Episcopal

JournalMONTHLY EDITION | $3.75 PER COPY Vol. 8 No. 11 | November 2018 ‘Purple’ parish in Minnesota builds paths to compassionate political dialogue

By David Paulsen Anderson, who is a member of 3 Episcopal News Service Executive Council. Shepard to be On Oct. 16, that plan interred in ithin the politi- seemed to be hitting its mark. national cathedral cally “purple” A roar of conversation filled the new s state of Min- South Shore Community Cen- Wnesota, the ter that evening as dozens of Rev. Devon Anderson de- voters met with candidates for scribes her congregation at office in communities around Trinity Episcopal Church the Twin Cities’ west suburbs. in Excelsior as a “purple Signs, buttons, postcards and parish” — neither red nor banners — Tonka Bay mayor, blue, but with parishio- Hennepin County sheriff, Ex- ners who bring viewpoints celsior City Council, Minne- that touch all points along sota House of Representatives 6 the political spectrum. — decorated all corners of the Churches survey Parishioners at the room. Some candidates placed damage after church in Excelsior, cookies on their assigned card Hurricane Michael Minn., where Anderson Photos/David Paulsen/ENS tables to sweeten their pitches new s is rector, long felt un- Trinity Episcopal Church in Excelsior, Minn., jointly hosts a candidate meet-and-greet for support. comfortable sharing their with the local chamber of commerce and League of Women Voters branch. Kelly Morrison, who is run- political views, and some preferred avoiding Women Voters branch, was part of Trinity’s ef- ning for a state House seat, is also a member such topics altogether at church, she said. But fort to turn what could be a liability into an op- of Trinity. Her church’s efforts to encourage today, the parish is embracing its political di- portunity for promoting open, civil discourse. people to talk and listen without prejudging versity. Several church volunteers sported Trin- Anderson said she saw the congregation as an each other based on political beliefs inspired ity name badges as they helped stage a local “incubator” for compassionate dialogue across her, she said. “I’m a proud Democrat, but I candidate event in mid-October at a commu- political divides. don’t want conversations to end before they nity center in the adjoining city of Shorewood, “If we have this parish — we care about begin. We’re all on the same team.” about five miles north of the convention cen- each other, we celebrate the sacraments togeth- Christian teachings, such as loving your 8-9 ter in Chaska where the Episcopal Church’s er, we’re really focused on building relation- neighbor and welcoming the stranger, help in- Resources offered for faith-filled Executive Council met in October. ships with each other — could we not also use form Christians’ actions as they enter the pub- Advent season The event, through a partnership with the that as a training ground for being out in the lic sphere, she said. They’re “what all of this tu r e local chamber of commerce and League of community as respectful, kind people?” asked continued on page 10 Fe a Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries convocation A G E examines ‘Asian’ identity I D PA US P O S T Bellmawr NJ

PE R M IT #1239 By Lynette Wilson No n -Profit O rg. Episcopal News Service

hen the Rev. Bao Moua, the first Hmong woman ordained in the Episcopal Church, presided over the closing Eucharist at the triennial Episcopal WAsiamerica Ministries (EAM) National Consulta- tion, it was a big deal. “One of my motivations is to encourage young women to go into ministry,” Moua said after the service. In the Asian-cultural context, which remains deeply rooted in patriarchy, women often struggle to hear the call, let alone follow it, she said. By example, she intends to show young women that they, too, can serve in both ordained and lay lead- ership roles in the church: “to find the balance in our culture and ourselves to stand alongside men,” said Moua, who serves as a priest associate at Holy Apostles Church in St. Paul, Minn. Photo/Lynette Wilson/ENS Throughout the consultation, women occupied leadership The Rev. Bao Moua, the first Hmong woman ordained in the Episcopal Church, roles: serving at the altar, moderating the three panel discus- center, presides over the Oct. 1 closing Eucharist of the triennial Episcopal sions and leading workshops. Asiamerica Ministries National Consultation. Assisting her is the Rev. Polly continued on page 7 Shigaki, a deacon at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Seattle, right. 2 Episcopal Journal November 2018 Conversations How to be an angry Christian

By Pamela A. Lewis anger was “not Christian” and that anger lay of self-control. In this regard, I have ner in which they wielded their anger, was a “sin.” This thinking is still alive found the Epistle of James particularly which reflected and was an extension of Back in 1976, a and well, sustained not only by main- helpful: “Wherefore my beloved breth- their character. friend and I saw the stream media that often takes a mono- ren, let every man be swift to hear, slow Anger is our God-given gift and a movie “Network,” star- lithic view of Christians as all meek and to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath component of our humanity. To avoid ring Peter Finch as the mild milquetoasts who never blow a gas- of man worketh not the righteousness of expressing it can be detrimental to our fictional and rapidly ket but also by some parts of the Chris- God” (James 1:19-20 – KJV). emotional and physical health. But ma- unraveling TV news anchor Howard tian community itself that regard anger We also might look to the numerous ture people of faith express anger without Beale, who was mad (in both senses of as contrary to the Christian way of life. men and women throughout history inflicting harm to themselves or to others. the word) about all that ails America. Howard Beale and his fellow news- who are towering examples of “angry They ask whether their anger is aimed at Along with everyone else in the theater, casters were not people of faith. But Christians,” from Martin Luther King, the right target, and whether they indeed we laughed ourselves silly over the now- those of us who are and who may have Pauli Murray, Fannie Lou Hamer, Oscar are feeling anger or something else. famous scene when he exhorts viewers to difficulty reconciling anger with their Romero and Robert Kennedy, to (Mr.) We can be angry and not sin. We can stick their heads out their window and faith identity need to know that it is Fred Rogers. These and countless others be mad as hell without making it hell for yell, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to possible to step away from lingering and were, like Howard Beale, “mad as hell” everyone else. n take this anymore!” It was hilarious when damaging mythologies about being an- about what was wrong in the world and Beale commanded people to do this; gry while being Christian. in need of correction. Despite their dif- Pamela A. Lewis, who is based in New funnier still that they did it. Although there are many good books ferences, they held in common the man- York, writes on topics of faith. This country’s hackles have risen on the subject of Christians and anger, markedly over the last two years, and my primary resource is the Bible itself, more recently during the Senate Judi- where anger and wrath feature frequent- opinions ciary Committee Hearings of then-Su- ly in both the Old and New Testaments, The “Conversations” page seeks a At some point in time we have to preme Court nominee (and now Justice) and where the anger of numerous char- range of thought and opinion through- ask whether or not God is big enough Brett Kavanaugh. Even the American acters moves them to commit heinous out the church. Letters to the editor and to transcend partisan politics and eagle looks fiercer than usual. Some acts that always produce disastrous out- ideas for opinion columns may be sent to if our commitment to progressive observers have argued that this “anger” comes. Jealous anger causes Cain to mur- [email protected]. democratic politics is worth making should be upgraded to “rage,” prompt- der Abel. Moses’ anger and frustration The posts below are from the com- our church odious to that segment of ing author Rebecca Traister, whose re- with the Israelites causes him to disobey ments section of Episcopal News Service’s the population that doesn’t share our cently published book “Good and Mad: God’s command, resulting in his being Facebook page. Some have been edited partisan views. The Revolutionary Power of Women’s denied entrance into the Promised Land. for length. Episcopal Journal encourages Kenneth Knapp Anger” to observe, “Rage is all the rage.” Haman plots the death of Mordecai and readers to write directly to us at the e- Alexandria, Va. Of course, anger is not new to Amer- of all the Jews in Persia because Morde- mail address above or to post comments ica. Historically, it has been the driving cai had not shown him respect — and on our Facebook page. Basic math lesson here: If force behind our civil rights movements ends up dying on the gallows prepared attendance is dropping and average and other expressions of activism. for Mordecai. Church report shows donation is rising, then only those We all get angry. If we recall our teen- There also are several psalms where who can donate more are staying. This age years, we will remember that they the author, in his anger and distress, calls attendance decline begs a couple of questions. Are our often were marked by some amount of upon God to rain down his retributive The parochial report might con- parishes not serving the less fortunate? anger: anger about acne, anger over not wrath on evildoers. sider renewal and growth in areas other Is [the Episcopal Church] becoming fitting in, anger with friends, anger with God also gets angry. In anger, God than a body count and pledge count. It more elitist? parents, and the list goes on. Whenever banishes Adam and Eve from the Gar- might do a new thing and count things Erin Garlock I displayed pouty anger at home, my den of Eden for their disobedience to like how much money is given away by Cleveland mother would tell me, “Your face will his supreme authority. Jesus directs his the parish, how many hungry are fed in stay that way if you can’t stop being an- anger at the Pharisees for their hypocrisy town and how many pounds of food are Lessons should be garnered from gry.” She was not indifferent to my anger, and at the moneychangers for defiling supplied to the food bank. These, more other denominations that are not suf- but she wanted to make the point that it his father’s house. In these instances, than the number of people in the pews, fering our losses. What can we learn can have lasting (and unattractive) effects. God’s anger is righteous, not sinful; it is are an indicator of health in the parish. that will help us grow? But I also grew up hearing — espe- intended to correct human failure, rather Robin Teasley Christopher Sonsteng cially from older, church-going adults — than being self-serving. Yet in those ex- Petersburg, Va. Portland, Ore. that God did not like angry people, that amples of divine anger, there is an over-

Episcopal From The editor’s desk ournal This month, the editorial is written hope. We are approaching Advent, which reminds J by Sharon Sheridan, a candidate for us, even as the daylight dwindles, that Jesus — the Editor: Solange De Santis; Art Director: Linda Brooks Sharon Sheridan; Jerrold Hames holy orders in the Diocese of Newark light of the world that darkness cannot overcome — Copy Editor: Senior Correspondent: Business Manager: Michael Brooks; approaches as well. We know that the love of God Advertising: Shanley + Associates, LLC Reading the daily headlines casts out fear and that we are called, not to reject or Board of Directors: Mary W. Cox; Solange De Santis, ex officio; as dying leaves coat our lawns and torture or abandon our neighbors, but to embrace Pamela A. Lewis; Craig Wirth the days shorten, it’s easy to feel as and serve them. All Episcopal News Service articles in this issue are reprinted with though we’ve entered a season of fear. In this issue, we see examples of many Episcopalians permission. Ugly partisan battles rage in advance of the mid- living this out. In Minnesota, members of a politically Editorial: Send correspondence and letters to the editor at 123 Mamaroneck Ave., #616, Mamaroneck, NY 10543 or editorial@ term elections. A journalist dies under mysterious, “purple” parish are bring people of differing episcopaljournal.org. and reportedly brutal, circumstances in a Saudi viewpoints together for respectful conversation. In Business: Michael Brooks at 111-56 76th Drive, #F7, Forest Hills, NY Arabian consulate. Migrants fleeing poverty and vio- Washington, D.C., the ashes of gay college student 11375 or [email protected] lence evoke impassioned resistance from government Matthew Shepard — whose killing sparked national Advertising: [email protected] 312-919-1306 officials in the lands where they seek refuge. Hur- outrage and awareness of hate crimes — are being Subcriptions: To change subscription addresses, contact: Episcopal Journal ricane Michael, one of the most powerful recorded interred at our national cathedral in a symbol of God’s Circulation Department, PO Box 937, Bellmawr NJ 08099-0937 [email protected] or call 800-691-9846. Individual subscriptions are $36 storms ever to hit the U.S. mainland, batters the Gulf love for all people. Members of Executive Council per year, available through www.episcopaljournal.org. Coast, following Hurricane Florence, which flooded have undergone racial-reconciliation training. And Episcopal Journal is an independent publication, produced by and for members much of the Carolinas and beyond. across the South and in Puerto Rico, Episcopalians of the Episcopal Church in the United States and abroad. Episcopal Journal is a Everything from polarizing politics to changing are helping hurricane victims recover. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable corporation, registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Episcopal Journal is published monthly by the Episcopal Journal, Inc. weather patterns seems part of a frightening, down- Advent reminds us not to react to the impending Episcopal Journal is published monthly and quarterly in partnership with dioceses ward spiral as we move toward winter’s darkness. darkness with fear. Yes, winter is coming; but so is and individual churches and is distributed to individual subscribers. Postage paid at n Bryn Mawr, Pa. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Episcopal Journal, P.O. Box But Christians view such times through a lens of Jesus, who beckons us to shine instead with love. 937, Bellmawr, NJ 08099-0937. ISSN: 2159-6824 November 2018 Episcopal Journal 3 news Matthew Shepard to be interred at Washington National Cathedral

