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The Episcopal Diocese of MissouriSeek
I remember reading somewhere in the works of Roland Allen, great Angli-can theologian of mission, his idea of the most important thing that a missionary can do: Go on leave. To do otherwise is, first, to distrust the Spirit, and second, to disregard the gifts of the very community in which one serves. Any work worth doing can lead to fantasies that one is irreplaceable, a deception undercut by Allen’s good sense. The dignity and value intrinsic to any human being cannot be in doubt, and the pursuit of excellence in the doing of one’s vocation is a virtue. But no one person is indispensable, a truth worth remembering.
The practice of Sabbath itself, holy leisure, reminds the believer who is God—and who is not. Human being, ca-pable creature of God that we are, does not run the universe. We have some re-sponsibilities for the cosmos, yes, but we are not in charge. The full stop provided by Sabbath time, interwoven into the very structure of creation in Genesis 1, should remind us of that truth about God. We can quit working, and the universe goes on—precisely because we are not God. The God-ward direction of Sabbath time complements that other crucial piece inherent to the day, the practice of holy rest, the restorative value of intentional leisure, in and of itself. Human being grows weary and needs rest, and Sabbath time is a gift from the Creator to these beloved creatures. For years I have encouraged col-leagues in ordained ministry to take substantial time away at regular in-tervals. I believe that the processes of disengagement from one’s community and re-engagement afterward bear fruit, both for the cleric involved and for the community. I have pushed people to make space in that time away for four purposes: sheer rest, self-care, spiritual renewal, and learning for its own sake. So now it is time for me to heed my own advice, and I am taking two months, March and April, away from the day-to-day ministry as Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri. This is my first Sabbati-cal during my tenure as Bishop, and it will not be my last. Let me sketch out my plans. In early March I will head to
March 2010Sunday
4 Sunday Seek Bulletin, The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, 1210 Locust St., St. Louis, Missouri, 63103
Bishop Wayne Smith preaching at Grace Episcopal Church in Jefferson City on Feb. 28th, the day before his 2 month sabbatical began.
ESM ONLINE BOOK CLUB: Mar. 29 SaBBath By DaN aLLENDEr
Part of the Ancient Practices Series, Thomas Nelson publisher. The on-line chat will begin on the last Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The discussion area will be open throughout the final week of each month (or longer) for on-going conversation and discussion.
You’ll need an invitation to join us in the online class-room. Please contact Fr. Rod Wiltse, ESM faculty and discussion facilitator at [email protected]. http://www.nfomedia.com/1093/
Future TitlesApril - Fasting by Scot McKnight
May - The Sacred Meal by Nora GallagherJune - The Pilgrimage by Diana Butler Bass
September - The Liturgical Year by Joan ChittisterOctober - Tithing by Douglas LaBlanc
November - The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle
a MOMENt fOr a SErIOUS rEMINDEr
Attending Dismantling Racism Training is Required for all diocesan Clergy, Employees, Volunteers who supervise youth, and Vestry/Exec. Ctte. members.
Attending a Safeguarding God’s Children training (now also available on-line) is Required for all diocesan Clergy, Employees, Volunteers who supervise youth, and recommended for all unpaid Sunday school teachers.
Attending Sexual Exploitation in Communities of Faith Training is Required for all diocesan Clergy and Volunteers who supervise youth, and recommended for all Employees and Vestry/Exec cttes.
Each year requires reading and signing diocesan policy by April 1 for all diocesan Clergy, Employees, Volunteers who supervise youth, and Vestry/Exec cttes.
The two Dismantling Racism trainings in 2010 are March 12-13 in Columbia (there are still a dozen spots available) and July 9-10 in St. Louis. More infor-mation from Cory Hoehn in the Offices of the Bishop, [email protected] or 314-231-1220 x1383.
For all Safeguarding God’s People training information contact Robin Weisenborn in the Offices of the Bishop, [email protected], or 314-231-1220 x1373.
2 3Sunday Seek Bulletin, March 2010, published six times a year The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, 1210 Locust St., St. Louis, Missouri, 63103 http://diocesemo.org
South Texas, for two weeks of warm-weather camping, pure leisure. Later in March I will drive to Camp Allen, near Houston, for the spring meeting of the House of Bishops. (Let me say that I had considered not attending this meeting but came to realize how restorative I find this peculiar community, that I would miss not being with friends and colleagues.) I then will spend Holy Week and Easter at Sewanee, keeping the rites of the season with that community, mostly at the School of The-ology. The rest of April I will devote to some pursuits of learning—and perhaps
some writing. I am grateful to the Diocese of Mis-souri for making it possible to be away; I know that I am eager for rest and renewal. I hope, in fact, that this time of Sabbatical will make for my deeper engagement with the Diocese of Missouri, and enhance the work we share in serving God’s mission.
