Episcopal Press and News
Diocesan Digest
Episcopal News Service. June 17, 2005 [061705-4-A]
* NAVAJOLAND- - Bishop Kimsey named acting bishop of Navajoland Area Mission
* SOUTHERN VIRGINIA - - Bishop Gallagher named assistant bishop in the Diocese of Newark
* LOS ANGELES - - Epiphany Parish, East Los Angeles, becomes city cultural/historic landmark: Neighborhood church was a base for civil rights leader Cesar Chavez
* WESTERN MICHIGAN - - Churches work with Habitat for Humanity during the Jimmy Carter Work Project : Armenian Church leaders announce new partnership to build Habitat homes
NAVAJOLAND AREA MISSION -- Bishop Kimsey named acting bishop of Navajoland Area Mission
- - The Rt. Rev. Rustin Kimsey, retired bishop of Eastern Oregon, has been named acting bishop of the Navajoland Area Mission at their 29th annual convocation held at St. Luke's in the Desert at Carson's Post, New Mexico, June 10-12. A covenant agreement outlining his duties -- similar to those of an active diocesan bishop -- was unanimously approved. It was also approved by Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold. The convocation was the first since the death of the Rt. Rev. Steven T. Plummer, the first Navajo bishop in the Episcopal Church. Kimsey, who has spent time in Navajoland since his retirement worked closely with Plummer, who died in April after a long battle with cancer. Kimsey served as volunteer clergy at Good Shepherd, Fort Defiance, in the fall of 2001 and returned there in 2003. The vision of both bishops is for a church which blends traditional Navajo culture with Anglican traditions, and which encourages indigenous leadership. Kimsey was not able to attend convocation because of a long-standing agreement to lead a Celtic spirituality workshop and tour. The covenant was presented to the convocation by Bishop Mark MacDonald of Alaska, who formerly served as a priest at Good Shepherd. Kimsey, in a prepared statement, said that he believes that "something wonderful is about to happen to Christ's church in Navajoland."
Full story by Dick Snyder
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SOUTHERN VIRGINIA - - Bishop Gallagher named assistant bishop in the Diocese of Newark
[ENS, Source: Diocese of Southern Virginia] - -
The Rt. Rev. Carol Joy Gallagher, Bishop Suffragan of the diocese of Southern Virginia, has been named assistant bishop in the Diocese of Newark beginning September 1. Gallagher will work collaboratively with the Rt. Rev. John Croneberger and other senior staff members. "We are pleased that Bishop Gallagher will have this new opportunity to share her many gifts for ministry with the people of Newark. We wish her well in her new position," said Bishop David C. Bane, Jr. "She and her family will remain in our prayers as she begins her new ministry." A farewell service for Gallagher will be held on June 29, at the Bruton Parish at 4:30 pm. The entire diocese is invited to come celebrate her ministry.
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LOS ANGELES - - Epiphany Parish, East Los Angeles, becomes city cultural/historic landmark: Neighborhood church was a base for civil rights leader Cesar Chavez
--The Church of the Epiphany -- a base for civil rights leader Cesar Chavez and a congregation which dates from 1886 with the oldest existing Episcopal church building in Los Angeles -- was designated a historical and cultural landmark June 15 at a meeting of the Los Angeles City Council.
Los Angeles Bishop Jon Bruno, Bishop Suffragan Chester Talton, Bishop Assistant Sergio Carranza and Canon Lydia Lopez were on hand for the presentation by City Councilman Ed Reyes, who also introduced the Rev. Will Wauters, present rector of Epiphany.
In his presentation, Reyes, who attended youth programs at Epiphany during his childhood, noted that the church is a significant example of Craftsman style. It was designed by Arthur Benton, whose work also included the Mission Inn in Riverside and All Saints' Episcopal Church in the Montecito section of Santa Barbara. Even more than its historic building, Reyes said, is the ministry carried out by the church and its important contribution to life in Los Angeles.
The church was a major center of organization for the Chicano community, and frequently hosted Cesar Chavez, and members of the farm workers' union as they lobbied for fair pay and better working conditions. The farmworkers' far-reaching newsletter, La Raza, was printed at the church.
In the 1980s, Epiphany continued as a center for Latino community activism, and was a meeting place for local leaders who formed United Neighborhoods Organization (UNO), now a part of One LA. Canon Lopez, who served as president of UNO while a member of Church of the Epiphany, was one of many church members who were officers and members of the organization.
One of Epiphany's rectors who achieved the most for civil rights was the Rev. Canon John Luce, who this month marks the 50th year of his priesthood and is today a canon in residence at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York. Later rectors included the Rev. Roger Wood, now retired of Sierra Madre, California, and the Rev. William Leeson, now rector of All Saints' Church, Highland Park, Los Angeles.
The City Council recognition comes as Epiphany's congregation is working under Wauters' leadership to restore the historic church building and continue its ministry to the community. It is also developing a historical display, using photos and oral histories, about the parish and its ties to the Chicano and farm workers' movements.
