the desert spirit, december 2011

The Desert SpiritA Diocesan Edition of Episcopal Journal,

The Desert Spirit is a quarterly witness to Episcopal community in Nevada

In This Issue:

Bishop’s Message DS 2Reflections DS 3Youth & Family DS 4 Camp Galilee DS 5Friends in Haiti DS 6

Episcopal Journal

Convention DS 7Good News DS 8-9Christian Formation DS 10Education Ministry DS 11 Episcopal Family DS 12

God is calling the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada to transform our communities

through the vitality of our worship and the living out of our baptismal vows.

Volume 1 Number 11 Dec 2011

JournalEpiscopal

Ever Seen an Earthrise?Report by Martina Beatty, St. Catherine of Siena, Reno

Earthrise. This word has been used to describe the dramatic photos of Earth taken from space by Apollo 8 astronauts in 1968. They served to remind us that we all share a home, and that everyone who calls Earth home is our neighbor.

Another “earthrise” image was unveiled by Bishop Dan Edwards and his Evangelism Team at this year’s Diocesan Convention, held Oct. 13-16 at Harrah’s in Reno, and was officially adopted by the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada as its new logo.

This image taken from space shows the sun peeking out from behind the earth, and its message is one of global inclusiveness. Today, each of us has about 7 billion neighbors, and Jesus said we are to love them all in equal measure to the love we give ourselves. As Paul wrote to the Galatians: “The whole law can be summed up in this one command.”

Since we are charged to love them, “Who Is My Neighbor?” was the theme of this year’s Diocesan Convention. Delegates, clergy and guests were introduced to their neighbors from other nations, other religious paths, and from other Episcopal churches throughout the diocese. It was a Convention that stressed the importance of building, and rebuilding, relationships.

“The most important thing we addressed at Convention,”

see CONVENTION, page DS4

Edwards said, “was the areas where our relationships around the diocese are not as strong as they need to be, in order for us to move forward with God’s mission. It’s not the sort of thing you can legislate but I believe we began a conversation about it.”

It was a message that resonated with Rev. Sherryl Netzler of Reno’s Saint Catherine of Siena Episcopal Church.

“We tend to think we’re pretty cool,” Netzler said. “And we are. But Bishop Dan doesn’t want us to rest on our laurels. He said we need to be more loving and inclusive and transparent. When something happens in our community we need to say, ‘This will be of interest to all Episcopalians in Nevada,’ and make sure that it’s presented to them.”

“Neighborliness” goes a step further than simple cordiality or friendliness, said Rev. Helen McPeak of The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Henderson.

“My experience of neighbors is, you build a relationship so that you can

This “earthrise” image was unveiled by Bishop Dan Edwards and his Evangelism Team at this year’s

Diocesan Convention, held Oct. 13-16 at Harrah’s in Reno, and was officially adopted by the Episcopal

Diocese of Nevada as its new logo.

The Desert Spirit 4th Quarter - Dec 2011 page DS2

God is calling the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada to transform our communities through the vitality of our worship and the living out of our baptismal vows.

The Anglican CommunionA worldwide community of 70 million Anglicans in 164 countries: 31 self-governing churches, 500 dioceses, 30,000 parishes and 64,000 congregations. The Archbishop of Canterbury: The Most Revered Rowan D. Williams.

The Episcopal Church In America: 2.5 million Episcopalians in 113 Dioceses. Presiding Bishop: The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori.

The Episcopal Diocese of NevadaIn Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona: 6,000 Episcopalians in 33 congregations and various new faith communities. Bishop Dan Edwards.

To contact the Bishop’s office:Episcopal Diocese of Nevada9480 Eastern Ave., Suite 236Las Vegas, NV 89123-8037(702) 737-9190, FAX (702) 737-6488Diocesan Administrator: Ellie WetherillEmail: [email protected]

The Desert SpiritThe 2012 publication schedule is planned for four quarterly issues to be mailed to all Episcopal households in the Diocese in February, May, September and December. Implementation of this plan falls somewhere between order and chaos, so we strive to simply remain in God’s peace and do the best we can. Issues of The Desert Spirit and current news can also be found on the diocesan website at www.episcopalnevada.orgEditor: Hallie Murphy

FOR CHANGE OF ADDRESS, to submit materials for publication, or to be removed from our mailing list, contact the Editor via email [email protected] subject line Desert Spirit or Episcopal Journal. Requests via US Mail should be sent to the diocesan office at the address noted above. All requests will be forwarded to the EJ Circulation Dept.

Distribution is free to each Episcopal household in the Diocese of Nevada. Donations to help defray costs are joyfully accepted: the cost to provide this service is approximately $20 annually per household. Please make your check payable to the Diocese of Nevada, and send it to the diocesan office (address noted above).

Deadline for submission of materials for publication in The Desert Spirit is the 9th of the month preceding publication. Materials for February 2012 must be received by January 6.

Application to mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is pending at Bryn Mawr PA and additional mailing offices. Episcopal Journal is published monthly by the Episcopal Journal, 111 Hickory Lane, Bryn Mawr PA 19010. Postmaster send address changes to: Episcopal Journal, PO Box 1402, Voorhees NJ 08043.

KNITTING TOGETHER THE BODY OF CHRIST

of five violent deaths in Nevada happened in Pioche. Even in 1949, it was not the easiest place for a single woman to make a new home.

Deke Mary lived in the lower level on the backside of the Church where Linda and I stay when we visit today. She had not met a single person in Nevada when she made her long drive from Indiana. Nevada was not an easier place to travel then. In 1957, Deke Mary wrote: There is one main highway from north to south, #93, and all east west roads are unimproved and lead only to mines or ranches. One road crossing the county east and west will be oiled this summer (I assume that would have been Nevada 6) and make east and west travel possible for the first time in this area of the state. The nearest railroad connection is at Caliente and a bus passes through on alternate days (except Sundays) going north one day and south the next.

“All east west roads are unimproved and lead only to mines or ranches.” No e-mail. No texting. No instant messaging. No tweeting. No Skype. No Adobe Connect on-line meetings. Telephones? Not cell phones for sure. As I recall, if you had a phone in those days, it was a party line and you had to hand crank it, then ask an operator to connect you. Long distance was not cheap. Does that sound lonely? What sustained her?

see RELATIONS, next page

In 1957, Deaconess Mary Hettler wrote of her mission in Nevada.“All east west roads are unimproved and lead only to mines or ranches.” No e-mail. No texting. No instant messaging. No

tweeting. No Skype. No Adobe Connect on-line meetings. Telephones?

