreement with active, non-stipendiary clergy (presbyters and deacons) and presbyters in part-time cures;
2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this convention encourages such letters of agreement to include provisions addressing:
• Clear guidelines about time commitment, including time off
• Necessary expenses for engagement with the diocese (e.g. diocesan convention and clergy days),
• Membership expenses (e.g. MOCA, Association of Episcopal Deacons)
• Budget for required continuing education
• Mileage reimbursement
3. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this convention requests the Commission on Ministry, in consultation with the bishop, Canon to the Ordinary, and Finance Committee of Diocesan Council, to study the work conditions and expense allowances for active non-stipendiary deacons and presbyters and for presbyters in part-time cures and to develop a diocesan standard and model letters of agreement for adoption at the 2012 convention.

E-172 The Rev. Whiting Griswold
Submitted by St. John’s Church-Tower Grove (St. Louis) and Metro II Convocation
BE IT RESOLVED that this 172nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri recognize and uphold the Reverend Whiting Griswold as an example of Christian sainthood, and encourage his recognition within the wider church, passing along this Resolution and Rationale to the Standing Liturgical Commission of the Episcopal Church, to consider adding the Rev. Whiting Griswold to the commemorations in Holy Women, Holy Men.

F-172 Restructuring the Episcopal Church
Submitted by Ms. Lynette Ballard, St. Matthew’s-Warson Woods; the Very Rev. Ronald Clingenpeel, Trinity-CWE, St. Louis; Ms. Kathryn Dyer, St. Timothy’s-Creve Coeur; Mr. Donald W. Fisher, Christ Church Cathedral; Ms. Lisa Fox, Grace-Jefferson City; the Rev. Jason Samuel, Transfiguration-Lake St. Louis, the Rev. Doris Westfall, St. Matthew’s-Warson Woods; the Rev. Tamsen Whistler, Trinity-St. Charles
BE IT RESOLVED that this 172nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri affirms the following resolution and hereby submits it for consideration by the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church:

Resolved, the House of ____________ concurring, there shall be a Special Commission on Missional Structure and Strategy, the composition of which shall be at the discretion of the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies and the members of which shall be appointed jointly thereby not later than thirty days following the adjournment of this 77th General Convention. The Special Commission shall be charged with presenting a plan to the Church for reforming its structures, governance, administration, and staff to facilitate this Church’s faithful engagement in Christ’s mission to proclaim Good News to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed, and the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18) in a way that maximizes the resources available for that mission at all levels of this Church.
Resolved, the Special Commission shall endeavor to issue its report and recommendations along with resolutions necessary to implement them, including proposed amendments to the Constitution and Canons of this Church, so that they might be considered by a special General Convention prior to the convening of the 78th General Convention in 2015, in any event, not later than February 1, 2015.
Resolved, The General Convention requests the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $100,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

G-172 Minimum Clergy Compensation
Submitted on behalf of the Diocesan Council
1. BE IT RESOLVED that this 172nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri set the annual standard base compensation for full-time clergy in 2012 as follows:
CASH SALARY $40,700 HOUSING ALLOWANCE $14,670 [The actual compensation should be determined by Resolution of the Vestry/Bishop’s Committee, in consultation with the clergy.]
2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Church Pension Fund assessment will be paid by the congregation;
Resolutions passed by the 172nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, meeting Nov. 18-19, 2011, in St. Louis, Missouri
3. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that $50,000 group life will be paid by the congregation;
4. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that medical coverage for clergy and eligible dependents, will be paid by the congregation;
5. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a standard of ten days per calendar year and $500 will be provided for continuing education;
6. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the standard auto allowance will be $2,000 per year;
7. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all parishes and missions encourage their full-time clergy to set aside the equivalent of two days each week for personal time, 24 hours of which must be consecutive; and
8. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all parishes and missions be strongly encouraged to provide dental insurance for clergy and eligible dependents, or be assured they already have such coverage.

H-172
Submitted by the Rev. Daniel Appleyard, the Very Rev. Ronald Clingenpeel, the Rev. Jason Samuel
Eliminated by consent and referred back to the Constitution and Canons Committee.