+Wayne SmithTenth Bishop of Missouri
SaBBatICaL CONt’D.
Grace Episcopal Church in Jefferson City on Feb. 28th.
Commission on Dismantling Racism, facilitates con-versations, workshops and trainings for large groups (our core diocesan training), parishes, and Sunday forums. Monthly meetings and active exchange of infor-mation. Chester Hines, chair.
Task Force for the Hungry, addressing the needs of the poor and the hungry by providing financial assistance to food pantries, meal programs and shelters within the diocese. TFH has two charges: Awareness and Money. Brian Roche, chair.
Habitat for Humanity, join the parishes of the Episco-pal Habitat Project in St. Louis. Since 1998, more than 350 volunteers from the diocese have worked on the an-nual home building project. Ready for the 2010 build?
United Thank Offering, the UTO is a way of expressing our thankfulness for blessings we have received. Coins placed in the Blue Boxes during the year help others in their needs. No amount sent in from any congrega-tion is ever too small. Can you help increase our parish participation to above 40%? Rosemary Bagin, diocesan coordinator.
Episcopal Relief and Development, ER&D is the international relief and development agency of The Episcopal Church, guided by principles of compassion, dignity and generosity as we work to heal a hurting world. Dr. Peg Cooper, diocesan coord.
Episcopal Church Women, supporting women’s pro-grams and ministries in parishes. The old stereotype of Episcopal Church Women as ‘cooks’ and ‘fundraisers’ is fading as we move into the future with new ideas, relevant programs, and unlimited opportunities for spiritual growth and service. Karen Birr, president.
Youth Ministry Commission, this month will see the appointment of a Youth Missioner to reinvigorate the commission and oversee diocesan programs. Are you called to rebuilding this network, so vital to the future of our community?
Community of Hope, a Christian community of volunteer lay chaplains united in prayer, shaped by Benedictine spirituality, and equipped for and serving in pastoral care ministries.
Episcopal Recovery Ministry, assistance to parishes, clergy and lay to raise awareness of the problems caused by addiction. Resources for 12 Step Eucharist. Mydie Sant, chair.
Parish Communicators, an informal group of everyone involved in telling our parish stories: newsletter editors, photographers, web site maintainers, clergy or lay.
Companion Diocese Relationship CommitteeOversight of our relationship with the Diocese of Lui, Sudan. Having successfully shepherded significant water availability into Lui diocese, the committee is now working on the next phase of shared ministry. The Rev. Emily Bloemker, chair.
OASIS, the Oasis/Missouri assists congregations and clergy with support, resources, and educational materi-als as they become more open and welcoming to all people, especially gay, lesbian, and transgendered Epis-copalians, their families, and friends.
Episcopal Peace Fellowship: connecting all who seek a deliberate response to injustice and violence and want to pray, study and take action for justice and peace in our com-munities, our church, and the world.
Bigger than one parish: food ministries at Trinity CWE and St. John’s-Tower Grove.
Episcopal Network for Economic Justice: provides a communication network to as-sist members in the development of resources to advocate for economic justice issues. Jubilee ministry is a network of experienced justice and charity ministries sharing best practices and proven techniques to fight against poverty and inequity, and lift up strong and empowered communities.
Episcopal Environmental Network‘s mission is to educate, encourage, and facilitate congregations, dioceses, provinces, and the Episcopal Church, toward activities for the stewardship of God’s Creation. There are several areas (Flower Festival, Congrega-tional Energy Audits, sustainable gardening, recycling) where congregational leaders are beginning to organize. Are you called to the stewardship of our planet?
Stewardship Resources: Barbara RobinsonCongregational Development Resources: the Canon to the Ordinary Dan Smith.
DIOCESAN MINISTRIES...ARE YOU CALLED? The very practice of mission produces more energy than it consumes. Mission enhances spirituality and learning, which in turn enhance worship, which in turn makes the commu-nity both more authentic and inviting, which in turn gives the community the courage to engage in mission. +GWS
Called to connect with any of these ministries as an in-dividual, as a parish, as a resource, for a Sunday forum?Call or email communications office: 314-231-1220, or [email protected]
