NEWSLETTER OF THE CHAPEL OF THE CROSS - June 2007
Theological Education
In This Issue:
- Theological Education for Laity
- From the Rector
- Vestry Actions
- Capital Campaign Cabinet is Launched
- Deacon Formation
- A Fine Example of Theological Education: An Educator's Opinion
- Seminary Education
- Adult Education at the Chapel of the Cross
- Parish Mission Statement
- ABC Sale - Thank You
- A Critical Step towards Achieving the Millennium Development Goals
- New Options for Cross Roads and Liturgical Calendar Delivery
- Camp MeadowWood
- Adult Education Opportunities - June 2007
- Mark Your Calendar
- June Programs & Meetings
- June Service Schedule
Theological Education for Laity
Frances Widmann
It was easier in the old days. When God wanted to convey knowledge or commands to someone, He spoke directly, and the recipient knew what he (nearly always a man) was expected to do. Nowadays, we find it difficult to understand God's will, let alone to practice it. Lacking direct communication, we look where we can for inspiration and enlightenment.
The term theology means, literally, the study (-ology) of god (theos). The Episcopal Church offers the adult laity several routes of instruction-intellectual, spiritual, or both-to what can broadly be considered theology. The most extensive of these demand a serious level of commitment, both of time and of personal discipline. A number of sponsoring organizations in our area offer conferences and retreats, that allow participants to concentrate attention on a limited topic for a limited time. Here at the Chapel of the Cross, we have the geographic good fortune that auditing formal courses at Duke Divinity School, or the philosophy departments of Duke and UNC is a possibility for interested individuals.
Sewanee, The University of the South, in Sewanee, TN, which is both an undergraduate college and an Episcopal seminary, is a leader in off-site theological education. Their two most widely known programs are Education for Ministry (EFM) and Disciples of Christ in Community (DOCC). Sewanee provides leadership training for lay presenters and facilitators, as well as written curriculum material and a range of printed and taped topical offerings. EFM is a four-year program that guides participants toward deepening their faith and their confidence to live in the world as Christ's ministers. DOCC, which was founded in 1975 in New Orleans but is now under Sewanee sponsorship, is a shorter program, typically 21 sessions that include a 30-minute topical presentation followed by small-group sessions.
In EFM, a group of 6 to 12 participants meets weekly to discuss designated program materials with a mentor, who may be clergy or lay. Although the full program takes four years, participants commit themselves one year at a time, at the start of each year. The full curriculum covers Old Testament, New Testament, Church history, liturgy, theology, and ways of deepening understanding of and faith in the Christian heritage. The Chapel of the Cross has, in recent years, had two EFM groups with a lay person as mentor, and four in which the Rev. Tammy Lee was mentor. Chapel of the Cross participants, on completing EFM programs, have lived more fully into their baptismal covenant in many ways, including the ordained ministry, secular programs in the community, and promoting spiritual education of others.
Rather than formal education, DOCC emphasizes individual discipleship, aiming specifically to assist the individual to experience deeper spiritual life. Though sessions start with a formal presentation, the more significant part is small-group discussion of the topic's significance to the individuals, a communal exercise through which each participant learns active listening and the soul-expanding experience of being part of a caring community. Through learning the basics of faith and enhancing skills in prayer, listening, and communication, participants increase their commitment to Christ and to the community. Teams consist of a presenter and two or more facilitators, all of whom have attended training sessions targeted to the goals and methods of the program. There have not been any recent DOCC groups at the Chapel of the Cross.
Information about EFM and DOCC is available on the Internet through the web site for Sewanee (sewanee.edu).
Closer to home are the offerings of the Servant Leadership School, an interdenominational program supported by Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro. Part of their definition is as follows: "Servant leadership, as a radical redefinition of power and the nature of leadership, offers a compelling model for contemporary Christian living and a spiritual path that connects faith with daily life...explor[ing] central themes of…communion, community, compassion, call [co-creation]…money and power." Parishioner John Vernon, who has been active for several years in the Greensboro program, describes the process as: "...making the paradigm shift of coming to realize the cultural addictions we've bought into, the construction of a false self to succeed in the life 'of the world', [and then] surrendering ourselves to God in a radical trust that he still loves us and will raise us up to serve him, and regain more of what makes up our 'true self', i.e., his creation."
Basic to all the school's offerings is the 10-week introductory "Servant Leadership 1" course, upon which builds a broad range of courses taught by the 11 faculty members, whose fields include ordained ministry, psychology, philosophy, social work, and counseling. Since 2005, the Greensboro School, the Chapel of the Cross, and the Johnson Intern Program have collaborated to offer several sessions of "Servant Leadership 1" in Chapel Hill, in which about 30 people have participated. Earlier this year the same joint effort made it possible for 12 people, who had already experienced "Servant Leadership 1," to participate locally in "Call-Discerning Our Piece of God's Dream." Another session of "Servant Leadership 1" is planned for Fall 2007.