I-172 Old North St. Louis Initiative
Submitted from the floor by the Standing Committee
1. Be it resolved that this 172nd Convention of the Diocese of Missouri concur with Bishop Smith that he create and appoint a task force to investigate the possibilities for mission and ministry in the Old North neighborhood of the City of St. Louis, and that this task force conduct its work in collaboration with the Bishop and the Standing Committee, and make regular reports on its work to that body and to future conventions of the Diocese of Missouri; and
2. Be it further resolved that this Convention of the Diocese of Missouri encourage Bishop Smith and the task force of his appointment to explore the possibility of establishing a residential site on the model of Episcopal Service Corps internship programs; and
3. Be it further resolved that this Convention of the Diocese of Missouri ask the task force to keep in view as a goal for the program opportunities for the congregations and the people of the Diocese of Missouri to cooperate in the program’s mission and ministry.

PDF copy of resolutions passed by the 172nd Convention, for posting in parishes, available online.

The Presiding Bishop – The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori

• Whereas the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori has called us since 2006 to be attentive to the church’s heartbeat of mission and
• Whereas her calm and centered leadership in changing times is a blessing to the church and
• Whereas she invites us leave our tents to venture with faith into uncertain times in the church trusting in God’s love,
• Be it resolved that this 172nd convention of the Diocese of Missouri extends a warm welcome to our Presiding Bishop and is grateful for her visit among us. I move this resolution.

The Rt. Rev. Wayne Smith – Diocesan Bishop

• Whereas the Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith has called us to renewed commitment to making disciples, building congregations, for the life of the world and
• Whereas he has suggested that these times call us to live within our means, to right-size our common life and to be nimble in responding to God’s mission, and
• Whereas he reminds us that mission, at home or in the Sudan, is difficult work and
• Whereas he has held up for us a vision of an old fangled idea made new, inviting us into establishing an Intentional Community engaged in mission in North St Louis, returning to a neighborhood where we have been in mission since the founding of Grace Settlement House, and
• Whereas he hopes to support the startup of this new ministry from the Thompson Fund, in order to draw all the baptized into the satisfying work of ministry, and
• Whereas he has served our diocese diligently and faithfully, as chief pastor and teacher for 9 years,
• Be it therefore resolved that this 172nd convention of the diocese of Missouri expresses its deep gratitude to our bishop for his ministries of care, inspiration and encouragement and assures him of our continued prayers and support. I move this resolution.

The Diocese of Lui – Special Guest Anne Powell

• Whereas missioners from the Diocese of Missouri traveled to Lui as early as 2003 and entered into a 5 year covenant with the Diocese of Lui in 2006 and
• Whereas the Diocese of Missouri has enjoyed a growing relationship with the Diocese of Lui
• Whereas we have expanded our relationship to include both the Blackmore Vale Deanery in the Diocese Salisbury in the Church of England and the Diocese of Lund in the Church of Sweden
• Whereas Anne Powell, a member of the mission team from Blackmore Vale Deanery is a special guest at our convention this year,
• Be it therefore resolved that this 172nd Convention sends its condolences on the death of Bishop Bullen Dolli to his family and diocese and extends warm greetings to our sisters and brothers in the Diocese of Lui and to newly elected Bishop Stephen Dokolo, and our mission partners in Blackmore Vale Deanery and the Diocese of Lund. I move this resolution.

Convention Hosts & Worship Service

• Whereas the Rev. Canon D. John Kilgore has served as Master of Ceremony for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the 172nd Convention, with assistance from Verger Shug Goodlow, Altar Guild member Myrna Wacker and
• Whereas the members of Christ Church Cathedral have graciously opened their doors and staffed them with competent and compassionate hosts, and
• Whereas the staff of the Offices of the Bishop has given weeks and days and hours to provide for our comfort and dispatch of business, greatly aided by cathedral staff Annette Carr, Rick Edwards, Robert Buckley, Jr. and Dwight Minor,
• Therefore be it resolved that this 172nd Convention express its thanks for service to this convention. I move this resolution.

