wfn.org | [ENS] Diocesan Digest

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

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Episcopal News Service: Diocesan Digest

* CONNECTICUT: Statement by Bishop Andrew D. Smith of Connecticut
* KANSAS: Christ Church parishioners approve separation
* NEW MEXICO: Prison Ministry conference slated for five Southwest
dioceses

CONNECTICUT: Statement by Bishop Andrew D. Smith of Connecticut

Bishop Andrew D. Smith of Connecticut invited all the clergy of the
diocese
to a meeting with him at Christ Church Cathedral on Thursday, April 21,
from
10 to 11:30 a.m. to talk about the issues over implementing Delegated
Episcopal Pastoral Oversight for six of the congregations in the
diocese. A
report will follow from the Diocese of Connecticut.

Bishop Smith released the following statement April 18 after a meeting
with
the six rectors who have refused to accept Smith's leadership:

"The fundamental organization for mission and life within the Episcopal
Church is a geographical area called a diocese, whose head is its
bishop.
That principle was established at the first ecumenical Council of Nicaea
in
325 A.D.
	The historic ministry of the bishop is to be shepherd of a diocese.
The shepherd's staff that the bishop carries in worship symbolizes the
bishop's care, in the name of Jesus, for everyone in the diocese. The
relationship to the whole diocese is fundamental for the Episcopal
Church,
no matter what the time or situation or issue.

Full statement: http://www.ctdiocese.org/news/press.shtml

KANSAS: Christ Church parishioners approve separation

[ENS, Source: Diocese of Kansas] -- The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas and
the
rector and vestry of Christ Episcopal Church of Overland Park, Kansas,
jointly announced that Christ Church parishioners have approved an
agreement
to separate from the diocese and the national Episcopal Church.
	Voting occurred at special parish meetings April 3, 10 and 17.	The
agreement was approved, 873 to 211.
	"Although both parties are sad that this separation is going to
occur, we both feel that it is the only realistic course given our
disagreements," said the Rev. Ronald L. McCrary, rector.
	"The diocese and parish have attempted to conduct the entire process
with respect for one another's beliefs and opinions," said Bishop Dean
E.
Wolfe of Kansas. "While these issues have caused great pain for many
people,
the agreement allows us to move forward on separate paths in our
ministries."

Full story: http://www.episcopal-ks.org/news/Finalannouncement.html

NEW MEXICO: Prison Ministry conference slated for five Southwest
dioceses
By Val Hymes

[ENS] -- "Exodus: Helping Others on the Way to Successful Reentry" is
the
title of the 2005 prison ministry conference slated for five Episcopal
dioceses in the Southwest May 12-14 at the Cathedral of St. John in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
	The dioceses of  the Rio Grande, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and
Navajoland are invited to participate.
	The conference will focus on "opportunities for the Christian
community to help make today's inmate tomorrow's good neighbor," said
the
Rev. Steve Caldwell, coordinator.
	Sponsored by the Office of Peace and Justice Ministries of the
Episcopal Church, it will open with a dinner and greetings from Bishop
Coadjutor Jeffrey Steenson of the Rio Grande.
	Speakers Friday include corrections officials, an ex-offender, an
Episcopal Church Washington lobbyist, retired prison warden and youth
facility superintendent and a panel of	rehabilitation program experts,
a
prison chaplain and corrections official.
	A variety of workshops spelling out reentry and aftercare programs
including those for addiction, spirituality, therapy, parolees, women
and
inmates' children will take place Friday morning.
	Saturday's plenary session and closing Eucharist will be led by the
Rev. Jackie Means, criminal justice officer and director of prison
ministry
for the Episcopal Church.
	The conference grew out of the increased concerns about recidivism,
with about 60% of all ex-offenders going back to crime.
	"We must do something about it," said Caldwell, retired rector of
St. Chads, Albuquerque.
	"That means doing something about providing healthy, creative,
supportive aftercare upon reentry into society after prison. The Church
has
a noble opportunity to be part of that care team, and has unique gifts
to
contribute to its effectiveness.
	"This conference," he added, "is about seizing that opportunity and
ministering those gifts."
	For more information, contact the Rev. Steve Caldwell, 505.823.9219
or srcabq@comcast.net.

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