At convention, we asked “Who is my neighbor?” Since then, I have been thinking more and more about the network of relationships that constitutes the Church as the Body of Christ here in Nevada. I have pondered how it might be possible to form that network, what it would be like if we formed it, and what the obstacles may be. As I wonder about these things, I have been blessed to read the manuscript of Karen Wilkes’ (St. Christopher’s, Boulder City) biography of Deaconess Mary Hettler who served as pastor of Christ Church, Pioche for two decades. Deke Mary, a single woman (as Deaconesses had to be in those days) moved here alone in 1949. Her congregation was four good souls. The rest of the town was mostly Mormon or unchurched. Pioche had been the wildest town in the wild, wild West – the town where 75 people died violently before they had a death of natural causes, where in 1871 and 1872, three out

Writer Karen Wilkes, St. Christopher’s, Boulder City


She said, “All of the clergy in the Diocese of Nevada during the 1950’s were like one big family.” Wilkes writes, “All of the good will and collegiality among the clergy and among her congregants provided Mary with a ready-made Nevada family and it showed, as everyone remembered her during these years as being jovial, full of laughter and exhibiting a great sense of fun.”

It was as far from Pioche to Tahoe then as now. There were just as many mountain ranges. But the clergy formed a spiritual network of mutual care and support. Once the east west road was “oiled,” Deke Mary put her car to use transporting children from Lincoln County to Camp Galilee. One summer, she put 6,000 miles on that car. When priests today grumble about the inconvenience of the one hour flight to Reno and the 40 minute drive to Galilee for priests conference, I think of Mary Hettler. Holiness is not convenient. Relationship in Christ is not convenient. But it makes all the difference in our common spiritual life. Those inconvenient bonds

PLEASE PRAY ON THIS SPACE FOR

THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND LEGACY OF ANNETTE MILLS

and less able to attend to their needs and those of their families.

In this context, what does compassion mean? Reflect briefly on the widow of Nain. Jesus felt compassion for her when he saw her taking her only son for burial. Put this woman’s grief in fuller context. No longer having a man in the house, it’s almost certain she will soon become destitute, as was the woman who dropped her last pennies into the Temple collection box. Jesus knew this of the widow of Nain and felt compassion for her. More concretely, in his very gut he felt her need, and did something about it!

In our baptismal promises we are called upon to be thus compassionate, to “feel deeply in our very gut” the fear, sorrow, and needs of our fellows irrespective of who they are or where they live. For example, a man who said to me as we picked out

RELATIONS, cont’d from previous page

What’s the BUZZ?Advent Greetings via

Hymn 52 (1982)

Our online community is growing! Be part of the EARTHRISEwww.episcopalnevada.org

eggs in Walmart one morning, “It’s really sad to have to take out a loan to buy groceries.” Or the thousands and thousands covered by the recent news story that notes the increase to over 15% in the number of our fellow citizens who are going deeper into poverty. Nor do we need to overuse our imaginations to visualize the results of widespread starvation in Africa.

So, what’s the bottom line that Brueggemann states clearly in his small volume? What does compassion bring us to seek? To set down the “royal prerogative” in whatever way that expresses itself in our society. And the inordinate concentration of wealth makes abundantly clear that there is a “royal prerogative” at work among us. To experience “in the depth of our gut,” being compassionate as our heavenly Father is compassionate. To do otherwise denies Jesus’ other injunction, “If you do not take up your cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple!”make it possible to be “jovial, full of

laughter, and exhibit a great sense of fun.”

What then might our diocese be, given our geography and the context of our time? I do not see us marching lockstep all working on the same project, except insofar as all manner of diverse good works are part of God’s mission. I see St. Timothy’s feeding the hungry in Henderson; St. Paul’s, Elko painting the walls of St. Barnabas, Wells; St. George’s exploring an emergent church ministry in an Austin bar; booming new Latino ministries in Las Vegas and maybe soon in the Reno-Sparks-Carson area; and as many other local incarnations of the mission as there are parishes.

How then might we knit ourselves together as a diocese? For starters, the clergy might become a family again. It would be a bigger family than in the 1950s. Could the clergy could be a family? Maybe. But it has to go beyond that. As story: We are starting a new Filipino/ Pacific Islander Outreach in four Las Vegas parishes next January. Last month, we learned of a Hawaiian cultural festival at

by the Rev. Jim Edwards, Trinity, Reno

Let’s start by asking two related questions. When was the last time you read a book that changed your understanding and how you live your life? Are you puzzled by Jesus’ injunction, “Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,” wondering how you can be that perfect?” I am just finishing such a book, which is helping me answer the second question. It does so by making clear that God is compassionate, and I am called upon to set God free to exercise that compassion.

I take these images of Convention into Advent with me. Many of my friends were praying Brent through back surgery that Saturday, and he’s had a pretty miraculous recovery in the weeks since. The prayer net invisibly lifted my soul and I think the souls of everyone around us. I go into Advent gratefully, for the prayers of the beloved, the competent hands that day, and the safe trip home.

May you all travel well if you are traveling. Have a blessed and fulfilling holiday season and joyful New Year! See you in 2012.

Hallie MurphyEditor, The Desert Spirit

In The Prophetic Imagination Walter Brueggemann shows clearly that Solomon and the Jewish political leaders and priestly class in the centuries following him, right up to and beyond the time of Jesus, established and maintained a “royal society whose sole focus was to aggrandize itself politically, socially and economically at the expense of the common citizen. Because of the attitude of these men over many centuries, the compassion of God was not able to break through and care for the multiple needs of Israel’s common citizens, who became less

Condolences and prayers go out to Jim, whose wife Joan died in October. We also pray for the repose of the soul of Joan. She was a noted poet. May her

soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

This day at thy creating word / first o’er the earth the light was poured / O, Lord, this day upon us shine / and fill our souls with light divine.

The image of EARTHRISE keeps coming back as I pour through hundreds of convention photos made available by Rob McPeak. The Rev Helen is quite a shutterbug, and it looks like delegates had fun with her. Rob made available some 200 pictures for the paper and the website, which, by the way, LOOKS GREAT! Damian Adamowicz and the Communications Team really did a terrific job keeping the site current throughout Convention.

