Portland and the Daughters of the King

Steve I went in a day early and spent time with good friends Michael and Marla Hanley. It was wonderful to be with them, to spend time visiting the offices of the Diocese of Oregon and to share stories. We went to Powell's Books -- probably the best bookstore I've ever been to -- thankfully we only had a small carryon bag between us or we would have purchased many more books! We also were able to see some of the beauty of Oregon -- the views of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood were beautiful on Friday, which was a clear day. Also, the various falls and vista overlooks we saw on the way to and around Menucha Retreat Center were spectacular.

The reason we went to Oregon is that I was asked, as Province VIII Chaplain for the Daughters, to address them at their every-three-year leadership retreat. It was so good to be with the Daughters of the King at Menucha Retreat Center in Corbett, Oregon. Pictured here are all the Daughters who came to the leadership retreat from Province VIII -- including daughters from Alaska and Hawaii. It was an honor for the Daughters to welcome Bishop Michael Hanley, Bishop of Oregon with us.

My talk with them centered on leadership in a changing world. How is the work of the Daughters of the King relevant for younger women? What is the best way for us to communicate our message to the larger community? There was lively discussion and great ideas shared.

We talked about mission and ministry, about prayer and service. We talked about how we care for each other and the world. We celebrated the Eucharist (I lead the Liturgy of the Word, Bishop Hanley celebrated the Liturgy of the Table), and we installed the new Province VIII Daughters of the King President -- the Diocese of Los Angeles' own Sara Lee Macdonald. While I had to leave the Daughters late Saturday morning to catch a plane back to Los Angeles, it was wonderful to be together, even for this short amount of time.

The Daughters of the King have a rule of life that centers around service, evangelism and prayer. Isn't that what we're supposed to all be doing as Christians? I can't wait to see where the leadership of the Daughters will go this triennium in terms of their work together. I can't wait to see in what new ways they will be engaging the communities around them. Please pray for them -- and as a Daughter myself, please pray for me.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Portland Oregon, Menucha Retreat and Conference Center

Lenten Camino

We didn't go very far -- a little less than 3 miles, but we did it. We walked part of the Camino to Santiago de Compostela. It was a beautiful walk. Peregrinos (Pilgrims) who looked as though they were at the end of a LONG walk, passed us on the road. When we entered the square where the Church is, you could see the joy on the faces of those who had made the long journey -- we were happy for them, and for each of us who did the "abbreviated version".

There are several members of our Diocesan community who are planning future pilgrimages on the Camino. There is a part of me that longs to join them. I remember feeling so moved just by the short journey -- I could only imagine the movement of my spirit if I undertook the whole (or a large part of) the walk.

I'm thinking about the Camino and journey this Lenten season. We all are on a journey -- a journey of faith. We meet fellow pilgrims along the road--some enhance our journey, some try to stop us cold. Yet, the one who is always walking with us is our Lord and Savior.

This season of Lent I've given up two things -- playing online Scabble/Words with Friends and all processed sugar (including chardonnay!). In place of the time I used to play online word games -- I've taken on extending my walks this Lent. I hope, by the end of Lent, to walk the minimum number of miles to get what would be my "certificate" for completing the Camino. More, I hope that well before the end of the year to walk the "full Camino" -- not literally, but figuratively by the amount of walking I accumulate each day. Why? I'm still so struck by the Camino -- and how, even with people around me, at peace I felt. I feel at peace when I walk -- so I have taken that on this year. As a shell is the symbol for the pilgrimage, I'm thinking of collecting shells along the way during the months ahead. The shell -- I loved using those to do baptisms!

I wish you all a blessed, holy Lent. I wonder what I will find as I wander on my "Camino" walks. Shells? Fellow pilgrims? Hmmmmm.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Happy New Year!

It is January 1st, and I've already purged files, rearranged my home office, put away all the Christmas things and written thank you notes.

No, I'm not super woman. I just got up early and was enthused to start this new year organized and ready to go. I started reflecting on this past year, and indeed on the past few years after becoming bishop. What a wild ride it has been!

If you didn't attend our diocesan convention, here is a link to the video that Mary Trainor, Chris Tumilty and I put together with highlights of the last 2 1/2 years: http://youtu.be/qoMg0noaoAY. You may have to go to YouTube and paste that in to see it.

