News

Congregational consultant team gathers

Apr 17, 2008 – 4:51 pm

The Rev. Canon Kristi Philip and the Rev. Elizabeth Hasen discuss one of their case studies at the recent meeting of congregational development consultants

Congregational development consultants gathered April 14-15  at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center in Spokane to begin the development and training for a diocesan  congregational development program. Facilitated by Betsy Greenman, retired Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Olympia, the group learned about various needs, methods and resources for working with congregations and participated in several guided case studies.

The consulting team grew from a mandate from Diocesan Council and Bishop Waggoner to build a congregational development program in the Diocese. At  its September  meeting, the Council adopted a report from the Mission Strategy Committee which highlighted the need  to assist congregations with articulating and implementing  their mission and vision.

Bishop Waggoner told the consulting group that a strong healthy diocese requires strong healthy congregations and reaffirmed the diocesan mandate of building “growing, dynamic communities of faith”.

In the next few months the consults with gather again for further training.  A survey has also  been prepared for clergy and wardens to assess their  congregations’ current strengths and priorities  for consulting or assistance. The survey will be made available  later this month.

Consultants will begin active work with in congregations later this year.

The team includes Bob Reilly, Wenatchee;  Bob Alexander,  Yakima;  Jan McCall, Pasco;  Lisa Stagaman, Spokane;  Bev Coram, Spokane;  Bryan Krislock, Spokane; the Rev. Paul Lebens-Englund, Spokane;  the Rev. Elizabeth Hasen, Spokane;  the Rev. Canon Holladay Sanderson, Moses Lake and Cheney, and the Rev. Canon Kristi Philip, Spokane.

For more information about this program please contact  Canon  Philip at kristip@spokanediocese.org or 509.624.3191.

Bishop’s update on Lambeth

Apr 10, 2008 – 7:52 pm

Bishop WaggonerWe asked Bishop Waggoner to share his own plans and hopes for the Lambeth Conference 2008. More information will be posted on this site in the near future.

To Our Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Gloria and I will be attending the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England, this summer. It will be my first time and I will go in the hope and anticipation of genuine benefits to be derived from bringing together the Bishops of the Anglican Communion.

While I recognize there are justified reasons to question attendance, I shall go encouraged by the design, which includes retreat time, Bible study, prayer, worship, and regular opportunities to learn from those different from ourselves.

My own prayer is that we will engage one another in a spirit of humility and take advantage of this rare privilege for establishing and renewing relationships across the globe and for building networks for the mission God has given us all in Christ.

During the past two years the Archbishop of Canterbury has said more than once that he earnestly hopes the conference will enable bishops to more effectively equip the people of God for their ministries. May this be so throughout the world. That in itself will make it worth the trip.

Review: Honoring Motherhood: Prayers, Ceremonies & Blessings

Apr 10, 2008 – 7:43 pm

Cover for the book \

When God commanded us to honor our mothers and fathers, he (some might say “she”) probably didn’t envision our contemporary observances of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Yet the months of May and June bring us special opportunities to reflect on our mothers and fathers, on those who have been like mothers and fathers to us, on our own mother- and father-like relationships with the children in our lives.

We know only too well that not all parent-child relationships are loving, gentle, or supportive, and that mothers and fathers cannot protect their children from pain and death. Our daily news, our sacred scriptures and our own experiences remind us of this on a regular basis.

Lynn Caruso has crafted a strong and lovely book in which we see motherhood – and by extension fatherhood – portrayed in all its beauty and promise, as well as its uncertainty and loss. Birth mothers, adoptive mothers, step mothers, foster mothers, god mothers, non-mothers all have an honored place here. A sense of humility, realism, and love permeates these writings – writings old and new, by men and by women, by the famous and not so famous, writings born from great joy as well as great sorrow.

The book is divided into seven sections, beginning with “Tilling the Soil: Honoring Our Maternal Ancestors” and concluding with “Sowing the Seeds: The Power of a Mother’s Love.” In between we move through the seasons of the year, including “Summer: A Season of Growth and Transformation” – where we find Gloria Waggoner’s poem for her grown sons – and “Winter: A Season of Loss.” It is a journey worth taking, and Caruso introduces us to excellent companions.

Gloria Waggoner has copies of the book for sale in Rosa Gallica; contact Gloria at 509-954-4328 or gloriaw@spokanediocese.org.