Anniversary of Parishes

• Whereas in 2011, Trinity Church, St. Charles celebrated 175 years since its foundation and both St. Timothy’s (Creve Coeur) and St. Alban’s (Fulton) celebrated 50 years since their foundation,
• Be it therefore resolved that this 172nd Convention extends to them its congratulations and looks forward to celebrating their ministries for decades to come. I move this resolution.

Closing Columbia Hope

• Whereas we live in changing and challenging times for the church in our culture and
• Whereas we are called to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ to those who have not heard it and
• Whereas our experiments in church planting do not always bear the fruit we might have hoped for
• Be it resolved that the 172nd convention of the Diocese of Missouri gives thanks to God for the bold experiment which was Columbia Hope Church and expresses regret at its closing. I move this resolution.

Celebrating Mothers

• Whereas the ordination of women to the priesthood is still a relatively new phenomenon in the Episcopal Church and
• Whereas for some of our clergy “birth pangs” is not just a metaphor and
• Whereas giving birth to or adopting children while serving a congregation complicates and enriches the lives of women clergy
• Be it resolved that this 172nd Convention of the Diocese of Missouri salutes those women priests who have become mothers while serving Missouri congregations: Susan Nanny, Tamsen Whistler, Chris Cobb, Amy Cortright Chambers, Mari Chollet and Teresa Mithen Danieley and any others and gives thanks for the ways they have made “Mother” much more than a respectful clergy title and have challenged and expanded our vision of priesthood. I move this resolution.

Donated Parking

• Whereas parking for this convention has been graciously donated by Steve Smith of the Lawrence Group, which owns the garage and the Park Pacific and
• Whereas Steve and Park Pacific are wonderful friends and neighbors of Christ Church Cathedral and an important part of the revitalization of the neighborhood and
• Be it therefore resolved that this 172nd convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri expresses its deep gratitude to Steve Smith and the Lawrence Group for their generosity and support. I move this resolution.

Cathedral Bookstore

• Whereas in one form or another, the Cathedral bookstore has provided books, gifts and a warm welcome to all who have visited the cathedral for decades
• Whereas it’s paid and volunteer staff have tirelessly brought the bookstore to congregations throughout the diocese offering a visible sign of the connection of our cathedral with congregations far and near, large and small
• And whereas the whole face of publishing and bookselling is changing dramatically and new occasions teach new duties, and whereas the cathedral chapter has prayerfully and regretfully voted to close the bookstore as of Dec. 31 and
• Be it resolved that this 172nd convention of the diocese of Missouri gives thanks to Deborah Wheeler and to all at the cathedral who have made this ministry possible and looks forward to new ways of connecting with our cathedral. I move this resolution.

Diocesan Staff

• Whereas the staff of the offices of the Bishop labor tirelessly to assist the congregations of the diocese and
• Whereas they offer support to congregations in search or in crisis and to all congregations in their financial and other day to day business and
• Whereas they strive to communicate effectively the lives of congregations to the whole diocese and keep us all up to date on diocesan events and
• Whereas they are in the front line when Missouri Episcopalians are frustrated or disgruntled,
• Be it resolved that this 172nd Convention of the Diocese of Missouri expresses its profound gratitude to the staff of the diocese of Missouri: Tracy Grigsby, Emily McNeil (who has moved to LA) Rita Benson, Desiree Villioco, Beth Felice, Robin Weisenborn, Susan Wegner and the Rev. Canon Dan Smith.

Retired Bishops – The Rt. Rev. Jones & The Rt. Rev. Rockwell

• Whereas the Diocese of Missouri has been served from generation to generation by faithful and wise bishops and
• Whereas each in his turn has brought distinctive gifts for leadership in the mission and ministry of the diocese,
• Be it resolved that this 172nd convention of the Diocese of Missouri gives thanks for the ministry of the Rt. Rev. Hays and Linda Rockwell and the Rt. Rev. William and Maggie Jones, wishing them a long and happy retirement. I move this resolution.