Happy New Year everyone! Blessings and love to you all!

+Diane

Of Loaves and Fishes

Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost." So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world."


For the last two nights Steve and I have been taking a bread making class (rustic breads) at the Black Market Bakery here in Irvine. It has been a dream for Steve to do this, and I was happy to go along to learn as well. We worked as a team, and there were three other teams of people also learning at the Bakery under the keen eye of Baker Extraordinaire Rachel Klemek, owner of the Bakery.

We worked over two nights to learn the basics of bread making, including how to handle different types of bread. In the end Steve and I made ciabatta, sourdough loaf and rolls, hamburger buns and rosemary dinner rolls. You can see a bit of our work and Steve in this picture.

As we were getting ready to leave, most of the members of the class were asking "what are we going to do with all this bread?" -- for we weren't the only ones baking all the bread -- the other groups came away with an equal amount of what they had made.

You know, I've always wondered about the story of the loaves and fishes. While I certainly believe that Jesus performed miracles, I've often wondered if the miracle that was REALLY performed that day was that, humbled by the words of Jesus and being in Jesus' presence, when he blessed the boy's bread and fish, those who had actually brought something and were hoarding it softened their hearts and offered it around, so that those who had none had some -- with leftovers!

Isn't it the same with the treasures that we hold close to us, our time/talent/treasure? We are called to share joyfully from our first fruits giving back to God a tithe of what we have been blessed with in our lives. We are never called to hoard, but to share.

By the time we reached home, 1/3 of our bread was already given to my good friend and neighbor. More will leave the house today.

I wonder what we will be making in the weeks ahead to be shared with others -- especially at the upcoming Laundry Love on August 8th? http://www.laundrylovehb.com/

On being "down"

I have a confession to make -- it's hard for me to be "down".

This past week, I was supposed to be at Camp Stevens, but when I went to the doctor on Monday and found out that this nasty cough I had was bronchitis, I was given antibiotics, cough medicine, and told to stay home. I wasn't happy. I felt very weak and tired -- could have been a bit of post-General-Convention deep tiredness mixed in with being ill. While I did stay in the house and I stayed hydrated, drinking water and tea, I was restless. It's not easy for me to not be busy -- and I was groggy enough from the medicines not to want to read a book. What was I to do? Well, the great Card Make 2012 began!

 I've made cards every summer for over 10 years -- I usually take one week of my vacation, work in the garden in the morning and work on cards in the afternoon -- catching up on movies and TV shows (or doing "marathons" of Harry Potter or NCIS). This time, as I was not feeling much like working in the garden, I spent a lot of time on making cards. I'm not done yet (I took long breaks), but when I'm done, I will have made about 1,500 cards. More than 1/2 of them will go to PRISM ministry for them to sell, and the rest will go to our Cathedral Bookstore -- to be sold to benefit the bookstore. The rest I will use during the year, as I always do.

 Some might say that I can't stay still -- that's not quite true, I can and I do. It's just that I can't just do nothing all day long. The same was true for me while I was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Chemo and radiation slowed me down a bit, but I still kept up with all my work.

So, now you know. My wandering keeps me wondering -- and on the move. Here's some pictures of the "process" and progress:

Important Take-Aways from General Convention

Well, here we are at the end of our last day of General Convention.

There are some things to understand that we take away from here that passed both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies voted:

• to provide a rite for provisional use for the blessing of same-sex unions. You should know that there is language in this resolution that allows Bishops and priests NOT to offer this rite in their congregations if they feel that they do not want to do so. For those who DO want to offer this rite, it will be available. 
• a budget that is focused on the Five Marks of Mission -- it is a mission oriented budget, with more monies being funneled into program than in prior budgets.  
• to create a group to study the structure of our Church and to make recommendations as to how we can improve how we work together to the glory of God.This is VERY important work, and a move on the part of the church to look at all aspects of our life together.
• we talked extensively once again and passed resolutions that talk about justice and equality for ALL persons, and which dealt with access to ordination, fair wages, our denominational health plan, and the environment. This convention once again looked at issues where anyone is marginalized and shed light on the situation, calling for an end to any injustice.
• to approve rites for dealing with the adoption, care or death of pets. As a pet owner myself, I understand the importance of the rites offered here -- they will be available for use, and the language is beautiful.