It looks like the reception of the new logo was phenomenal. Congratulations to the Evangelism Team and particularly member Tom Walsh, who designed the new EARTHRISE logo. Everyone looked so smart, and young, in the new shirts.

Some parts of Convention remain a mystery. Why were you signing bags at the icebreaker? And why was Ellie wearing a tiara? And did Bishop Dan bring his antelope horn staff? Oh, I wander.

Reflections on Brueggemann’s Prophetic Imagination


the next generation

Youth Volunteer Weekend March 16-18, 2012

This weekend is for 14-18 years-olds who are excited about camp, making new friends, and doing some work to help get camp ready for the summer season.

The weekend will include some favorite camp activities (campfire, hiking, games, etc.) in addition to the work projects. There will also be opportunities to learn more about summer positions available, apply, and interview. This is a great way to learn more about working at Galilee, introduce a friend to camp, or just enjoy a weekend of fun and giving back!

have the difficult conversations when you need to,” McPeak said.

“I was really struck by Bishop Dan’s sermon at the Eucharist, talking about how God is the relationship,” she said. “It’s not just that, because God exists we’re supposed to build relationships, but that that’s where we discover God.”

Encountering God in relationships is something McPeak experienced at Convention this year. She also

One of Bishop Dan’s goals is to bring the diocesan Youth Council into

closer contact with other diocesan committees, such as its Social Justice

Committee.

“Youth ministry today is no longer just about

bowling and pizza parties,” he said. “Youth today want to be doing

mission.”CONVENTION, from front page

Summer CampJune-August, 2012

There are opportunities for everyone to enjoy some summer fun at Tahoe! We are offering summer camp sessions for ages 7 to 17 and a family camp week. This year we will also be adding a week long backpacking trip for teens. Come experience God’s creation and a welcoming Christian community while hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, and learning more about your own talents and creativity. For more information about our summer camp program call or email Galilee to ensure you’re on the mailing list to receive our summer camp brochure.

“He talked about neighbors as being the people to whom we show compassion, and from whom we are willing to receive compassion,” Edwards said, “and in this exchange of compassion, we are willing to be changed by our neighbors.”

Regarding changes, one major resolution passed at Convention, which calls on the next General Convention to provide for a commission to work on a “dramatic restructuring of the Episcopal Church,” Edwards said. It’s a resolution that’s already been passed by a number of other dioceses.

“The point of the restructuring is to shift resources away from church governance toward actual missions,” he said. “It will be a moving of resources, by which I mean actual dollars, away from centralized organization out into dioceses and parishes and missions, to pay for people doing ministry on the ground. It will be very helpful for the

not only changed people by being in relationship with them, but that he was changed. And probably we ought to be ready to be changed too.”

Allowing ourselves to be changed by our neighbors was a topic in the Convention’s keynote address, given by Brian Thom, Bishop of the Diocese of Idaho. Thom’s address was a Convention high point for Bishop Edwards.

Young adult students from UNR and TMCC Campus Ministries cut it up at the annual pumpkin carving party. Photo submitted by the Rev Stefani Schatz, chaplain to the campus ministry.

Seriously. Nevada Episcopal Youth Community

www.facebook.com/nevadaeyc

find us atgalileetahoe.org

see CONVENTION, next page

see SCHEDULE, pg DS9

said she felt “challenged, in the most supportive and inviting way, to really move into the stuff of faith.”

“I particularly enjoyed singing that song every day (“Canticle of the Turning”), about the world being about to turn,” McPeak said. “And the real question in my mind was, are we willing to turn with it, or are we just going to stay where we are and be safe? My understanding is that Jesus

DELEG

AT

ES

SEE YOU AT CAMP GALILEE


Camp Galilee

at Galilee. In 2011, Jeff Paul and Stuart Campbell were sponsored by more than 50 people for the 60 mile paddle around the lake. To date, over $5000 has been raised toward the goal of $6,000. Please consider a gift and help put us over the top!

The summer campers have enjoyed the kayaks and other wilderness equipment that have been purchased with the proceeds. Each kayak purchased for the waterfront programs allows more campers to explore God’s beautiful creation, and allows Galilee to significantly expand its program offerings.

A Week of Camp Does a World of Good

Contact Us:(775) 749-5546 [email protected]

www.galileetahoe.org

Diocese of Nevada.”

Another proposal to restructure, and therefore re-direct funds from governance to missions, includes possibly holding General Convention once every four years instead of every three. (“The difference between doing it every three years and every four years is millions of dollars,” Edwards said.)

Among the many Canon Revisions approved at Convention is one notable amendment that will merge the diocese’s two boards of directors into one board. The Standing Committee and the Diocesan Council will unite, eliminating overlap of duties and jurisdiction.

“My explanation of it was that, ‘We believe in one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one board of directors,’”

Fifth Year of Great Paddle Splashes Close to Goal

Camp Spirit: A Week of Camp REALLY Does a World of Good

Edwards said. “This will simplify and streamline church governance in Nevada.”

The merge itself will be a gradual process carried out over the next few years, allowing for solutions to “glitches” that inherently arise with any significant change.

“Despite the fact that there will be various nits to pick, I was very pleased that people embraced the overall goal of allowing us to simplify and unify our governance,” he said.

Just as time and money will be freed up with a restructure of the national church, this state-level diocesan merge will allow for more funds to be allocated toward the true mission of the church, which is to bring members into closer relationship with God, one another, and with its neighbors near and far.

With the unification of overlapping committees, as Rev. Netzler said, “We’re going to be able to give a lot of money away that right now we’re using for the wrong things.”

Changing the World, One Camper at a Time

Family photos by past camp shutterbugs.

CONVENTION, from previous page

“...helps her children to be more responsible. They look forward to going back to camp the minute they leave.”

Each year Galilee raises over $30,000 to support the Campership Fund and provide funding for the Camp Spirit Program. No families are ever turned away due to lack of ability to pay for camp. We are still in need of funding for this past summer as we had a great need for camperships. Please consider a gift to the Galilee Campership Fund for 2011. If you have any questions or would like to make a gift, please contact Stuart Campbell at (775) 749-5546 or visit our website at www.galileetahoe.org.