Lewiston congregation makes every meal count – at least twice

Apr 10, 2008 – 12:58 pm

When Church of the Nativity in Lewiston hosted our Diocesan Social Justice and Outreach Ministries Commission in June of 2007, Nativity’s Outreach Committee used the occasion to raise funds for KIVA (www.kiva.org), doing microfinance in developing countries. A wonderful Mexican lunch was prepared for the visitors who donated what they would have spent in a restaurant, bringing in $137. Nativity matched this to provide a generous start-up loan for entrepreneurs seeking to help themselves out of poverty.  

In September this Nativity team continued by hosting a community spaghetti supper; guests brought a “dinner-sized” donation (see Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation: www.e4gr.org) to raise money for the education of Eric, a Lewis-Clark State College student athlete from Kenya, and young triplets in Uganda. The education expenses ($1200 per year) of Denis, Isaac and Jacob have been funded by Nativity for several years  Raising the boys alone, their mother, Cecilia, is working to complete her own teacher training.

Nativity’s Jenny Ruppel, who has served on SJOM and Nativity’s MDG Committee, stated: “We are so wealthy, and so much of the world is poor. It’s time to get our community more involved in the reality of the global community. One way to understand the condition of our world brothers and sisters is to look in their eyes and provide what we can.” A helpful resource for their parish has been “What Can One Person Do? Faith to Heal a Broken World” (Alkire and Newell, Church Publishing, 2005). Internet resources have also provided something for every interest, passion and level of commitment. The Outreach Committee is committed to raising the equivalent of .7% of Nativity’s budget for MDG-related projects.

Nominations for Diocesan Office

Apr 10, 2008 – 12:54 pm

When Diocesan Convention convenes on October 17 at St. John’s Cathedral, elections for key diocesan offices will be an essential part of Convention business. These officers follow through on decisions made at Convention and manage diocesan affairs during the year.

Do you know of someone who might be interested in serving the Diocese? Would a suggestion from you be appropriate? Perhaps you would like to use your own skills for the wider church? Learn more about how your Diocese functions with other like-minded persons by participating in Diocesan affairs. Those interested are encouraged to self nominate or, if preferred, be nominated by another with the nominee’s permission.

Visit the nominations website to nominate someone or to find out more information about the positions that are open.

New endowment established for Camp Cross

Feb 25, 2008 – 6:32 pm

The McClanahan’sDetermination and sure commitment have been at the foundation of Ed and Joyce McClanahan’s lifelong passions. These happily include Camp Cross, where they met, and where Ernie Campbell performed their wedding ceremony.

Joyce says, “We are a Camp Cross family. Our six children have all attended multiple times, and our son, Paul Meyer, spent three wonderful summers working at camp. Another son who lives in the area has begun taking his young family to camp.”

When Joyce and Ed made their decisions about which charities to support this past year, they immediately thought of Camp Cross. Their gift of $5,000 establishes the Camp Cross Endowment, which will eventually help fund the camp through perpetual earnings.

“We support Camp Cross for the unique opportunity it presents as a place quite literally set apart from daily life,” says Joyce. “I love the feeling of magic that starts with the boat crossing. It’s emotionally and psychologically a meaningful, stage-setting experience. It presents a threshold to cross into a sacred place.”

“The Camp Cross experience is a blessing for every person in the Diocese, especially the young who are so open to new life and for those who can ‘lift their eyes.’ ”

Joyce and Ed McClanahan believe that we all deserve the magic of Camp Cross. “Magic happens with such ingredients as singing and roasting marshmallows over a fire by the lake, or in the dining hall on a rainy night; adding pieces to a picture puzzle;playing games; working together on a project to improve camp; taking a hike; participating in sports; trying to pass the canoe test; making a dash to the ‘greenhouse’ at night and finding the way back in the dark; comforting and being comforted by friends; sharing stories; and singing table grace. It’s the magic of sharing joy and praise in His Creation.”

The Camp Cross Endowment represents a new way to invest in the future of our Church. If you would like information about contributing to the Endowment, or to the Camp Cross Annual Fund, please contact the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane Foundation at (509) 624-3191 or foundation@spokanediocese.org.

Back from Belize

Feb 23, 2008 – 6:37 pm

“What is snow like?” was one of the most frequently asked questions by the Belizean children. Ralph Schmidt (Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Spokane Valley), one of the Diocese of Spokane participants in this year’s mission trip, noted that the children were shivering when the temperature dropped below 75 degrees.

Others from our diocese included Mike Henneberry, Dan and Joanne Cenis (St. Stephen’s, Spokane), Blythe Marney (Holy Trinity, Spokane), Kay Surles (St. James’, Pullman), and Bob and Joan Reilly (St. Luke’s, Wenatchee).The group of eight joined 38 other volunteer workers who spent a January week in Dangriga, a poor community on the southern coast of the Diocese of Belize in the Province of the West Indies. Other dioceses represented on the trip were Montana, Nevada, Olympia, and Texas.

