Episcopal Press and News

NEWARK: Deputation tells Executive Council about diocese's diversity

Episcopal News Service. June 12, 2007 [061207-04]

Mary Frances Schjonberg

Members of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark's General Convention deputation told the Executive Council that they are proud to be part of one of the most diverse dioceses out of the Church's 110.

The deputation and Bishop Mark Beckwith, who was consecrated as the diocese's 10th bishop on January 27, described the diocese by narrating a slide show of photos with the Prayers of the People written for the diocese's most recent profile. The profile, compiled during the diocese's search for the successor to Bishop John Palmer Croneberger, was organized according to the liturgical form for Holy Eucharist.

"It is not a literal liturgical text and is not a re-writing of liturgical texts," the profile's introduction said. "It does indicate the way in which the Eucharist unites the diverse people of the Diocese of Newark with Christ and one another and empowers us to be God's people in the world. Also, it shows that we view our world, our lives, and our life together through the lens we have as Eucharistic people."

The prayers thanked God for the diocese's:

• inclusiveness of all people in the life of the Church;
• expanding inclusion and deeper knowledge, understanding, experience with, respect and affection for people of different races, ethnic heritage, sexual orientation, abilities, and economic classes;
• willingness and openness to listen to each other about issues of diversity;
• ordinations of people who represent the full diversity of humanity, including women, people of color, and GLBTI persons;
• vocational diaconate, a reborn, growing presence in the Diocese;
• continued raising up of the ministry of the laity in leadership and service;
• commitment of our treasure to support outreach programs within the Diocese as well as our commitment of 0.7% of our diocesan budget to international outreach to achieve the Millennium Development Goals;
• many vital outreach and service ministries that benefit from our energy and passion and that bring immediate help and hope to those in need; and
• relationships that are developing among us as we work toward being a more collaborative Church in the 21st century."

Among other things, the prayers sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit in:

• telling our story in your story: in being able to speak cogently and energetically about your life and your desire for us and for all people,
• deepening our effectiveness in offering spiritual formation, replenishment and strength in our congregations;
• growing in understanding and welcoming people of all cultures so that all neighbors may find lasting welcome and strength in faith communities of our Diocese;
• meaningfully engaging the lives of people outside the Church who may not have ever had connection with a faith tradition;
• paying attention to the lives of our youth ... young adults ... and campus ministries;
• confronting with strength and courage the systems in society that contribute to the increase in poverty, degradation of the environment and dehumanization of segments of our society in direct opposition to the teachings of Christ;
• helping us to create places of worship that are barrier-free and welcoming [and] including people of all abilities in our Church leadership and life; and
• revitalizing a diocesan approach to stewardship.

Kim Byham and the Very Rev. Petero Sabune, both Council members from Province II, led a presentation on the province's mission and ministry. "We are the most diverse province in the church," Sabune said.

"How they got put together, I don't know," he said, noting the province's membership, including the dioceses of Albany, Central New York, Haiti, Long Island, New Jersey, New York, Newark, Rochester, the Virgin Islands and Western New York as well as the Convocation of American Churches in Europe.

Byham, who is also part of Newark's deputation, highlighted each of the dioceses and major ministries of the province. He noted the addition of five new congregations in the European convocation and the means by which the province's members are networked for ministry.

The presentations capped the first of four days of meetings for Executive Council.