The Camp Spirit session, a program for children who have a family member in prison, has made a significant difference in the lives of many local families. One family has sent several children to Galilee over the years and sees the enormous benefits in the program. The mother has shared that Galilee

The Great Paddle has become a wonderful annual fundraiser to benefit the youth and family programs

See pages DS9 for Galilee’s 2012 camping schedule, or go online at


see CONVENTION, page DS7

We believe in one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one board of

directors,’” Edwards said. “This will simplify and streamline church

governance in Nevada.”


had lunch with Stuart Campbell and some of his staff. Later that evening we all attended the fabulous pre-convention reception hosted by St. Paul’s, Sparks.

All this and convention had yet to start!!!

Early Friday afternoon, Pere Kesner and Pere Kerwin had the opportunity to share their thoughts and their concerns with everyone in attendance at Convention. Pere Kerwin was passionate in his comments that identified the tremendous need for the education of young children in Haiti and the importance of the Episcopal Church in filling that need. Kerwin said, “The government in Haiti does not provide adequate public education for our children, and they do not care about whether or not the parents of these children can afford to pay for private schools. In Haiti, the Episcopal schools take all children – it does not matter if they can pay or not.” Kerwin went on the say, “For us in the Episcopal Church in Haiti, the education of our children is of utmost importance. We want our children to be educated

so that they will be able to get jobs – to work – to provide for their families.”

Pere Kesner echoed his colleague’s thoughts, saying, “Greetings from Haiti from the Partnership Program of the Diocese of Haiti! I want to begin by thanking all of you for the contributions of time and treasure that you have made to your partner church, St. Luc’s, and its school. School in Haiti has begun, despite financial difficulties in most districts. School was scheduled to begin in September but was pushed back until October in many places for those financial reasons. It’s heartening to see the children en route to school in the mornings now. We hope that our children will have a happy and blessed year, and thanks to you, we think that will be possible.”

In the late afternoon, we were back at Trinity for an inspiring Convention Eucharist, and then off to a wonderful dinner hosted by members of Christ Church, Las Vegas. Saturday afternoon brought a second opportunity for Pere Kesner and Pere Kerwin to share thoughts with convention members. Their afternoon breakout group gave everyone a chance to find out a little bit more about our neighbors from Haiti. Pere Kesner has been a priest for over 20 years; he graduated from seminary in Haiti; went on the Boston College and received a Master’s Degree there; and is now writing his thesis for Sewanee’s Doctor of Divinity Program. In addition to being the Coordinator of the Partnership Program, he is Executive Director of the Bishop Tharpe Institute (a community college); Secretary of the Haiti Synod; Secretary of the Diocesan Steering Committee, Chaplain for the Seminary, and he is responsible for a small congregation in Les Cayes, Haiti. Pere Kesner’s wife and teen age daughter live

in Montreal. He visits them about three times a year.

Pere Kerwin is married and has two absolutely adorable children; a daughter who is almost four years old and a five-month old son. He and his family live on the grounds of Ste. Croix Hospital in Leogane. Pere Kerwin is responsible for seven parishes – one is at such a distance from his home that after driving one hour to a certain point, he must park the car and walk for three hours up and down mountains to the little village where the church is located. He shared with us that his legs are so sore after he arrives home, that he can barely walk up his front steps.

Our neighbors from Haiti are truly shining examples of our mission to seek and serve Christ in all persons and striving for justice and peace among all people, and the dignity of every human being.

I believe that we all came away from convention seeing “with the eyes of our heart” just how important our work to bring education to the children of our sister parish, St. Luc’s, Mercery, really is. Please join us in this work. Our next trip to Haiti will be February 15-20. We would love to have you come with us; we will be building much needed school benches at St. Luc’s. For information call Deacon Clelia at 775-253-5579.

Several weeks ago, Bishop Dan and many others welcomed Rev. Kesner Ajax, Coordinator of the Haiti Partnership Program, and Rev. Kerwin Delicat, Priest-in-Charge of the Leogane area, as our guests in Reno for the better part of convention week. What better way to get to know our neighbors in Haiti than to welcome them to our Diocesan Convention and to have the opportunity to hear them speak about themselves, their lives as priests, and their work to help rebuild Haiti after the devastating earthquake of 2010.

Trinity Church’s Rev. Stefani Schatz greeted our two visitors late Tuesday night at the Reno Airport as they arrived after a 14 hour flight from Port-au-Prince, to Miami, to Dallas and then, finally, to Reno. Rev. Karen Albrethsen shared a hearty buffet breakfast with them the following morning. Wednesday afternoon it was off to Trinity, Reno for a special Taize service and reception in their honor. On Thursday, Rev. Stefani whisked them off to Camp Galilee where they went canoeing and

Our Neighbors from Haiti

Left: The Rev Deacon Clelia Garrity with Pere Kesner. Above: Pere Kerwin meets friends at the pre-convention icebreaker.

Pere’s Kerwin Delicat and Kesner Ajax visit Reno for Convention

Photos from a trip to Haiti earlier this year.

By Rev. Deacon Clelia P. Garrity


convention

Silverton Casino, just one week before it happened. In a flurry of activity, we got a booth, printed flyers, and arranged to be there promoting the new ministry. To staff the booth, we had to recruit and schedule volunteers from five different congregations. Many of them had never met or even heard of each other. But in cyclone of full tilt panic emails they met, cooperated, and got the job done.

This January, the new Committee on Social Justice & Mercy will have a two day retreat. Again, Nevada Episcopalians from all over the Diocese, many of whom have never met, will get to know each other. Together they will form a vision for our engagement with the world outside our walls. So I wonder this: most

CONVENTION, from page DS5

One of Bishop Edwards’ goals is to bring the diocesan Youth Council into closer contact with other diocesan committees, such as its Social Justice Committee.

“Youth ministry today is no longer just about bowling and pizza parties,” he said. “Youth today want to be doing mission.”

And although implementing these changes will take time, Edwards said, “I think we took some very positive steps in this direction.”

In other business, the Rev. Stefani Schatz of Reno’s Trinity Episcopal Church presented a deputy’s report on the issue of same-gender blessings. Schatz is a member of the Standing Committee of Liturgy and Music, which is designing documents to be used in future same-gender blessings.