By David Paulsen final resting place for his remains out of a cathedral news release. Episcopal News Service concern the site would be vandalized. “For the past 20 years, we As they approached 20 years since their have shared Matt’s story wenty years after the brutal mur- son’s death, Robinson helped the family with the world. It’s reas- der of gay college student Mat- make arrangements at the cathedral. suring to know he now thew Shepard sparked national The tragedy of Shepard’s death is still will rest in a sacred spot Toutrage, his ashes will be interred a call to the nation to reject bigotry and where folks can come to at Washington National Cathedral in “instead embrace each of our neighbors reflect on creating a safer, Washington, D.C., after a public service for who they are,” the Very Rev. Randy kinder world.” of remembrance. Hollerith, dean of the cathedral, said in About 200 people are Diocese of Washington Bishop Mar- a news release. “The Shepard family has interred at Washington ian Budde and retired New Hampshire shown extraordinary courage and grace National Cathedral, in- Bishop Gene Robinson, the Episcopal in keeping his spirit and memory alive, cluding President Wood- Church’s first openly gay bishop and an and the cathedral is honored and hum- row Wilson and Helen acquaintance of the Shepard family, was bled to serve as his final resting place.” Keller. Shepard’s inter- Photo/courtesy of Washington National Cathedral scheduled to lead the Service of Thanks- Shepard, 21, was a student at the Uni- ment will be a private Matthew Shepard was active in his Episcopal congregation giving and Remembrance for Mat- versity of Wyoming in Laramie when a ceremony, but the service in Casper, Wyo. thew Shepard on Oct. 26. Until now, passerby found him beaten and tied to of remembrance will be Shepard’s parents had not settled on a a fence in October 1998. He died later open to the public and could draw a ca- While the Episcopal Church has ex- at a hospital. The crime pacity crowd of 1,500 to 2,000 people, pressed “shameful” anti-LGBTQ senti- ignited an outcry against the cathedral’s chief communications ment in the past, it is now in a “vastly the prevalence of anti- officer, Kevin Eckstrom, told Episcopal different place,” she said. The denomi- gay violence. News Service. nation has ordained openly gay priests His 1998 funeral was The site may become something of since at least 1989 and instituted two held at St. Mark’s Epis- a pilgrimage stop within the LGBTQ new marriage rites in 2015 that can be copal Church in Casper, community, Eckstrom said. used by priests to wed same-sex couples. Wyo., the congregation Budde expressed gratitude that Quoted in The New York Times, she where he had served as an Shepard’s family would trust the cathe- concluded, “It felt really important for acolyte. Shepard also had dral to protect his ashes. us to say that we believe LGBTQ people attended the Canterbury “If it were an open site anywhere in are beloved children of God, not in spite Club while at college. the country, there’s no guarantee” the re- of their identities, but because of who “Matt loved the Epis- mains would be protected, she said. “A they are — who God created them to n Photo/Danielle E. Thomas copal Church and felt lot has changed in 20 years, but not ev- be.,” Matthew Shepard will be interred in Washington National welcomed by his church erything has changed — we’re still prone Cathedral’s columbarium crypt, located in the Chapel of St. in Wyoming,” his moth- to the kind of violence that dehumanizes Religion News Service contributed to Joseph of Arimathea. er, Judy Shepard, said in people.” this article. Council addresses issues of finance and racial reconciliation Canon reports migration ministries may lose federal contract

By David Paulsen Committee. to churchwide operations. This is a re- emphasizing that the process is not in- Episcopal News Service “If we were going to bet on it, we’d duction from past budgets, and some tended to be punitive. The committee bet we’re not going to make the cut,” dioceses historically have fallen short of in charge of following up with dioceses xecutive Council, in its first Robertson said. He predicted only two even the lower target. about their assessments emphasizes lis- meeting since July’s General of the nine would receive contracts. Dioceses that fail to pay their assess- tening and conversation and welcomes Convention, spent four days in Though unlikely, he said, it is still pos- ments may be excluded from churchwide “baby steps” toward full financial par- Emid-October focused primarily sible Episcopal Migration Ministries will grant programs, though they also may ticipation, she said. on orientation, training, leadership ap- be one of the two. apply for waivers allowing them to forgo The council granted waivers to six di- pointments and relationship-building at Executive Council is the church’s gov- some or all of the required amounts. oceses: Arizona, Haiti, Mississippi, Puer- a conference center in suburban Min- erning body during the three years be- “The only criteria for receiving a to Rico, Virgin Islands and West Texas. neapolis. It approved a handful of reso- tween General Conventions. In July, the waiver is financial hardship,” Lloyd said, continued on page 11 lutions on financial matters, including convention adopted a $133.8 million the 2019 church budget, the House of 2019-2021 budget that reflects the pre- Deputies president’s salary and diocesan siding bishop’s priorities of evangelism, assessment waivers for six dioceses. racial reconciliation and justice, and cre- Transforming girls, transforming the world! Members also received briefings from ation care. church officers and staff members, in- “Council’s job is to take that three- Girls’ Friendly Society cluding a bleak assessment of the future year budget and make it into three one- An Episcopal fellowship for girls age 5 and up of the church’s refugee resettlement work year budgets,” the Rev. Mally Lloyd of from the Rev. Charles Robertson, the the Diocese of Massachusetts said during presiding bishop’s canon for ministry be- her Finance Committee report. yond the Episcopal Church. The council approved a 2019 budget, Episcopal Migration Ministries as well as compensation for the second (EMM), one of nine agencies with half of 2018 for the Rev. Gay Clark federal contracts to resettle refugees in Jennings, the House of Deputies presi- the United States, expects to learn in dent, based on a plan endorsed by Gen- the coming weeks if its contract will be eral Convention. The Executive Council renewed. This comes at a time when the resolution approved $210,000 a year for Trump administration has dramatically Jennings’ position. Visit reduced the number of refugees being The issue of diocesan assessments resettled. The odds are not in EMM’s generated extended discussion. Under www.gfsus.org favor, Robertson told the council’s the current triennial budget, each dio- Ministry Beyond the Episcopal Church cese is expected to contribute 15 percent Call 714-330-1156 today! 4 Episcopal Journal November 2018 around the church Youth corps seeks applicants EPISCOPAL LIVES Episcopalians ages 21-30 can apply for 2019-2020 placements with the Young Adult Service Corps, the in- Kansas, Arizona elect bishops ternational missionary program of the Episcopal Church. YASC volunteers serve throughout the worldwide Angli- he Rev. Bascom is as- can Communion, working alongside partners in admin- Cathleen sistant professor of istration, agriculture, communication, development and Chittenden religion and phi- education. Potential placements include (but are not limited to) Brazil, Costa Rica, TBascom, losophy at Wal- Ecuador, El Salvador, England, Honduras, Hong Kong, Panama, the Philippines, from the Diocese dorf University in South Africa, Taiwan and Tanzania. of Iowa, was elect- Forest City, Iowa. The application deadline is Jan. 11. For more information, visit www.episcopal- ed on the second She previously was church.org/young-adult-service-corps. ballot on Oct.19 dean of the Cathe- — Episcopal Church Public Affairs Office as the 10th bishop Bascom Reddall dral Church of St. to lead the Diocese of Kansas. Bascom Paul in Des Moines, Iowa, and rector is the first woman to be elected bishop of St. Stephen’s in Newton, Iowa. From Grant boosts N.C. program since the diocese formed in 1859. This 1993 to 2001, she led ministry efforts at The Diocese of North Carolina has received a nearly $1 million also marked the first time in the history Kansas State University in Manhattan, grant to help establish Reimagining Curacies, a program designed to of the Episcopal Church that a bishop Kansas. form newly ordained clergy into community-conscious leaders dedi- heading a diocese was elected from an Reddall grew up in California. After cated to cultivating authentic community and racial reconciliation. It all-female slate of candidates. graduating from Yale University with a is part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Thriving in Ministry, an initiative to On Oct. 20, the Diocese of Arizona degree in theater studies, she joined the support religious organizations as they create or strengthen programs elected its first female bishop. The Rev. Episcopal Urban Intern Program in Los to help pastors build relationships with experienced clergy who can serve as mentors Jennifer Anne Reddall, rector of Church of Angeles. She graduated from General and guide them through key leadership challenges in congregational ministry. the Epiphany in New York, was elected to Theological Seminary in New York with While traditional curacies place new priests in one congregation for two or three be the sixth bishop of the diocese on the a Master of Divinity degree in 2002. years, this new model will assign cohorts of three priests to three vibrant congrega- first ballot from among three candidates. — Dioceses of Kansas and Arizona tions near each other for three years, with each priest serving one year in each congre- gation. These placements will be geographically proximate to one another but differ in size, liturgical preference, racial and ethnic composition, community context and Public affairs officer named Holley researched specialized ministries. This will allow priests to experience the range of challenges and increased the Nancy Davidge of Marblehead, Mass., and gifts North Carolina communities offer. church’s mailing list, has been named Episcopal Church pub- — Diocese of North Carolina adding close to 2,000 lic affairs officer. qualified donors. She “Nancy proved herself extraordinarily also introduced an Miller was a revered leader of the capable during her tenure as our interim, Obituaries annual appeal sup- Episcopal Peace Fellowship, where she and I’m truly excited she’s joining us full- porting the mission was nicknamed “Mrs. EPF.” In 2012, she time,” said the Rev. Geoffrey Smith, chief Sherry Denton Holley and ministry of the received EPF’s John Nevin Sayre Award operating officer of the church. “Nancy’s Former Executive Episcopal Church as well as raising funds for her exemplary witness to nonviolent strategic thinking, Council member for historically black colleges and univer- peacemaking. She served as the fellow- and her years of ex- Sherry Denton, 75, sities and Episcopal Migration Ministries. ship’s executive secretary from 1989 to pertise working with of Salina, Kansas, Holley will continue on a contract 2001 and then as a member, treasurer the press and com- died Sept. 26. Born through the end of this year to complete and chair of its executive council. She municators across in Abilene, Texas, several development projects she has also served on Executive Council and the Episcopal Church she worked as a Reg- spearheaded, while the Executive Lead- helped champion the registry for Con- have earned her re- istered Pharmacist ership Team assesses the scope and struc- Denton scientious Objectors. And she provided spect and trust from for 50 years. She ture of the continuing work. Treasurer leadership for The Consultation during around the church.” Davidge served as president of the Kansas Phar- and Chief Financial Officer Kurt Barnes the latter years of her ministry. Davidge is part of the Office of Com- macists Association in 2002 and was will provide oversight supervision of the — EPF, Diocese of Maryland munication, with responsibility for dis- named Pharmacist of the Year in 2005. department during this transition. She was also the second recipient of the seminating news and messages from the — Episcopal Church Public Affairs Office University of Kansas School of Pharma- Dennis Glen Michno Episcopal Church and providing infor- mation and other resources to media cy’s Distinguished Service Award, which The Rev. Canon Dennis Glen Mi- Nashotah House appoints is presented for selfless and sustained chno, author of “A Priest’s Handbook: representatives reporting on the church. professional service and leadership. The Ceremonies of the Church,” died Davidge most recently served as prin- president cipal of The Davidge Group, which offers Denton was a member of the Epis- Sept. 26 at age 71. Garwood P. An- strategic marketing and communications copal Church of the Incarnation and The son of Pol- derson has become services to help organizations and busi- was a licensed lay reader for the Dio- ish Roman Catho- the first layperson to nesses tailor messaging to target audiences. cese of Western Kansas. She served lic parents living in be appointed pro- She began her career working for the on Executive Council, as president of Mount Prospect, vost and president Girl Scouts, and then spent 20 years in Province VII and as General Conven- Ill., he started piano of Nashotah House senior level marketing and communi- tion deputy. She also served on the di- lessons at age 5 and Theological Semi- cations positions for regional and na- ocesan Commission of Ministry and was playing in Chi- nary in Nashotah, Anderson tional health care companies. Davidge standing committee, as a board mem- Michno cago-area churches Wisc. Anderson had become acting dean then made a career shift to educational ber of St. Francis Community Services, by age 8. He completed degrees in in August 2017 and interim dean in Jan- institutions, including Episcopal Divin- and as diocesan secretary for 10 years. piano, harpsichord and organ perfor- uary 2018. During his tenure, Nashotah ity School, where she served as director A memorial service was held Oct. 11 at mance at the Juilliard School in New House has reversed its enrollment de- of marketing and communication for Christ Cathedral Church in Salina. York and served as musical director of a cline and had a 50 percent grown in its eight years before joining the Episcopal — Episcopal Journal synagogue in Brooklyn while attending residential student body in the last year. Church Foundation as founding editor General Theological Seminary. The seminary also is launching a new of ECF Vital Practices in 2010. An active Mary H. Miller Michno was a consultant to the institutional structure, dividing the of- member of Episcopal Communicators, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Standing Liturgical Commission as it fice of dean/president into the work of Davidge served for six years on the board preached and Diocese of Maryland Eu- prepared the 1979 Book of Common two executive leaders. As provost, Ander- gene Taylor Sutton officiated at a cel- Prayer. He wrote “A Manual for Aco- of directors, including three as president. — Episcopal Church Public Affairs Office son will tend to the seminary’s academ- ebration of the life of Mary H. Miller lytes: The Duties of the Server at Litur- ics, formation, worship and community. on Oct. 3 at her home parish of St. gical Celebrations” as well as “A Priest’s A chief advancement officer will be hired James’ Church in Baltimore. Curry Handbook.” During 11 years at Christ Development director retiring to nurture the seminary’s constituencies noted Miller’s role in getting the church Church, Bayfield, Wisc., he composed Tara Elgin Holley, Episcopal Church and advance its reputation, providing re- on board with its current priorities, in- more than 700 gradual psalms. development director since 2016, was sources to support its growing programs. cluding reconciliation. — The Living Church scheduled to retire Oct. 31. — Nashotah House November 2018 Episcopal Journal 5 around the church Numbers decline, but what does it mean?

