JOURNAL
of the
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THIRD
ANNUAL CONVENTION
of the
Episcopal Church
in the
Diocese of West Virginia
held in
Flatwoods, West Virginia
Co-Hosted by
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Weston, West Virginia
&
Church of the Transfiguration
Buckhannon, West Virginia
September 10-12, 2010
Journal of the 133rd Annual Convention of
The Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia
Table of Contents
Page
The Bishop and Diocesan Staff; Officers of the
Diocese; Committees and Task Forces; Facilities ......................... 2
Classification of Parishes and Missions .......................................... 7
Clergy of the Diocese ...................................................................... 9
The Bishop’s Official Acts and Papers .......................................... 13
Delegates and Alternates in Attendance
at 133rd Annual Convention of the Diocese .................................. 16
Journal of the Proceedings:
Friday, September 11, 2010 ....................................................... 19
Saturday, September 12, 2010 .................................................. 40
Pastoral Letter of the Bishop ......................................................... 74
2010 Convention Sermon.............................................................. 78
Bishop Klusmeyer’s Diary for 2009 ............................................... 81
Resolutions as Passed at Convention ......................................... 98
Necrology of the Diocese, September 2009 – July 2010 ........... 101
Reports on the Mission and Ministry ........................................... 104
Financial Section:
Missionary Apportionment and Diocesan Budget
– Final 2010, Proposed 2011................................................ 147
Auditor’s Report for 2009 ......................................................... 155
Parish Statistics ........................................................................... 184
1
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF WEST VIRGINIA
Diocesan House: 1608 Virginia Street, East
Charleston, West Virginia 25311
Mailing Address: PO Box 5400
Charleston, West Virginia 25361
Telephone: 304-344-3597 or Toll-free 866-549-8346
Fax: 304-343-3295
Chapel of the Resurrection
The Bishop:
The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer
Archdeacon in Charge of Ministry Development:
The Ven. Faith C. Perrizo
Canon for Congregational Vitality:
The Rev. Canon Donald Vinson
Chief Financial Officer:
Mr. David Ramkey
Financial Assistant:
Ms. Annette Combs
Diocesan Youth Minister:
Mr. Jason Beschinski
Diocesan Administrator:
Ms. Mollie Bailey
Bishop’s Secretary:
Ms. C. Gwyn Wolfe
Treasurer of the Diocese:
Mr. Charles Hunsaker
Chancellor of the Diocese:
Mr. John Hussell
Vice Chancellors of the Diocese:
Mr. Tyler Dinsmore
Mrs. Karen Klein-Jenkins
Diocesan Trustees:
Mr. Ben Hardesty (2010)
Mr. Jim Morgan (2012)
2
Mr. Paul Hicks (2011)
Mr. Jed Smith (2013)
Mr. Carlyle Farnsworth (2014)
Historiographer:
The Rev. Larry Jackson
Secretary of the 2010 Convention:
Ms. C. Gwyn Wolfe
Chair of the 2010 Convention:
The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer
Bishop’s Chaplain to Retired Clergy/Spouses:
The Rev. Canon Art Bennett
Standing Committee:
Ms. Harriette Cyrus (2010), President
The Rev. Lisa Davis-Heller (2010)
Mr. Nick Reynolds (2012)
The Rev. Roy Gene Crist (2012)
Dr. John Fuller (2011)
The Rev. George Sherrill (2011)
The Rev. Gene Sheppard (2013)
Ms. Elise McIntire (2013)
Diocesan Council:
Eastern Deanery
The Very Rev. Melanie McCarley (2012) Charles Town - Zion
Mr. Robert DuBose (2010) Harpers Ferry – St. John's
Kanawha Deanery
The Very Rev. Cheryl Winter (2010) St. Timothy's - Hurricane
Ms. Sharon Strand (2011)
Monongahela Deanery
The Very Rev. Siobhán Patterson (2011) Fairmont – Christ Church
Ms. Nancy Cotten (2012) Christ Church - Clarksburg
Northern Deanery
The Very Rev. Theresa Kelley (2011) Wheeling - St. Matthew's
Ms. Linda Comins (2010) Wheeling - St. Matthew's
Ohio Valley Deanery
The Very Rev. Larry Jackson (2013) Parkersburg - Trinity
Jackie Purkey (2011) Parkersburg - Good Shepherd
Southern Deanery
The Very Rev. Mike Snider (2012) Bluefield – Christ Church
Ms. Melanie Dragan (2011) Oak Hill – St. Andrew’s
3
Southwestern Deanery
The Very Rev. Kevin Kelly (2011) Trinity, Huntington
Ms. Becky Wood (2012) Pt. Pleasant – Christ Church
Ex Officio
Mr. John Hussell, Chancellor
Mr. Tyler Dinsmore, Vice-Chancellor
Mrs. Karen Klein-Jenkins, Vice-Chancellor
Mr. Charles Hunsaker, Treasurer
Ms. Becki Krzywdik, Convener, Women’s Ministries
Mr. Jim Anderson, President, ECM
Mr. Harold Stewart, Chair, Commission to End Racism
Staff Resources
The Ven. Faith Perrizo, Archdeacon
The Rev. Canon Donald Vinson, Canon for Congregational Development
Mr. David Ramkey, Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Annette Combs, Financial Assistant
Ms. Mollie Bailey, Diocesan Administrator
Ms. Gwyn Wolfe, Bishop’s Secretary
Secretary to Council
Ms. Linda Comins
Ecclesiastical Court:
The Rev. William Carl Thomas (2011)
The Rev. Cynthia Walter (2011)
The Rev. Susan MacDonald (2011)
Ms. Fran Rollins (2011)
Mr. Kit Francis (2011)
Committee on Constitution and Canons:
John McGhee, Chancellor, Chair
John Hussell, Vice-Chancellor, Ex Officio
Robert “Bo” Sweeney (2010)
Roger Wolfe (2011)
The Rev. George Sherrill (2010)
The Rev. Paul Hicks (2011)
Provincial Synod Deputies:
The Rev. Melanie McCarley (Exec. Council Rep.)
Ms. Jane McSwain
West Virginia Council of Churches Delegates:
The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer
The Rev. William Carl Thomas
4
Virginia Theological Seminary Trustees:
The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer
The Very Rev. Kevin Kelly (2013)
Ms. Sissy Poland (2012)
Commission on Ministry:
The Rev. Julie Harris, Chair (2012)
Susan Barfield (2013)
Jan Callen (2013)
Steve Chionsini (2012)
The Rev. Scott Fuir (2012)
Tom Gilpin (2011)
The Rev. Stan Holmes (2012)
The Rev. Karen Humbert (2012)
Monika Hussell (2013)
The Rev. Ben James (2013)
The Very Rev. Kevin Kelly (2013)
Cheryl Prichard (2013)
The Rev. G.T. Schramm (2011)
The Rev. Richard Skaggs (2011)
Harriette Cyrus, Standing Committee Representative
The Rev. Dr. George D. Moses, Psychologist Consultant
Sandscrest Foundation
Ms. Judy Sharp (2010)
Ms. Lisa Martin (2010)
Ms. Sarah Barickman (2011)
Ms. Shirley Milton (2011)
The Rev. Gene Sheppard (2011)
Mr. Steve Szabo (2011)
Women’s Ministries Committee:
Convener: Ms. Becki Krzywdik (2010)
Altar Guild Directress: Ms. Hollie Mitchell (2010)
Book of Remembrance: Ms. Paula Hoffman (2010)
CPC: Ms. Debbie Ventura (2010)
UTO: Ms. Becky Szabo (2010)
Love-in-Action: Ms. Margie Gault Carter (2010)
Women’s Conference: Ms. Marie Hunsaker (2010)
Daughters of the King: Ms. Linda Johnson (2010)
Member at Large & Newsletter Editor: Tamela Rankin (2010)
Women’s Committee Emeritus: Ms. Karen Grisell
Province III ECW President and National ECW Board
Representative: Patricia S. Haldeman (2010)
5
Episcopal Churchmen:
President: Mr. Jim Anderson (2010)
Secretary/Treasurer: Mr. Ron King (2010)
Program Committee Chairs:
Architectural Advisory Committee: Mr. Lloyd Miller
Church Commission on Children: Ms. Laura Leslie
College & Young Adult Ministry: The Rev. Siobhan Patterson
Commission on Evangelism: vacant
Commission on Spirituality: Ms. Linda Comins
& The Rev. Richard Skaggs
Commission on Stewardship: Ms. Linda Crocker
Commission to End Racism: Mr. Harold Stewart
Companion Diocese: The Rev. Lisa Davis-Heller
DaySpring Board: The Rev. Betsy Walker (editor)
Disciples Net: Ms. Pat Haldeman
Ecumenical Officer: The Rev. Bill Thomas
Education for Ministry: Ms. Beth Hamrick
Equipping the Saints: The Rev. Canon Donald Vinson, dean
Faith Alive: Mr. Hal Foss
Health Ministries: Ms. Debbie Ventura
Liturgy and Music Committee: vacant
National Cathedral: Ms. Hollie Mitchell
Prison Ministries: The Rev. Betsy Walker
Regional Ministries: The Rev. Theresa Kelley
Highland Educational Project:
Ms. Lori Hill-Osborne, Director
Peterkin Camp and Conference Center:
Ms. Daisy McBride, Director
Sandscrest:
Mrs. Sarah Lydick, Director
6
CLASSIFICATION OF PARISHES AND MISSIONS
OF THE DIOCESE OF WEST VIRGINIA
AS OF AUGUST 31, 2010
Parishes (38)
Beckley, St. Stephen’s
Berkeley Springs, St. Mark’s
Bluefield, Christ Church
Charles Town, Zion
Charleston, St. Christopher
Charleston, St. John’s
Charleston, St. Matthew’s
Clarksburg, Christ Church
Elkins, Grace Church
Fairmont, Christ Church
Hansford, Good Shepherd
Huntington, St. John’s
Huntington, St. Peter’s
Huntington, Trinity
Hurricane, St. Timothy’s
Keyser, Emmanuel
Lewisburg, St. James’
Logan, Holy Trinity
Martinsburg, Trinity
Morgantown, St. Thomas à Becket
Morgantown, Trinity
Moundsville, Trinity
New Martinsville, St. Ann’s
Oak Hill, St. Andrew’s
Parkersburg, Good Shepherd
Parkersburg, Trinity
Point Pleasant, Christ Church
St. Albans, St. Mark’s
St. Marys, Grace Church
Shepherdstown, Trinity
Sistersville, St. Paul’s
Weirton, St. Thomas’
Wellsburg, Christ Church
Weston, St. Paul’s
Wheeling, Lawrencefield Parish
Wheeling, St. Matthew’s
Wheeling, St. Paul’s
White Sulphur Springs, St. Thomas’
7
Organized Missions (28)
Ansted, Redeemer
Buckhannon, Transfiguration
Charles Town, St. Philip's
Colliers, Olde St. John's
Glenville, St. Mark's
Grafton, St. Matthias’
Harpers Ferry, St. John's
Hedgesville, Mt. Zion
Hinton, Ascension
Kingwood, St. Michael’s
Marlinton, St John's
Middleway, Grace Church
Montgomery, Calvary
Moorefield, Emmanuel
Mullens, St. Andrew’s
Princeton, Heavenly Rest
Ravenswood, Grace Church
Ripley, St. John's
Rippon, St. John's
Romney, St. Stephen's
Ronceverte, Incarnation
Salem, Prince of Peace
Summersville, St. Martin’s
Union, All Saints’
Welch, St. Luke’s
Wheeling, St. Luke's
Williamson, St. Paul's
Williamstown, Christ Church
Bishop’s Missions (4)
Charleston, Diocesan House, Chapel of the Resurrection
Leetown, St. Bartholomew’s
Snowshoe, Chapel on the Mount
Summit Point, Holy Spirit (ceased holding services)
8
THE CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF WEST VIRGINIA
IN ORDER OF CANONICAL RESIDENCE
As of August 31, 2010
Bishops
2001 The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer – Charleston
Priests
1961 The Rev. Griffin Callahan (Ret.) – Bluefield
1962 The Rev. William Kieldsing (Ret.) – Florida
The Rev. George A. Burns (NP) – Florida
1963 The Rev. William M. Kirkland (Ret.) – Scott Depot
1965 The Rev. Robert L. Thomas (Ret.) – Huntington
The Rev. Samuel W. Allinder, Jr. (Ret.) – McDonald, PA
1969 The Rev. Arthur L. Bennett, III – Parkersburg
1971 The Rev. James M. Martin (Ret.) – Florida
1972 The Rev. Esber N. Tweel (Ret.) – Charleston
1973 The Rev. James P. Bercovitz (Ret.) – Buckhannon
The Rev. Leonard S. Gross (Ret.) – Morgantown
The Rev. Hayward R. Perkey (Ret.) – St. Marys
1974 The Rev. Adeeb M. Khalil (Ret.) – Mullens
The Rev. Gilbert H. Watkins (Ret.) – St. Albans
1975 The Rev. David G. Bicking (NP) – Winchester, VA
The Rev. Russell G. Lockett (NP) – Sistersville
1977 The Rev. G. T. Schramm – Shepherdstown
1978 The Rev. George D. Moses (NP) – Morgantown
1979 The Rev. Barry Geesey (Ret.) Georgia
1982 The Rev. Marian S. Mazgaj (Ret.) – Valley Grove
The Rev. Jack Neilson (Ret.) – Ohio
The Rev. Arthur C. Chard, Jr. (Ret.) – Kentucky
The Rev. Pamela C. Shier – Salem
The Rev. Anne Kinney (Ret.) – Parkersburg
1985 The Rev. Alan W. Jenks (NP) (Ret.) – Kingwood
The Rev. James A. Reed, Sr. (Ret.) - Chester
1987 The Rev. Elizabeth A. Walker (NP) – Lewisburg
The Rev. Roy Gene Crist – Ansted
1988 The Rev. Cheryl Winter – Hurricane
1989 The Rev. John D. Alfriend (Ret.) – Charles Town
1990 The Rev. Larry D. Jackson – Parkersburg
The Rev. Mark E. Seitz – Wheeling
1991 The Rev. Stanley B. Jones (Ret.) – Shepherdstown
The Rev. Daniel L. Lynch (Ret.) – North Carolina
The Rev. Richard L. Skaggs – Wheeling
The Rev. Gary Waple (Ret.), Deacon – Lewisburg
9
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
The Rev. Donald W. A. Bretz – Oklahoma
The Rev. Kirk Haas (Ret.) – Morgantown
The Rev. Edward R. Greene (Ret.) – Maine
The Rev. John W. T. Weise (Ret.) – Virginia
The Rev. Robert J. Anderson - Texas
The Rev. Canon Donald K. Vinson – Huntington
The Rev. Isabel Aird, Deacon (Ret.) – Oregon
The Rev. E. Joseph Mackov (Ret.) – Keyser
The Rev. Raymond J. Hage – River Bend Cluster
The Rev. Stanley W. Holmes – Hansford
The Rev. Dallas B. Shaffer (Ret.) – Keyser
The Rev. Michael G. Simon – Hampshire/Hardy Yoke
The Rev. Donald Raih (Ret.) – Romney
The Rev. Frederick L. Bird – Elkins
The Rev. Frank S. Coe, III (Ret.) – Harpers Ferry
The Rev. Victor Lawson (Ret.) – Charles Town
The Rev. William Armstrong – Princeton
The Rev. Teresa Wayman – Glenville
The Rev. Gary Hawkins (Maryland)
The Rev. Sarah Bailey (Ret.) – Berkeley Springs
The Rev. Hilda Kennedy (Ret.) – Northfork
The Rev. Keith Butler – White Sulphur Springs
The Rev. Jim Kelley, Deacon – Wheeling
The Rev. Teresa Kelley – Wheeling
The Rev. Gary Hawkins - Maryland
The Rev. Jean-Jacques D’Aoust – Colorado
The Rev. George Kostas – Logan/Williamson
The Rev. Melanie McCarley – Charles Town
The Rev. Kevin Kelly – Huntington
The Rev. Lisa Davis-Heller – St. Marys
The Rev. Zach Drennen – Pittsburgh
The Rev. Patricia Geerdes – Moundsville
The Rev. Rodgers Wood (Ret.) – Cross Lanes
The Rev. Eric Miller – Beckley
The Rev. Marie Mulford – River Bend
The Rev. Reed Wood (Ret.) - Williamstown
The Rev. Richard Heller – St. Marys
The Rev. David Thabet (Ret.) – Huntington
The Ven. Faith C. Perrizo - Archdeacon
The Rev. Nick England, Deacon – Williamson/Logan
The Rev. William C. Thomas -- Charleston
The Rev. Georgia DuBose – Harpers Ferry
The Rev. Siobhan Patterson – Fairmont
The Rev. George Sherrill – Clarksburg
10
2007
2008
2009
The Rev. Gene Sheppard -- Colliers
The Rev. Cynthia Walter – Wheeling
The Rev. Joyce Wilkinson (NP) -- Texas
The Rev. Julie Harris – Martinsburg
The Rev. Mike Snider – Bluefield
The Rev. Kent Higgins
The Rev. F. Andrew “Rick” Rutledge -- Summersville
The Rev. Denise Giardina, Deacon – Charleston
The Rev. Susan MacDonald -- Shepherdstown
The Rev. Ralph Matthew (Ben) James – Union
The Rev. John Valentine – Weston/Buckhannon
The Rev. Paul Hicks – Parkersburg
The Rev. Susan Latimer – Charleston
The Rev. William Barfield – St. Albans
The Rev. Jim Morgan (Deacon) – Huntington
Jim Lanter – Marlinton/Snowshoe
The Rev. Scott Fuir – Lewisburg, St. James’
The Rev. Karen Humbert – Huntington, St. John's
The Rev. Julie Murdoch – Morgantown, St. Thomas à Becket
The Rev. Melissa Remington – Charleston, St. Christopher
The Rev. Paul Francke – Keyser, Emmanuel
The Rev. Ann Lovejoy Johnson – Charleston, St. John's
The Rev. Amy Porterfield (deacon)
The Rev. Ralph Strohm – Huntington, St. Peter's
IN PROCESS FOR HOLY ORDERS - As of August 31, 2010
Joshua Saxe
Chad Slater
Josiah Rengers
Janis Shook
Al Prichard
Nancy Martin
ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD - September 1, 2009 – August 31, 2010
Paul Francke (12-5-2009)
ORDINATIONS TO THE DIACONATE - September 1, 2009 –August 31, 2010
Amy Porterfield (01-09-2010)
LETTERS DIMISSORY ACCEPTED September 1, 2009 – August 31, 2010
Melissa Remington (10-1-2009)
Ann Lovejoy Johnson (10-6-2009)
Ralph Strohm (08-18-2010)
11
LETTERS DIMISSORY SENT - September 1, 2009 – August.31, 2010
Adam Kradel (09-14-2009)
Geoff Coupland (12-08-2009)
Tom Seitz (01-08-2010)
Adam Thomas (07-13-2010)
LICENSED TO OFFICIATE – as of August 31, 2009
The Rev. Harold E. Bishop, Jr., Diocese of Maryland
The Rev. Alex Black, Retired ELCA Bishop
The Rev. Sue Doohan, Diocese of Bethlehem
The Rev. Robert Gilman, Diocese of Virginia
The Rev. Russell Hatfield, Diocese of Southwest Virginia
The Very Rev. Donald Krickbaum, Diocese of SE Florida
The Rev. Jim Lewis, Diocese of Delaware
The Rev. Fran McCoy, Diocese of Southwest Virginia
The Rev. Walter J. Mycoff, Jr., Diocese of Southern Ohio
The Rev. Birk S. Stathers, Jr., Diocese of Southwest Florida
The Rev. Ralph Strohm, Diocese of Western New York
The Rt Rev. Martin Townsend, Diocese of Easton
The Rev. Stephen Haptonstahl, Diocese of Minnesota
CLERGY DECEASED - September 1, 2009 – August 31, 2010
none
12
BISHOP KLUSMEYER’S OFFICIAL ACTS – 2009
Visitations
44
Celebration of Eucharist
57
Confirmations
136
Received from other Communion
59
Renewed Baptismal Covenant
11
Renewed Ordination Vows
March 30, 2010
Baptisms
7
Admit First Communion
0
Private Communion to Shut-Ins
1
Healing/Unction
1
Bishop Consecration
1
Diaconal Ordinations
0
Priesthood Ordinations
2
Renunciations; Suspensions; Inhibitions
0
Sermons/Homilies
67
Addresses
5
Teaching/Bible Study
3
Retreats
0
Dedications
0
Weddings
0
Funerals
2
Institutions
4
Letters Dimissory Sent
5
Letters Dimissory Received
5
Consent for Remission of Deposition
0
Consents to Elections
0
Consents to Retirements/Resignations
4
Consents to Ordination & Consecration
3
_________________________________________
DIOCESAN PARTICULARS:
Letters Dimissory - Received:
The Rev. Scott Fuir (from Diocese of Pennsylvania)
The Rev. Karen Humbert (from Diocese of Upper South Carolina)
The Rev. Julie Murdoch (from Diocese of Washington)
The Rev. Melissa Remington (from Diocese of Western New York)
The Rev. Ann Lovejoy Johnson (from Diocese of Maine)
13
Letters Dimissory – Sent:
The Rev. Laureen Moyer (to Diocese of California)
The Rt. Rev. John Smith (to Diocese of Maine)
The Rev. Paul Bresnahan (to Diocese of Massachusetts)
The Rev. Adam Kradel (to Diocese of Pennsylvania)
The Rev. Geoff Coupland (to Diocese of Virginia)
Ordinations - Deacons:
None
Ordinations – Priest:
The Rev. Paul Francke
Received – Priest:
None
Institutions:
The Rev. Siobhán Patterson
The Rev. Karen Humbert
The Rev. Julie Murdoch
The Rev. Melissa Remington
Restorations:
None
Suspensions:
None
Renunciation
None
HOUSE OF BISHOPS PARTICULARS
Consent to Retirements / Resignations:
1. The Rt. Rev. Creighton Robertson, Bishop of the Diocese of
South Dakota
2. The Rt. Rev. Peter J. Lee, Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia
3. The Rt. Rev. Charles E. Jenkins, Bishop of the Diocese of
Louisiana
4. The Rt. Rev. Dorsey L. Henderson, Bishop of the Diocese of
Upper South Carolina
14
Consent to Election
None
Consent to Ordination & Consecration:
1. The Rev J. Scott Mayer, Bishop of the Diocese of Northwest
Texas
2. The Rev. Scott A. Benhase, Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia
3. The Rev. Brian N. Prior, Bishop of the Diocese of Minnesota
Consent for Remission of Deposition:
None
15
DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES IN ATTENDANCE
AT THE 133rd CONVENTION
Eastern Deanery
Berkeley Springs, St. Mark’s – Katie Redmond, Phil Redmond
Charles Town, St. Philip’s – Harold Stewart
Charles Town, Zion – Janet K. Barker, Laurie Ruddy, Joyce Smith,
Harpers Ferry, St. John’s – Robert DuBose, Margie Yoe
Hedgesville, Mt. Zion – James Kramer, Vivian Cramer
Keyser, Emmanuel – Nancy Clark, Kim Pifer
Leetown, St. Bartholomew's – No representation
Martinsburg, Trinity – Barbara Bradley, Sissy Poland, Eva Lynne
Siebert-Steptoe, Philip Steptoe, Lynn Thompson,
Middleway, Grace – Kathryn Conant, Amon Grantham
Moorefield, Emmanuel – Lisa Holland
Rippon, St. John’s – Carolyn Stewart
Romney, St. Stephen’s – No representation
Shepherdstown, Trinity – Mary Blue, David Coe, Elizabeth Sturm
Kanawha Deanery
Charleston, St. Christopher – Preston Browning, Cyron Lawson
Charleston, St. John’s – Elizabeth Hamrick, Brooks McCabe,
Michelle Walker
Charleston, St. Matthew’s – Steve Robey, Sharon Strand, James
Sutherland
Hurricane, St. Timothy’s – Nathan Arnett, Bonnie Bailey, Patricia
Ann Fisher
Logan, Holy Trinity – Jeremy Bannister, Joyce Bannister
St. Albans, St. Mark’s – Susan Day, Sue Moss
Williamson, St. Paul’s – Judith Hamrick
Monongahela Deanery
Buckhannon, Transfiguration – Diana Steed, Karen Waggy
Clarksburg, Christ – Marilyn Blake, Carol Rogers
Elkins, Grace –Niche LaNeve, Ronald LaNeve
Fairmont, Christ – Barbara Barkley, Louise Starr
Glenville, St. Mark’s – Nancy Wemm
Grafton, St. Matthias’ – Joseph Warder, Mary K. Warder
Kingwood, St. Michael’s – Jean Donarski, Caroline Richmond
Morgantown, St. Thomas á Becket – Becky Hoy, Rudolph Hap,
Elizabeth Smailes
Morgantown, Trinity –Ed Divine, Susan Devine
Salem, Prince of Peace – John Nelson, Sherri Nelson
Weston, St. Paul’s – Jim Anderson, Jim Shaver
16
Southern Deanery
Ansted, Redeemer – Jane Crist
Beckley, St. Stephen’s – Jacqueline Covington, Kate Hatfield,
Debbie Ventura,
Bluefield, Christ – Buck Sowers, Louisa Sowers
Hansford, Good Shepherd – Amy Berry, Danny Berry
Hinton, Ascension – Darrell Martin, Beth Vuolo
Lewisburg, St. James’ – Ruth Iles, Tom Iles
Marlinton, St. John’s – Constance Zeitler
Montgomery, Calvary – Wayne Campbell, Joy Humphries
Mullens, St. Andrew’s – Griffin Callahan, Jr., Lynn Callahan
Oak Hill, St. Andrew’s – Melanie Dragan, Kathy Rutledge
Princeton, Heavenly Rest – Wanda Myers
Ronceverte, Incarnation – Charles Callison, Sheila Callison
Summersville, St. Martin’s – Gary Ashby, Margaret Ashby
Union, All Saints’ – no representation
Welch, St. Luke’s – Lori Osborne
White Sulphur Springs, St. Thomas’ – Betty Gillespie, George
Gillespie, Pat Pate
Northern Deanery
Colliers, Olde St. John’s – Richard Barber, Sandra Barber
Moundsville, Trinity – Barbara Davis, Michael Davis
Weirton, St. Thomas’ – Pauline Aiken, Wendy Speer
Wellsburg, Christ – Becki Krzywdik, Michelle Mitchell
Wheeling, Lawrencefield Parish – Karen Dalby, Barbara Hinkle
Wheeling, St. Luke’s – Don Rebich, Charles Saus
Wheeling, St. Matthew’s – Sarah Barickman, Linda Comins, Carol
Foose, Marc Harshman, Joyce Rose
Wheeling, St. Paul’s – Amy McDonnell, Frank McDonnell
Ohio Valley Deanery
New Martinsville, St. Ann’s – Nancy Christman, Elise MacIntire
Parkersburg, Good Shepherd – Linda Crocker, Toni DeVore, David
Johnson, Jackie Purkey, Darlene Slusher, Wendy
Tuck
Parkersburg, Trinity – Julie Gyonyosi, Paul Miller, Liz Ramsay, Scott
Ramsay
Sistersville, St. Paul’s –Nancy Miller, Mary Ann Worst
St. Marys, Grace – Mary Seay
Williamstown, Christ Memorial – David Treharne, Judy Treharne
17
Southwestern Deanery
Huntington, St. John’s – Faith Balshaw, Jerry Coleman, Graham
Rankin, Diane Styles
Huntington, St. Peter’s – Brent Williams, Sue Williams
Huntington, Trinity – Pat Adams, Ainslee McKinney, Robert
McKinney
Point Pleasant, Christ – Pete Panteloukas, Rebecca Wood
Ravenswood, Grace – Gail Westenhaver, Pete Westenhaver
Ripley, St. John’s – Sheree Knotts
Episcopal Youth Fellowship
Shauna McQuerrey
Diocesan Officers
Treasurer – Charles Hunsaker (ex officio without vote)
Chancellor – John Hussell (ex officio without vote)
Vice-Chancellors – Tyler Dinsmore and Karen Klein Jenkins
(ex officio without vote)
18
JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS
133rd Diocesan Convention, October 10-12, 2010
Flatwoods, West Virginia
Co-Hosted by
Transfiguration Episcopal Church – Buckhannon
& St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Weston
Convention Theme: “We Will, with God’s Help”
FIRST LEGISLATIVE SESSION: Friday, October 10, 2010
The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer, Seventh Bishop of the Diocese of
West Virginia, convened the 133rd Annual Diocesan Convention at
1:21 p.m. in the name of the Lord and called the delegates to order. Fr.
G.T. Schramm led those assembled in the following opening prayer:
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light and hope and love,
we give you heartfelt thanks for this Diocese, for our Bishop, for the
opportunity to gather here in this 133rd Convention. Be present with
us as we take counsel that we might always be mindful of your Spirit
and Wisdom in our midst and that we might speak to one another in
your love and compassion. Take away from us whatever may hinder
us from godly union and concord and make us to be of one heart
and soul united in the bonds of truth, peace, faith and love that we
may with one mind and one voice glorify you. Guide us to perceive
what is right and grant us, Lord, the courage to pursue it and the
grace to accomplish it. Through our deliberations, discussions,
fellowship and prayer may the whole world see and know that things
which were cast down are being raised up and things which had
grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought
to their perfection by him through whom all things were made your
Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen
Mrs. Karen Klein Jenkins, Vice-Chancellor and Parliamentarian, declared
that a quorum was present according to Article VII, Section 1 of the
Constitution and that business could begin. There were more than fifteen
(15) clergy and more than twenty (20) lay delegates registered.
Bishop Klusmeyer presented for ratification the Convention Committees
for Seating of Clergy and Seating of Lay Delegates. He asked the
Convention to ratify the Revs. Michael Simon, Julie Murdoch and
Cynthia Walter for the Committee for Seating of Clergy, and Ms. Sharon
Strand, Mr. Harold Stewart, and Mr. Marc Harshman for the Committee
for Seating of Lay Delegates. Said committees were ratified.
19
A motion was made to accept the minutes of the 2009 Convention, as
presented in the 2009 Journal of Proceedings. Motion was seconded
and passed unanimously.
The following Convention Appointments were offered and ratified:
Courtesy Resolutions
The Rev. Melissa Remington
The Rev. William Barfield
Board of Tellers (and Pages)
C. Gwyn Wolfe, Chair
The Rev. Rick Rutledge – Head Teller
The Rev. Scott Fuir
Michael Davis
Patty Fisher
Pat Pate
Josh Saxe
The Rev. Susan MacDonald
Resolutions Committee
Tyler Dinsmore, Chair
Dr. Bonnie Bailey
Preston Browning
Becki Krzywdik
Buck Sowers
The Rev. Roy Gene Crist
The Rev. Dr. Nick England
The Rev. Karen Humbert
The Rev. Jim Morgan
Constitution and Canons Committee
John Hussell, Chair
The Rev. Susan MacDonald
The Very Rev. Cheryl Winter
The Rev. John Valentine
Ron LaNeve
James Sutherland
The Rev. George Sherrill
Bo Sweeney
Roger Wolfe
The Rev. Paul Hicks
Rob McKinney
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The Agenda for this Convention, as published in Convention Digest
was presented. Motion was made to accept the Agenda as presented.
Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Remembrance was given of those in our Diocese who have departed
this life during this past year. The Necrology for 2009 was presented as
printed in the Convention Digest.
The following Prayer for the Departed was said by Bishop Klusmeyer:
O Almighty God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, who by a voice
from heaven didst proclaim, Blessed are the dead who die in the
Lord: Multiply, we beseech thee, to those who rest in Jesus the
manifold blessings of thy love, that the good work which thou didst
begin in them may be made perfect unto the day of Jesus Christ.
And of thy mercy, O heavenly Father, grant that we, who now serve
thee on earth, may at last, together with them, be partakers of the
inheritance of the saints in light; for the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,
our Lord. Amen.
Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer,
especially Keith, priest, Grant them your peace; let light perpetual
shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power,
work in them the good purpose of your perfect will; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen
O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command you drive
away from our bodies all sickness and all infirmity; Be present in
your goodness with your servant Siobhán, priest, that her weakness
may be banished and her strength restored; and that her healthy
being renewed, she may bless your holy Name; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bishop Klusmeyer then had the Convention work in small groups to
discuss the following meditation:
Matthew 21:28 – 31a
i. What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and
said, “son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will
not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the
second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did
not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said, “The
first.”
Any insights? i. What is the Good News? 21
ii.
iii.
Which of the sons are you? What does this mean for the Diocese of West Virginia? Bishop Klusmeyer recognized the birthdays of Brent Williams
(St. Peter's – Huntington), Rob McKinney (Trinity – Huntington),
Jim Lanter (Marlinton/Snowshoe), and Jim Anderson (St. Paul’s
- Weston).
Bishop Klusmeyer recognized and thanked the members of the
Convention Planning Committee from host churches, St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church in Weston, and the Church of the
Transfiguration, Buckhannon, The Rev. John Valentine – rector;
Mrs. Diana Steed and Dr. Jim Shaver – chairpersons of the
Convention Planning Committee.
The 2011 Convention of the Diocese of West Virginia will be
held in Charleston, WV at the Charleston Marriott Town Center.
St. Timothy's-in-the-Valley, Hurricane will be the host church
which will be planning the; the rector is The Rev. Cheryl Winter.
Rev. Winter graciously invited the Convention to this
Convention.
