SUMMER 2008 PASTORAL LETTER Close this page to return |
| "So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth, it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it". Isaiah 55: 11. As we leave to join Bishops from the Thirty Eight Provinces of the Anglican Communion meeting at Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, in England, may the words of Isaiah 55:11 give us hope that in spite of all we will hear, God's word still stands. The Lambeth gathering is not a legislative body like our General Convention. It is a gathering of bishops for consultation and conversation. This gathering of bishops constitutes one of the four Instruments of Communion for the Anglican Communion, the other three Instruments being The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Anglican Consultative Council: bishops, clergy and laity from across the Communion, and the meeting of the Thirty Eight Primates. While there is much discussion in the media about human sexuality, it will not be a major discussion item of the conference. Your bishop will leave the Diocese on July 14, 2008 and return on August 4, 2008. Pray for us. We have begun the second half of the Year 2008 following a history-making event in each of our three deaneries. All of us in this Diocese had an opportunity to experience history in the making with the ordination of five women to the vocational and transitional Diaconate. They are: Elaine Francis, Ann Russell, and Dolores Gumbs (Vocational); Sandra Malone and Erminie George (Transitional). What does all this mean for the Diocese? To most of The Episcopal Church, the Diocese has finally joined the rest of the Church in ordaining women to Holy Orders. What will be the outcome of these ordinations for the Diocese is left to be experienced by all of us as the newly ordained become fully engaged in the work of mission and ministry. Of equal importance, there were also three men ordained to the vocational and transitional Diaconate; namely, Basil Bartlett (Vocational); Gregory Gibson and Dr. Wesley Williams (Transitional). They, too, will become fully engaged in the work of mission and ministry. Thanks to all those who were instrumental in the ministry formation of the new deacons, and to The Rev. Cora Saunders, Dean Gibbs and Ruth Beagles who spent time in retreat with the Deacons. Already we are in conversation with Rev. Saunders as to the next course of continuing education for all the Transitional Deacons before their ordination to the priesthood. Thank you also to the Regional Deans and their sub committees who labored tirelessly to bring to fruition the events of each ordination day. We also remember the office staff who worked behind the scenes with the paper work in preparation for that day. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Most of the deacons will remain in the congregations where they were assigned prior to their ordinations, but a few will be reassigned. On St Croix Deacon Delores, who had served unsupervised at Holy Cross prior to her ordination, will be assigned St Paul's Church to work with Fr. Thompson. Deacons Sandra and Erminie will be at St Paul's, Sea Cow Bay and St. George's, Road Town, Tortola. Deacon Basil will remain at St. Andrew's, and Deacon Ann will remain at St Georges' when she returns to the Island. Deacons Elaine and Wesley will remain at All Saints. Deacon Gregory's assignment fell through and he presently does not have an assignment. Until Deacon Gregory is assigned to a full time position, or is transferred to another diocese, he will assist with the Sunday services at St Ursula and Nazareth. As of June 1, 2008, Canon Julian and Esther Clarke have taken up residence in the VI (UK) where Canon Clarke will serve as full time Vicar of St. Paul's Sea Cow Bay. He will remain the Canon to the Ordinary. After many years without full time clergy, on August 1, 2008 Fr. Stedwart Lee will become the Priest at Holy Cross. The celebration of a New Ministry will take place on August 31, 2008 at 2:30pm. Beginning September 1, 2008 Fr. William & Cynthia Potter will take up residence on St. John where Fr. Potter will become Vicar of St. Ursula and Nazareth. He will also serve as the Administrator of St. Ursula's Senior Center. Fr. Potter will come to us from Hope, New Jersey where he served as Rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church and Executive Director of Haven of Hope for Kids, a ministry he developed for children from low income families. Other developments in the Diocese consist of a possible new assignment in the Diocesan Office. A young man, Roger Speer, visited the Diocese recently with an interest in our youth ministry position which was advertised in the Episcopal Church Deployment Bulletin. Roger visited St. Croix and met with representatives for the deanery youth committee. He also met with the youth representatives of St Andrew's Church. The experience seemed to have been a positive one and Roger plans to return to the Diocese in August. In addition to Roger's Youth Ministry back ground, he brings a much needed and sought after skill to the office, web designing. Please pray for Roger's return. As the summer surrounds us, may we all be mindful of Jesus' challenge to his followers to withdraw from the business of life and take a Sabbath rest. Some time after my return from the Lambeth Conference, I will share information from the Conference with you. + Ambrose |