Retirement — Priests – The Rev. John Musgrave & The Rev. James Purdy

• Whereas The Rev. John Musgrave has served on Diocesan Council and Commission on the Ministry, and as an Associate at St. Peter’s (Ladue), and Rector of Church of the Good Shepherd (Town & Country),
• Whereas The Rev. James Purdy has served as an active and faithful member of the Commission on Dismantling Racism of the Diocese of Missouri, and as Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Ladue, Missouri,
• Be it therefore resolved that this 172nd Convention extends to them well wishes and an enjoyable retirement. I move this resolution.

Retirement – Deacons — Marylen Stansbery

• Whereas, the diocese has benefited from the renewal of the order of Deacons and;
• Whereas, the second vocational Deacon ordained in Missouri the Rev. Marylen Stansbery has been a great example of diakonia in our diocese and our congregations, and
• Whereas the Community of Deacons, revel in her mentorship and sage advice,
• Be it therefore resolved that this 172nd Convention congratulates her on her retirement from active ministry, and bids her our best wishes. I move this resolution.

Margery Gantt

• Whereas for over 50 of her 90 years, Margery Gantt exercised leadership, in countless ways, in the congregation of St. Matthew’s Church, Mexico and
• Whereas she was an active leader in her community esp. in support of health care and mental health ministries, and whereas her leadership was recognized by the Mexico Chamber of Commerce, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference for her work in dismantling racism, and by the Missouri Hospital Association for Trustee leadership and
• Whereas she served the diocese as President of the ECW and as a three time deputy to General Convention, as a member of several diocesan committees including the Nigerian Task Force and Diocesan Council and
• Whereas in 1974 she was recognized for extraordinary service to the diocese by the Rt. Rev. William Jones and again in 1995 by the Right Rev. Hays H. Rockwell who awarded her the Bishop’s Medal
• Be it therefore resolved that this 172nd Convention of the Diocese of Missouri gives thanks to God for the life and witness of Margery Noyes Gantt. I move this resolution.

The Rev. Anne Scharon-Glaser

• Whereas the Rev. Anne Scharon-Glaser was among the first women ordained in the diocese of Missouri and whereas she served on the Chaplaincy staff at St. Luke’s Hospital, as vicar of Prince of Peace (St. Louis), Chaplain at Beauvais Manor (St. Louis) and assisted with pastoral care at St. Stephen’s, Ferguson, and whereas she died this week at the age of 92,
• Be it resolved that this 172nd convention of the Diocese of Missouri thanks God for the life and ministry of Anne Scharon-Glaser and extends its condolences to her children, grand children and great grandchildren and gives thanks to God for her life and ministry. I move this resolution.

With several special guests in attendance the 172nd annual meeting of the Diocese of Missouri concluded this afternoon. The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, visited convention and preached at this morning’s Eucharist held at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis. She noted that she was struck “by the parallels between the Occupy movement and Jesus’ band of homeless wanderers.” The full text of her sermon is available online.  Bishop Katharine travels to Christ Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau tomorrow morning to preside at a 10:15 a.m. Sunday service.

On the agenda for the 172nd, was a resolution on renewing the companion relationship with the Diocese of Lui in the Episcopal Church of Sudan, in the new country of South Sudan. Arriving from Sudan Friday afternoon were the Rt. Rev. Stephen Dokolo and his wife Lillian. Also attending convention was Ms. Anne Powell, bringing greetings from the Blackmore Vale Deaneries, Diocese of Salisbury, Church of England. The Diocese of Salisbury has been a companion of the Episcopal Church of Sudan for the past 40 years, and recently the Blackmore Vale deaneries, mostly smaller, rural parishes in south England, have also  begun a partnership with Lui Diocese. The convention voted to renew the diocesan relationship for another five years.

Bishop Wayne Smith, the tenth bishop of Missouri, addressed the convention late in the day on Friday. He spoke on themes of living within one’s means, and how that had led to some unexpected consequences of being “nimble and right-sized.” He also presented an idea for the diocese to begin discerning a presence in Old North St. Louis–an intentional community on property the diocese owns. Full text of his speech is online.

