Jan. 3, 2013
From Bishop Dean Wolfe – ATTACH PDF Dear Friends, Epiphany is a liturgical season that easily can be lost between Christmas and Lent. To counteract that, a series of weekly devotions for the Epiphany season has been produced. I commend these devotional resources (which can be printed and placed in Sunday bulletins or made available in other formats) as one way to assist parishioners focus on the season of Epiphany and the manifestation of Christ’s light in the world. A PDF of all the devotions is attached; they also can be accessed online at http://www.anglican.ca/faith/eir/full-communion-partnership/2013-epiphany-devotions/. These materials are a shared offering of the Joint Anglican-Lutheran Commission (Anglican Church of Canada and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada) and the Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating Committee (The Episcopal Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). The Episcopal Church is doing more and more work with both the Anglican Church in Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and these devotions illustrate our common spiritual foundations and our deepening relationship. May the Light of Christ continue to illumine your path! +Dean
Presiding Bishop calls for prayers for President, US Congress, elected officials Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has joined other religious leaders from the National Council of Churches in calling for a commitment of daily prayers for the President, Vice-President, United States Congress and elected officials from Jan. 3 until Jan. 21. Jan. 3 is the first day of the new Congress; Jan. 21 is the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori has offered the following prayer: “O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties. To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations. To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served. And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name. For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen.” (The Book of Common Prayer 1979, pages 821-822)
Parochial reports are being mailed this week; due back March 1 The annual parochial report required of all parishes in the Episcopal Church will be in the mail by the end of the week. The deadline to submit the completed report is March 1. Even though the report itself can be filed online (http://generalconvention.org/gc/parochial_reports), the diocesan office still needs the following items returned in hard copy: The completed signature page (page 1) The supplement page The directory update form The form listing parish delegates Clergy continuing education form A copy of the church’s directory Questions about completing the report, in print or online, should be directed to Comptroller Jay Currie, (800) 473-3563 or [email protected].
Four people to be ordained this Saturday Ordinations to the diaconate and priesthood will take place this Saturday, Jan. 5 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Cathedral in Topeka. Being ordained a transitional deacon is Lavonne Seifert, a member of St. Michael and All Angels, Mission, who is serving as a ministry intern at St. Aidan’s, Olathe. Those being ordained as priests are the Rev. David Jenkins, currently the deacon in charge at the Church of the Covenant in Junction City; the Rev. David Lynch, curate at St. James’, Wichita; and the Rev. Adrianna Shaw, who is a CPE resident and assisting priest at St. David’s, Round Rock, Texas. A reception in the cathedral’s Great Hall will follow the service. Bishop Dean Wolfe has said he expects all active clergy in the diocese to be present for the service and vested (red stoles) and walk in the procession. Attendance is optional but appreciated for retired clergy.
Tomorrow is deadline for scholarship aid requests from clergy children Friday, Jan. 4 is the deadline for clergy children to apply for a Father Young Fund grant for the spring semester. All students interested in receiving an award from the Father Young Fund should send a letter addressed to Bishop Wolfe. If you have any questions, please contact Jeanne Atha at [email protected] or (785) 235-9255 or (800) 473-3563.
Youth news Miqra. Jan. 19-21 at Grace Cathedral and St. David’s in Topeka. For youth in grades 6-12. MIQRA (meek-rah) is a weekend retreat that focuses on the Bible and allows teens to discover what’s in it, why we should care and how to read it. Registrations are due Friday, Jan. 11 and are available online at http://www.episcopal-ks.org/youth/miqra.html New Beginnings rector applications now available. Do you know a junior or senior in high school who loved going to New Beginnings as a middle schooler? We're looking for applicants to be rectors of the next New Beginnings on April 19-21. The application is online at http://www.episcopal- ks.org/youth/NewBeginningsRectorApp2013.pdf Applications are due to Teresa Rogers while at Miqra or by Jan. 19. If you have more questions, contact Teresa using the information on the application. Summer youth ministry internship applications now available. Do you know a college student interested in pursuing a vocation in ministry? If so, ask them if they are interested in applying for the Summer Youth Ministry Internship. Applications are due Feb. 23. Learn more about the program and how to apply at http://www.episcopal-ks.org/youth/internship.html
Good Shepherd to honor former priest Good Shepherd, Wichita, will honor a former priest, the Rev. Peter Oesterlin, with a special Service of Celebration marking his 80th birthday and 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. It will take place on Saturday, Jan. 19 from noon to 2 p.m. at the church, 8021 W. 21st St. North, in Wichita. A light luncheon will follow the service. The 50th birthday of Oesterlin’s daughter, Anne, also will be celebrated. The diocesan community is invited and encouraged to attend. Oesterlin has made it clear that he wishes no gifts, saying, "No gifts are desired save the gift of your presence!" Please RSVP directly to the Rev. Peter and Kathy Oesterlin by phone at (505) 515-1805 or by email at [email protected].