The Chair recognized The Rev. Melissa Remington and The
Rev. Bill Barfield, who presented the following Courtesy
Resolutions:
Be it Resolved that this 133nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese
of West Virginia sends warm and heartfelt greetings to the Rt. Rev.
Robert P. Atkinson, Fifth Bishop of West Virginia, and his wife,
Rosemary; to the Rt. Rev. John H. Smith, Sixth Bishop of West
Virginia, and his wife, Victoria; and to the Rt. Rev. W. Franklin Carr,
former Bishop Suffragan of West Virginia, and his wife, Lena, as we
continue to express to all of them our deep and sincere gratitude for
their years of leadership and ministry with us.
Be it Resolved that this 133nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese
of West Virginia grant to our keynote speaker, Ms. Brittany Roper;
The Rev. Gordon Brewer (Episcopal Appalachian Ministries),
Jerome Johnson (Boys Home – Covington, VA), Mr. Andy Smith
(Greenbrier Episcopal School), Charles Fischer (Virginia Theological
Seminary), and to any other official guests of the convention; to our
interim clergy, The Rev. Chris Thompson at St. Stephens in Beckley,
The Rev. Dr. John Kevern at Trinity, Moundsville, and The Rev.
John Seville at Good Shepherd, Parkersburg; and to members of the
Standing Committee not already having the same, seat and voice in
our deliberations.
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Be it Resolved that this 133nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese
of West Virginia sends warm greetings to our new companion
Diocese of Colombia, The Rt. Rev, Francisco Duque-Gómez , his
wife, Mrs. Blanca Lucia, and the clergy. We hold them in our
prayers and look forward to a long and mutually rewarding
relationship with the Diocese of Colombia.
A motion was made to accept each of these Courtesy Resolutions.
Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Gwyn Wolfe, secretary of Convention, made logistical
announcements regarding dinner, evening service, and
committees.
Bishop Klusmeyer announced that the Convention Offering this year will
be designated for the Church Periodical Club. The Bishop’s Offering,
comprised of the loose offering taken at Visitations, will be designated to
our Companion Diocese of Colombia. In addition, Bishop Klusmeyer
encouraged attendees to make donations to the UTO boxes that will be
on dining tables; the annual UTO offering will be taken at this
Convention’s Sunday service.
Tyler Dinsmore issued the Final Call for Resolutions from the
floor as provided for in Title I, Canon 4, Section 2, which
provides for resolutions so timely they could not have been
presented 45 days prior to Convention. None were presented.
All attendees at Convention are welcome to attend the
Resolutions hearing tonight; however, only voting clergy and
elected lay delegates will be able to speak at this hearing.
Open Hearings will be held tonight for Resolutions, Constitution and
Canons, and Budget.
As prescribed by Canon, Bishop Klusmeyer presented to the Convention
his Canonical Papers. Presented were the following: The Bishop's Diary
for the year 2009; Summary of Official Acts of Bishop Klusmeyer; List of
the Clergy Canonically Resident as of September 1, 2010; Postulants for
Holy Orders; Candidates for Holy Orders; Ordinations to the Diaconate;
Ordinations to the Priesthood; Letters Dimissory; Acceptance of Letters
Dimissory; and Clergy Licensed to Officiate as of September 1, 2010.
These documents are located elsewhere in this Journal.
A motion was made and seconded to receive by title the reports as in the
Pre-Convention Journal on pages 16-39. (The 2010 Pre-Convention
Journal was distributed on CD’s, which was cost-saving and
23
environmentally conscious.) This motion was unanimously passed; these
reports were filed by title and are recorded elsewhere in this Journal.
Bishop Klusmeyer announced and welcomed clergy new to the Diocese
of West Virginia: The Rev. Paul Francke (Emmanuel – Keyser); The
Rev. Ralph Strohm (St. Peter's – Huntington); The Rev. Dr. John Kevern
(Trinity Episcopal Church – Moundsville); The Rev. Mike Hadaway
(Trinity Episcopal Church – Morgantown); The Rev. Susan MacDonald
(Grace Episcopal Church – Middleway); The Rev. Chris Thompson
(interim – St. Stephen's – Beckley); The Rev. Amy Porterfield Turner
(who was ordained, and also was married). In addition, The Rev.
Stephen Haptonstahl and The Rev. Pamela Shier will be aiding Christ
Church – Fairmont during Siobhán Patterson’s treatment.
The Bishop then introduced the new members of the Diocesan Council
and asked that their elections (within the Deaneries) be ratified by
Convention, which they were. The new members are:
The Rev. William Carl Thomas, Kanawha Deanery
Ms Carol Foose, Northern Deanery
Bishop Klusmeyer then asked the Convention assembled to accept and
ratify the following committee appointments. The same was moved,
seconded and approved.
The Altar Guild (Directress): Ms. Hollie Mitchell
The Architectural Advisory Committee: Mr. David McKinley, Mr.
Lloyd Miller
The Audit Committee: Mr. Michael Anderson, Mr. Hal Foss, Mr. Kit
Francis, Mr. Buck Sowers.
The Board of Examining Chaplains: The Rev. Julie Harris, The Very
Rev. Larry Jackson, The Very Rev. Kevin Kelly, The Rev. George
Sherrill, The Rev. Cynthia Walter (chairperson).
The Church Commission for Children: Mr. Luther Crouthamel, The
Rev. Stan Holmes, The Rev. Ann Lovejoy Johnson, The Rt. Rev.
Mike Klusmeyer, Ms. Becki Krzywdik, Ms. Joycelyn Kyte, Mrs. Laura
Leslie (chairperson), Mrs. Lucy Templeton, Mrs. Marianne Tweel,
The Rev. Ann Lovejoy Johnson, Ms. Jocelyn Kyte, The Rev. George
Sherrill, Mrs. Marianne Tweel.
The Church Pension Fund Committee: Mr. Charles Hunsaker (exofficio), Mr. Gregory Janes, The Rev. Susan Latimer, Mr. David
Ramkey, Mr. Donald Smith, Mr. Jack Sturgeon, The Rev. John
Valentine, The Rev. Canon Donald Vinson.
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College and Young Adult Ministry: Ms. Courtney Beach, Mr. Jason
Beschinski, Mr. Stephen Day, The Rev. Mike Hadaway, The Very
Rev. Kevin Kelly, Ms. Shauna McQuerrey, The Very Rev. Siobhán
Patterson (chairperson), Ms. Liza Wright.
The Evangelism Commission: The Rev. Kent Higgins, Ms. Paula
Hoffman, Mr. David Hurlbut, Ms. Arlena Straw, The Rev. Canon
Donald Vinson, The Rev. Cynthia Walter.
The Commission on Ministry: Mrs. Susan Barfield, Mr. Jan Callen,
Mr. Steve Chionsini, Mrs. Harriette Cyrus, The Rev. Scott Fuir, Mr.
Tom Gilpin, The Rev. Julie Harris (chairperson), The Rev. Stan
Holmes, The Rev. Karen Humbert, Mrs. Monika Hussell, The Rev.
Ben James, The Very Rev. Kevin Kelly, Ms Ann Luzader, The Ven.
Faith Perrizo, Mrs. Cheryl Prichard, The Rev. G.T. Schramm, The
Rev. Richard Skaggs.
The Committee on Spirituality: Ms. Linda Comins, The Very Rev.
Donald Krickbaum, The Rev. Susan Latimer, The Rev. Richard
Skaggs, The Rev. Canon Donald Vinson.
The Commission on Stewardship: Mrs. Linda Crocker (chairperson),
The Rev. Julie Harris, The Rev. Stan Holmes, Ms. Sara Lane, Mr.
Bruce Moss, Dr. Timothy Saxe, The Very Rev. Michael Snider, The
Rev. William Carl Thomas, The Rev. John Valentine, The Rev.
Canon Donald Vinson.
The Commission to End Racism: Mrs. Susan Day, Mrs. Mildred Holt,
Dr. William Lemley, The Rev. Melissa Remington, Dr. James
Russell, The Rev. Dr. Dallas Shaffer, Ms. Jennie Shaffer, Ms. Liz
Smailes, Ms. Dorothy Smith, Mrs. Mary C. Snow, Mrs. Carolyn
Stewart, Mr. Harold Stewart (chairperson), Ms. Laurie Thomsen, Mr.
Jim Tolbert, Sr., The Rev. Canon Donald Vinson, Ms. Michelle
Walker.
The Companion Diocese Committee: The Rev. Georgia DuBose,
The Rev. Lisa Davis Heller (chairperson), Ms. Vicki Iber, The Very
Rev. Melanie McCarley, The Ven. Faith Perrizo, Mr. Chad Slater,
Mrs. Becky Szabo, Mrs. Linda Vinson
Congregational Life Task Force: Mr. Greg Bumgarner, Mr. Robert
DuBose, Mr. John Hussell, The Rev. Julie Murdoch (chairperson),
Mr. David Ramkey, Mrs. Kathy Thomas, The Rev. Canon Donald
Vinson.
Disciples Net: Mrs. Jane Crist, The Rev. Roy Gene Crist, Mrs. Pat
Haldeman (chairperson), The Rev. Jim Kelley, The Very Rev.
Theresa Kelley, Mrs. Anna Lou Sturgeon, Mr. Jack Sturgeon.
Episcopal Church Men: Mr. Jim Anderson (chairperson), Mr. Ron
King (secretary).
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Ecumenical Officer: The Rev. William Carl Thomas.
Educational Pastoral Letter Task Force: Mr. Fred Albert
(chairperson), The Rev. Dr. Nick England, Ms. Jada Hunter, Ms.
Karen King, Mrs. Laura Leslie, Dr. Cathy Slemp, Mr. Andy Smith,
Mrs. Kathy Thomas, The Rev. Canon Donald Vinson.
EFM: Mrs. Beth Hamrick
Episcopal Appalachian Ministries Board: Mrs. Jane Crist, The Rt.
Rev. Mike Klusmeyer (chairperson)
Equipping the Saints Board: Ms. Diane Cormack, The Rev. Karen
Humbert, The Rev. Ben James, Mrs. Sally Lane, Mr. Darrell Martin
(program administrator), Mrs. Kim Pifer, The Rev. Rick Rutledge,
The Rev. Canon Donald Vinson (Dean).
Faith Alive: Mr. Hal Foss
Health Ministries: Mrs. Marion Culbertson, Ms. Wanda Myers, Mrs.
Anna Lou Sturgeon, Mrs. Debbie Ventura (chairperson), The Rev.
Canon Donald Vinson.
Highland Educational Project: Mr. Dennie Altizer, Mr. Earl Haddad,
Mr. James Hampton, Mr. Kit Lewis, Jr., The Rev. Linda McKinney,
The Rev. Robert McKinney, Mrs. Loris Osborne (director), Mr. David
Perry, The Very Rev. Michael Snider, Mr. Carl Urps, The Rev.
Canon Donald Vinson.
Historiographer: The Rev. Larry Jackson
Insurance Committee: Mr. Alan McVey, Mr. Lee Paull, III, Mr. David
Ramkey.
Marshall Campus Ministry: Mr. Tim Balch, Mr. Stephen Day, Mr.
Jack Stonesifer, The Rev. Ralph Strohm, The Very Rev. Cheryl
Winter.
National Cathedral: Mrs. Hollie Mitchell
The Peterkin Board: Mr. Nathan Arnett, The Rev. Bill Barfield, Mr.
Jason Beschinski, Mr. Stephen Day, The Rev. Mike Hadaway, Mrs.
Karen Klein Jenkins, The Rt. Rev. Mike Klusmeyer, Mrs. Daisy
McBride (director), Mr. John R. McGhee, Ms. Sandy Noe, Mr. David
Ramkey, The Rev. Michael Simon, Mr. Pete Thompson.
Presiding Bishop’s Fund (ERD Representative) Mr. Grif Callahan, Jr.
Province III: Lay Deputy: Ms. Jane McSwain, Clerical Deputy: The
Rev. Susan MacDonald, Vice-Chair: The Rev. Melanie L. McCarley.
Regional Ministries Commission: Mr. Charles Carney, Ms. Linda
Comins, Mrs. Jane Crist, The Rev. Roy Gene Crist, Mr. Richard
Donnell, Mrs. Margi Gault, The Rev. Ben James, The Very Rev.
Theresa Kelley, The Rev. Dr. Jim Lanter, The Ven. Faith Perrizo, Mr.
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Tom Reed, The Rev. Michael Simon, Mrs. Catherine Trefz, The Rev.
John Valentine.
The candidates for various offices were introduced. The names of those
running for office were in Convention packets issued to each registrant.
They are: Trustee: Ben Hardesty (running for two-year term); Standing
Committee - Presbyter: The Rev. Mark Seitz; Constitution and Canons :
The Rev. George Sherrill, Robert “Bo” Sweeney; Sandscrest Board: The
Rev. Richard Skaggs, Donald Rebich, Lee Paull, II, Lisa Martin, The
Rev. Gene Sheppard, Becki Krzywdik, Carlyle Farnsworth, Ruth Foose,
Mary Beth Hughes, Shirley Milton, Steve Szabo, Sarah Barickman, The
Rev. Cynthia Byers Walter; Nominations were asked for from the floor;
Mrs. Sharon Strand was nominated for the Standing Committee (Lay) by
The Rev. Melissa Remington. It was moved that nominations be closed.
Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Trustees: The Rev. Jim Morgan, standing in for Head Trustee Carlyle
Farnsworth, presented the following Trustees report:
The Trustees of the Diocese are responsible for the oversight of the
property and funds belonging to the Diocese to support and enhance
the Diocesan purposes and goals. Additionally, each parish has the
opportunity to invest some or all of their financial assets with the
Diocese. Each parish account is managed as specified by the parish
and is invested with the funds of the Diocese. All the parish funds
are “pooled” together with the various funds belonging to the
Diocese. All these funds usually have specific purposes or uses that
were set at the time they were established. Each fund is accounted
for separately and reported quarterly. WesBanco in Wheeling
handles this accounting of all the Funds. Morgan Keegan of Atlanta
is our investment consultant, and with this group we have formulated
an investment strategy for these pooled funds. Currently our
diversified portfolio is invested in the following percentages: fixed
income 35%, large capitalization corporations 40%, small
capitalization corporations 10%, international companies 10%, and
cash 5%.
On 6-30-10 our investments at market value were as follows:
New Dynamics
$5,797,212
Diocesan Account
$5,158,271
Congregations
$4,711,571
June 30th was the lowest market of the year; however, since then it
has made some recovery. It appears that the United States recovery
is going to be slower than anyone anticipated. In any event, we are
in a good position to take advantage of the recovery as it happens.
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Health Ministries: Debbie Ventura, chairperson of Health Ministries,
encouraged all to stand up and stretch, taking attendees through a
series of short exercises in place. She then gave the following report:
What is Health Ministry? What does it look like? The purpose of
Health Ministry is to promote health and wellness in our diocese
by helping local congregations reclaim the Gospel mission of
health and wholeness. This looks different in every congregation.
It meets the needs of your congregation – not duplicating any
resources available in the community.
General Convention 2009 passed a resolution stating that every
congregation will have a health ministry presence by 2012. This
acknowledges the holistic health of clergy, staff and
congregations. Holistic health includes spiritual, physical &
emotional wellness. Our Lord wishes for each of us to care for
ourselves – so we can go forth and reach out to others. I am the
Diocesan Liaison to The National Episcopal Health Ministries.
This organization is a resource and support to congregations.
Every congregation should have a Health & Wellness Coordinator
& this person does not need to have a medical background – only
an interest in wellness. Mollie Bailey at the Diocesan Office keeps
a record of each congregation’s Health & Wellness Coordinator.
The Health Ministry Commission works to assist the coordinators
on a local level.
Wellness is a continuous process of self-enhancement which
depends upon balancing the many aspects of your life. Wellness
is a way of life; a process; an integration of body, mind, and spirit;
a loving acceptance of yourself. Its outcome is helping you make
informed choices about things that affect your well-being and
those around you.
Due to the change in the convention dates to September – we are
unable to offer flu shots. However, prevention and a flu shot are
keys to preventing the flu. The correct way to cough is into your
elbow – not covering your mouth with your hand as we all were
taught as children. When you use a tissue – dispose of it
immediately. Proper and frequent hand washing is most important
– preferably with soap, water & lots of friction or rubbing. You can
create your own hand washing prayer: Lord I pray that these
hands that you have blessed me with, will keep me and others in
a state of health and wellness. Hand sanitizer should be used
when you do not have access to soap & water. Perhaps you will
consider putting hand sanitizer and tissues in your pews.
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Health Ministry Commission members are focusing on wellness.
How can we help your congregation? You will find our brochure in
your registration material.
I look forward to hearing from churches that do not presently have
a Health & Wellness Coordinator.
Linda Comins presented the following message from The Rev. Mark
Seitz:
Greetings to the Diocese of West Virginia gathered in its 133rd
convention from myself, The Rev Zach Drennen and your brothers
and sisters in Christ in the Diocese of Katakwa in the Anglican
Church of Kenya. I regret that I am not with you this weekend, but
I am most delighted to say that I have the opportunity to be in
Kenya to witness the wonderful work being done here by the
Anglican church with support from you and Anglicans throughout
the communion. We will be holding you in our prayers as you
meet. We would ask your ongoing prayers for work of the
Elewana Project and for the Church of Kenya particularly on
Saturday as they will bury the wife of the Archbishop of Kenya
who died tragically on Sunday. Truly, we are reminded here that it
is only 'with God's help' that His work is done through us in this
place, in West Virginia and anywhere in the world. Blessings and
Peace. The Rev. Mark Seitz
Stewardship: Ms. Linda Crocker made the following presentation
regarding the Commission on Stewardship:
My goal today is to encourage every church in the diocese to send
a delegation to our stewardship training event called Hidden
Treasure to be held here next spring. I thought I could begin by
asking if any of you think your church doesn’t need to attend
because you have a perfect stewardship program already or that
you don’t need to worry about stewardship because you have a
huge endowment, but I don’t want to put anyone on the spot.
Instead I came up with a metaphor for my idea of a ‘perfect church
with a perfect stewardship program’ to share with you.
Do you remember those old big city department stores with lots of
floors and escalators? We had a couple in Rochester where I
grew up. The stores would entice you in with wonderful window
displays, especially at Christmas. Inside the main floor would be
devoted to smaller, less expensive items and necessities – hats,
socks, and lots of cosmetics. As you went up the escalator you
would arrive at floors with generally more expensive, more
exclusive or bulkier items like Better Dresses, Fine Furniture, the
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Bridal Salon, China and Crystal. Of course the store’s goal was to
get what they could out of browsers on the main floor but
especially to entice customers to the higher levels where they
would spend more.
Think about stewardship this way:
Each church entices non-members to come in – just like the
stores’ Christmas windows – we call it evangelism.
Like a customer, the church visitor checks things out on the main
floor – how he or she is welcomed, they try out some of our
services, perhaps liking our church enough to make a small
purchase – we call it a plate offering – and then they see the
escalator. Going up will take some time and may lead to further
purchases – we call it incorporation as people become members
and begin to offer their gifts of time, talent and treasure. In the
store I suppose the management celebrates when they get more
people to venture further into the store and make bigger
purchases. We celebrate in worship with commissioning
ceremonies for teachers, acolytes, Daughters of the King, lay
readers - and with rites of baptism and confirmation.
Just like in those big stores, the ‘perfect church’ has more
escalators leading people to higher levels of commitment and
spiritual growth, so we have formation programs to help people
who are looking for direction – like the store directory – and to
encourage them to take those escalators to higher levels.
With the right formation and encouragement – a well-rounded
stewardship program and the work of the Holy Spirit - more and
more folks get to the higher levels of stewardship: proportional
giving, tithing or even moving beyond the tithe to a place where
their lives are suffused with the generosity of spirit that is always
willing to share every kind of resource without hesitation.
And, just like in the stores, in my perfect church the escalators
don’t stop running. People keep coming in and keep being
encouraged to move up a level: we keep evangelizing,
celebrating, teaching and modeling Christian stewardship.
I imagine most of our churches have escalators that need some
maintenance or repair or maybe we even need to build some new
ones. Come back to Flatwoods next April and discover Hidden
Treasure – tools that will help your congregation repair or build
your escalators and help your parishioners grow in stewardship,
no matter what floor they are on now.
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Please visit our booth and check out our website
(www.wvstewardship.com) for more information and resources.
Registration materials for Hidden Treasure will be available next
month. I hope to see you all there.
Archdeacon Perrizo gave the following report:
As Archdeacon for the Diocese of West Virginia, I wear a variety
of hats.
Most of them fall into three major categories,
Discernment of Ministry, Ministry Development, and Deployment.
Ministry Discernment falls under the auspices of the Commission
on Ministry and Standing Committees, with which I work closely.
Discernment and Formation
At its meeting in April, 2010, Bishop Klusmeyer met with the
Commission on Ministry of the Diocese of West Virginia and
presented the recent Theology of Ministry statement adopted by
the Diocesan Council and to review its work in light of that
statement. To that end, four Working Groups are being formed to
review and revise our processes of discernment and formation for
all baptized members of our Diocese, both lay and ordained.
These include: Discernment (local and diocesan), Diaconal
Formation, Priesthood Formation (those called to attend seminary
and those called to study locally), and Lay Formation and
Licensure.
The Diaconal Formation Working Group has already begun its
work and has some recommendations to bring to the October
meeting of the Commission on Ministry.
We have some
information on the Diaconal Order of Ministry in the exhibit area.
The order of deacons was established early on in the
development of the Christian Church. Look up Acts ….deacons
remind us of our call in baptism to a servant hood ministry,
emulating Jesus, who said, “I come not to be served, but to
serve”.
The Discernment Working Group will review the current Rooted in
Baptism discernment manual, with the goal of revising it to reflect
such changes in our process that the group recommends to the
COM. We have had a process that includes a parish discernment
committee and a COM Ministry Discernment Retreat. Do these
need to be strengthened---or changed? Several years ago, Kitty
Byus (St. Timothy’s, Hurricane, and former COM member) and I
conducted a survey of the parish discernment groups. A desire
was expressed by most of the groups to have had more formation
and training before meeting with the person desiring discernment.
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Over the last several years there have been suggestions around
re-doing parish discernment groups to be wider in the scope of
their membership (e.g., regional, deanery). These are just some
of the ideas to be discussed. The Ministry Discernment Retreats
have had some positive feedback, as well as feedback that
indicate some things need to be reconsidered, especially with the
addition of Team Ministry discernment as well as individual
discernment.
There has been much conversation the last few years regarding
the formation of priests for the Diocese of West Virginia, centering
mostly around seminary and diocesan training and formation
issues. The goal of the Priesthood Formation Working Group is to
identify core expectations we have of anyone accepted into the
process for ordination to the priesthood, regardless of how they
are formed. Secondly, what are the core expectations around
formation, whether those are done in a seminary or diocesan
formation setting? Given our diocesan realities, what differences
in formation might also be needed and expected? How might
expectations be met? What role do seminaries, Equipping the
Saints, Education for Ministry, private tutoring, play in formation?
What about the role of Clinical and Pastoral Education, and the
diocesan use of “equivalent” programs? What has worked and
what hasn’t? What are the challenges that face us in raising up
people for ordination to the priesthood, including the challenges of
people with limited resources, people who will be bi-vocational,
and people serving in team ministries? Goals for the working
group include: developing a definition of “priesthood”; being
clearer about what we expect will be already present in a
person’s life that indicates a call to priesthood; being clearer about
what the core expectations for everyone in formation will be,
regardless of the formation program; answering the questions-When is seminary appropriate?
When is local formation
appropriate? What should be the same? What different?
The work of the Lay Formation and Licensure Working Group will
be conducted at the same time that the governing board for the
Equipping the Saints program is in the midst of a major revision of
their program. While ETS is working to offer a quality and
accessible program to the laity of the diocese, the Working Group
will be looking at a larger picture and be in conversation with the
ETS Board. What does it mean to say we are all called to ministry
through our baptism?
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The Commission on Ministry believes that we need to be looking
at the overall scope of our call to ministry through baptism,
beginning with discernment. What does discernment for ALL
ministries look like—not just discernment for people who feel a
call to ordination? What can we offer to help people who are
discerning anything in their desire to follow God? This might
include: What is my particular ministry? Should I take a particular
job offer? Is it the right time to make a move? When should I get
married? Should I go back to school?
The questions before this committee include: How do we better
develop an understanding that values lay ministry and takes it
seriously?
What’s the best way to provide assistance in
discernment in general? What ministries need to be licensed and
what doesn’t? What does it mean to be licensed? What needs to
come before the Commission on Ministry and what doesn’t?
Looking at the questions will also necessitate reviewing the
current practices. The goal is to make recommendations to the
Commission on Ministry concerning support of lay ministry
discernment and formation, and procedures for licensure in the
canonical areas in Title III of the National Canons.
The time frame for all this work is Aug. 2010 to March 2011. The
Commission has asked the Discernment Working Group to make
some recommendations concerning Parish Discernment
Committee formation and functioning by their meeting in October
2010, so that the moratorium on discernment concerning a call to
Holy Orders might be lifted by January 1, 2011.
Ministry Development
Ministry Development includes the work with the COM, but also
includes working with our Team Ministry Pilot. Over the last three
years, five regional ministries have been involved in formation of
ministry teams to lead the parish. Some of these teams already
include ordained persons, and some have nominated up persons
for ordination to the priesthood or diaconate. The first ordination
under this program will be held Oct. 10, when Jan Shook from
Emmanuel, Moorefield, will be ordained to the diaconate.
Emmanuel’s team also includes a Parish Administrator, two
Worship Leaders, an Outreach Coordinator, a Catechist/Christian
Formation Leader, a lay Preacher. While the three years of the
pilot have been completed chronologically, the teams continue
their formation in a variety of ways, including introducing the
concept and a suggested program to other congregations. This
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pilot will be part of the COM’s conversation as they make
recommendations for the future.
Ministry Development also includes the participation of our
Diocese in the annual Mountain Grace Conference for those who
minister in Appalachia. Theresa Kelley, Pat Haldeman, and I are
on the planning board for this conference, which is jointly
sponsored by the Dioceses of Southern Ohio and West Virginia.
Information about the conference, to be held on Oct. 9th, can be
found in the Episcopal Appalachian Ministries booth in the exhibit
hall. Stop by and meet the Rev. L. Gordon Brewer, director of
EAM.
My office also has resources for training of Eucharistic Visitors,
which is done by the local clergy.
Deployment
My third major hat is Deployment, or Transition Ministry. When
parishes are in a search for new clergy, or clergy are in a search
for their next call, I am the one who first meets with the clergy and
vestry to outline our transition process, explain the formation of a
Search Committee and work with a parish or clergy person
throughout their journey. I have two active consultants who work
with me, Cheryl Winter and Jan Callen.
Currently, our parishes in transition include:

Good Shepherd, Parkersburg, who are in the middle of
interviewing candidates;
 St. Stephen’s, Beckley, just called the Rev. Chris
Thompson, to serve as transitional priest;
 Trinity, Moundsville, just called the Rev. John Kevern to
serve as their interim priest;
 St. Thomas, White Sulfur Springs, and Church of the
Incarnation, Ronceverte who are currently
 being served by the Rev. Betsy Walker and the Rev. Birk
Stathers. They are searching for a priest to serve as
interim.
 Christ Church, Fairmont, is being served by the Rev.
Pamela Shier and the Rev. Steve Haptonstahl during the
absence of their rector, Siobhan Patterson.
Several churches called new rectors this year:


Emmanuel, Keyser, has called the Rev. Paul Francke
Trinity, Morgantown, has called the Rev. Michael
Hadaway
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

Mt. Zion, Hedgesville, and St. Mark’s, Berkeley Springs
has called the Rev. Michael Simon, and
St. Paul’s, Sistersville has called the Rev. Pat Geerdes.
When not otherwise occupied, I also have helped Donald Vinson
facilitate the Fresh Start program, supplied on Sunday mornings in
churches around the diocese, and served as Chaplain at
Peterkin’s Mini-Camp in July…which is definitely one of my very
favorite things to do!
Please keep the COM and Standing Committee in your prayers as
they address their work this year, as well as our churches in
transition. It is through your prayer support that the Body of Christ
becomes reality in and around our mountains and valleys.
The Rev. Canon Donald Vinson gave the following report:
I continue to do the things I did when I reported to the Convention
in 2009. I serve as Dean of Equipping the Saints and Coordinator
for Fresh Start, two formation programs for the people of our
Diocese; as staff liaison for the Diocesan Commissions to End
Racism, on Spirituality, on Health Ministries, on Evangelism, and
on Stewardship. I am Diocesan contact person for Jubilee
Ministries. I work with clergy and vestries to conduct workshops,
retreats, training events, and consultations for congregational
development and conflict resolution. Those roles won’t change for
2011. What will change is my title: I am to be Canon for
Congregational Vitality now.
Fortunately, no one seemed to remember the old title anyway. I
am under no illusions that the new one will be any easier.
However, “Congregational Development” did not adequately
distinguish what I do. Fresh Start helps clergy in new placements
get off to a better start. Equipping the Saints helps to develop and
form ministers for all manner of service in the Diocese. Those are
not clearly congregational development, but they certainly have to
do with increasing congregational vitality. My work involves
anything that helps congregational leaders function better and
draw their people deeper in love with God, and deeper in love for
their fellow human beings. Congregational vitality is spiritual
vitality.
My counterpart at Church Center, Bob Honeychurch, also uses
the Congregational Vitality tag for his office. Of course, people
ask him what a “vital” congregation is. At the TENS Stewardship
Conference recently, he gave this response:
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“A Vital Congregation is a community of faith who:
1) Invites people to become passionate followers of Jesus
Christ;
2) Creates opportunities for personal and corporate
transformation;
3) Equips and empowers people for Gospel mission in the
world.”
Vitality means passion. It means transformation. It means
empowerment. And it is directed not at itself, but into the world.
Those are Bob Honeychurch’s words, but I am content to adopt
them to describe the purpose and focus of my work.
I am not so concerned with whether a congregation holds a parish
dinner or a rummage sale. There is an appropriate time for either.
I am interested in WHY they choose to have one or the other, and
HOW they have arrived at that decision. I look forward to working
with more and more congregations to discover their vision for their
ministry and to explore how best to actualize that ministry in their
specific locale.
Toward that end, one new activity (for us) in 2011 will be
partnering with Diocesan Chief Financial Officer David Ramkey to
present a series of regional one-day seminars on “Vestry 101” and
“Basics of Parish Administration” for vestries, wardens, treasurers,
and clergy. A schedule of these events will be publicized this fall.
I hope to see many of you, and many others from your
congregations, at these events.
Canon Vinson then presented awards to the following for the best
website contest:

Overall: www.elewana.org

Small church: www.christchurch1853.com
Mr. Harold Stewart gave the following report
The Anti-Racism Manual has been revised and Province III is
tentatively planning Anti-Racism Training and Train the Trainer
Training at the Hampton Inn in Martinsburg, WV November 3-6,
2010. It is hopeful that each Diocese will send 2-4 persons to the
training.
Please be reminded that Anti-Racism Training is a requirement in
this Diocese for all persons in leadership positions including
search committees, vestry members, etc. The Commission
provides the training upon request.
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Mr. Charlie Hunsaker, Treasurer, and David Ramkey, CFO, then
presented the Diocesan budget for the year 2011 (found elsewhere in
this Journal). Mr. Ramkey reviewed the 2009 audit performed by Dixon
Hughes, and gave a brief summary of investments. The 2009 Audit
received a clean opinion, meaning no exceptions to the audit. This is
the second consecutive year that the Diocesan Audit has been clean.
A Diocesan Audit Committee, independent of the Diocesan CFO,
Bishop and Treasurer, met after the audit with the auditor, Dixon
Hughes, to review the findings. Mr. Buck Sowers of the audit
committee indicated that there were no problems or questions about
the audit.
A motion was made and seconded to accept the Treasurer’s Report for
2009, which passed unanimously.
Mrs. Pat Haldeman, chairperson of the Presiding Bishop’s Visitation
Task Force, announced that The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Shori
will visit the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia from September 30 –
October 3, 2010. Plans are for her to visit Charleston, Fairmont,
Wheeling, and Shepherdstown. Thanks was extended to the following
members of the Presiding Bishop Visitation Task Force: Jason
Beschsinski, Denise Campolieto, Jane Crist, Pat Haldeman, The Very
Rev. Theresa Kelley, The Rt. Rev. Mike Klusmeyer, Sarah Lydick,
Daisy McBride, The Rev. Cynthia Walter,
Highland Education Project: Mrs. Lori Osborne, director, gave the
following report:
I had a great intern this year, named Josh Saxe. He was a big
help during his time here. He went on all the home visits with me
and took photos and video of each place we visited to get
prepared for the Work Learn Share Program. He did a lot of video
work for the Youtube page that he created for HEP, and also got
us a new web page. He helped coordinate the work groups, and
helped with each project. He also got the word out for help when
the flooding hit, and did a donation run while I was tied up on a
home repair project. I appreciate everything he did this summer,
and I just love his dog Jake.
Thanks to a grant from Episcopal Appalachian Ministries, we were
able to finally get Seager Hall back in shape. We now have a
working stove and refrigerator, as well as 6 new beds. between
Bucky, St. Barnabus and myself, we got the building all cleaned
up and ready to use. St. Paul's from Alexandria Virginia stayed
there this summer and they were thrilled with the condition it is in
now. We also had 9 twin box spring and mattress sets donated to
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us by the Five Loaves Food Bank and Distribution center. Josh
and I about killed our selves carrying them up all those steps, but
they are there and ready to use.
