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

October 6th, 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Lots of great stuff in the past couple of weeks.

On the 18th, I visited St Luke's, Cambridge and blessed the new entry to the Parish House, which now affords full handicapped accessibility. Met with the church school, enjoyed a lovely reception, and met with the Vestry after Mass. That same day, Bp Dave was at St Peter's, Albany and there instituted a new Chapter of the Daughters of the King. In the afternoon, he inducted Father Gary Strubel at All Saints, Hoosick. Excellent music; church overfilled; the former vicar, Fr Hap was the MC for the Mass. Fr Gary continues as a worker priest.

On the 19th, met with Canon Bob Haskell and Father Christopher Brown to review the new Canonical Exams for use in January. There will be a field test this fall.

The Missions Committee Dinner was on Friday night the 23rd at Christ the King SLC. Unfortunately, the delay in air connections caused the Rev'd Dr Grant LeMarquand to arrive after the meal was concluded.

The MISSIONS CONFERENCE on Saturday drew our largest crowd ever. There is an enthusiasm in parishes for missions. Bp Dave and I have noticed that support for overseas missions in one of the characteristics of vigorous churches. Special Thanks to Mother Eileen and her Missions Committee for their good work.

Our sympathy to Father David Plank on the death of his mother Doris. Carol and I attended her funeral at St Paul's Lutheran Church in St Johnsville.

On the 25th, Bishop Dave inducted Father Dave Collum as Rector of St John's parish in Delhi. Blended worship; overfilled church; lots of friends from Ballston Spa and KAPL as well as Susquehanna Deanery. Clergy enjoyed the special table that was set up for them and spouses and had a chance to get caught up.

The CLERGY CONFERENCE brought 4 superior lectures by Dr George Hunter (The Celtic Method of Evangelism etc). His newest book is Radical Outreach (and can be purchased at the SLC bookstore). Since he and Fr Tory Baucum teach at the same seminary we will be asking Fr Tory to try and incorporate some of this important info in the teaching he will be doing at the Parish Leadership Conferences in January. Thanks to Fr Bob Haskell for the organizational work. Several clergy remarked it was our finest Conference. In part, because we were in our own place for the first time, and because they had such a good time with each other.

Last Sunday was for anniversaries. Carol and I were at St John's, Troy to mark their 175th. The Liturgy included inauguration of the Daughters of the King Chapter to be known as The Daughters of the Holy Spirit. What a lovely name! We also inducted Katie Tobler as the new Youth Pastor, and then before the offertory, processed outdoors to bless the new large sign at the corner of the churchyard. A full meal and anniversary cake followed in the parish house with live music. Fr Hap Carrier has brought dynamism and excitement to the parish which is growing in attendance.

Bishop Dave was in Colonie to help them celebrate their half-century mark. 15 of the original members were on hand. The new DVD about the SLC was shown and well received. Lots of former members who had moved away joined their old friends. Lots of energy at St Michael's!

Monday Episcopal Charities met as did the Standing Committee. Charities approved a grant to initiate a Parish Nursing support position for the diocese. This will be reviewed by the Diocesan Council and determine how to proceed. Special thanks to Carol Drummond who has fostered this ministry. Preliminary approval was given to an Infirmary at the SLC to keep us in compliance with health department regulations.

Tuesday, the Feast of Saint Francis, at St Andrew's, Scotia, had the joy of officiating at the taking of vows by the 1st nine members of the Franciscan Community of the Holy Cross, our own diocesan "third order". Over 30 men and women are now involved in the community. Anyone interested in information about the Community should contact Mother Ellen Neufeld.

Yesterday, after the Noon Mass at the Cathedral, the Staff at the Diocesan Office honored Lay Canon George Marshall with a half luncheon of half sandwiches, to mark his transition to half time effective this month. Canon George will continue to edit The Albany Episcopalian which is now widely recognized; and he'll continue with Episcopal Charities.

Gretchen Gausby, widow of the Very Rev'd Philip Gausby, died yesterday at her home in Waddington. Her funeral Mass will be Saturday, Oct 8, at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Paul's Church, Waddington. Gretchen suffered from severe arthritis from the age of 17. In the 40 years Carol and I have known her, she never complained. Indeed until a year ago, she was still the Church School director at St Paul's, cheerfully working under her son-in-law Fr Craig Hacker. Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord. Special thanks also to Canon Curtis Denney who ministered to Gretchen in recent years.

Saturday, the Rectors with Deacons will meet for the 1st time at the SLC. This is a vital team in any parish and we welcome the opportunity for them to get together. On Sunday and Monday the Deacons' Council will meet at the SLC.

The following weekend all the active Deacons in the Diocese will be on retreat together, beginning on Friday, the 14th and ending after lunch on Sunday.

Saturday, Oct 15, is the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham, and the feast will be observed with a Solemn Mass at Grace and Holy Innocents Church, Clinton Avenue, Albany at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon follows and Fr Richard Lutz will give a talk followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. This also marks the 75th Anniversary of the restoration of the Anglican Shrine at Walsingham. Walsingham was the 2nd most visited site for pilgrim in the Middle Ages. It was destroyed by Henry VIII. For reservations for lunch, contact Canon Charles King FrKing@aol.com.

The Daughters of the King diocesan retreat will be Oct 21-23 at the SLC. All Daughters are encouraged to attend.

The Rev'd Linda Wilson will be ordained as priest on Sunday, Oct 23 at 12:30 PM at Saint Paul's Church, Bloomville. The color for the liturgy is White.

Regional Confirmation: Sunday, Oct 23rd, St John's, Johnstown at 4:00pm.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: also Oct 14-16 in Glens Falls. For more info, contact Kathy Parnapy kparnapy@glensfallshosp.org.

CURSILLO MEN'S WEEKEND: Oct 27 - 30.

SURVIVORS' SERVICE: Oct 29, @ St George's, Clifton Park

OPENING DOORS CONFERENCE (Evangelism for the local church) Nov 5 @ SLC; led by Fr Alan Hansen. For more info contact Acts 29, see material mailed to your parish from Acts 29 or call them at (770) 952-2670.

PRIESTS' RETREAT: Nov 15 - 18; Director: The Very Rev'd Robert Munday, Dean of Nashotah House. This will be our 1st Priests' retreat at the SLC.

Induction of the Rev'd Diana Freeman as rector of St Luke's, Catskill, Sunday, Nov 20, at 4pm.

December Ordinations to the Priesthood; Vesting clergy: Red stoles; please arrive 30 minutes in advance.

The Rev'd Gus Calvo St Mark's, Malone Dec 10 11:00 a.m.

The Rev'd Nigel Mumford Christ The King, SLC Dec 17 11:00 a.m.

The Rev'd John Thorpe St Peter's, Albany Dec 21 7:00 p.m.

2006 Parish Leadership Conferences - all on Saturday, except the 3rd.

- January 21 - Holy Family School, Malone
- January 28 - Hartwick College, Oneonta
- February 3 - SLC (large parishes)
- February 4 - SLC (medium and small)

LORD JESUS, fill us with love for You, zeal for you kingdom and love for the brethren. Amen.

In Christ,
+ Dan

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