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

Saint Ninian
September 16th, 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Last weekend was the Postulants and Candidates Retreat held at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center. Fifty were in attendance at the first one we have been able to hold at the SLC. On Saturday evening we were able to have a bonfire after supper and several of the retreat ants were able to share how they came to know their vocation. On Saturday afternoon separate sessions were held for those contemplating the priesthood, and the diaconate. The combined use of the existing rooms and the new Beaver Cross accommodations enabled everyone to stay on the campus.

This has already been a full week with the 1st planning meeting for Convention 2006- with the theme of the Trinity. (The final day of convention will be Trinity Sunday.) Workshops and presentations will draw on a Trinitarian motif. All 77 workshops from last year, including numbers participating, were reviewed. Sue Ellen Ruetsch is the workshop Coordinator. Carol Drummond is the convention Coordinator.

The Standing Committee met on Monday also and gave consent for the priestly ordination of Deacons Gus Calvo, Nigel Mumford, Kathy Alonge-Coons, Donna Arnold, Linda Wilson and John Thorpe.

Construction Oversight met on Tuesday and heard reports of completion of all Phase 1 work, except for the tie-in of the septic system from the Library and bungalows into the main system, to be done in late fall. Noted the large turnout for the Dedication of Saint Mary's Convent, and its prominent coverage by The Living Church (Sept 4 issue).

The Beach Area at the lake is now complete. Americore volunteers did a lot of this work. For summer camp next year an Infirmary building may be erected. It will open up the half-cabin that was used this year since we had to turn some late registrant kids away this summer. Consideration is being given to a nursery and play area for our guests' children while they are at programs.

Wednesday, the Retired Clergy and Spouses and Widow(er)s met for Mass and Lunch at the SLC. Fr Irv and Dottie Ballert do a great job leading this ministry to an invaluable cadre of devoted men and women. One decision was to plan a Saint Nicholas Party, Tuesday, Dec 6th for all the retired clergy/spouses/widow(er)s.

Our sympathy to Ronnie Pressley on the death of her mother, Betsey. Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.

The Joint Leadership Conference of the Diocese meets tomorrow, Sept 17 at the Spiritual Life Center. Coffee and danish will be served in the Narthex between the Chapel and Great Hall beginning at 9:15.

Sunday Sept 18, Bishop Dave will be at St Peter's, Albany where he will institute a new Chapter of the Daughters of the King. In the afternoon, he will be inducting Father Gary Strubel as Vicar of All Saints, Hoosick. The Liturgy begins at 4pm.

Sunday I will be at St Luke's, Cambridge. Sunday afternoon, Sept 18, I will offer a presentation on the new ecumenical document Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ. Begins at 2pm; includes Evening Prayer and Supper. The presentation will be in the Library at the SLC.

MISSIONS CONFERENCE: Professor Grant LeMarquand, once a missionary in Africa, now a seminary instructor, will be the featured presenter. Saturday, Sept 24, beginning at 9 a.m. Note: IF you bring a guest who has never attended before, you both can register for the price of one!

Father David Collumwill be inducted as Rector of Saint John's Church, Delhi on Sunday, Sept 25 at 4pm.

CLERGY CONFERENCE (Wives and Husbands welcome) begins Wed, Sept 28 at 4pm. The featured Conference Leader is Dr George Hunter, author of the well known The Celtic Way of Evangelism. He is a prolific author and one of the most knowledgeable leaders on how churches thrive. His newest book is Radical Outreach. The Conference will include a breakout opportunity for spouses. Adjournment is after lunch on Friday. For any questions call Canon Bob Haskell at 518-399-1163.

DEACON RETREAT: Oct 14 - 16 at Christ the King beginning at 4pm.

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING RETREAT October 21 - 23 at the SLC.

PRIESTS' RETREAT: Nov 15 - 18; Retreat Director: The Very Rev'd Robert Munday, Dean of Nashotah House.

2005 Ordinations to the Priesthood; Vested attending clergy: Red stoles; please arrive by 10:30.

The Rev'd Gus Calvo St Mark's, Malone Dec 11 11:00 a.m.

The Rev'd Nigel Mumford Christ King Chapel, SLC Dec 17 11:00 a.m.

SLC Campaign kicked off in several parishes last Sunday. Thank you to the dozens of Parish Volunteers who have given themselves to make this a fruitful enterprise for all the people in the Diocese. One disciple pointed out that the willingness to skip 1 medium pizza a week would permit a person to pledge $3,000 over 60 months (5 years). I ask your daily prayers for the campaign, for the Volunteers, for the SLC and for all the Ministries coming forth from there.

While we talk about the liturgical year and the civil year the reality is that America functionally runs on the school year. Parishes are re-gearing up for the fall. Sunday School resumes and parish activities kick in. I notice in newsletters the beginning of Alpha Courses and Adult Bible Study.

The Christian missionary outpost depends on a broad variety of lay ministers. Working hand in hand with the priests and deacons, each parish needs an apostolic team to advance the life of the kingdom. Our #1 priority is being in church every Sunday for the Liturgy. Common Prayer is the indispensable ingredient of Christian life. Jesus makes it clear in the gospel, "Apart from me, you can do nothing."

Our tithes underscore that faithful worship. God doesn't need our money. He wants our hearts. But once we give Him our hearts, we are moved to return our tithes.

All this flows from the Catechism in the BCP (p 856) that "the duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God." This is more than a duty; it is a privilege, and a high honor.

LORD JESUS, strengthen us by your Holy Spirit to advance your holy kingdom. Bless our clergy and lay leaders and renew our vision to serve you fruitfully. Give us hearts for the hurting, the lonely and the lost. Empower us to raise up many to serve your purposes. Deliver us from sin, from sloth, from fear and inaction.

In Christ,
+ Dan

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