"This is a church with a lot of history," said Bishop Bruno. "It's a place that's very important to our Latino community and to all of us. We need to make sure that the history is never forgotten."
A fund for the restoration of Church of the Epiphany has been established. Contributions are welcome, and may be sent to: Treasurer of the Diocese, Cathedral Center of St. Paul, 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles 90026. Please write "Epiphany Restoration Fund" in the memo line.
LA PARROQUIA DE LA EPIFANÍA DEL ESTE DE LOS ÁNGELES HA SIDO DESIGNADA MONUMENTO HISTÓRICO Y CULTURAL: Esta iglesia fue una de las bases del líder de los derechos civiles César Chávez
-- El 15 de junio, durante una reunión del City Council de la Ciudad de Los Ángeles, la Iglesia de la Epifanía fue designada monumento histórico y cultural. Esta iglesia que sirvió como una base para el líder de los derechos civiles César Chávez es una congregación episcopal establecida en 1886 y es la iglesia episcopal más antigua de Los Ángeles.
El Obispo de Los Ángeles, Revmo. Jon Bruno, el Obispo Sufragáneo Revmo. Chester Talton, el Obispo Asistente Revmo. Sergio Carranza, la Canóniga Lydia López y el actual rector de la parroquia Rev. Will Wauters estuvieron presentes durante la presentación hecha por el Consejal Ed Reyes.
Reyes, quien durante su niñez asistió a los programas para jóvenes ofrecidos por la iglesia, manifestó que el edificio es un magnífico ejemplo del estilo Craftman. El edificio fue diseñado por Arthur Benson quien también diseñó Mission Inn (Riverside) y la Iglesia Episcopal de Todos los Santos en Montecito (Santa Bárbara). Reyes agregó que, a pesar de la importancia histórica del edificio, para la ciudad de Los Ángeles lo más importante ha sido el ministerio de esta iglesia.
La iglesia ha sido un importante centro de organización para la comunidad chicana y, con
frecuencia, fue visitada por César Chávez y los miembros del sindicato de agricultores durante su lucha por salarios justos y mejoras en las condiciones laborales. La Raza, la influyente publicación del sindicato, se imprimió en esta iglesia.
Durante la década de los '80 la Epifanía fue un centro de activismo para la comunidad latina y fue uno de los sitios donde se reunieron los líderes que formaron la UNO (United Neighborhoods Organization), que ahora forma parte de ONE LA. La canóniga López, ex-presidenta de UNO fue miembro de esta iglesia y fue una de las tantas personas que fueron miembros de la iglesia y funcionarios de esta organización.
Uno de los rectores de esta Iglesia fue el Rev. Canónigo John Luce quien durante este mes cumple 50 años de ordenación sacerdotal y ahora es canónigo residencial de la Catedral de San Juan el Teólogo, en la ciudad de Nueva York. Otros rectores de la parroquia fueron: el Rev. Roger Wood, quien ahora está jubilado y vive en Sierra Madre, California y el Rev. William Leeson, quien ahora es el rector de la Iglesia de Todos los Santos en Highland Park, Los Ángeles.
Este reconocimiento llega justo cuando la congregación de La Epifanía se encuentra trabajando bajo el liderato de Wauters para poder restaurar este edificio histórico y continuar con el ministerio a la comunidad. Además, se está preparando una muestra histórica, usado fotos y relatos sobre la parroquia y su relación con los movimientos sindicales y la comunidad chicana.
El Obispo Bruno dijo: "Esta iglesia es verdaderamente histórica. Es un sitio muy importante para la comunidad Latina y para todos nosotros. Tenemos que hacer que esta historia nunca se olvide."
Se ha establecido un fondo para la restauración de la Iglesia de la Epifanía. Se apreciarán todas las contribuciones, que podrán enviarse a: Treasurer of the Diocese, Cathedral Center of St. Paul, 840 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles 90026. Por favor indique en cada cheque: Epiphany Restoration Fund.
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WESTERN MICHIGAN - - Churches work with Habitat for Humanity during the Jimmy Carter Work Project : Armenian Church leaders announce new partnership to build Habitat homes
-- Volunteers from more than 50 churches will help sponsor and build more than 40 homes during Habitat for Humanity's 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project in Michigan, June 19-24. During the annual event, thousands of volunteers will join former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, to make the dream of homeownership come true for families in need. Volunteers will complete more than 230 homes throughout Michigan and in Windsor, Canada. The Carters will build in host cities Benton Harbor and Detroit. Prior to the project, Episcopal Bishop Robert R. Gepert of the Diocese of Western Michigan and Gary Hansen of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will lead a campaign to encourage involvement from local congregations by having denominations provide seed money and matching grants. Participants include Presbyterians, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Baptists and many non-denominational churches. Also, on June 21 in Detroit, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians will preside over an announcement regarding the Armenian Church's partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build in Armenia, the United States and other countries.
For details visit: http://www.habitat.org/