wfn.org | [ENS] Diocesan Digest

["Matthew Davies" <mdavies@episcopalchurch.org>]

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Episcopal News Service: Diocesan Digest

* BETHLEHEM -- Parish breaks ground for Life Center
* EASTON -- Former finance administrator accused of embezzlement
* FLORIDA -- Bishop commits to church's unity
* MARYLAND -- Church takes prison ministry to dioceses
* MINNESOTA -- Diversity, growth celebrated at Holy Apostles parish
* NEW YORK -- General Seminary begins construction on new Tutu Education
Center
* NORTH DAKOTA -- Bishop plans forum series on Windsor Report

BETHLEHEM -- Parish breaks ground for Life Center

[ENS, Source: Diocese of Bethlehem] -- Ministry in the Diocese of
Bethlehem
is growing with a new $1.5 million expansion at St. Gabriel's Episcopal
Church in Douglassville, Pennsylvania.
	Bishop Paul Marshall of Bethlehem presided over the recent
ground-breaking for the new Parish Life Center, a 12,400-square-foot
structure that will accomplish several long-term goals, according to the
Rev. Calvin C. Adams, rector. The center will include much needed
classroom
space for Sunday and weekday Christian Education and day care classes.
The
new space will also provide additional administrative space for clergy
and
staff, as well as retrofit the existing classrooms and offices for ADA
compliance, including the installation of an elevator.
	The Parish Life Center is the final piece of a three-phased plan
envisioned by the Campus Master Plan Committee of St. Gabriel's. Each of
these projects is bold in scope, and reflects St. Gabriel's commitment
to
the community and to the future.

Full story by Bill Lewellis:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_62383_ENG_HTM.htm

- - - - -

EASTON -- Former finance administrator accused of embezzlement

[ENS, Source: Easton Star-Democrat] -- The former finance administrator
for
the Episcopal Diocese of Easton has been accused of embezzling money
from
the diocese, which includes Maryland's Eastern Shore.
	According to a May 25 article in the Easton Star-Democrat, Gail Roe
Swartz faces 19 counts each of forging private documents and theft over
$500, and one count of a theft scheme over $500, police said.
	The newspaper reported that, among other allegations, the diocesan
treasurer's signature had been forged on checks, and that a forensic
auditor
discovered alleged misuse of a diocesan credit card. Exact amounts are
being
tabulated.
	Diocesan officials confirmed that the matter is under investigation.
Swartz's trial is set for July 11 in Talbot County District Court,
according
to the Star-Democrat.

- - - - -

FLORIDA -- Bishop commits to church's unity

[ENS, Source: The Times-Union, Jacksonville] -- Bishop John Howard of
Florida has declared that "his flock will no longer be distracted" by
the
controversies that have consumed his diocese for almost two years, the
Times-Union reported May 22.
	Opening the diocese's 162nd annual convention with a sermon May 21,
Howard reportedly called for reconciliation between the diocese and
"those
theological conservatives who demand the Episcopal Church repent for its
actions."
	A number of resolutions, all of which were defeated, called on the
diocese to distance itself from the Episcopal Church and strengthen its
ties
with the 77-million-strong Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal
Church
is a member.
	"Those who feel you must leave, I say, follow your conscience,"
Howard said. "But if you leave I will not follow you. I cannot follow
you
because I am charged with guarding the unity of this church."

