The BIG Take Out, June 29 2013

St. Peter's Bids Deacon Richard "Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord"

Deacon Richard (left of Bishop) at Fr. James' 2008 ordination 

You may not remember this, but back on May 18, 2008, when St. Peter's 3rd elected Rector was

being ordained a priest, a quiet deacon stood next to Bishop Nedi throughout the liturgy. That very same deacon became our very own deacon, Richard Buhrer, just a few years later.

During his time with us Deacon Richard has helped plan liturgies, composed our weekly Prayers of the People, made pastoral visits, preached, taxied the priest to diocesan events, conducted discernment meetings, taught coffee connections, advised the Altar Guild and a host of other things. And now our Deacon is headed of for a Sabbatical after which the Bishop will reassign him to another ministry as needed. It is natural to ask why. And I can say that aside from his own health concerns, there is no great catalyst for Deacon Richard's departure. It is just time. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens."

For years now, our Deacon has sent us out at the end of every service bidding us to "go in peace to love and serve the Lord." And now, on Sunday, May 12th, it is our turn to bid him the same. I hope you will join us after the service for an appreciative celebration of ministry with Deacon Richard and that you will hold him in your prayers as he follows Christ's call.

Fr. James+

Checking the Compass: Outcomes of our 2013 Mutual Ministry Review

Hikers and backpackers and any would-be John Muir know that not only are a map and compass essential to one's wilderness kit, but just as essential is the act of checking them from time to time. In fact, looking at a compass and map and surveying the surrounding terrain before becoming lost helps keep the traveler from losing the way.

At first glance, the prospect may seem unnecessary or tedious. After all, if the way is known, why check a map?  But by stopping, orienting, and observing the surroundings the journey is truly made more sweet.

The map and compass discipline is very analogous to the Mutual Ministry Review process now in place in the Diocese of Olympia and many of its congregations. In February St. Peter's held its own Mutual Ministry Review facilitated by a diocesan consultant, The Rev. Marda Steedman-Sandborn. (Results are provided in a a link within the Valor). The questions were simple but designed to identify areas of strength and of challenge. The process allowed for more voices to be heard and validated. Among the results were
1) the sense that the congregation has the energy to undertake transformative change and
2) that while we can identify a number of strengths, we were unable to identify our collective passion.  

What is 'passion'? 

In English we might use passion to describe
(a) deeply emotional and unrestrained love,
(b) a thing or activity, such as a hobby, about which one might obsess and find joy in having or doing,
(c) or as referring to the sufferings of Christ for the sake of humanity, as in "the Passion of Christ."
In our case, we mean the word in all three senses. For whom do we have or could we have unrestrained love? What activity or cause would we, as a parish, find joy of the Spirit in taking up with single-minded focus? For whom and what are we called to bear the Cross in passion and compassion and in imitation of Christ?

After meeting with Rev. Marda once more on March 3rd, the Vestry discerned that answering these kinds of questions centered on our passion would be the most helpful next step for us in our congregational journey.

Next Steps

On April 20th, the vestry met for an all day retreat. At the retreat it was agreed that these kinds of questions cannot be answered by the leadership for the congregation. Our passion comes from our own experience of where God's Salvation meets the World's greatest need. And yet we need a framework from which we can do congregational discernment together.

Looking at the past congregational meetings, surveys, and choices, the missional theme of engaging the disenfranchised, especially women and children, appeared again and again. Thus, the leadership decided to discern by trial. We would like to engage in missional outreach to Mary's Place, a Seattle
non-profit that "offers programs and services ... where homeless women and their children can build community, enrich their days and find resources to restore their lives."

We will be talking and doing more in regards to discovering our passion and the ministry of Mary's Place in the days to come. Your voice and sense of the Spirit is needed. I hope you will join in St. Peter's discernment of God's call on us and God's gifts to us as parish family for the sake of a World that deeply needs Christ.

In love and service,

Fr. James+


 

Bricks for Haiti Campaign: A HUGE Success!