We received a lot of donations from people in the Diocese for the
flood relief effort; this was greatly appreciated because we sure
couldn't have done it ourselves. Thank you to all that helped us in
our time of need.
Work Learn Share was a great success even though the flood
tried to derail our schedule. We didn't accomplish all that we set
out to do, but we did the lions share. There were three jobs that
didn't get completed: the first one being the mobile home that St.
Thomas A Beckett was going to paint. It wouldn't stop raining long
enough for them to do more that power-wash it, but they left the
paint for the young lady, and she said she would do it herself. We
packed up and went to Carswell Hollow and did inside painting for
a family there, they also removed old tile from the bathroom floor
and changed out her screen door. She was thrilled, and we got an
unplanned job done despite the rain. The second job was painting
the outside of a house in Havaco and fixing a ceiling inside, that
St. Barnabus was going to do. Instead half of the group spent two
days with me helping the central distribution center get organized
for flood relief, and the other half spent the week working in the
bathroom and bedroom of the home of a man that had spent most
of last year in the hospital after a liver transplant and being
comatose for quite a while. They also helped get Seager Hall all
cleaned up. Job number three that didn't get completed was a
home in Bartley, which St. Paul's was going to do in addition to a
porch rebuild in Premier. The home in Bartley needed to have a
room finished, they already had the stuff to do it, they just didn't
have any one who could do the work for them. The porch rebuild
took the whole week as it was a porch the full length of the house
including a roof that needed to be taken down and replaced with a
smaller deck so the grand children would have a safe place to
play. The group decided to surprise the owner by putting a full
house length porch back on minus the roof. They put rails and
pickets the whole way around so the kids can have a giant
playpen. Once the kids get older, she can have steps put on if she
chooses.
HEP was asked by FEMA to become part of the Long Term
Recovery team, and I agreed. This is a bunch of different
organizations that are working together to help families recover
from flood damage. There is two parts to this, one part is the
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Southern Regional Long Term Recovery team which consists of
several counties, and there is the local LTR Team which is
organizations that are from each county. We have a regional
conference call every other Tuesday to discuss the progress on
each case, and let each other know what someone needs and to
let each other know what resources are available. An example
would be during the last conference call, there was a family in
Logan that needed a bed and a refrigerator, one organization had
the fridge, and we had the bed. We have a local meeting once a
month at the 911 center, which does the same as the regional, but
on a local level. The reason for the Long Term Recovery team is
to take over where FEMA leaves off, or to be there to help when
FEMA is not involved. The Long Term Recovery Team is for
disaster relief only; it is not for basic home repair or outreach. This
is going to be a permanent program and we are still in need of
items, such as cleaning supplies, tools, building supplies,
household items, clothing, just about anything that a person would
need to rebuild or make a home. If you are cleaning out your
closets, attics, basement or garage, and have things you don't
want or need any more, think of us and let me know, we can do
pick ups.
Other things:
Southern Highlands still uses the building a few days a week, we
have rented the center for several parties, and groups from other
churches have used the building for either a place to stay, or a
place to have activities. Last month we had a Church group from
Elkton Virginia hold a two day Vacation Bible School here at the
center. They had about 16 children from Premier Park attend, as
well as the Southern Highland clients. They had a great time, they
did bible lessons, and crafts, and played games, plus they all were
fed well.
On August 21 we had a Community Appreciation Day at the Five
Loves Food Bank and Distribution Center. We had a clothing give
away, a Motorcycle Ministry and show, and the Borough of
Prisons brought a snow cone machine and gave out free snow
cones. The Motorcycle Ministry and Show was done by the
Shepherds of Hope and Catawba Heights Baptist Church. They
also brought school supplies to give out. At least 300 people came
throughout the day.
We still have a great interest in starting a fitness center in
Premier, since we have been unable to get any grant funding for
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it, we are going to try and do it with donated and gently used
equipment.
Equipping the Saints (ETS) The Rev. Canon Donald Vinson, ETS
dean, gave the following report:
New Wineskins for New Wine
Equipping the Saints invites everyone to answer God’s call to
follow Christ by providing opportunities to discern gifts and to
prepare, form, and educate for the practice of ministry.
God calls everyone to ministry. Ministry is our active response to
the love of God. Following Jesus’ example, we worship God and
proclaim the Good News, we love and forgive, we live and serve,
sharing in Christ’s reconciling work in the world.
ETS is evolving. We now have one “Learning Weekend” (we
formerly had three). We will have online learning modules on a
wide array of ministry areas, and will have basic and advanced
levels. There will be no distinction between laity and ordained. ETS
will be a one-year commitment, with no academic papers required.
We will retain our regional mentor groups, and focus on formation:
“Rule of Life.” We will stress prayerful discernment, in community,
and also ministry based in local congregations.
Plans are underway to have an Open Gathering, August 5-7 at the
Bishop Hodges Center in Huttonsville, WV. Registration will open
in May 2011. Be listening for further information. Talk with clergy
and friends! Plan now to take part.
The session was recessed at 4:29 p.m.
Evening prayer was held at 5:00 p.m. in the Conference Rooms D and
E.
Dinner was at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Rooms A/B.C, with Ms.
Brittany Roper, missionary to the Diocese of Colombia, as keynote
speaker.
SECOND LEGISLATIVE SESSION: Saturday, September 11, 2010
Meeting reconvened at 1:21 p.m.
Bishop Klusmeyer opened the meeting with prayer:
O Lord, you have given us the grace to know the resurrection of
your Son. Grant that the Holy Spirit may, by his love, raise us to
newness of life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you in the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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Gwyn Wolfe, Secretary of Convention, explained that all voting
delegates need to be wearing the white and gold ribbon stating “Voting
Delegate,” which is how Tellers are to identify those persons eligible to
vote. Also, the General Convention and Standing Committee,
according to the Constitution and Canons, will be voted by ballot. The
General Convention must be voted by Orders, as well.
Bishop Klusmeyer presented the following State of the Diocese
address:
Dear Faithful Christians in the Diocese of West Virginia. Grace
and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
As we gather here this weekend for the life and ministry of the
Diocese of West Virginia, we are also reminded of recent
events within our common life.
First, today is the anniversary of the attack on the World Trade
Centers, the Pentagon, and the flight that crashed in
Pennsylvania. Memories are still fresh, and like (for those of us
who are old enough to remember) the assassination of
President Kennedy, we will all remember exactly where we
were when we heard the news of the attacks, 9 years ago,
today.
Unfortunately, as the memories are fresh so are many feelings
about how best to continue to respond. Prayer? Further military
actions? Diplomacy?
Ultimately the Prince of Peace must rule in our hearts.
I ask your prayers for all those who have leadership
responsibilities in our world – for wise judgment and careful,
considered actions. Inflaming passions and working people
into frenzies are never good, for the peace of the World.
Episcopalians are known for our tolerance of differing views,
and the encouragement to enter into conversation. May we
carry this forth, in our lives – by word and by example.
As we gather here, I ask your prayers for our sister, the
Reverend Siobhan Patterson, who was to have surgery for
renal cancer, this past week. The surgery was postponed and
will take place soon, we pray. It goes without saying that she is
certainly very ill, and needs our prayers. God has provided
various opportunities for her recovery, including excellent
doctors, new medicines, and this Community of Faith and
Friends who regularly hold her in their prayers.
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I also ask your continued prayers for the Reverend Keith
Butler, who died suddenly last month. I ask your prayers for
him, and for his family. Obviously we were all stunned and
surprised by his death, and we pray also for the congregations
in the Greenbrier/Monroe Episcopal Ministries.
I believe that Keith has now heard those words we would all
long to hear someday: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Rest in peace, our friend.
Unfortunately, it is a reminder of the frailty and uncertainty of
life.
Also, as we gather, I want to thank, again, those who have
worked so hard for the Diocese of West Virginia. As I’ve
mentioned in the past, they are often referred to as the
‘Bishop’s Staff,’ and they may be. However, they are the staff
for the Diocese... Diocesan Staff, who work hard to assist
congregations throughout the Diocese. Let me be clear –they
are not here (none of us are) to fix problems. Rather, they are
here to help guide, lead, assist and walk with you along the
path that Christ calls us to walk.
I first want to thank Gwyn and Mollie, who keep the home fires
burning. Their time and energies help us/free us to be out in
the field, or to press on to the next appointment.
I thank David and Annette, who have worked so hard to make
sure that the money that comes in and goes out, is properly
accounted for. This year, for the second time in a LONG TIME,
we had a clean audit. No exceptions, no concerns, no
problems. That is an achievement that I longed for, when I first
arrived!
Jason, and now Stephen Day also, serve for the youth and
young adults in the Diocese. It has not been easy, as many of
our youth are not able to transport themselves, and so travel at
the pleasure of their parents or others, to get to activities.
Jason has worked hard for the Summer Camps, as well as
connecting to the youth and schools of higher education in
West Virginia. This year, Diocesan Council approved the hiring
of a second person, which was presented by the College and
Young Adult Commission. Stephen Day was hired to share the
load. For their respective responsibilities – Stephen will
concentrate on Youth and Young Adults in
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the Western and Southern part of the Diocese, while Jason will
concentrate on the Northern and Eastern parts. We can expect
to see youth activities, such as retreats, ski trips, Happening,
and more, as well as a strengthened Peterkin experience for
everyone.
Faith and Donald. They are probably the most visible of the
staff. Ministry Development and Congregational Development
are vital to the lives of our congregations. These are integrally
related, and yet they are separate, as they require both
individual and systemic changes to take place, to allow God’s
grace to permeate who we are. It is not enough to just ‘have a
priest’ at the altar, if the congregation is not systemically set to
allow God’s grace to function freely and lovingly in each
location and context. Donald and Faith have worked hard to
respond to the needs and challenges of the congregations,
groups, commissions and beyond, to open the channel of
God’s grace in our midst.
I thank Daisy, Sarah and Lori, who make sure that our parachurch ministries continue to flourish. Lori dreams about ways
in which we can better reach the people of McDowell County.
Daisy continues to reach out to various groups to welcome
them to Peterkin, as well as making sure that Peterkin Camps
are run smoothly and faithfully. And Sarah always extends a
gracious welcome to everyone who enters the doors of
Sandscrest.
I thank the Trustees of this Diocese, along with Charlie
Hunsaker, who have worked diligently in a very difficult
financial environment, to make sure that the ministries of the
Diocese are properly and responsibly funded. Charlie,
especially, has made extra efforts to be present, physically,
spiritually and psychologically, even while trying to enjoy his
retirement.
And I thank the Chancellors – John Hussell, Tyler Dinsmore
and Karen Jenkins, for their tireless counsel, for their legal
wisdom, and for their time spent on behalf of the Diocese.
Words cannot adequately express my deep appreciation for
their time and wisdom!
And today I want especially to thank Betsy Walker, who for 20
years was the editor of the Dayspring. She retired from that
post this past year, but I want to say that she did an
exceptional job! She worked hard,...and lovingly put together
43
every edition of the Dayspring in such a way that the life of the
Diocese, and the good works being done, were highlighted and
showcased. She, the Dayspring and various contributors won
numerous Polly Bond awards, as a sign of the superb work she
has done. Betsy–THANK YOU!!!!
I have only just returned from a month of vacation and a month
of my sabbatical. This is the first sabbatical I’ve had in more
than 30 years of ordination, and I have to say that either I
flunked sabbatical, or I have to readjust my expectations of
what a sabbatical was to be, for me.
I had hoped to visit tiny and different congregations around the
Church – to experience their hospitality and mission. Instead, I
found that this month of sabbatical was a time to be with my
wife and family... something that has eluded me for much of
the past 9 years. Marsha and I moved Anna to Milwaukee, for
her to begin her new job. Then we traveled to Bogota, to visit
with our Companion Diocese of Colombia. I spent a few days
at a conference on “joy” with the Old Catholics. I was going to
visit Willow Creek – purported to be the largest
Church/congregation in the USA, and decided to cancel that
because of the death of Father Butler. Then, for the last week,
I went to Seattle to experience and talk about the Emerging
Church phenomena.
I also attended a Church whose website declared that it
practiced ‘Radical Hospitality.’ I was intrigued. When I arrived
at the Principle Eucharist, I was handed a bulletin, and told
“Hello.” Someone else shook my hand and said, “Nice to see
you.” I went to my pew. No one greeted me, except at the
Peace. At the end, I stepped out of my pew – looked around,
and waited for a few moments. I walked out, without another
word spoken to me by anyone. So, at this point, I’m not sure
what ‘Radical Hospitality’ is all about – but I know it should be
done.
It was an extremely interesting few days, and I’m still trying to
wrap my mind around the concept of the Emerging Church.
I will take the balance of my sabbatical mid-2011, when I hope
to travel to Africa, Brazil and follow up on the visits to different
expressions of ministries in the US. Bishop Peterkin was the
first US bishop to visit Brazil, on behalf of the Episcopal
Church, to plant the seed there, and I have been invited by the
44
Primate of Brazil to come and see what I (one) West Virginia
did!
Again, I thank everyone on the staff for keeping the life of the
office intact, while I was away. In addition to being able to
spend time with Marsha and the family, the sabbatical also
gave me the opportunity to reflect on what I’ve been doing, and
what has been happening around the Diocese.
And I thank all of you! For your faithful care of the Churches
you attend, for your prayers and witness to the Grace of God in
our midst. I thank you for the hopefulness I see in your eyes
and in your spirit. I thank you for sharing your journey with me,
and with others around you.
When I arrived here, I was clear– it’s all about the kids! I used
to say that McDonalds has it right. Focus on the kids (through
their Happy Meal) and the adults will follow. Let me be clear,
again – it is all about the kids in this Diocese!
In addition, it’s also about Congregational Development! That
means that we’re to focus on the life, evangelism, stewardship
and worship life of congregations! Too often we focus on our
own survival, and not on doing the mission that Christ has
called us to do.
How do we live the Gospel life? In the Emerging Churches,
they don’t want to DO Church. They don’t want Church just to
be from 10 -11 on Sunday mornings, or even at any pre-set
time (like a weekday Mass).
They don’t even want to do Church on Sundays, followed by a
Bible Study sometime during the week, unless that Bible Study
radically alters who they are, and how they interact in the
world. “Faith without works is dead,” would probably be their
rallying cry, and it should be ours as well! Rather, they want
the Faithful to BE (!) Church, every hour, every day! How do
they Incarnate the Presence of Christ in all they do?
That’s what congregational vitality is all about – BEING THE
CHURCH – being the Body of Christ in the world! AT ALL
TIMES!!!
In “Tales of a Magic Monastery,” the guest to the Monastery
forgot to bring his Bible. The guestmaster tells him to write his
own Bible... something of your own on the order of the Bible.
“You could tell of a classical bondage, and the great
liberation... ought to be much more interesting that just reading
45
someone else’s Bible.” “It took me a month. I never learned so
much about the official Bible. When I was finished, he
recommended
I take it home and try to live according to it for a year. “I
couldn’t tell anyone. It was quite a year. “I had never put so
much energy and alertness into living by the official Bible as I
was putting into living by this one. And my daily meditations
had never been so concentrated.”
A year later, he returned. His last day at the Monastery, the
guestmaster told him to throw his Bible into the fireplace.
“Afterwards he set me to work writing another Bible. And so it
went, these past 40 years. Each year a new Bible, a new
journal, and then at the end of the year– into the flames.”
Can you do that? Can you know the Bible so well that it
becomes a daily challenge to living out the Gospel? To be so
alive and relevant to your life that you can take no actions
without first being confronted by the Bible? Live the power of
the Bible – pray the power of the Bible, in such a way that your
life is changed, and the life of your congregation is energized
for the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
And finally, the third aspect of who we are as a Diocese is that
we are a worshiping community! Our Liturgies must be
inspiring and bring a piece of the Kingdom of God nearer to our
people.
There is a website called the “Ship of Fools” which regularly
evaluates congregations on Sundays. Two of their questions
that are always answered are: “Which part of the service was
like being in Heaven?” and “and which part was like being in ...
er ... the other place?” Our liturgy should always reflect
Heaven, for all those who come – whether newcomers or
people who have sat in the same pew for the past 75 years.
YOUTH – HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS– WORSHIP!
Now, let’s talk about some specifics of the Diocese:
Peterkin: This past year, we had some very good meetings of
the Board, with some strong energy around ways to strengthen
and build Peterkin. We had Peter Bergstrom from the
Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers Organization come
here to help us focus. In short, he said that as the Episcopal
Church has been losing members, the Camps have a direct
correlation of loss as well. Those camps that have closed
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recently have been the camps that refused to move into the
21st Century, and only want to continue to do camps as they
have been doing them for the past 50 years.
With the addition of Stephen Day to the Diocesan Staff, to
focus on Youth and Young Adults, we will now have more
attention given to the strengthening and building of new ideas
at Peterkin. In addition, I am asking a new priest in the
Diocese, The Reverend Dr. John Kevern, to help create
programs and conferences at both Peterkin and Sandscrest.
Along with Bonnie Thurston and others, we will begin to
become a regional magnet for conferences on spirituality,
ministry and other topics of great interest. These should begin
in the not too distant future. (Right John???) But we need your
assistance – I ask you and your vestries to use Peterkin as a
place for Vestry Retreats and conferences. Take your youth
there and use the place.
Unfortunately, we also experienced another setback at
Peterkin. This past year, we were told that the pool failed to
meet federal code – something to do with the rate of water
filtration and turnover. We had no pool for this past summer.
People survived, but if we are to have a class operation, I
believe we need a pool. I have already begun to talk with
people, who are willing to make a pledge toward a new pool,
but I need you also! This is nothing that about $250,000 won’t
fix ... yet another challenge for us all.
Gravatt and the Dining Hall have been painted, thanks to a
challenge grant by Mr. David Pitts. They are beautiful!
So – we take a step forward, and we take a step backward.
Such is the life of aging properties. But – let me emphasize
that the properties are here (buildings and grounds) to serve
the greater mission of Peterkin. We do not, and will not, build
or fix or replace something just so we can be frozen in time. All
that we have, in a temporal sense, is for the building up of the
Kingdom of God.
Sandscrest: An opportunity to do a little teaching about
Sandscrest. Several years ago, during a Diocesan Council
meeting at Sandscrest, I made the comment that the Diocese
does not own Sandscrest, rather we ‘control’ Sandscrest.
Someone in the room got extremely upset and asked when we
‘gave it away’ and ‘why?’
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Sandscrest was given to us (to make a long story shorter) by
Harry and Helen Sands, for the use of the Diocese. Their hope
was that the property would be used for ‘religious, educational
or scientific’ purposes or as a Home for the Aged.
From there, we created a ‘Foundation’ to take title to the
property and created a Board to run the place. For the past 60
years, we have run it very well, as a conference and retreat
center. We have had good leadership there, and of course –
meals and dining have always been critical aspects of
Sandscrest.
We have a fine Director, in Sarah Lydick.
This past year, after several years of work and slowly moving
forward, the Foundation approved new By-laws, combining the
Foundation and the Board, so that there exists only one Body
that will own and operate Sandscrest. Fortunately we also
have many people on the outside, who stand ready to assist,
and guide us as we move forward. This year, we will elect that
new Body.
One of the early ‘hopes’ that Harry Sands had was that
Sandscrest might be used as a retirement center. This past
year I asked an ad hoc committee to explore this possibility.
They met with consultants and had Sandscrest ‘rated’ for the
possibility of building a center. Unfortunately, no matter how
we tweaked the numbers, it was not a possibility. The cost was
out of sight.
ECCC also spent time with the Board at Sandscrest, and
helped to energize people to do more in fundraising, visioning
and programming. I believe that due to many different streams
coming together at the same time, Sandscrest has some
wonderful years ahead of her, and we will all benefit. Father
Kevern will also be working on bringing people to Sandscrest
for Conferences... and like at Peterkin, I ask you to utilize
Sandscrest! Bring your Vestries. Bring your youth! Hold events
there!
The Highland Educational Project: Lori Osborne continues to
do an excellent job there! We continue, after 60 years, to be
the premier ministry in the county, providing assistance to
people throughout the region – food, shelter, educational
assistance, counseling, and many other ways in which the God
of our Salvation becomes incarnate to the people in McDowell
County.
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The bad news is that so much is still needed. The Good News
is that, quietly, unassumingly, sometimes only by emergency,
but always lovingly, Lori and HEP are present.
The Anglican Communion: As many of you know, there is this
thing running around the Anglican Communion called the
“Anglican Covenant.” It was a product (at least its concept)
from the Windsor Group convened by the Archbishop of
Canterbury, several years ago. At Lambeth Conference it was
discussed, and while I have to admit that we were told that no
decisions were going to be made at Lambeth, it does appear
that a decision was made that a Covenant would be presented
to be adopted by all of the Provinces of the Anglican
Communion.
We have people from the Episcopal Church who have been
working on this group (among others) to help write a Covenant.
Quite honestly, they seem to be rather supportive of such a
document. As I stated last year and previously, I support the
concept of a Covenant. It is what it is – a Covenant, not a legal
Contract. It is a way of living together, and in the larger scheme
of God’s Salvific Creation, the Anglican Communion is still
relatively young and is suffering from growing pains.
Something that helps us is probably not a bad thing. Those
who worked on it have suggested that it is broad enough, with
enough “mays,” “ifs,” “possibles” and the like, that there is
much latitude for the Episcopal Church, and other Provinces to
continue to move forward where the Holy Spirit appears to be
leading, but at the same time, an opportunity to remind
everyone that we are in relationship.
Every Delegate to this Convention has been given a copy of
the Anglican Covenant and I, along with the Presiding Bishop
and others, expect that every congregation in the Diocese of
West Virginia will explore this document... study it, discuss it,
and report back to me on what you think. Read, mark, learn
and inwardly digest it. To begin with, I would ask you to begin
by asking two questions about the Covenant:
1. Why would this be a good thing for the Communion?
2. Why would this be a bad thing for the Communion?
And then move forward from there.
As you can imagine, there are people all over the board on this
issue ... some feel it’s not necessary, some feel it’s past time,
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some feel it’s imperative... some feel it’s‘Un‐Anglican.’ But I
dare say, like many things – many people with opinions have
not read the actual document.
I am reminded of a story from one of my favorite books – “The
Way of the Wolf,” by Martin Bell. The story is entitled, “The Rag
Tag Army.”
I think God must be very old and very tired. Maybe he used to
look splendid and fine in his general’s uniform, but no more.
He’s been on the march a long time, you know. And look at his
rag-tag little army! All he has for soldiers are you and me.
Dumb little army. Listen! The drumbeat isn’t even regular.
Everyone is out of step. And there! You See? God keeps
stopping along the way to pickup one of his tinier soldiers who
decided to wander off and play with a frog, or run in afield, or
whose foot got tangled in the underbrush. He’ll never get
anywhere that way. And yet, the march goes on.
Do you see how the marchers have broken up into little
groups? Look at that group up near the front. Now, there’s a
snappy outfit. They all look pretty much alike – at least they’re
in step with each other. That’s something! Only they’re not
wearing their shoes. They’re carrying them in their hands. Silly
little band. They won’t get far before God will have to stop
again.
Or how about that other group over there? They’re all holding
hands as they march. The only trouble with this is the men on
each end of the line. Pretty soon they realize that one of their
hands isn’t holding onto anything – one hand is reaching,
empty, alone. And so they hold hands with each other, and
everybody marches around in circles. The more people holding
hands, the bigger the circle. And, of course, a bigger circle
is deceptive because as we march along it looks like we’re
going somewhere, but we’re not. And so God must stop again.
You see what I mean? He’ll never get anywhere that way!
If God were more sensible he’d take his little army and shape
them up. Why, who ever heard of a soldier stopping to romp in
afield? It’s ridiculous. But even more absurd is a general who
will stop the march of eternity to go and bring him back. But
that’s God for you. His is no endless, empty marching. He is
going somewhere. His steps are deliberate and purposive. He
may be old, and he may be tired. But he knows where he’s
going. And he means to take every last one of his tiny soldiers
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with him. Only there aren’t going to be any forced marches.
And, after all, there are frogs and flowers, and thorns and
underbrush along the way. And even though our foreheads
have been signed with the sign of the cross, we are only
human. And most of us are afraid and lonely and would like to
hold hands or cry or run away. And we don’t know where we
are going, and we can’t seem to trust God – especially when
it’s dark out and we can’t see him! And he won’t go on without
us. And that’s why it’s taking so long.
Listen! The Drum beat isn’t even regular. Everyone is out of
step. And there! You see? God keeps stopping along the way
to pick up one of his tinier soldiers who decided to wander off
and play with a frog, or run in afield, or who’s foot got caught in
the underbrush. He’ll never get anywhere that way!
And yet, the march goes on!
For some, the march is too slow ... for others (most of us) we
are the soldiers who wander off the path... Look around we–
you and me, and the people in this room, and others just like
us around the world, are the only people God has sent out to
do the work and ministry of the Church! What a rag-tag crew
we are!
God depends upon us! Ugh!
God depends on us to do the ministry we have been called to
perform.
Celebrant Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever
you fall into sin, repent and return to the
People I will, with God’s help.
¿Proclamarás por medio de la palabra y el ejemplo las Buenas
Nuevas de Dios en Cristo? Pueblo Así lo haré, con el auxilio
de Dios.
Celebrante ¿Buscarás y servirás a Cristo en todas las
personas, amando a tu prójimo como a ti mismo? Pueblo Así
lo haré, con el auxilio de Dios.
Celebrante ¿Lucharás por la justicia y la paz entre todos los
pueblos, y respetarás la dignidad de todo ser humano?
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Pueblo Así lo haré, con el auxilio de Dios.
WE WILL, WITH GOD’S HELP
Ministry – that which we are called to do. This past year, a
Task Force, headed by the Very Reverend Kevin Kelly
produced a statement of ministry for the Diocese of West
Virginia. This was in response to the moratoria I put in place
around the ordination process.
In 2003, our General Convention passed new Title III Canons,
which radically changed the way people are ordained in this
Church, and the way in which people may serve. While it was a
radical alteration of the past, it was not recognized as radically
different until several years later. And, we continued to do the
same old thing, the same old way– which caused some
confusion on all sides – COM, Bishop and those presenting
themselves for ordination.
We have been in a moratoria for about 18 months, and during
that time, we/I have been able to think things through, and the
COM has been working on revisiting various questions about
ordination. It was difficult to take time to reflect, because during
much of the past 18 months, people were still ‘entering the
pipeline,’ even though we were in a moratorium. They had
begun at some point prior to the moratorium, and we continued
to perpetuate the old system.
We expect a well formed and trained ordained leadership in
our Church, but at the same time, the reality is that not
everyone coming out of seminary can be guaranteed a full time
paid position. Many of our congregations can no longer afford
to pay clergy – even 1/4 or 1/2 time for their ordained
leadership...
So, how do we provide the best, but yet alter to a Church of the
21st Century?
The COM will have answers to specific questions, and the
Moratorium is ended, effective 1 January 2011. I thank Tom
Gilpin, the Rev. Julie Harris, the Very Reverend Kevin Kelly,
Archdeacon Perrizo and the COM for their work in this
process.
Our ministry statement states:
Ministry is our active response to the love of God.
Following Jesus’ example, we:
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Worship God
Proclaim the Good News,
Love and forgive,
Live and serve, sharing in Christ’s reconciling work in the
world.
God calls everyone to ministry.
God calls everyone to ministry. Like the story of Moses, who
complained to God, that the work was too much, many of our
clergy are expected, by their parishioners, to do the entire thing
alone. I am amazed at how many congregations do not have
Lay Eucharistic Visitors. These are people who are authorized
(by the Bishop, with nomination from the priest and the Vestry)
to take the Sacrament to people who are unable to attend
Eucharist on Sunday. There are special provisions... but this is
permitted. The priest cannot do it all, and the Commission on
Ministry and I are working to see how we can strengthen lay
ministry in the Diocese of West Virginia.
When Moses complained, God took some of the Spirit that was
on Moses, and put it on the 70 elders... including Eldad and
Medad ... although Canon Vinson will tell you that according to
a Pseudopigraphic story, there were actually 72 Elders –
including Eldad, Medad, Doodad, and Crawdad ... but that’s
another story, altogether.
God shared the gifts of ministry with those prepared to work in
the field. God has not changed that – we need to continue to
build up the ministries in the Diocese of West Virginia, so that
everyone knows that the Holy Spirit is alive and well here in
our midst.
To that end, Canon Vinson and the Board of ETS (Equipping
the Saints) have spent much of the past year working on
revamping our formation/training program. This Diocese has a
long history of local education and formation, but we need to
keep moving ahead. We need to meet the realities of the 21st
Century, by online opportunities, while not neglecting the
necessities of community building. We cannot have a well
educated community of ministers who are isolated through the
internet.
I believe we have a society that is more connected, through the
internet, yet more isolated from incarnated community, by
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sitting at computer terminals. Our faith is an incarnational faith
that recognizes Christ in each person – face to face. ETS is
working hard on this, to make sure that both aspects are
available.
Along with ministry of the ordained, in the Episcopal Church,
comes responsibility. At the General Convention of 2009, we
passed new Canons, relating to Title IV – what we know as the
Disciplinary Canons.
I take the Discipline of the Church extremely seriously, as we
have noted in the past years. These Canons are a radical
change from what we have had in the past, and they will take
effect on 1 July 2011. In order to have them in full force on that
date, each Diocese is required to update their own Canons.
This will be presented in a few minutes, by our Diocesan
Chancellor.
And – (almost finally), I want to speak briefly about our
Companion Relationship with Colombia. Marsha and I spent 10
days with Bishop Duque, his wife Blanca Lucía and his
Diocese, this past July. The Diocese of Colombia is a vibrant,
growing place, with a gifted Bishop. I am happy that we have
moved into this relationship, because I believe there are
unlimited possibilities for us together.
I am the 970th Bishop in the Episcopal Church. Bishop Duque
is the 969th. So we do have something in common right from
the start. Since his arrival as Bishop, the number of Episcopal
Congregations in Bogota has grown from 3 to 8 or 9. Many of
these new congregations are what we would call ‘Unorganized
Missions,’ or now ‘Bishop’s Missions,’ but he is growing new
plants around the city. Their context is different from ours–
obviously, but nonetheless, there is a great deal of similarity.
Education, poverty, unemployment are realities. The one thing
that we were not prepared for though, was the Abuelos – the
elderly who, when they become sick, are taken into the city by
their families, and dropped off ... abandoned – homeless and
confused.
The Episcopal Church – particularly San Salvador– provides a
place for them to live, eat and be in something of a community.
Bishop Duque has required (!) each congregation to adopt a
new project –start a school, open a shelter, and the like –
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something GRAND!!! We can be a part of those projects, and
I’m asking that the Companion Diocese Commission organize
a mission trip to Colombia in 2011.
And finally–
Over the past year, I have been asked by several people to
speak plainly about my vision for the Diocese of West Virginia.
The Vision of the Diocese:
1. Outwardly: To be a place where Jesus Christ is known,
worshiped, and proclaimed – clearly and loudly, by all
people, Forgiveness is lived out in a radical way, and
2. Inwardly: To be a place where Children and Youth are
incorporated and honored; we have Healthy Congregations
(Stewardship/Evangelism) and where worship is alive and
meaningfully focused and pointing to Jesus.
Now – that’s who we are and who we will be!
But I would like to center on one other piece. Many of you have
heard the story I have told for many years. A Christian
Motivational speaker was talking about a change that took
place in the United States in the mid‐1960’s. He said that a
new company began something radical. Up until that time,
grocery shopping was done between the hours of 8 am and 7
pm (or so). In the mid‐1960’s, along came a company called 711, which opened early and remained open until 11 pm. It was
a radical concept, and even as a young child, I remember my
parents laughing at it. “Who would declare they needed a quart
of milk at 10:30 at night, and go out to buy it, and pay a
premium for it?” Obviously we all knew how to go grocery
shopping at the ‘appropriate hours.’
BUT–today, in the 21st Century, if Kroger is not open 24/7,
there’s a problem!
Meanwhile, the Christian Church continues to offer 8 o’clock
and 10:30, like we did in the 1950’s. It is time to change that!
Someone just told me that a recent study shows that 20% of
Americans are either at work, or otherwise occupied on
Sunday morning ... add to that, those who are busy with sports
and other ‘family activities’ and we have probably at least 40%
of the population is not available on Sunday morning, for
‘Church.’
Would the clergy of the Diocese please stand...?
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Brothers and Sisters. I have never given you a Charge at
Diocesan Convention before, but today is my start. I charge
you to begin something new ... a new liturgy, at a time NOT on
Sunday morning.
I don’t care if it’s a Eucharist.
I don’t care if it’s got music.
I don’t care if it’s a Taizé service.
I don’t care if it’s Evening Prayer.
I don’t care if it’s on Saturday evening (the Roman Catholics
have that all over us!)
I don’t care if it’s on Sunday evening.
I don’t care if it’s high church.
I don’t care if it’s low church.
I don’t care if the laity lead it (except for Eucharist – no lay
presidency)
I don’t care about the style content or time.
JUST DO SOMETHING!!!! NOT ON SUNDAY MORNING!!!!!
Adapt to the 21st Century.
Now, would the laity please stand.
My charge to you:
Support this!
You do not need to come to every service, but you do need to
announce this to others. It would do no good to hold a new
service on Sunday evening, at 5 pm, if no one ever hears
about it. You’ll come back to me next year and say, ‘we tried it,
but it didn’t work.’
