Episcopal Life Online Newslink August 2, 2007
Episcopal Life Online is available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.
Today's ELO Newslink includes:
* TOP STORY - Minneapolis bridge collapse prompts prayers and support * TOP STORY - Organizational effectiveness plan set for Episcopal Church Center * DIOCESAN DIGEST - VIRGINIA: Inhibited clergy released from obligations of priesthood * WORLD REPORT - IRELAND: Parish partnership ensures fun for kids in north Belfast * WORLD REPORT - PHILIPPINES: Church leaders hail 'proposed' cut in U.S. military aid
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TOP STORIES
Minneapolis bridge collapse prompts prayers and support
[Episcopal News Service] Prayers and support are being offered for the people of Minneapolis, Minnesota and families affected by the tragedy of the Interstate 35W Bridge, a section of which collapsed shortly after 6 p.m. on August 1, sending between 50-60 vehicles plummeting more than 60 feet into the Mississippi River.
Presently, there are four confirmed deaths, 79 injuries, and 20-30 people remain missing, an Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) news release announced. Minnesota Bishop James Jelinek released a statement on behalf of the diocese calling for prayers for those affected by the tragedy.
"On behalf of the Diocese of Minnesota, we offer our prayers to all who are affected by the devastating bridge collapse in Minneapolis August 1," said Jelinek. "The University Episcopal Center is about a half mile away from the site, and, to our knowledge, all are fine."
Richard Ohlsen, ERD's director of Domestic Disaster Preparedness and Response, is in communication with the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota to identify needs. Diocesan staff will be in touch with other voluntary disaster organizations and Episcopal Community Service agencies to determine the appropriate response to meet the needs of those impacted by the tragedy. ERD stands ready to provide support as needs are identified.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_88767_ENG_HTM.htm
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Organizational effectiveness plan set for Episcopal Church Center Diocesan services among new initiatives
By Bob Williams
[Episcopal News Service] Strategic groupings of advocacy, evangelism, leadership development, and partnerships -- together with a configuration of regional satellite offices to support strategic mission -- are central to a new organizational effectiveness plan to reshape ministries based at the Episcopal Church Center.
A new "diocesan services" unit, offering a comprehensive approach to local mission needs, is a highlight of the new plan initiated by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and drafted after five months of consultative work by two task forces.
"The new configuration will raise our level of service to the church," Jefferts Schori said July 26 while commending the plan's outline to the Church Center management team. "There is remarkable synchronicity in the development of this plan, and great potential for creativity and capacity building."
Four newly identified "work centers" -- Advocacy Center, Evangelism and Congregational Life Center, Mission Leadership Center, and Partnerships Center -- form the core of the new structure drafted by one of the task forces, the Working Group on Organizational Effectiveness.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_88750_ENG_HTM.htm
More Top Stories: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife
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DIOCESAN DIGEST
VIRGINIA: Inhibited clergy released from obligations of priesthood http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_88769_ENG_HTM.htm
More Diocesan news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_ENG_HTM.htm
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WORLD REPORT
IRELAND: Parish partnership ensures fun for kids in north Belfast http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_88770_ENG_HTM.htm
PHILIPPINES: Church leaders hail 'proposed' cut in U.S. military aid http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_88772_ENG_HTM.htm
More World news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_ENG_HTM.htm