The Episcopal Church
Awakening Page 1
Letter from Presiding Bishop Curry Page 2
Youth Opportunity Page 3
Jim Lile Ordination Bus Transportation to Awakening Page 4
Cheat Sheet Page 5
The Episcopal Church Page 6
April 4, 2017 To the People of the Diocese of West Missouri On May 10, 2016, the Standing Committee of the Diocese wrote me expressing concern about an erosion of trust and confidence in the leadership of your bishop, the Rt. Rev. Martin Field, and requesting mediation under Title III.12.10 of the canons of The Episcopal Church. In response, I asked Mary E. Kostel, Special Counsel to my office, to visit the Diocese and conduct preliminary interviews to further clarify the issues outlined in the letter from the Standing Committee. Following Ms. Kostel’s visit last June and based on her report, I appointed The Rt. Rev. Joe Burnett, retired bishop of Nebraska, and Ms. Sandra Kolb, a lay woman from the Diocese of Washington, to serve as a mediation team under Title III. Bishop Burnett and Ms. Kolb have visited the Diocese twice. Last October they met with the Bishop, the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, and diocesan staff, as well as with several individuals (both lay and clergy) in various leadership roles within the Diocese. They recommended a series of follow-up meetings to draft covenants between the Bishop and the Standing Committee and the Bishop and Diocesan Council that would outline mutually agreed-upon steps to reconcile differences, restore trust and strengthen the leadership team going forward. In February Bishop Burnett and Ms. Kolb held three day-long meetings, one each with the College of Presbyters, the Standing Committee and the Diocesan Council. In each case they found that while some specific issues raised in the May letter had been addressed, patterns of mistrust had not changed. They were, however, impressed by the overwhelming desire expressed by those who attended the meetings to work toward a solution that would allow Bishop Field’s episcopacy to succeed and enable the Diocese to move forward in mission and ministry. I met with Bishop Field during the recent gathering of the House of Bishops to express my hope that a mutually beneficial path forward could be found. I will be meeting with the Standing Committee to hear their ideas when I come to your Diocese in early May for the Awakening the Spirit in West Missouri events in Kansas City and Springfield. Following my time with you, I will decide how to best to move forward. I know that the length of time this process is taking must be frustrating to many of you, and I ask your patience and prayers as we work together to strengthen the leadership of this Diocese. Your servant in Christ,
The Most Rev. Michael Curry Presiding Bishop and Primate
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Youth Opportunity Come hear and meet our Presiding Bishop Special Lock-In & Pantry Breakfast Registration
We have an amazing opportunity to meet with our Presiding Bishop personally in a special time set aside for youth during his visit to our diocese. We'll also be working alongside him on Saturday morning for a special St. Paul's Pantry Breakfast! Location: St. Paul's, 11 E. 40th Street, Kansas City Check-in: The Lock-in begins at 7 pm on Friday, May 5. Check-out: We'll dismiss on Saturday, May 6 at 11:30 am, following the Pantry Breakfast. Who can come? Students in grades 5-12, adult volunteers and parents. Event Fee: $0....this special event is paid through the West Missouri youth ministry budget. A special message to youth and adults from other dioceses. We're excited for this weekend and your being there will make it even more special! Staying within Safeguarding guidelines, we ask that you provide a minimum of one adult for every one to six youth. Also, if your plans include heading to the Power & Light District following the 11:30 am lock-in checkout time, the parents/guardians of your youth would be responsible for accompanying youth to afternoon activities. And finally, if you are able, a small donation per group of youth to help offset expenses would be appreciated. If you have any questions during the online registration process, please contact Kim Snodgrass (417-793-0780) by phone or email.
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You are cordially invited to the Ordination of Jim Lile
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church T hu rs da y, M ay 18 , 20 17
6:30 p.m.
