Episcopal Press and News
Frensdorff to Serve With Navajo Church
Episcopal News Service. February 24, 1983 [83036]
The Rt. Rev. Wesley Frensdorff, Episcopal Bishop of Nevada, will serve as interim bishop for the Episcopal Church in Navajoland.
Frensdorff was asked to take the interim post -- while continuing to serve as bishop of Nevada -- by the Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, presiding bishop, following a request from the Council of the Episcopal Church in Navajoland.
Frensdorff's participation was approved by the Nevada Diocesan Council with support from Paul Chalk, diocesan treasurer and member of Executive Council, who has worked with the church in Navajoland providing financial and administrative advice.
The Episcopal Church's involvement with the Navajo dates back to the establishment at Fort Defiance, Ariz., of Chapel and Boarding School. The Rev. Philip Allen, who formerly worked with congregations in Nevada, is now at Fort Defiance.
In order to strengthen and to bring together the Navajo congregations which have since been established in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, the General Convention in 1976 established an Area Mission of Navajoland as a first step to becoming a diocese.
Funding support for the area is through Coalition-14.
In 1978 the presiding bishop appointed the Rt. Rev. Frederick Putnam, then suffragan bishop of Oklahoma, as bishop to the Navajo. Putnam retired at the end of 1982.
Because no bishop is available for full-time appointment, Frensdorff will serve on an interim basis until a full-time bishop becomes available.
Frensdorff said he was interested in the assignment because he believes "a part-time interim bishop could assist the Navajo significantly to move forward, especially if some of the funding otherwise used for a bishop could be available to bring in some other resources for education and training of local leadership."
He said elements of the Nevada experience with Total Ministry development may be shared with the Navajo in identifying and developing the ministries of the church members.
Frensdorff said he anticipates the Diocese of Nevada will be compensated for his time working with the Navajo. He estimates the assignment will take about a quarter of his time.
The compensation will help strengthen the Total Ministry program in Nevada, including assistance for the Rev. Phina Borgeson, coordinator of the program.
In his newsletter announcement about the assignment, Frensdorff wrote, "Let us rejoice together at this opportunity for inter-dependence in the Body of Christ."