July 3 sermon by the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry letter from President Obama presented
"Now I've got one word for you," the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry of North Carolina, Presiding Bishop-Elect, told the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in his sermon on July 3. "If you don't remember anything else I say this morning, it's the first word in the Great Commission: GO!"
Presiding at the Eucharist was Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. Following the sermon, Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori read a letter of congratulations sent by President Barack Obama to Presiding Bishop-Elect Curry. (video, text available)
The sermon is available here:
Letter from President Obama
Dear Bishop Curry,
As you prepare to begin serving as Presiding Bishop, i send warm congratulations.
Since our Nation's earliest days, faith communities across our country have shown us how a willingness to believe and a dedication to care for others can enrich our lives. Your leadership over the years has reflected your powerful vision for a more inclusive tomorrow. Guided by your commitment to a future of greater compassion and opportunity, I trust you will continue to use your gifts to bring people of all faiths and backgrounds together to realize the America we know is possible.
Again congratulations. I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
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78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church Updates:
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The Rt. Rev. O'Kelley Whitaker
December 26, 1926 - June 25,
Charlotte, N.C. - The Right Reverend O'Kelley Whitaker died Thursday, June 25 at the age of 88. Bishop Whitaker was born December 26, 1926 in Durham, N.C. to Faison and Margaret Whitaker, née O'Kelley, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Duke University in 1949 with an A.B. in Philosophy. He served as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He graduated from Seabury Western Episcopal Seminary in 1952. In 1981, Seabury Western awarded him with an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity. Bishop Whitaker authored several church hymns and also wrote "Sister Death" (Morehouse Barlow, 1974.) Read More
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Update to
Bishop Search Committee:
Drum roll... Here's the list of people who will be serving on the Search Committee:
The Very Rev. Carrie Schofield-Broadbent, Chair of the Search Committee St. Matthew's, Liverpool
- Ms. Cynthia Adamowsky, St. Matthew's Liverpool
- Ms. Kristen Blum, St. James, Skaneateles
- Dr. Bambi Carkey, St. Luke's, Camillus
- Mr. Doug Mouncey, St. Paul's Cathedral, Syracuse
- Mr. Jim Hughes, Christ Church, Manlius
- Mr. David Cordone, All Saints', Fulton
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- The Rev. Wanda Copeland, St. Matthew's, Horseheads
- The Rev. Dcn. Kay Drebert, Trinity Memorial, Binghamton
- The Rev. David Hanselman, St. Ann's, Afton; St. Paul's, Oxford; Zion, Greene
- The Rev. Jeanne Hansknecht, St. Peter's, Cazenovia
- The Rev. Johanna Marcure, Grace Church, Syracuse
- The Rev. Adrian Amaya, St. Mark the Evangelist, Syracuse
We give our thanks for all of people who applied and offered themselves for service.
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Diocesan Board Meeting Notes
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Lay Preaching Class
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 We're now accepting applications for our next class of Lay Preachers. If you are interested in this program, please contact your parish priest; applications have been sent to them. If you have any questions, please e-mail the program coordinator, The Rev. Carrie Schofield-Broadbent at [email protected]
Applications, including an essay and two references, are due July 8th
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The new Vestry Resource Guide is here!
The Episcopal Church Foundation has just published a new edition of Vestry Resource Guide which is distributed through Forward Movement and is available in English and Spanish, and in both print and e-book formats.
This new edition of Vestry Resource Guide helps vestry members and clergy work together to become an effective, even transformational leadership team. With information and recommendations for congregations of all shapes and sizes, this is an essential tool to help vestries focus on what God is calling them to do in the world. Topics include the ministry of the vestry, leading a community of faith, stewardship, and navigating transitions in clergy leadership. "Vestry service and other church leadership are important and rewarding work," said Donald V. Romanik, ECF President, "but require a vast array of skills from a diverse group of people. To develop this new edition, we spoke with people at all levels of the Church to understand their needs and are pleased to offer the new Vestry Resource Guide to help people lead their congregations in dynamic and innovative ways." "If you are familiar with Vestry Resource Guide, you'll see that we made some changes to our approach," said Nancy Davidge, editor. "This new version is less about 'do it this way' and more about 'here are things you should be thinking about and here's where you can learn more.' There is greater focus on establishing effective leadership teams that include lay and clergy members." The introductory cost of Vestry Resource Guide is $12 per copy when ordered through Forward Movement ($15 if ordered through Amazon). For more information, please contact Nancy Davidge, editor of Vestry Resource Guide at [email protected]. To order, please call Forward Movement at 800-543-1813 or visit their website at www.forwardmovement.org.