John Vernon (jvernon2@nc.rr.com) will be happy to share information about the Servant Leadership program; the school's web site is servantleadergreensboro.com. Johnson Intern Program Director Susan Gladin (sgladin@thechapelofthecross.org) has information about the Fall 2007 local class.
There are two sources, among others, for short, focused consideration of specific topics. The Diocese of North Carolina's School of Ministry (episdionc.com), several of whose programs have been used at the Chapel of the Cross, also has programs for individuals to complete as their time permits. Kanuga Conference Center (kanuga.org), located in the mountains of NC, offers a year-round schedule of conferences.
From the Rector
Dear Friends,
In the baptismal service, the parents and godparents are asked if they will help the child they present "grow into the full stature of Christ." This question focuses on the important "formative years," the first several decades when a child makes the journey into adulthood. The time and energy and commitment of the parents and of the Church are rightly devoted during these critical years to fostering this important growth in faith.
But the baptismal service's developmental notion of growing into the fullness of Christ goes well beyond this initial formation. Becoming all that God creates us to be is a lifelong task, which is completed only when we depart this life for a greater shore. Even those of us who are teaching our children or our grandchildren are continuing to learn how to love God and to love our neighbor. No matter what age we are, as long as we live, we do not graduate, we do not become satisfied with how much we have grown into the fullness of Christ.
That is why it is important for all the baptized to make use of educational opportunities, to grow in loving God with all our heart and soul and mind and our neighbor as ourselves. Whether we are called to lay or ordained ministry in the Church and in the community, we are all to continue to develop in our faith and to let the Divine in us flourish and become more fruitful.
In this issue you will read more about theological education. This is a high priority in the Episcopal Church, for young and old, for ordained and lay. More and different programs are being developed to help us learn more about God and about our identity and mission as God's children and about how we are to fulfill that relationship and call. Significant resources, such as 1% of congregational budgets for seminary education and other financial resources to fund educational positions and programs, are allocated to create and support these opportunities.
I hope as you read and learn more about the educational and formational aspects of the Church's ministry, you will be inspired to participate in ways that will help you and all of us to "grow into the full stature of Christ."
- Stephen
Vestry Actions
At its meeting on April 19, the vestry:
Capital Campaign Cabinet is Launched
Ted Vaden, Communications Sub-Committee Chair
Planning for the future of the Chapel of the Cross has moved into a new phase with the creation of a Campaign Cabinet to launch and oversee a fund-raising campaign for the Chapel of the Cross Master Plan.
As authorized by the vestry in March, the cabinet will plan and oversee the effort to raise $15 million for the new facilities - a fellowship hall and improved space for Christian education, church programs, and staff offices.
Heading the campaign as co-chairs are Reid and Margaret Conrad, parishioners since 1993, who have been active in the life of the parish. Reid has worked in the software industry for 20 years and is currently CEO of Near-Time. He is committed to encouraging entrepreneurism and serves as the Chairman of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development. He has served on the Personnel, Next Step, and Finance Committees and currently serves as parish treasurer. Margaret has taught in the church school, served on the Long-Range Planning Committee, as co-chair of the ABC Sale, and is now serving on the Children and Family Ministries Committee and as chair of the parish's Youth Committee. She works part-time for the Campaign Network and serves on the boards of the Women's Center and the Public School Foundation. The many offerings of the Chapel of the Cross have been crucial in the growth of their three children - from baptisms to confirmation, Church School, Junior Choir, EYC, and, "...most importantly, that they have a spiritual home where they are known and loved," says Margaret. "We are honored and excited to be a part of this effort to ensure that future generations will find fellowship, spiritual sustenance, and a call to service."
Creation of the cabinet is the next step following completion of a feasibility study by the parish's consultants, Whitney Jones and Associates. After a survey of parishioners last fall and winter, Jones recommended:
The campaign cabinet had a planning meeting on April 22. David Ross and Whitney Jones discussed the organization, volunteer leadership, and timetable for the campaign. David, a professional fund-raiser, will coordinate the campaign with the initial assistance of Whitney Jones and Associates.
There will be an early advanced gifts phase, followed by a parish-wide campaign likely to start in early 2008. The campaign is expected to last 18-24 months. The total fund-raising goal may be adjusted based on the success of the advanced gifts phase.