By David Paulsen Forth Worth, Pittsburgh, San Joaquin Episcopal News Service and South Carolina. The one bright spot churchwide is that the average pledge hen the annual report of has been increasing each year. church attendance and mem- Such data generates a fair amount of bership showed a continu- discussion within the church each year. Wing downward trend across On Aug. 30, Kevin Miller, an Episcopa- the Episcopal Church, a familiar mix lian from Massachusetts, raised the issue of hand-wringing, naysaying and soul- in the Episcopal Evangelists group on searching about the denomination’s fu- Facebook. ture ensued. “What can we do to buck this trend? “Facing more Episcopal Church de- Lord help us!” Miller said while sharing cline” was the headline in the biweekly The Living Church’s analysis. publication The Living Church, on an Responses ranged from the hopeful analysis of the latest numbers by the Rev. to the practical. Stop promoting “gim- Photo/Mary Frances Schjonberg/ENS David Goodhew, director of ministerial micks” like Ashes to Go (distributing Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop Dorsey McConnell, right, and the congregation at Calvary practice at Durham University’s Cran- Ash Wednesday ashes at train stations, Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh listen to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry during mer Hall in Durham, England. street corners and other locations outside Eucharist on Feb. 5, 2017. “The church deserves congratulation churches), some said. Others suggested The Rev. Chris Arnold, rector at Trin- of the Episcopal Church, and much can for the detail, accuracy, and especially looking beyond the walls of the church ity Episcopal Church in Oshkosh, Wisc., be learned from that data, Barlowe said. candor it shows in sharing its data,” for evangelism opportunities rather than issued a back-to-basics call. “The church “We shouldn’t be afraid of that. It doesn’t Goodhew wrote. “Beyond that, it has to obsessing about filling the pews. will shrink until it rediscovers its prima- mean we’re doing something wrong.” be said that the news is bad.” ry purpose, which is to be a community Those numbers don’t tell the full story Churches annually submit parochial of pilgrim disciples, supporting one an- of the church’s good work, Barlowe said. reports of data including active mem- other in the art and craft of prayer,” he The Episcopal Church, like other de- bers, average pledges and average Sun- said. nominations, still emphasizes measure- day attendances. The church releases the The Episcopal Church is not the only ments and funding models established cumulative data yearly. The numbers mainline Protestant denomination suf- hundreds of years ago, when the Chris- released in August show that, over five fering from decline. In an ABC News/ tian church was a more central institu- years, the number of active baptized Washington Post poll released in May, tion in American society, he said. Today’s members in the church’s domestic dio- 36 percent of Americans identified as church is engaged in ministries that ex- ceses has dropped 10 percent to 1.7 mil- Protestant -— down from 50 percent in pand its spiritual footprint in ways the lion. Sunday attendance is down 13 per- 2003. Overall, the number of Americans parochial reports may miss, such as food cent. There are 175 fewer parishes and identifying as Christians declined from pantries or Bible studies in coffee shops. missions reporting parochial data than Photo/Mike Patterson/ENS 83 percent to 72 percent over the same “We need to grow in every way,” he in 2013. The 10-year trend is even more Presiding Bishop Michael Curry begins period, while those who claim no reli- said. sobering, particularly in dioceses hit by an impassioned sermon before a packed gion doubled. An important way to grow is by start- sharp membership drops following splits audience at a revival held at General Weekly attendance at religious servic- ing new congregations, said the Rev. over doctrinal disagreements, including Convention on July 7 in Austin, Texas. es of all faiths dropped from 39 percent Michael Michie, the Episcopal Church’s in 2007 to 36 percent in 2014, accord- staff officer for church-planting infra- ing to the Pew Research Center’s Reli- structure. The Episcopal Church has Atlanta center to memorialize gious Landscape Study. In a separate Pew approved more than $8 million to start lynching victims survey released in August, 37 percent of new congregations and regional minis- Americans who don’t attend religious tries from 2013 through 2021. Michie services frequently said it was because works closely with recipients of those he names of 600 victims of cur as we remember and call the names

lynchings in Georgia will be of the lynched and move away from they He practiced found it their in the faith Marketplace. in other ways. grants to ensure they get the backing Visit read aloud Nov. 2 during a the state of denial that makes healing An additional 23 percent said they hadn’t they need. Tservice at the Absalom Jones impossible.” found a place of worship that they like. Even the 86 new ministries planted Episcopal Center for Racial Healing in In October 2016, a pilgrimage to ReachSeen in sothis broader context, the Epis- from 2012 to 2017 likely wasn’t aggres- copal Church is not alone in facing the sive enough, Michie said in a blog post Atlanta. the Douglass Theater in Macon, Ga. many for Four bronze panels to be unveiled visited the spot where a 1922 lynch “challenge so little of with understanding broad social about the parochial report data. changes” that are affecting American at the service are inscribed with the mob dumped the body of John “Cock- a Marketplace ad. “Just imagine how [the online Episcopal names of each person known to have ey” Glover. A marker in front of the Christian churches, said the Rev. Mi- Church] would change if we set this as

been lynched in Georgia between 1866 historically African-American theater chael Barlowe, executive officer of Gen- a priority,” he www.wrote. “It would change eral Convention, whose staff collects the the way we look for leaders, educate and and 1964, along with an acknowledge- was dedicated commemorating the

ment that other people whose number lynching of Glover and 14 other men parochial report data. trainepiscopaljournal.org clergy, allocate resources and run

and identities remain unknown also in the Macon and Middle Georgia Decliningepiscopaljournalads membership and atten- dioceses. Decline makes us want to circle were lynched. area, along with an unknown number dance numbers@g representmail.com one snapshot …tellcontinued a friend on page 11 “The service concludes the diocese’s of others whose names may never be three-year commitment to making documented. pilgrimages, marker placements, me- Last October, a pilgrimage to Ath- NOTICE: MOVING SERVICES morial services and educational pro- ens, Ga., included a service, work- grams to remember the lynched and shops and dedication of a marker to explore lynching’s support of the commemorating 56 people lynched in Skip Higgins terrorism associated with racism,” said Clarke County and surrounding coun-

Catherine Meeks, executive director of ties along with those whose names re- the center. main unknown. 225-937-0700 (Cell) “The purpose of this work is help us For almost two decades, the Dio- www.custommovers.netwww.customovers.com • Ɣ[email protected] [email protected] to make the connection between the cese of Atlanta has required anti-rac- intersection of slavery, lynching, the ism training and created a commission “Moving Episcopal clergy to new ministries since 1982.” x x x prison-industrial complex, the death to accomplish that mandate. The work • ClergyClergy discounts discounts Only• Only one one survey/ survey/3 3 estimatesestimates Major • Major van van lines lines represented represented penalty and 21st-century police killings of that commission was folded into the •x FullFull value value protection protection plans plans • 24/7 cellx $200/Day phone contact late pick-up/late to assure your delivery peace of penalty mind * •x Single-contactInternet satellite Relocation tracking Coordinator x 24/7provided cell phone • Certain contact late pick-up/delivery to assure your peacepenalties of apply*mind which are known as extrajudicial kill- Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for ings,” Meeks said. “Along with this, we Racial Healing at its creation in 2018. CUSTOM MOVERS - FHWA Lic. # MC370752 create the possibility for healing to oc- — Diocese of Atlanta * Certain Restrictions Apply.

6 Episcopal Journal November 2018 news Gulf Coast churches assess damage after Hurricane Michael

By Lynette Wilson On Oct. 10, Hurricane Michael made Episcopal News Service landfall near Panama City, Fla., as one of the strongest hurricanes ever to hit n the days after powerful Hurricane the mainland United States, killing 19 Michael slammed the Gulf Coast, people. A Category 4 hurricane packing Episcopal churches there continued 155 mph winds, Michael wiped out trees Ito assess the damage in its wake, with and flattened buildings. Five days later, some in the hardest-hit coastal areas still thousands of people remained without in the rescue phase. electricity. “We’re at a time when every tree is On Oct. 12, Babcock and Central Gulf down and every roof is compromised,” Coast Bishop Russell Kendrick traveled said Dwight Babcock, diocesan admin- east from Pensacola to Panama City and istrator for the Episcopal Church of the other affected areas to visit some of the Central Gulf Coast. “This [recovery] is 11 affected churches. The bishop made a a marathon, not a sprint. We just don’t second trip the following day with a small know what we’re looking at.” group to distribute generators and other emergency supplies, said Babcock. Ten of the 11 damaged churches held

services “in one form or another,” on Photo/Carlo Allegri/REUTERS Oct. 14 — some inside the churches, First responders and residents walk along a main street following Hurricane Michael in some outdoors in pavilions, he said. Mexico Beach, Fla., on Oct. 11. “From Highway 79 to the eastern edge of our diocese, the road conditions Georgia and further into the Southeast er or potable water. In Bainbridge and are still not safe for anyone to travel,” that Hurricane Michael affected already Decatur County, roofs were blown off said Kendrick in a video posted on the were working to recover from Hurri- and trees took out power lines, blocked diocese’s website. “Please be patient. cane Florence. That storm made landfall streets and crashed into houses, Episcopal Let’s let the trained responders do their as a Category 1 storm on Sept. 14 near Relief & Development reported. jobs and make the conditions safe so we Wrightsville Beach, N.C. The Diocese of “The local dioceses are continuing to can get in there and help as necessary.” East Carolina, which covers North Caro- assess the damage caused by the storm,” The Episcopal Church of the Central lina’s coast, also has issued an appeal for said Katie Mears, senior director of Gulf Coast created a Hurricane Relief support. Episcopal Relief & Development’s U.S. Hub, listing ways to donate to hurricane The Diocese of Georgia reported sig- Disaster Program, in a statement on its relief efforts. The diocese also offers emer- nificant damage from Hurricane Michael website. “Disasters have three phases: Photo/Christ Church via Facebook gency-preparedness and response resourc- in Albany, Brainbridge, Americus and the rescue, relief and recovery. We are pre- At Christ Church, Monticello, Fla., workers es. The diocese includes the Florida Pan- surrounding counties. Tree damage was pared to support them as we move into board up windows as Hurricane Michael handle and parts of southern Alabama. significant in Albany, affecting the infra- the next phase of providing relief to af- approaches. Some of the inland communities in structure and leaving many without pow- fected communities.” n A year after Hurricane Maria, churches still beacons of hope

