100,000 Ways to Say Welcome! Six Or Seven Years Ago, at Stop Hunger Now the Suggestion of the Rev
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An edition of Vol. 21 No. 1 THE NEWSPAPER OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NORTH CAROLINA January 2010 100,000 Ways to 194th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina Friday, January 22 through Saturday, January 23, 2010 Say Welcome! M.C. Benton Jr. Convention Center Winston Salem, North Carolina General Information (Subject to Change) The 194th Convention: January 22-23 Thursday, January 21 (Optional for Attendees) Forecasting the future is risky busi- radical gospel welcome of Jesus of Nazareth. In my con- 6 - 7:30 pm Registration open for early attendees ness, but I would hazard a modest vention address I invited us to celebrate the 200th anni- prediction. Our upcoming Diocesan versary of the founding of the diocese in 2017 by working Friday, January 22 Convention will be different. We will, for the day that the face of the Diocese of North Carolina 8:00 a.m. Credentials and Registration Open of course, receive reports, discuss will truly resemble the face of all of the peoples of North Exhibits and The Bookstore Open issues, vote on a budget and the like. Carolina in all of our God given variety and diversity. The Welcome Coffee hosted By The Episcopal But it will be different. Before I tell Rt. Rev. Nedi Riverra was our keynote speaker. Her mes- Diocese of North Carolina and The Winston you why, don’t dismiss those matters, sage referred to the local congregation as neighbor, being Salem Convention and Visitors Center The Rt. Rev. which can sound ordinary and routine, neighbor, getting to know our neighbors, and provided a Michael B. Curry Prayer Room Open Throughout Convention as insignificant. powerful and very practical way of being communities that One of the reports this convention will receive will be reflect the welcome of Jesus. 11 a.m. Convention Opens. 1st Legislative Session that of the Bishop’s Marriage Task Force chaired by the This year we are focusing on being a missionary dio- 12 noon Bishop Curry’s Address Rev. S. Gregory Jones of St. Michael’s Church, Raleigh. cese reflecting the Radical Welcome of Jesus in the world. 1- 2 p.m. Delegates and Visitors Luncheon and Clergy This report, in the form of a journal of theological reflec- How we can be the welcoming presence of Jesus Christ Spouse Luncheon tion, will be a helpful resource for theological reflection and in the world, by a way of discipleship that follows in his 2:15 – 4:15 p.m. Legislative Committee Hearings on conversation, in our diocese, but in the Episcopal Church footsteps, loving, loving, giving, forgiving, sharing, car- Resolutions widely. Greg and the task force members have done an ing, doing justice, loving mercy, walking humbly with 4:30 p.m. Shuttle Service begins to St. Paul’s. Will outstanding job. We often wonder what good convention God, like Jesus. pickup in front of the Benton Convention legislation does. Well, this resource on the theology of So, at this convention we will have an opportunity to Center. Shuttle will run continuously until marriage was the fruit of last year’s live into being the hands of Christ in the world by 5:15 pm convention legislation. This marriage “putting our hands to the gospel plough,” by mak- 5 p.m. Holy Eucharist at St. Paul’s Episcopal journal has modeled a way of holy ing packets of meals so that others may eat. It may Church (520 Summit Street) listening, respectful dialogue, serious, be different, or, better yet, it may make a difference. and disciplined theological and pasto- 6:45 p.m. Dinner on your own Keep the faith, ral reflection around a subject that is +Michael complex, controversial and of pastoral Saturday, January 23 and social urgency. Thank you to all 7 a.m. Continental Breakfast who engaged this important work. “Stop Hunger Now’s meal 8 a.m. Exhibits Open So don’t dismiss the importance of packaging program provides 8:30 a.m. Morning Devotions legislation and public discussion at volunteers the opportunity to 8:50 a.m. 2nd Legislative Session a church convention. Seemingly package dehydrated, high pro- ordinary and routine matters have 9 a.m. Keynote Address by Rob Radtke, Episcopal tein, and highly nutritious meals their proper place and importance Relief & Development that are used in crisis situations and in school in our shared life as a diocesan Church. feeding programs for schools and orphanages in 10:45 a.m. Juice & Java Break This convention promises to be different in another respect. developing countries around the world.” 