UTO grant deadline is Feb. 28 Applications for a grant through the United Thank Offering will be accepted online until Feb. 28. They will be reviewed in March and voted on in May. Grant awards will be announced in June. The grant application and grant criteria now are on the UTO website: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sites/default/files/downloads/2013_grant_policy_and_criteria.pdf The United Thank Offering supports projects that are involved with: alleviating poverty (domestic and international); making significant impact; demonstrating new and innovative programs/projects/work; and transforming unjust structures of society. For further information about UTO, contact Barbi Tinder, UTO Board Grant Committee Convener, [email protected]; Sarita Redd, UTO President, [email protected]; or Michelle Jobson, UTO Grant Associate, [email protected], (800) 334-7626, ex. 6022. Grants are funded by the Blue Box offerings made by Episcopalians throughout the church.
Upcoming KSM classes A variety of classes offered by the Kansas School for Ministry still may have room for students who want to enrich their own spiritual life by extensive study on one of these topics: Jan. 12-13: Missional Ecclesiology (The Rev. Craig Loya) Feb. 9-10: Congregational Development and Evangelism (Dr. David Thompson); Contemporary Ethics (Dr. Don Compier) March 9-10: Church History Survey (The Rev. George Wiley); Polity and Canons (Mr. Larry Bingham) April 13-14: British Christianity (The Very Rev. Bill Wolff) May 11-12: History of the Episcopal Church (The Very Rev. Bill Wolff) The cost to attend is $100 per course for non-ordination students. Fees cover tuition, overnight accommodations in the Bethany Place Conference Center and four meals. The cost of books and other materials are not included. Those wanting to enroll or who need more information should contact KSM Coordinator the Rev. Andrew Grosso at [email protected] or (913) 367-3171.
Clergy news Two clergypersons have new email addresses; please note them in your personal contacts and diocesan Directory: Deacon Patty Minx: [email protected] Deacon Steve Segebrecht: [email protected]
Anniversaries of ordinations Congratulations go to these people as they celebrate the anniversaries of their ordination in the next two weeks: Jan. 3: The Rev. Edwin Sisk, licensed (43 years) Jan. 5: The Rev. Alan Tilson, non-parochial (28 years) Jan. 7: The Rev. Patrick Funston, Bishop Seabury Academy (1 year) Jan. 8: The Rev. Michael Bell, campus missioner (2 years); the Rev. Dixie Junk, St. Paul’s, Kansas City (2 years); the Rev. Antoinette Tackkett, St. Paul’s, Coffeyville (2 years) Jan. 10: The Rev. Brian Viel, non-parochial, Diocese of Western Kansas (4 years) Jan. 14: The Rev. Andrew O’Connor, Good Shepherd, Wichita (7 years)
Next DioLog The next edition of DioLog will be sent to subscribers on Thursday, Jan. 17. Information to be included should be sent to Melodie Woerman, diocesan director of communications, at [email protected], no later than Wednesday, Jan. 15. DioLog is a publication of the Office of Communications of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas. Parishes are free to excerpt anything printed in DioLog; attribution that material is reprinted from DioLog is appreciated. Feel free to copy this and make it available to parishioners in whatever way is most useful.