Support this!
Get involved.
Lift some of the Spirit that is on your ordained clergy, and take
it upon yourself.
Know your story, and share your story!
Tell your story!
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Share who you are, as a child of God.
And now to the Diocese: Please stand:
Make the liturgies of your congregations a vision of what
heaven is.
Make the worship in your congregations so enlivened and
bright that Christ is known, worshiped and adored. Go forth,
my brothers and sisters in Christ, and make Christ known in all
the world.
Amen.
Soul of Christ, sanctify us.
Body of Christ, save us;
Blood of Christ, inebriate us;
Water from the side of Christ, wash us;
Passion of Christ, strengthen us;
O good Jesu, hear us;
Within they wounds, hide us;
Suffer us not to be separated from thee;
From the malicious enemy defend us;
In the hour of our death, call us,
And bid we come to thee.
That with thy Saints we may praise thee
Forever and ever. Amen.
Charlie Hunsaker, Treasurer, presented the final Budget for 2011. This
budget is presented elsewhere in this Journal. There are a few
changes in the proposed budget published in the Convention Digest
and the Preconvention Journal.; these are corrected herein.
Charlie Hunsaker made the following motion: Resolved that the 2011
Diocesan Council budget is approved, with authorization to the
Diocesan Council to amend from time to time, as needed, provided no
missionary apportionment total or missionary apportionment of any
parish is affected. Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
The Budget Committee makes a recommendation that the 2011
Budget be passed as corrected. This motion needed no second
because it came from a committee. This motion, with the above noted
corrections, passed unanimously.
Ballots were distributed, with an explanation of the voting process, for
the Standing Committee and General Convention elections.
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Resolutions:
Vice Chancellor Tyler Dinsmore thanked the Resolutions Committee
for their excellent work.
The text of this year’s Resolutions, as presented, is contained in both
the Convention Digest and the 2010 Preconvention Journal.
Resolution 1
This Resolution was submitted by the Vestry of St. John's Episcopal
Church, The Rev. Susan J. Latimer (rector), and The Rev. Ann Lovejoy
Johnson (associate rector).
The Resolutions Committee recommended that this Resolution be
adopted as submitted. This motion needed no second because it came
from a committee. This motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Resolution 2
This Resolution was submitted by the Vestry of St. John's Episcopal
Church and The Rev. Ann Lovejoy Johnson (associate rector).
No recommendation regarding this Resolution was made by the
Resolutions Committee.
The Hon. Brooks McCabe, of St. John's Episcopal Church in
Charleston, WV, on behalf of St. John's, respectfully withdrew the
motion, in the hope that it would avoid a vote that could be devisive at
a time with the Episcopal Church needs to stay united. The Rev.
Elizabeth (Betsy) Walker objected to this withdrawal.
A vote was taken, by delegates standing in place.
In favor of withdrawing Resolution: 58
Again keeping Resolution:
82
Therefore, the Resolution passed.
Resolution 3
This Resolution was submitted by Members and Friends of the
Outreach Ministries of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston:
Melinda DiCarlo, Rebecca Burns, Fran Simone, Ray Shackleford, Beth
Marquart, Dwight Foley, Karen Glazier, Beth Hamrick, James
Thibeault, Donna Hamra, Michelle Walker, Bren Pomponio, Rosemary
L. Smith, Brooks F. McCabe, Carrie Swing, John Canfield, Betty Jo
Lloyd, Olive Meyer, Bob Rosier, Lora Thompson, Parrish Thompson,
Doris Redfield, Bob Miller, Brian Hamra, Linda Cooper, Christy Farris
Morris, The Rev. Ann Lovejoy Johnson
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The Hon. Brooks McCabe, of St. John's Episcopal Church in
Charleston, WV, moved that this Resolution be referred to Diocesan
Council.
Motion was seconded and passed unanimously by voice vote.
Resolution 4
This Resolution was submitted by the Commission on Stewardship,
Linda Crocker, chairperson.
The Resolution Committee recommended that this motion be passed.
This motion needed no second because it came from a committee.
This motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
All passed Resolutions can be found elsewhere in this Journal.
The Rev. Rick Rutledge, Head Teller, explained that the General
Convention and Standing Committee, according to the Constitution and
Canons, will be voted by ballot. The General Convention must be voted
by Orders, as well. Ballots were distributed.
The following were candidates for office:
TRUSTEE: (special 2 Year Term) (Canon 5.1) (elect one) (term expires
2012)
Ben Hardesty
STANDING COMMITTEE: (4 Year Term) (Canon 17.1)
Presbyter/Deacon (term expires 2014)
The Rev. Mark Seitz
Vote for 1 Lay Person (Term Expires 2014)
Sharon Strand (NOMINATED FROM THE FLOOR)
CONSTITUTION AND CANONS COMMITTEE – (3 Year Term)
(Canon 25)
Vote for 1 Presbyter or Deacon (Term expires 2013)
The Rev. George Sherrill
Vote for 1 Lay Person (Term expires 2013)
Robert “Bo” Sweeney
SANDSCREST BOARD
Vote for 15 Persons (terms expire graduating by number of votes)
The Rev. Richard Skaggs
Donald Rebich
Linda S. Comins
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Lee Paul II
Lisa Martin
The Rev. Gene Sheppard
Becki Krzywdik
Carlyle Farnsworth
Ruth Foose
Mary Beth Hughes
Shirley Milton
Steve Szabo
Sarah Barickman
The Rev. Cynthia Walter
GENERAL CONVENTION DEPUTIES
Elect 4 Presbyters or Deacons
The Rev. Paul Hicks
The Very Rev. Kevin Kelly
The Very Rev. Cheryl Winter
The Rev. Susan Latimer
The Rev. Stan Holmes
The Rev. John Valentine
Elect 4 Lay Persons
Toni Lynne Devore
Linda Comins
Beth Marquart
Sissy Poland
Harriette Cyrus
Completed voting ballots were collected by the Tellers and Pages.
Chancellor John Hussell, chairperson of the Constitution and Canons
Committee, presented a change to the current proposed Canons. This
change has been brought about by a change in the Canons of the
Episcopal Church USA – Title IV, and pertains to the establishment of
a Disciplinary Board (for ecclesiastical discipline).
Currently, the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia has an Ecclesiastical
Court. General Convention 2008 made changes to the Canons of the
ECUSA. Most specifically, Canon IV, Title IV, Canon 5, Section 1
provides that each Diocese establish a Disciplinary Board. This will
replace the current Ecclesiastical Court. The effective date of the
implementation of this Disciplinary Board will be July 1, 2011. Since we
will not meet, as a Convention, between now and July 1, 2011, we
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must get our Canons in sync with the national canons during this
Convention. There are four things we need to do, as a Convention, in
regards to our Canons.
On behalf of the Constitution and Canons Committee, Mr. Hussell
made the following motion, which is comprised of four parts.
1. Amend Title II, Canon 2, Section 4, as below, replacing the existing
language with the language below:
Title II, Canon 2, Section 4
Disciplinary Board.
a) Composition. The Disciplinary Board (the Board) shall
consist of not less fewer than seven persons, four of whom
are members of the Clergy and three of whom are Laity.
b) Clergy Members. The Clergy members of the Board must
canonically and geographically resident within the
Diocese.
c) Lay Members. The lay members of the Board shall be
adult communicants in good standing and geographically
resident in this Diocese.
d) Election. The members of the Board shall be elected by
the Convention. Each member shall be elected for a three
(3)-year term; except, if a member is elected to fill a
vacancy, the term of such member shall be the unexpired
term of the member being replaced. The term of the
member shall commence on the first (1st) day of the year
following election. The terms of office of the Board shall be
staggered and arranged into three classes.
e) Vacancies.
follows:
Vacancies on the Board shall be filled as
1) Upon the determination that a vacancy exists, the
President of the Board shall notify the Bishop of
the vacancy and request appointment of a
replacement member of the same order as the
member to be replaced.
2) The Bishop shall appoint a replacement Board
member.
3) Persons appointed to fill vacancies on the Board
shall meet the same eligibility requirements as
apply to elected Board members.
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4) With respect to a vacancy created for any reason
other than pursuant to a challenge as provided
below, the term of any person selected as a
replacement Board member shall be until the next
annual Convention. With respect to a vacancy
resulting from a challenge, the replacement Board
member shall serve only for the proceedings for
which the elected Board member is not serving as
a result of the challenge.
f)
Preserving Impartiality. In any proceeding under this Title,
if any member of a Conference Panel or Hearing Panel of
the Board shall become aware of a personal conflict of
interest or undue bias, that member shall immediately
notify the President of the Board and request a
replacement member of the Panel. Respondent’s Counsel
and the Church Attorney shall have the right to challenge
any member of a Panel for conflict of interest or undue
bias by motion to the Panel for disqualification of the
challenged member. The members of the Panel not the
subjects of the challenge shall promptly consider the
motion and determine whether the challenged Panel
member shall be disqualified from participating in that
proceeding.
g) President. Within sixty (60) days following the annual
Convention, the Board shall convene to elect a President
to serve for the following calendar year.
h) Intake Officer. The Intake Officer shall be appointed from
time to time by the Bishop after consultation with the
Board. The Bishop may appoint one or more Intake
Officers according to the needs of the Diocese. The
Bishop shall publish the name(s) and contact information
of the Intake Officer(s) throughout the Diocese.
i)
Investigator. The Bishop shall appoint an Investigator in
consultation with the President of the Board. The
Investigator may, but need not, be a Member of the
Church.
j)
Church Attorney. Within sixty (60) days following each
annual Convention, the Bishop in consultation with the
Standing Committee shall appoint an attorney to serve as
Church Attorney to serve for the following calendar year.
The personal so selected must be a duly licensed attorney
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in the State of West Virginia, but need not reside within the
Diocese.
k) Pastoral Response Coordinator. The Bishop may appoint
a Pastoral Response Coordinator, to serve at the will of
the Bishop in coordinating the delivery of appropriate
pastoral responses provided for in Title IV.8 of the General
Canons and this Title. The Pastoral Response Coordinator
may be the Intake Officer, but shall not be a person
serving in any other appointed or elected capacity under
this Title.
l)
Advisors. In each proceeding under this Title, the Bishop
shall appoint an Advisor for the Complainant and an
Advisor for the Respondent. Persons serving as Advisors
shall hold no other appointed or elected position provided
for under this Title, and shall not include Chancellors, Vice
Chancellors of this Dioceses or any person likely to be
called as a witness in the proceeding.
m) Clerk. The Board shall appoint a Board Clerk to assist the
Board with records management and administrative
support. The Clerk may be a member of the Board.
n) Costs and Expenses Incurred by the Church. The
reasonable costs and expenses of the Board, the Intake
Officer, the Investigator, the Church Attorney, the Board
Clerk and the Pastoral Response Coordinator shall be the
obligation of this Diocese, subject to budgetary constraints
as may be established by The Council.
o) Costs and Expenses Incurred by the Respondent. In the
event of a final Order dismissing the complaint, the
reasonable defense fees and costs incurred by the
Respondent may, in the discretion of the Bishop in
consultation with the Council, be paid or reimbursed by
this Diocese, subject to budgetary constraints as may be
established by the Council.
p) Records of Proceedings. Records of active proceedings
before the Board, including the period of any pending
appeal, shall be preserved and maintained in the custody
of the Clerk, if there be one, otherwise by the Diocesan
office.
q) Permanent Records. The Bishop shall make provision for
the permanent storage of records all proceedings under
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this Title at the Diocesan office and the Archives of the
Episcopal Church, as prescribed in Title IV of the General
Canons.
2. Repeal Title II, Canon 6, Section 6. (This defines Church Attorney.
The reason for this appeal is Church Attorney is now going to be
defined under Title II, Canon 2, Section 4. It is not needed in the
Canons twice).
3. Repeal Title II, Canon 7, Section 4. (This is a simple one sentence
definition of an Ecclesiastical Court. As of July 1, 2011 we will no
longer have an Ecclesiastical Court.)
4. Amend in its entirety, Title IV, Canon 7, as below:
Title IV, Canon 7
Ecclesiastical Discipline. The ecclesiastical discipline of a priest or
deacon shall be governed by Title IV of the Canons for the
Government of The Episcopal Church. Those provisions of Title IV
of the Canons for the Government of the Episcopal Church which
are applicable to this Diocese are herby incorporated as part of this
Title. To the extent, if any, that any of the provisions of the Canons
of this Diocese are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of
Title IV, the provision of Title IV shall govern.
After some discussion, it was decided to change the wording in Title
II, Canon Section, Section 4 (a) to read . . . “shall consist of not fewer
than seven persons,…” (change noted above), and was so moved.
This motion came from a committee, thus needs no second. Motion
passed unanimously by voice vote.
The following names were presented by Mr. Hussell to serve on the
Disciplinary Board:
Clerical: The Rev. Susan MacDonald
The Rev. Karen Humbert
The Rev. Cynthia Walter
Lay:
Mr. Tom Gilpin
Mr. Johnny McGhee
Mr. Kit Francis
Mr. Hussell made a motion to elect the above named persons to the
Disciplinary Board by acclimation. Motion was seconded and passed
unanimously.
Another topic which was discussed at the Constitution and Canons
open hearing last night was the issue of absentee ballots at annual
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congregational meeting. This is contrary to existing Canons, which
require that members be present at congregational meetings to vote.
It is the recommendation and motion of the Constitution and Canons
Committee that it be referred to the Committee to deliberate on this
over the next year and report back at next year’s Diocesan
Convention. Both absentee voting and proxy voting will be
deliberated.
This motion came from a committee, thus needs no second. Motion
passed unanimously by voice vote.
The results of the elections were announced. They were as follows:
Trustee (2-year term only)
Ben Hardesty (term expires 2012)
Standing Committee (4-year term)
Mark Seitz (term expires 2014)
Mrs. Sharon Strand (term expires 2014)
Constitution and Canons Committee (3-year term)
The Rev. George Sherrill (term expires 2013)
Robert “Bo” Sweeney (term expires 2013)
Sandscrest Board
The Rev. Richard Skaggs (term expires 2011)
Donald Rebich (term expires 2012)
Linda S. Comins (term expires 2013)
Lee Paull II (term expires 2011)
Lisa Martin (term expires 2013)
The Rev. Gene Sheppard (term expires 2012)
Becki Krzywdik (term expires 2011)
Carlyle Farnsworth (term expires 2011)
Ruth Foose (term expires 2013)
Mary Beth Hughes (term expires 2011)
Shirley Milton (term expires 2012)
Steve Szabo (term expires 2012)
Sarah Barickman (term expires 2013)
The Rev. Cynthia Walter (term expires 2012)
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General Convention Deputies
Chairperson: Sissy Poland
Lay Delegate #1 – Sissy Poland (104 votes)
Lay Delegate #2 – Beth Marquart (96 votes)
Lay Delegate #3 – Linda Comins (96 votes)
Lay Delegate #4 – Harriette Cyrus (90 votes)
Lay Alternate #1 – Toni Lynne Devore (71 votes)
Clergy Delegate #1 – The Very Rev. Kevin Kelly (99 votes)
Clergy Delegate #2 – The Rev. Cheryl Winter (87 votes)
Clergy Delegate #3 – The Rev. John Valentine (79 votes)
Clergy Delegate #4 – The Rev. Stan Holmes (75 votes)
Clergy Alternate #1 – The Rev. Susan Latimer (67 votes)
Clergy Alternate #2 – The Rev. Paul Hicks (60 votes)
Charles Hunsaker, Diocesan Treasurer, thanked those who were
present at the opening hearing of the Budget Committee last night, and
thanked the Budget Committee, who made recommendations to
Council. The Budget Committee consisted of The Rev. Michael Snider,
The Very Rev. Kevin Kelly, Mrs. Sharon Strand, Mrs. Becki Krzywdik,
The Very Rev. Melanie McCarley, Mr. Charles Hunsaker, Mr. David
Ramkey.
The 2011 Budget is presented elsewhere in this Journal.
The Budget Committee makes a recommendation that the 2011
Budget be passed as presented. This motion needed no second
because it came from a committee. This motion, with the above noted
corrections, passed unanimously.
Charlie Hunsaker made the following motion: Resolved that the 2011
Diocesan Council budget is approved, with authorization to the
Diocesan Council to amend from time to time, as needed, provided no
missionary apportionment total or missionary apportionment of any
parish is affected. Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Youth Ministries: Mr. Jason Beschinski, Director of Youth Ministries
for the Diocese, made the following presentation:
I want to take a few minutes to talk about Youth Ministry and
Campus Ministry in West Virginia. We are in the middle of a lot of
transition.
But before I get to that, I want to talk about Peterkin. The Bishop
talked about some of the financial stuff; I want to talk about some
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of the program stuff, specifically summer camp. We had another
great summer. Numbers seem to have stabilized a little bit. We are
not having the steady decline; we are having some fluctuations –
some camps are up, some camps are down. The total numbers
seems to be holding relatively much of the same. I am hoping we
can turn that around and start recruiting new campers to Peterkin.
Everything we do in summer camp is very dependent upon the
volunteers. There are a number of folks who help out this past
summer. (Jason then had those present who helped during
summer camp 2010 stand up).
The bottom line is – we need your help. In order for summer camp
to run, in order for our programs to be strong and successful, for
our young folks to develop relationships and to gain the knowledge
and grow closer to our Lord, we need volunteers. We need people
on program staff. We need people to come out and help with work
weekend and the projects they are working on, and probably the
most important thing we need is your help in getting new campers
to Peterkin. We do a great job, once we get a camper through the
gates there, once they spend a week with us, they always want to
come back. They are always excited about the next summer.
Getting them there the first time is the challenge. That is where we
really rely on everybody in this room, and everybody in our
congregations. We need your help getting people to Peterkin.
So, I guess my challenge is – if you have somebody in your parish
that has been to Peterkin as a camper, get them to tell their story. If
you’ve been to Peterkin as a camper, tell your story. Share your
love of Peterkin so that we can share that love with new folks. That
is the only way we are going to get those numbers back up, and
really have the full impact that that program can have.
I think we hit the kind of financial concerns at Peterkin, so I am
going to skip over most of that. Two significant changes we have in
terms of the structure. The Peterkin Board has been running about
18 months now, handling a lot of the facility decisions around the
camp. We have a new program committee that is going to be
strictly dealing with all things summer camp. We have our first
meeting next week, and we will hopefully get a schedule for
summer 2011 out as quickly as possible. Look for some new camp
programs. We have two weeks to play with, so there may be some
new offerings that haven’t had in the past.
The other big transition – we have brought Stephen Day on board.
We are splitting Campus Ministry and Youth Ministry. We are
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combining a couple of positions. Over the course of the past 25
years, we have had Campus Ministers in and out of WVU and
Marshall, so are combining those. We are combining Youth
Ministries, the full time position, and coming up with two new
positions. Stephen will be at Marshall University; I will be at WVU.
We will be doing Campus Ministry roughly half time, Youth Ministry
roughly half time, moving into a more regional setting. I think there
are a lot of benefits, and I am really excited about the opportunities
that we have with this new system and this new structure.
It makes getting youth to a regional event a lot easier than a
statewide event. We are now asking youth to drive a couple of
hours, as opposed to three, four, sometimes even five hours to get
to a youth event. They will be closer to home, they will be easier to
get to, and hopefully Stephen and I will be a little bit more
accessible on a parish and on a local level to come in and be
present with you folks in your home congregations.
With that restructuring, we have also revamped the Campus
Ministry and Youth Ministry Committees. For the time being we are
combining those. Those committees are now in place. We have
two youth on the committee, we have two college students, and a
mix of clergy and lay adults to help out and give that new ministry
some direction and flush it out as we move forward. So, look for
quarterly events in each region. We should have a fall, a winter and
a spring event in your area. I believe the first ones will be this fall,
one will be in Fairmont, one will be in Charleston. So look for the
information and registration about those coming out in the next
week or so.
On a bigger screen, we have National Gather of College Students
at Estes Park in Colorado this winter, and we have EYE, which is
the big national event that the Church puts on every three years.
Both of those are happening this year, and we will be taking some
folks. To the last EYE we sent 12 students and three adults; they
have increased our allotment. This year we can take up to 30 folks.
It is open to all high school students. Information for that should be
available around the first of the year. It will be in Minnesota, it is the
largest gathering of Episcopalian students. We had close to 1,500
people last time. It is a great event. For folks that went, it was a lifeimpacting event. Similarly, National Gather is kind of the equivalent
for college students. It happens every other year. It will be in Estes
Park this year. I have never actually been. Two years ago, we sent
a crew from around the state, and they had a great time. I am
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looking forward to getting some college students together to go to
that. It sounds like there is a lot of enthusiasm in that area.
I am excited about this change, about this transition. I have moved
to Morgantown, when has been eventful. It was a rough move, but I
am now settled in and ready to go. Stephen is settled in
Huntington, and we have been working with the Campus Ministries
in both places.
We, as a Diocese, need to really evaluate – and I’ve spent a lot of
time talking last year about how do we do youth ministry in our
congregations? The reality is most of our congregations can't
support the traditional youth group model anymore. So, Stephen
and I would really like to work with you guys – work with parishes,
work with vestries, work with clergy – to really look into how we can
do youth ministry on a local level if we can't do youth groups. What
does that mean? What might that look like? We would be happy to
really sit down with some folks in your church and spend some
time brainstorming and looking at some possibilities that you can
meet the needs of the students in your area. So, please, if that is a
way that we can be a resource to you, let us know. We are more
than happy to come out and meet with you.
Women’s Ministries: Mrs. Becki Krzywdik reported for Women’s
Ministries.
In April 2010 we were the host diocese to the Annual Province III
ECW meeting. This year’s meeting was held in Martinsburg, WV
where 35 women from around the Province attended for business,
fellowship and the sharing of information and ideas.
My thanks to Rev. Julie Harris for allowing us the use of Trinity
Church, Martinsburg’s facilities, and to Trinity Church’s women who
did a wonderful job of preparing our meals over the weekend. The
food was fabulous and their hospitality welcoming and gracious.
Due to finances, we just couldn’t do both the Province III meeting
and our annual women’s weekend at Peterkin, but mark your
calendars for May 20-22, 2011 as next year we will return to
Peterkin!
We continue to do the work of UTO, CPC, Love-In-Action, and the
Book of Remembrance on the diocesan level and encourage the
women in our congregations to do the same by promoting and
supporting them as much as possible.
We continue to try to update our Women’s Ministries’ link on our
Diocesan Website and have also added links to the National ECW
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website. There you will find many helpful links that are available
from How to Start an ECW to the National ECW’s
newsletter/magazine, The Communiqué, where you will find many
great articles about what is happening in ECW’s all over the
country!
Currently we are trying to make individual contacts with each
church in the diocese to find out more about your Women’s
Ministry (or ECW) and what your ministries may be. We, the
Women’s Ministry Board, want you to know that we remain
available to help as a resource if you need us.
The Taize service will be held this evening at 5:15 p.m. All were invited
to attend.
Episcopal Relief and Development: Mr. Grif Callhan reported for
ERD:
Peace to you. Thanks for being here.
I am on this life’s journey of getting older, and I look at this list on
the back of the Convention Digest at all of these wonderful
Episcopalians who have left us. Our life journeys are right now and
our challenge to have a service not on Sunday morning – that’s a
big challenge.
On my way home today, I am going to head back to Greenbrier
County, via the Scenic Route 60, a beautiful road. Then I am going
to get off on a semi-good two-laner to go to Williamsburg, WV. The
road narrows down to a one lane, where you always wave to those
that you pass. The next road gets you to Trout, WV. You start up
the mountain, along a little roaring creek. Eventually my road home
leads to a gravel road. Just past my farm is a road that winds to
Richwood. Between these two points, from my farm to Richwood is
about 20 miles of green nature. Westvaco has put roads through
this area, clear cutting everything that could possibly be cut. It used
to be a lot nicer. It’s chunked up, but their roads are great. They
grade them very nicely, and put gravel down. They look better than
the roads that I travel home on. So, up on top of this mountain, it is
like a labyrinth of roads. There is no signage – you don't know
where you are. There are strip mines – they are going to take off
large chunks of mountain of their beautiful Greenbrier Valley. We
have wind mills all over our area, too. Here’s the point – we are
reaching out to people all over the world. That’s our job. I get up
there, walking my dogs, and somebody will be traveling along and
they will slow down and say, “Where am I? Can I get to anywhere
on this road? ” This is an analogy where the rubber meets the road.
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If we are going to give Christ to somebody, it’s usually when they
are in the most difficulty. They come to us, and they say, “Hey,
where am I going?” and I get to say, “Hey, you’ve made it! It’s just
over the hill to Trout. You are home.” They smile, and it’s really
great. So, this labyrinth of little roads that we are lost in, you
recognize when we can be the Church, be God’s hand.
Peterkin Work Weekend was started years ago by a bunch of men
from Parkersburg, WV. It’s being resurrected, and it is fabulous. I
have gone twice. The women clean things that don't get typically
get cleaned; painting, planting flowers,-it’s been a blast. I
encourage you to attend one of these work weekends.
ERD – Colombia is not one of the countries that ERD is touching
right now. We need to do that; maybe WV can help get this started.
Kenya, which we have a school in. Colors for Life – we are
connected. ERD is us. This is our effort in the world, not just for
emergencies, but to build economic stability. Our money goes right
to the people. The floods and devastation that is going on right now
in Pakistan is huge. ERD is definitely there, right now. I need your
help. I am the contact person for this national effort. The National
ERD meetings is where all members get together to discuss how
they money will be spent. The ERD website is terrific, and has a
wealth of information. The first week in Lent is ERD weekend. That
is through the National Church. Also, consider including ERD in
your church’s budget as a line item. Thank you.
Bishop’s Slide: The Rev. Roy Gene Crist made the following
presentation:
Every year, on the third Saturday in October, has been designated
as Bridge Day in Southern WV. It is on this day that people come
all over come to Fayette County to watch base jumpers jump from
the New River Gorge Bridge. On that day, the New River Episcopal
Ministries have enticed Bishop Mike to leave that wonderful
structure by means of a 700 foot zip line, which is 300 foot vertical,
to slide down that zip lines in order to raise money for mission
projects. In the past the monies that have been raised have gone
to flood relief in Wheeling, Peterkin scholarships, children’s books
purchase, and the Church Periodical Club. This year, the money
that will be raised through the Bishop’s Slide has been designated
to go to the Elewana Educational Project in memory of The Rev.
Keith Butler. To donate to this project, write a check to the
Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, and mark them for the
Bishop’s Slide, mailing them to the Diocesan office in Charleston.
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You can contribute here by submitting your checks at the NREM
booth, in a basket so designated.
Insurance: CFO David Ramkey made the following presentation
regarding insurance:
Those who are covered by the Church Pension Group medical
trust need to take part in the open enrollment period which is
coming up beginning October 18. Take this opportunity to review
your coverage.
We have just received our rates for 2011. We “only” received a 7%
increase. It is part of the denominational health plan that was
passed at the 2009 General Convention.
Also, at the last General Convention, it was passed that by
December 31, 2012, the Episcopal Church and every Diocese is
required to have parity for benefits coverage for clergy and lay
employees who work 20+ hours per week/1,000 hours per year (for
pension plan) and 30+ hours per week/1,500 hours per year (for
health insurance). By December 2012, lay employees need to be
covered by a pension plan, and offered a health plan. The
Diocesan Pension Committee, after Convention, will meet to come
up with a policy recommendation for the Diocese to meet the
National Church requirements. I am also trying to reconstitute the
Insurance Committee. And then further augment the Insurance
Committee with representatives of various constituencies – clergy,
lay, large churches, small churches, etc. so that we can have a
vigorous and thorough discussion regarding coming up with a
policy to offer health insurance for clergy and lay parity. [Melanie
Dragan volunteered to serve on these committees.]
Presiding Bishop’s Visit: Pat Haldeman, chairperson of the Diocesan
Task Force for the Presiding Bishop’s visit, made the following
presentation:
In your packets, there is an announcement that the Presiding
Bishop will be with us in 19 days. She will be in Charleston,
Fairmont, Wheeling, and Shepherdstown September 29-October 3.
Please make the effort to come out and share your stories with the
Presiding Bishop.
There was a motion to adjourn Convention after the Eucharist on
Sunday morning. Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
The session was recessed at 4:30 p.m.
During dinner the following awards were presented:
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Build My Church – Charles Town, Zion
Build My Church – Buckhannon, Transfiguration
Sandscrest employee – Sandy Bachman
Shell Award – Sarah Steptoe
Sunday, September 12, 2010:
The 133rd Annual Convention of the Diocese of West Virginia officially
adjourned on Sunday morning, September 12th, following a Holy
Eucharist with Bishop Klusmeyer as celebrant and preacher.
The Pastoral Letter of Bishop Klusmeyer (found elsewhere in this
Journal) was sent to each congregation to be read the morning of
Sunday, September 12, 2010, in all congregations throughout the
Diocese. At the conclusion of the Holy Eucharist, box lunches were
available for the journey home.
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BISHOP’S PASTORAL LETTER
To be read September 12, 2010, after the Peace
at each Congregation at each service
in the Diocese of West Virginia
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Grace and peace to you.
This Pastoral Letter comes to you from the Diocesan Convention
where more than 200 people gathered to do the work of the Diocese.
We came, not so much to vote on resolutions, or even the Budget of
the Diocese, but rather to do that which we are called to do as faithful
followers of Jesus Christ: We came to worship and pray. We came to
praise God! We came to reaffirm our common faith in Jesus Christ as
our Messiah.
Our theme for this Convention, and for this weekend, is “We will, with
God’s help.” “We will, with God’s help” reminds us of the various
affirmations we make as Christians for supporting those being
baptized, those being ordained, and our own reaffirmation of our
baptismal vows. But in addition, it reminds us of our dependence upon
God, for all that we do. We will…but with God’s help!
While it is not the passage for today’s lectionary, I call us to remember
the parable of the two sons, from Matthew 21:28 – 32. “What do you
think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, ‘son, go
and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but
afterward he repented and went. And he went to the second and said
the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.”
So, which side are YOU on? In which son do you see a reflection of
YOUR image? There is not much to choose from, is there? Because if
you choose the first son, you have to admit that you are defiant, even
though you eventually rethink your position and give in. If you choose
the second son, you promise too readily, and then find yourself unable
to do what you have promised.
So, it would have been a lot easier if Jesus had said, “What do you
think? A man had three sons; and he went to the first and said, ‘Son,
go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered ‘I will not,’ but
afterward he repented and went. And he went to the second and said
the same, and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. And he went to
the third and said the same, and he answered, ‘I go, Sir,’ and went and
worked all day long in the vineyard.”
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Now, we are obviously on the side of the third son. Except there IS no
third son; there are only two. And it is very hard to choose between
them. Of course, if we are forced to chose between those two, I guess
we would like to think of ourselves as the first son, who, though he
defied his father originally, ultimately did all that was required of him.
And that seems to be Jesus’ point – that the first son’s behavior, bad
though it was, was better than the second son’s behavior.
So, we try to think of ourselves as the first son. After all, we may have
given God a little trouble in the beginning—back then when we were
rebellious—but now, everything is different. We’ve turned over a new
leaf. From this point on, we are going to be on the side of the angels.
We are going to work in the vineyard all day.
And we are certainly not going to be like the second son who promised
to do what was required, and then didn’t do it. After all, promises are
pretty serious things. If you can’t take a person at his word, where are
you?
We know about promises and how important they are. We’ve made a
few in our days, and will be asked to make more.
Once somebody asked us “Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual
forces of wickedness that rebel against God? It was a perfectly straight
question, so we gave a perfectly straight answer: “I do.”
There were other questions: Do you renounce all sinful desires that
draw you from the love of God? We said, “Sure, why not?”—or words
to that effect. Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?
“Every day in every way!” Son, will you go and work in the vineyard
today? “I go, Sir!”
For the clergy, a bishop asked them, “Will you be faithful in prayer, and
in the reading and study of the Holy Scripture? And with no hesitation
whatsoever, they said, “I will.” Why not? Will you in all things seek not
your glory but the glory of the Lord Christ? “You bet your life, I will!”
Son, will you go and work in the vineyard today? “I go, Sir!”
You see, even though we believe ourselves to be the first son, we
SOUND an awful lot like the second son, don’t we? We promise and
then we don’t deliver. But even if, with a straight face, we can insist
that we really are the first son – the one who defied his father to his
face, but then went and did what he was asked to do, that is still an
awfully roundabout way to do something.
What would make a son completely defy his father’s request, and then
give in and carry it out? And what would make the other son agree
immediately to carry out the same request, and then never carry it out?
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It sounds to me like that is a very seriously troubled family. I can see
all sorts of hostility, frustration, and tension swirling around. It’s not
likely that much good can come out of a family like that, is it?
And yet, Jesus seems to be asking us to identify with one or the other
of the sons in THAT family…not in some mythical family that is
composed of saccharine characters who are so normal and healthy
that they make us a little nauseated.
It is the human family of which we are all members that he is
describing. It is full of unrespectable sons and daughters who
seemingly defy the command of God—yet who ultimately repent and
enter the Kingdom. And it is full of respectable sons and daughters
(like us?) who—at least on the surface—have every intention of “doing
the right thing,” but who ultimately end up doing very little that is right.
If the human family is really as mixed up as this (and Jesus never
glosses over the seriousness of the situation of mankind) what has
gone wrong? What has happened to what was originally such a good
creation?
