Sunday Seek, August 2009

Episcopal School for Ministry Follow Me and Do This Eucharistic Disciple Program Jesus called his disciples with the words “Follow me.” Later, he told his disciples how they could continue to follow him with the command, “Do this in remembrance of me.” We follow Jesus, we learn how to live as his disciples, in the celebration of the Eucharist. The Eucharistic Disciple Program, “Follow Me and Do This,” from the diocese’s Episcopal School for Ministry explores each of the basic actions of the Eucharist, and how these actions can become the ways we live faithfully. Some of these actions are: gathering with other Christians, listening to Scripture, confessing a common faith, and sharing the peace of Christ. • Nine two-hour sessions • Meeting once a month from September to May • Taught either on a week night or Saturday morning • Taught in three locations: St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, and Jefferson City For more information and to register contact: Cory Hoehn, ESM Registrar, [email protected] or 314-231-1220 ext. 1383.

SEPTEMBER 12

God Wants Everything You Have

Sunday

Seek

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

In the aftermath of the 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, I thought that it would be good to highlight some of the important actions for our common life that escaped the attention of the media. And many actions did. Here is a sampling. A realistic budget for mission. The Convention passed a three-year budget which takes into account the hard financial realities we are all facing. Expected revenues are set at sixteen percent lower than the previous three-year period. Staffing at the Church Center and budgets for meetings were deeply cut. Developing networks for mission and ministry, not maintaining staff, was made a spending priority. Denominational health plan. At the urging of the Church Medical Trust, the Episcopal Church’s health insurance company, the Convention approved a unified and comprehensive plan for insuring the Church’s lay and ordained employees. With almost everyone now to be covered by the Medical Trust, there should be substantial savings for the Church as a whole. Rachel’s Tears, Hannah’s Hopes.

This volume of pastoral and liturgical

The Practice of Stewardship is the topic of this year’s Making Disciples Conference. The format will follow that of previous years: morning sessions, Eucharist, lunch, and an afternoon speaker. More information in next month’s Seek. Please save the date. 4

Sunday Seek Bulletin, The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, 1210 Locust St., St. Louis, Missouri, 63103

August 2009

Bishop Wayne and Debbie Smith in Anaheim Photo credit: Peg Cooper, Diocesan UTO coordinator

resources will find a welcome across the breadth of the Episcopal Church, with materials for miscarriage, stillbirth, healing after an abortion, infertility, and related matters, all of which often go unaddressed. Clergy discipline. The Convention approved a complete reworking of the canons (church law) and procedures for responding to complaints against clergy, streamlining the process and building in greater accountability. Full communion with the Moravians.

The Bishops and Deputies approved a plan for full communion with the Moravian Church, a tiny but gifted Church with a long history predating the Reformation.

Sermons and music. Not legislative actions at all but important aspects of the daily routine of Eucharistic worship. My two favorite preachers were Rowan Williams and Ray Suarez (he of PBS’ News Hour and an Episcopalian), and my favorite music was anything from Africa. Preferably with drums!

The Rt. Rev. Wayne Smith Photo credit: Deputy Jay Kloecker

Tenth Bishop of Missouri

DISMANTLING RACISM PRESENTS TRACES OF THE TRADE

RE-ENERGIZE! WORKSHOP FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS

FRIDAY, SEPT. 18

registration by AUGUST 21 Saturday, August 29, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, 45 W. Lockwood Avenue

2:00 and 7:00 p.m.

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Christian Education committee in partnership with other denominations are sponsoring Re-Energize Christian Education, a continuing education experience for church educators, clergy, and lay leaders.

missouri history museum

An invitation to the diocese to attend a special screening of Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis’ Forest Park. This film was recently nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy. Filmmaker Katrina Browne will be in attendance, and will hold a conversation with the audience after each showing. The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Commission on Dismantling Racism are sponsoring this event in partnership with the Missouri History Museum. Traces of the Trade is a film about the Dewolfe Family of Bristol, Rhode Island, and their generational participation in the slave trade in America. The DeWolfes were and are still members of the Episcopal Church; their research demonstrated how members of the Episcopal Church participated in the growth and development of the slave trade in America. Chester Hines, Commission on Dismantling Racism’s chair, said, “This program fits perfectly with the vision and mission of the Commission. Traces of the Trade shows the connection between historical lack of social justice and the impact it has had on our church and community. History plays an important part in better understanding what steps must and should be taken to begin the process of healing racial

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Workshops include: Ministry In An Electronic Age. A look at social networking and other “new” technologies with Isaac Arten, Youth Minister, Church of St. Michael and St. George wounds and moving toward reconciliation. Traces of the Trade shows one family’s approach to this process. It happens that the family has significant ties and continuing relationships with the Episcopal Church. It is an opportunity for us to take a look at who we are.” DeWolf descendant and first-time filmmaker Katrina Browne said, “What most Americans don’t realize, is that it was Northern merchants who were largely responsible for the slave trade, not Southern ones.” It was Northern ships, with Northern trade goods, and Northern financing that propelled the slave trade. The North sent out 85% of all U.S. slaving voyages; New England sent 75%; and small Rhode Island was responsible for 58% of all U.S. voyages. Outside of R.I., the busiest ports were Boston and NYC. “We are thrilled and honored to be nominated for an Emmy in Research in recognition of our work to bring forward this buried history,” said Browne. In January 2010, the Missouri History Museum welcomes the special exhibition RACE: Are We So Different?. http://www.tracesofthetrade.org/

Sunday Seek Bulletin, August 2009

published six times a year

“Churching” Teens in a MySpace World. How to connect teens to the church in this new age of social networking. Brian Kuhn, Youth Director, Webster Groves Presbyterian Church. It’s Not Easy Being Green. What can churches do to be environmentally friendly? Here are some ideas to help “reduce, reuse, recycle.” Laura Schultz, Director of Christian Education, St. Peter’s, Ladue. For more information contact Laura Schultz 314-993-2306 or Janis Greenbaum 636-227-1484

NEXT MISSION TRIP TO LUI, APPLICATION BY 8/24 The Diocese of Missouri plans for at least two missions trips to the Diocese of Lui each year, God willing, and our last one for 2009 is scheduled for November 22 through December 4. Bishop Smith plans to accompany this trip. Plans for the trip include a conference for clergy and an art project with upper primary students. We are seeking people interested in helping with those events as well as missioners with expertise in agriculture, medicine, general engineering, and business administration for the diocesan office. The approximate cost of the trip will be $3000, which missioners are encouraged to raise through donations. The application is online at diocesemo.org and should be submitted

by August 24, 2009. Notification of selection for the next mission trip will be by September 4, 2009. Pictured above are Bishop Bullen, Rosemary the director of the midwifery school at Lui Hospital, and the Rev. Stephen Dokolo. They’re sitting inside the office fence at the tea party that followed the VSAT dedication. From the blog LuLuLui (God loves Lui, in the Moru language).

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, 1210 Locust St., St. Louis, Missouri, 63103

http://diocesemo.org

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