A high priority will go to educating and informing members of the parish early and often throughout the campaign. This process began with the 19 Parish Dialogue sessions held in parishioners' homes over the winter and will continue through various communications avenues, including an update in every monthly issue of Cross Roads. A Communications Sub-committee of the Campaign Cabinet will oversee that process.
The next meeting of the cabinet will be June 12, 5:00 pm, at the church. A smaller group, or "Kitchen Cabinet," met on May 22.
The cabinet is eager to receive your input. Please contact the co-chairs Reid and Margaret Conrad (reidconrad@mac.com; maconrad@mac.com) (call office for number). In addition, you may contact David Ross (rjkinc@mindspring.com); (call office for number) or me (tvaden@nc.rr.com) (call office for number).
Deacon Formation
The Ven. Dr. William H. Joyner, Deacon
Deacons are ordained in the Episcopal Church to "a special ministry of servanthood directly under the bishop...to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely," according to the Book of Common Prayer. But deacons are not normally paid by the church, often having other employment. Their service in the liturgy - proclaiming the gospel, preparing the table, sending forth the people - mirrors their service in the world, "to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself."
Deacons also are not trained, or "formed," with the normal seminary education that priests receive - their secular employment usually makes this impossible, and they are being prepared for a ministry different from that of priests. Deacons in the Diocese of North Carolina, after the discernment of their vocation at the parish and diocesan levels and by the Bishop, enter a two-year Deacon Formation Program. The program meets at the Episcopal Center at Duke, and participants take two classes each fall and two classes each spring. Classes are taught by local divinity school faculty members, priests, and deacons. Classes meet six times each semester, on the morning and afternoon of a Saturday at three-week intervals.
To meet the educational requirements of the canons of the Church, classes in the formation program are Theology, Pastoral Care, Anglican Church History, Christian Social Ethics, Old Testament, New Testament, Liturgy, and the Ministry of Deacons. Participants meet on the assigned Saturdays for fellowship for an hour, and then have a morning two-hour class, lunch together, and a two-hour afternoon class. There are assignments and an examination at the end of the program. Successful completion of the formation program classes is one of the factors taken into account by the Commission on Ministry of the diocese, the diocesan Standing Committee, and the Bishop, all of whom must give final approval for ordination.
The Deacon Formation Program of this diocese also has served as a resource for candidates for ordination from the Diocese of East Carolina, the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, and the Diocese of Southern Virginia. If there is space, lay people may also take the classes offered by the program.
The Diocese of North Carolina has a strong program for deacons; in the fall there will be eight postulants and candidates for ordination in the formation program!
A Fine Example of Theological Education: An Educator's Opinion
Gretchen Jordan, Christian Education Director
"Theological reflection is faith seeking understanding"
- John Westerhoff
Every Tuesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30, a faithful group of seekers meets in the parish library to engage in study of and reflection on the Bible. Marion Baker tells me that Lib Taylor and Mary Harris were taking classes through the Duke Divinity School Lay Academy taught by the still popular Dr. Mickey Efird and decided the parish needed its own Bible class. They issued an invitation through the bulletin and what is now the Mary Harris Bible Class was born. Charlie Browning reports that when he joined the group in 1987, some of the New Testament books had been the source of study but that someone suggested that the group go back to Genesis and read through the entire Bible. Still in their first reading 20 years later, this class is currently studying and reflecting on 1 Peter.
As these faithful seekers attempt to understand God as revealed in the Bible and manifested in their daily lives, they till the soil continuously, overturning just about every stone there is to overturn! In a recent session which began with reading 1 Peter 3: 1-4, a lively and in-depth discussion ensued for the full hour as members sought to understand the relevancy of these verses for those receiving the words in the first century as well as the relevancy of the verses for us today. Digging into the historical context to learn what the writings meant to the people of the time, some member always enters with a Bible companion. Barclay's and Peake's Commentary or the New Interpreter's Bible (the entire set was purchased for the library in 2006) are the most popular companions. Graduates of the Education for Ministry (EFM) program are a constant source of knowledge. Discerning both truth and God's will, the Mary Harris Bible Class is a fine example of theological education right here within the walls at 304 East Franklin Street. The class welcomes new members!