So, why was Jesus telling that parable in the first place? Is it about
judgment? Certainly it is, but it doesn’t sound like Good News, does it?
If we are asked to identify with one or the other unattractive sons, that
is actually Bad News. Those sons needed saving. No matter which
son you see yourself to be, both need salvation. We need salvation!
But salvation is not obtained by trying to lay blame on the source of the
trouble. Salvation is not obtained by making an intellectual analysis of
the problem. Nor is it something that is achieved by making promises,
and then carrying them out to the letter. If that is the only way to
salvation, then we are most miserable.
If St. Paul makes anything clear in his writings (and that rarely
happens, you know) it is that we don’t earn our way into God’s good
graces by promising good behavior and then fulfilling that promise.
Paul does say (Phil 2:12) THAT God is at work in us, both to will and to
work for God’s pleasure.
We will, WITH GOD’S HELP.
And so, while many times we feel that ‘we’ are doing what is
necessary…and WE make promises that we either keep or break, and
that WE are capable to do what we are supposed to do, ultimately we
are reminded that God is present, working in us that which is
necessary for our health and salvation.
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Now, that’s NOT bad news…that’s the GOOD NEWS! And it makes us
wish we were not like either of those two sons. It makes us wish that
we could respond a little more realistically to the requests of God –
WITH GOD’S HELP!!!
Will you go and work in the vineyard today? “I go, Sir.” But if I know
myself well at all, I may mess up here and there, and I may goof off
from time to time. All I can promise is that I will try to do my best, given
who I am. And one of the things that helps me do my best is knowing
that my working in the vineyard is not what makes me God’s Son or
Daughter. Nothing I do, good or bad, can change that. And in that
relationship lies the assurance of forgiveness, restoration, and
salvation.
With God’s help!
Amen.
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CONVENTION SERMON
Presented by The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer
September 12, 2010
At the 133rd Convention of the Diocese of West Virginia
Eucharist
In Nomine.
Good morning, and I want to thank the people of St Paul’s, Weston,
and Transfiguration, Buckhannon, for hosting us this year. I want to
thank Father John Valentine, and his lovely wife, Bertha, for their
hospitality, and for their gracious welcome.
John, you’ve discovered in this Diocese, we take the relative newbies,
and put them to work immediately. I thank you for accepting this
request, and for your hard work.
I thank all those who made this Convention go so smoothly, and
especially want to thank Gwyn Wolfe, who worked so hard in the
weeks leading up to this. Thank you, Gwyn.
As we have moved through this Convention, with the theme, “We will,
with God’s help,” I hope that we have recognized that what is being
asked of us is ‘commitment.’ With our commitment to be open to God,
and to do what God asks of us, also comes our utter dependence upon
Jesus.
Both the epistle from today – First Timothy, and the Gospel according
to St. Luke has a formula for our lives – moving us to holiness. The
way is open to all people. St Luke’s way is simple: if you are a sinner,
let yourself be found! Shepherds seek out sheep and housewives seek
for coins, and God seeks out every one of us who ever lived.
While God asks us to commit, holiness is our realistic hope. But not
just holiness for ‘shining’ sake. But holiness that speaks – no –
SHOUTS joy.
St Luke’s emphasis in on the eschatological (that is the joy at the end
time – the never ending joy of heaven) joy of the repentance of sinners.
The First Epistle to Timothy has a similarly simple formula for holiness:
“the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are
in Christ Jesus.” We might be reminded of a phrase from Romans that
we hear often: “Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s possession,”
meaning that we belong to Christ!
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He died and came to life that he might be Lord of the living and the
dead. If we accept his rule or reign over us for a lifetime—in other
words, if we let ourselves be found by Christ—holiness will be ours,
and in the final days we shall be declared the saints that Christ has
made us through his death and resurrection.
But I think for many in the world, while they like to hear the words of
‘forgiveness,’ ‘being found,’ ‘accepting Christ,’ they may have problems
when we throw in the word ‘Church.’
Forgiveness is God’s nature and is expressed in the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Church’s mission, we maintain, is to
mediate God’s forgiveness to the world – to bring this forgiving event of
the past into the present. The life of the church is not based on the
power to govern or control, but on the ability to forgive. The church
does not so much want to make people account for their sins, s to
account them forgiven, already.
Is this the Church you know?
Is this the parish you know?
St Paul writes, in the 13th Chapter of First Corinthians:
Love is patient, love is kind, love is never jealous or boastful.
God is love – so, I believe we ought to be able to say:
God is patient, God is kind, God is never jealous or boastful. God
never rejoices in the wrong, but delights in the good.
And, if we are made in the imago Dei (the Image of God, as we say we
are) then:
I am patient, I am kind, I am never jealous or boastful. I never rejoice
in the wrong, but I delight in the good.
And we see how quickly this breaks down.
If this is more like the truth of our congregations, or the congregation
you know – that we secretly (or not so secretly) rejoice at others’
failings, then something must be done to transform the Church.
Emily Dickenson wrote, “It’s easy to work, when the soul is at play.”
While she was not referring to ritual’s power, but I do believe that she
could have been referring to the part played by good liturgical
celebrations in our lives.
Our liturgical practice on Sundays, on any other day, at any other time,
must (!) empower us, prepared us, create in us an ability to proclaim to
the world that needs to hear the words, that God has sought them out,
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and has welcomed them into the reality of life here on earth, and the
life to come.
Are we able to live into, and proclaim this reality?
Are we a community of love, seeking out the lost, and welcoming them
with rejoicing?
Amen.
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BISHOP’S DIARY – 2009
One of the great privileges and challenges that I have as Bishop of West
Virginia is to travel around the state of West Virginia, around the United
States, and sometimes around the world. I thank you for the privilege.
However, looking back through the calendar, I recognize that there are
numerous times when I am away from
both my house, my family and the office for days on end. When I return back
to the office it is either to catch up or to try to find some time of relaxation and
respite. In looking at the future I pray in 2010 I will be taking some time for
Sabbatical and using that time, not only to refresh, renew and recharge my
personal and spiritual life, but also to take a hard look at the way in which
ministry is done in West Virginia by the Episcopal office, as well as by others. I
believe that it is difficult to be the Bishop while constantly being on the road
and constantly heading to the next destination. That being said, it is a great
privilege and honor to travel around this Diocese to meet the good people of
the state of West Virginia and to plan and discuss ministry as it flourishes here
in this great Diocese. I thank you for the opportunity and the privilege for all
things associated with the Diocese of West Virginia. God bless you.
I thank you for the privilege of serving as your Bishop, and I present you my
Annual Diary.
2009
1-Jan
2-Jan
3-Jan
4-Jan
5-Jan
6-Jan
7-Jan
8-Jan
Comments
The Feast of the Holy Name. Marsha and I had a Eucharist in our
home.
Marsha and I traveled to the Eastern Panhandle so that we could
be at their newcomers event. Bishop Bainbridge and his wife, Kit,
were present as they had recently moved to West Virginia in their
retirement.
I met with Jan Shook at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg to discuss
her continued formation and process toward ordination.
Eucharist at Trinity - Shepherdstown and then returned back to
Charleston in the evening.
I was in the office all day to catch up on correspondence from the
Christmas break.
Feast of the Epiphany. Had a Eucharist in the office, and then had
phone calls during the morning. In the afternoon I attended the
funeral for George Kostas' sister.
More paperwork in the office. I had lunch with Dean Kevin Kelly.
Appointments in the office, as well as phone calls and continued to
catch up. In the afternoon, I had a doctor's appointment to discuss a
ruptured disk in my neck.
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9-Jan
10-Jan
11-Jan
12-Jan
13-Jan
14-Jan
15-Jan
16-Jan
17-Jan
18-Jan
19-Jan
20-Jan
21-Jan
22-Jan
23-Jan
24-Jan
Correspondence and phone calls from the office. I talked to some
historical experts regarding the findings at Bunker Hill. Andy
Ladygo, from Boston, had offered some guidance and direction.
A dear friend of mine from Uganda, The Rev. Ernest Katawheire,
was married this day in Kampala. Unfortunately, I was not able to
be present. Ernest and I were classmates at Seminary, and did our
CPE together. Ernest's former wife had died two years ago of
cancer. I pray God's blessing upon Ernest and his new wife. Marsha
and I left in the afternoon to arrive in Lewisburg for my visitation.
That evening we met with the Rev. Keith Butler and a couple who
were planning on getting married.
Visitation - Ronceverte, Incarnation.
Meetings in the office all day, including lunch with Gale Lea
Rubrecht and others who were interested in planning the Bishop's
Ball.
We had a Clergy Day at Christ Church - Fairmont, followed by
appointments with some of the clergy.
More appointments in the office.
Appointments in the office, including a conference call with Bishops
for a Just World to talk about legislation in Washington, and what
the Episcopal bishops could do to help support certain areas of
legislation.
More appointments in the office.
Stayed in Beckley for the evening to be at Summersville in the
morning.
We had breakfast with The Rev. Rick and Kathy Rutledge at
Mabel's. Then drove to St. Martin's-in-the-Field, Summersville for
my Visitation.
I was in the office all day. In the evening, Bishop Marc
VanKoevering, bishop of Niassa, came to West Virginia for a visit. I
met him at Charleston Yeager Airport.
Bishop VanKoevering and I traveled around the Kanawha Valley to
visit churches and ministries taking place in this area. We stopped
at St. John's - Charleston, St. Timothy's - Hurricane, and St. Mark's
- St. Albans.
Met with Diocesan Trustees in the office, and took Bishop
VanKoevering to the airport, where he flew to Washington, D.C.
Meetings in the office, including a meeting with Monika Hussell to
discuss Diocesan Convention.
I left at 2:30 in the afternoon to fly to Prague, Czech Republic, for
the meeting with the Old Catholics. During that meeting, the
Anglican Bishop of Spain was present. At the end of the week,
Anglican bishops of Europe were also present to talk about the joint
ministries of the Old Catholic and the Anglican Communion.
Old Catholics Conference
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25-Jan
26-Jan
27-Jan
28-Jan
29-Jan
30-Jan
31-Jan
1-Feb
2-Feb
3-Feb
4-Feb
5-Feb
6-Feb
7-Feb
8-Feb
9-Feb
10-Feb
11-Feb
12-Feb
13-Feb
14-Feb
15-Feb
16-Feb
Old Catholics Conference
Old Catholics Conference
Old Catholics Conference
Old Catholics Conference
Old Catholics Conference
Old Catholics Conference
Old Catholics Conference
I was unable to make my Visitation to St. James' - Lewisburg.
I had physical therapy for my neck in the morning, followed by
appointments in the office. Then drove up to Fairmont, where I
presided at the Institution of The Rev. Siobhán Patterson as rector
of Christ Church - Fairmont.
The meeting at Bexley Hall was cancelled. I stayed in the office and
had appointments.
I flew to Pensacola, FL, where I was the guest preacher for the
Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast annual Convention.
Unfortunately, I had to miss the GTS Board meeting, as well as the
Living Stones Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. While I was in
Pensacola, I was able to visit with my sister.
Central Gulf Coast Diocesan Convention
Central Gulf Coast Diocesan Convention
Central Gulf Coast Diocesan Convention
I celebrated Eucharist at my sister's home parish in Gulf Breeze, FL
and met the rector and her husband. Her husband, David Powell,
had been at GTS while I was there.
Appointments in the office.
Standing Committee met at 11:00 a.m. Then I had appointments in
the office. I met with Dean Winter and Dean Kelly in the afternoon.
I traveled to the Eastern Panhandle, where I had appointments
regarding Bunker Hill and the black history month and the black
history project/Day of Repentance for the Diocese of WV.
I was at the Diocese of Southern Virginia in Williamsburg for the
consecration of their new bishop.
Williamsburg for consecration of their new Bishop.
Returned home. Drove to Parkersburg, where Marsha and I stayed
that evening.
Good Shepherd, Parkersburg for Art Bennett's retirement, and an
extra Visitation there.
Meetings in the office all day, including a meeting with Andy Smith
from the Greenbrier Episcopal School to talk about their ministry
and vision for the future.
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17-Feb
18-Feb
19-Feb
20-Feb
21-Feb
22-Feb
23-Feb
24-Feb
25-Feb
26-Feb
27-Feb
28-Feb
1-Mar
2-Mar
3-Mar
4-Mar
5-Mar
6-Mar
7-Mar
8-Mar
9-Mar
10-Mar
11-Mar
ETS Board met at the Diocesan House. In the afternoon I had
phone calls with several bishops.
Mollie Bailey's birthday. I had staff meeting in the morning, then I
took the afternoon off.
Appointments and correspondence in the morning, then drove up to
Sandscrest in the afternoon for a Sandscrest Board and Foundation
meeting.
Diocesan Council at Sandscrest.
Diocesan Council at Sandscrest.
Visitation - Christ Church, Pt. Pleasant
Day off.
Day off.
Ash Wednesday. Eucharist and staff meeting in the office.
Appointments in the office. Lunch with Gale Lea Rubrecht regarding
Bishop's Ball.
Appointments in the office, followed by the Institution of The Rev.
Karen Humbert as rector of St. John's - Huntington.
In the evening I drove over to Cumberland, MD to prepare for my
Visitation the next morning at St. Stephen's - Romney and
Emmanuel - Moorefield.
Visitation, St. Stephen's - Romney and Emmanuel - Moorefield. I
thank you Fr. Simon for ministries you are doing there.
Left for New York. That evening I had dinner with Josh Saxe at
GTS.
I had meetings at 815, and then took the train to Boston to visit
Anna. On the way up a train trestle caught fire and had to find
alternative means to get to Boston.
Returned from Boston.
We had Eucharist in the morning at the office, then appointments
the rest of the day.
Convention Planning Committee met.
Day off.
I drove to Greenbo State Park in Grayson, KY to be with the Vestry
of St. John's - Huntington as they began their visioning process with
their new rector. Left Greenbo and came back and went to Beckley
and stayed overnight.
Visitation, St. Stephen's - Beckley.
Meetings in the office, then met with Dean John Kevern from Bexley
Hall for dinner.
Met with people in the office, including Dean Kevern, to talk about
ETS and Bexley Hall Theological Seminary.
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12-Mar
13-Mar
14-Mar
15-Mar
16-Mar
17-Mar
18-Mar
19-Mar
20-Mar
21-Mar
22-Mar
23-Mar
24-Mar
25-Mar
26-Mar
27-Mar
28-Mar
29-Mar
30-Mar
31-Mar
1-Apr
2-Apr
3-Apr
4-Apr
5-Apr
6-Apr
Left for Kanuga for the House of Bishops meeting. House of
Bishops meetings also now include pre-meeting events, such as
bishop coaching and Bishops Working for a Just World.
House of Bishops meeting - Kanuga
House of Bishops meeting - Kanuga
House of Bishops meeting - Kanuga
House of Bishops meeting - Kanuga
House of Bishops meeting - Kanuga
House of Bishops meeting - Kanuga
House of Bishops meeting - Kanuga
I had a conference call on this Day Off.
I stayed at home.
I traveled to St. Mark's - Glenville and had a wonderful visit. Thank
you for the ministries there. While I was there, Rick Witte, said that
he would assist some property line issues at Peterkin. Thank you,
Rick.
Clergy Lenten Retreat, led by The Very Rev. Donald Krickbaum.
However, I was unable to attend, as I had meetings in the morning
on the 23rd, and then flew over to Baltimore, MD for a meeting of
Program Budget and Finance.
Program Budget and Finance meeting.
Program Budget and Finance meeting.
Program Budget and Finance meeting.
Returned home.
I had meetings in the morning, then drove up to Parkersburg and
had dinner with the Archdeacon.
Visitation, St. Paul's - Sistersville and St. Ann's - New Martinsville.
That evening I left to be with a group of bishops who study family
systems theory.
Family systems meeting.
Family systems meeting.
Traveled home from the systems meeting.
Lunch meeting with a couple of people, even though it was a Day
Off.
Staff meeting in the morning, and then at 10:00 I prayed for the
Legislative Opening Session
I drove to Bluefield, met with the Vestry and had dinner.
Palm Sunday Visitation, Christ Church - Bluefield.
Meetings in the office, including a meeting with a group that wanted
to talk about utilizing the property at Oakhurst.
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7-Apr
8-Apr
9-Apr
10-Apr
11-Apr
12-Apr
13-Apr
14-Apr
15-Apr
16-Apr
17-Apr
18-Apr
19-Apr
20-Apr
21-Apr
22-Apr
23-Apr
24-Apr
25-Apr
We had a Renewal of Ordination Vows at St. Thomas à Becket Morgantown. I led the day of meditation.
I had meetings in the office, and then I also spoke by phone with
Bishop Henderson from the Diocese of Tuam. We had been
discussing for some time about the end of our Companion
Relationship. Both Bishop Henderson and I recognize that the
relationship had run its course, and it was now time to move on.
Maundy Thursday: Met with clergy.
Good Friday. I drove to Wheeling, did the Good Friday liturgy at
Sandscrest, basically for myself and Marsha.
We had our first Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Sandscrest, which was
a rousing success. That evening, Marsha and I had dinner with The
Rev. Cynthia and Rich Walter at their house, followed by the Great
Vigil for the Wheeling Cluster at Lawrencefield.
Easter Celebration at Lawrencefield for both the 8:00 and the 10:30
services.
Office closed. However, I drove to Parkersburg and had a nice
meeting and lunch with The Rev. John Seville as my car was being
worked on at Simmons Motors.
Meetings in the office, including a meeting with the Indaba Task
Force.
Meeting with the Diocesan Trustees in the office.
Meetings in the office, including a conference call with the
Companion Diocese Committee, and meeting with Gale Lea
Rubrecht to discuss the Bishop's Ball.
Day off.
I was at Williamstown and St. Marys. Then drove down to the
Greenbrier to be with Bishops of Province III for that evening.
Province III Bishops meeting.
Province III Bishops meeting.
Marsha and I left the Greenbrier. Came back to Charleston for her
to work, and then had appointments in the office in the afternoon.
Meeting in Barboursville with the Huntington area clergy to discuss
St. Andrew's. Then I came back and had a meeting with the
Convention Planning Committee in the office.
Budget Committee meeting in the office, followed by a Peterkin
Board meeting.
Marsha and I drove up to Stonewall to Jackson Resort for the
Bishop's Ball. It was a light attendance, but a good time was had by
all. We stayed overnight.
Returned from the Bishop's Ball. I flew over to the Eastern
Panhandle for my Visitation at Zion Church - Charles Town, and
was present for the Province III Synod meeting in Martinsburg. It is
amazing, always, that the Province III meeting has been taking
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26-Apr
27-Apr
28-Apr
29-Apr
30-Apr
1-May
2-May
3-May
4-May
5-May
6-May
7-May
8-May
9-May
10-May
11-May
12-May
13-May
14-May
15-May
16-May
17-May
18-May
19-May
20-May
21-May
22-May
23-May
place at Martinsburg for many years, and I continue to be one of the
last people to arrive, even though it is in our Diocese.
Province III meeting in Martinsburg
Province III meeting in Martinsburg
Province III meeting in Martinsburg
Appointments in office all day.
Did correspondence and had lunch with the Chancellors.
Diocesan House staff meeting all day between Faith, Donald and
me; then the whole staff later in the day.
Visitation at St.. Matthew's in Charleston
Clergy Conference at Peterkin
Clergy Conference at Peterkin
Clergy Conference at Peterkin
Meetings in the morning; lunch with Ann Lovejoy-Johnson, newly
arrived assistant priest at St.. John's, Charleston; that evening I
drove to Kingwood for a make-up Visitation
Bexley Board meeting in Columbus, OH
While I was not present, there was the Heritage Days Celebration in
Bunker Hill. I thank Bob and Georgia DuBose for being present.
Visitation at Ansted - Redeemer, and Oak Hill -- St. Andrew's
LARC Conference in Huttonsville. Our representative was The Rev.
Dr. John Koenig, New Testament Scholar from GTS. On the way
home, I was able to bring Dr. Koenig to The Greenbrier for a quick
lunch.
LARC Conference in Huttonsville.
LARC Conference in Huttonsville.
Meetings and interviews in the morning regarding candidates for St.
Christopher; then more meetings later in the day. Finally, an
interview with the Martinsburg newspaper regarding Bunker Hill.
Appointments in the office; the Women's Conference at Peterkin
started that afternoon.
Women's Conference at Peterkin.
Women's Conference at Peterkin.
GTS Board meeting.
GTS Board meeting.
GTS Board meeting.
Day off.
Budget Committee meeting via teleconference.
Drove to Colliers, had lunch with their Vestry.
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24-May
25-May
26-May
27-May
28-May
29-May
30-May
31-May
1-Jun
2-Jun
3-Jun
4-Jun
5-Jun
6-Jun
7-Jun
8-Jun
9-Jun
10-Jun
11-Jun
12-Jun
Visitation - Ole St. John's - Colliers, along with some confirmations.
Wonderful time.
Memorial Day. Day off.
Virginia Theological Seminary. Marge McNaughton had a party
honoring her ministry at Virginia Theological Seminary. During my
tenure as a Board member, I worked with her. She has been
extremely supportive of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia and
our students.
Returned from Virginia Theological Seminary
I had appointments in the office all day.
I had appointments in the office all day. Lunch with The Rev. Karen
Humbert, as well as a phone conference regarding EAM.
We had regional confirmations for the Eastern Deanery.
Pentecost: I was at Trinity Church - Martinsburg. I thank you all for
your wonderful visit.
While I was in the Eastern Panhandle, I had meetings at the
Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, as well as an interview with some of the
press at Morgan's Chapel in Bunker Hill.
I returned home from Eastern Panhandle. I had an interview with a
reporter from the Living Church.
Day off.
Drove to Sandscrest for a meeting there with the Sandscrest Board
and Foundation.
We had the Diocesan Council at St. Thomas à Becket in
Morgantown. Due to budgetary constraints, trying to reduce costs,
we made this meeting a one-day meeting. it was rather tight and
fast, but I believe that we did what we needed to do. I went to the
EP that evening so that I could have my visitation at Mt. Zion in
Hedgesville on June 7.
While there, the good people of Mt... Zion overwhelmingly voted to
move forward with a yoked relationship with St. Mark's - Berkeley
Springs.
Visitation Mt Zion - Hedgesville.
Returned home
I had meetings throughout the day, along with a teleconference
regarding the Indaba Process.
Day off.
I was in the office all day.
We had the Planning for Tomorrow Conference in Charleston. The
Church Pension Fund came, and a good involvement. That
evening, went down to White Sulphur Springs and spent the
evening in Lewisburg.
13-Jun
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14-Jun
15-Jun
16-Jun
17-Jun
18-Jun
19-Jun
20-Jun
21-Jun
22-Jun
23-Jun
24-Jun
25-Jun
26-Jun
27-Jun
28-Jun
29-Jun
30-Jun
1-Jul
2-Jul
3-Jul
4-Jul
Visitation - St. Thomas, White Sulphur Springs. One of the first and
few times that I have been there in the springtime, and not during
the winter. During the winter, I am told, many people are gone, so it
was a good opportunity to meet the snow birds. That evening,
officiated at Snowshoe -- ordination to the priesthood for The Rev.
Jim Lanter.
Meetings and phone calls through the day in the office.
Phone meeting with the Companion Diocese Committee and later
with Laura Leslie regarding Safeguarding God's Children.
I went up to Transfiguration - Buckhannon to see the work being
done at their food pantry. Unfortunately, I mixed my signals and
showed up late. I apologized to them. They have a wonderful
ministry and there is great excitement not only in Transfiguration,
but also through the community by their outreach.
I had doctor's appointment in the morning, and then appointments
in the office in the afternoon.
Eastern Panhandle, arriving late.
Visitation - St. Mark's, Berkeley Springs. Returned home late that
evening.
I was in the office in the morning, then traveled to Columbus for a
Bexley Hall Board Meeting.
Bexley Board meeting in Columbus, OH
Afternoon conference call with Bishops regarding Bishops Working
for a Just Society.
I was in the office all day -- meetings regarding the revisioning of
the ordination of ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia.
In the afternoon, we talked about Diocesan Convention.
Appointments in the office.
Day off.
Visitation - St. Mark's, St. Albans.
Meetings in the office, along with teleconference with the Indaba
Group.
Caught up on paperwork, did office work in the afternoon, had a
phone conference with Bexley Hall.
I met with John Hussell, Karen Jenkins and Tyler Dinsmore to ask if
Karen and Tyler would consider being the Vice Chancellors for the
Diocese.
Caught up on paperwork in the office, along with a phone call
regarding the GTS Board.
Day off.
At home.
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5-Jul
6-Jul
7-Jul
8-Jul
9-Jul
10-Jul
11-Jul
12-Jul
13-Jul
14-Jul
15-Jul
16-Jul
17-Jul
18-Jul
19-Jul
20-Jul
21-Jul
22-Jul
23-Jul
24-Jul
25-Jul
26-Jul
27-Jul
28-Jul
29-Jul
30-Jul
31-Jul
1-Aug
2-Aug
3-Aug
I flew to Los Angeles in preparation for the General Convention.
Had dinner that evening with Bishop Harris and Bishop Duncan.
General Convention
General Convention
General Convention
We had our dinner with Bishops who were consecrated in
2001.General Convention
General Convention
We had our Seminary dinners. I went to the Bexley Hall reception at
the Hilton Hotel, followed by the General dinner at the Marriott. I
then had to leave that early so that I could run to a late meeting with
Program Budget and Finance. General Convention
Bishops had their General Convention dinner that evening. Had to
leave early for Program Budget and Finance meeting.
General Convention
General Convention
General Convention
General Convention
General Convention
Marsha and I rented a car and drove up to central California and
enjoyed our time there. We went to San Clemente and various
places, in central California
Returned home. Took much of the rest of the month off.
Vacation
Vacation
Vacation
Vacation
Vacation
Vacation
Mary Fish's birthday. Vacation
I was in the office all day.
I was in the office all day.
Meeting of the Companion Diocese Committee in the office.
I was in the office all day. I had lunch with The Rev. Melissa
Remington
I was in the office all day.
Day off.
Vacation
Marsha and I flew to Montego Bay, Jamaica for a few days of
vacation. What Marsha did not know was that I had arranged for
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4-Aug
5-Aug
6-Aug
7-Aug
8-Aug
9-Aug
10-Aug
11-Aug
12-Aug
13-Aug
14-Aug
15-Aug
16-Aug
17-Aug
18-Aug
19-Aug
20-Aug
21-Aug
22-Aug
23-Aug
24-Aug
25-Aug
26-Aug
27-Aug
28-Aug
Emilie, Ann and Patrick to come with us. While I was texting Emilie
and Anna to find out when their flights were arriving, Marsha was
getting upset with me, thinking that I was doing work on my cell
phone. Late in the afternoon, Emilie, Anna and Patrick arrived and it
was one of the few times I had the opportunity to surprise Marsha.
Jamaica on vacation.
Jamaica on vacation.
Jamaica on vacation.
Returned home.
Met in the office with The Rev. Jeff Lloyd of Exeter, who was
interested in what was going on with the Episcopal Church in West
Virginia.
I was at St. Stephen's - Beckley for Eucharist in the morning
Trustees meeting and a teleconference call for EAM.
Meetings and appointments in the office all day.
Meetings and appointments in the office all day. It was also Marsha
and my 32nd wedding anniversary, and I took Marsha to the Chop
House in Charleston for dinner.
Appointments in the office all day.
At home.
Anna came home from Boston.
I was in the office all day.
I was in the office all day.
Meetings in the office, along with meeting with people from St.
Andrew's Community Center in the Eastern Panhandle to talk about
their use of the community center.
Meetings in the office, then drove down to Princeton for the funeral
of The Rev. Rodge McGuire.
One day Diocesan Council meeting.
Visitation - St. John's, Charleston
Appointments throughout the day. I met with Secretary of State
Natalie Tenant in the afternoon to discuss issues around clergy
performing marriages in the state of West Virginia.
I went to Ronceverte, WV to bless their new columbarium. I stopped
at Beckley on the way home to talk about the New River Episcopal
Ministries configuration.
Appointments in the office all day, primarily discussing Convention.
Meetings in the office. I met with St. Mark's - St. Albans in the late
afternoon.
I was in the office all day.
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29-Aug
30-Aug
31-Aug
1-Sep
2-Sep
3-Sep
4-Sep
5-Sep
6-Sep
7-Sep
8-Sep
9-Sep
10-Sep
11-Sep
12-Sep
13-Sep
14-Sep
15-Sep
16-Sep
17-Sep
18-Sep
19-Sep
20-Sep
21-Sep
At home.
Visitation -- Good Shepherd, Hansford and Calvary, Montgomery.
I was in the office all day..
Office meetings with Faith and Donald.
Meeting regarding Millennium Development Goals, then a
teleconference with the Standing Committee in the afternoon.
Ann returned back to her college area in preparation for going to
Prague for the semester. I had appointments in the afternoon in my
office.
Meeting in the office.
I went over to the Eastern Panhandle. In the evening I had dinner
with The Rev. Susan and Randy MacDonald.
Visitation: St. Philip's - Charles Town. That evening I had dinner
with people in the Eastern Panhandle.
I returned home from the Eastern Panhandle.
We had a Clergy Day at Trinity Episcopal Church - Morgantown.
Then I met with a new deacon from the Diocese of Western
Massachusetts.
Marsha and I flew to Zurich for the consecration of the new Old
Catholic bishop of Switzerland, Bishop Harald Ryan.
Consecration of Bishop of Switzerland.
Consecration of Bishop of Switzerland.
Consecration of Bishop of Switzerland.
Returned home.
Marsha and I went to the Greenbrier to be present with the Church
Pension Fund as they were celebrating the ministry of Mr. David
Pitts, who has faithfully served as President of the Board of the
Church Pension Fund.
Marsha and I returned back early so that she could get back to
work, and I could go to my next meeting. I then flew down to
Asheville, NC for a meeting regarding General Seminary. We met at
Kanuga.
GTS meeting at Kanuga.
Meetings in the office all day. I was supposed to drive to
Sandscrest, but I believe I had gotten the flu that week, and so
called in for the Focus Group regarding the possibility of having a
retirement home at Sandscrest.
Day off.
I went over to the Eastern Panhandle
Visitation: St. John's - Harpers Ferry.
I had lunch with The Rev. Adam Thomas. I met with some people in
the Eastern Panhandle, and then was supposed to have dinner with
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22-Sep
23-Sep
24-Sep
25-Sep
26-Sep
27-Sep
28-Sep
29-Sep
30-Sep
1-Oct
2-Oct
3-Oct
4-Oct
6-Oct
7-Oct
8-Oct
9-Oct
10-Oct
11-Oct
12-Oct
13-Oct
Bishop Bainbridge and his wife, but because of his illness, we were
not able to have dinner.
I returned home.
I had appointments in the office all day, including a phone
conference the Indaba Process.
Meetings in my office all day. Dinner with The Rev. Melissa
Remington, and husband The Rev. Ralph Strohm that evening.
Appointments in my office all day.
Day off.
Visitation: St. Peter's - Huntington.
Appointments in my office, and caught up on paperwork.
Had a phone conference webanex with the Audit Committee. We
were happy to see that there were no exceptions in the Audit. I
thank David Ramkey and Annette Combs, along with the rest of the
staff for the good work. I then drove to Huntington to see Kevin
Kelly's father in the hospital.
Appointments in my office all day.
Final preparation for Diocesan Convention
Diocesan Convention
Diocesan Convention
Diocesan Convention
Final Eucharist for Diocesan Convention at St. Matthew's Charleston. I thank all those from St. Matthew's and the other
Charleston churches for all the hard work and preparation that they
did to make this a success. I will say that on the morning of
September 4, I experienced some vision problems and discovered
the next morning on October 5 that I had torn my retina. Therefore, I
spent the next couple of days relaxing. I was supposed to be at a
Bexley Hall Board meeting on the 6th and 7th, but did not attend.
Instead, on the 7th I wrote a report to the EAM regarding the grant
that we had received the previous year.
See above
See above
Meetings in the office and it was Marsha's birthday.
Conversations and meetings in the office.
I went up Christ Church - Wellsburg and had dinner with The Rev.
Gene Sheppard, Kaye and others at Stephalino's.
Visitation: Christ Church - Wellsburg, followed in the evening by the
ARC evensong at St. Luke's - Wheeling Island. I thank the Revs.
Theresa and Jim Kelley and all those at Christ Church. It was good
to see Bishop Bransfield again. Drove home that evening.
I was in the office all day. Peterkin Board meeting in the afternoon.
Sandscrest teleconference meeting.
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14-Oct
15-Oct
16-Oct
17-Oct
18-Oct
19-Oct
20-Oct
21-Oct
22-Oct
23-Oct
24-Oct
25-Oct
26-Oct
27-Oct
28-Oct
29-Oct
30-Oct
31-Oct
1-Nov
2-Nov
3-Nov
4-Nov
5-Nov
6-Nov
7-Nov
I had Diocesan Trustees meeting in the office.
GTS Board meeting.
GTS Board meeting. Returned home.
Drove down to Bridge Day. We had great press coverage from
WSAZ in Charleston. I thank the reporter for all her work. Then I left
and went up to Grafton for my Visitation.
Visitation: St. Mathias' - Grafton. Returned home.
I went to Lexington, KY for the EAM Board meeting, where I was
asked if I would "re-up" for another term. And, by the time I left, I
had been nominated for President of the EAM Board. I am happy to
report that The Very Rev. Theresa Kelley is the vice president. We
also elected a new executive director, The Rev. Gordon Brewer.