By Lynette Wilson island. One recently took place church and community together.” Episcopal News Service in Yabucoa on Sept. 20, the one- Loíza, a town of some 4,700 year anniversary of the hurricane. people, was one of the hardest hit n the immediate aftermath of Hur- On that date in 2017, Hurricane areas on the northeast end of the ricane Maria last year, Puerto Rico Maria made landfall as a Category island. Many of its residents still Bishop Rafael Morales Maldonado 4 storm in Yabucoa, on the island’s live with blue tarpaulins on their Iissued an order for all Episcopal southwest side, bringing 155 mph roofs. churches on the island to open their winds, massive rains and flooding “Nobody was prepared for Ma- doors to the community. In doing so, across the island. ria,” said the Rev. Ana Rosa Mé- the churches became points of distribu- The diocese, with assistance ndez, vicar of St. James and St. tion for emergency supplies — and sym- from medical staff from St. Luke’s Philip the Apostles in Loíza. “The bols of hope. Episcopal Hospital, its facility in church was responding to Irma.” “I believe the Episcopal Church in Ponce, has conducted regular mis- Loíza was one of the commu- Puerto Rico was, after the hurricane, and sion and education fairs over the Photo/Lynette Wilson/Episcopal News Service nities affected by Hurricane Irma, Elisa Sanchez of Episcopal Social Services and Puerto is a great beacon of hope in this coun- past year. The fair on Sept. 20 in- Rico’s Occupy Movement explains plans to retrofit a closed which hit on Sept. 6, 2017. The try,” said Morales in an interview with cluded a special service to remem- school for housing and a community center. Virgin Islands bore the brunt of Episcopal News Service in his office in ber the thousands of lives lost and Irma, but it also caused major Trujillo Alto, a municipality within met- the survivors still affected and mourning. million residents are U.S. citizens. The flooding in some areas of Puerto Rico. ropolitan San Juan. On Sept. 23, in partnership with the Diocese of Puerto Rico — with 5,000 Loíza and nearby areas were already Many people, he said, came to know Diocese of New York, Morales partici- Episcopalians — is part of the Episcopal struggling, and their need increased after the Episcopal Church as a result of Ma- pated in a Eucharist in remembrance of Church’s Province IX. Of the diocese’s the hurricanes. ria. The Diocese of Puerto Rico has 52 Maria’s victims at Church of the Interces- 87 buildings, 66 sustained damage. Méndez, who now coordinates the congregations located throughout the is- sion in Manhattan. New York is home to Emergency repairs were made so that diocese’s disaster-response program, al- land, in hard-to-reach remote mountain more than 700,000 Puerto Ricans, the the doors could open; if the structures ready has made inroads into the commu- regions, in small towns, on the island of largest diaspora on the mainland. weren’t safe, the bishop’s mandate was to nity, providing services to teenage and Vieques and in the cities. The priests and Though the initial death toll stood set up a table outside. single mothers and training them to be church members reached out to every- at 64, thousands of others died in the When Maria hit, neither the govern- self-sufficient. The church also provides body in the community, “offering love,” storm’s aftermath, some from medi- ment nor nongovernmental institutions, meals to some 500 housebound people. he said. And, as a result, the church has cal needs that went untreated. A recent including the diocese, had disaster plans “It’s been a difficult year,” said Mén- welcomed new “brothers and sisters.” study recorded 2,975 deaths. Many in place. dez. Scarcity of building materials is one Those efforts continue as the diocese, residents were without electricity for “There was no plan, but everyone of the major challenges. Still, even in the in partnership with other agencies and months, and some in remote regions still came together — not just the diocese,” hurricanes’ aftermath, Méndez said, “the organizations, offers mission and edu- don’t have power. said Yaitza Salinas, diocesan adminis- churches worked together and there was cation fairs in communities across the Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory; its 3.3 trator. Hurricane Maria “brought the some good that came out of it.” n November 2018 Episcopal Journal 7 News

Asian continued from page 1 nership with the Episcopal Church’s Office of Asia- It’s not easy to find Asian female merica Ministries. priests, said the Rev. Yein Esther Kim, Asian American or “Asia- parish associate at St. Athanasius Epis- merican” describes Asian copal Church in Los Angeles. Despite immigrants in the United coming from a family of priests — her States as well as Asian father is the Most Rev. Paul Geun-Sang Americans born in the Kim, Anglican bishop of the Diocese United States — Chinese, of Seoul and former archbishop of the Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Province of Korea — Kim didn’t always Southeast Asian (Viet- see herself as a priest, she said. She was namese, Laotian, Hmong, inspired in 2001 when South Korea be- Burmese) and South Asian gan ordaining women and by the exam- (Indian, Pakistani, Bangla- ples of former Diocese of Massachusetts deshi, Sri Lankan). It also Suffragan Bishop Barbara Harris, an Af- describes the relationship The Most Rev. Moses Nag Jun Yoo, primate The Rev. Winfred Vergara, the Episcopal Church’s rican-American priest who was elected of Asians in the United of Korea, preaches on Sept. 30 at a service at Asiamerica missioner and the Episcopal Asiamerica the first female bishop in the Anglican States with Asian Episcopa- St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the first Korean Ministries National Consultation’s co-dean, preaches Communion, and the Rt. Rev. Diane lians and Asian Anglicans mission in the Episcopal Church, in Honolulu. at the closing Eucharist on Oct. 1. Jardine Bruce, suffragan bishop in the in the global community. Diocese of Los Angeles. Close to two-thirds of the world popula- revitalization. To that end, during the network of well-trained mentors and The role of Asian women as clergy was tion identifies as Asian. consultation’s opening Eucharist held disciple-makers from among the EAM only one of the issues of identity explored The strong youth presence made the at the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, ethnic convocations. “Rice and Sing,” during the Sept. 27-Oct. 1 consultation consultation one of the best ever, said the EAM network introduced the AN- an anthology of diverse, Asian-cultural held in Honolulu. Registrations for the Bayani Rico, EAM Council president DREWS program and its first group of hymns and spiritual songs, is in devel- event topped 267 participants repre- and the consultation’s co-dean. The 70 mentors. opment, as are in-person training and a senting Asians from the United States, younger generation speaks to “the pan- ANDREWS, an acronym for Asia- virtual classroom. Canada, England, South Korea and the Asian experience,” and EAM may add an merica Network of Disciples, Revival- “Vision and dreams are the language Philippines and including 40 American additional convocation for those Asians ists, Evangelists, Witnesses and Servant of the Holy Spirit,” said Vergara in his and Canadian teenagers. who don’t identify with a single ethnic- Leaders, is a mentoring program of the closing sermon. “If we don’t dream, how “We assembled a cast of great plenary ity, Rico said. Asiamerica Ministries Office in partner- can our dreams come true?” speakers and workshop leaders. We wove The Episcopal-Asiamerican church ship with Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry EAM convocations will meet sepa- the tapestry of a program that combined is an immigrant church that in reality Council and the Thriving in Ministry rately in 2019 and come together again academic and experiential learning,” said speaks one language, said Yunjeong Seol, project of Virginia Theological Seminary as a national consultation in 2021. The the Rev. Winfred Vergara, the Episcopal EAM’s digital media consultant. Often- in Alexandria, Va. consultation last met in Seoul, South Church’s Asiamerica missioner and the times, the second and third generations ANDREWS’ goal is to develop a Korea, in 2015. n consultation’s co-dean, during the Oct. don’t “speak the language of the mother 1 closing Eucharist. country” and wonder how they can serve “Our theme, ‘Piko — Celebrate Asian-American ministries. And, realis- Christ, Community and Creation,’ was tically, she said, “bilingual services are hard to maintain.” Seol, who was born in South Korea and earned a Mas- ter of Divinity degree from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., also favors adding a broader convocation. Many people, she said, “identify as interracial. … They don’t know if they are in the Korean or Japa- nese convocation.” For Asupa Mila, 15, of Photos/Lynette Wilson/ENS San Francisco and Lake Lake Randall, 15, of Vancouver, British Columbia, center, Randall, 15, of Vancouver, and Asupa Mila, 15, of San Francisco, left, were among British Columbia, iden- 40 youth from the United States and Canada attending tity doesn’t really matter the triennial Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries National so much, they said. What Consultation in Honolulu. they found in serving aptly captured by the youth who per- alongside one another in service to the formed last night. They said, ‘We came community made them come together from different places and myriad cul- as friends. tures, and many of us met each other for Asian identity is something Asiameri- the first time, but now we are friends.’ can Episcopalians are grappling with on That is what Christianity is all about … both the East and West coasts. In New real relationships.” York, the Episcopal Asian Supper Table Some 22 million Asians live in the invites all people of Asian ancestry to United States, and Asians are its fastest- come together, to build “a united com- growing racial group. California has the munity by sharing stories, developing largest Asian population at 6.8 million. spiritually and lifting up our member- In Hawaii, Asians are the majority at ship as leaders in the Episcopal Diocese 57.1 percent, according to the most re- of New York,” according to the diocese’s cent U.S. Census data. website. In the Diocese of Los Angeles, Seven consultations make up the the Asian ministries group is called the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries Coun- Gathering. cil: Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Nationally, the EAM leadership is South Asian, Southeast Asian and Pacific pushing to train new leaders in evan- Islander. The council operates in part- gelism, church planting and church 8 Episcopal Journal November 2018 Advent Resources

Dec. 2 is the first Sunday of Advent, the Christian I Witness: Living Inside season of spiritual preparation before celebrating the the Stories of Advent birth of Jesus at Christmas. Episcopal Journal pres- By Kate Moorehead ents some resources suitable for the season. Many have heard the story of Jesus’ birth, but Books from Forward Movement: have they lived inside O Wisdom: Advent it? Episcopal priest Kate Devotions on the Moorehead invites readers Names of Jesus to enter the story of salva- Edited by Rachel Jones tion with hearts and minds Songs of thanks and wide open, experiencing praise, of lament and the miracle of Jesus through longing, of restoration the eyes of witnesses: Zech- and return have been ariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Wise on people’s lips for Men and others. Moorehead encourages readers to bear Advent: millennia. The verses witness — both then and now — to the marvel and of the ancient hymn, majesty of a babe born in a manger, of Christ the king. the O Antiphons, ex- These daily devotionals offer a companion through the plore and celebrate the seasons of Advent and Christmas and urge the faithful The faith-filled many names of Jesus to keep reading, keep listening, keep learning, experi- and present a way to encing the story of Christ’s birth as both familiar and sing along with the new in each retelling. countdown to story of God. Drawn from the scrip- tural words of Isaiah, the O Antiphons Dog in the Manger: Finding God in have been sung in churches and monas- Christmas Chaos tic communities since at least the eighth By Tim Schenck, Christmas century. Through meditations, art, po- with illustrations by Jay Sidebotham ems and photos created by people from With humor anchored by spiritual across the church, this book offers space truths, author Tim Schenck helps read- and time to embrace Jesus’ presence ers maintain spiritual sanity through the among us now — and await his coming often-frenetic chaos of Advent and Christ- in glory. One can enjoy these prayers and mas. Illustrated by cartoonist Jay Sidebo- praises throughout the seasons of Advent tham, “Dog in the Manger” also explores and Christmas as they beckon: O Come, the major characters of the season in new O Come, Emmanuel. ways, including John the Baptist, Mary, continued on page 9