Seminary Education
Robert E. Wright, Trustee of the General Theological Seminary
From its beginnings, the Chapel of the Cross has been both a voice of, and a voice for theological education in the Episcopal Church, with a strong interest in how our clergy are prepared for their broad and embracing ministries among us. A very recent example of this historic commitment of the parish was the rector's invitation to Kevin Brown to be our guest preacher at the 9:00 and 11:15 services on the Second Sunday of Easter. Kevin is nearing the end of his basic theological training although, we trust, only beginning a lifetime of theological education and inquiry: he is a senior from the Diocese of West Tennessee at the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York. General is one of the 11 accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church. Founded in 1817, its name is due to the fact that it is the only seminary founded by and still under the auspices of the General Convention, and indeed it was the first theological seminary-a graduate/professional school for the education and formation of persons for the ordained ministry-in the Anglican Communion. While our seminaries have variously taken on a broader mandate to meet the need to provide lay and continuing theological education, the preparation of men and women for ordination through their Master of Divinity programs remains at the core of their mission.
In addition to the history and institutional culture of each of the several seminaries, the shape and content of this preparation is guided by two entities, the Association of Theological Schools and the canons of the Episcopal Church.
The Association of Theological Schools is the accrediting agency for seminaries across the broad Christian spectrum. In addition, its role in shaping theological education is reflected in its targeted areas of work for the years 2004-2010: (1) Character and Assessment of Learning for Religious Vocation, (2) Technology and Educational Practices, (3) Theological Schools and the Church, (4) Women and Leadership in Theological Education, and (5) Race and Ethnicity in Theological Education.
The canons of the Church set forth a number of minimum educational requirements for persons preparing for ordination. The subject areas included in these requirements, and embodied in the General Ordination Examinations taken by senior seminarians and other candidates in January of each year, are: (1) The Holy Scriptures; (2) Church History; (3) Christian Theology; (4) Christian Ethics and Moral Theology; (5) Studies in Contemporary Society; (6) Liturgics and Church Music; and (7) Theory and Practice of Ministry. In addition, the canons now require training regarding the prevention of sexual misconduct, civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse, the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, and the Church's teaching on racism.
The 11 Episcopal seminaries do not receive financial support from the national Church. In addition to their own fundraising efforts from foundations, trustees, alumni, and other friends, a principal source of support consists of congregations throughout the Church. In 1982, the General Convention passed legislation establishing as policy that each parish and mission "shall give annually at least 1 percent of its net disposable budgeted income...to one or more of these accredited seminaries." Following on that action, at its next annual convention the Diocese of North Carolina passed a resolution supporting the 1 percent principle and, notably, requiring that congregations route their contributions to the seminaries of their choice through the diocesan office, so that giving is tracked and reported annually to the convention. As a result, of all the dioceses in the Episcopal Church, the Diocese of North Carolina is the largest financial supporter of theological education, with two-thirds of our congregations regularly contributing, amounting to more than $155,000 in 2006. In the case of General Seminary, to continue with that example, North Carolina is the largest contributor behind the Diocese of New York, and is second only because of the largesse of that small, under-endowed urban parish: Trinity Church, Wall Street!
True to its active leadership role within the diocese, the Chapel of the Cross is faithful to the 1 percent principle as part of its own outreach. In addition to General and to the University of the South, the parish gives to each of the Episcopal seminaries attended by our clergy, a total of $12,996 in 2006: Berkeley Divinity School at Yale (Tammy and Vicky), Seabury-Western Theological Seminary (Tammy), and Virginia Theological Seminary (David). As a trustee of General, and on behalf of each of these seminaries, I offer thanks for the parish's support of this vital ministry to train our future ordained leaders.
Adult Education at the Chapel of the Cross
Nancy Tunnessen, Adult Education Committee Chair
I was asked to write about adult education programs at the Chapel of the Cross, with a specific emphasis on the committee's approach to providing theological education for the parish. Whew!! Reverting to my undergraduate ways when given a daunting assignment, I immediately looked up the definition of theology: "The study of the nature of God and religious truth; rational inquiry into religious questions, especially those posed by Christianity. An organized, often formalized body of opinions concerning God and man's relationship to God." (The American Heritage Dictionary)
I would like to think that every educational opportunity offered by the Adult Education Committee comes under the big heading of "theological education." Some programs may seem more obviously theological than others. When the rector spends serious time discussing the Doctrine of Atonement, all would probably agree that we are experiencing theological education. When David Jamieson-Drake compares the three synoptic gospels, we recognize Bible study as a necessary component of learning the Christian faith. When Dr. Pfaff reminds us of our denomination's history, that too is clearly an inquiry into religious questions. The Living the Questions series puts today's dilemmas and challenges directly into the context of our Christian faith.
But when we study the words before singing hymns during one of our sing-alongs, search for poems appropriate for a liturgical season, or learn about our Global Missions and the Millenium Development Goals, we are also doing theological education. When we walk the labyrinth, sit together in silence during Lenten Prayer Groups, or attend a quiet day, we are doing theological education. When we join a group and engage with others in reconsidering the importance of God in our lives, the role of Jesus' mother, Mary, or how our childhood definition of God may limit our adult spiritual growth, we are doing theological education. When parents struggle together to learn how to teach their children the faith, they are doing theological education. We are thinking about our relationship with God and God's children.
