Episcopal Press and News

Cathedral Deans Meet At Disney World

Episcopal News Service. June 1, 1978 [78154]

Lydia Dorsett

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The annual gathering of North American Cathedral Deans (Anglican) is not the usual kind of meeting for churchmen. It is not concerned with institutional issues or ecclesiastical ceremony. Instead, the deans and their wives look closely at a particular grief or problem of the world and search for ways in which the Church can minister to it.

Central Florida was chosen to be the site of the 1978 meeting April 20-24. Disney World, "golden age" retirees, and fine churchmanship are very evident in that part of the country, and 47 deans, 37 wives, and 23 children had a look at all of it.

The Contemporary Hotel in the heart of Disney World was headquarters for the conference. While their parents attended meetings, the deans' children (and their parents when the meetings adjourned) went off to explore Fort Wilderness, the Magic Kingdom, boat rides, 20,000 leagues under the sea, and jamborees with some country bears.

The cathedral deans from the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, and Trinidad were joined by the dean of Lincoln Cathedral in England and the dean of the Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Paris. Host deans were the Very Rev. Leroy D. Lawson of St. Peter's Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Fla.; the Very Rev. George McCormick of Trinity Cathedral in Miami; the Very Rev. O'Kelley Whitaker of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Orlando; and the Very Rev. Don A. Wimberly of St. John's Cathedral in Jacksonville.

"The Church, Society, and Aging" was the theme of the 1978 meeting which began with a sobering look at the future.

By 2000 A. D., 50 percent of the world's population will be over 50; one-third will be over 65. Life expectancy will have increased, and the trend toward early retirement will have continued. What will this mean to the economy and politics of the United States, to the programs of the Church, to our value systems and theological concepts?

The keynote address was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Herbert C. Lazenby, Jr., president of the Episcopal Society for Ministry to the Aging and executive director of Episcopal Community Service of the Diocese of San Diego.

"Care and simple goodness to the elderly are not enough," Dr. Lazenby said. He urged the Church to give up the role of amateur psychologist and occupational therapist doing good to people who "don't want to be done for." Rather, he said, we must look at the divine plan, declare the handiwork of God, and be concerned for the relationship of individuals -- the old, young, and harried middle age. We must allow the elderly to play meaningful roles in life and join the work of completing creation with redeeming love.

"The elderly, " Dr. Lazenby said, "are starving for the Gospel. " He asked for a reevaluation of theological concepts. Our "work ethic" leads to a sense of uselessness when retirement comes; can we learn to see usefulness in leisure? Should we refine our concepts of families, of singles, of generations, and of human sexuality in every age? Are moral and ethical standards different for older people? Can the Church and the State work together to give older people options and controls in their lives?

Dr. Lazenby asked other questions:

• Where is our doctrine of loss which could enable people to accept divorce, illness, separation, and death without blaming God?
• Do we really have a doctrine of death when 156 out of 300 elderly church members do not believe in life after death?
• When the clergyman is the twelfth on the list of persons they would call in times of stress?

"Let us make no more needs assessments," Dr. Lazenby urged. "Every community has the resources which the Church needs for this work. Let us motivate older people to work for others. Be their advocate when their needs are unexpressed or ignored. Base your programs on what is needed not on what others have done.

"The Church must hold the Cross high before those who would find a vocation in age when Divine Truth softens, reconciles, forgives, and brings a new, an infinite unknown approaching life that sets us quivering with a mind-blowing, heartweeping joy."

Jean Jones Perdue, M.D., a cardiologist in her seventies and medical director for the Office of Health Services of the Department of Human Resources, State of Florida, urged the Church to be a caring community to give meaning to old age. She and a panel of older people emphasized the need of older people, rich and poor, to give to the world and remain in the stream of life. They recommended that the Church put older people to work as directors and consultants of programs and services for the elderly. They pleaded with the clergy to increase the Church's presence in hospitals, nursing homes, and retirement centers.

Ms. Arabella Martinez, assistant secretary for Human Development Services, U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, underscored the statistics for the soaring numbers of older citizens. She deplored attitudes which pit the young and middle-aged against the old. She urged compassionate people to prepare for the world which is coming into being.

Proposed revisions in government programs, Ms. Martinez reported, would enable families and churches to provide sensitive, protective, and varied care for their older members. When institutional care is necessary, the revised programs would make that care more humane. Ms. Martinez expressed the hope that the roles of government and private sectors can be articulated and that resources, technology and services can be coordinated so that no one in need will "fall through the cracks" or be turned away. She asked that concerned citizens inform the government and become involved in revisions and policy changes.

"Let us eliminate prejudices against age, get rid of stereotypes, increase compassion and efficiency, and provide an environment of respect for and gratitude to our older citizens."

A multi-media presentation, "What the Churches Are Doing," was presented by James P. Doyle and John C. Lefler of the Cathedral Foundation, Inc. (Jacksonville) and Urban Jacksonville, Inc.

A discussion period ended the working day.

On Saturday morning, the deans heeded the advice of Friday's speakers and gave some thought to their own old age. The Rt. Rev. Wilburn C. Campbell, retired Bishop of West Virginia, speaking for the Church Pension Fund, led a discussion on "Retirement and Cathedral Deans."

Sunday morning a convoy of buses carried the deans and their families into Orlando to the Cathedral Church of St. Luke. Amid trumpets, banners, exquisite vestments, and glorious voices, the vested deans worshiped at the Holy Eucharist. Con-celebrants were the four host deans. The Very Rev. Francis B. Sayre, Jr., dean emeritus of the Washington Cathedral, was preacher.

Following the service, the deans were greeted at a reception by the Cathedral congregation. Brunch aboard a river boat and an afternoon free for Disney World completed the day.

Monday morning was devoted to business of the house, and the conference adjourned at noon.

In his sermon at the Sunday Eucharist, Dean Sayre spoke of those older people who have not stopped in life to let their souls down into the well of living water. "For so many, old age is a desert where they live on, without the power to live, where purpose is sterile and existence nonsense.

"In a world of plastic alligators and hydraulic waterfalls, they yearn for the sacredness of something. Have we failed to teach them where to find the sure and lovely grace of God?

"Only Christ, the Physician of the soul, can bring back the wonder of who they are and return to them the promise of life."