Executive staff meeting.
Went up to Sandscrest. Had meetings up in Wheeling, followed by
the Sandscrest Annual Board meeting.
I came back.
Went to St. John's - Marlinton and Chapel-on-the-Mount Snowshoe for Visitation.
I went to Grace Church - Elkins for Visitation.
We had a conference call regarding Living Stones. In the evening I
had a meeting with the Vestry of St. Timothy's -- Hurricane.
I had appointments in the office all day.
Day off.
I was in the office all day. I went down in the evening to Beckley to
have a meeting with have an EAM transition committee.
I was at St. Timothy's - Hurricane for a Saturday Visitation. I thank
Cheryl and the people of St. Timothy's for their willingness to allow
me to be there on a Saturday instead of a Sunday.
Drove to Wheeling to Sandscrest to be at St. Luke's - Wheeling
Island for my visitation.
Visitation: St. Luke's - Wheeling Island.
I was back at home and in the office.
I went up to Bridgeport for a Fresh Start meeting.
Day off.
I had a phone conference in the morning, and then met people in
Barboursville to deconsecrate St. Andrew's Church there, which
had been officially closed. While you were there, you could see that
the building was in preparation to be demolished.
Day off.
I went over to the Eastern Panhandle.
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8-Nov
9-Nov
10-Nov
11-Nov
12-Nov
13-Nov
14-Nov
15-Nov
16-Nov
17-Nov
18-Nov
19-Nov
20-Nov
21-Nov
22-Nov
23-Nov
24-Nov
25-Nov
26-Nov
27-Nov
28-Nov
29-Nov
30-Nov
1-Dec
2-Dec
Visitation: St. John's - Rippon and Grace Episcopal Church Middleway. I met with Susan MacDonald.
Returned home.
I was in the office catching up on office work.
I flew to San Francisco for a meeting with bishops from our systems
group.
Systems group meeting.
Systems group meeting.
Flew to Pittsburgh so that I could be at St. Paul's.
St. Paul's - Pittsburgh. Returned home.
Day off.
Meetings in the office all day. In the evening I had dinner with The
Very Rev. Cheryl Winter.
I was in the office in the morning, then went down to Beckley. I met
with the Vestry at St. Stephen's - Beckley, along with David
Ramkey.
Appointments in my office all day.
I drove over to Keyser to be with Emmanuel Church and their
Stewardship Campaign. I thank Bishop Townsend for the work that
he did at Emmanuel. I thank all the good people at Emmanuel. I
went to Wheeling on the way home.
I had meetings with St. Paul's Terrace, the senior citizens housing,
a ministry of St. Paul's Church. That evening I had dinner in
Wheeling with The Rev. Richard Skaggs and Ms. Linda Comins.
Visitation: Trinity - Moundsville. That evening, we had a meeting of
the Sandscrest Retirement Home Task Force. I returned home
afterwards.
Meetings in the office.
Meetings in the office.
Left for Pennsylvania. My mother was supposed to come to
Charleston. She was not feeling well, so at the last minute our plans
changed and we drove to Pennsylvania.
Thanksgiving Day. Went to church at St. John's - York, PA.
Stayed with my mother.
On the way home from my mother's, Marsha and I stopped at
Morgantown and had dinner with The Rev. Julie Murdoch and her
husband, Scott.
Visitation: St. Thomas à Becket - Morgantown. Marsha and I drove
home that evening.
Sandscrest for the Advent Clergy Retreat.
Sandscrest for the Advent Clergy Retreat.
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3-Dec
4-Dec
5-Dec
6-Dec
7-Dec
8-Dec
9-Dec
10-Dec
11-Dec
12-Dec
13-Dec
14-Dec
15-Dec
16-Dec
17-Dec
18-Dec
19-Dec
20-Dec
21-Dec
22-Dec
23-Dec
24-Dec
25-Dec
26-Dec
27-Dec
28-Dec
29-Dec
Appointments in my office all day.
St. Matthew's - Charleston, Ordination to the priesthood for The
Rev. Paul Francke.
Visitation: St. John's - Huntington. Then drove home. Marsha and I
went to Taste and Sounds of Christmas sponsored by St.
Christopher - Charleston.
Traveled to Parkersburg to have my car worked on; met with Paul
Hicks and Ben Hardesty via telephone.
Appointments in my office all day.
went up to Wheeling. Met with Bonnie Thurston in the evening to
talk about Sandscrest.
Had a meeting with BankOne, as well as others in Wheeling. Then
was at the Annual meeting of Reynolds Memorial Hospital, and then
we had our Sandscrest Board meeting later that evening.
Diocesan Council at Sandscrest.
Diocesan Council at Sandscrest. I left. Drove quickly down to
Princeton so that I could be at Heavenly Rest for Sunday morning.
Visitation: Princeton - Heavenly Rest. Feast of St. Lucy, which was
the 29th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood.
Day off.
Appointments in my office all day.
Office work.
Office work.
Office work. First time I used Skype for a ministry interview.
We were having a blizzard throughout the East. Anna was to come
home that evening from Prague, but got stuck in Boston.
I was supposed to be at Prince of Peace - Salem, but because of
the weather, this was cancelled.
Meetings in the office all day.
Institution of The Rev. Melissa Remington as the first rector of St.
Christopher Episcopal Church - Charleston.
In the office until lunchtime. Took the staff for lunch. We closed the
office that afternoon.
Office closed. Marsha and I went to the midnight Eucharist at St.
Matthew's that evening.
Office closed.
Office closed.
I attended St. Christopher.
Office closed.
Office closed.
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30-Dec
31-Dec
Office closed.
Office closed. Anna's birthday.
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TEXT OF RESOLUTIONS AS ADOPTED AT THE 133rd ANNUAL Diocesan CONVENTION (Resolution 1)
Title: Urge Legislature to Prohibit Discrimination on Basis of
Sexual Orientation
and Add Sexual Orientation to Hate Crimes Statute
Submitted by: Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston
The Rev. Susan J. Latimer, Rector
The Rev. Ann Lovejoy Johnson, Associate Rector
RESOLVED, That the Diocese of West Virginia urge members of
the West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates to pass
legislation which would amend the current state human rights
law, W.Va. Code 5-11-1 et seq. to prohibit discrimination on the
basis of sexual orientation, and to add sexual orientation to the
motivations justifying prosecution under the West Virginia Hate
Crimes statute, W.Va. Code § 61-6-21.
RESOLVED, That the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West
Virginia communicate such to each member of the West Virginia
Senate and House of Delegates during the week prior to the
start of every legislative session until the West Virginia Senate
and House of Delegates pass legislation which amends the
current state human rights law, W.Va. Code 5-11-1 et seq. to
prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and
adds sexual orientation to the motivations justifying prosecution
under the West Virginia Hate Crimes statute, W.Va. Code § 616-21.
EXPLANATION: As a people of Christ, we believe that all people
within the boundaries of the state of West Virginia have the right
to be free from any violence, or intimidation by threat of violence
committed against their persons or property because of their
race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation
or sexual orientation. Given this, we believe that it is essential
that our bishop express our position by sending an annual
reminder to our state legislators, regardless of how many
legislators annually respond to this reminder, on these issues
until the current human rights law and hate crimes statute are
amended to both prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual
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orientation and add sexual orientation to the motivations
justifying prosecution under the West Virginia Hate Crimes
statute.
(Resolution 2)
Blessing Same-Gender Relationships
Submitted by: Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston
The Rev. Ann Lovejoy Johnson, Associate Rector
RESOLVED, That this convention urges our Bishop to honor
same-gender relationships by supporting public rites for the
blessing of same-gender relationships in congregations where
such blessings are supported and so desired and establishing a
6-month task force to craft procedures and requirements to
support such blessings.
EXPLANATION: We acknowledge the question of public rites for
the blessing of those in same-gender, committed relationships
has been a point of controversy causing great divisions within
the Anglican Communion, particularly following the recognition
by the 2003 General Convention of the Episcopal Church (TEC)
that same-gender blessings are within the common life of the
Church and that it is within a bishop’s discretion to allow blessing
as a pastoral response (C051).
More recently, at the 2009 General Convention of TEC,
resolution C056 passed, allowing bishops to provide a generous
pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church,
including those within civil jurisdictions where same-gender
marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal.
Even more recently, The Rt. Rev. Thomas E. Breidenthal,
Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Ohio, has begun authorizing
same-gender blessing as of Easter, 2010. Bishop Briedenthal
announced the establishment of a task force in November, 2009
of clergy and laity who worked with him to craft procedures and
requirements to make the blessing of same-gender couples a
reality in that diocese in 6 short months.
We recognize that it is The Rt. Rev. Michie Klusmeyer’s decision
to allow the blessing of same-gender relationships.
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We recognize that not all congregations in the Episcopal
Diocese of West Virginia support the blessing of same-gender
relationships.
We pray that our Bishop and representatives to this convention
will recognize and honor the desire of those congregations and
priests who wish to honor same-gender relationships through
sanctioned same-gender blessings.
We pray that a 6-month task force will be established to craft the
procedures, requirements and rites to make same-gender
blessings a reality in those congregations where such blessings
are desired.
We pray that, as people of Christ and members of the body
where the claim, “all are welcome” is a rallying cry, we may see
our way clear to allow the blessing of same-gender relationships
in congregations where it is so desired.
(Resolution 4)
Encourage Use of Diocesan Stewardship Resources
Submitted by the Commission on Stewardship, Linda Crocker,
chairperson
Resolved, that the 2010 Diocesan Convention commends to the
congregations of our diocese the resources provided by the
Stewardship Commission. These include the website
www.wvstewardship.com, the three stewardship study series,
the opportunity for congregation-based consultations, and the
Hidden Treasure conference and training event April 8-9, 2011 .
Explanation
The Stewardship Commission exists to encourage and enable
the leadership of every congregation in the Diocese of West
Virginia to embrace a holistic approach in stewardship that
supports their members in their individual and corporate
stewardship of God's gifts. The Stewardship Commission further
exists to help congregations identify, develop and implement
effective resources and procedures, which reflect the teaching
and principles of the Episcopal Church. To these ends the
Stewardship Commission offers its services.
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NECROLOGY OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF WEST VIRGINIA
SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 – JULY 31, 2010
Alger, Loleta Virginia – Zion, Charles Town
Anderson, Ruby BonDurant – Heavenly Rest, Princeton
Apel, Cathy – Trinity Episcopal Church, Huntington
Armstrong, Lois Virginia – Good Shepherd, Parkersburg
Arters, Jr., Emlyn David – St. Matthew's, Charleston
Bailey, Mary Catherine Lowder – St. Matthew's, Charleston
Barton, William – St. Mark's, Berkeley Springs
Battistel, Robert – St. Thomas’, Weirton
Beatty, Dr. Eugene W. – Trinity, Parkersburg
Beihl, Lois – Lawrencefield Parish, Wheeling
Biern, Elsa – Trinity Episcopal Church, Huntington
Biller, Raymond Edward – Zion, Charles Town
Blackwell, Peery – Christ Church, Bluefield
Bland, George Linn, Jr. – St. Paul's, Weston
Brackman, Edgas – St. Thomas’, White Sulphur Springs
Bradford, Margaret David – St. Matthew's, Charleston
Brandon, Dorothy L.R. – St. John's, Huntington
Bsharah, Gloria – St. Stephen's, Beckley
Butler, The Rev. Keith W. – St. Thomas, White Sulphur Springs and
Incarnation, Ronceverte
Carter, Marguarite – Heavenly Rest, Princeton
Cashion, John Thomas, Jr. – Redeemer, Ansted
Cobb, Gloria – Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Hansford
Coll, Marcia – St. Mark's, Saint Albans
Crawford, Ruth Anne – St. Christopher, Charleston
Daugherty, Elizabeth Jean – Emmanuel, Keyser
Davidson, Jean – St. Peter's, Huntington
Davies, John Rhys – Good Shepherd, Parkersburg
Dean, Ruth Ann – Trinity, Martinsburg
DelGrande, Edward B. – St. Matthew's, Charleston
Dinges, Harry Elmer – Zion, Charles Town
Dorsey, Meade – Trinity Episcopal Church, Shepherdstown
Dotson, Clinton H. – Good Shepherd, Parkersburg
Dower, Marge – Trinity Episcopal Church, Shepherdstown
Dudley, May A. – Zion, Charles Town
English, Scott – Trinity, Martinsburg
Fleming, Vivian W. – St. Philip's, Charles Town
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Ford, William – St. Mark's, Saint Albans
Goff, Otis – Grace Episcopal Church, Ravenswood
Goodwin, Stephen – St. John's, Ripley
Gray, Barbara – Sistersville, St. Paul's
Greenfield, Ann Saunders – Zion, Charles Town
Gutsell, Monna June – Trinity, Martinsburg
Hagan, Robert – Trinity Episcopal Church, Huntington
Haischer, Donald – Trinity, Martinsburg
Hall, Margaret P. – Trinity, Parkersburg
Hallam, Jean – St. Mark's, Berkeley Springs
Harris, Anna G. – St. Paul's, Weston
Hart, John C. – Christ Church, Clarksburg
Harvey, Susan Beth – Trinity, Parkersburg
Haught, Jane – Olde St. John's, Colliers
Haught, Ralph – Olde St. John's, Colliers
Hazelwood, William S. – Calvary, Montgomery
Higley, Mike – Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Hansford
Hill, Karen Tyler – St. James’, Lewisburg
Hilton, Carroll James – Zion, Charles Town
Hock, Harry H. – St. John's, Marlinton
Hooper, Barbara Hunter – Zion, Charles Town
Hudson, Thomas L. – Holy Trinity, Logan
Jacobs, Frances “Lou” – St. Mark's, Saint Albans
Jaynes, Betty – Christ Church, Fairmont
Jones, Lavelle – Trinity Episcopal Church, Huntington
Kearns, Marie – St. John's, Huntington
Keesecker, Kirk Thomas– Trinity, Martinsburg
Keller, Rosalie – St. Thomas’, White Sulphur Springs
Keplinger, D. Arlene – Emmanuel, Keyser
Kirkwood, Dr. James – Prince of Peace, Salem
Knierim, Robert – St. Thomas’, Weirton
Lanyon, Robert D. – Good Shepherd, Parkersburg
Leaberry, Nancy – St. John's, Huntington
Legge, Lucille – Olde St. John's, Colliers
Lewis, Nancy “Pat” – St. Mark's, Saint Albans
Lewis-Smith, Nancy Pat – St. Stephen's, Beckley
Macoughtry, William O. – Grace, Middleway
Marshall, George – St. John's, Huntington
Martens, David – Heavenly Rest, Princeton
Martin, Daniel O. – Trinity, Parkersburg
McGinnis, Jim – Olde St. John's, Colliers
McGuire, Fr. Roger – Heavenly Rest, Princeton
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Means, Janet – Trinity Episcopal Church, Shepherdstown
Miller, Betsy – Trinity Episcopal Church, Huntington
Miller, Judith Ann – St. Ann’s, New Martinsville
Miller, Peggy Lou – St. Stephen's, Romney
Moler, Wilma Catherine – Trinity, Martinsburg
Monroe, Mary Virginia – St. Matthias, Grafton
Moore, Georgie Forbes – St. Matthew's, Charleston
Morgan, The Rev. Neale – Trinity Episcopal Church, Shepherdstown
Moseley, Mildred – St. Mark's, Saint Albans
Muehlman, Ann Stubblefield – St. Matthew's, Charleston
Murphy, Edwin – Lawrencefield Parish, Wheeling
Nelson, Betty H. – St. John's, Huntington
Nelson, Lee E. – St. John's, Huntington
Newell, D.C. – St. Andrew's, Oak Hill
O’Malley, Pat – Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Hansford
Painter, Doris Louise – Zion, Charles Town
Picirillo, Louise – Holy Trinity, Logan
Pierce, Thomas Arnold – Zion, Charles Town
Piercy, William II – Trinity Episcopal Church, Shepherdstown
Plott, Marlene S. – St. John's, Huntington
Porter, William Loyall Gravatt – St. Matthew's, Charleston
Porterfield, Karen Sue – Zion, Charles Town
Potts, Henry – Trinity Episcopal Church, Shepherdstown
Pratt, Marvin – Trinity Episcopal Church, Shepherdstown
Quackenbush, Virginia A. – Trinity, Parkersburg
Ramey, Louise D. – Zion, Charles Town
Richardson, Robert M. – Christ Church, Bluefield
Sager, Helen Harriett B. – Zion, Charles Town
Sanders, Robert Reed – Christ Church, Bluefield
Saunders, Anne Green – Zion, Charles Town
Schoolcraft, Jackie – Lawrencefield Parish, Wheeling
Seaman, Mimi D – Trinity, Parkersburg
Sheridan, Ann D. – Trinity, Parkersburg
Skinner, Augustine H. – St. Paul's, Weston
Smith, Betty – Trinity Episcopal Church, Huntington
Smith, Donald S. – Zion, Charles Town
Smith, Frank Jr. – Zion, Charles Town
Smith, Glen Denny – Zion, Charles Town
Smith, Mary Craighill Perry – Zion, Charles Town
Snyder, Elizabeth Jean – Trinity, Martinsburg
Spaulding, Sallie – Trinity Episcopal Church, Shepherdstown
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COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
ALTAR GUILD
Hollie Mitchell – Chair
The first, WV Diocesan Altar Guild Annual meeting was held at St.
Thomas a' Becket On May 22, 2010. The meeting was well attended
and the service by Rev. Julie Murdock, centered on Altar guild service.
Linda Yost provided so much assistance to see that we had a
wonderful refreshments and a grand place to meet.
We talked about "Who we are and What we do,". concentrating on the
Guild as a ministry. We found that our ministry can reach out to the
teaching and assisting in acolytes, flower guilds, candles and priest
assistance. We talked about funerals baptisms and wedding. We found
a need to have a wedding planner, of sorts, to assist the bride and
groom and the altar guild in knowing what is wanted, needed, and
available to make a wedding, large or small, go smoothly. We talked
about doing things as a team and meeting regularly. It was advised we
plan a few things to do together, such as a reading time, bag lunch,
even cleaning the closet !!!
All of which brings us to sharing our things with other churches and
those in need.
Our newsletter is an e-letter done by two wonderful Ladies: Vicki
Philips and Sally Lane. We are blessed to have them.
Our next Annual meeting will follow our pledge to continue around
these Mountains to connect with all our members
ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mr. Lloyd Miller – Chair
The Architectural Review committee has reviewed two projects from
July 1 2009 through June 30, 1020.
They are the parish hall addition to St. Thomas Lewisburg and the
kitchen renovation at St. Johns Charleston. Both projects were
provided comments to assist in providing a quality project.
The issue that occurs most often is the need to have appropriate
contracts and insurances in place with the Architect and Contractor
prior to moving forward with the work. These documents control the
scope of work, schedule, cost, and procedures for resolving changes
and unforeseen conditions.
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We are aware of other projects being considered or in progress that
have not been through this review process. It is recommended that
parishes take advantage of this service to ensure that their projects are
progressing favorably. It takes little time and may be insightful.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Richard (Kit) Francis – Temporary Chair
Members of the Audit Committee are Walter (Buck) Sowers, Hal Foss,
Richard (Kit) Francis and (Dr.) Michael Anderson.
By the Audit
Committee Charter and accountancy rules, each member of the Audit
Committee must be independent of the Diocese, the Bishop, the
Treasurer, and the Chief Financial Officer as well as have no
relationship with the independent auditors. On occasion one (1)
member of the Audit Committee may be a lay member of the Standing
Committee. Each Audit Committee member must have appropriate
education, experience and professional background to serve.
Diocesan Council approves the Audit Committee members from time to
time.
Significant duties of the Audit Committee are to (1) review all material
communications between the independent auditors and the Diocese;
(2) review the annual financial statements of the Diocese; (3) consider
the independent auditor’s judgments regarding the Diocese’s
accounting principles; and (4) consider any disputes or difficulties
between the Diocese and the independent auditor.
The committee met on June 30, 2010 with the independent auditor.
Charles Hunsaker, Treasurer, and David Ramkey, Chief Financial
Officer were present for a portion of the meeting and were excused, as
required, for a private discussion with the independent auditor. The
Committee has no issue or concern requiring express report to the
Diocesan Council or the Diocesan Convention.
In addition, the Audit Committee is to review any complaints received
by the Diocese regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or
auditing matters. There were none the Audit Committee was aware of
for the year reported.
BUDGET COMMITTEE
Charles R. Hunsaker – Acting Chair
No report was submitted on behalf of the Budget Committee.
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CHURCH COMMISSION FOR CHILDREN
Laura Leslie – Chair
Mission Statement
The Church Commission for Children supports congregations and
families in welcoming, nurturing, and raising up children in the Christian
life. We are committed to ensuring the well-being of children by
making sure our churches are safe havens, where they are free from
neglect and abuse.
Mission Goals
The Church Commission for Children
 ministers to children from birth through fifth grade
 establishes a visible presence for children’s issues at the
Diocesan level
 serves as a liaison to parish children’s ministry staff for
networking and resources
 supports Safeguarding God’s Children training
 advocates for and promotes child safety and well-being
 promotes children’s awareness of diversity and anti-racism
 encourages and empowers congregations to include and listen
to children as an integral part of their church community
 will be a recognizable and responsive voice for the needs and
concerns of parishes and their children
Members
The Church Commission for Children consists of lay and clerical
orders, reflects congregational variety, and seeks to be diverse by
race, gender, region, and experience. Our gifts include leadership,
communication,
teaching,
organization,
hands-on
children’s
programming experience, and resource identification and compilation.
In the past year the Church Commission for Children has performed
the following activities.
 In conjunction with St. Matthew’s, Charleston, provided child
care for the 2009 Diocesan Convention delegates
 Hosted a pajama party for children attending the 2009
Diocesan Convention
 Served as trainers for Safeguarding God’s Children
 Developed a beginning list of congregational children’s ministry
contact persons
 Disseminated children’s ministry resources to the contacts
 As members of Prevent Child Abuse WV responded to
advocacy alerts electronically
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


Developed and distributed the racial and ethnic diversity audits
to congregations as mandated by 2009 Diocesan Convention
Resolution 5
Reviewed and summarized the racial and ethnic diversity
audits received from parishes
Compiled resources to promote racial and ethnic diversity
Composed a booklet, “Resources and Information for
Children’s Ministries to help churches Begin, Grow or Review
their children’s programming”
Our goals for the upcoming year include the following.
 In conjunction with the host churches provide child care for the
2010 Diocesan Convention delegates
 Host a pajama party for children attending the 2010 Diocesan
Convention
 Serve as trainers for Safeguarding God’s Children
 As members of Prevent Child Abuse WV to respond to
advocacy alerts electronically
 Refine the list of congregational children’s ministry contacts
 Disseminate children’s ministry resources to contacts
 Distribute resources to promote racial and ethnic diversity
 Disseminate booklet, “Resources and Information for
Children’s Ministries to help churches Begin, Grow or Review
their children’s programming” by 1) mail to children’s ministry
contacts 2) convention packet to parish priests and 3)
availability at Convention exhibit
 Host two regional workshops on children’s ministry
 Provide consultation to individual congregations on children’s
ministry
 Update the Church Commission for Children website.
The 2009 Diocesan Convention passed Resolution 5 “Racial and
Ethnic Diversity Audit” presented by the Church Commission for
Children and the Commission to End Racism. Each congregation was
asked to complete a racial and diversity audit of all of its children’s
ministry areas and resources.
The audit was comprised of categories including posters, pictures,
photographs, wall hangings, dolls, toy people figures, children’s books,
Sunday school resources, Children’s Chapel resources, last Vacation
Bible School program and seasonal resources. The Commission
requested that the audit be completed by two people, one who was
familiar with the children’s ministry areas and another who was not
familiar with those areas.
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A total of 48 congregations responded. Many reported having no or
few children in their congregation and no children’s ministry. The
others responded that posters, pictures, children’s books and Sunday
school resources showed good diversity of race and ethnicity. The
other categories were lacking in diversity.
Many made comments that very few images of people were present at
all, and that they only used religious symbols, nature and scenery
pictures.
The original goals of the resolution were to raise awareness and spur
congregations to enhance diversity. The audit was designed to help
churches identify areas that need additional resources to ensure
diversity is represented for children playing with toys, dolls, reading
books or just participating in programming.
The second resolve of Resolution 5 stipulated that the Church
Commission for Children review the audits and provide a list of
resources that express racial and ethnic diversity. The Commission
has identified a variety of racially and ethnically diverse items available
at low and moderate cost in each of the main audit categories. These
are listed in the Children’s Ministries Booklets that are now available to
congregations. Some of these resources are displayed at our exhibit.
We are prayerful that all churches will continue to promote racial and
ethnic diversity in the resources you choose to use and display.
The Church Commission for Children has been very busy this summer
preparing a booklet titled, “Resources and Information for Children’s
Ministries to Help Churches Begin, Grow or Review their Programming
for Children Birth - 5th Grade”. The booklet is written for both the new
inexperienced person beginning a children’s ministry and the seasoned
volunteer to update and expand children’s ministries. Included in the
booklet is information about the Children’s Charter, Safeguarding
God’s Children, Nursery, Sunday School, Recruiting Teachers,
Seasonal Events, Vacation Bible School, Children’s Chapel, Racial and
Ethnic Diversity Resources, Outreach, Resource Guide and the Church
Commission for Children. These booklets have been included in the
clergy convention packets and will be mailed to the children’s contact
person in each congregation; copies are available at our exhibit.
I would like to stress that Commission members want to be utilized as
resources by churches. We also want feedback from you about the
booklet and resources that have been helpful to you that we can share
with all congregations.
Lastly the Church Commission for Children plans to host two
workshops on children’s ministry in the spring.
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COMMISSION ON COLLEGE AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
No report was submitted on behalf of College and Young Adult
Ministry.
COMMISSION ON EVANGELISM
No report was submitted on behalf of Commission on Evangelism.
COMMISSION ON MINISTRY
Mr. Tom Gilpin – Chair through April 2010
The Rev. Julie Harris – Chair since April 2010
Cheryl Prichard – Vice Chair since April 2010
The Commission on Ministry (the “COM”) has the task of overseeing
and developing the ministry of the diocese in conjunction with the
Bishop mainly under guidance of the ministry canons of the national
church (Title III). Under these canons the COM is charged with helping
in the development of the ministries of all baptized persons, the raising
up and recruiting of persons for lay and ordained ministry, assisting in
the discernment processes of individuals, ministry teams and
congregations, making recommendations to the Bishop and the
Standing Committee at various stages of the ordination process,
developing and monitoring the formation of those in the ordination
process, providing for formational requirements for the licensing of lay
ministries, and overseeing a Council of Deacons when there are a
sufficient number of deacons. The various processes continue to
evolve and are routinely reviewed and adjusted in an effort to make
them more effective. Although the COM deliberates and makes its
decisions separately, the COM works collaboratively with the Standing
Committee on many of its processes and meets jointly with the
Standing Committee for parts of its meetings.
The COM usually meets three times during a year: in the Fall
(October), in the Spring (April) and again in June. The Fall meeting
includes receiving and acting upon the reports and recommendations
from the Ministry Discernment Retreat (MDR) staff concerning
postulancy for nominees (including those raised up in Team Ministry
Projects) attending the Fall MDR (usually held in September). The
Spring meeting includes candidacy interviews, attestations as to
continuing formation and recommendations concerning candidacy or
postulancy from the Spring MDR (usually held in February). The June
meeting usually involves a variety of issues under the purview of the
COM. At each meeting reports from its committees and those
members serving as liaisons to postulants and candidates are made.
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Reports are also received by the COM from Equipping the Saints
(ETS) and other diocesan training programs, as well as
communications from the Regional Ministry Commission as they relate
to the work of the COM. The Bishop sometimes participates in these
meetings.
To assist in the discharge of these responsibilities, the COM has
divided its work among committees and task forces with the following
areas of responsibility: Vocation, Continuing Education, Formation and
Deacons. The Vocation Committee sponsored two MDRs and made
various recommendations with respect to postulancy. The Continuing
Education Committee recommended several continuing education
grants which were approved by the COM. The Formation Committee
works mainly through liaisons appointed for postulants and candidates.
The Deacons’ Committee is in the process of being reconstituted as
the number of deacons increases.
During the moratorium on persons entering the ordination process
except for those raised up from team ministry pilot programs, the COM
continued to discharge its responsibilities with respect to persons
already in discernment at the time the moratorium was established and
gave increasing focus and attention on the Ministry of all baptized
persons.
The COM continues to explore, discuss and review
appropriate expectations for, and standards and guidelines of,
preparation and formation for the various ministries – lay and ordained.
Although particular attention continued to be given to formation
involving non-seminary training for persons raised up for ordination to
the priesthood in the context of the pilot programs for team ministry, the
COM also more closely examined lay and diaconal ministries. This
work gained significant new direction in April when the Bishop
presented a Theological Statement on Ministry as drafted by the
Ministry Task Force.
Following very helpful discussions and
conversations the COM adopted this as its working mission statement.
It reads as follows:
“Ministry is our active response to the love of God. Following Jesus’
example:
• We worship God;
• We proclaim the Good News;
• We love and forgive one another; and
• We live and serve, sharing in Christ’s reconciling work in the
world.
God calls everyone to ministry.”
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The ongoing work of the COM will be reviewed to see how this work is
furthering the ministries God is calling. The development of standards
and processes of ministry facilitation continues in the context of the
needs of the church.
Understanding that the Bishop would like to be able to announce a
date for lifting the moratorium on ordination at the September 2010
Diocesan Convention, COM and Standing Committee reviewed our
work in light of the Theology of Ministry statement recently adopted by
Diocesan Council. As part of this process, we reviewed and discussed
the process of discernment, formation, and licensing of lay ministries
and ordination in the Diocese of West Virginia as currently outlined in
Rooted in Baptism. From this discussion, we identified four working
groups to review and revise our processes of discernment and
formation for all baptized members of our Diocese both lay and
ordained. These include: Discernment (local and diocesan); Diaconal
Formation, Priesthood Formation (those called to attend seminary and
those called to study locally), and Lay Formation and Licensure. The
goal is to define Core Steps to the Process that everyone must follow
(no exceptions to these rules). These core steps will be enumerated in
grids outlining required elements of formation for lay licensure,
vocational diaconate, and priesthood.
Several approved team ministry groups are involved in pilot programs
involving both discernment and formation with formation occurring in
either ETS or Life Cycles. These pilot programs started with 5 teams
and the following 4 are still in process:
Moorefield -- ETS
Hinton -- ETS
New River Ministries -- Life Cycles
Brooke Hancock Cluster -- Life Cycles
During the last year the COM increased its oversight on the ETS
program. The mission and role of ETS was examined in light of the
broadening scope of ministry and an evaluation of its effectiveness and
efficiency in serving the mission of the church was also made. The
approach of ETS was fundamentally revamped and is discussed in the
ETS report. The new ETS program should be ready to kick off in the
fall of 2010.
COM continued the practice of meeting postulants and candidates
during their formation. By adopting the following policy:
“The policy of the Commission on Ministry, with the concurrence of the
Standing Committee, is that, if there is a period long than 18 months
between ordination to Diaconate and Priesthood, the transitional
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deacon may be requested to interview in person with the COM and
Standing Committee before the Standing Committee votes on the
testimonial. This assists in maintaining the relationship between the
COM, the Standing Committee, the liaison and the person-in-process
through ordination.”
Since last year’s COM report the COM made the following
recommendations with respect to persons and teams in the ordination
and discernment processes:
October 2009 (Ratified telephonically November 10, 2009):
The COM met with and interviewed Paul Francke in conjunction with
the Standing Committee. As the COM had previously attested to his
successful completion of program of formation and demonstration of
proficiency in required areas of study and recommended to the
Standing Committee and the Bishop his ordination to the Priesthood no
official action was taken by the COM. However, the sense of the COM
was that his formation had continued and he was ready for ordination
to the Priesthood.
The COM and the Standing Committee also interviewed the Ministry
Team from Emmanuel Moorefield. This was another very important
step in understanding and facilitating the dynamic of team ministry.
Following a very productive discussion and meeting, the COM attested
to Jan Shook’s continuing formation and recommended her to the
Standing Committee and the Bishop for candidacy.
The COM recommended Amy Porterfield to the Bishop for the
transitional diaconate.
April 2010:
The COM met with and interviewed Robert Thompson and Josiah
Rengers and Josh Saxe. Following the interviews and deliberation by
the COM, the following action was taken:
The COM attested to Josiah Rengers’ continuing formation and
recommended him to the Standing Committee and the Bishop for
candidacy.
The COM attested to Josh Saxe’s continuing formation and
recommended him to the Standing Committee and the Bishop for
candidacy.
The COM attested to Robert Thompson’s continuing formation and
recommended him to the Standing Committee and the Bishop for
ordination to the Transitional Diaconate.
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June 2010:
The New River Episcopal Ministry Team had lifted up Herb Balsar as a
person to be considered for ordination to the priesthood and Nancy
Martin as a person to be considered for ordination as a vocational
deacon. An MDR for this team ministry group was held in May of
2010. At the conclusion of this retreat, the MDR team recommended
that Herb was not yet ready and suggested ways by which he might
become more ready. The MDR team recommended that Nancy be
accepted as a postulant for Holy Orders and formation as a Vocational
Deacon. The recommendation of the MDR team was accepted by the
COM and communicated to the Bishop.
The COM recommended Amy Porterfield to the Standing Committee
and the Bishop for ordination to the Priesthood.