Elected to
Disciplinary Board: Lay- Jay Kloecker; Clergy- Brooke Myers (2 yr term), Susan Skinner (3 yr term)
Standing Committee: Lay-Harry Goff; Clergy- Renee Fenner and Anne Kelsey
Diocesan Council: Michael Calvin; Jeffrey Klieve
Cathedral Chapter: Lay-James Berger; Clergy-Catherine Hillquist

The proposed budget for 2012 was adopted by convention.

Resolutions: exact language of amended resolution and substituted resolution will be published when certified by the Secretary of Convention, Dr. James Hood.

A-172 Implementation of Health Plan: passes, but not unanimously
B-172 Companion Diocese: passes unanimously
C-172 HIV/AIDS Awareness Sunday: passes, but not unanimously
D-172 Letters of Agreement: passes with substituted language
E-172 The Rev. Whiting Griswold: passes, but not unanimously
F-172 Restructuring the Episcopal Church: passes, but not unanimously
G-172 Minimum Clergy Compensation: passes with an additional amendment
H-172 Change to Constitution and Canons: referred to Standing Ctte of Constitution and Canons for report to next year’s convention, convention agrees

From the Floor: I-172, submitted by the Standing Committee of the Diocese

Be it Resolved that this 172nd Convention of the Diocese of Missouri concur with Bishop Smith that he create and appoint a task force to investigate the possibilities for mission and ministry in the Old North neighborhood of the City of St. Louis, and that this task force conduct its work in collaboration with the Bishop and the Standing Committee, and make regular reports on its work to that body and to future conventions of the Diocese of Missouri; and
Be it further resolved that this Convention of the Diocese of Missouri encourage Bishop Smith and the task force of his appointment to explore the possibility of establishing a resedential site on the model of Episcopal Service Corps internship programs; and
Be it further resolved that this Convention of the Diocese of Missouri ask the task force to keep in view as a goal for the program opportunities for the congregations and the people of the Diocese of Missouri to cooperate in the program’s mission and ministry.

This resolution passed.

Expect the minutes with certified resolution language to follow next week.

Photos from convention are available online.
Convention booklet with resolutions as proposed, biographies of nominees, agenda, budget, and reports is available online.

18 Nov 2011

Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori

Presiding Bishop and Primate

The Episcopal Church

Well, the Occupy-ers have been thrown out of one park after another.  They were evicted from Zuccotti Park near Wall Street Monday night and from Kiener Plaza here in St. Louis last weekend.  Oakland tired of them quite a while ago, and London hasn’t been able to make up its mind about whether or not to let them stay at St. Paul’s.  Our city governments and even churches have been mightily conflicted about this movement.  I am profoundly struck, however, by the parallels between the Occupy movement and Jesus’ band of homeless wanderers.

“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’”  It seems to me that most of these bands of campers have done just that.  “Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid.  Do not move about from house to house.”  The Occupiers have shared food, cared for each other, and challenged the rest of us about justice in the size of paychecks.  Now those who have been evicted are struggling with how to continue their global demonstration.

The group at Kiener Plaza has dwindled to a small fraction of its earlier strength.  One of the leaders said that without tents they no longer have access to food, medical supplies, or the media.[1]  Their witness has been subverted, and now Occupy is going to have to find another way to make its presence known and its message heard.

We have the same challenge in the Church – both in presenting the good news we have to share, and in how best to do it.  Our old settled tradition of staying put in church and waiting for others to come to us doesn’t work so well with younger generations or the unchurched.  Our message remains the same as it always has, but we need new ways of telling it and showing an effective response to the hungry outside our doors.

What does Jesus tell his band of wanderers?  He sends the 70 out two by two to every city where he plans to go himself.  He SENDS them OUT.  That’s where our word “mission” comes from.  When they arrive in the mission field, they’re supposed to find some place that’s interested in hearing what they have to say, and then stay long enough to build some community and have an effective conversation.  They’re supposed to start with good news of peace, and then share food, heal the sick, and tell about the coming reign of God.

