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

April 13th, 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we continue to mark Jesus’ mighty resurrection, our eyes turn to His call to enter the harvest. On Easter Day as I was driving from the Spiritual Life Center to Saint Peter’s, Albany, I passed the Palace Theatre where hundreds were pouring in. The marquee proclaimed the Risen Jesus and folks were responding to this good news. Of course. The bodily resurrection of Jesus is unparalleled in human history and opens to the whole human race the hope of eternal life. And there was this dynamic group busy (like the original disciples) proclaiming the resurrection.

Our churches have the same truths, but it’s easy for the story to get lost in the liturgy or the current concerns. Our job is to keep our eyes on Jesus, to hear his voice and enter the harvest which He has already prepared. Convention 2005, June 10 – 12, has that theme and the 60+ Workshops that intersperse this vibrant weekend will give practical help to every missionary outpost (where the harvesters are poised). This is our first year with on-line registration and already over 330 have done so electronically.

Easter week brought the Anglican Communion Institute to the SLC with the largest attendance in its history. Distinguished theologians brought in depth presentations on biblical and theological topics. It was nice to welcome Fr Philip Turner back to the Diocese. Bp Ball had bought him in the past to lead clergy conferences. We enjoyed a 10 minute power outage while Christ the King Chapel was converted to permanent power supply.

Low Sunday was the induction of Fr Michael Gorchov at St Paul’s, Troy with Solemn Evensong. It was well attended and the choir was excellent. A new parish vibrancy is emerging. In the morning, I was at St James, Ausable Forks with lots of heavy rain accompanying me. The 2 Deacons, Patti and Dave, are doing an outstanding job. Fr Alan and Alice Macnab drove over for Mass. Fr Al is beginning some respiratory treatments. Keep him in your prayers.

Episcopal Charities met on Monday the 4th at the SLC. Members heard reports on the special ‘eye care’ fund it has established from a bequest and will be fully reported in the upcoming issue of The Albany Episcopalian.

Bishop Dave participated in prison ministry at the Hale Creek Correction Facility Alpha at Gloversville. We are blessed to have a cadre of committed volunteers in prison ministry across the Diocese and Bp Dave is a major supporter. He and Mary Ellen also are vigorous supporters of the Marriage Encounter apostolate and report another excellent weekend the 2nd weekend after Easter at Glens Falls.

The clergy Eucharistic Holy Hour continues to grow on the 1st Tuesday of each Month at the SLC. Some clergy wives have begun attending (most welcome) and a few visitors.

The Daughters of the King held a Retreat Day at the SLC on Saturday the 9th. It is encouraging to note that another Chapter has been established at Zion Church, Colton. This apostolic group continues to have spiritual impact. Thank you, Lord.

Bp Dave made a visitation to his old stomping grounds at Calvary, Burnt Hills, where he instituted the 1st Chapter of the Brotherhood of St Andrew. This is the oldest evangelistic order for laymen in the Episcopal Church. (It was Andrew who first followed Jesus, and brought his brother [Peter] to our Lord.) This is a significant development to have over a dozen men commit to this ministry. The Brotherhood of St Andrew will offer a workshop at Convention 2005. A great way to facilitate the Harvest.

Last Sunday I was at Philmont where there is vigor and developing discipleship.

Yesterday we had the Construction Oversight meeting at the Spiritual Life Center. The most frustrating thing now is the groups we must turn away daily because our limited sleeping accommodations.

In the afternoon, the Convention Planning Committee met at the SLC and under the leadership of Carol Drummond (get a nurse when you want action!) we heard the plans for the VBS under Kim Harding (65 slots), the expanded accommodations, the Saturday Ordination of eleven new Deacons, the Service of Healing, and the 65(!) Workshops being organized by Sue Ellen Ruetsch. Everything from basic discipleship, to an expanded 2-part one on The DaVinci Code (getting ready for the film later this year). The Youth component is moving along. I commend the parishes that energize their local youth ministry by providing scholarships for parish young people to attend. Also noteworthy is the number of missionary outposts who see the array of workshops as providing the raw material for a Vestry Retreat. Good idea.

Later met with Clark Curtis the Diocesan Chairman for the development of the SLC and Ray Farrara who is chairing the Parish portion. These are two experienced and committed leaders who see the vision and are vigorously working to bring other partners along. They are essential in the next step at the SLC. We especially welcome the support of the Cursillo community in supporting this initiative. Here is a cadre of a thousand men and women who do so much in the diocese and parishes for the kingdom.

This weekend the Cursillo Community holds its leadership weekend at the SLC and I look forward to going to celebrate the Eucharist with them.

Registration for the Clergy Wives Conference is the largest ever and Liz Miller from Down and Dromore is bringing two additional clergy wives from our sister diocese to participate.

Fr Bill Hinrichs asked me to include the following: Journey with Fr. Bill Hinrichs to England Tracing our Anglican Heritage Nov. 8-16, 2005. Visit London, Canterbury, Salisbury, Bristol, Oxford, Coventry, Glastonbury, Bath, Nottingham, and York. $1,798 per person. To request a brochure, please contact Fr. Hinrichs at 518-371-6351 Sounds lovely.

The Women and Heart Disease program scheduled for April 20th at the Spiritual Life Center has been rescheduled for May 11th due to illness in the presenter’s family.

I ask your prayers also for Shirley Parker (indefatigable disciple) who is recovering from heart surgery and is already ministering via phone. And for Fr John Kelly diagnosed with mono.

LORD JESUS, give us such faith in your rising from the dead that we may be confident of our rising from sin and mortality to the life of your kingdom. Give us firm and resilient hearts with which to serve you, and the desire to love You above all things. Amen.

In the Risen Lord,
+ 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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