The COM also recommended Jan Shook to the Standing Committee
and the Bishop for ordination to the Transitional Diaconate.
COMMISSION ON SPIRITUALITY
The Rev. Richard Skaggs and Ms. Linda Comins, Co-Chairs
The mission of the Commission on Spirituality is to foster the practice
of prayer and spiritual growth in the Diocese of West Virginia.
In 2009, the Commission moved the Diocesan Silent Retreat from the
winter months to the autumn. The reasons for the change were twofold: to avoid the winter weather hazards that had stranded retreat
leaders and participants and that had forced cancellations of potential
participants on past occasions; and to create a fresh perspective for
the retreat that would be of interest to current and new participants.
The ninth annual Diocesan Silent Retreat was held at Bishop Hodges
Pastoral Center in Huttonsville from Oct. 29 through Nov. 1, 2009. The
Rev. Richard L. Skaggs served as the retreat leader. .He chose
“Praying With Teresa of Avila” as the theme. The retreat drew a small,
but enthusiastic, group of men and women. The participants were
appreciative of Father Skaggs’ presentations; they responded favorably
on an evaluation completed at the end of the retreat.
In November 2009, Bishop Klusmeyer re-appointed Father Skaggs and
Linda S. Comins to serve as co-chairs of the Commission for a threeyear term. Other current members of the Commission on Spirituality
are the Rev. Ben James, the Very Rev. Donald Krickbaum, the Rev.
Susan McDonald and the Rev. Canon Donald Vinson.
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COMMISSION ON STEWARDSHIP
Linda Crocker – Chair
Our purpose is to encourage and enable the leadership of every
congregation in the Diocese to embrace an ongoing process that
supports their members in their individual and corporate stewardship of
God's gifts.
Since the Commission’s reorganization in 2007 we have worked to
familiarize ourselves with available resources and make them easily
accessible to the Diocese. We have produced three study series that
can be used by small groups, adult forums or as Lent studies. They are
Planning For Abundance, Finding Our Commitment to Christ in
Ordinary Times, and Parables of the Kingdom. Each series is Biblebased, easy to lead and designed to engage participants in lively
discussion.
We have established and recently improved our own diocesan
stewardship website – www.wvstewardship.com. Here you can read
thoughts on stewardship, download our own resources and find links to
a wide range of sites and experts. We hope to broaden your idea of
what stewardship is about and point you to practical tools.
For the third year we have sent two delegates to the national
stewardship conference sponsored by TENS (The Episcopal Network
for Stewardship). Everyone who attends comes back with even more
ideas and enthusiasm to share.
All this has been the groundwork for our newest venture - a diocesanwide training event to be held April 8-9, 2011 at Flatwoods. Our theme
is Hidden Treasure. We hope many of our congregations will take
advantage of this opportunity to acquire the tools they need to uncover
and utilize the treasures God has graciously bestowed on the people
and parishes of this diocese. The Rev. Laurel Johnston, Stewardship
Officer of the Episcopal Church and Tom Gossen, Executive Director of
TENS are our featured speakers and workshop leaders. Add Hidden
Treasure to your next Vestry agenda and decide what you will do. Will
you send your stewardship chairperson, a team or perhaps make this
your annual vestry retreat?
Our stewardship team is comprised of enthusiastic members, clergy
and lay, with a variety of talents. We are always willing to send
someone to visit a vestry or congregation – just ask. Also, if you feel
called to this area of ministry we would welcome your help. Please
contact me or the bishop to express your interest.
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Current members include: Mrs. Linda Crocker (Chair), The Rev. Julie
Harris, The Rev. Stanley Holmes, Ms. Sally Lane, Mr. Bruce Moss, Dr.
Timothy Saxe, The Rev. Mike Snider, The Rev. William Thomas, The
Rev. John Valentine, and The Rev. Canon Donald Vinson (Diocesan
Liaison).
COMMISSION TO END RACISM
Harold Stewart – Chair
The Anti-Racism Manual has been revised and Province III is
tentatively planning Anti-Racism Training and Train the Trainer
Training at the Hampton Inn in Martinsburg, WV November 3-6, 2010.
It is hopeful that each Diocese will send 2-4 persons to the training.
Please be reminded that Anti-Racism Training is a requirement in this
Diocese for all persons in leadership positions including search
committees, vestry members, etc. The Commission provides the
training upon request.
COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE
The Rev. Mark Seitz – Chair
After the retirement of the Rev. Elizabeth Walker as editor of The
Dayspring, Bishop Klusmeyer appointed a Communication Task Force
to study various facets of communication to congregations, clergy and
laity of the Diocese. The Bishop named the Rev. Mark E. Seitz as chair
of the task force. Also named to the task force were the Ven. Faith
Perrizo, the Rev. Georgia DuBose, Susan Barfield, Linda Comins,
David Hurlbut, Linda Vinson and Mollie Bailey.
The task force met with Bishop Klusmeyer at Diocesan House on May
4, 2010. Subsequently, the group conferred by conference call and email.
At the end of May, the task force recommended to the Bishop that the
Diocesan Newsletter remain as a print publication since many people
throughout the Diocese are more accustomed to that format. At the
same time, the task force suggested that an electronic version of the
newsletter also be disseminated.
The task force further recommended that the Diocesan Newsletter
(currently called The Dayspring) be published five times a year and that
a bid from a West Virginia printing firm be accepted for an eight-page
document.
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In addition, the task force wrote a job description for an editor of the
Diocesan Newsletter. The task force recommended that an editor be
selected and that a layout person be hired by the editor; both would be
compensated.
COMPANION DIOCESE COMMITTEE
Lisa Davis Heller – Chair
Companion Diocese Committee
The companion diocese committee has entered into a new relationship
with the diocese of Colombia. Our hope is to grow as brothers and
sisters in Christ and to gain an understanding and respect for our
varied cultures, languages, liturgies and people. We rejoice in the
understanding that we are all the body of Christ and this will be a
mutual learning process. Brittany Roper, a missionary in Colombia, is
planning to visit West Virginia this summer with another missionary to
enlighten us to the needs of Columbia. Together we hope to organize
a working mission group to Bucaramanga in the next year. The
Diocese of Connecticut is currently in a relationship with Colombia so
there may be some combined efforts in mission between West Virginia
and Connecticut We are still in the midst of establishing connections
and relationship but the future promises great opportunities.
CONSTITUTION AND CANONS COMMITTEE
John Hussell – Chair
No report was submitted on behalf of the Constitution and Canons
Committee.
.
DIOCESAN COUNCIL
Linda Comins – Secretary
The Diocesan Council of the Episcopal Church in West Virginia meets
four times a year. Voting members include one priest and one
layperson from each deanery and representatives of Women’s
Ministries, Episcopal Church Men and the Commission to End Racism.
The Treasurer and Chancellors are ex-officio and the Bishop and staff
serves as resource. Members of the Standing Committee also attend,
participate and report to Council occasionally.
In 2009, Diocesan Council met at St. Matthew’s, Wheeling, Feb. 20; St.
Thomas a Becket, Morgantown, June 5; St. Barnabas, Bridgeport, Aug.
21; and at Sandscrest Conference and Retreat Center, Dec. 11-12.
Action of the Council in 2009 included:
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 Accepted the 2010 budget of $1,719,886 to present to Diocesan
Convention.
 Moved that a congregation requesting a grant, loan or other form
of assistance must provide an audit report or limited independent
financial review, parochial reports for the past three or four years
and vestry minutes for the past six months.
 Accepted the Model Policies for the Prevention of Sexual
Exploitation of Adults and the Model Policies for the Prevention of
Sexual Harassment of Church Workers.
 Approved four Episcopal Advance Fund loans, totaling $40,000, to
congregations. Receiving the loans were St. John’s, Charleston,
$10,000; St. Phillip’s, Charles Town, $10,000; Trinity, Martinsburg,
$10,000; and Grace, Elkins, $10,000.
 Awarded a $2,000 grant from the Humanities Fund to a Kingwood
family who lost their business in a fire and have two children with
multiple sclerosis.
 Designated that the 2008 diocesan apportionment redirected
funds, amounting to about $2,000, be given to the Greenbrier
Episcopal School.
 Awarded 10 outreach mini-grants totaling $10,450. Receiving the
mini-grants were Rea of Hope Fellowship Home, Charleston,
$2,000; St. John’s, Harpers Ferry, $1,000 for Good Shepherd
Volunteer Caregivers’ printing costs; St. Stephen’s, Romney, $250
for children’s books; St. John’s, Charleston, $500 for Spokes for
Folks; Zion, Charles Town, $500 for a Boy Scouts trailer; St.
Mark’s, Berkeley Springs, $2,000 for a community kitchen; St.
Christopher, Charleston, $1,000 for summer day camp; Trinity,
Parkersburg, $1,000 for nurse ministry program; St. Thomas,
Weirton, $1,200 for the Shepherd’s Pantry; and Emmanuel,
Moorefield, $1,000 for a free community lunch program.
 Set the 2009 missionary apportionment for St. Christopher,
Charleston, at 17.5 percent of its stated operating income in the
2008 parochial report.
 Reduced the missionary apportionment of St. John’s, Huntington,
to $54,164 for 2009, based on its amended 2005 parochial report.
 Granted St. Paul’s, Sistersville, a $4,364 reduction in the
missionary apportionment for 2009.
 Moved to sell property at Daniels, with the proceeds to be placed
in the real estate development fund.
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DISCIPLES NET
Patricia Haldeman – Chair
The mission of Disciples Net is to provide the peoples of the Diocese
with tools to do Christ’s work in the world. That is, to provide them with
ideas and with experiences to enrich their ministries as well as
suggestions for dealing with difficult situations.
For the past four years the Diocese of West Virginia/Disciples Net has
co-sponsored Mountain Grace with the Diocese of Southern Ohio.
Mountain Grace VI was held at St. John’s, Huntington on September
12th, 2009. The theme of the conference was “Keeping the Faith in
Hard Times.” This was the first time that Mountain Grace has been
held in West Virginia. 84 people from at least four dioceses and four
denominations were present. Mountain Grace conferences explore the
culture of Appalachia and ways that congregations are meeting the
spiritual and material needs of rural, small town and urban Appalachian
communities. During last year’s conference attendees continued to
explore ways in which Episcopal congregations develop deep roots
and yield abundant spiritual life while keeping the faith in hard times.
The keynoter was the Rev. Larry Fisher, Pastor, Economist and
Director of Business Incubator and Finance of ACEnet who spoke on
“Economic Revival that Respects People.” Besides the keynoter’s topic
eight workshops were offered in two time slots. Attendees selected
workshops from “Ministry in Hard Times,” “Land and Local Food
Production as Ministry,” “Emergency Response,” “Prayer in Hard
Times,” “Toward a Healthy Planetary Future,” “Jubilee Ministry in
Appalachia,” “Social Networking and Evangelism in Hard Times,” and “
Faith Based Economic Development in Hard Times.” This was a rich
assortment of topics to choose from and it became a challenge to
decide just which workshops to attend.
This year Bishop Klusmeyer is the President of Episcopal Appalachian
Ministries and the Very Rev. Theresa Kelley chairs the Mountain Grace
committee. The Ven. Faith Perrizo and Patricia S. Haldeman serve on
this planning committee.
This partnership with the Diocese of Southern Ohio allows the Diocese
of West Virginia to expand its horizons and offer a greater variety of
workshops at one time. As we have asked you to look beyond the four
walls of your church so must we reach beyond the confines of our
Diocese to experience other opportunities and broaden our horizons.
This relationship with the Diocese of Southern Ohio has been a
blessing to us.
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In October of 2010 Mountain Grace VII was held in Marietta, Ohio. The
theme was “Building the Body of Christ Through Community in
Appalachia.” Workshops included: Intentional Communities, After
School Programs: Ending the Cycle of Poverty, Community
Organizing/Advocacy, Preparing for Mission Trips in Appalachia, and
Interfaith Power and Light. The keynoter was Dr. Richard Greenlee,
Dean of Ohio University’s Eastern campus in St. Clairsville, Ohio. He
was outstanding and if we had heard no other speakers, he would have
been sufficient. Equally impressive was Sherri Schafer, Executive
Director for Community Lutheran Partners, another person who grew
up poor in Appalachia and overcame the stigma through education to
go on and be an advocate for others. These two people alone made
this conference well worth attending.
But the highlight of the conference was the Rev. Roy Gene Crist,
Missioner of New River Episcopal Ministries, was presented the
Carson Award for his years of service and ministry in Appalachia. Mary
Carson presented him with a hand quilted wall hanging, made by the
Rev. Theresa Kelley, entitled “Bridges and Parachutes.” In Roy Gene’s
humble way, he said he did not recognize who the introduction was
referring to and then went on to thank all of those people who make the
New River Episcopal Ministries such a vital ministry. Roy Gene’s wife
and partner in ministry for 42 years, Jane and their newest grandchild
Gabriel came forward with him to receive the award.
In the Spring of 2010 Disciples Net presented a workshop entitled “Tell
Out My Soul: Building Relationships with God and Community.” That
Friday evening a Life Cycles group from New River Episcopal
Ministries offered an alternative Eucharist using the Australian Prayer
Book. This pilot group designed what they call “The Life Cycles Road
Show.” In essence, it is the Holy Eucharist conducted by the
laity....they do everything except the sacraments, for which a priest is
required. During the homily the four team members shared their
experiences in the Life Cycles pilot program. This was most moving
and inspiring .On Saturday attendees were able to participate in one of
the Life Cycles sessions. Working in small groups allowed people to
become better acquainted and was well received.
In the afternoon, the Rev. Dr. Michael Simon offered a wonderful
program on Baptismal Ministry tying in Team Ministry, Team Building
and Getting the Congregation Involved. He provided innovative ideas
for reaching beyond the confines of our churches as we try to reach our
full potential thus allowing our congregations to grow and help others in
our communities.
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In a quote by Ed Cole , he says: “There is a price to pay to
grow...commitment is the price.” By becoming actively involved, we
build relationships with God and with each other. We then feel the
sense of community and belonging. As Rick Warren said in The
Purpose Driven Church “Every one of our members has a ministry to
offer.” What is your ministry?
My heartfelt thanks to the Disciples Net Committee members for their
faithfulness and for giving so generously of their time and talents to the
church for many years. Disciples Net is only a small part of how each
of these wonderful, spirit filled, loving , caring people serve the church.
The committee members are:
Roy Gene and Jane Crist, New River Episcopal Ministries
Jim and Theresa Kelley, St. Luke’s, Wheeling and the Wheeling
Cluster
Jack and Anna Lou Sturgeon, Christ Church, Pt. Pleasant and
River Bend Episcopal Ministries
God’s blessings and love to all,
ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL COURT
No report was submitted on behalf of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court.
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY
Elizabeth Hamrick – Chair
No report was submitted on behalf of the Education for Ministry.
EPISCOPAL APPALACHIAN MINISTRIES
Submitted by The Very Rev. Theresa Kelley
The mission of Episcopal Appalachian Ministries’ (EAM) is to inspire,
nurture and affirm those who serve the unique needs of the people of
Appalachia through advocacy, consciousness-raising, networking,
education and other appropriate programs, working through the
Diocesan channels and with the authority of the respective bishops.
EAM Board members are made up of representatives from the
following member dioceses: Bethlehem, Central Pennsylvania,
Lexington, Southern Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Southwest Virginia,
East Tennessee, Tennessee, Western North Carolina and Atlanta. The
Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer, president; the Very Rev. Theresa
Kelley, vice-president; and Jane Crist represent West Virginia.
Beginning January 1, 2010, The Rev. L. Gordon Brewer, Jr. took over
as Executive Coordinator for EAM. Rev. Brewer is a vocational deacon
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in the Diocese of East Tennessee. The offices for EAM moved to St.
Paul’s Episcopal Church, 161 E. Ravine Rd. Kingsport, TN 37660.
Email: [email protected]
In 2007 and 2008, the EAM Board of Governors adopted a new vision
which resulted in an action plan. (Excerpted from the EAM Report to
General Convention)
The plan continues to call for:
•
Expansion of EAM’s role in making mission opportunities available
in our region along with serving as a “clearing house” for those
seeking to do mission work in the Appalachian region. In 2009
these work camps brought 68 individuals to do home rehab work in
depressed mining communities and contributed $22,400 to the
local economy and $198,000 in in-kind labor. Work camps are also
part of EAM’s work in leadership development and each one
includes an educational component on regional issues and culture.
•
Educating those seeking to do advocacy work on the issues and
processes for doing advocacy. One venue is the Mountain Grace
Conferences sponsored by the dioceses of Southern Ohio, West
Virginia and EAM
•
Expanding internet based communications, networking and data
bases. We continue to publish a quarterly newsletter, Mountain
Echoes. We send out over 1300 copies of this newsletter to
people all over the country interested in the mission of EAM and/or
Appalachian Region. The web address for EAM is www.visitEAM.org. EAM also has a Facebook page.
•
Using the Appalachian Initiatives funding to provide small grants for
mission work/projects needing seed money to directly fund grass
root projects in our member dioceses. A total of $10,430 was
awarded to 10 organizations in the form of small grants from the
Appalachian Initiative monies for the spring awards.
The
remainder of the designated funds will be awarded in the fall of
2010.
In addition, the executive coordinator took part in the “Called to Serve”
Conference on Domestic Poverty held in Newark, NJ in April 2010.
EAM has also joined The Consultation, a partnership of Episcopal
peace and justice ministries. The Very Rev. Theresa Kelley attended
the winter Steering Committee Meeting (Feb 23-24, 2010) held in
Chicago.
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EPISCOPAL CHURCH MEN
Jim Anderson – Chair
No report was submitted on behalf of the Episcopal Church Men.
EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT
Diocesan Coordinator: Grif Callahan
ERD quietly, quickly, and consistently extends our collective help to
people in need here and around the world. We extend our love and
care in emergencies, disasters and to the realization of the Millennium
Development Goals through our collective support of Episcopal Relief
and Development. How do we connect to this effort? We can
contribute individual monetary gifts throughout the year and, it’s my
hope that each congregation will make a prayerful effort to put ERD
into their yearly budgets. The first Sunday in Lent has been designated
as ERD Sunday.
EPISCOPAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
Jason Beschinski
Diocesan Youth Ministries Coordinator
No report was submitted on behalf of the Episcopal Youth Fellowship.
EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
Darrell Martin, ETS Administrator
ETS is a program for discernment, formation and education with an
emphasis on the practical application of ministry in local congregations.
During the 2009-2010 ETS academic year the Board of Directors has
re-designed its curriculum, in order to better serve the Diocese of WV
and its ETS participants. As a starting point for this process the Board
adapted the following mission statement:
Equipping the Saints invites everyone to answer God’s call to follow
Christ by providing opportunities to discern gifts and to prepare, form,
and educate for the practice of ministry.
The program begins with a three day retreat weekend during which the
core curriculum will be presented. The weekend concludes with a
“Ministry Fair” which introduces the ETS ministry areas. Following the
retreat weekend participants will meet monthly with a regional mentor
group dedicated to the development of a regular practice of prayer,
formation and discernment.
The initial process of discernment should take four months. After
completion of discernment each participant will choose one of the
ministry areas offered. On line study materials will be provided by ETS.
Participants will also engage in on line discussions held within each
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study area. Discussion groups will be led by a qualified moderator.
Each module is designed to be completed in eight month, thereby
completing the one year cycle.
These exciting new changes to the Equipping the Saints program will
provide the people of the Dioceses of WV a means for study, growth,
and ministry development. ETS is for everyone, both lay and clergy
who seek a deeper understanding.
We thank the Diocese for its continued support of this critical program.
FRESH START
The Rev. Donald Vinson, Canon for Congregational Development
Studies and experience show that the first eighteen to twenty-four
months of a pastorate are the critical ones for a successful
relationship. All kinds of pre-assumptions are afoot on the part of both
the new clergy person and the congregation. Clergy in new
placements, whether right out of seminary or with a few such
assignments under their belts, need help in dealing with and digesting
the unique circumstances of their new locale. Fresh Start is a national
Episcopal program for support of ministries in transition, and the
Diocese of West Virginia is a full participant. For the past several
years, we have operated in partnership with the Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church. Clergy take part in Fresh Start for the
first two years in their new ministries, each time they transition.
In our present configuration, Fresh Start begins and ends its annual
term with an overnight retreat, at which clergy get to know one another,
share learning, worship and relax together, and experience two Fresh
Start modules, on such subjects as “Managing Change,” “Conflict
Management,” and “Friends and Family.” In between, there are five
day-long sessions in two locations, for greater accessibility, at which
the participants do more learning modules and have more opportunities
for mutual support and counsel.
West Virginia Fresh Start is administered by Canon Donald Vinson,
with help from Archdeacon Faith Perrizo. Through the Congregational
Development office (Canon Vinson), Fresh Start materials are also
available for use with vestries and congregations, with whom they can
be helpful tools for leadership and group skills development.
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GRANTS FOR MISSION
Submitted by Mollie Bailey
The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer supervised a review of the
applications received for 2010 Grants for Mission, reaching a final
decision on grant awards in late November 2009.
Once again, budget restrictions forced a significant reduction in grant
amounts. A total of $32,500 was awarded as follows:
St. Mark’s, Glenville
Hampshire/Hardy Yoke
New River Episcopal Ministries
$1,500
28,000
3,000
The total funds requested from grant applicants were more than the
amount of money available for disbursement. In every case it was
necessary to award only a portion of the grant request. Thus, it is
important for those making future grant applications to plan the
financing of their programs in order to reduce grant requests as much
as possible.
With economic conditions still so uncertain, the Grants for Mission
program remains of vital importance, and the Diocese of West Virginia
is committed to continuing the funding of the Grants for Mission
program to the best of our ability.
HEALTH MINISTRIES COMMITTEE
Debbie Ventura – Chair
What is Health Ministry? What does it look like? The purpose of Health
Ministry is to promote health and wellness in our diocese by helping
local congregations reclaim the Gospel mission of health and
wholeness. This looks different in every congregation. It meets the
needs of your congregation – not duplicating any resources available in
the community.
General Convention 2009 passed a resolution stating that every
congregation will have a health ministry presence by 2012. This
acknowledges the holistic health of clergy, staff and congregations.
Holistic health includes spiritual, physical & emotional wellness. Our
Lord wishes for each of us to care for ourselves – so we can go forth
and reach out to others. I am the Diocesan Liaison to The National
Episcopal Health Ministries. This organization is a resource and
support to congregations. Every congregation should have a Health &
Wellness Coordinator & this person does not need to have a medical
background – only an interest in wellness. Mollie Bailey at the
Diocesan Office keeps a record of each congregation’s Health &
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Wellness Coordinator. The Health Ministry Commission works to assist
the coordinators on a local level.
Wellness is a continuous process of self-enhancement which depends
upon balancing the many aspects of your life. Wellness is a way of life;
a process; an integration of body, mind, and spirit; a loving acceptance
of yourself. Its outcome is helping you make informed choices about
things that affect your well-being and those around you.
Due to the change in the convention dates to September – we are
unable to offer flu shots. However, prevention & a flu shots are keys to
preventing the flu. The correct way to cough is into your elbow – not
covering your mouth with your hand as we all were taught as children.
When you use a tissue – dispose of it immediately. Proper and
frequent hand washing is most important – preferably with soap, water
& lots of friction or rubbing. You can create your own hand washing
prayer: Lord I pray that these hands that you have blessed me with, will
keep me and others in a state of health and wellness. Hand sanitizer
should be used when you do not have access to soap & water.
Perhaps you will consider putting hand sanitizer and tissues in your
pews.
Health Ministry Commission members meet by conference call or faceto-face. They include: Wanda Myers – Heavenly Rest, Princeton, Anna
Lou Sturgeon - Christ Church Point Pleasant, Marion Culbertson –
Trinity, Parkersburg & Donald Vinson. How can we help your
congregation? You will find our brochure in your registration material.
I look forward to hearing from churches that do not presently have a
Health & Wellness Coordinator.
HIGHLAND EDUCATIONAL PROJECT
Submitted by Lori Hill Osborne, Director
Since last year’s convention, we have done many wondrous things.
Seager Hall: We applied for and were awarded a grant from Episcopal
Appalachian Ministries to assist in replacing some beds, appliances
and ceiling tiles in Seager Hall so it would be ready for the 2010 Work
Learn Share groups to use if they choose to stay there instead of the
Learning Center. The building is now ready for use. The group from St.
Paul's in Alexandria, Virginia will be staying there this summer. The
great thing about having this building ready for use is that we can have
two groups in at a time and not have to worry about accommodating
them all. We can also use the building as an emergency shelter should
the need arise.
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St. Luke's Welch/St. Luke's on the Mount: Morning Prayer services are
back to being held in Premier at the learning center. The Church in
Welch has only been used once since last summer, and that was after
the Diocesan Council Meeting held here in March. It will be used at
least one more time this year, in August when we have a group in from
Indiana. We are down to three people in the congregation, and we
haven't had a service since June.
Work Learn Share Program: Work Learn Share is now in full swing.
Our first group from St. Thomas à Becket in Morgantown has come
and gone. This group was going to be painting a trailer in Premier Park.
Well, it started out as a beautiful Saturday morning in June, the group
was ready to roll with their project, They were busy pressure washing
the home and swatting the gnats that seemed to be everywhere, soon
the sky turned black and it started pouring, so we packed up and
moved on to an indoor job in Carswell Hollow. It continued to rain most
of the day, sometimes hard downpours, and sometimes a steady
drizzle. While at this home, they stripped tile from the bathroom floor,
painted the bathroom and a bedroom as well as replaced a screen
door. A lot of work was done that day despite the rain, and they did a
great job. They were preparing to head home on Sunday morning, but
during the night it had continued raining, which caused some flooding
in Welch and the surrounding areas. We drove around to see if we
could find them a safe way out so they wouldn't be stuck in McDowell
County forever.
By the time we got up Route 52, the water there had receded so they
could take the long way home. They made it back safely and for that
we are thankful.
The next group to come, St. Barnabas from Upper Marlboro, Maryland
was going to be painting a house for a family and repairing a bathroom
and bedroom floor in a mobile home for a man that had a liver
transplant the previous year. Since we had the flood, we had to do
some job shuffling. Half the group went to the mobile home to repair
floors, and the other half went with me to the flood relief distribution
center to help them get organized. They also helped get Seager Hall
cleaned up, and helped me sort donated clothing.
St. James's Leesburg didn't get to make it this year; their group leader
Ken Getty called to inform me that they couldn't make it because he
was in a motorcycle accident, but they will be coming next year. He
also said he was sending a check since they couldn't make it, so we
built a deck and ramp for a lady in Iaeger. She is in a wheelchair and
needs to have dialysis three times a week. The ramp that she had on
the back of the house was ready to collapse, and she only had steps
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on the front. She now has a safe and sturdy way to get in and out of
her home. Eventually we will take apart the back ramp and put in a new
one so she can get out the back in case of an emergency.
We have two final groups coming in, and they will be doing a porch
removal and deck building as well as inside home repairs.
Close Calls: This winter was unusually bad for our area, so we were
put on alert to open shelter. We ran out and got some food in case we
had to cook, gas for the generator, and a camping style coffee pot. We
were all set and ready to take in people, and they decided they didn't
need us after all. I now know that I can be ready to take folks in with-in
an hour of the call to action. The second close call was a week after
the flood in June; Red Cross called and wanted us to open shelter for
flood victims. We had feet on the ground trying to get clean-up and
recovery rolling, and absolutely no volunteers to help with shelter so I
told them they needed to supply the volunteers as we couldn’t stay at
the center 24 hours a day. They said they had volunteers and would be
bringing people in the next day. The next day came and they decided
to leave them in the shelter they were in. We are waiting for the next
call to action to keep us on our toes.
Flood Recovery Efforts: Once we got word that there was flooding in
Welch, we were out the door checking on the areas we could get to
safely. After seeing some of the devastation, we immediately sent word
to as many people as we could to help get some cleaning supplies and
other items in to help the families affected. We had several responses
from the good people in the Diocese. We had the first wave of supplies
within two days, and more continued to come in. We checked with the
Distribution Center to see what we could do to help, they ran out of
hygiene kits so we purchased supplies for kits and took them to the
center for people that came in. Each kit contained soap, wash cloths,
hand towel, tooth paste, tooth brush, hand sanitizer, Kleenex,
deodorant, nail clippers and file, and a comb. The cleaning supplies
that were donated also went to the Distribution center to make up for
the dwindling supply sent by Red Cross and the National Guard. We
kept some supplies at the HEP center for anyone that came to us
needing supplies. The clothes that we got in have been sorted and sent
out to deal with immediate needs; any leftover will be given out as
needed.
Long Term Recovery: HEP has been asked by FEMA to join the long
term disaster recovery team. We agreed to do so. This team is made
up of organizations that have different forms of assistance available to
help recovery after FEMA is gone, or to get the recovery started when
FEMA is not involved. We hope to build a large team that will work
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together to make the transition from disaster to recovery as smooth
and organized as possible. If there is a need that one cannot fill, we
can refer the people to someone that can.
Summer Intern: The summer Intern this year is Josh Saxe. He has
been a wonderful addition to HEP. He has created a YouTube channel
for HEP that has videos of the flooding, and videos of the work groups
that we have had in so far this year. He also has made a web site for
HEP to replace the old geocities site. He has helped coordinate the
summer work groups, has taken pictures of the work applicants for
home repair requested, and has assisted with some of the work
projects. He has been instrumental in getting the word out for flood
recovery supplies, and even drove eight hours round trip to pick up a
load of clothing for distribution. He has worked very hard this summer
and we are glad to have met him and his awesome dog Jake.
Emergency Assistance: We have help almost 60 families with electric
and water disconnects; each person that had an electric disconnect
notice was set up on a budget plan with the power company before
they left the office. We assisted one family that was burned out of their
home, and we helped four families with food.
Center Uses: Since last year’s convention, we have rented the
Learning Center six times for birthday parties and baby showers. We
let the church from Tellico Plains, TN use the center for a clothing give
away and a Christmas Program. They will be coming back again for a
Christmas program again this year. Kings Harbor Church from
Catawba Heights has used the center for give-ways, and will be doing
a Bible School from the Center during the first week of August and will
be staying here in the middle of August for a school supply give away
and a motorcycle ministry. Global Outreach has reserved the center for
a few days in November for a Thanksgiving program. Southern
Highlands is still using the center every week.
So many things have happened that it would fill a book; this is just a
taste of what it’s been like since October 2009. We have been busier
than ever, but now more people know who we are.
Our sincerest thanks go out to each of you that have prayed for and
supported us all these years. We wouldn’t know what to do without
you.
The website addresses are
www.youtube.com/user/missionhep
www.highlandeducationalproject.org
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HISTORIOGRAPHER
Submitted by The Very Rev. Larry Jackson, Diocesan Historiographer
Canon I: Section 8 of the Canons of the Diocese of West Virginia call
for the Bishop to appoint one to serve as the Historiographer of the
Diocese. As a part of that responsibility comes the care and up-keep
of the Archives Office at Diocesan House.
It has been my privilege to gather all the materials spread out in
various areas of the Diocesan office into one main area. It has been a
job but one that has been fruitful so that materials are readily available
when requests come into the Diocese.
The main task this year has been the sorting and preserving of
materials that have come to the Archives Office from the closure of
churches, the closure of Regional Ministries as well as from churches
in the Diocese that desire to move items out of their keeping into the
Archives of the Diocese.
I want to especially thank Janet Morris from St. John’s ChurchCharleston for acting as Interim Archivist while I was recovering from
surgery. She worked to keep materials from piling up during the
Interim time and made my job easier when I returned to the Archives.
Also, I want to thank my wife, Jean for assisting me in the task of
creating an Archives Office that is orderly and easier to find material
when requests are made.
Finally, to all the people of the Diocese, please let me, again,
encourage you to send to Charleston materials of historical nature, like
histories, pictures, news articles, and such for preserving and
cataloging. I am aware that many churches have their own Archives,
and that is a great thing. But, there are churches where historical items
are just lying in boxes or containers in closets that could be sent to the
Diocesan Archives for safe keeping and preservation.
The major goal of this office for the future is to get a history written that
covers the years of the Diocese of West Virginia since Bishop
Campbell’s retirement.
JUBILEE CENTERS
The Rev. Canon Donald Vinson, Diocesan Jubilee Officer
The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to
preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to
the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go
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free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor – the year of jubilee
freedom.
(A Ministry Based on Luke 4:18-19)
Jubilee Ministry is an organizing principle for understanding and
interpreting Christian Ministry; it makes a direct and dynamic link
between our theology and our ethics; the talk of our faith and the walk
of our faith.
Through Jubilee Ministry, people are empowered locally and the
church is provided the opportunity to live out its prophetic role in its
respective community.
The creation of Jubilee Ministry in 1982 by General Convention in New
Orleans heralded a new era of work for the Episcopal Church. Jubilee
was mandated as a ministry of joint discipleship with poor and
oppressed people wherever they are found, to meet basic human
needs and build a just society. This mandate has evolved through the
years and been shaped by the social, economic, political and cultural
realities of the times.
Advocacy and Empowerment are included in Jubilee Ministry because
those engaged in this ministry frequently need the type of assistance
found only in programs that get at the root of a problem, are in need of
someone to be involved on behalf of the poor and oppressed being
served, and/or work with persons who lack a sense of self-esteem and
dignity that is vital in order for people to be empowered to do for
themselves.
Criteria for Jubilee Ministry Center Recognition
1.
2.
3.