12 noon Noonday Prayers We have set a goal of making 100,000 meal packets for Stop To learn more about Stop Hungry Now and some 12:30 p.m. ‘Soup and Sandwich’ Luncheon Hunger Now, an organization dedicated to the abolition of national resources in the Episcopal Church to: 1:30 p.m. 3rd Legislative Session hunger world wide. Hence, the theme for this convention, 3:30 p.m. Adjournment 100,000 Ways to Say Welcome! Six or seven years ago, at Stop Hunger Now the suggestion of the Rev. Winston Charles, we invited the www.stophungernow.org Rev. Ray Buchannan, founder and President of Stop Hunger Episcopal Relief and Development Now, to address our convention about this ministry. He did, www.er-d.org and since that time numerous congregations, organizations, and groups in our Diocese now participate in this incredible Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation and life saving ministry. 100,000 Ways to Say Welcome! www.e4gr.org Last convention we focused on how our congregations Episcopal Public Policy and faith communities that are the Diocese of North Caro- www.episcopalchurch.org/eppn.htm lina can grow as communities that embody and reflect the About the Keynote Speaker St. Mark’s is Rededicated After Fire for the 194th Convention Rob Radtke, President, Episcopal Relief and Development ROB RADTKE has been Presi- media on a broad range of dent of Episcopal Relief & Devel- issues, including poverty, opment since 2005. Under his HIV/AIDS, codes of ethics leadership, the agency launched a for faith-based organizations major strategic planning initiative, and U.S. foreign policy. Before resulting in a clearly focused mis- joining Episcopal Relief & sion and identity and an expansion Development, he served as of its work to heal a hurting world. the Senior Vice President for During Rob’s tenure Episcopal Programs at the Asia Society. Relief & Development has more Rob Radtke Prior to that, Rob was Vice than tripled in size. President of the Business Along with its ongoing emphasis in the Council for the United Nations. The Rev. Philip Byrum and the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry areas of alleviating hunger, strengthening Rob received his bachelor’s degree groups, and a summer program for some communities, promoting health and fight- from Columbia University in East Asian The Rev. PhiliP R. ByRuM 100 children. ing disease and providing disaster relief in languages and cultures and his doctorate ST. MaRk’S, WilSon The Rev. Philip R. Byrum, long-time more than 40 countries worldwide, Rob in history from Oxford University, which vicar of Saint Mark’s and La Guadalupana, has also overseen the creation of a domes- he attended as a Rhodes Scholar. He Sunday, December 6, 2009, was a served as organist for the service. The tic emergency preparedness program, is a member of the Council on Foreign once-in-a-lifetime event for Saint Mark’s organ is a gift of Saint Andrew’s Church expanded Church Engagement activities, Relations and serves on the board of Church in Wilson. Bishop Michael Curry in Rocky Mount. Assisting Bishop Curry and a highly acclaimed malaria preven- the Center for Interfaith Action on Global was present to celebrate and re-dedicate at the altar was The Rev. Anna Henderson, ® tion partnership, NetsforLife , that has Poverty (CIFA) and InterAction, a coalition the church – badly damaged by fire three retired priest living in Georgia, and a grand- already reached over two million people of humanitarian organizations. years ago by arsonists. The Bishop re- daughter of long-time Saint Mark’s priest, living in remote rural communities in 17 Rob writes about the work of Episcopal consecrated the church, giving thanks for The Rev. Father Robert Josiah Johnson. All countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Netsfor- Relief & Development and issues related its faithful ministry in the Wilson area for were invited to a reception in St. Mark’s ® Life is currently scaling up to reach an to international development and faith on more than 125 years. More than 200 per- House (La Casa de San Marcos) following additional seven million people. the President’s Blog at http://www.er-d. sons gathered at the re-dedication Eucha- the Eucharist. Rob is a frequent contributor to the org/blog. rist – reflecting church members, young The congregation expressed deep grati- and old, parishioners of La Guadalupana, tude to Robert W. Cunningham, contractor, neighboring parishes, and friends in the and member of Saint Timothy’s Church, 2009 Standing Committee Approves larger community. Wilson. Mr. Cunningham and others restored The first school for Black children in Wil- and reworked the physical fabric of Saint son County was founded by Saint Mark’s, Mark’s, and it is both a loving and stunning New Guidelines for Transactions and St. Mark’s School served area children offering to the glory of God. A revised “Guidelines for Transactions and consent to the Ecclesiastical Authority for more than 40 years. Since Easter 2000, Saint Mark’s is deeply grateful to our Requiring Standing Committee Approval” of the Diocese before certain transactions Saint Mark’s has welcomed La Guadalu- Bishop and the people of the Diocese for has been published on the Episcopal involving church property or certain loan pana, a flourishing Latino congregation to prayers, donations and countless other Diocese of North Carolina website, transactions can take place.