So what is the Adult Education Committee's approach to deciding what programs to offer? We use the parish's Mission Statement [see below] as an overall guideline. We think about who is willing to teach and who generally attends. We experiment occasionally, offering classes during the day or on different evenings. We look at important issues in the parish, community, and the world. We try to be supportive of parish committees' ideas for programs.
While church school, confirmation, and adult inquirer's classes are important rites of passage and may be long behind us, we are still called to "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" (1929 BCP) for our entire life. My question to you: What are you doing to continue your theological education? How can the Adult Education Committee help you?
Parish Mission Statement
The Chapel of the Cross, historically linked to the University of North Carolina and the Town of Chapel Hill, bears faithful witness to the presence of the living God on the campus, in the community, in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, and throughout all the world.
We are called to:
ABC Sale - Thank You
Ellen Cole, ABC Sale Co-Chair
On April 21, 2007, the members of Chapel of the Cross welcomed the community for the 45th annual ABC Sale. Once again, through the generous donations of time, talent, and treasure, our parish provided quality goods at affordable prices to the community. Once again, we were able to make generous donations of goods to the St. Thomas More Caring and Sharing Center, Freedom House, Vietnam Vets, and Thrift World. Once again, the Social Ministry Committee will be able to distribute cash grants to organizations doing vital work in our community. As co-chairs, Allison Worthy and I were overcome by the generosity, both materially and spiritually, of our parish. We would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve and to thank all who participated in any way. Your prayers, your rummage, your baked goods, your volunteer time, your organizational skills, and your shopping skills all combined to bring in a record of over $31,000!
This year's sale will be remembered as the year the lights went out. While it was challenging to sort by candlelight, the storm and power failure provided yet another opportunity for camaraderie and fellowship. On Wednesday morning, we were grateful to see the lights on (and smell the coffee brewing), but what an experience the first two days had been! Thank you to everyone who hung in there with us and kept the ABC Sale train on the tracks.
The idea, suggested by last year's co-chairs, Ann Craver and Mary Kent Hill, of revitalizing an old tradition, the Treasure Tea, was a wonderful one! On April 11, at least 45 parishioners gathered at the lovely home of Wyndham Robertson for an event called "A Treasured Affair." Everyone brought an item worthy of the Treasure Room. Parishioner David Lindquist offered appraisals for the donations. It was a lively evening full of fun and fellowship. Heartfelt thanks go to Wyndham for offering her hospitality and to David for his time and expertise.
Doris Cotton deserves, once again, a huge thank you! Mrs. Cotton was the housekeeper at the Chapel of the Cross for many years. Each year, since her retirement, she has returned to provide us with a wonderful lunch on Friday of sale week. This year was no exception. Many thanks go to Ele Ross and Paula Meyer for helping her with this much-anticipated meal. It is such a welcome treat to be able to sit at sorting tables, empty of rummage for the first time all week, and visit with friends, both old and new, over a hot lunch.
Many thanks, also, to those who chaired departments. It was not easy this year. The power situation put us behind schedule and some rooms were, literally, in the dark for two days. The elevator was, of course, unusable so many of our volunteers went up and down lots of steps. Thanks to those of you who are always thinking of new ways to improve the sale. The sidewalk sale replaced the tent sale. While it, once again, involved sorting on one floor, moving items on Saturday morning and selling outside, it was fun for our shoppers and provided a great place to display our white elephant goods. Our dedicated volunteer, Mudge Marsh, was ever-present throughout the week, helping to discern whether an item was destined for the Treasure Room or the sidewalk sale.
The ABC Sale is dependent on many things. Not the least is manpower! Bill Witherspoon, Rob Hooke, Jim Hayes, and Jeff Gates all spent many hours helping us with all manner of heavy lifting. Nancy Tunnessen arranged for large item pick up (and picked lots up herself). Boy Scout Troop 9 organized the parking situation again, as they have for the last 17 years! Recently, they have added corrugated cardboard collection to their duties. This year some scouts even climbed in the dumpster to retrieve cardboard boxes. The Girl Scouts spent Tuesday evening of sort week sorting donations for the Caring and Sharing Center. Then they loaded vans and took the donations to the Center.
Although the most obvious objectives of the sale are fun, fellowship and social outreach, we cannot neglect the back office duties. Ted Pratt and Paula Head, along with a great team, kept our accounting straight and our money boxes orderly. The parish staff was always quick to respond to our many needs. And, of course, our outstanding clergy were there with help, support, and prayers.
