Diocesan Digest
Episcopal News Service. May 26, 2005 [052605-2-A]
* BETHLEHEM -- Parish breaks ground for Life Center
* EASTON -- Former finance administrator accused of embezzlement
* FLORIDA -- Bishop commits to church's unity
* MARYLAND -- Church takes prison ministry to dioceses
* MINNESOTA -- Diversity, growth celebrated at Holy Apostles parish
* NEW YORK -- General Seminary begins construction on new Tutu Education Center
* NORTH DAKOTA -- Bishop plans forum series on Windsor Report
BETHLEHEM -- Parish breaks ground for Life Center
[ENS, Source: Diocese of Bethlehem] -- Ministry in the Diocese of Bethlehem is growing with a new $1.5 million expansion at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Douglassville, Pennsylvania.
Bishop Paul Marshall of Bethlehem presided over the recent ground-breaking for the new Parish Life Center, a 12,400-square-foot structure that will accomplish several long-term goals, according to the Rev. Calvin C. Adams, rector. The center will include much needed classroom space for Sunday and weekday Christian Education and day care classes. The new space will also provide additional administrative space for clergy and staff, as well as retrofit the existing classrooms and offices for ADA compliance, including the installation of an elevator.
The Parish Life Center is the final piece of a three-phased plan envisioned by the Campus Master Plan Committee of St. Gabriel's. Each of these projects is bold in scope, and reflects St. Gabriel's commitment to the community and to the future.
Full story by Bill Lewellis
EASTON -- Former finance administrator accused of embezzlement
[ENS, Source: Easton Star-Democrat] -- The former finance administrator for the Episcopal Diocese of Easton has been accused of embezzling money from the diocese, which includes Maryland's Eastern Shore.
According to a May 25 article in the Easton Star-Democrat, Gail Roe Swartz faces 19 counts each of forging private documents and theft over $500, and one count of a theft scheme over $500, police said.
The newspaper reported that, among other allegations, the diocesan treasurer's signature had been forged on checks, and that a forensic auditor discovered alleged misuse of a diocesan credit card. Exact amounts are being tabulated.
Diocesan officials confirmed that the matter is under investigation. Swartz's trial is set for July 11 in Talbot County District Court, according to the Star-Democrat.
FLORIDA -- Bishop commits to church's unity
[ENS, Source: The Times-Union, Jacksonville] -- Bishop John Howard of Florida has declared that "his flock will no longer be distracted" by the controversies that have consumed his diocese for almost two years, the Times-Union reported May 22.
Opening the diocese's 162nd annual convention with a sermon May 21, Howard reportedly called for reconciliation between the diocese and "those theological conservatives who demand the Episcopal Church repent for its actions."
A number of resolutions, all of which were defeated, called on the diocese to distance itself from the Episcopal Church and strengthen its ties with the 77-million-strong Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is a member.
"Those who feel you must leave, I say, follow your conscience," Howard said. "But if you leave I will not follow you. I cannot follow you because I am charged with guarding the unity of this church."
MARYLAND -- Church takes prison ministry to dioceses
[ENS, Source: Prison Ministry Network News] -- An Episcopal Church emissary for prison ministry traveled the State of Maryland May 5-12, visiting two state prisons and meeting with the bishops and prison ministers of four dioceses -- Maryland, Washington, Easton and Delaware.
It was part of a series of regional prison ministry conferences by the Rev. Jacqueline A. Means, criminal justice officer in the Episcopal Church's Office of Peace and Justice Ministries.
"The bishops, the clergy and lay ministers were open to dialogue and are working on the issues of reentry, inmates' children, gangs, faith-based programs, help for families traveling long distances to visit prisoners, and the private prison industry," she said.
Means, a former prison chaplain, addressed the 221st convention of the Diocese of Maryland, urging the delegates to start a camp program for inmates' children. She also urged a partnership with Big Brothers and Sisters to mentor the children, met with area prison ministers and the Prison Ministry Task Force, and visited the Maryland Correctional Institution in Hagerstown.
Full story by Val Hymes
MINNESOTA -- Diversity, growth celebrated at Holy Apostles parish
by Joe Bjordal
[ENS, Source: Diocese of Minnesota] -- Church of the Holy Apostles in St. Paul, Minnesota, used the Day of Pentecost as the backdrop for a celebration of diversity and of growth. The previously all-Anglo congregation has become home to people and families with ethnic backgrounds such as Liberian, Latino, Filipino and Ojibway. The new senior warden is from Liberia. The junior warden from Puerto Rico.
Holy Apostles has opened its doors wide to a large contingent of Hmong refugees from southwest Asia. Some 70 families, totaling more than 500 persons are now being incorporated into the congregation. A worship space that was previously mostly empty on Sunday morning is now typically full to overflowing. It was standing room only on the Day of Pentecost.
The special guest and preacher on the Day of Pentecost was the Rev. Dr. Fred Vergara, Asian-American missioner for the Episcopal Church. Vergara had spent the previous two days with the leadership and members of the congregation.
In his sermon, Vergara said that Holy Apostles "stands on the edge of Christian mission in the 21st Century."
Full story and streaming video
NEW YORK -- General Seminary begins construction on new Tutu Education Center
[ENS, Source: General Theological Seminary] -- In a colorful procession along the sidewalks outside its historic home in Chelsea, the trustees, faculty, staff, and students of the General Theological Seminary (GTS) marked the beginning of construction on the new Desmond Tutu Education Center May 18.
After a brief ceremony, the Very Rev. Ward B. Ewing, dean and president of the Seminary, perching high atop a ladder in his clerical vestments, took a large pair of wire cutters and removed several links in the security fence surrounding the Seminary buildings which face 10th Avenue -- an action intended to symbolize General's commitment to opening up the seminary to the world, a central mission of the new education center.
Following the conclusion of a dedicatory prayer, the assembled members of the procession, many carrying colorful balloons, burst into joyous applause. The symbolic action signaled the beginning of construction on the $23 million project which will begin in several weeks, with completion expected in two years.
Having been long in the design and planning stage, the new Tutu Center will contain four learning centers, a high tech conference facility, and sixty well-appointed guestrooms. The name of the new facility honors Anglican leader and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu. A longtime friend of the seminary, Archbishop Tutu was a visiting professor here when he was awarded the prize in 1984.
Full story
NORTH DAKOTA -- Bishop plans forum series on Windsor Report
[ENS, Source: Diocese of North Dakota] -- Bishop Michael G. Smith of North Dakota is planning a statewide forum series in June to engage the diocese in "serious, reasoned and informed conversation about the Windsor Report."
Encouraging people to read the Windsor Report for themselves rather than relying on what others say about it, Smith has extended an invitation to all Episcopalians of the diocese, and especially Diocesan Convention delegates, to participate in one of the Windsor Report "Church Hall meetings."
Full letter and itinerary