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LC2017-C EJ18-C November 2018 Episcopal Journal 9 Advent Resources

Advent continued from page 8 suggests ways to mark the days through Advent. The latest research in history calendar offers ideas for prayer, helping others and be- and grief, “Wounded in Joseph and Jesus. Questions following each section ing thoughtful about the true meaning of Christmas. Spirit” returns readers make “Dog in the Man- It offers advice to take to our hearts and walls: Slow to where Christian art ger” appropriate for per- down. Quiet. It’s Advent! began. From mourning sonal or group use. For information on ordering these resources, go to www. in Roman catacombs to forwardmovement.org. works of the masters, Dawn from on High readers may join the By John Alexander world’s great religious art- Through inspiring and Books from Paraclete Press: ists on their pilgrimages accessible meditations, Wounded in Spirit: Advent Art and Meditations of hope and brokenness, John Alexander provides By David Bannon, foreword by Philip Yancey encountering in the art- a theologically rich and Christmas can be a time not only of joy but also of ists’ wounds — and their biblically grounded jour- tears, memory and prayer. Celebration does not always own — “God with us.” ney through Advent, come easily. In 25 illustrated daily readings, “Wound- Christmastide and the ed in Spirit” offers the opportunity to commune with Mother and Child: Ever first days of Epiphanytide. Scripture and the wounded artists that gave the world Ancient, Ever New Based on the eucharistic masterpieces of hope: Art by Christine Granger lectionary of the Episco- Gauguin, Tissot, Cara- Christine Granger’s pal Church, Alexander vaggio, Tanner, Delac- artistic portrayals of takes the reader into the roix, van Gogh, Dürer. Mary and her infant son heart of Advent’s focus While the artists’ names Jesus, paired with the on “last things” and then and paintings may be words of sages, saints, the incarnation of Jesus. familiar, this book pro- and sinners through the Preachers may find this vides an inspiring look centuries, lead the reader volume a useful resource into the humanity of to moments of intimacy with the divine Mother and for preparing sermons, the artists themselves. Child. but any Christian may They were flawed and For ordering information, see www.paracletepress.com. benefit from these homi- often troubled people: lies while seeking a focus a widower that saw a Meditations from on the great mysteries of vision of Christ; a mur- salvation. derer who painted him- Seminary of the Southwest: self as Peter; a grieving Each Advent, Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Calendar father who drew his Texas, produces a free pocket-size Advent Meditation Slow Down. Quiet. sons as Jesus and John; booklet. The contributors are a mix of faculty, students, It’s Advent! an orphan who saw his alumni and friends who offer perspectives on the Scrip- (2018 Advent Calendar salvation in the Holy ture of each day. The meditation authors also record posters) Family. Despite their themselves reading their submissions, and the seminary Created by Susan El- wounds — perhaps be- shares these on its website and through its Sowing Holy liott and Jay Sidebo- cause of them — these Questions blog. tham, this colorable artists achieved the For ordering information, contact Katherine Bailey- Advent calendar poster sublime. Based on the Brown at [email protected].

commentary Telling eternal stories

By Kristin Fontaine when she asked the question. This was ment from the nursing home. heaven on earth and not one of the few times I was unsure of It makes me both wonder be waiting around to go y daughter and I watch a lot what to say. However, since she seemed and appreciate our human to heaven after death. of nature TV shows about worried about it, I decided to address ability and need to tell stories. I don’t have any good human evolution. As a spe- the worry and not the words. I told her Humans throughout the answers to what might Mcies, we seem to have been that everything was taken care of and ages have made up stories happen after death. I telling stories through art since the that she didn’t need to worry. She re- to explain the world around don’t know if Mom’s dawn of our time. Cave paintings, jew- laxed after that. them. We have created rituals spirit went anywhere elry, body art, pigments, stone circles Even though I had been prepared for to retell and re-enforce those or if she lives on only and carvings are all things that have the idea that Mom might use a jour- stories. We use just about any- through the love of her been left behind by human and proto- ney or travel metaphor as she neared thing we can get our hands on family and the friends human societies. the end of her life, it still hit me harder to make art that tells stories. that remember her. We have a drive to make art, to tell than I expected. We had already had Even Jesus tried to communi- I do know she, like stories and to develop rituals that goes a lot of frank and sometimes difficult cate his teachings through parables, tell- millions before her, set out on a jour- back to our beginning. conversations about her coming death. ing stories to try to get his disciples and ney, and for once I couldn’t go with her. It comes to us at our end as well. One She and I were able to talk about death followers to understand more fully what However, while she may be traveling of the many things I learned as part of and dying in a very straightforward (if he was trying to say. beyond my reach on earth, I maintain helping to take care of my mom during sometimes darkly humorous) way; and, And when we reach the end of life, my connection with her and with all of her last weeks was that it is common while it made me sad to reflect on los- our minds, bodies and spirits work to- our human and proto-human ancestors for people to start using metaphorical ing her, I rarely had a problem talking gether to tell one last story: the story of by telling stories. n language. They talk about going home about death and all of the related logis- leaving everything behind and going on or packing for a trip, or they might ask tics. So I was surprised when I had such one final journey. This column was first published at about their passport or airline tickets. a strong reaction to Mom’s almost un- Neither Mom nor I really believed Episcopal Café. Kristin Fontaine describes This happened to me when I was sit- conscious use of metaphorical language in an afterlife — at least not the ideas herself as an “itinerant Episcopalian.” ting with my mom in her last days. She to tell me that she was ready to go. of “heaven” that seem to have grown She and her husband own Dailey Data suddenly asked me if she was all packed This past week, my husband heard up around Christianity over the past Group, a statistical consulting company. for her trip. Even though I had read the from his parents that his grandmother 2,000-plus years. Mom was a big pro- Her mother, the Rev. Ann Fontaine, was hospice guide many times over the pre- had started talking about “going home,” ponent of living and working in the active in many Episcopal ministries, in- vious week, I was still caught off guard and she pretty clearly wasn’t talking here-and-now. She said many times cluding parish work and online commu- by how clear and cogent she sounded about trying to move back to her apart- that we should be working to create nications. 10 Episcopal Journal November 2018 news

Minnesota continued from page 1 cratic, but Excelsior and other west sub- urbs are more politically diverse and lean should be about,” Morrison said. more to the conservative side than Min- Fellow Trinity member Bev Lane, neapolis, Anderson said. who volunteered as a greeter at the can- Trinity Episcopal Church already had didate event, shares that support for the begun encouraging parishioners to be congregation’s efforts. more open about their political views “When you know the people, you un- and listen to each other respectfully. An derstand them,” Lane said. “I think that early catalyst was Minnesota’s adoption we have to be more civil. We have to get of a law in 2013 legalizing same-sex mar- along, even though we have differing riage in the state. opinions.” As with other political issues, parishio- Gary Veazie, who works part time as ners’ views on gay marriage varied wide- facility manager at Trinity, was in charge ly, and “the congregation had never had of setting up refreshments in the commu- a conversation about it,” Anderson said. nity center room. Standing watch over Trinity would need to decide whether it the table of snacks and drinks, he joked, would offer same-sex ceremonies, but “I’m running for doughnuts and water.” first it enlisted a consultant through the Veazie started attending worship ser- University of St. Thomas’ civil discourse vices at Trinity in 1980, and he had high lecture series to coach parishioners. praise for the congregation’s several rec- “We needed to learn how to create a The Rev. Devon Anderson, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Excelsior, Minn., checks in at the candidate event co-hosted by the church at the South Shore Community Center tors over the years. Anderson is known safe space for people to really be able to in Shorewood. for giving a “top-level sermon,” he said express how they felt, and so we learned — including sermons that draw con- a methodology for doing that,” Ander- The meeting was well-attended and “I think it’s great,” Williams said. nections between the gospel and current son said. lasted several hours, she said. When the “I think it adds a lot to any conversa- events, “which is a hard line to walk.” After strengthening the congrega- vestry later voted to offer same-sex cer- tion you’re going to have, with anybody One particularly difficult sermon in tion’s civil-discourse skills, the vestry emonies, it was not the divisive decision about anything.” November 2016 helped focus the con- called an all-parish meeting to discuss it otherwise could have been, she said. A small team of volunteers from Trin- gregation on its civil-discourse work. offering marriage ceremonies to all peo- “It was a real moment for the parish, ity had been working to host candidate The presidential election left Ander- ple. Parishioners were encouraged to put because it was like: We can actually do forums at the church, but they struggled son in a “panic,” she said, because she their newly developed skills to work as this. We can be diverse in our opinions, to get candidates to commit, Anderson wasn’t sure how to unify a congregation they listened to members sharing their in our political opinions, and we can still said. In the meantime, the volunteers with such divergent reactions to Donald views one at a time. The meeting felt like be a really close worshiping community.” turned their focus toward supporting the Trump being elected president. Such an approach need not end Oct. 16 event. Some parishioners were cheer- with Trinity, supporters said. Monica Wiant, a vestry member and ful, while others were in shock. “I think this kind of thing should one of the event volunteers, credited An- “How are we going to continue be the leading edge of the Episcopal derson for pressing the congregation not together?” she asked. Church,” said Betty Bright, a vestry to shy away from conversations that may She found her answer in the member volunteering at the candi- seem uncomfortable. The all-parish meet- very congregation that seemed so date meet-and-greet event. “For me, ing on same-sex ceremonies was a big divided. “We need church and it’s about being open to each per- step, she said. “It was just terrific, because Christian community more than son’s heart.” not everybody agreed, but there was a lot ever, because within it we can prac- Fellow vestry member Christo- of mutual support and listening.” tice the kind of peace and unity we pher Williams said he was pleased Wiant, who described herself as so desire for our country,” Ander- by the turnout at the event. Some “proudly liberal,” was among those pa- son told her congregation. Episcopalians may attend worship rishioners shocked and unsettled by the Minnesota narrowly voted for services and just want to hear the presidential election. She appreciated An- Hillary Clinton in 2016, but the gospel, without talking about how derson’s invitation to come together as a Kelly Morrison, a Trinity Episcopal Church member and state’s counties are a patchwork of state House candidate, talks with a local voter. it may apply to contemporary life, faith community, she said. “The church blue and red, with the bluest cen- he said, but opening paths of con- needs to be a place where we can bring tered around the metro areas of Minne- a liturgical experience, Anderson said, as versation across differences can broaden those emotions and work through it. I apolis, St. Paul, Rochester and Duluth. each speech was followed by a moment people’s thinking, within the congrega- think spiritually we have a lot of common Hennepin County went solidly Demo- of silence and hymn singing. tion and beyond. ground, regardless of how we vote.” n Churches to commemorate WWI armistice centennial Churches and organizations are planning events to peace and liberty around the Requiem Mass commemorate the 100th anniversary of the signing world for the last 100 years,” The combined choirs of Grace of the armistice on Nov. 11, 1918 that ended World according to the cathedral’s Episcopal Church, Madison, War I. More than four million American families sent website. Information is at N.J., under the direction of Anne their sons and daughters to serve in uniform during www.cathedral.org. Matlack, will perform the U.S. the “Great War,” according to the website www. premiere of British composer worldwar1centennial.org. More than 116,000 U.S. Tolling bells Paul Mealor’s requiem Mass, “The soldiers died from combat and disease. Another 200,000 Shadows of War,” on Nov. 3. were wounded, a casualty rate far greater than in World The National World War Mealor’s music has been com- War II. More than 350,000 African Americans served I Museum and Memorial missioned and performed at many in the U.S. military, as did Native Americans and is inviting churches to toll festivals and by many orchestras members of other minority groups. For the first time, their bells on Nov. 11 at 11 Photo/courtesy of National WWI Museum/wikimedia commons and choruses and has been broad- women joined the ranks of the U.S. armed forces. a.m. local time, wherever National World War I Museum and Memorial they may be, to commemo- cast widely on TV and radio. National cathedral service rate the end of what was known as the “war to end “The Shadows of War” was written in 2016 to all wars.” mark the centennial of World War I’s Battle of the A “sacred interfaith service” is scheduled to take This commemoration is part of the World War Somme. The concert also will include the children’s place on the morning of Nov. 11 at Washington One Centennial Commission’s “Bells of Peace: A choirs singing “In Flanders’ Fields” by Canadian National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The ser- World War I Remembrance.” composer Alexander Tilley. The poem of the same vice “will remember the sacrifices of the 4.7 million The National World War I Museum and Memorial name, by Canadian doctor John McCrae, was written Americans who served in the Great War and honor is located in Kansas City, Mo., and is one of the few during World War I and inspired use of the red poppy the role the U.S. military has played in preserving national memorials not located in Washington, D.C. to commemorate those who died in war. n November 2018 Episcopal Journal 11 News