4.
Must be an Episcopal Congregation, ecumenical cluster with Episcopal
presence, and/or an agency with connections to the Episcopal Church.
Must be engaged in programs among and with poor and oppressed people
wherever they are located.
Must include at least one or more of the following:
a. human rights advocacy program;
b. human service program; or
c. lay leadership.
Must be willing to:
a. reflect theologically upon its learnings in ministry;
b. demonstrate the operation of its programs to others as models; &
c. act as a resource center for other Jubilee Ministry centers.
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We are extremely proud of all our Jubilee Centers. We are most
fortunate to have so many centers engaged in ministry to the poor and
oppressed. Each Center must be visited every seven years and
reconfirmed as a Jubilee Center. Last year none of the Jubilee
Centers needed to be reconfirmed.
Jubilee Centers which continue their ministries are St. Luke’s-on-theIsland which has a Friday night youth group that provides programs
and activities for Street children; they also host an ecumenical Free
Sunday Christian Dinner; the New River Episcopal Ministries, which
has several ministries, including Feeding the Hungry, Paddles &
Parachutes, and Blessing of the Boats, among other ministries;
Ascension, Hinton, which provides a free book program; St. James’,
Charleston, which supports an active prison ministry and Angel Tree
Program; St. John’s, Charleston, home of the Manna Meal free
breakfast and lunch program, and the ministry of Covenant House
which provides emergency assistance, literacy training, support
groups, as well as a residence for persons with AIDS; St. John’s,
Huntington, which provides an after-school enrichment program;
Trinity, Huntington, which offers food and clothing assistance; and
Highland Educational Project, Keystone, which provides basic needs to
the economically depressed; Trinity Church, Morgantown, which
continues to feed the hungry a daily free lunch through an ecumenical
ministry supported by twelve churches and a synagogue. The center
also meets emergency needs of the poor through its Matthew 25
ministry; St. Mark's, St. Albans: Christ Kitchen, which provides
ecumenical hot meals program, feeding 35-50 people 5 days a week.
St. Albans Community Food Pantry: an ecumenical distribution center
housed at St. Mark’s, distributing non-perishables to families in need.
Zion, Charles Town: Zion, Charles Town received their designation as
a Jubilee Center this past year. They have a Monthly Meal Ministry
provides a free meal (dine in, carry out or delivery) for anyone who
requests the last Saturday of each month; Parish food pantry for
persons who are passing through their community; Peace Fellowship,
Covenant member, Jefferson County Community Ministries (JCCM),
Board member, Good Shepherd Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a Jubilee Center,
contact Donald Vinson at the Diocesan House.
LIVING STONES
Submitted by The Very Rev. Theresa Kelley
The Living Stones Partnership began with eight dioceses from the
United States and Canada in 1992. It now includes more 21 Anglican
and Episcopal dioceses, communities and seminaries committed to the
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revitalization of ministry at the local level. West Virginia has been a
partner since the late 1990’s.
The partnership comes together to share ideas, give support, critique
and learn from one another. The outcome is a renewed vision of local
ministry that reflects the personality and needs of each partner. The
basic forum is an annual meeting held in February. This meeting is
structured around the presentation of case studies, called “Baptismal
Ministry Experience and Reflection” or BMER, by each partner in
cluster groups of four partner delegations. Each delegation presents,
and responds to three presentations. Delegations include a bishop (if a
diocese) or leader with oversight (if a community of faith), the
coordinator, and at least one other representative. Each partner
designates a coordinator to function as their liaison to the partnership
and to participate in planning the annual meeting. The coordinators
meet once a year, in addition to the annual meeting, and a list serve
keeps the coordinators connected during the year. A leadership team
of three coordinators facilitates the work of the partnership between
meetings.
Over the past several years an additional component of the partnership
has been developed. The Ministry Developers Collaborative (MDC)
began offering pre-meeting workshops in 1999. The Collaborative’s
mission is "to open doors for growth and learning among those called
to develop ministering congregations by building links among dioceses,
seminaries, institutes, and programs." The MDC has also worked to
devise a program to offer a competency-based plan of study for
certification of ministry developers. The Ven. Faith Perrizo and The
Very Rev. Theresa Kelley have participated in the development of the
course. Current participants from West Virginia are the Rev. Kent
Higgins and the Rev. Theresa Kelley.
In addition, the Ven. Faith Perrizo has participated in the Ministry
Developers Cohort Group. This group provides opportunity for ministry
developers who may work in isolated or rural areas to have regular
scheduled conference calls.
NATIONAL CATHEDRAL
Hollie Mitchell
The Cathedral has had many cut backs as it has reached its first 100
years. I am relieved to tell you that some re-organization is going on
and activities continue to change and grow out of these hard times that
have affected us all over the last several years. Of particular interest is
the annual Acolyte Festival. This year’s Festival information is now
available, along with many other activities, at the Cathedrals web site.
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As your representative, I shall look forward to assisting you and
keeping you all posted.
In the meantime visit.............. www.nationalcathedral.org.
PENSION FUND COMMITTEE
Submitted by David Ramkey
The Pension Committee met February 22, 2010 at the Diocesan House
at 11:00am.
Committee members: Jack Sturgeon, Donald Smith, Greg Janes, Rev.
Canon Donald Vinson, Rev. Eric Miller, Rev. Susan Latimer
Emeritus: Bishop Klusmeyer, Charles Hunsaker Diocesan Treasurer,
David Ramkey CFO, Committee Liaison
Consultants attending via teleconference: Ms. Kathy A. Schroeder,
Hallet & Associates (Actuaries for the Diocesan Lay Pension Plan), Mr.
Michael Macdonald, Church Pension Group.
The first topic of business was a discussion of the Diocesan Lay
Pension Plan status.
This plan had been established to provide pension benefits for the
Diocesan Lay employees. The funds were being held and the
investments managed by WesBanco Investment Services. As of
January 1, 2009 (the latest date for which the actuarial liabilities had
been calculated at the date of this meeting) the plan was underfunded
by approximately $45,000.
In recent years there have been significant changes in the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (FASB) disclosure requirements in
audited financial reports. Complying with these requirements has
increased the administrative costs from less than $500 to nearly $5,000
per year. Ms. Schroeder also informed the committee that the plan
files a form 5500 with the IRS which is unusual for a church plan that
isn’t intended to be an ERISA plan. The technical difference between
and ERISA plan and a non-ERISA plan was discussed and
summarized as the level of oversight the IRS can have over an ERISA
plan is significantly more than a non-ERISA plan. There is some
concern that by filing the form 5500 we unintentionally made the plan
ERISA qualified. The Committee concluded that we should confer with
our Chancellors to determine the impact if any and actions that might
need to be taken.
The Committee discussed whether the Diocesan Lay Pension plan
should be continued in its current form or whether the plan could be
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merged with the Church Pension Group Lay Pension Plans. Mr.
Macdonald explained that merging plans like ours with other plans, no
matter how similar they were in design, is a very difficult task. He
further told the Committee that CPG had determined that they would
not pursue a merger with our plan because of this difficulty. We then
discussed options available to continue providing lay pension benefits
without the liability and costs to the Diocese.
The Committee concluded that we needed to do something with the
Diocesan Plan while, as soon as possible, enrolling all active lay
employees in the CPG Lay pension plans. Several options were
discussed as to the termination of the current plan They were:
1) Stop accruing additional benefits and continue the annual funding
until all benefits are funded.
2) Freeze benefits at the current level and enroll all employees in the
CPG plans
3) Terminate the plan and fund all current accrued benefits via
purchase of annuities, or by distributions to the employees that they
can then use to fund retirement benefits.
There was continued discussion without any conclusion about the
purchase of annuities versus distributions.
The Committee did
conclude that the Diocesan Lay Pension Plan needs to be terminated.
The topic was deferred for another meeting.
Action Items:

Discussion with Chancellors on ERISA versus non-ERISA

Gather information on costs of providing annuities for accrued
benefits.
The Committee had not met for several years and therefore was
reminded of its Canonical responsibilities:
a) To be informed of, and to inform the clergy and laity of this Diocese
of, the pension system created by the General convention and
committed by it to the Trustees of The Church Pension Fund, in order
that the ordained clergy of the Church may be assured of the pension
protection for themselves in the event of old age or total and
permanent disability and for their widows and minor orphan children in
the event of death.
b) To receive reports from the Church Pension Fund, from time to time,
on the status of the pension assessments payable to said Fund, under
its Rules and as required by Canon Law, by this Diocese and by the
134
Parishes, Missions and other ecclesiastical organizations within this
Diocese.
c) To make an annual report to the Convention of this Diocese on such
matters relating to the Church Pension Fund in doing all things
necessary or advisable in the premises to the end that the clergy of this
Diocese may be assured of the fullest pension protection by said Fund
under its established rules.
The Committee was informed that the Church Pension Fund reports
that the Clergy pension plan is secure, well invested and over funded.
The committee was informed that, on their behalf, the monthly report of
pension contributions for all active clergy and the report of arrearages
of such pension contributions were being reviewed regularly by both
the Bishop and The CFO of the Diocese and severe arrearages were
being followed up and resolved as quickly as possible. At this time
there were no significant unresolved arrearages of pension
contributions.
The Committee discussed General Convention Resolution A138.
General Convention 2009 passed two parity resolutions requiring parity
between benefits afforded full time active clergy with those provided full
time active lay employees of the Episcopal Church. A138 requires
parity of retirement benefits between clergy and lay employees. (The
other resolution requires parity of lay and clergy health insurance
benefits, a topic to be addressed by the Insurance Committee.)
The resolution requires that by December 31, 2012, all full time lay
employees must be covered by a pension plan that is in compliance
with certain criteria outlined in the resolution.
The Committee
discussed who would be covered under the definition of full time
employee. The resolution defines full time as working 1,000 hours or
more a year. We discussed the significant impact on our parishes and
how they might afford such benefits. It was determined that we really
didn’t have any idea as to how many qualifying lay employees there
were in the Diocese and therefore couldn’t have a meaningful
discussion. It was decided to continue this discussion until some sort
of census of lay employees was made.
Action Item: Perform a census of the Diocese to determine the
potential impact throughout the Diocese.
The meeting was adjourned without another meeting date set.
135
PETERKIN CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER
Daisy McBride – Director
These are the things that have taken place this year.
January Events
WV Forestry Day Retreat
February Events
Hampshire County Community Quilters
April Events
Mountain State Fiber Arts Weekend Retreat
St Patrick’s Weekend Retreat
May Events
ECW Weekend Retreat
Trinity Shepherdstown Weekend Retreat
Emmanuel Cumberland Weekend Retreat
June thru August 2
Hampshire County Sheriff’s Kids Kamp
Weekend Retreat
4-H Conservation Camp
Diocesan Camps
Counselor Training Week
Family Camp 102 Campers
Senior Camp 31 Campers
Hike 18 Campers
Junior Camp 30 Campers
Intermediate 57 Campers
Creative Arts 16 Campers
With a total of
254 Campers
90 Campers
August Events
Hampshire County Diabetic Day Clinic
Round Hill United Methodist Day Retreat
September Events
Fresh Start
Harvest Community Gathering
The summer has been great. Even without a pool we found ways to
keep wet and happy. We had waterslides, water balloons, thanks to
everyone that helped with these items.
Projects for the summer:
136







We are in the process of painting Gravatt Hall and the Dining
Hall.
We have a freshly painted flag pole that looks great.
We have a new bridge across dry run for our campers to get to
the falls area.
We now have a new ping pong table, we thank the family
campers.
We also have 2 set of the corn hole game, which I am proud to
say that our counselors and campers made. Great job.
We have a beautiful new flower bed at the end of the Pavilion.
We also had our first garden .We also made our first compose
this summer.
Our Mini camper made a wonderful welcome sign. Prayers Hill
was worked on and the trails were cut out.
I invite you to come and enjoy God’s great work at Peterkin Camp &
Conference Center.
PROVINCIAL SYNOD DEPUTIES
The Very Rev. Melanie McCarley, Province Representative
No report was submitted on behalf of the Province III.
REGIONAL MINISTRIES COMMISSION
The Very Rev. Theresa Kelley – Chair
The Regional Ministries Commission (RMC) was established by the
Bishop to continue the work done by the Cluster Review Committee
during 2003-04. The RMC provides oversight in areas of Baptismal
Ministry Education, Regional Ministry Review processes, and ongoing
support of ministry in such configurations. Membership on the
commission includes one representative from each Regional
Ministry/Cluster, recommended by their respective Regional Ministry
Council and appointed by the Bishop, and four ordained persons
appointed by the Bishop.
The RMC met twice in person and held one conference call since
Convention 2009. Business accomplished in that time was: reviewed
and recommended to Bishop Klusmeyer two requests for
reconfiguration (New River Episcopal Ministries and GreenbrierMonroe Episcopal Ministries). One Regional Ministry Review was held
this spring. The RMC also finished its work with the Pilot Project on
ministry.
The RMC presented a case study at the Living Stones Annual
Partnership Meeting in Des Moines, Iowa in February 2009.
137
SANDSCREST
Submitted by Sarah Lydick
Sandscrest is a stunning estate atop the rolling hills of the Northern
Panhandle that has been fulfilling the ministry of hospitality through the
Diocese of West Virginia since 1956.
In the year 2009, we served 7,226 meals and hosted 716 overnight
guests for retreats. We are very excited about some projects that have
recently been completed at Sandscrest. The first being a NEW roof on
the main building at Sandscrest, the roof that we replaced had been
there since 1924! Secondly, we finally have our new market umbrellas
up on the back patio, many thanks to all our generous and patient
donors, and to Lisa Martin and Wheeling Canvas for their ingenuity and
supplies! Lastly, we’ve just finished a Board retreat with Peter
Bergstrom from ECCC, Inc.; he led us through a workshop that
identified our goals and priorities. One of the goals that came out of
this workshop was to create a group of donors for Sandscrest. We’ve
scheduled our first Board of Visitors event for October 17, 2010. This
will be an opportunity for people to tour the grounds, meet one another,
share their stories of how Sandscrest has been important in their lives,
hear from Board members about plans for improvements and give their
input regarding the annual event for 2011. Lastly, we have a new
group of volunteers that are helping out with miscellaneous projects
and answering the phones. We are so grateful for all the support that
we receive from the Diocese and our Board, Thank you so much! If
you are interested in joining our Board of Visitors or have some time to
volunteer at Sandscrest, please call Sarah at 304-277-3022 or
[email protected]
We continue to offer a quiet retreat for reflection, learning and
refreshment. We are blessed with a terrific staff that continues to bring
smiles to our guests’ faces. We’d like to extend a warm welcome to
ALL the congregations in the Diocese…come and be refreshed! We
look forward to seeing you soon!
TEAM MINISTRY PILOT PROJECT
Respectfully submitted,
The Ven. Faith C. Perrizo
Archdeacon for Ministry Development and Deployment
The Team Ministry Pilot Project has completed three years of a three
year projected target date. Of the five teams that began, here are the
results:
138
Hampshire-Hardy Yoke (Emmanuel, Moorefield/ St. Stephen’s,
Romney). After the first six months, participants from St. Stephens
were unable to continue, but the team members from Emmanuel
completed a three year program which included four retreats and
Equipping the Saints. At the end of the three years, Emmanuel’s team
includes a parish administrator, catechist/Christian formation leader,
Worship Leader, Preacher, Outreach Leader, and a candidate for Holy
Orders, to be ordained to the diaconate in Oct. 2010. Their rector left
in July 2010 for another call, after having supported and helped to
launch the team.
New River Episcopal Ministries (Church of the Redeemer, Ansted/ St.
Andrew’s, Oak Hill/ Calvary, Montgomery, Church of the Good
Shepherd, Hansford/ St. Martin-in-the-Field, Summersville) started with
the LifeCycles program and a team of four lay people. During their
time together, in retreats and the LifeCycles units, they discerned a call
as a group to take information about the program to other churches
and have developed a “road show” that has been shared with all the
churches in their cluster, with St. Andrew’s, Mullens, and with several
other churches through a presentation at DisciplesNet conference.
They also discerned individual ministries including work with youth,
nursing home and visitation ministry, and a possible ordained ministry.
They are witnessing to the importance of on-going formation and
continue to meet together for LifeCycles sessions.
One other church in the pilot, Ascension, Hinton, which had chosen to
use the Equipping the Saints formation program, were received into the
NREM as the sixth church in the cluster and merged teams. Among
the Ascension team is a postulant for the vocational diaconate and a
preacher.
Brooke-Hancock Episcopal Ministries (Old St. John’s, Colliers/Christ
Church, Wellsburg/St. Thomas, Weirton) chose to use the LifeCycles
formation program and continue their study in to a fourth year. Five
team members represent two of the churches. Their ministries include
a Parish Nurse, Christian Formation, parish administration, visitation.
One member of the team is a nominee for holy orders.
Pocahontas Episcopal Ministries (St. John’s, Marlinton/Chapel on the
Mount Snowshoe). Completed one year of the LifeCycles program.
Out of this time together four areas of ministry focus for the
congregation were developed. Jim Lanter completed his program at
Virginia Theological Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood.
The team decided to focus on their ministry areas and did not continue
with the LifeCycles study program.
139
TRUSTEES
Submitted by Carlyle Farnsworth
The Trustees of the Diocese are responsible for the oversight of the
property and funds belonging to the Diocese to support and enhance
the Diocesan purposes and goals. Additionally, each parish has the
opportunity to invest some or all of their financial assets with the
Diocese. Each parish account is managed as specified by the parish
and is invested with the funds of the Diocese. All the parish funds are
“pooled” together with the various funds belonging to the Diocese. All
these funds usually have specific purposes or uses that were set at the
time they were established. Each fund is accounted for separately and
reported quarterly. WesBanco in Wheeling handles this accounting of
all the Funds. Morgan Keegan of Atlanta is our investment consultant,
and with this group we have formulated an investment strategy for
these pooled funds. Currently our diversified portfolio is invested in the
following percentages: fixed income 35%, large capitalization
corporations 40%, small capitalization corporations 10%, international
companies 10%, and cash 5%.
On 6-30-10 our investments at market value were as follows:
New Dynamics ............... $5,797,212
Diocesan Account .......... $5,158,271
Congregations................ $4,711,571
June 30th was the lowest market of the year; however, since then it has
made some recovery. It appears that the United States recovery is
going to be slower than anyone anticipated. In any event, we are in a
good position to take advantage of the recovery as it happens.
UNITED THANK OFFERING
Becky Szabo
Contact me for information, supplies or help with any UTO matter. I am
Becky Szabo, 1328 Main Street, Follansbee, WV 26037. E-mail is a
good option: I am [email protected]. If you’d like to call, it is 304
527-2537.
2009
Ansted, Church of the Redeemer
Beckley, St. Stephen's
Berkeley Springs, St. Mark's
Bluefield, Christ Church
Buckhannon, Transfiguration
Charles Town, St. Philip's
Charles Town, Zion
$100.00
$358.80
$458.88
$97.61
$0.00
$100.00
$28.00
140
Charleston, St. Christopher's
Charleston, St. John's
Charleston, St. Matthew's
Clarksburg, Christ Church
Colliers, Olde St. John's
Elkins, Grace
Fairmont, Christ Church
Glenville, St. Mark's at Valley Park
Grafton, St. Matthias
Hansford, Good Shepherd
Harpers Ferry, St. John's
Hedgesville, Mt. Zion
Hinton, Ascension
Huntington, St. John's
Huntington, St. Peter's
Huntington, Trinity
Hurricane, St. Timothy's in the Valley
Keyser, Emmanuel
Kingwood, St. Michael's
Leetown, St. Bartholomew's
Lewisburg, St. James
Logan, Holy Trinity
Marlinton, St. John's
Martinsburg, Trinity
Middleway, Grace
Montgomery, Calvary
Moorefield, Emmanuel
Morgantown, St. Thomas-a-Beckett
Morgantown, Trinity
Moundsville, Trinity
Mullens, St. Andrew's
New Martinsville, St. Ann's
Oak Hill, St. Andrew's
Parkersburg, Good Shepherd
Parkersburg, Trinity
Point Pleasant, Christ
Princeton, Heavenly Rest
Ravenswood, Grace
141
$633.09
$289.82
$155.00
$374.42
$200.00
$0.00
$262.00
$50.00
$90.00
$1,138.95
$130.00
$198.82
$492.63
$0.00
$353.00
$0.00
$189.82
$309.70
$165.00
$0.00
$608.48
$214.00
$110.12
$0.00
$320.44
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$254.16
$280.00
$175.00
$139.00
$350.00
$492.19
$326.00
$350.00
$402.50
$160.00
Ripley, St. John's
Rippon, St. John's
Romney, St. Stephen's
Ronceverte, Incarnation
St. Albans, St. Mark's
St. Mary's, Grace
Salem, Prince of Peace
Shepherdstown, Trinity
Sistersville, St. Paul's
Snowshoe, Chapel On The Mount
Summersville, St. Martin in the Field
Union, All Saints
Weirton, St. Thomas
Welch, St. Luke's
Wellsburg, Christ Church
Weston, St. Paul's
Wheeling, Lawrencefield Parish
Wheeling, St. Luke's
Wheeling, St. Matthew's
Wheeling, St. Paul's
White Sulphur Springs, St. Thomas
Williamson, St. Paul's
Williamstown, Christ Memorial
$105.00
$20.00
$65.00
$114.74
$898.00
$25.00
$480.00
$0.00
$150.00
$0.00
$162.00
$200.00
$109.50
$0.00
$150.00
$135.00
$418.00
$150.00
$935.80
$100.00
$293.00
$151.50
$0.00
Diocesan Office
$51.00
VIRGINIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY BOARD
Sissy Poland, Trustee
In November 2008, the Board of Trustees adopted a four year Strategic
Plan. The goals of the plan are: to form men and women for lay and
ordained leadership within community, with particular attention to
raising leaders for the Episcopal Church; to provide continued
theological education for all people (clergy and laity of all
denominations); to serve the Anglican Communion and the wider
church; to provide an ecumenical, international and cross-cultural
context for theological education; to be an outstanding theological
resource; to be a racially and technically diverse community in living
out our mission; to be a strong infrastructure that supports the mission
of the Seminary
142
VTS launched The Second Three Years beginning with the class of
2009. The Second Three Years is a program of mentoring and
continuing education for VTS graduates in the three years following
seminary and ordination. The aim is to empower healthy clergy
leaders to lead stronger, more vital congregations. This program is
funded in part by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
The recession which plagued the United States had a direct impact on
the operating budget of the Seminary. VTS is heavily dependent upon
income from our endowment and foundations. With the endowment
falling nearly $50 million dollars, the Board of Trustees instructed the
Dean to cut one million dollars from the budget over the next three
years. The saving of a million dollars meant the elimination of fifteen
positions through good retirement, early retirement or lay-off. The
impact of these changes was felt by the entire community of student,
faculty, staff and alums as we said good-bye to colleagues and friends.
Further restructuring and reorganizing of the Seminary will allow for
more effective and efficient delivery of the Seminary’s core activities
and programs.
Professor of Mission and World Religions at VTS since 1988, the
Reverend Dr. Rich Jones retired in May 2009. The Rev. Dr. Margaret
McNaughton, Associate Dean for Community Life, Ethnic Ministries,
and Admissions and, took early retirement after serving the Seminary
for 14 years. The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, Bishop of the Diocese of
Virginia, retired as Chair of the Board of Trustees having served in that
capacity since 1993. The Board elected the Rt. Rev. James Joseph
Shand, Bishop of the Diocese of Easton to succeed Bishop Lee as
Chairman of the Board.
The Rev. George Kroupa, assistant director for the Center for the
Ministry of Teaching (CMT), left to pursue his Ph.D. at the University of
Virginia. We welcomed Dr. Elizabeth M. Kimball as the new Director of
the CMT where she will have oversight of the Center, and will teach
courses at the master’s and doctoral level in Christian education, faith
development, and other aspects of practical theology related to
education and formation in a parish or school setting.
The first recipients of the Virginia Seminary Dean’s Cross for Servant
Leadership in Church and Society were Octavia “Tay” Woods Cooper,
a lifelong servant leader, and the Rev. Canon Harold Thomas Lewis,
Ph.D., rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh. The Lettie
Pate Whitehead Evans Award was given to Dr. Harold G. Morse, a
South Carolina physician and active member of Holy Trinity Episcopal
Church, Clemson, for his lifelong dedication to providing medical care
to the underprivileged, locally, nationally and internationally. The 2009
143
John Hines Preaching Award was given to the Rev. Gary Manning,
rector of Trinity Church, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
This award
celebrates the ministry of preaching and its importance in the Church.
The Seminary launched a new and improved website in February.
Dean Markham, who was the keynote speaker at our Diocesan
Convention last year, writes a daily 100 word commentary which is
posted on the website. I urge you to visit the website www.vts.edu, and
read about the many exciting and innovative programs and people at
your Seminary.
I am grateful for the privilege of serving as a Trustee of VTS,
representing the Diocese of West Virginia along with the Rev. Kevin
Kelly and Bishop Klusmeyer.
WEST VIRGINIA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
Submitted by The. Rev. William Carl Thomas
The West Virginia Council of Churches (WVCC) continues to be an
active part of the life of West Virginia, as it calls the various
Judicatories and Churches together for common witness and ministry.
Bishop Klusmeyer serves as a judicatory member and The Rev.
William Carl Thomas, Rector of Saint Matthews, Charleston and the
Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, also serves on the Board of Directors by
appointment from the Bishop.
WVCC supported the families of the Upper Big Branch mine explosion
with on-site care, coordination with the Governor’s office of the April 25,
2010 memorial service that brought President Obama to West Virginia,
and managed the Montcoal Mining Disaster Fund which raised over
$750,000.
WVCC through CARE-NET continues to serve our military members
and their families as they deploy and redeploy from the war in Iraq and
Afghanistan. In seeking a focus upon the array of needs, CARE-NET
has four targeted areas: stress management, addictive behaviors,
children needs (family dynamics), and financial education and financial
assistance.
Registration
for
The
Post-Traumatic
Stress
Disorder/Traumatic Brain Disorder Education Conference scheduled
for August 13, 2010 closed early due to overwhelming early
registration. Father Thomas serves on the CARE-NET Advisory Board.
The introduction to the WVCC 2010 Public Policy Priorities states the
following: For 130 years, churches in West Virginia have come together
in response to the need to improve the lives of the people of the state.
Guided by our biblical and prophetic values, we have sought to honor
144
the dignity of every person and the intrinsic value of every creature. In
these times we join together as disciples united under the One who
came, “that all may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
Since the 2005 Legislative session, we have presented our annual
public policy priorities, with the hope and prayer that they offer an
ethically sound resource for government decision making. Recognizing
the pressures placed upon our legislators by many forces and
community needs, we are committed to supporting public servants in
the difficult task of governing. We hope our public policy issue priorities
are beneficial in the process. Citizen participation in government
decision making is vital to our democracy and to good public policy.
The Public Policy Issue Priorities of the West Virginia Council of
Churches are developed with input from faith-based and citizens
groups within West Virginia and distributed to legislative and
government officials involved in the legislative process. We call upon
our decision makers to recognize that all public policy, including the
state (and federal) budget, have a moral overtone. Especially as they
affect the lives of children and the destitute who do not have a vote or
voice. Statements contained in this publication were developed by the
Council's Government Concerns and Peace and Justice Program Units
and accepted by the Council's Board of Directors in December, 2009”
and can be found at www.wvcc.org/?content=policy2010. Bishop
Klusmeyer and Father Thomas attended Board of Directors meetings
through the year as well as the 2009 WVCC Annual Assembly held
October 19 & 20, 2010.
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
Becki Krzywdik – Chair
In April 2010 we were the host diocese to the Annual Province III ECW
meeting. This year’s meeting was held in Martinsburg, WV where 35
women from around the Province attended for business, fellowship and
the sharing of information and ideas.
My thanks to Rev. Julie Harris for allowing us the use of Trinity Church,
Martinsburg’s facilities, and to Trinity Church’s women who did a
wonderful job of preparing our meals over the weekend. The food was
fabulous and their hospitality welcoming and gracious.
Due to finances, we just couldn’t do both the Province III meeting and
our annual women’s weekend at Peterkin, but mark your calendars for
May 20-22, 2011 as next year we will return to Peterkin!
We continue to do the work of UTO, CPC, Love-In-Action, and the
Book of Remembrance on the diocesan level and encourage the
145
women in our congregations to do the same by promoting and
supporting them as much as possible.
We continue to try to update our Women’s Ministries’ link on our
Diocesan Website and have also added links to the National ECW
website. There you will find many helpful links that are available from
How to Start an ECW to the National ECW’s newsletter/magazine, The
Communiqué, where you will find many great articles about what is
happening in ECW’s all over the country!
Currently we are trying to make individual contacts with each church in
the diocese to find out more about your Women’s Ministry (or ECW)
and what your ministries may be. We, the Women’s Ministry Board,
want you to know that we remain available to help as a resource if you
need us.
146
2011 BUDGET
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’
REPORT
2011 2011 Avg Operating Calculated Miss Income Apportionment Monthly Pmt Ansted, Redeemer 23,688
4,145
345.45 Beckley, St. Stephen's 206,008
36,051
3,004.28 Berkeley Springs, St. Mark's Bluefield, Christ 69,733
12,203
1,016.93 192,712
33,725
2,810.38 39,406
6,896
574.67 30,396
5,319
443.27 198,335
34,709
2,892.39 Charleston, St. Christopher Charleston, St. John's 154,153
26,977
2,248.06 537,245
94,018
7,834.82 Charleston, St. Matthew's Clarksburg, Christ 405,926
71,037
5,919.76 212,109
37,119
3,093.26 Colliers, St. John's 36,753
6,432
535.98 Elkins, Grace 55,646
9,738
811.50 Fairmont, Christ 142,622
24,959
2,079.90 6,707
1,174
97.82 Buckhannon, Transfiguration Charles Town, St. Phillip's Charles Town, Zion Glenville, St. Mark 147
2011 2011 Avg Operating Income Calculated Miss. Apportionment Grafton, St. Matthias' 27,737
4,854
404.51 Hansford, Good Shepherd Harpers Ferry, St. John's Hedgesville, Mt. Zion 39,244
6,868
572.31 21,599
3,780
314.99 61,569
10,775
897.89 Hinton, Ascension 29,105
5,093
424.45 Huntington, St. John's 311,111
54,444
4,537.04 Huntington, St. Peter's Huntington, Trinity 90,393
15,819
1,318.24 258,110
45,169
3,764.10 208,486
36,485
3,040.42 191,089
33,441
2,786.72 28,893
5,056
421.35 Hurricane, St. Timothy's Keyser, Emmanuel Monthly Pmt Kingwood, St. Michael's Leetown, St Bartholomew Lewisburg, St. James' 18,232
3,191
265.88 179,746
31,456
2,621.30 Logan, Holy Trinity 17,802
3,115
259.61 Marlinton, St. John's 16,030
2,805
233.78 Martinsburg, Trinity 268,907
47,059
3,921.57 Middleway, Grace 42,662
7,466
622.16 Montgomery, Calvary 38,723
6,777
564.72 Moorefield, Emmanuel Morgantown, Thomas 'a Becket Morgantown, Trinity 31,752
5,557
463.05 210,939
36,914
3,076.19 181,553
31,772
2,647.65 Moundsville, Trinity 105,122
18,396
1,533.02 148
2011 2011 Avg Operating Income Calculated Miss. Apportionment Monthly Pmt Mullens, St. Andrew's 19,825
3,469
289.11 New Martinsville, St. Ann's Oak Hill, St. Andrew's 33,777
5,911
492.58 77,814
13,617
1,134.79 Parkersburg, Good Shepherd Parkersburg, Trinity 275,902
48,283
4,023.57 306,944
53,715
4,476.27 Pt. Pleasant, Christ 103,381
18,092
1,507.63 Princeton, Heavenly Rest Ravenswood, Grace 47,356
8,287
690.60 46,153
8,077
673.06 Ripley, St. John's 44,131
7,723
643.58 Rippon, St. John's 23,273
4,073
339.39 Romney, St. Stephen's Ronceverte, Incarnation St. Albans, St. Mark's 27,573
4,825
402.11 24,615
4,308
358.97 252,907
44,259
3,688.22 St. Marys, Grace 22,919
4,011
334.24 Salem, Prince of Peace Shepherdstown, Trinity Sistersville, St. Paul's 12,912
2,260
188.30 259,947
45,491
3,790.90 102,530
17,943
1,495.23 Snowshoe, Chapel on the Mount Summersville, St. Martin's Union, All Saints' ‐
‐
‐ 18,100
3,167
263.95 23,763
4,159
346.55 Weirton, St. Thomas' 58,554
10,247
853.91 Wellsburg, Christ 61,368
10,739
894.95 149
2011 2011 Avg Operating Income Calculated Miss. Apportionment Weston, St. Paul's 99,923
17,486
1,457.21 Wheeling, Lawrencefield Wheeling, St. Luke's 145,342
25,435
2,119.57 40,624
7,109
592.43 Wheeling, St. Matthew's Wheeling, St. Paul's 518,144
90,675
7,556.26 12,984
2,272
189.35 White Sul. Spgs., St. Thomas' Williamson, St. Paul's 129,793
22,714
1,892.82 53,019
9,278
773.19 Williamstown, Christ 27,964
4,894
407.81 Reserve for Uncollectable Total Monthly Pmt (10,000)
$7,561,779.52
$1,313,311.42
150
$110,275.95 151
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