During the Examination, the ordinand promises to study the Scriptures, administer the sacraments, continue in prayer, and endeavor to live a Christ-like life. Following this, the Bishop lays his hands on the ordinand’s head to consecrate them for their ministry. Jim has been working toward this goal for about four years. He said that a great highlight of his education was attending the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. “In addition to the valuable instruction, I was able to study and worship with clergy and lay people from four dioceses.” Following his ordination, Jim will serve as the priest at All Saints’ in Nevada. Please join Ann and Jim on this meaningful day. “It’s the fulfillment of something that has been a long time coming. It marks an exciting new chapter in our lives.” Bus Transportation to the Springfield Awakening Sunday, May 7, 2017 St. Philip’s has chartered a Viking Trailways bus to provide transportation to parishioners wanting to attend the Springfield Awakening. The bus will leave St. Philip’s between 11:00 – 11:15, following the service (remember that we have one service only this weekend – 9:30). There is no cost to ride the bus, and seats are still available. There will be sandwiches, chips, etc. available for those who are going to Springfield to grab a quick bite before departure. Please note that there are no arrangements to stop on the way home. The bus will pick up the riders immediately after the activities and head straight back to Joplin. For more information, call Mary in the church office.
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The Most Reverend Cheat Sheet
Here’s a cheat sheet on the structure of the Episcopal Church and the role of the Presiding Bishop so we are super smart when he comes to Missouri. There will NOT be a test. General Convention • •
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The highest legislative body in the Episcopal Church Made up of the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops o House of Deputies: 800 representatives elected at diocesan conventions o House of Bishops: More than 300 retired bishops The Presiding Bishop is elected from and by the House of Bishops, and is confirmed by the House of Deputies, to serve a single nine-year term
Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry • • • • • • •
His role is the chief pastor and primate of the Episcopal Church Curry is originally from Buffalo, NY, and his father, the late Rev. Kenneth S. Curry, was a rector at St. Philip’s in that city for 17 years As a child, he set up a small chapel in his home’s attic and conducted Mass, using his sister’s dolls as congregants He graduated with high honors Hobart College in Geneva, NY (1975) and received a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School (1978) Curry was ordained in 1978, and he served in parish ministries in Ohio, Maryland, and North Carolina before becoming the Bishop of North Carolina The Episcopal Church Center – the national administrative headquarters in New York City – is where Curry works The Presiding Bishop has special interest in issues of social justice, including immigration policy and marriage equality
• Curry and his wife, Sharon, have two adult daughters, Rachel and Elizabeth
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The Episcopal Church As Episcopalians, we are followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and we believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Episcopal Church has members in the United States and the territory of Puerto Rico; and also in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Venezuela, Curacao, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Haiti, Honduras, Micronesia, Taiwan, and the Virgin Islands. We strive to love our neighbors as ourselves and respect the dignity of every person. The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and traces its heritage to the beginnings of Christianity. Our liturgy retains ancient structure and traditions and is celebrated in many languages. Both men and women, including those who are married, are eligible for ordination as deacons, priests and bishops. We believe in amendment of life, the forgiveness of sin, and life everlasting. Lay people exercise a vital role in the governance and ministry of our church. Holy Communion may be received by all baptized Christians, not only members of the Episcopal Church. We uphold the Bible and worship with the Book of Common Prayer. We affirm that committed relationships are lifelong and monogamous. Episcopalians also recognize that there is grace after divorce and do not deny the sacraments to those who have been divorced. We affirm that issues such as birth control are matters of personal informed conscience. We celebrate our unity in Christ while honoring our differences, always putting the work of love before uniformity of opinion. All are welcome to find a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church. Website: The Episcopal Church
OUR MISSION…..is to worship God, follow Christ, and love our neighbor. OUR VISION…is to continue to build our community of faith, according to Christ’s teachings, where all truly belong and are encouraged and enabled to participate in our mission. Your pictures and contributions can make the church more welcoming and perhaps encourage people to attend. Share your thoughts, message, special blessings, and accomplishments from your youth in our parish (ex: school accomplishments, graduations, awards, etc.).
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church 706 Byers – Joplin, MO 64801
TELEPHONE: 417-‐623-‐6893 FAX: 417-‐623-‐7870
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://www.stphilipsjoplin.com
FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/stphilipsjoplin
RECTOR: Fr. Francisco Sierra NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Maria Dermott PARISH SECRETARY: Mary Sparks
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. HE R ite I 9:00 a.m. Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Christian Education 10:30 a.m. HE Rite II Wednesday: 5:30 p.m. HE w/Unction Thursday: 12:15 p.m. Midday Service Secretary’s Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Friday – 9:30 a.m. -‐ Noon
If mailed, recipient’s n ame & address here
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