Episcopal Diocese of Albany - Priests and Deacons Update

Business Office: 68 South Swan Street - Albany, NY 12210 - (518) 465-4737
Christ the King Spiritual Life Center: 575 Burton Road - Greenwich, NY 12834 - (518) 692-9550

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
May 31st, 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today’s prayerbook feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary comes just a few days after the release of the joint Anglican-Roman Catholic study on Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ as the final product of the ARCIC II commission of our two churches. It is distributed currently in this country by the Episcopal publisher Morehouse.

It offers hope on a subject that has seemed to divide us in the past. Much of the text and conclusions will not seem remarkable to people in the diocese of Albany, given our long history and churchmanship. Three places are named in her honor (St Mary’s, Lake Luzerne; St Mary’s, Springfield Center; and St Mary’s Chapel at the Convent at the SLC) along with innumerable Lady Chapels, beginning at the Cathedral.

At a time when recent events have distanced us, this study now offered to both churches offers the promise of something to draw us closer together. I commend it to your careful reading and study.

Ordinands Retreat: Two dozen ordinands and spouses took part in the pre-ordination Retreat last weekend. A combination of silence, reflections, liturgy and discussion rounded out the three days. Fr Bill Cooper spoke clearly of the importance of cultivating the spiritual life for clergy and the important of the Scriptures and the sacraments in the ministry. Part of Saturday included participation in the healing conference.

The ordinands will be introduced on Friday night at Convention 2005 – The Harvest is Ready.

Healing Conference: The first major Healing Conference took place at the Spiritual Life Center under the leadership of the Rev’d Dr. Russ Parker from the U.K. Father Parker drew attendees from New Jersey, Texas and Pennsylvania as well as New England and the diocese. His talks were incisive, witty and encouraging. This was Fr Parker’s final engagement before beginning a sabbatical as Director of the Acorn Trust in Britain.

The next major healing conference will be Francis and Judith MacNutt at the SLC July 18 - 22 For more info click on Christian Healing Ministries You can register on line. Or you can telephone them directly at 904-765-3332. Note that registrations are being handled directly by the presenting ministry, not through the SLC.

The Rev’d Diana Freeman, has accepted the rectorship of St Luke’s Church. Catskill. We welcome Mother Freeman and her husband Paul to the diocese.

The Rev’d Amanda Nickles, Good Shepherd, Canajoharie is looking for a keyboard player. You can contact her at 518-673-3006.

Our sympathy to the Rev’d Dr. Carola vonWrangle on the death of her mother, Margaret. Her mom died while she was visiting her in the west. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Rest eternal grant unto your servant Margaret, O Lord.

Christ Church, Cooperstown will anticipate the commemoration of Blessed Daniel Nash tomorrow evening, June 1, with the Eucharist at 6pm. Fr Shaw Mudge will be the preacher. A potluck supper follows.

Beaver Cross begins its camper weeks on July 1 in its new location. You can check the schedule here Make sure all the kids in your missionary outpost get the joy of a week Building Community in Christ. It continues to be one of the least costly camps in the northeast.

Today marks the eighth anniversary of your electing me the 8th bishop. Little could have prepared me for the tumultuous events that would emerge subsequently across the church in the years since 1997.

Among the greatest joys has been the contact with a wide range of the followers of Jesus who have been transformed by the Holy Spirit and are filled with enthusiasm for the kingdom of God.

The plunge into Lambeth in 1998 brought an experiential understanding of the worldwide nature of Anglicanism. As a result we have come into broad exposure to believers and leaders from Europe and Africa and Latin America. We have been positively influenced by witnesses like Archbishop Josiah from Nigeria, Bishop Peter from the Sudan, Bishop Julio from the Dominican Republic, and Bishop Harold from Ireland, and lots of priests and lay leaders.

The increase of godly men and women offering themselves for ordination has brought a wealth of fruitful workers into the vineyard. The coming of the Sisters of the Community of Saint Mary to the diocese has restored the original dream of Bishop Doane to have a community of nuns praying at the heart of the diocese.

The Conventions beginning in 1999 have transformed us from a business-only model to a giant gathering of the family of the diocese (including our kids) with a vast offering of top-quality workshops, teaching, skill-imparting, and direct ministry along with the elections and necessary business. The gifts of many combine to provide extraordinary worship, ancient liturgy and modern praise. The Convention setting has enabled us to face differences in charity, to affirm the apostolic faith and to order our lives according to the Scriptures. The availability of the Reconciliation of a Penitent (confession) has set many free of old bondages.

Apostolically, no one holds a closer partnership than Bishop Dave who convictions for the gospel are transparent and whose leadership is central to everything we have accomplished. He inspires me, as well as the devoted cadre of fellow workers in the missionary outposts, at the SLC and Swan Street.

God has blessed me for 40 years with a wife whose support of me is exceeded only by her love for the Lord. Carol has cheerfully surrendered most weekends and lots of evenings. These past eight years would have been impossible without her sustaining love.

We have been blessed in the connections with thousands in churches and parish halls, in burying dear friends, marrying and blessing, visiting the Sunday school, praying for the sick and enjoying parish cookouts and dinners. Thank you for the daily prayers, the intercessions, warm words and notes of encouragement.

FATHER in heaven,
by your grace the Virgin Mother of your incarnate Son
was blessed in bearing Him,
but still more blessed in keeping your word:
grant to us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness
to follow the example of her devotion to your will;
through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
- Book of Common Prayer: Collect for the Visitation of the BVM

In Christ,
+ Dan

The Diocese of Albany as One Church:
organized around the Great Commandment and the Great Commission,
moving from membership to discipleship,
rooted in the catholic structure of Anglicanism,
and
equipping ever disciples to make disciples.

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