(Photos courtesy of Ruth Mateer)
The Diocesan Convention was held on Saturday, October 24, preceded by a festival Holy Eucharist and reception, celebrating the 80th anniversary of Saint John’s Church as The Cathedral of Saint John, mother church of The Diocese of Rhode Island.
The homilist for the Holy Eucharist was The Very Rev. Harry E. Krauss, Dean of the Cathedral. Bishop John Zawo, of Ezo, our companion diocese in the Sudan, was to have spoken, but due to difficulties in travel out of and returning to the Sudan, he was not able to attend. In November, it is expected that Bishop Zawo will come to the Diocese. A new event will be planned.
The Bishop presented 10 points for churches in transformation as part of her Annual Address. Here is an excerpt from her Address:
"When Jesus was crucified he did not focus on himself but on Mary, his mother, John his disciple, and the two thieves crucified with him. We do not hear him uttering words of blame, only forgiveness, blessing and hope. Inspired by Jesus’ response, I have the gall to think that this is one of the most challenging and engaging times to be a Christian, an Episcopalian, and part of the Anglican Communion. I believe that God is doing something new across Christendom, and if this is a time of grave uncertainty perhaps it is because the trumpet is sounding and a wake-up call is arousing us from our complacency.
I am encouraged by signs of new life in our diocese, exemplified by ten characteristics of congregations that are experiencing significant transformation.
1. They changed their attitude. They got honest with themselves, owning their responsibilities. Instead of acting as victims they re-set their vision;
2. They are people of abundance instead of scarcity. They speak of God’s blessings in their life, of gratitude and thankfulness. They experience the joy of giving instead of complaining that they don’t have enough;
3. They place a high priority on Christian formation for all ages, acknowledging that informed believers make faithful disciples;
4. They see new comers not as sources of money, but as people who are seeking a Christ-centered community;
5. They create an environment of mutual responsibility member to member, organization to organization;
6. They develop achievable goals, and rely upon shared ministry to accomplish them;
7. They move from triangulation and gossip to effective ways of communication;
8. They unashamedly give voice to the core of the Christian faith: to the sinful failings of the human condition, redeemed through the transforming love of the Word made Flesh.
9. They use new technologies in the service of evangelism and proclamation, and
10. They expect people to worship every Sunday; hearing the Word of God, and receiving the Bread of Life.
No church has all of these characteristics, but each church has some. I invite every Vestry and Bishop’s
Mission Committee to reflect seriously on these ten signs of congregational vitality.
(The full text of the Bishop’s Address is available on the Diocesan website, at http://www.episcopalri.org/NewsEvents/DiocesanConvention/tabid/191/Default.aspx