[From our Bishop, The Right Rev. Gregory H. Rickel]

Dear Ones,

Today, I am full of gratitude for your generosity and for your vision. When our diocese joined the effort to help rebuild Holy Trinity Cathedral in Haiti, I knew to expect great things. Our diocese has a long history of responding to the needs of others, both abroad and at home. Our dedicated parish lay leaders and clergy "walked the walk" in supporting recovery in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, fighting malaria in Africa through NetsforLife, and providing clean water through the Wine Into Water campaign. I knew that despite the daily demands of your lives and the economic challenges of our time, you would share generously of all your gifts in answering the call of our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Today, I am pleased to say that the people of the Diocese of Olympia have exceeded all our hopes
and expectations! Working together, the members of more than 65 churches have contributed over $118,700 toward rebuilding the center of spiritual life and community in the largest and poorest diocese of the Episcopal Church. As is typical for our diverse diocese, each church "did it their own way" -- tailoring the campaign to fit their talents, capabilities and priorities. We know that some gave directly, individually, and that was just as crucial and appreciated in our reaching this goal. As a result, our diocese is one of the most generous in "grass-roots giving" in the Episcopal Church. Thank you! I give special thanks to all of the local organizers, and most especially to the person I entrusted with this campaign, and who "knocked it out of the park" Jennifer Daugherty. She has proven herself an amazing leader.

As the Bishop of Haiti has said, your generosity will do more than raise up bricks and cement. It  ill raise the hopes of a people who have lost so much of their earthly habitation. It will raise the spirit of a community made weary, and it will inspire the minds and hearts of the young men and women who knew Trinity as their intellectual and artistic home. On behalf of them all, I am deeply grateful and I bless you.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel
Bishop of Olympia

Anglican Church in Canada confesses and asks forgiveness for secretly selling Japanese Canadian church buildings

Highlights from the Council of General Synod: March 14

March 14, 2013 -  This document is also available as a PDF.

Japanese-Canadian presentation

Archdeacon Jim Boyles, former General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada, introduced speakers representing the Japanese-Canadian Vancouver Consultative Council: Joy Kogawa, Lynne Shozawa, and Greg Tatchell.

The speakers shared the story of how two Vancouver Japanese-Canadian churches-Holy Cross and the Church of the Ascension-were sold by the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster after World War II.

In 1942, 22,000 Japanese Canadians were sent to internment camps. On April 1, 1949, they were allowed to return. The church sold Church of the Ascension in 1945 and Holy Cross Church was sold just months after Japanese Canadians were allowed to return to Vancouver.

JC-VCC researchers have spent years piecing together the stories of these properties and were finally able to prove the story in 2009.

Bishop Michael Ingham, Diocese of New Westminster, apologized for these actions in 2010.

"Racism is and has been part of our church," read Bishop Ingham's apology, "and we should acknowledge and repent of it."

*Resolution
COGS adopted the following resolution from the Partners in Mission and Ecojustice Committee:

1. Acknowledges the injustices experienced by Japanese Canadian Anglicans at the hands of our Church during and after WW II; and confesses the error of our ways.

2. Expresses its gratitude for the activities of the Japanese Canadian Vancouver Consultative Council (JC-VCC) and the Diocese of New Westminster, which since 2008 have braved to tell the truth about a long, hidden story of racism at numerous levels of our Church, including the naming of the 1,500 Japanese Canadian Anglicans who were exiled in 1942.

3. Supports the 2010 apology made by Bishop Michael Ingham for the sale of Japanese Congregation Churches in the Diocese of New Westminster in 1949.

4. Recognizes that deep-seated historic racism continues as a source of pain to Japanese  Canadian Anglicans across Canada, and commends every effort in the interests of healing and reconciliation.

5. Recommends that the Council of General Synod study the Episcopal Church's Asiamerica Ministries to explore ways of our participation in it.

6. Encourages the dioceses of the Anglican Church of Canada to be mindful of the growing multi-cultural membership of our Church, to celebrate that diversity, and to enhance partnerships in common ministry.

The Primate spoke to the resolution. "I want to express gratitude to those who came to tell this story," he said.

"This is a sign to the whole church to acknowledge sins of the past and expresses a desire to be continually reconciled."

JC-VCC members gave the Primate a plaque that tells the story of their churches.

"What's Going on Here?!"

Ever wonder what's happening at St. Peter's or around the Diocese? 

1) You can always look online at Parish Events Calendar ( http://bit.ly/stpetereventscalendar ). Our events calendar can even be set up on your iPhone/iPad or Android device. See Fr. James for help doing so. 

2) For the Diocese of Olympia events including Safeguarding trainings, spirituality workshops, free concerts, and adult forums on all sorts of topics, see its webpage, www.ecww.org , and select "What's Happening".  

