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

Feast of the Holy Cross
September 14th, 2006

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today Christians are reminded of the Cross, on which our Lord accomplished our salvation and which is the chief sign of our faith. St Paul, after his poor success at Athens, went on to Corinth where he determined “to preach Christ and him crucified.” It is the reason Martin Luther held that every church should display a crucifix as a reminder of the cost of our redemption.

The mission of Christ –crucified and risen- continues. Kevin Steckline has completed an extensive visit with our partners of CMS (Church Mission Society) Ireland to provide more extensive medical care in Sudan.

The Rev’d Lynne Curtis returns tomorrow from Zimbabwe, where she has been serving with a mission to assist in the care of individuals with AIDS. She takes a wealth of experience, compassion and faith to minister in this portion of the 2/3’s world.

Our sympathy to Kathy McDarby, wife of the Rev’d Mark McDarby, deacon-vicar of Philmont, on the death of her Dad. Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord.

Last weekend Bp Dave, Fr Bill and I had the delight of spending three days with our Postulants and Candidates for Holy Orders on retreat at Christ the King. Over 50 participants enriched the weekend with personal prayer, the Offices, Eucharist and meditations. Fr Bill Cooper came for the Reconciliation of Penitents, a vital sacrament in every cleric’s life. Special thanks to Archdeacon Harvey Huth who organized the retreat weekend.

Sunday afternoon several individuals came to a forum on ordination led by Bp Dave and Fr Bob Haskell, Chairman of the Commission on the Ministry.

Tuesday and Wednesday the Diocese hosted the Chaplains to the Retired Clergy from Province 1 (New England) and Province 2 (NY & NJ). Fr Irv and Dottie Ballert who do such a great job here, arranged the meeting. Regrettably an intestinal problem prevented them from participating. I represented them and had a chance to welcome these clergy who care for the retired priests and deacons in their dioceses. Got to see several old friends. After dinner, one priest came up to say that he had been the director of the camp and conf-center in his diocese, and that Christ the King Spiritual Life Center was the finest he had ever seen.

Upcoming ordinations to the priesthood:

Father Scott Garno St Matthew’s, Unadilla Sat, Dec 16 Noon (Red)

Father David Haig St Mary’s Convent, CtK SLC Sun, Dec 17 Noon (Red)

Mother Ginny Ogden St Stephen’s, Delmar Sat, Jan 6 Epiphany (White for the feast)

The Advent Retreat for Priests (and transitional Deacons) will be led by Bishop William Frey, Dec 12 – 15, at Christ the King. Bishop Frey has served Christ as a parish priest, missionary in Central America, university chaplain, diocesan bishop and seminary dean. He is recognized as a spiritual leader in the Anglican Communion. He and his wife Barbara led the clergy conference a few years ago. They were wonderfully received and this is the first opportunity we have been able to get him back. The December date became more desirable because of the events filling the fall calendar.

The Standing Committee agreed to a brief sabbatical for me (Oct-Nov) and for Bp Dave (Dec-Jan). We both appreciate this time to pray, study and reflect.

Bishop Ed Salmon, just retired of South Carolina, will be the main presenter at an overnight Conference for Clergy on Nov 2 and 3. Wives and husbands are welcome as well. Bp Salmon led that diocese in a way that is a model for every diocese in our church and Bishop Bill has invited him to come and share his experience with the clergy of Albany.

On Saturday, Nov 4, Bishop Salmon will make a condensed presentation to interested laity of the Diocese.

Correction: the Operation Backpack at Calvary church was led by the Quackenbush family. The appreciation can be seen in the lead item on the school website: www.canajoharieschools.org.

Friday, is the final day of prep for Bishop William Love’s consecration as Bishop-Coadjutor and IX Bishop of Albany. Carol Drummond and Mickie Thomas have labored endlessly. Dean Vang is overseeing on the most magnificent liturgical events in the Anglican tradition. The brass from Boston, the combined consecration choir, the vested clergy and visiting bishops will make this a splendid day in the history of our Diocese.

Friday, the final rehearsal for the Liturgy of Consecration/Ordination will be at 2pm. Subsequently principals in the service, Father Love’s family, members of the Standing Committee, Trustees and Diocesan Council along with the Deans will gather at Christ the King for Solemn Evensong, with Bishop Harold Miller as the Preacher. Dinner will follow in the Holy Trinity Dining Room.

On Saturday, the Liturgy will begin promptly at 1:00pm. Participants should arrive by noon. Suggest that you enter the site by using Interstate 797 taking the Empire Plaza exit. Underground parking is available for $2. Occupants of vehicles must have photo ID. No food or any beverage is permitted in the convention center. Water fountains are available. (Reminder: The Consecration is at the Empire State Convention Center, not the Pepsi Arena.)

The Reception to greet Bishop Love will follow directly after the Mass, at the Cathedral, which is a brief walk from the Convention Center. Light refreshments will be served.

Please keep Bp-elect Bill, his wife Karen, and children Chris and Katie in your prayers. Also, all those who will be traveling for the consecration, including our Presiding Bishop.

LORD JESUS, by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free; you are the Savior of the world. Enable us to see that the way of the Cross is the way of life and give us the willingness to take up our cross and follow you. Amen.

In Christ,
+ Dan

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