[ELO] Executive Council learns of mission, ministry in Rio Grande, Province VII

[Matthew Davies]

Episcopal Life Online
June 15, 2008

Executive Council learns of mission, ministry in Rio Grande, Province VII

Members worship with two Albuquerque congregations

By Neva Rae Fox and Mary Frances Schjonberg

[Episcopal News Service] The Diocese of the Rio Grande is turning what one
member called a "potential disaster" into a "potentially healthy situation."

That was the message members of the Episcopal Church's Executive Council
heard during a dinner gathering June 14 with representatives of the diocese
and Province VII. The dinner closed the second day of Council's three-day
meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the seat of the Rio Grande diocese.

Members of the Diocese of the Rio Grande described for the Council the work
of healing and reconciliation that they have been doing since September 2007
when diocesan Bishop Jeffrey Steenson announced that he was leaving the
Episcopal Church to become a Roman Catholic. (The Rt. Rev. William C. Frey,
retired bishop of the Diocese of Colorado, is serving Rio Grande as
assisting bishop.)

The Rev. Canon Dr. Colin Kelly, president of the Standing Committee, said
that "what was potentially a disastrous situation has become a potentially
healthy situation."

In addition, the Rev. Michael McEwen, interim provincial coordinator, told
the dinner that all of Province VII is "a place of real vitality" where
nearly 265,000 Episcopalians in more than 780 congregations are engaged in
"positive ministries in the midst of great need."

On the morning of June 15 half of the Council worshipped with the members of
the Cathedral Church of St. John where Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts
Schori preached and presided. The other half of Council worshipped with the
congregation of St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church where the Rev.
Brian Taylor celebrated his 25th anniversary as rector. House of Deputies
President Bonnie Anderson preached at that service.

"When the church is doing its work, the sheep and the shepherds begin to
smile," Jefferts Schori said in her sermon.

She shared details of her recent visits to the Philippines and Taiwan where
many are downtrodden and conditions are alarming.
 
"What about right here?" she asked the overflowing crowd at the cathedral.
"Are there any depressed and beaten-down sheep in Albuquerque?"

Jefferts Schori thanked them for their work with their local food pantries.
"The shepherds of the food pantry are feeding the flock, but the hungry
sheep are also feeding the feeders, with spiritual fruit," she said.

She concluded with a challenge: "Come back here next week and tell the
person in the pew next to you where you've helped the sheep to smile."

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_97827_ENG_HTM.htm