“We’re all agreed that progress is going to be made at the next General Convention,” Edwards said, “and that probably means we will adopt a liturgy for trial use. I would expect there will be a liturgy approved in 2012, and it will probably be revised in 2015.”

Teaching documents and a theological statement to accompany this new liturgy will also be developed and revised in the coming years.

“People were happy to be there, happy to see each other, and there was a good deal of readiness to participate,” he said. “We are not in conflict; it’s more as if we have withdrawn.”

So let’s go knock on our neighbors’ doors this year, Episcopalians. And open up to those who knock on ours.

each other? What if, in the course of sharing ideas and collaborating on any shared projects, they became friends?

At convention, I asked what had happened to disrupt our relationships. I see signs, clear signs, of encrusted hostilities, suspicions, and distrust – often arising out of issues now forgotten. I said we needed to remember and name the wounds so they can be healed. Since then, I have been hearing more stories of old wounds. I have heard the story of what happened when Deke Mary tendered her resignation in order to get married. One of my predecessors drove through the night to Pioche not to support her, not to thank her, but to fire her and order her out of the church on one week’s notice.

We are a family. But family is not easy. My spiritual direction professor in seminary, Margaret Guenther, once said to us. “In this seminary we are a family. But the only person I have ever bitten is my brother. And the only person I have ever struck, God forgive me, is my child.” Relationships are the essential context of a truly human life. But in relationships, people hurt each other. The thing about family is that after we have hurt each other, we are still a family. That spiritual bond compels us to do the hard, soul stretching work of forgiveness and reconciliation. We do it for the sake of a possibility – the possibility of God breaking into the world through our relationships.

RELATIONS, from page DS3

of our congregations have educators who offer faith formation programs locally. Should we all be using the same program? Of course not! But two of our congregations are having great success with a new easy to use program for adults. I doubt anyone in the other congregations has ever heard of it. Those congregations have no chance to decide whether to try it or not. What if the educators in the different parishes communicated with each other? Good ideas might be shared. Bad ideas might be shared. Either way, in the sharing, friendships might arise.

Did you know that youth from All Saints, Las Vegas; St. Michael’s, Wadsworth; Trinity, Reno; and St. Paul’s, Sparks went to Episcopal Youth Event last summer; and different youth from some of those churches went on a mission to Washington State? They are now friends. Out of this experience, we will have a Diocesan Youth Event at Galilee next September. As many as 50 acolytes from multiple parishes will gather for an Acolyte Festival this month. Remember the Green Team, a network of Nevada Episcopalians committed to environmental ministries? Georgia Tachiores of St. Catherine’s called me up recently and said “What happened to the Green Team?” It fell fallow, but Georgia is now contacting people all over the state to get it going again. What might happen if people around Nevada who share common passion for a particular ministry got to know

Above: The Rev. Jim Kelly chats with Dick Stufflbeam. Middle: Registration at St. Paul’s, Sparks. Far right: Conven-

tion Commuttee Chairperson Karen Lantz-Feith multi-tasks from the floor of Convention.

Lucy Boudin (St. Paul’s Sparks), Rob Mc-Peak (Epiphany, Henderson) and the Rev.

Stefani Schatz (Trinity, Reno)

More Photos from Convention can be found online at episcopalnevada.org


n e i g h b o r s ’

Hi Neighbors: Have you ever wanted to travel to the “Land of the Holy One,” and walk where Jesus walked and see where he lived his life? Well, you can do it! Rev. Mark Stanger of Grace Cathedral San Francisco will be traveling to Israel in May of 2012 and the cost is very reasonable. The pilgrims will be staying at Saint George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem in the guest house. It is a most incredible experience and the trip of a lifetime. You can contact Rev. Mark and get more information by e-mail at marks@

It all started at the Convention of October 2008, held in Elko, when the Diocese approved the Genesis Covenant (www.Genesis.eds.edu) A few of the members of Trinity Church, Reno, took that as a call to action. One of those was Dave Bennum who was senior warden at the time. He soon found out that Reno is the second-best place for solar in the entire country -- following Albuqerque, NM. In the fall of 2009, Dave met with Hamilton Solar, a subsidiary of a local construction firm with long ties to the community. Hamilton had been working with the NV Energy rebate programs for non-profit groups, especially in Northern Nevada. After vestry approval, in the summer of 2010, Trinity received a rebate of approximately $147,000for a $205,000 project which had to be used within one year.

Hamilton drafted plans for 105 SunPower 320 watt panels (the most powerful panel on the market). The solar panels would be installed on the flat roof of the Parish House and in addition to the solar panels, after 20 years, the roof would need to be replaced and insulated and the interior beams would need to be strengthened.

Trinity began to educate the parish about the solar energy project and to raise funds. The total cost for the project was approximately $104,000. Trinity is grateful to the Diocese for a $50,000 capital improvement loan which will be repaid out of the savings in electricity for the church building. A generous anonymous donor has set a matching grant of $25,000 which expires on December 31, 2011. To date, almost $10,000 has been donated and matched—with many thanks to those donors. The

panels generate close to 25kW of energy per day which is “returned” to NV Energy via a “net metering agreement” and is already reducing the electricity costs. On a sunny Sunday, September 4, 2011, members of the congregation gathered outside the parish hall. After reading a portion of Psalm 148, they were asked by the Rev. Stefani Schatz, Rector: “Will you support and join with the members of the Vestry in their leadership by undertaking the Solar

Energy Project, so that it may be both enriching and challenging to everyone in our community?” to which they replied: “We will. May God’s splendor above the earth, above the heavens, give strength to the nations and glory to the people close to God!”

Rev. Stefani continued: “May the God of all Creation, who has inspired us through Word and Spirit, God who

Special Report from Bishop Dan

Invitation to the Holy Land

piece done on the wall of St Pauls church, so can be viewed by anyone visiting that parish. He also created the processional cross that was used in the Convention worship. We want to thank Gene for his dedication to the creation of art for worship and spirit!! Other artists participating in the exhibit included Carol Brown, Amy Heintz and Maggie Verhoef, Carolyn Hoffman, Ann Whitfield, Lucina Moses, Lauri Northway, Kathleen Matrange and Janett Rice. I would like to thank all of the artists who participated, and those who voted for the People’s Choice award. The choice is always difficult, as so many creations were magnificent!! Thanks for encouraging the ECVA artists of Nevada!!

