Katy Dickinson

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http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20070610 Sunday June 10, 2007

Final Bishop Candidate Meeting

The final 5 hour long Bishop Candidate presentation was this afternoon. The election for the 3rd Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real (ECR) is on Saturday, 16 June. I think this week's discernment process has been moving and fascinating for all involved. Two of the candidates mentioned this in their final statements. One said that ours was the 25th meeting she had this week but that the time had gone so quickly, it was a wonderful experience, a gift for which she was grateful. Another said that the process had been a moment of grace in her life, exciting, challenging and a wonderful experience.

At each of the four meetings I have attended (16 hours in all), I learned something new about the 5 candidates. There was great variety in their level of inspiration and energy from session to session. The All Saints' (Palo Alto) lay delegates and clergy attended at least one meeting each and most went to several. Eight of us had dinner tonight after the final presentation to discuss our thoughts and evaluations.

I already wrote some of my impressions in my 9 June blog. What I have heard and seen in addition today:

  1. The Reverend Paige Blair "Effervescent Paige"
    Ministry themes include reaching the unreached, and listening

    God doesn't want us to waste any of our gifts

    Mind, body, spirit

    Spoke of holding a "U2charist" (communion service with U2 music) expecting 400 attendees and getting 800 instead (raised $4100)

    MDGs and Matthew 25: "'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' '...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"

    Sees the ECR diocese as ready to live into its potential

    I am older than I look. I am tougher than I look
  2. The Reverend David Breuer "Hometown David"
    Technological eptitude

    Being intentional, authentic

    Church is at the center of life, not its circumference

    Reciprocal authority of the Bishop comes from the community of the baptized

    Fixing deferred maintenance

    Moses as a model for leadership: look ahead to a place of new self-definition and knowledge of God's purpose for us

    Transparent church walls

    MDGs, SMUM - Make a society where it is easier to be good

    ECR is in a place of balance, of health as a result of the work of its clergy and people
  3. The Venerable Mary Gray-Reeves "Venerable Mary"
    A priest's sacramental goal is to bless and feed

    Experiencing God's grace, loving the unloveable

    The reconciling presence of Christ is bigger than our conflict, hold on to our faith in that, not onto our rightness or wrongness

    Enters the text of the Bible through the Gospels and through Jesus, her savior and saving grace
  4. The Reverend Gale Davis Morris "Grandma Gale"
    No final decision alone, out of community context, reach a decision we can all live with

    Sad that Bishops are becoming only good administrators, not pastors

    Trust, authenticity, mutual respect in diocescan relationships

    Come for the food, stay for the company

    MDGs are a worthy and faithful endeavour

    Believes in the resurrection of the diocese of ECR
  5. The Reverend John Palarine "Quiet John"
    In the diverse center of the church, committed to bringing everyone into the conversation

    Reconciler

    People feel heard, values are not compromised

    Deal with difficult issues with clergy, not just "Kumbaya" and cupcakes

    Build churches through spirituality, sharing each other's journeys

    3 phases for a youth program: create vision, raise up adult leaders, youth-lead youth ministry

Posted at 10:09PM Jun 10, 2007 by katysblog in Church  |  Comments[2]

Worship Gathering Went Well

Last night, All Saints' Episcopal Church held its first Saturday evening Worship Gathering. I was in the group that designed the event (see my 5 June 2007 blog for more). I think it went very well. 20 people came to read the Bible, discuss, sing, and pray together. Susan lead the service. My daughter Jessica lead the singing. Laura and John prepared a simple meal of two soups (fresh pea, and tomato), french bread, salad, and brownies. Laura sold the brownies to raise money for this month's Youth Mission Trip. She wanted fifty cents each for them and hoped for $8 total but we had a little auction instead and raised $46.

Over dinner, we discussed the Bishop Candidates since three of us had already been to several of the walkabout meetings this week. The last Bishop candidate presentation is tonight and many of those present at the Worship Gathering plan to attend. The Bishop election is on 16 June. Our next Worship Gathering will be on 30 June and I am the leader for it. I hope it goes as well as the first did.

Posted at 07:57AM Jun 10, 2007 by katysblog in Church  |  Comments[1]