Our fall-back habits are rather different.  For centuries we’ve depended on an established pattern of building beautiful churches and expecting that people will know where to find good news.  That’s not quite the same as what Jesus told those 70 missionaries.  Nor is the news that’s always proclaimed.  We’ve often heard supposed Christians start out with words of damnation rather than peace – listen up, believe right, or you’re going to hell!  And most of us still tend to think that a bit of bread and a sip of wine is the only meal that’s really needed, and that an hour on Sunday morning is enough to build the reign of God.

Well it is and it isn’t.

Einstein defined insanity as continuing to do the same thing but expecting different results.  The Occupy-ers aren’t going to be able to expect the same results now that they’re faced with doing things differently.  The challenge is how to communicate their urgent message without access to former methods.

We are experiencing a slow-motion version of being occupiers ousted from their camps.  You’ve heard the familiar lament about buildings being albatrosses.  At this convention you’re dealing with the challenge of affording health insurance for everyone who works for pay in the church.  As long as we understand our primary mission as preserving buildings, maybe we ought to welcome being tossed out.  The shelters in which we gather to worship are meant to be aid stations, like those tents here in Kiener Plaza.  We come together here to be fed for service in the world, to share a meal and be healed and remember the great dream of God, and then go out into the city or the countryside and do the same for others.  And all across this Church we’re beginning to learn new ways of gathering and of serving.

How many of you have met somebody who’s been camping in the Plaza or talked with a young adult about his or her hopes for the future?  The society around us is hungry for good news, they’re hungry for healing, and they’re hungry for a nutritious community meal.  How is The Episcopal Church in Missouri going to renew our covenant to proclaim and be the kind of good news that responds to those hungers?  There was a lovely piece on Episcopal News Service yesterday about a priest in Seattle who went down to the Occupy camp, celebrated Eucharist for a tiny handful and then sat down and welcomed large numbers who wanted to talk and reflect.[2]

There is an emerging wave of response across this Church that’s providing shelters for young adults to ask challenging questions, particularly about what it means to be a faithful human being.  There are Episcopal Service Corps groups that invite a few 20-somethings to spend a year living in intentional community and working in service agencies, much like what your Bishop talked about yesterday afternoon. They eat, pray, and live together in a way that feeds and heals them and others, and bears witness to what it means to be a fellow traveler with Jesus.

I see other communities that take names like Theology on Tap, gathered in a pub or pizza parlor to share sustenance and reflect on life’s big questions.  I’ve seen gatherings that might be called “messy church,” where parents and small children gather for an act of worship that feeds body and soul, at a level that teaches all ages.  There are dinner churches gathered first of all to eat together, from which worship is growing.  Gardens are being planted on former church lawns or new green roofs, and community supported agriculture initiatives are bringing healthy food into the midst of food deserts.

There are a growing number of community meals that invite the poor and homeless to dine, and then insist that others in the community who think of themselves as servers also join the meal.  Out of those meals begins to grow a community that breaks down some of those dividing walls Paul talks about – the same kind of dividing walls that Occupy is tackling.  Most of our cities have become far more economically segregated than they were just a couple of decades ago.  The most scandalous divisions in our Church are probably economic ones.  It’s not unknown for the wealthier parts of the church to gravitate to theological positions that keep them focused inwardly on preserving beautiful buildings, rather than giving away the gift that has been given to us all.

The covenant renewal possibilities around here are mostly about breaking down dividing walls – dividing walls between ourselves and God, between us and all sorts and conditions of fellow human beings, and between ourselves and the rest of creation.  Once again live in right relationship, well fed, healed, and at peace, the reign of God will indeed be here in its fullness.

The harvest is plentiful.  Pray that God will send laborers out into that harvest – to leave the shelter of the places we settle in, whether they are in parks, tents, or beautiful buildings.  It’s time to break up any movement called Occupy the Pews.

• Cathedral Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St., St. Louis, MO 63103, ph 314-231-3454, www.christchurchcathedral.us
• Metro II Map by convocation