Episcopal Diocese of Albany - Priests and Deacons Update

Business Office: 68 South Swan Street - Albany, NY 12210 - (518) 465-4737
Christ the King Spiritual Life Center: 575 Burton Road - Greenwich, NY 12834 - (518) 692-9550

January 24th, 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters

Frigid temps and blowing snow were irrelevant to the 140 who filled the 1st Parish Leadership Conference on Saturday at Holy Family School in Malone. Tough folks in the North Country! The largest North County Leadership attendance to date. A Music Ministry combined from Canton, Norwood, Morristown and Potsdam led us in vibrant worship. Father Tory Baucum taught effectively and persuasively in ways that help local leaders and local churches carry out their mission.

[It is especially heartening after getting a report the previous week from the (national) Standing Committee on Evangelism and Domestic Mission reporting that (nationally) we are doubling- our rate of decline! In the Diocese of Albany we are surviving the tumult far better than most.]

It also provided an opportunity for parish leaders to speak with diocesan ministry support in Christian Ed, stewardship, the SLC, Convent and Youth Ministry. I also noticed that parishes that are increasing were represented by the rector/vicar and a significant number of lay leaders.

Special thanks to Fr Tom Gwinn and members of St Mark’s for the legwork to make it go so smoothly. We did have a modest schedule change when we learned that the deli had prepared 1 tray with 7 subs instead of 7 trays. But they caught up fast and the day moved forward.

Next Saturday, Jan 28th is the Parish Leadership Conference for the Southwestern part of the diocese, meeting at Anderson Theatre, Hartwick College in Oneonta. Sign-in begins at 8:30. Coffee will be available. Adjournment will be by at least 4pm.

The final PLC will be held at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center, Saturday, February 5. Same schedule and same link (above) to register.

Today is the funeral service for Gail Rittgers, mother of Forest Rittgers, who died at the age of 102. Mrs. Rittgers had a rich life with deep devotion to the Lord and His church, to her family and to her nation. Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord.

Francis and Judith MacNutt will conduct The Emerging Leaders Conference from July 18-22 at Christ The King Spiritual Life Center, Greenwich, NY. Registration is handled by the Christian Healing Ministries in Jacksonville. Sign up by clicking here. This is one of only 3 such conferences across the country this year. Most people in the Diocese are familiar with Francis MacNutt through his major work Healing, the best single book in the English language on the subject. Nigel Mumford serves on their Board.

AND at the Healing Center: School of Healing Prayer LEVEL 3.
New date is; Sunday afternoon, April 3 thru Wed. afternoon April 6th.
Anyone interested in attending the 3 day program, should call the
Healing Ministry at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center
518-692-3198 (Note: Must have completed Level 2 to register).

Sunday Bp Dave and Mary Ellen were at St Thomas, Tupper Lake where he reports great vitality; there is a new Disciple class beginning. Fr Bill Cooper as usual is doing a great job. Bp Dave made a house visit to Mary Wilkerson who will be 101 next week. She was a nurse in the Battle of the Bulge. Carol and I were at Zion Church, Colton. The furnace had failed during the night, but the inside temp had managed to reach 52. Chill was offset by the warmth of the worship. Chrismated a candidate whom Deacon Pat LaVine had baptized 2 weeks ago. During brunch, Rachael Morrow, age 91, was telling how much she enjoyed the Disciple Course where she is finishing level 4.

Uneventful drive south with a swing by Utica to baby-sit grandsons Daniel and Michael while Mom and Dad went to Alpha. Home to a plowed driveway, but had to shovel our way up the steps to the door.

Tonight is the Annual Mass and Dinner for Episcopal Charities at the Spiritual Life Center. Tomorrow is the Deans’ meeting.

Next Sunday Bp Dave will be at Chatham and I will be at Little Falls.

Tomorrow is the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul- a major event in God’s plan of salvation. Saul’s response on the Damascus Road was a turning point in the spread of the gospel. God also calls us to participation. Ours may be more modest than St Paul, but just as important in relation to ourselves and to our own environment.

LORD JESUS, make me receptive to the grace of (deeper) conversion to you and to your reign; give me an agreeableness to your will; and take away all obstacles, voluntary and involuntary that obstruct my obedience to you. Amen.

In Christ,
+Dan

The vision of the Diocese of Albany:

One Church
with many missionary outposts
organized around the Great Commandment and the Great Commission,
rooted in the catholic structures of Anglicanism,
moving from membership to discipleship,
and equipping every
disciple to make disciples.

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+ Dan

Disciples Making Disciples