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Clergy Transitions
The Rev. Craig Swan has accepted a call to become the rector of St. Peter's-by-the-Sea in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Fr. Craig has served as rector of St. Luke's in Camillus for the past 12 years. Fr. Craig and his wife, Maureen, will leave the St. Luke's congregation on August 31st.
The Rev. Richard Towers has accepted a call to be Chaplain to the Lower School of the Episcopal School of Dallas and Sunday Associate at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas. Fr. Rich has served as rector at St. John's Church in Ithaca since 2012. Fr. Rich will leave St. John's effective August 15th.
The Rev. Jackie Schmitt has announced her retirement as rector of St. David's in DeWitt effective August 1st.
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Safe Church Training
Safe Church Training will be offered on Wednesday July 15 at 5:30 PM At Grace, Carthage. Supper will be provided. Please email Ed Murpy by Wednesday, July 8 if you would like to attend.
Safe Church training will be held at Zion Episcopal Church, 140 West Liberty Street, Rome on Saturday, July 18, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Please contact Zion at 315-336-5170 or email by July 15 to register.
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All Saints Church, Fulton
All Saints Elementary Sunday School class taught by Jeanne Avery recently studied the Apostles. After studying all Twelve, each student picked his/her favorite and gave reasons why that Apostle was favored. At the culmination of this project, Nancie Miller did reverse painted pictures on a picture frame of each Apostles symbol and name. The students finished the pictures by adding a background and color. What a wonderful reminder of a lesson well taught!
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St, James Church, Clinton
On June 21 St. James, Clinton was honored to host Pere (Father) Frederick Menelas from Grande Colline, Haiti. In 2013 we established a relationship with one of the 15 churches that Pere Fred oversees. St. James' Outreach has sent over $7,000 to the Diocese of Haiti Partnership program to support the teachers and a daily feeding program for the students of St. Paul's school in the remote, mountainous town of Beaudin Jean Peire.
Through the generosity of a St. James parishioner, Pere Fred visited Clinton. He spoke about his work in Haiti and thanked us for all of the help we have provided. It allowed us to make a personal connection to this mission we have committed to. A trip to Haiti is being planned for the future. Outreach Chairperson John Pick presented Pere Fred a $2,000 Global Mission Grant from CNY Diocese.
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Church of Our Savior, Syracuse
Embraces Refugees
A few years ago, a middle-aged Asian man walked into the Church of the Saviour. Since one of the neighboring Catholic churches had at that time a lively Asian community, our greeter asked him if he was looking for the Catholic Church. He replied: "NO! ANGLICAN!" Our greeter quickly and enthusiastically welcomed him to our church.
As we later learned, this man was Bah Tway, the patriarch of his community. Within weeks he had brought into the church dozens of his fellow Karen refugees.
Formerly, they resided in the eastern region of Burma (Myanmar) where they had fought the abusive government for many years. To escape the poverty and unremitting violence, many traveled - some by foot - to refugee camps in Thailand. There they remained for years until they were settled in America.
Today, they worship at Saviour, participating in the Altar Guild, Vestry, Sunday School, and assisting at Mass. The Gospel every Sunday is proclaimed, first in English, and then in Karen.
Church of the Saviour is truly blessed by the presence of our faithful Karen members.
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Music Director,
Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church:
 Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church in Binghamton, NY, seeks one or more highly skilled musicians for the half-time position of Music Director to supervise an established and successful traditional music program at a medium size parish committed to excellence in music and liturgy. Preference will be given to individuals of high professional competence in both organ performance and choral conducting, but consideration would be made for splitting the position between two differently-talented individuals.
The candidate would be expected to have earned a degree in music (organ, choral, or vocal), have experience in a church and/or school setting, and have an ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds. Candidates should submit a letter of application, a CV, a list of three references with contact information, and, for organists, an MP3 of a recent recording. These materials should be sent electronically by July 24th to the Rev. Dr. David Drebert at [email protected].
Additional information about the church, its music program, and recordings of past choral and organ performances are available at the church website: http://trinitymemorial.org
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St. John's Church, Oneida
For 14 years we have been hosting a golf tournament in which some of the proceeds go to our outreach projects.
Learn More& Register >>
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Messenger eNewsletter Submissions
Are you hosting Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer? If so, send the dates and details to me to include with a list of VBS opportunities around the diocese.
The Messenger is a great way to share announcements, needs and offerings around the Diocese. To include an item on the Messenger, email me with your notice and a photo. Please keep it short (100 words max.) and be sure to include contact information. Please submit to me by Wednesday of each week.
Christopher Williams
Interim Editor
The Messenger eNewsletter
The Episcopal Diocese of Central New York
Office (315)731-3263
Cell (315)794-9539
Fax (866)-794-9504
[email protected]
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