The ABC Sale has become a beloved tradition at Chapel of the Cross and, indeed, throughout our community. Allison and I were moved by stories from our fellow parishioners and from our shoppers. It is more than a rummage sale, and it has come to mean much to many different people. Please know that we thank all who contributed to the success of this year's sale. We inherited an event that dedicated people have worked hard to perfect. Our best wishes go to the incoming co-chairs, Heather Benjamin and Mindy Morton. It is not too early to plan to join them for the 2008 ABC Sale!
A Critical Step towards Achieving the Millennium Development Goals
Linda B. Rimer, Environmental Stewardship Committee Chair
On June 18, 2006, the House of Delegates of the Episcopal Church joined the House of Bishops in supporting the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and urged parishes, missions, congregations, and dioceses to work toward their implementation. These eight goals were agreed to at the United Nations Millennium Summit in September 2000, as part of a wider attempt to encourage the international community to move beyond merely talking about making a difference in the developing world and to join forces to start doing something about it. Subsequently, 191 member states of the United Nations have agreed to try to achieve these goals by the year 2015.
On January 23, 2007, our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, opened the 191st Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina by encouraging Episcopalians to make a difference in the world. One example given by Bishop Curry, of how we can make that difference, is to embrace boldly these same Millennium Development Goals.
There are eight MDGs, specifically:
You may be asking why environmental stewardship is "critical" given that the environment is mentioned in only one of the eight goals. To understand this, two other dates and documents must be explained. The dates are February 2 and April 6, 2007, and represent the dates on which the following documents were released: the reports of Working Group I (The Physical Science Basis) and Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. http://www.ipcc.ch
Taken together, these reports make it clear that:
- Our planet, God's creation, is destined for major changes in the not-so-distant future
- That these changes, attributable to rising levels of greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere of our planet, are largely due to human activity
- Many of these changes are already occurring and will be influencing us for the foreseeable future - even if we could immediately stop the emissions of all these gases completely today.
The reports do not just call into question our ability to meet Millennium Development Goal #7, but to meet all eight of the goals, and perhaps especially goal #1: eradicate extreme poverty. Why is this?
According to the analysis of Working Group II, the impacts of climate change, especially increased droughts, crop failures, disease, sea level rise, and extreme weather events, are all likely to fall more heavily on the poor populations of Africa, Asia, and South America, than on the richer societies of Europe, North America, and Australia. The huge irony, of course, is that the wealthy industrialized countries are the biggest contributors of greenhouse gases that are responsible for the warming.
Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the IPCC, released the report of Working Group II with these words: "The poorest of the poor in the world, and this includes poor people in prosperous societies, are going to be the worst hit. People who are poor are least able to adapt to climate change." Catherine Pearce, of Friends of the Earth International, described climate change as "no longer just an environmental issue, but a looming humanitarian catastrophe."
God calls on us to care for his creation, our planet, Earth. God also calls on us to love and care for the poor among us. It is remarkable that in caring for our planet through efforts to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses, we are also directly helping the poor throughout "this fragile earth, our island home." (Eucharistic Prayer C, Book of Common Prayer)
New Options for Cross Roads and Liturgical Calendar Delivery
The recent increase in postage rates applies not only to first class postage but also to bulk mail rates that we use for large mailings. We can now offer the option of sending email notices when a new issue of Cross Roads is available on the parish website, allowing parishioners to read it online. Both PDF and HTML formats will be available. If online reading of Cross Roads is not an acceptable option, we will continue to mail a copy to your home. If you want to continue receiving a mailed copy, you need to do nothing. If you wish to receive an email notice rather than a paper copy of Cross Roads, please notify the parish office and be sure we have your current email address.
Similar options will apply to parishioners who receive the Liturgical Calendar. You may receive an email notice when a new copy of the calendar is posted on the web site. It will be in a PDF format only. You may also pick up a paper copy from the parish office. If neither of the first two options is workable for you, a copy will be mailed to your home. As with Cross Roads, please notify the parish office of your preference and be sure we have your current email address.
Please send information about your choices for delivery of these two mailings and confirmation of your current email address to our Administrative Assistant Mary Anne Handy at mahandy@thechapeofthecross.org. These changes are scheduled to become effective with the July issue of Cross Roads and the September-November liturgical calendar. Thank you for your flexibility and cooperation in helping reduce both postage and paper costs in as effective a manner as possible.
Camp MeadowWood
Chick White, Social Ministry Committee member, member of the Board of the Chrysalis Foundation for Mental Health and co-chair of its Campaign Committee.