Peace,Meg TarbleECVA Nevada Chair

The 3rd ECVA (Episcopal Church and Visual Arts) Exhibit included 18 pieces of art and over a dozen artists from all over Nevada at Diocesan Convention 2011 in Reno, at Harrah’s Casino. The theme was Who is my Neighbor, but the sacred art varied in themes and messages. This year’s recipient of the People’s Choice Award went to Gene Carse from St. Paul’s, Sparks. His piece was titled “The Tree of Life” and is an installation

is incarnate in us all, and who has called us to co-creators rather than rulers of the glory which is Nature, bless this Solar Energy Project. May it (literally) shine throughout the city of Reno and beyond as an example of the ways in which our energy choices may be guided by our desires to collaborate with rather than conquer this world. In the name of our Triune God, I bless this Solar Energy Project; and I commission the use of this Solar Energy Project to the glory of God at Trinity Episcopal Church. AMEN!”

Trinity’s Solar Energy Project a challenge and a call to become “co-creators

LET THE LIGHT SHINE

“... as an example of the ways in which our energy choices may be guided by our desires to collaborate with rather than conquer this world.”

Report from the Rev Stefani Schatz

rather than rulers of the glory which is Nature.”

eighteen pieces anda dozen + artists

gracecathedral.org. The start date is May 13, 2012. Don’t miss this opportunity. It will change your life! Blessings, Linda Smith


g o o d n e w s

The ladies of the church and of Friends in the Desert prepared the salad, the bread, and the dessert. As people were finishing the meal, they were invited to come into the church where there was a preconcert concert, by several young people who couldn’t say no to Mrs. Annis when asked to participate. Those young people did themselves up proud and this concert was enjoyed by all.

There was a short interlude between the children’s concert and the evening concert. The concert was the combined effort of these two very accomplished musicians, Ray Conley, classical pianist, and Claudia Merrill, soprano. The

Everyone enjoyed a wonderful evening of eating and music on Saturday, October 22, for a combined benefit dinner and concert performed at St. Timothy’s for “Friends in the Desert” a feeding program that feeds 70 -100 people a hot meal each day. The feeding program is housed at St. Timothy’s, but is an organization of its own.

The evening began at 5:30 P.M with a wonderful spaghetti Dinner. The spaghetti and sauce was prepared and donated by Don and Michele Sparks.

evening event was well attended and the money raised will be a tremendous help to the feeding program.

Ray Conley, pianist and teacher, has been playing piano since the age of 9. He was in the Air Force, became a pilot, and worked as a pilot for American Airlines until retirement. But, he continues to perform and teach piano. He has studied under Louis Willford while living in Connecticut, and now in Las Vegas has studied under Lillian Bauer Cox and Dr. Victor Hugo Alvarez, Department head at College of Southern Nevada.

Ray has performed on cruise ships, and concert venues in Tennessee, North Carolina and parties and events in Las Vegas. He also performs at an annual

piano- fest in his home. He has been one of the pianists at Epiphany Church in Henderson for the last 5 years .Ray also brought with him a clarinetist, Dora Ivanov, who is a junior at Las Vegas Academy. He accompanied her for a very beautiful clarinet sonata.

Claudia has performed as soloist throughout the United States with the Sacred Heart Chorale Ensemble, and as a regular soloist at two churches here in Las Vegas area. She has performed with the Marygrove College Chorale, Michigan Opera Theater, open workshop and the Fr. William T Cunningham Memorial Choir. She performed in concert this year in Detroit and Las Vegas, and she released her first CD “Listening to God” a collection of Opera, Classical and Spiritual music.

In 2008 Ms Merrill founded the Amethyst Center, which is designed to provide life enrichment through music. Claudia was accompanied by Mrs. Maryann Jones, Organist and choirmaster at St. Timothy’s Episcopal.

Camp Galilee Summer Schedule 2012

Session Dates

Counselor Training June 17 - 24 (ends Sunday at 4:00 PM) age 16 & aboveElementary 1 June 26 - June 30 (starts Tuesday) ages 7 - 10Elementary 2 July 1 - July 6 (ends Friday) ages 8 - 11Middle School 1 July 8 - July 14 ages 10 - 13Camp Spirit July 15 - July 20 (ends Friday) ages 7 - 10Middle School 2 July 22 - July 28 ages 12 - 15High School 1 July 29 - August 4 ages 13 - 16Teen Backpacking Trek August 5 - August 11 ages 14 - 17Family Camp August 5 - 11 All agesFamily Camp – Half Week August 8 -11 All ages

Friends in the Desert Enjoy Benefit Dinner & Concert

What happens on Saturday evening, with a $20.00 ticket to Spaghetti dinner and concert at St. Timothy’s church in Henderson?

70 parishioners and friends of St. Timothy’s in Henderson gather to find out.

Summer CampJune-August, 2012

There are opportunities for everyone to enjoy some summer fun at Tahoe! We are offering summer camp sessions for ages 7 to 17 and a family camp week. This year we will also be adding a week long backpacking trip for teens. Come experience God’s creation and a welcoming Christian community while hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, and learning more about your own talents and creativity. For more information about our summer camp program call or email Galilee to ensure you’re on the mailing list to receive our summer camp brochure.

Memorial Day Weekend Adult Retreat June 8-11, 2012

This retreat allows people to come together and enjoy the beauty of Tahoe in the spring. The structure of the retreat is very relaxed, with optional program provided by Galilee staff and the Rev. Jim Beebe, Rector of St. Patrick’s, Incline Village. This program will include some walks in the woods, kayaking, and discussion time. There will be plenty of time to unwind and enjoy the site, or take advantage of the many activities that the Tahoe basin has to offer. Delicious and fresh meals will be provided by the Food Service Director, Laurie Wesp.


Ms. Claudia Merrill, Soprano

SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS!

Submit stories and photos to [email protected]

Materials for the February 2012 issue must be recieved

by January 6, 2012.


Christian FormationEpiscopal Identity

By Canon Educator Chuck McCray

bites” (why the word “sound-bite” wasn’t invented yet).But if you should require a sound-bite intro then please read “The Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral” found in The Book of Common Prayer pg. 876-77. Huntington introduced the idea of the quadrilateral: Scripture, Gospel Sacraments, Creeds and Historic Episcopate as the “four points..... of pure Anglicanism” in the Church-Idea. (The Anglican Communion today debates whether or not the Quadrilateral is enough as it wrestles with “The Instruments of Unity” and “The Anglican Covenant”) And please be patient with gender specific language (hey its 1870).