Numbers continued from page 5 tives to expand the church’s reach in new Wilmington, N.C., has studied the dy- ways. He often talks of the church being namics at play in congregation vitality the wagons. I’m calling for the church to part of the larger Jesus Movement and through his work leading RenewalWorks, head ’em up and move ’em out! More recently unveiled the Way of Love, a rule a ministry of Forward Movement. Re- than ever, we need pioneers, not settlers.” of life to help Episcopalians live into the newalWorks released a study in January New churches also should be planted calling of that movement. that found more than half of Episcopal in the right places, reaching congrega- Curry also has led a series of revivals congregations could be classified as “rest- tions where they live, and with entrepre- that serve as the cornerstone of his em- less,” meaning parishioners were hungry neurial leaders, Michie wrote. phasis on evangelism, seeking to reach for spiritual growth but might not receive He also threw out a target of more than new people outside the church with Je- the support they are looking for from 900 new church plants, based on a statis- sus’ message of love. Racial reconcilia- clergy or church leaders. tical analysis of what might be required tion is another top priority of the church They remain active, for now, but to reverse the Episcopal Church’s decline. under Curry, as detailed in the Becom- “don’t actually expect that much to hap- Michie told Episcopal News Service that ing Beloved Community framework pen in their own spiritual experience,” he cited that figure “just to communi- that launched last year. Sidebotham said. cate the hill that is ahead of us to climb,” Despite such activity at the church- For the past five years, RenewalWorks but added that an aggressive approach to wide level and the dozens of new church has worked to help more than 200 Epis- Photo/David Paulsen/ENS church planting would redefine how the plants, some say many existing congre- copal congregations focus more intently Church planting “is crock-pot work, Episcopal Church operates. gations still may not be meeting the on the spiritual life of their members. not microwave work,” the Rev. Michael “The way that would impact and Michie, staff officer for church planting spiritual needs of all their parishioners, Curry’s talk of evangelism and disciple- infrastructure, said in July at the 79th change our church would be terrific. It particularly newer ones. ship has helped lead the way, Sidebo- General Convention in Austin, Texas. would supercharge our existing church- “We are an old denomination, age- tham said. RenewalWorks’ report sug- es,” he said. “If they’re doing this and in- wise, so I think I have a feeling that gested four catalysts for supporting • A deeper prayer life and novating in this way, we can, too.” would be part of what is behind the de- Episcopalians on their spiritual journeys: • The heart of the congregation’s leader. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, cline,” said the Rev. Jay Sidebotham. • Engagement with Scripture, “A focus on discipleship is just criti- during his first three years leading the Sidebotham, who serves part time • The transforming power of the Eu- cal,” Sidebotham said. “That’s job one, Episcopal Church, has pushed for initia- as associate rector at St. James’ Parish in charist, and that’s what we’re all about.” n

Executive Council continued from page 3 Operations, Ministry Within the Epis- tract to continue the resettlement work that work, is one of the smaller of the copal Church, and Ministry Beyond the it has done for the federal government nine, Robertson said. “Arizona has a big burden of past due Episcopal Church. It also elected three since the 1980s. If the resettlement work ends, the assessments,” Lloyd said, so the church at-large members: Julia Harris of the Di- The U.S. Department of State an- agency may find other ways to support agreed to forgive those past obligations ocese of Oklahoma, Rose Sconiers of the nounced Sept. 17 that it would lower the refugees and, possibly, other immigrants, over three years if it keeps up with its Diocese of Western New York and Utah ceiling to 30,000 refugees for the fiscal Robertson said. He estimated it would current payments. Bishop Scott Hayashi. year that began Oct. 1, down from a ceil- take about a year to fully realize that new Haiti, in recognition of the coun- The daily sessions also tackled the eth- ing of 85,000 two years ago. And that vision for the agency. try’s poverty, has an agreement with the ical questions raised by the role-playing 30,000 is just the upper limit, Robert- In the meantime, he suggested that church outside of the assessment process scenarios that Russell Randle, a senior son said, noting that actual number of Executive Council recognize the exem- to pay at least $5,000 a year, with the member from the Diocese of Virginia, refugees to be welcomed into the United plary work of the agency’s employees. hope of increasing that to $11,000 by included in his training on Oct. 17. States likely will be much lower. The council passed a resolution Oct. the end of the triennium, she said. Mis- That training was followed by a session EMM once oversaw 31 resettlement 18 commending Episcopal Migration sissippi, still dealing with the financial on racial reconciliation led by the Rev. affiliates in 26 dioceses, but that number Ministries, “whose dedicated staff, dur- effects of Hurricane Katrina, aims to Stephanie Spellers, the presiding bishop’s has dropped to 14 affiliates in 12 dioces- ing a season of flux and uncertainty, have contribute 13 percent by the end of the canon for evangelism, reconciliation and es. With even fewer refugees to resettle, worked tirelessly and in a sacrificial man- triennium, Lloyd said. Puerto Rico and creation care. the federal government isn’t expected to ner to support refugees in many parts of Virgin Islands received full waivers be- After a presentation by Spellers on the keep all nine of its contracted agencies, the world who seek resettlement in the cause they are recovering from last year’s Episcopal Church’s Becoming Beloved and EMM, though well-equipped to do United States.” n Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Community framework, council mem- A decision on West Texas split the bers broke into groups to share their ex- voting members of Executive Council. periences and think about how they are The diocese’s past participation — six called to work for racial healing. percent last year — has fallen well short During a meeting of the Government of the church’s target, and, though the & Operations Committee, members of- MOVING? diocese was hit last year by Hurricane fered feedback on the racial-reconcilia- Harvey, financial hardship is not a pri- tion training. mary factor, Lloyd said. “At our table, it got a little raw,” said Jennings asked why the church should Pauline Getz, a member from the Dio- grant the Diocese of West Texas a waiver cese of San Diego. “Some of our con- if it was able to pay multiple bishops and versation was hitting some rather deep maintain a sizable endowment fund. Oth- chords.” er council members raised similar concerns Spellers told the committee that the and suggested amending the resolution to church had moved away from a past em- Ask for a clergy eliminate the waiver for West Texas. phasis on “anti-racism” in favor of the moving specialist and North Carolina Suffragan Bishop language of racial healing, encouraging • Clergy Discount Anne Hodges-Copple spoke in favor of Episcopalians to interact graciously with discover why thousands the waiver, saying it was about diploma- each other without demonizing people of churches, clergy • Guaranteed Dates cy and “strengthening the hand of some for struggling with their own racism. and seminarians have • 3 Estimates with only 1 survey good bishops” in West Texas who have Such a Christian approach can be ap- relied on us for nearly been encouraging “recalcitrant” Episco- plied beyond the work of racial recon- • All Major Van Lines palians to see themselves part of some- ciliation, she said. two decades. thing larger than what is in their own “If we do this work the way we as backyards. a church have said we want to, it will The vote to drop West Texas’ waiver change how we relate to everything,” failed, 14-18, and Executive Council Spellers said. “This is about us living in proceeded to approve all six waivers. the Jesus way.” In other business, the council cut its In his presentation on EMM, Rob- 800-733-0930 committees from five to four. The new ertson said they were “preparing for the committees are Finance, Government & worst” — that being the end of its con- www.clergyrelocation.com • [email protected] 12 Episcopal Journal November 2018 Faith and the Arts New York cathedral exhibits ‘treasures’

By Episcopal Journal Far left, a silver alms dish donated tems from a Mexican chalice from to the cathedral in the mid-17th century to a Restoration 1927 by Britain’s two-handled cup from 1660 to an King George V. alms basin given to the Cathedral of I Left, the New York St. John the Divine by King George V Herald Tribune are on display in the New York cathe- covers the donation dral’s latest exhibit: Treasures from the of a silver alms dish Crypt. to the Cathedral of While visitors might admire the gob- St. John the Divine lets and chalices, rings and dishes for in New York. their beauty alone, each object has a specific function in the day-to-day life of the church. These rarely-seen objects are part of the physical and spiritual heritage of the cathedral, included in worship services, baptisms, ordinations and consecrations. The work of artisans and metalworkers, jewelers and craftsmen enhances the grandeur of the cathedral while providing the physical tools required to carry out the duties of the church. Some of the pieces were gifts from congregants. Other donors in- clude members of the royal family of England, supreme governors of the Church of England and the descendants of Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch director-general of New Netherland from 1647 until 1664, when it was renamed New York. On display since May, the pieces tell a story of community and of the continuity of history: from the origins of English Christianity through the independence of the Episcopal Church to the founding of the city of New York and the chartering of the cathedral, intended as a house of prayer for all people. n

A baptismal book that belonged to the 17th- century colonial Dutch governor general, Peter Stuyvesant.

Right, the historical items are exhibited in a chapel at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York.

Left, the cathedral’s exhibit was installed last summer and is ongoing.

Photo/Rebecca Merrill Photos/courtesy of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine

National Acolyte Festival Acolytes, servers, clergy and vergers join in the church’s longest procession from the Great West Doors and down the center aisle of Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., during an Oct. 6 Eucharist at the 2018 Acolyte Festival. The worship service included a dedication and blessing of acolytes and servers. The festival also included workshops on topics such as how to swing a thurible, the vocation of a verger and Streamers 101; behind-the-scenes cathedral tours; and acolyte games such as Stained-glass commemoration the “Thuriball Races,” “Holey From left, All Ireland President of the Mothers’ Union Phyllis Grothier, Archbishops Water Bucket Challenge,” “Pass Michael Jackson and Richard Clarke and the union’s All Ireland chaplain, Dean the Cruets,” “Dress the Bishop” Raymond Ferguson, flank a newly commissioned stained-glass plaque marking 130 and “Name that Object.” The years of the Mothers’ Union in Ireland. The plaque was dedicated during the All- cathedral has hosted the festival Ireland Triennial Thanksgiving Service of the Mothers’ Union at Christ Church for about 40 years. This year, 800 Cathedral in Dublin in October. It features a tree with 13 branches, representing the people attended, including about 13 decades of the family-support organization in Ireland. It echoes an initiative that 450 acolytes from more than 60 took place to mark the anniversary last year: the planting of 12 trees across Ireland, congregations across 13 states plus one in each diocese. Photo/Danielle E. Thomas Washington, D.C., and Barbados. November 2018 Episcopal Journal 13 Faith and the Arts Houston cathedral youth photograph sacred spaces