- - - - -

MARYLAND -- Church takes prison ministry to dioceses
By Val Hymes

[ENS, Source: Prison Ministry Network News] -- An Episcopal Church
emissary
for prison ministry traveled the State of Maryland May 5-12, visiting
two
state prisons and meeting with the bishops and prison ministers of four
dioceses -- Maryland, Washington, Easton and Delaware.
	It was part of a series of regional prison ministry conferences by
the Rev. Jacqueline A. Means, criminal justice officer in the Episcopal
Church's Office of Peace and Justice Ministries.
	"The bishops, the clergy and lay ministers were open to dialogue and
are working on the issues of reentry, inmates' children, gangs,
faith-based
programs, help for families traveling long distances to visit prisoners,
and
the private prison industry," she said.
	Means, a former prison chaplain, addressed the 221st convention of
the Diocese of Maryland, urging the delegates to start a camp program
for
inmates' children. She also urged a partnership with Big Brothers and
Sisters to mentor the children, met with area prison ministers and the
Prison Ministry Task Force, and visited the Maryland Correctional
Institution in Hagerstown.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_62396_ENG_HTM.htm

- - - - -

MINNESOTA -- Diversity, growth celebrated at Holy Apostles parish
by Joe Bjordal

[ENS, Source: Diocese of Minnesota] -- Church of the Holy Apostles in
St.
Paul, Minnesota, used the Day of Pentecost as the backdrop for a
celebration
of diversity and of growth. The previously all-Anglo congregation has
become
home to people and families with ethnic backgrounds such as Liberian,
Latino, Filipino and Ojibway. The new senior warden is from Liberia. The
junior warden from Puerto Rico.
	Holy Apostles has opened its doors wide to a large contingent of
Hmong refugees from southwest Asia. Some 70 families, totaling more than
500
persons are now being incorporated into the congregation. A worship
space
that was previously mostly empty on Sunday morning is now typically full
to
overflowing. It was standing room only on the Day of Pentecost.
	The special guest and preacher on the Day of Pentecost was the Rev.
Dr. Fred Vergara, Asian-American missioner for the Episcopal Church.
Vergara
had spent the previous two days with the leadership and members of the
congregation.
	In his sermon, Vergara said that Holy Apostles "stands on the edge
of Christian mission in the 21st Century."

Full story and streaming video:
http://www.episcopalmn.org/News_051805_HolyApostles.htm

- - - - -

NEW YORK -- General Seminary begins construction on new Tutu Education
Center

[ENS, Source: General Theological Seminary] -- In a colorful procession
along the sidewalks outside its historic home in Chelsea, the trustees,
faculty, staff, and students of the General Theological Seminary (GTS)
marked the beginning of construction on the new Desmond Tutu Education
Center May 18.
	After a brief ceremony, the Very Rev. Ward B. Ewing, dean and
president of the Seminary, perching high atop a ladder in his clerical
vestments, took a large pair of wire cutters and removed several links
in
the security fence surrounding the Seminary buildings which face 10th
Avenue
-- an action intended to symbolize General's commitment to opening up
the
seminary to the world, a central mission of the new education center.
	Following the conclusion of a dedicatory prayer, the assembled
members of the procession, many carrying colorful balloons, burst into
joyous applause. The symbolic action signaled the beginning of
construction
on the $23 million project which will begin in several weeks, with
completion expected in two years.
	Having been long in the design and planning stage, the new Tutu
Center will contain four learning centers, a high tech conference
facility,
and sixty well-appointed guestrooms. The name of the new facility honors
Anglican leader and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu. A longtime friend of
the
seminary, Archbishop Tutu was a visiting professor here when he was
awarded
the prize in 1984.

Full story: http://www.gts.edu/news_view.asp?langdisp=&id=128

- - - - -

NORTH DAKOTA -- Bishop plans forum series on Windsor Report

[ENS, Source: Diocese of North Dakota] -- Bishop Michael G. Smith of
North
Dakota is planning a statewide forum series in June to engage the
diocese in
"serious, reasoned and informed conversation about the Windsor Report."
	Encouraging people to read the Windsor Report for themselves rather
than relying on what others say about it, Smith has extended an
invitation
to all Episcopalians of the diocese, and especially Diocesan Convention
delegates, to participate in one of the Windsor Report "Church Hall
meetings."

Full letter and itinerary:
http://www.episcopal-nd.org/index.php?action=page_manager_view_single&page_i
d=3

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