The online American Heritage Dictionary defines identity as “the collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which a thing is definitively recognizable or known” and ethos as “the disposition, character, or fundamental values peculiar to a specific person, people, culture, or movement”

Whenever we engage discussions on “Episcopal Identity” we are also involved in a discussion of our “ethos” as well. It seems the two concepts are wedded or at least dating. As the Psalm says of righteousness and peace that they “have met together and kissed” our parish Christian formation programs allow identity and ethos to come together in such an intimate fashion. We do indeed want the characteristics by which we are definitively known (identity) to be authentically reflective of the fundamental values peculiar to us (ethos).

As there are many good books on the topic of Episcopal Identity I would like to offer another for your consideration: The Church-Idea: An Essay Toward Unity written by William Reed Huntington in 1870 (yes, 1870). Huntington (1838-

At its best, looking into the pages of The Church-Idea will be as looking into the photo of great, great grandparents. Oh the clothes will look funny and the poses stiff but we recognize looks that are our own.We see hints or our own theological jaw line or the spiritual curl in our hair. And in that study we better understand our faith filled gene pool which at times still contributes to our religious hereditary dis-eases. But our forebearers are not strangers to us. Our current identity and ethos are very much the heritage and legacy of the church-idea promoted by William Reed Huntington. I commend it to you all. It can be found at:

http://www.amazon.com/Church-Idea-Towards-Library-Episcopalian-Classics/dp/0819219134/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

1909) was a priest and educator in the Protestant Episcopal Church. This book remains a classic for understanding the trajectory of The Protestant Episcopal Church and how we came to be who we are today as The Episcopal Church. It seems every page holds some surprise revelation of both our brilliance and shadow as a people of God. Some have taken us far and some, still unrecognized in our times, hold us back. Look at the above quote. Could it be as true of us today as one hundred and forty years ago?

The language is modern (well not too 1870 if you get what I mean) but remember that literate persons did not as yet express ideas in “sound-

“If our whole ambition as Anglicans in America be to continue a small, but eminently respectable body of Christians, and to offer a refuge to people of refinement and sensibility, who are shocked by the irreverences they are apt to encounter elsewhere; in a word, if we care to be only a countercheck and not a force in society; then let us say as much in plain terms, and frankly renounce any and all claim to Catholicity. We have only, in such a case, to wrap the robe of our dignity about us, and walk quietly along in seclusion no one will take much trouble to disturb. Thus may we be a Church in name, and a sect in deed.”

William Reed HuntingtonThe Church-Idea: An Essay Toward Unity, 1870

Explore Frensdorff School at episcopalnevada.org

way of being.• What is the dominant story of the parish? Again, how do stories affect our framework for thinking? What is the story behind the story? • Externalize rather than personalize, discover ways to find new perspectives on an old story.• Explore theology, ideology, or worldview behind the story.• How is our theology, ideology, or worldview similar or different than the story? What alternate possibilities exist in the story if we could rewrite it? Where is God in our story?• Create chaos, invite interchange between God-people-leader; consider scripture, tradition, reason, history, and context as vital to healthy inquiry.• Where do we go from here? Can we co-author a story of our future?

Once Upon A Time

see STORY, next page

For Scheduling, see Frensdorff School at episcopalnevada.org

Our faith stories may begin “once upon a time” but they, unlike the fairy-tale, do not have a familiar ending; rather, they are continuing “and they are lived faithfully in the moment.”

“Once upon a time,” words many of us may have heard most our lives, beginning with our childhoods. It usually introduced a story about someone else, a princess or prince, maybe a dragon and a castle. All of them in a time long ago and a land far away shrouded in the fogs of the fabulous. Our lives are lived in less than a “fairy-tale” fashion and yet they tell a story too. Surprisingly, “once upon a time” is a good beginning for our personal stories and particularly the telling of our faith stories.

Story-telling has become an important spiritual discipline for contemporary Christians. One can find it referenced and encouraged throughout current Christian formation and evangelism materials. (Remember Diocesan Convention 2009, “I Love to Tell the Story” with the Rev’d Terry Martin as our keynoter?) Sharing our personal faith stories is often difficult and strange, new and just downright scary for many Episcopalians, but there is an authority, authenticity and inspiration that comes with the risk of making such heartfelt disclosures.Sharing our personal faith stories moves us from talking about God and around the Holy and into speaking from our experience of God in our lives. “One important aim of ministry is to enable individuals and

communities to fashion narratives that weave together divine and human stories in to a single fabric.” [Anderson and Foley, Mighty Stories, Dangerous Rituals.Jossey-Bass 2001] In order to better prepare ourselves for this “ministry” of story-telling, the Frensdorff School of Christian Formation offered an online exploration of story-telling. It was held on Wednesday evenings during the month of June.The class was an introduction to the basics of story-telling, and it explored what happens when you combine intentional listening with reflective story prompts in many of the following areas:

• What types of stories do we share at church? Why, or what is the purpose of the stories we share?• Explore definitions of myth, legend, tale, parable, history, midrash, personal experience.• How do stories affect our framework for thinking?• Share stories that express our sense of self, our values, our purpose.• Explore stories that propel us into action, the difference between telling a good story and story as a

By Canon Chuck McCray

characterethos

identitystory


The Church’s Educational Ministry

• Explore ways to reframe stories through refusing the negative, the fearful, the faithless choices; find miracles to celebrate, and chose instead a framework of faith and demonstrated strengths.

Educators are great sources for storytelling in parishes. Leaders and members at large can benefit from learning to engage groups in intentional storytelling: for in-person or online class information, please contact [email protected].

The class was facilitated by Hallie Murphy, in her role as Ministry Developer. Hallie has been actively engaged in facilitating story-telling workshop in congregations in the Comstock Collaborative of parishes in the northern part of the diocese; at Coventry Cross in Minden, St Paul the Prospector in Virginia City, and St Paul’s in Sparks. You can reach Hallie at [email protected].

