Episcopal Life Online Newslink July 2, 2007
Episcopal Life Online is available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.
Today's ELO Newslink includes:
* TOP STORY - Executive Council thanks covenant study guide responders * TOP STORY - Stay calm amid tensions, Bonnie Anderson urges Rio Grande Episcopalians * TOP STORY - Survey of Episcopal Church lay employees underway * DIOCESAN DIGEST - KANSAS: Flooding hits diocese, parish family staying in church after evacuating home * WORLD REPORT - KENYA: Massachusetts priest to become bishop, Church announces * FEATURE - Great idea: 'Tape it!'
_____________________
TOP STORIES
Executive Council thanks covenant study guide responders
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
[Episcopal News Service] The Executive Council is sending its thanks to all those people who responded to questions in a study guide aimed at helping the Episcopal Church consider the draft version of a proposed Anglican Covenant.
The study guide, prepared by a subcommittee of the Executive Council's International Concerns Standing Committee (INC), was released in mid-April with invitation for response by June 4 to a series of questions it contained. The General Convention office collected more than 400 responses, many of them representing more than one person's input.
Those who responded via e-mail received an electronic thank-you note late last week. Individuals and groups who responded by mail or fax should be receiving the Council's thanks via a letter. Council approved a resolution during its June meeting in Parsippany, New Jersey, to thank to the responders.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_87526_ENG_HTM.htm
- - - - -
Stay calm amid tensions, Bonnie Anderson urges Rio Grande Episcopalians
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
[ENS, ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico] House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson told more than 275 people gathered June 30 in the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande to both be prepared and to stay calm amid the current tensions in the diocese, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.
"Keep your eyes on the prize, which is the reconciliation of the world through Jesus Christ, whom we love more than life itself," Anderson told the meeting at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. "And keep calm."
People from 21 of the diocese's 60 congregations attended the afternoon meeting sponsored by Episcopalians for the Future in the Diocese of the Rio Grande, which included presentations by Anderson and her chancellor, Sally Johnson, and a question-and-answer period. Those sessions were interspersed with hymns, prayers and a period of silent reflection.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_87489_ENG_HTM.htm
- - - - -
Survey of Episcopal Church lay employees underway Questionnaire part of unprecedented study
[Church Pension Group] A survey of lay employees, the latest phase of the first comprehensive research study of Episcopal Church lay employees undertaken by the Church Pension Group (CPG), is now underway.
The study of lay employees, a historically overlooked group, was authorized by the 75th General Convention through Resolution A125. The resolution asked for the study as part of the church's effort to "make the Episcopal Church a fair and just workplace."
Lay employee census forms were sent to every Episcopal congregation in the U.S. as well as Episcopal dioceses and institutions beginning last February. The census asked employers to provide lay employee demographics such as year of hire, date of birth, gender, preferred language, and marital status; where and how lay employees serve; number of hours worked; and compensation ranges and benefits. CPG expresses its appreciation to the many congregations, dioceses, and institutions that completed the online and paper census forms.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_87482_ENG_HTM.htm
More Top Stories: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife
_____________________
DIOCESAN DIGEST
KANSAS: Flooding hits diocese, parish family staying in church after evacuating home http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_87519_ENG_HTM.htm
More Diocesan news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_ENG_HTM.htm
_____________________
WORLD REPORT
KENYA: Massachusetts priest to become bishop, Church announces http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_87529_ENG_HTM.htm
More World news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_ENG_HTM.htm
_____________________
FEATURES
Great idea: 'Tape it!'
[Episcopal Life] Clergy candidates seeking employment may like this idea from Paul Tait of Perrysburg, Ohio: Send the search committee a videotaped sermon.
With budgets tight, travel to other locations -- especially out of the diocese or across the country -- can be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. A videotape of a prospective preacher would be a great help, says Tait, a former senior warden and search committee member. He stresses that he envisions a "live" delivery, in front of a congregation, not just a reading of a sermon in front of a camera. The search committee would want to see the congregation's responses as well as the preacher.
"Whether or not you are seeking a new position, it is a good way to check your delivery and preaching skills," says Tait.
To respond to this idea, e-mail greatidea@episcopal-life.org. We welcome your own great ideas at the same address.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81834_87464_ENG_HTM.htm
More Features: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78936_ENG_HTM.htm
- - - - - - - - -
To UNSUBSCRIBE from Episcopal Life Online or change your address, click here: http://mh.epicom.org/c.php?L=enslist&E=mdavies@episcopalchurch.org
To SUBSCRIBE to Episcopal Life Online, send a blank email message, from the address which you wish subscribed, to join-enslist@epicom.org and include "subscribe" in the subject line.
Send QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS to news@episcopalchurch.org
ELO provides information and resources which we consider to be of interest to our readers.
However, statements and opinions expressed in the articles and communications herein, are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of ELO or the Episcopal Church.