wfn.org | [ENS] Global mission network certifies Diocesan Mission Agents,

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

Daybook, from Episcopal News Service

August 8, 2005 -- Monday Mission

Global mission network certifies Diocesan Mission Agents, launches Young
Adult program

By Kate Day

[Episcopal News Service] At its 10th annual Mission Institute, held at
Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis on June 23-24, the Global
Episcopal
Mission Network (GEM Network) awarded certificates to the first
graduates of
a new program that prepares Episcopalians to be Global Mission Agents in
their home dioceses. A Global Mission Agent, as defined by GEM Network,
is
someone who works to equip and organize individuals, parishes and
diocesan
organizations for effective global mission engagement. The agent's job
is
not to direct or control global mission within a diocese, but to
encourage
and support everyone involved in it and get them talking to one another.

The Rev. Mark Harris, former director of the GEM Network, is responsible
for
developing the 3-year certificate program. To be certified, a person
must
attend the GEM Mission Institute for three years, and complete field
work
and written work in the intervals between Institutes. Harris and Chris
Brennan conducted the program. Those certified (and their home dioceses)
this year include: Donald Engstrom (Western Massachusetts), Mary Louise
Gotthold (California), S. Jane Griesbach (W Mass), James Heathcote
(Southern
Ohio), Margaret Larom (Director of Anglican and Global Relations,
Episcopal
Church Center), Susan Messenger (Central NY), Virginia Peterson
(Atlanta),
Claudia Pistek (Delaware), and Margaret Van Auker (Maryland).

A brand new project of GEM Network was also launched at this year's
Mission
Institute: the Young Adult Mission Educational Institute (YMEI -
pronounced
"why me"). This program brought together young adults, ages 18 - 24, who
have already had a significant mission experience. For two days,
participants celebrated their experiences, reflected on them both
theologically and logistically, and planned for the next step in their
own
mission involvement - both as missionaries and as global mission agents
in
their dioceses.

Backed by a generous grant from UTO, YMEI was developed and staffed by
three
members of the GEM Network Board: Marcus Cunningham (seminarian at
Sewanee
from the Diocese of Northern Indiana); Ben Calder (Central
Pennsylvania);
and the Rev. Kate Day (Central New York). The participants included:
Rachel
Colson, Young Adult Service Corps alumna and current law student at
Syracuse
University (Central New York); Joe MacKenzie (Southern Ohio); Brittany
King,
student at Valparaiso University (Southern Ohio); and Kaitlin Youck
(Indianapolis). Each participant has already shown significant
leadership in
their churches and dioceses, and all expressed an eagerness to work to
expand the YMEI program for next year.

The YMEI program ran in conjunction with the larger GEM Network Mission
Institute, with separate workshops specifically designed for the young
adults. Dr. Esther Mombo, academic dean of St. Paul's Theological
College in
Limuru, Kenya, and member of the Lambeth Commission on Communion, gave
the
keynote address for the overall Mission Institute. Her address took its
topic, "Ambassadors of Reconciliation," from the theme of this year's
Institute, and can be found on the GEMN website: www.gemn.org.

Global Episcopal Mission is a network of member dioceses. Each member
diocese sends two representatives appointed by their diocesan bishop to
the
annual meeting, which takes place in the context of GEM Network's
two-day
Mission Institute. The 2006 Mission Institute will be held at Kenyon
College
in Gambier, Ohio, June 8-9. Kenyon is an historic Episcopal college one
hour's drive northeast of Columbus, where the 2006 General Convention
will
be held starting on June 13. Current active member dioceses include:
Atlanta, California, Central New York, Central Pennsylvania, Delaware,
East
Tennessee, Eastern Michigan, Georgia, Michigan, Idaho, Indianapolis,
Kansas,
Lexington, Long Island, Maryland, New York, Northern Indiana, Oklahoma,
Oregon, Rhode Island, Southern Ohio, Southwest Florida, Western
Louisiana,
Western Massachusetts, and Western New York

Open to all, regardless of whether one's diocese is an active member of
the
GEM Network, the Mission Institute brings together lay people and clergy
who
share a passion for overseas mission. Workshops, addresses and worship
address all pertain to theological and practical aspects of sending and
receiving missionaries. More information about the GEM Network can be
found
at www.gemn.org.

 -- The Rev. Kate Day is rector of Christ Church in Jordan, New York,
Diocese of Central New York.