Nevada Episcopalians Take EDS Preaching Class, Online

Luke 5:1-11

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God; he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they

had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

There are many things to contemplate about this wonderful gospel lesson from Luke. Tonight however, I am going to focus on the fishing nets.

Fishing nets are created by knotting warp and weft of a textile such as flax at their intersecting points forming a strong though open bond through which water, small fish and seaweed can usually pass, but that holds the larger fish.

STORY, from prev page

Story by Lola Culbreath

We began our studies in June of 2010 by discernment and the study consisted of reading the book by Jane Tomaine “St. Benedict’s Toolbox.” We all come from different parishes in Las Vegas and we had planned on meeting once a month, we would discuss the chapter or chapters we had read and would share with each other some of the many wonderful things we were discovering. We all were experiencing the same thing and that was a new and

in the morning after they have “worked all night long.”

The term “net” can be a metaphor for relationship. And our culture has used “NET” in many acronyms: Bob Dylan’s Never Ending Tour began in 1988, National Educational Television was the predecessor to PBS and the National Educational Technology Standards encourage effective and productive use of technology.

Our financial documents refer to the term “net” as an antonym of “gross” or as the final determining value relating to other values. The InterNET is a global system of inter connected

The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. We started with a Quite Day. Our Chaplain, Rev. Mike Annis, led the quite time with a program on “How do we live our Baptismal Covenant in Today’s Time.” We had The Holy Eucharist, Installation of Members and Refreshments. We continue to study and meet once a month. We are now reading Heart Whisper by Elizabeth Canhan and we have two other wonderful women that have made the decision to study and join with us each month. Julie Mills and Nancy.

“We are excited to join the many women across this great county with a new circle in The Episcopal Community in Las Vegas Nevada.”

Lola Culbreath, Teddie Brewer, Rev. Mike Annis, Jayne Holmes, Kathy Funk, Celine Green

Circle of the Holy Spirit

different way of life. We deepened our relationship with God, helping each other with the rule of life, and learning how we could use it in today’s times.

I had read, “I realize that the center of the Rule is Christ, the cornerstone is the scripture, and the focus of the Rule is how to live in a loving relationship with God, self and others.” Wow, powerful!Our Installation into The Episcopal Community was on June 4, 2011 at

The Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts offered a course designed for beginning preachers who want to find their voice and learn about resources, as well as experienced preachers who want to hone their skills. The class focused on building skills such as sermon construction, preparation and delivery; conversational aspects of preaching, and preaching with greater skill and effect in local congregational contexts. The course began September 19 and ended (on paper) November 6: twenty two persons from across the country enrolled with at least eight of them being from Nevada, organized into teams in order to facilitate conversation and feedback around sermons and homiletical theology.

Margaret Bath accepted the invitation to publish her homework here, a sermon on Luke 5, as part of our holy conversation on relationships throughout the diocese. Margaret attends St. Bartholomew’s, Ely, was a delegate to Convention, and attended the Women’s Retreat at Galilee.

Tying Knots

Sermon on Luke By Margaret Bath

Nets have been used for fishing for thousands of years. There is artistic evidence from 5000 BC of nets used for fishing. A treatise on fishing from about 180 AD written by the Greek Oppian of Corycus paints a picture of the use of nets “which work while their masters sleep.” Perhaps this is the reason that Jesus finds Simon and the other fishermen


computer networks. Mathematically a net is an arrangement of two dimensional polygons, folded together to form a three dimensional polyhedron.

Nets can also be for safety. There is a program from Episcopal Relief and Development “Nets for Life”, the purpose of which is to keep Malaria infested mosquitoes from people in sub Saharan Africa while they sleep. There is a net behind the home plate of a baseball field to protect spectators from fly balls. The grace and beauty of a trapeze artist twirling high in the air is enhanced by the net that provides a safe exit from the swing. Socioeconomic safety nets are provided by many programs in society including those sponsored by the church to reduce the risk of falls to the poor.

I’ve just returned from an amazing weekend at the Diocesan Women’s Retreat at Camp Galilee. The weather was crisp with just the right touch of new snow. The lake’s changing colors with different light never ceases to catch my attention. But the real happening was inside Hunting Lodge as twenty six women from all around the diocese shared their hopes, creativity, and faith with each other. The energy was palpable. Helen McPeak, Priest-in-Charge at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Henderson, called us together with bursts of song, getting our attention and giving us some direction while not dissipating the positive energy.

From the very first evening of the retreat, the net was created. Now this is not a net for fishing in the beautiful Lake Tahoe. This net is the one that transitions us from fishermen to fishers of men. This net is the relationship we form with one another and with God. The commitment to this net is what makes a disciple. The knots in this net are human hearts. Every connecting thread is a relationship between human hearts. If we let God in, he is present in each knot. And the Holy Spirit flows through the threads into each and every heart. To the extent we let God in, the knots are sound and strong and each connecting thread sure. But the opposite also holds true…..if we deny God’s entrance into our net,

LUKE 5, from prev page

the knots are weakened and the net may even become frayed. These disciples with their vocations as fishermen, called by Jesus, were no strangers to the practice of mending nets.

When we attend lovingly to another person, the net is strengthened and made whole. When we fail to respond to another,

Merry Christmas to all!

the net becomes weakened and torn.

The net travels through the ocean of life fishing for men and women. It is the net into which God gathers his children. Every knot has a fragment of God in it and every connecting relationship is charged with his life and love.

Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer found in the gospel of John, reads like the net. “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us.” We are called to be one with each other. We are called to strengthen the net through interactions with God and each other.

It is no mistake that we are talking about something that also provides safety. When we accept the calling to become fishers of men then our world is turned upside down – we are no longer confident, self-assured men and women. We become like the trapeze artist letting go into the safety net of God’s love.

Jesus tells Simon not to be afraid……he says the same to us. The net is there for us. God is with us, sustaining us as we bring others to the heavenly banquet.

Gracious Lord, be with us in our nets of relationship with you and with others. Strengthen the knots with your love. Let us grow in who we are to be as fishers of people. Hold us and keep us in the safety of your love. Amen.

The knots in this net are human hearts. Every connecting thread is a relationship between human hearts.

When we attend lovingly to another person, the net is strengthened and made whole.

When we fail to respond to another, the net becomes weakened and torn.

Some Knots of the Commo Net, Ellie, Clelia, Damian, Rob & Helen

the desert spirit, december 2011

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