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

St Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles
June 29th, 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today marks the feast of the two great apostles of the church, commissioned by Christ to preach the gospel and who became the living stones of the new temple, built on the foundation of Christ Jesus.

Convention 2005 - The Harvest is Ready reaped much apostolic fruit. Eleven godly disciples were ordained Deacon to serve in the diocese from the borders of Quebec and Ontario to downtown Albany. The 77 Workshops were well attended, and the largest assembly ever took part in the Youth Mass on Sunday morning. Feedback from our overseas guests was most positive. It was impressive to see how many parishes bring whole groups of leaders (and potential leaders) to utilize the vast array of resources in the workshops and general sessions.

Carol Drummond and Sharon Patalino enlist a great army of workers to pull this off. Housing, feeding, and moving hundreds and hundreds of folks all day long. The VBS under Kim Harding was oversubscribed. The Youth Rally was excellent. Bishop Michael Nazir-ali, Bishop Justin Badi, Bishop Harold and Archbishop Hollis were uniform in their commendations.

Next year the convention falls on the Feast of Trinity and so the theme will be Trinity.

Beaver Cross is opening and welcoming our first kids for Beaver Bound, the short term 1st week for little kids. The kitchen in the new Welcome Center is opening, the new Counselors (having helped tremendously at the Convention Youth Rally) are enthusiastically awaiting a new season and the first at our expanded location.

The new ropes course is in place; the zip line is the longest in the northeast.

Clergy appointments:

Archdeacons: The Venerable Barbara Hanstine

The Venerable Dr. Harvey Huth

Rural Deans: The Very Rev'd Geri Bissell-Thompson, St. Lawrence

The Very Rev'd Edgar LaCoombe, Northern Adirondack

Rector: The Rev'd David Collum from Ballston Spa, to Delhi.

Prayers are asked for Marty Small, wife of Fr Bill Small, whose cancer has metastasized to her lung and liver. She is having additional tests today and Friday. Also, for Fr Ted Monica who is awaiting back surgery and is out of commission for the next few weeks.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 27, at Christ Church, Cooperstown, for the Rev'd Canon George French with Bishop Dave officiating and Bishop Ball preaching. Fr French served faithfully for many decades in the diocese. Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord.

Bp Dave last Sunday visited St Luke's, Saranac Lake, from which Fr Rick Dennis has retired. Reports strong leadership in the transition. Sunday evening he was at St Andrew's, Albany for baptism and confirmation.

After Convention, Carol and I drove Bishop Harold to JFK to catch a flight back to Dublin. We then went over to our son's to help pack for his relocation back here. Couple of days of lots of tools, boxes, and underused muscles. Got home on Saturday morning at 1:30 a.m.

The Sunday after Convention Carol and I went to Christ Church, Ballston Spa, including a well-prepared class for Confirmation. Christ Church continues to grow under the dynamic leadership of Fr Derik Roy and a superb cadre of vigorous lay leaders.

Saturday evening officiated at the marriage of Fr Jim Loughren and Laurie Dimmick; and on Sunday celebrated Mass for the parish. Congratulations Fr Jim and Laurie. After the service Carol and I drove to Runnemede, NJ for the retirement dinner for my old friend Pastor Ed Schmidt. Pastor Schmidt has the largest Lutheran parish in NJ. Saw the Lutheran bishop whom I'd met before and several parish members known over the years. I'm hoping Pastor Ed will come up at the end of the summer and do a workshop on parish planning on which he is outstanding.

This afternoon leave for Tupper Lake where Rotary is honoring Fr Ed LaCombe. On to Potadam for a vestry meeting on Thursday to discuss building campaign. Then a couple of days with our sons in the North Country.

The diocesan offices are closed July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Bishop Harold held his diocesan synod shortly after returning home. Click on here to read his address to the Diocese of Down and Dromore.

Eucharistic Holy Hour will be the first Tuesday, July 5th, at Noon at Chrst the King Spiritual Life Center, Chapel of Christ the King. Clergy/spouses, postulants etc staying for lunch should call the office at 518-692-9550.

Healing Ministry Day Program, Thursday, June 30, from 10 am – 3 pm. “Cancer. Dealing with and how to cope with the disease through prayer” will be led by the Rev’d Nigel Mumford. Fee is $39. Call the Healing Ministry at 518-692-3198 to sign up or obtain more details.

LORD JESUS, your apostles Peter and Paul sealed their ministry with the giving of their lives: empower us to serve you without counting the cost; for the glory of your holy Name. Amen.

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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