There have been laughs and tears during this convention. You may have read that part of the deputation from South Carolina left the day after both houses passed the same-sex blessing resolution. I will share with you that their bishop left also, which saddened me greatly. Their voices are greatly needed at the table -- and even with the provision that "you don't have to do this" -- they still felt that they needed to leave to think and pray about this.I am praying for them all -- and for everyone involved in this convention.

Bishop Sean Rowe is a friend and favorite of mine. He is witty and smart, and consistently steady in his work as Parliamentarian. I admire him greatly.

I have this shot of the dais and the flags behind it --  you can see this below.

It has been the most amazing time here. The "five marks of mission" were talked about in many of our works together. At the end, five Bishops who just so happen to be named MARK came up with a song to "mark" the occasion:

Five Marks of Mission

(to the tune of “We all are one in mission…”)

We are five Marks of mission, though not all spelled the same;

The Good News of the Kingdom to all we proudly proclaim.

We teach, baptize, and nurture believers new and old,

By loving service responding to human needs untold.

Society's unjust structures, we five seek to transform.

From New York to Alaska, we labor for the Lord.

In dioceses from coast to coast and ’cross the great Midwest, 

We are Marks of God's mission, seeking to do our best.

Integrity of creation, we're striving to safeguard;

To sustain Earth's life and renew it, we five are working hard.

We disagree on many things, but of this we are sure:

We are five Mark's of mission, committed to the core.

If you feel that God's mission is calling out to you,

Marked as Christ's own forever, there's plenty you can do.

We have five marks to guide our work, to keep our efforts true;

We are five Marks of mission, and surely you are one, too.

 Performed by: The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr. (Ohio)

                        The Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk (New York)

                        The Rt. Rev. Mark A. Lattime (Alaska)

                        The Rt. Rev. Mark M. Beckwith (Newark)

                        The Rt. Rev. Marc H. Andrus (California)

Words:             The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr.

 A short snippet of the video of this event can be found here.

The closing prayers by our chaplains were, as always, appropriate and wonderful -- here is the text of the closing Litany from Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero:

It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view.

The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction

of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.

Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying 

that the kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said.

No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confessions brings perfection.

No pastoral visit brings wholeness.

No program accomplishes the church's mission.

No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about: We plant seeds that one day will grow.

We water seeds already planted, knowing they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.

We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything 

and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.

This enables us to do  something, and to do it very well.

It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,

an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results,

but that is the different between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.

It was a long convention in many ways, although shorter in time than the last. I leave you with a  picture of the dais and the flags of all the countries represented at our General Convention below. I am very tired, but happy to have been here and been part of the House of Bishops for this important time in the life of our church.

The Home Stretch

Well, we are ALMOST done! One more day to go.

Woke up and went to the Dispatch meeting. As Assistant Secretary to the House of Bishops, I'm in training to help the Secretary of the House of Bishops. It has been a great joy to serve with the Rt. Rev. Ken Price, Bishop Suffragan in Ohio, Provisional Bishop in Pittsburgh. He is amazing in his knowledge and energy, and I have already learned so much from him!

The House of Bishops was able to get through all of our legislation today. I know that what we passed is available on a website somewhere, so I'm not gong to go over all of that. What I will say is how impressed I am with the House of Bishops about how we work together. I love my table mates, and will miss them when we change tables (we get "reset" to new tables each triennium), but will look forward to being with new colleagues in March at the next House of Bishops meeting.

Steve and I went to dinner with Bishop Coadjutor Andy Dietsche and his wonderful wife Margaret. What a relaxed dinner! Andy and Margaret are down to earth, very centered people. He is a wonderful pastor and an accomplished graphic artist and cartoonist. Some of his work can be found here.

We are all tired, ready to head home, but we have one more full day here in Indianapolis.

Here are some pictures from today:

At Table 21 at the House of Bishops -- this was my table 3 years ago when I started, the first HOB meeting after General Convention 2009, and right after my election as Bishop Suffragan. I've sat at this table with Prince Singh, Herb Donovan, Keith Whitmore, Chilton Knudson and Jim Mathes at Camp Allen (twice), Phoenix, Kanuga, Quito, and now Indianapolis -- and gratefully so!