Winter diocesan convention season draws to a close
Episcopal News Service. March 19, 2010 [031910-03]
Mary Frances Schjonberg, Jen Mason, Editor of Delaware Communion
As the winter round of annual diocesan gatherings draws to a close, the dioceses of Delaware and Louisiana met during the weekend of March 12-13.
Following is a partial summary of those two conventions.
Diocese of Delaware
The diocese gathered for its 225th convention on March 12 and 13 at St. Peter's Church in Lewes under the theme of "That We All May Be One."
In his sermon during the Saturday Eucharist, Bishop Wayne Wright encouraged Delaware Episcopalians to turn away from the culture's common "commandments," such as "be afraid," "it will never end," "it can't be fixed" and "think about number one."
"But, we have a new commandment," he said. "Jesus has given us a new commandment to love one another and look for the signs of his presence fulfilled in the day-to-day ministries of the faithful -- disciples and friends living and serving together in faith, hope, and love. These are blessings. They are real and they are many."
Wright cited many signs of God's presence and love. First among them was the diocese's companion relationship with Scotland's Diocese of Argyll and The Isles, which drew to a close at this convention with the visit of retired Bishop Martin Shaw. Shaw reminisced about the dioceses' decade of partnership and closed his remarks by singing traditional Scottish songs. In particular, he expressed appreciation for the new life that he said Delawareans' visits brought to the tiny, isolated parishes of his diocese.
Wright praised Delaware Episcopalians for their swift and generous response to the Haiti crisis. He also noted that in the fall the diocese will come together with elected officials for a "service of repentance and apology" for the institution of slavery. The service will culminate the work of the diocesan Commission on Slavery.
The diocese also celebrated the new ministry of its first class of vocational deacons, who were ordained in December. The diocese's diaconate program was organized five years ago under the leadership of the Rev. Rita Nelson. The new deacons lead the convention's March 12 Evening Prayer and hosted a workshop where delegates learned about their distinct ministries.
Wright also cited the diocese's finances as witness of God's love and presence, saying that the balanced budget "is a reflection of our long-term commitment that the Diocese of Delaware is and will be a source of stability and strength for the mission of the church through the years."
"Tempered and challenged though we may have been - God has given us one, more, good year," he said. "Let us use it well. Amen."
The convention passed three resolutions including one to urging Delaware parishes to support and collect money for the work of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship of Delaware and its Witness for Innocent Victims of Armed Conflict project.
More information about the work of the convention is available here.
Diocese of Louisiana
Meeting for its 173rd convention March 13 at Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge, the New Orleans-based diocese acted on four resolutions and a number of other business items.
The convention came during the interim between the retirement of Bishop Charles Jenkins and the ordination and consecration of the Very Rev. Morris Thompson as the 11th bishop of the diocese on May 8.
Among the resolutions passed were ones to establish a three-year companion relationship with the Diocese of Rhode Island and to develop a youth ministry partnership with the Diocese of Ottawa in the Anglican Church of Canada. The convention also welcomed St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Zachary as a parish. Lastly, the convention set the third Sunday in October as Solomon Episcopal Conference CenterSunday as a way to raise money to help ensure the center's viability and growth.
The convention also passed a $1.6 million budget for 2010, down about $230,000 from 2009.
More information about the work of the convention is available here.