By Victoria Ludwin

or young members of Houston’s Christ Church Cathedral, pic- Ftures are more than the proverbial “thousand words.” They provide a pathway to God. Last summer, the young photographers were invited to exhibit pictures of places where they felt a connection with the Divine — whether in or out- side the walls of a church. “I knew we had several youth at the cathedral who were in- terested in photography and thought this would be a great activity for them to participate The cathedral columbarium with in and have their photos in an a palm cross, by Jairo Benitez actual gallery,” said Minister for Youth Jeremy Bradley. He co- curated the one-month show, “Sacred Places,” with profes- sional photographer Joe C. View of Hermann Park, Houston, Aker at the invitation of Robin Bulling- Each is unique to the people that live by Jeremy Bradley ton, co-curator of the cathedral’s Clois- and worship there,” Aker wrote in his ter Gallery, located along the walls of the artist statement. “I was able to identify fellowship hall. in these places with my own loving God “The photo gallery we had was great, and feel a presence that both comforted it showed us that anybody can take pho- me and surrounded me.” tography anywhere at any time,” said Reflecting on the youth exhibit, Aker young photographer Cesar Avila. “I took said, “Today’s youth see the world in a a picture of a fountain. It meant a lot of different way than previous generations. things to me, but the main thing was They live in the quick snap and the fleet- that it was really old but was still stand- ing moment; they are the digital genera- ing all strong, and it shows us how we tion. Hopefully, these images will give need to be.” viewers insight into their thinking, how Zoe Ferris-Hughes exhibited a picture they look at the world, and what is sa- from a lake in Maine. cred to them.” “I am a very big camp person, and For Yuna O’Brien, who exhibited “a lakes have always brought me peace view of my bed that looks unique and In the cathedral, the Bible used to read (when there aren’t campers in them),” whimsical,” participating in the show the Gospel, by Alonso Avila Ferris-Hughes said. “I just remember “was a chance for everyone to show sitting on my cousin’s boat and feeling where they felt most connected to God, peaceful and calm and happy. I consid- and seeing that was intriguing. Sacred er it sacred because it feels like a place spaces are a place where we can feel God where I’m connected to God.” and feel at peace, and it’s important to The cathedral gallery hosts art month- have somewhere you can just be in tune ly art exhibitions throughout the year. with God. The young photographers’ show fol- “Taking photographs is fun,” O’Brien lowed a spring exhibit of the same name added, “because you can completely al- by Aker, who photographed sacred places ter the photo by taking it from a differ- in Tibet, the Holy Land, South America ent angle, and there are so many possi- and the United States. bilities.” n “I have visited many places considered sacred to others. Some are man-made, Victoria “Torie” Ludwin is minister of and some are just a piece of land and sky. communications at Christ Church Cathedral. Bedroom at home, by Lillian Spiller

A birdbath on the cathedral campus, by Cesar Avila

Far left, needlepoint panels decorating the cathedral’s children’s chapel, by Gabriel Perez

Left, candle reflections at the cathedral, by Christy Orman 14 Episcopal Journal November 2018 Book Review Harris memoir traces historic journey

Review by Neva Rae Fox ter and behind the cope.” think she had a chance in the Episcopal Church Each chapter focuses on an aspect of of succeeding. She was years before General Con- allelujah, Anyhow!” is the Harris’ life, beginning with a verse from wrong. She was prepared vention authorized the or- “ long-awaited memoir of one a hymn, followed by an explanatory in- to serve as a bishop, but, in dination of women. of the leading voices in the tro from Douglas, a narrative from Har- retrospect, she notes “that She shares many fasci- HEpiscopal Church. Barbara ris and a Q&A with Douglas asking I was stepping into a role nating memories openly C. Harris is the first female bishop in (sometimes tough) questions. the historic proportions of and honestly, such as the the Episcopal Church, the first African- The book quickly delves into Harris’ which I would never have “dressing down” she re- American female bishop in the Episco- life and, in the process, leaves few ques- dreamed of.” ceived from activist and pal Church and the first female bishop tions unanswered. Her consecration was Episcopal priest Pauli in the Anglican Communion. She is a The great-granddaughter of slaves on witnessed by 8,500 peo- Murray; that the Lam- trailblazer in many ways. both her maternal and paternal sides, ple, including 62 bishops. beth 1998 Conference, At only 136 pages, “Hallelujah, Any- and a third-generation Episcopalian, She speaks about refusing as a female bishop in the how!” is a rather short book for such Harris grew up in St. Barnabas Church to wear a bullet-proof vest Anglican Communion, an influential and powerful person, not in Philadelphia. She talks about how the despite death threats and was “a painful and ardu- unlike the petite, powerful woman who Episcopal Church helped in her forma- hate mail, and about the Hallelujah, Anyhow! ous experience”; her life- wrote it. tion as a Christian and a young woman steadfast strength and A memoir changing activities during This is Barbara Harris at her best — but points out that, at that time, women support she received from the summer of 1965; and witty, insightful and on target. She is were denied a seat on vestries and could her mother and sister. By Barbara C. Harris an incident in Dallas that well-known for her sense of humor, able not be acolytes. As for ordained minis- In her first address with Kelly Brown Douglas she didn’t share for decades. to come up with a quick barb at a highly try, she never imagined it was something to the Diocese of Mas- Church Publishing “Hallelujah, Anyhow!” appropriate time, and the book details “women could, should or would do.” sachusetts convention, 136 pages, $14.95 takes off with a forward by many of those times. Her memories are poignant, with a after the election but the Rev. Edward W. Rod- The book title stems from a hymn close eye on the racism she endured at before her consecration, she laid the man in which he shares his own recol- by Joseph Pace. In her forward, Harris school and in church. For example, she groundwork for her episcopacy by point- lections of Harris. The book concludes talks about the importance of hymns was confirmed on a Monday night be- ing to another strong African-American with samples of her sermons, addresses in her life — upon awakening, at day’s cause the bishop didn’t make Sunday woman: “Harriett Tubman remains for and honors. end and times in-between. Each chapter visitations to black churches. me a model of faith, determination and This book is critical for those who concludes with the words “Hallelujah, She grew to be a successful public re- audacity in the best sense of the word.” wish to understand the importance of Anyhow!” as she weaves the phrase and lations executive at a black-owned agen- Harris also addresses the gossip and the journey of all Episcopalians. It is a hymns into her narrative. cy. Her hard work eventually led to her what was talked about her, but not to history that needs to be read and remem- Edited by Kelly Brown Douglas, the being named manager of public relations her, primarily: her lack of a seminary bered — of African-Americans, female book is presented in an engaging style. for a major oil company — quite a feat degree; what was perceived as a lack of clergy and female bishops in the Episco- Harris had embarked on writing a mem- for an African-American woman in the experience, even though she had chaired pal Church. The history and insight that oir but never completed the task. Doug- 1970s. Despite her achievements, it was and led prominent Episcopal organiza- Harris provides is vital to understand the las, Harris’ colleague and friend and the difficult for a black woman in corporate tions, groups and initiatives; a brief mar- Episcopal Church and help it move for- dean of Episcopal Divinity School at America, as she relates through describ- riage; and her experiences in the House ward in today’s society. n Union Seminary in New York, stepped ing some indignities she endured while of Bishops. in, providing an avenue for Harris to tell traveling across the country. Among the selected photos is Harris Neva Rae Fox is the principal of The her story in her own voice and making In the sections dedicated to the process as an acolyte at the historic and world- Fox Group, a public relations and commu- room for her opinions to emerge. Doug- leading up to her election as suffragan changing July 29, 1974, ordination of nications consulting firm. She previously las explains that Harris “wanted people bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts on the Philadelphia Eleven — the 11 wom- served as public affairs officer for the Epis- to know the woman underneath the mi- Sept. 25, 1988, she shares that she didn’t en ordained as the first female priests copal Church. Free Book When You Subscribe or Donate Episcopal

| october 2018 Help support the Episcopal Journal and get a free book of your choice, Vol. 8 No. 10 er coPY IoN | $3.75 P JournalMoNtHlY eDIt courtesy of Forward Movement. Dioceses respond to Hurricane FlorenceCape Verde and the Azores. Isaac was bearing down on West Africa and the Lesser Antilles; Olivia was affecting By David Paulsen Hawaii; and Barijat was affecting Episcopal Journal is a unique monthly publication, devoted to the needs Episcopal News Service the Philippines, Taiwan, China and piscopal dioceses and congrega- Vietnam. Meanwhile, Joyce was tions along the Carolina coast heading toward the Azores. 5 In the United States, the National Court finds and further inland offered guid- Haitian election ance, resources and prayers to Hurricane Center had warned that was flawed E Florence was poised to bring “life-

and interests of Episcopalians, featuring: Episcopalians in the line of Hurricane news threatening” storm surges of up to Florence, forecast to bring destructive 13 feet and up to 30 inches of rain winds, waves and massive rainfall and for coastal North Carolina and prompting evacuation orders for more northeastern South Carolina, as well than 1.5 million people. as up to a foot of rain on the rest of The hurricane made landfall in • News curated from around the world based on its interest to Episcopal readers Photo/Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office the Carolinas and Virginia. North Carolina Sept. 14 and was The Church of the Servant in downgraded to a tropical storm, mean- An aerial view of Emanuel Episcopal Church shows severe flooding in Wilmington, N.C., wasn’t taking any ing lower wind speeds, but rain and the Rapidan area of Virginia. floods continued to affect North and chances. “Thank you to those who were able to • Original inspirational columns and features • Arts and entertainment coverage South Carolina. The storm was linked His diocese created a “hurricane hub” on 6 to several deaths, and hundreds of people in New its website to provide residents with the latest come help us get COS ready for Hurricane Pilgrims seek Bern required rescue, according to news reports. storm updates and links to other information Florence,” the congregation’s rector, the Rev. understanding at As the storm approached, Episcopalians and resources. The website also invited dona- Jody Greenwood, said Sept. 13 in a Facebook lynching memorial took the threat seriously. Services and church tions to the diocese’s relief fund or to Episcopal post showing a virtually empty church.

news activities were canceled from the Episcopal Relief & Development. “Consider hatches battened-down.” By phone, Greenwood said she and her wife Church in Okatie, S.C., near the Georgia Subscribe today! Send in the form below OR 0rder by credit card by calling left their home in downtown Wilmington to state line to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church Active storm season in Greenville, N.C. Diocesan officials were in The Episcopal diocese’s actions was one stay with other members of the congregation contact with Episcopal Relief & Development of multiple responses to a range of extreme in a home more securely located away from the and communicated emergency information to storms lashing countries from the Pacific to ocean. She brought her bicycle so she could their church members. Many Episcopalians on the Atlantic. While Florence was battering the get back to the church if driving lanes were 1-800-691-9846 (mention free book) OR go to EpiscopalJournal.org/subscribe impassable after the storm. the coast heeded evacuation orders, while oth- Carolinas, churches and schools in the Philip- The parish, with an average Sunday atten- ers hunkered down as the storm approached. pines were being used as evacuation centers as “There seems little doubt that Hurricane Typhoon Mangkhut wreaks havoc. Mangkhut dance of about 150, has an emergency plan Florence is going to have a tremendous impact also was affecting the Marshall Islands and the that involves checking on each parishioner be- 12 Mariana Islands. fore a storm hits. Greenwood estimated half Drumming builds across the communities of our diocese, and At the same time, other major storms fled in advance of Florence, and the other half Yes! Sign me up for a one-year subscription for only $36 or save with a two-year subscription for $67.50. kids’ self-esteem many are projecting that it will be the most was staying in Wilmington. continued on page 11 at arts camp devastating storm that our state has experienced lashing land across the globe included Gordon

arts in decades,” East Carolina Bishop Robert in the Greater Antilles, Cuba, the Bahamas and  One year subscription $36  Two year subscription $67.50  Donation of $36 or more Skirving said Sept. 12 in a letter to the diocese, the United States; and Helene in West Africa,

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rg. o -Profit N  The Path  Walk in Love  The Social Justice Bible Challenge  Broken  Forward Through the Years No of Latino ministries By Leigh C. Preston I’m not ready to commit but would like help support the Episcopal Journal with a minimum tax-deductible donation of $36: Episcopal News Service early 400 people gathered Aug. 27 to 30 at Kanuga Conference and Retreat Center near Hendersonville, Amount of donation: $______(Check off a book above that you would like with your minimum donation. (You will receive a tax receipt). N.C., for Nuevo Amanecer, a biennial conference that Ncelebrates and supports Latino ministries. The theme was “Construimos, Equipamos, Inspiramos” — Mail to Episcopal Journal, Attn: Mike Brooks, 111-56 76 Drive, #F7, Forest Hills, NY 11375. “We Build, Equip, Inspire.” This year, for the first time, the conference included a large presence from Province IX, which includes countries in Central and South America. Please PRINT clearly The Rev. Bladimir Pedraza was among five participants who traveled from Colombia. He first learnedcontinued about on pageNuevo 7 Amanecer (Spanish for “new dawn”) Photo/Millard Cook Participants join hands in prayer Name______during worship at Nuevo Amanecer.