In addition to screening for medical and dental needs and providing care to more than 750 patients, the medical team went into emergency room mode when seven victims of a tragic auto accident were rushed into the clinic. Although two victims died, and the equipment was minimal, the experienced team members and local doctor were able to stabilize the others, preventing further tragedy.

Volunteers also set up a computer lab, replaced a rotting roof on the local school, and completed other repairs. Churches contributing books, school supplies, medical supplies, and funds to the trip included St. James’, Pullman, St. Stephen’s, Spokane, and the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Spokane Valley. Holy Cross Anglican School now has a Resurrection Hall, named in honor of the Spokane Valley congregation.

Small but mighty community and congregation feed hundreds

Feb 1, 2008 – 11:57 am

Preparing grocery bagsVolunteers from the St. James Episcopal Church Food Bank collected $698.87 in cash donations and 625 pounds of food at Brewster Marketplace on a Monday and Tuesday in late November.

“People were extremely generous,” food bank director Mike Lundstrom said. “We are absolutely thrilled with the donations. We plan to make this an annual Thanksgiving event. The cash donations, the generosity of the folks at Brewster Marketplace who supplied turkeys although our budget only allowed for chickens, and a $300 gift from the congregation at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, allowed us to provide turkeys to our food bank families this year.”

In addition to the turkeys, food bank families received ingredients for a Thanksgiving dinner. 473 individuals from 141 households were served.

The ecumenical community food bank, located in the basement of St. James’ Church in the northwest corner of the Diocese, provides food and clothing to the needy from 9 to 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. Anyone is eligible to receive assistance.
For more information, telephone 509-689-2823.

St. James’, Brewster, joins international Jubilee Center network

Feb 1, 2008 – 11:53 am

Jubilee CenterSt. James Episcopal Church Food Bank, Brewster, Washington, was designated a Jubilee Center of the Episcopal Church by resolution of the Church’s Executive Council in late October, 2007. St. James, a congregation of seven active communicants, has operated this ecumenical food bank for fifty years and is a member of a consortium of food banks and emergency service providers in Okanogan County.In announcing the honor, the Executive Council commended and affirmed St. James’ ministry “that reaches out to the poor and oppressed, that attempts to empower people, that is willing to advocate for them, and dares to share the Gospel and the love of God in an unconditional manner.”

St. James’ joins the food bank at St. Matthew’s, Prosser, and the Jubilee Ministries of St. Luke’s, Coeur d’Alene, as diocesan Jubilee Centers. For information about becoming a Jubilee Center, contact Robert Runkle, Diocesan Jubilee Officer, at rrunkle@gmail.com.

New Christian Formation Network Coordinator Appointed

Feb 1, 2008 – 11:38 am

Jan McCallJan McCall of All Saints’, Richland, has been named head of the Christian Education Network by Bishop Waggoner. She succeeds Michelle Klippert of St. John’s Cathedral.

In making the appointment, Bishop Waggoner also expressed his appreciation for Klippert’s work: “We have been fortunate in having Michelle leading and supporting the Christian Education and Formation ministry for and with young people in this diocese. Michelle is a gifted and deeply committed educator whose natural, caring presence and knowledge are inviting and inspiring to younger members, specifically, and to all who work with her. She is tireless in her efforts and exemplifies what it means to help others ‘grow in faith’ in Christian community.”

In McCall’s new role, she is available to consult with congregations about their Christian Formation programs and help develop ministries. She said she begins by helping leaders develop a vision for formation and then forming short- and long-term goals. After that work is done, decisions are made about curriculum and other resources that put the plan into action.

“Every church is different,” she said. “What works in one might not work in another.”

McCall brings a long history in Christian Formation to this work. She has taught at virtually every age level and has been a youth leader. She was Christian Education Director at All Saints’, Richland, for 6 years and served as a member of the diocesan Christian Education group for 10 years. She has also served at Camp Cross for 11 years, both as a program leader and as the camp nurse.

She is a certified trainer for the diocesan sexual abuse prevention program and is also a graduate of Education for Ministry, an extension program of the School of Theology of the University of the South. She is currently a member of Diocesan Council, and serves on Council’s Christian Formation committee.

McCall has consulted with three churches so far: St. Paul’s, Kennewick; St. James’, Pullman; and St. Timothy’s, Yakima. She hopes to add other consultants to her team eventually, but will be the sole consultant for a while.

She can be reached at jlmccall@eltopia.com.