Summer camp - for many of us, these words evoke the image of days spent outdoors, of learning to play tennis, or making crafts, of finding new friends, going swimming, discovering a bird's nest, or simply staring at the clouds and the sky. For children with emotional challenges or developmental disabilities, a simple camp experience is often impossible. But these children, too, need nurturing, safe, and supportive environments where they can experience the delights of youth.
Camp MeadowWood exists to give a summer camp experience to 75 local children who would not otherwise have such an opportunity. For the past 14 years, the Chrysalis Foundation for Mental Health (previously named Orange, Person, Chatham Foundation for Mental Health) has provided this camp for children aged 6 to 14. Camp MeadowWood serves children from the three counties who have autism, cerebral palsy, or mental retardation as well as children with emotional and behavioral problems such as depression or severe trauma.
For the past two years, the Chapel of the Cross Social Ministry Committee has recommended and the vestry has approved allocation of ABC Sale funds to support this camp. This funding is critical since donations enable all of the children (the majority of whom come from low-income families) to attend camp free of charge. The effects of the state's "reform" of the mental health system can be seen in the financial status of the camp. OPC area program support ceased in 2006, and the cost to the Chrysalis Foundation for each child to attend a one-week session of camp is now $800.
The staff to camper ratio is one counselor for every two or three children. All of the counselors are trained to work with special needs children. The foundation hires an extra aide who is trained to work one-on-one with campers who are severely developmentally disabled. Several of our campers are in wheel chairs or use walkers and require individualized attention throughout the camp day. These campers participate in every camp activity with help from their personal aides.
The Chrysalis Foundation is extremely fortunate in that, for the past seven years, the camps have been held at two local retirement communities - Carolina Meadows and Carol Woods - thus the name "MeadowWood!" Staff members at the two communities are wonderfully supportive; they change pool-cleaning times to accommodate the campers' needs, they provide healthy lunches and snacks. They also arrange for a magician to come to the last day at Carolina Meadows.
Nearly 100 residents of the two retirement communities volunteer to work with the children each summer. They teach the children how to fish; play tennis, golf, bocce, and croquet; read stories; do arts and crafts; and take them on rides in golf carts. At Carol Woods, the volunteers help make and decorate kites and watch the children learn to fly them. One Carolina Meadows resident has made 30 wooden birdhouses each of the past three summers for the campers to paint, decorate, and then take home.
Organizing the volunteers and coordinating their interests with the camp staff takes much time and energy. This year parishioners and Carolina Meadows residents Bob and Sallie Comey are "in training" for this job.
Whit Bartley, parishioner and Carol Woods volunteer, organizes the croquet for camp every summer. He finds other croquet players and matches them one-on-one with the children; they then become the children's croquet coaches. Whit has "modified" the game so that all the children can win; whenever any ball goes through a wicket, it counts for all the players. Whit points out that he and the other volunteers gain so much from being with the children: "Folks really like to be with the kids and to watch them."
The adults have a chance to interact with the children and give them a part of themselves. The children cherish the time spent with the adults. Comments from the children include, "The best thing about the camp is the old folks," and "How old do you have to be to get to live here?"
With the individualized attention that each child receives from the large professional camp staff and the
intergenerational aspect of working with the "grandparents," the children leave camp with a renewed sense of
self-esteem and confidence. Listen to their comments:
I hit a ball!
I caught a fish!
I painted a rainbow!
I floated on my back!
I saw a big woodpecker!
We welcome a few visits to the camp every summer. If you are interested, please call the Chrysalis Foundation at 933-0770. One of our board members would love to show you around.
Adult Education Opportunities - June 2007
Admitting Pauli Murray
June 3
Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore, the Peter V. and C. Vann Woodward Professor of History at Yale University and the John Hope Franklin Senior Fellow at the National Humanities Center (2006-2007), will speak about Durham native Pauli Murray, who challenged segregation at the University of North Carolina in the 1930s, went to jail in 1940 for refusing to move to the back of the bus, followed Ghandi from the Harlem Ashram and led sit-ins in the nation's capital during World War II. She became a lawyer and founder of the National Organization for Women. Deeply religious and a practicing Episcopalian throughout her life, Pauli Murray was among the first group of women and the first black woman ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church. For over fifty years, she fought discrimination wherever she encountered it, but her hardest struggle was to reconcile her faith with the fact that she was gay.
Mark Your Calendar
Parish Breakfasts take place Sundays, July 8 and August 5 at 9:00 am.
Dinners on the Grounds take place Sundays, June 24, July 22 and August 19 at 12:30 pm.