Address______www.forwardmovement.org City______State______ZIP______(Episcopal Journal is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable corporation Email ______book-1118 registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.) November 2018 Episcopal Journal 15 Faith and the Arts Amazon’s ‘Forever’: When the Good Place gets too good for comfort

By Cathleen Falsani cashmere pullover. Religion News Service Cozy. What the Danes have taught us to SPOILER ALERT: This column con- call “hygge” — a comfy, convivial atmo- tains spoilers about the Amazon Studios sphere that fosters well-being. series “Forever.” It would appear to be a deliberate orever,” the dramedy series choice by “Forever” creators Alan Yang “ that premiered last month on and Matt Hubbard to assemble a mise- Amazon, is the most spiritu- en-scène that projects comfort. One of Fally intriguing new TV show the first things I noticed is that June al- you should be watching this fall. most always wears clogs or clog-boots — Starring SNL alums Maya Rudolph so much so that I tweeted about it. as June and Fred Armisen as her hus- Amazon Studios responded with a band, Oscar, the eight-part series, which tweet that said: “No matter where we dropped in its entirety in September, are, we’re striving for comfort.” does a deep dive into the meaning of life Aha! I knew I was on to something. by exploring what happens when it ends. There’s more to this coziness than meets Oscar is first to arrive in the afterlife the eye. Photos/Colleen Hayes/Amazon Studios after he skis into a tree. His beloved June Soon (a relative term when speaking of Fred Armisen and Maya Rudolph star in “Forever” on Amazon. joins him about a year later after she eternity), for June, familiarity and hygge chokes on a macadamia nut during a morph into monotony and routine. While the “Forever” universe appears give life — and death — real meaning. flight to Hawaii. June is bored. to be nontheistic or at least agnostic, We need relationship. And while the For the couple, the hereafter is ambig- And the prospect of eternal boredom, there is a kind of secular dogma that familiarity that relationships bring — uous — neither heaven nor hell. Rather, runs through it. even with the people who bring us the it seems a lot like their former life in a Think of it as a theology of comfort. most comfort — can breed contempt, subdivision of tidy ranch-style homes in What are we supposed “Comfort is an easy thing to value relationships also foster intimacy. suburban Riverside, Calif. when you have a fleeting life,” said Brett “Intimacy is something we strive for,” Familiar, safe, comfortable. ‘to be doing? McCracken, senior editor for The Gos- said Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, author of “What are we supposed to be doing?” pel Coalition and author of “Uncom- “Nurture the Wow: Finding Spiritual- June asks Oscar soon after she arrives, ly- ’ fortable: The Awkward and Essential ity in the Frustration, Boredom, Tears, ing on her back on the manicured front Challenge of Christian Community.” Poop, Desperation, Wonder, and Radi- lawn of their (apparently) eternal home. “But our ideas of satisfaction and com- cal Amazement of Parenting.” “You can “I don’t know,” Oscar says. fort are really actually quite anemic. … find God in going into and through your Is there a God? Oscar doesn’t know Comfort, in the grand scheme of things, relationships. The deeper you can go that, either. is a sad, little thing to emphasize.” into another person — that can be your But there is a shuffleboard court. Watching Oscar, June and Kase strug- doorway into everything.” At first blush, it appears as if life just gle with the afterlife’s endless mundani- Only there are our possibilities both goes on on the other side of the veil in ties reminds McCracken of something endless and eternal. much the same way it had before, except C.S. Lewis said. In “The Weight of Glo- The first season of “Forever” ends with they don’t have to work, and food simply ry,” Lewis wrote: “We are half-hearted June and Oscar reunited in Oceanside. appears in their well-appointed kitchens creatures, fooling about with drink and Despite its bottomless supply of cham- and pantries — including some of their sex and ambition when infinite joy is pagne and bon temps, it turns out to be favorites. Fred Armisen and Maya Rudolph walk offered us, like an ignorant child who less heavenly than it did at first blush, their eternal neighborhood in “Forever”. For June, it’s oolong tea. wants to go on making mud pies in a and the couple strikes out together for For their neighbor Mark, who died in slum because he cannot imagine what is an unknown Third Place, if you will. a car crash in the 1970s when he was a meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. “There was a sense of something beck- teenager, leaving him to spend eternity I don’t know. We are far too easily pleased.” oning them to keep looking and daring as a perpetually moody 17-year-old, the ‘ ’ It’s an image that comes to life (or at further. To where, I don’t know,” Mc- hereafter includes an endless supply of well, that’s just hell. least afterlife) in “Forever,” McCracken Cracken said. “Is there a season two?” Reggie bars. Maybe Riverside isn’t The Good Place said. That’s the question. June and Oscar’s home is decorated it appears to be, even if Oscar believes “They eventually make it to a holiday Because the show airs on a streaming in mid-century modern perfection with it is. by the sea and a seaside castle, and, up service, there are no ratings available pub- its soothing green-blue and earth-tone “It’s safe here, it’s nice. … I like where until that point, June is literally mak- licly the way they are for network shows, palette, clean lines and whimsical Bitossi we are,” he says. “It’s not so bad. Look ing mud pies with her pottery,” he said. so it’s hard to say how the show’s doing. pottery. at this house. Look at the flow from the “They’re living as half-hearted creatures, Surely there is an audience for this “It’s really nice — there are so many kitchen to the living room.” fooling around with these things that spiritually clever, intellectually intrigu- seating options,” June exclaims when she June isn’t having it. they think bring happiness, while ne- ing comedic fare — after all, most Amer- sees their living room for the first time. “We do the same things every single glecting, potentially, the availability of a icans believe in the afterlife (according “Yeah, I had nothing to do with it,” day, and I don’t see that changing liter- more intimate, true, lasting joy.” to Pew Research, 72 percent say there’s Oscar says. “It was like this when I got ally forever,” she says. “And that bothers Ultimately, comfort for comfort’s a literal, physical heaven, and 58 percent here.” me.” sake, whether in this life or the next, the believe in an actual hell), so the subject Oscar spends his days struggling to When Catherine Keener’s character, show seems to suggest, is at best a vapid matter is evergreen. do crossword puzzles at the dining room Kase, moves in next door in all her acer- pursuit. Humankind needs something As of this writing, Amazon has yet to table. June teaches herself how to make bic, misanthropic glory, she is the cata- far greater than pastimes and sugary con- announce the fate of “Forever.” But hope vases and bowls on a potter’s wheel on lyst that stokes June’s discontent. Even- fections (literally and metaphorically) to springs eternal. n the back patio (a nod, no doubt, to the tually, the two women ditch Oscar and famous Demi Moore/Patrick Swayze take off for another place — Oceanside Do you have a classifieds listing you would like scene from “Ghost”). They go for strolls — after meeting a mysterious valise- through the neighborhood, where the carrying traveler (Peter Weller doing his to place in Episcopal Journal? weather feels perpetually like early au- best impression of the ferryman from the CLASSIFIED LINE RATES: $13.00 per line tumn with its amber light and just River Styx). CLASSIFIED DISPLAY AD RATES: $74.00 per inch enough of a nip in the air to make you “You might find it interesting,” he For more information and/or to submit ads to Episcopal Journal Advertising Department reach for your flannel shirt or lightweight tells them. contact [email protected] or [email protected] 16 Episcopal Journal November 2018 Book Review Fall season brings books on stewardship

Reviews by Shelley Crook gests should be a year-round endeavor, is a punk rock star, a pro- not merely the focus of a few weeks in lific artistic collaborator One-Minute t’s that time of year again — the tra- the fall. and a controversial figure Stewardship: ditional asking time. Pledge cards In his opening chapters, Cloughen — although being uncon- Creative Ways to have been mailed, and stewardship carefully details, often with the use of ventional and assertive Talk about Money Italks are being presented in churches personal anecdotes, his theology of whilst female isn’t actu- in Church across the land. Two excellent books — stewardship. The rest of the book com- ally a crime, and that’s what one a more conventional church publi- prises a set of meditations, contributed criticisms of her often boil Charles Cloughen Jr. cation, one an unquestionable wild card by a small army of distinguished laity down to. Her memoir “The Church Publishing — may just help your own church for- and clergy as well as Cloughen himself. Art of Asking” — and the 200 pages, $16.95 mulate a winning stewardship strategy. The varied and inspirational medita- TED talk it is based on — “One-Minute Stewardship” is a tions — a gem of a collection — are ar- is a few years old, but it has thoughtfully written, engaging book, full ranged thematically under the headings interesting implications for of the extensive wisdom and experience Stewardship, Giving, Special Occasions church and would be a pro- of its author. The Rev. Charles Cloughen and Planned Giving. An excellent set of vocative read for steward- Jr., an Episcopal priest for more than 48 indexes makes the selection of a suitable ship committees wishing to years, is the director of planned giving meditation for any day of the church shake things up. for the Diocese of Maryland. His book year an easy proposition. This is a wise, A few years and a failed presents a blueprint for practical stew- user-friendly and deeply practical book. recording contract ago, The Art of Asking ardship, which, crucially, Cloughen sug- And the wild card! Amanda Palmer Palmer asked her fanbase to support her, with the goal Amanda Palmer of releasing all future music Grand Central Guide aids those helping migrant children for free. The resulting Kick- Publishing starter campaign, with an 352 pages, $15.99 hildren on the It also offers guidance in mini- original goal of $100,000, Move — a detailed mizing the long-term trauma raised $1.2 million. Today, guide of best prac- caused by lengthy separations. Palmer’s art is continuously supported gifts — sometimes in the form of mon- Ctices to aid those Originally developed by by 12,000 Patreon supporters (of which ey, sometimes time, sometimes love.” working with migrat- the International Social Ser- I am one) who contribute money but also Cloughen and Palmer are, beneath ing children and families vice (ISS) Gen- expertise, musicianship, food, transporta- their respective clergy robes and body throughout the Americas eral Secretariat tion and sometimes a couch to crash on. paint, peddling remarkably similar mes- — is now translated into in collaboration “The Art of Asking” tells that story. sages around the issue of money. Both Spanish and available free with ISS net- It is a long, winding and sometimes un- believe deeply in community and hu- for distribution to those work members, even book, but it is also heartfelt, hon- man connection, and both demonstrate working to safeguard migrating chil- the Spanish est, touchingly moral and a blueprint for a deep respect and love for the people dren and prevent further trauma due translation and good stewardship. Palmer loves art, loves walking the journey alongside them. As to family separations. distribution people and loves love, and her enthusi- Cloughen states, “[My theology of stew- The 120-page guide recommends are made pos- asm for life is infectious. ardship … can be found in six key words step-by-step procedures, from assessing a sible, in part, Her story demonstrates how people that permeate my book: Thank you. migrant child’s health and wellness needs, through a partnership with Salina, will joyfully and gratefully contribute Thank you. Thank you.” to determining quality care arrangements Kansas-based Saint Francis Ministries when they connect to a movement — And as Palmer writes, “[A]sking for in the host country, to establishing a sus- and a grant from the Jessie Ball duPont which is what makes this book relevant help with gratitude says: ‘We have the tainable solution in the best interest of Fund. Both English and Spanish ver- to church. Palmer wouldn’t sound out of power to help each other.’” the child. The manual outlines the intake sions of Children on the Move can be place in a pulpit: “Our first job in life is questions workers should ask and the found at saintfrancisministries.org. to recognize the gifts we’ve already got Shelley Crook is a New York-based clinical assessments that need to be made. — Saint Francis Ministries … and then turn around and share those writer.

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