FOND DU LAC: Diocesan convention celebrates ecumenism
Episcopal News Service. October 29, 2007 [102907-05]
Matthew P. Payne, Diocesan administrator for the Diocese of Fond du Lac
Meeting in Appleton, Wisconsin, October 19-20 for the 133rd Annual Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac, more than 200 delegates and guests celebrated the diocese's participation in a number of ministries made possible by ecumenical cooperation.
At the convention Eucharist October 19 at All Saints, Appleton, delegates and guests experienced the Hands of Christ (HOC) Deaf Ministry Choir perform several anthems. The Rev. Gisele Berninghaus, HOC chaplain, preached a sermon reminding those attending of the role of the Holy Spirit in assisting people to focus on the journey of the Christian life.
During the convention banquet, Iglesia Senda de Amor, a Hispanic ministry in the Fox Valley and the newly developed Communitario Centro Episcopal, a Latino ministry in Green Bay, were recognized. Ecumenical guests included representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Moravian Church, the Presbyterian Church, the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church, all of whom provide financial and logistical support to the deaf ministry and/or Hispanic ministry.
Communitario Centro Episcopal in Green Bay, begun in fall 2007, plans to invite ecumenical partners in the future. The convention eucharist offering of almost $1,500 will be divided among the three ministries.
Bishop Russell E. Jacobus presented the Bishop's Cross to the Rev. Edmund Powless, a deacon serving at Holy Apostles, Oneida, and Blanche Powless of Holy Apostles, Oneida. The Powless, who have been married for 62 years, have served their congregation, the diocese and the wider Episcopal Church.
Jacobus presented his pastoral address during the convention’s October business session. He said the church needs to function from conviction, not opinions.
"The first conviction we need to have is to renew our desire to increase our knowledge of God’s Word and his will for us by studying and teaching scripture," Jacobus told delegates. In addition, Christians must be convicted to "preach the Good News of Jesus...not just preach a soft, simple sentiment of society" and that "prayer is both necessary and efficacious."
Along with the elections and regular business, four resolutions were adopted by the convention:
- to continue to allow individuals to restrict their giving from being included in the calculation of the diocese's pledge to the Episcopal Church;
- to encourage the development of an Anglican covenant;
- asking the Episcopal Church to "provide meaningful pastoral support and oversight to the dissenting minority"; and
- asking that "the National Church cease its participation in the litigation that is at present before the courts and any future such litigation of the type referenced in the Dar es Salaam Communiqué (http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_82722_ENG_HTM.htm)." The last three resolutions passed on votes by orders.
The Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac is composed of more than 6,600 baptized members in 33 congregations and 2 summer chapels covering the northeast third of the state of Wisconsin.