On Saturday, October 6, 2007, the Spiritual Life Committee will present a Centering Prayer Workshop at Saint Matthews Episcopal Church in Hillsborough, NC. The workshop will begin at 9:30 am and conclude around 3:30 pm. The Rev. Thomas R. Ward, Jr., retired Chaplain of the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, will lead the Saturday workshop and preach at the Chapel of the Cross on Sunday, October 7. He is a leader in Contemplative Outreach, a network of individuals and faith-based communities committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel in everyday life through the practice of Centering Prayer. Exploring and expanding one's prayer life under the guidance of Tom Ward, an Episcopal priest and well-known leader of Centering Prayer workshops and retreats, is a rare spiritual opportunity.
Centering Prayer is a contemporary method of consenting to God's presence within us. Its practice provides access to an ancient, silent, contemplative prayer in which an openness to God and a willingness to change can be achieved. The benefits of this form of prayer occur over time in the way we live our lives. In opening ourselves to God's will for us, transformation can happen. An increased awareness of joy, peace, compassion, and faithfulness are only some of the benefits of this practice.
"Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile" is Jesus saying "Come away and be with me. Be alone with me. Let me refresh you. Let me balance you. I am your center. Come to your center." The Spiritual Life Committee is providing us with an opportunity to explore this reading for ourselves. Please mark your calendars and join others for this prayer enrichment weekend.
June Programs & Meetings
Sundays Weekly
12:30 pm Social Hour
Tuesdays Weekly
9:30 am Staff Meeting
7:30 pm Young and Restless
Wednesdays Weekly
5:00 pm Centering Prayer
Sunday, June 3
Last Sunday of Regular Service Schedule
5:30 pm Last Episcopal Youth Community Meeting
Tuesday, June 5
6:00 pm Environmental Stewardship
6:00 pm Personnel Committee
7:30 pm Millennium Development Group
Wednesday, June 6
5:30 pm Building & Grounds Committee
Thursday, June 7
Deadline for Cross Roads submissions
8:30 pm Clergy Workshop
Saturday, June 9
9:00 am Awakening Heart
Sunday, June 10
First Sunday of Summer Service Schedule
Monday, June 11
7:00 pm Global Missions
Tuesday, June 12
5:00 pm Capital Campaign Meeting
7:30 pm Finance Committee
Thursday, June 14
6:00 pm Master Plan Meeting
5:15 pm Johnson Intern Praxis
6:00 pm Vestry Meeting
Monday, June 15
5:00 pm Adult Education Meeting
6:30 pm Special Service with People with Developmental Disabilities
7:00 pm Johnson Intern Program Year-End Dinner
Wednesday, June 20
11:30 am Prayer Chain
4:00 pm Last Junior Choir Rehearsal
5:00 pm Last Junior Choir Potluck
Sunday, June 24
12:30 pm Dinner on the Grounds
June Service Schedule
Sunday, June 3 (White), Trinity Sunday, BCP p. 918
Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29 or Canticle 2 or 13; Revelation 4:1-11; John 16:(5-11)12-15
7:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite I (Chapel) Mr. Frazelle
9:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II (Church) Mr. Elkins-Williams
10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II (Carolina Meadows) Ms. Jamieson-Drake
11:15 am Holy Eucharist Rite I (Church) Mr. Elkins-Williams
5:15 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II (Chapel) Mr. Elkins-Williams
Sunday, June 10 (Green), The Second Sunday after Pentecost, BCP p. 918
I Kings 17:17-24; Psalm 30 or 30:1-6.12-13; Galatians 1:11-24; Luke 7:11-17
8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I (Chapel) Ms. Lee
10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II (Church) Ms. Lee
4:00 pm Holy Eucharist Rite I (Carol Woods) Ms. Jamieson-Drake
5:15 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II (Chapel) Ms. Lee
, June 17 (Green), The Third Sunday after Pentecost, BCP p. 918
2 Samuel 11:26-12:10,13-15; Psalm 32 or 32:1-8; Galatians 2:11-21; Luke 7:36-50
8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I (Chapel) Ms. Jamieson-Drake
10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I (Church) Ms. Jamieson-Drake
5:15 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II (Chapel) Ms. Jamieson-Drake
Sunday, June 24 (Green), The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, BCP p. 919
Zechariah 12:8-10, 13:1; Psalm 63:1-8; Galatians 3-22-29; Luke 9:18-24
8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I (Chapel) Mr. Frazelle
10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II (Church) Mr. Frazelle
4:00 pm Holy Eucharist Rite I (Carol Woods) Ms. Lee
5:15 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II (Chapel) Mr. Frazelle
Last updated: July 2, 2007