3) For behind the scenes info on what your vestry has been up to, don't forget to see the "Vestry Highlights" linked to each monthly e-Valor.   

4) And don't forget about these:

    webpage -  www.stpeterseattle.org

    Facebook - www.facebook.com/stpeterseattle

    Twitter -      www.twtter.com/stpeterseattle

                       or @stpeterseattle

    Valor Blog - http://thevalorblog.blogspot.com/

The Catechumenate at St. Peter's Episcopal, Seattle

The Catechumenate*

(Preparation for Adult Baptism)

The Catechumenate is a period of preparation in which a Catechumen, defined here as a person capable of making mature faith decisions of faith and commitment for themself and desiring to be a Christian, undergoes training and formation in the Christian Faith within the Christian community. There is no specified length of time this period may last since readiness for baptism is determined by the catechumen in conjunction with Sponsors, Catechist (Teacher) and the clergy. This period typically, but not always, lasts between three months to a year.

In the Episcopal Tradition, Catechumens are often baptized on the Great Vigil of Easter, usually held on the Saturday night before the Sunday morning Easter Service. It has been St. Peter's recent tradition to baptize Catechumens on Pentecost Sunday (50 days after Easter Sunday), a common practice in old days of the British Isles from whence our Christian tradition comes.   

There are three stages of the Catechumenate.

STAGE 1:  Inquiry. During this time catechumens are instructed to examine their own motivations that they may freely choose Christ of their own accord. Preconceived notions of Christianity are also called into question. Inquirer’s classes are encouraged and group and individual meetings with the Catechist and clergy are encouraged. 

STAGE 2:  Catechumenate. Each person wishing to be baptized is presented by at least two sponsors to the congregation in a liturgical rite held at a Sunday Eucharist. This rite usually includes signing of the cross upon the forehead by the priest, a commitment from the parish community to pray for and encourage the catechumen in love, grace, and mercy, and the catechumen’s commitment to the following:

1)      Regular attendance at Sunday Eucharists with their sponsors. (Heb. 10:24-25)

2)      Attendance at regularly scheduled meetings (at least twice a month) with sponsors and teachers. The topics of discussion will include the most recent Scripture readings and other Biblical readings as well as the catechumen’s experience of the Christian Faith as they are living it. (Acts 2:42)

3)      Daily recitation of the Daily Office, meaning praying Morning and Evening Prayer. (1 Thess. 5:17)

4)      Practice of the Christian Way of Life with the understanding that earnest striving and faithfulness are our goals, not perfection. (Matt. 22:36-40; 1 John 1:5-10)

It is during this second stage that the Catechumen, accompanied by sponsors, the catechist, and others, will experience and digest a significant portion of the Christian faith. Typically, this reflection occurs by reflecting upon the worship and Scripture lessons of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. The format for this period of learning is to experience first and then to reflect and discuss. 

STAGE 3: Candidacy for Baptism. This stage includes a series of liturgical acts that are designed to complete the preparation of the Catechumen for Holy Baptism. They are as important for the candidate as they are for the community and take place at the Sunday morning liturgy. Typically, the following are observed:

1)      Ash Wednesday

2)      Enrollment of Catechumens for Baptism on the first Sunday of Lent.

3)      The Presentation of the Creed on the Third Sunday of Lent (or Easter 2)

4)      The Presentation of the Lord’s Prayer on the Fifth Sunday of Lent (or Easter 4)

5)      Vigil before Baptism (observed the evening immediately before the day or night of baptism)

6)      Baptism at The Easter Vigil or at the Feast of Pentecost

7)      The Sunday Following Baptism (Easter Sunday, Easter 2, or Trinity Sunday)  

THE BAPTISMAL LIFE:  Holy Baptism, like marriage, is not a certificate program. Completion of the process does not mean one is finished, just as getting married does not mean the marriage is completed and over. Rather, in both Baptism and marriage, the sacrament signifies the beginning of a new relationship.

            Therefore, it is expected that the newly Baptized will continue in that new relationship to God and to their neighbor, “devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). And also that they will remember in prayer and action the poor and the neglected, the orphans and the widows, the oppressed and forgotten, just as Christ has remembered us.

            And so, “let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 10:24-25)

 

*  This information is based on the Catechumenate pattern set forth in The Book of Occasional Services, 2003 by Church Pension Fund, copyright 2004 and used by permission.