Mar 2011 - Diocese of the Rio Grande

IN THE 

EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDE 

MARCH, 2011 

Welcome Home 

THE 

THE 

BOSQUE CENTER 

CONFERENCES AND SPIRITUAL LIFE 

The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande

2 

IN THE 


Message from Bishop Michael 

Bosque Center to Nurture the Life of the Diocese 

Many of you have expressed your excitement about 

the future of our Diocese and the possibilities that will 

flow from our purchase of the Spiritual Renewal Center 

in Albuquerque. Your anticipation of what will become 

The Bosque Center matches that of those of us who 

were involved in the negotiations for the property. The 

property, which will be a conference and spiritual life 

center, sits amidst five acres along the Bosque of the 

Rio Grande in Albuquerque. The Center will provide a 

peaceful gathering place that is centrally located for 

our Diocesan Life together. 

The sale of this wonderful facility, by the grace of 

God, and I believe, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, 

came to my attention early in December. Since then 

many diocesan leaders have been creatively and boldly 

engaged with me in envisioning how this breathtaking 

facility could serve the myriad spiritual and educational 

formative needs of both laity and clergy across the 

whole diocese for many generations to come. Centered 

in the heart of Albuquerque, originally owned and 

operated by the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine 

de’Ricci, this holy place will become the diocese’s 

heart-beat giving new life and growth to evangelism 

in this third millennium and inspiring reconciliation in 

Christ. 

We are all prayerfully just beginning to envision 

what this facility might become. The center will house 

our diocesan office, a future diocesan Resource Library, 

and other aspects of our diocesan life together. We 

also expect this facility to be a center for laity and 

clergy continuing education and ministry formation, 

numerous conferences , intergenerational and young 

adult ministries, open to parish groups and used 

for personal and parish retreats. Our doors will be 

wide open to serve both ecumenical and interfaith 

communities. 

We are blessed and grateful for the foresight of the 

Trustees of Property and the Standing Committee. 

The Diocese became the legal owner of the property 

as of January 31. To meet the purchase price of $1.7 

million, we were able to draw approximately $280,000 

from all six of the Diocesan investment accounts to 

allow us to pay cash. No funds were taken from the 

Diocesan operating budget. This investment in the 

Diocese will ensure a strong future for generations to 

come. 

Visioning always entails re-visioning so these 

descriptive offerings are just some initial ideas. 

Yet, In my pastoral mind this will be our “Diocesan 

Family Center” providing us with a more central and 

accessible location to bring many and diverse people 

together and to witness to Christ’s Gospel work of 

love, charity, nourishing community , a place for good 

works and transforming lives. We are working on plans 

for remodeling and renovation, which will recreate the 

current space to meet the needs of our Diocese and 

for its outreach to others. We hope to be moving later 

this year. 

For more information, visit www.bosquecenter. 

com. We also are preparing to make a YouTube Virtual 

Tour of the premises so you all have a chance to begin 

envisioning other possibilities as you and I carry on 

Christ’s Mission. 

The Lord has blessed us richly by giving us this 

extraordinary gift in this new year, and providing a new 

context in strengthening the mission and ministries of 

the Diocese of the Rio Grande. The Holy Spirit is on the 

move. Pray for each other and the witness of the DRG. 

God Bless 

+Michael 

Lecturer Favors ‘Faithful 

Presence’ to Engage Culture 

Gathered are, from left to right, Dr. Ladona Clayton, Fr. Ben and Beryl Wright, Dr. James Hunter, 

Fr. Alan Brockmeier, Bishop Terence and Hazel Kelshaw, and Bishop Michael Vono. 

St. James’ Parish in Clovis, New Mexico, hosted the 4th Annual Kelshaw 

Lecture Series, which featured Dr. James Davis Hunter, Professor of Religion, 

Culture and Social Theory at the University of Virginia. Dr. Hunter is the author 

of seven books, including To Change the World, Is There a Culture War, and The 

Death of Character. 

Dr. Hunter’s lecture focused on efforts to transform American culture, and 

challenged the notion that transforming “hearts and minds” can effect cultural 

change. He critiqued the politicized efforts of the Christian Right, the Christian 

Left, and the neo-Anabaptists. He concluded that Christians need to engage 

culture through “faithful presence” in their different spheres and communities. 

Bishop Michael Vono attended the two-day lecture, and followed up with an 

annual visit to St. John’s Episcopal Church. At the Fort Sumner church, Bishop 

Michael presided over the confirmation of William Barnwell and reception of 

Melinda Pattison. Bishop Vono then enjoyed lunch and a time of fellowship 

with the congregation at St. John’s. 

Pastoral Message 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, 

In the past several weeks there have been faithful Christians killed while 

worshipping in Alexandria, a mass murder in Tucson, unrest and chaos in Egypt 

and Tunisia and other places in the Middle East and Africa. Last week there was an 

unconscionable murder of a Christian Ugandan gay rights activist, David Kato, which 

has shocked, disturbed and deeply saddened both spiritual and political leaders 

worldwide. All these murders are a seamless pattern of irrational hatred, violence 

and injustice. We, as Episcopal Anglicans, believe in our Baptismal promise “to 

strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every 

human being.” We have been courageously bold in calling the Christian Church 

to combat the rise of violence and hatred increasing in the world community 

especially in African countries. In Uganda, adhering to irrational unjust draconian 

laws, the government continues to call for death and imprisonment of homosexual 

people, and is complacent in outlawing a public magazine which legally calls for the 

blatant killing of gay people. Many Ugandans would consider there country largely 

Christian. These acts of violence are repugnant to the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

They blatantly disregard the God given dignity and sanctity of every human life. We 

are taught in the Ten Commandments, “You shall not commit murder. Love your 

neighbor as yourself.” 

I invite you to join me in solidarity of prayer and a public recommitment to 

strive for justice and reconciliation among all people. As Christians in this third 

millennium, we must witness to the Christ of God who did not keep silence in the 

face of injustice and violence. As I would not have been able to keep silence had I 

been living in Nazi Germany when Jews were murdered because they were Jews, 

likewise I cannot keep silence in this age as homosexual people are murdered 

simply because they are homosexual. As David Kato’s gentle and loving voice had 

been effective giving hope and inspiration to numerous discarded people, so also 

our strong voice of faith and prayer must be heard. May the Lord forgive us our sins 

and heal the wounds of humanity’s lack of compassion and love. 

My prayers and support remain with all those who have been spiritually affected 

by these tragedies. 

Blessings, Bishop Michael

IN THE 

3 


Photo by Raymond Raney 




The Bosque Center Adds to History of Spiritual Formation 

The Chapel 

Bell 

Tour of the Bosque Center on the west side 

The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande 

inherits a long history of spiritual formation 

with the purchase of The Spiritual Renewal 

Center. Soon the SRC will be known as The 

Bosque Conference and Spiritual Life Center, 

which will provide for Conferences, Retreats 

and and the Spiritual Life of the Diocese. 

In 1955, Edwin V. Byrnes, the Archbishop 

of the Archdiocese Santa Fe, invited the 

Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de’Ricci 

to come to Albuquerque, New Mexico, 

to run the Catechetical Office for the 

Archdiocese. That year, two sisters came to 

Albuquerque to begin their ministry with 

the intention of opening a retreat house for 

women. Their search for a retreat house and 

convent continued at various locations for 

many years, including a seventy- acre tract 

that is now the location of Santa Maria de 

la Vid Priory for the Norbertine Community. 

In 1992, with the help of the Board 

of Directors, comprised of lay men and 

women, the Sisters moved and rented 

facilities from the Servants of the Paraclete 

on Pajarito Road about two miles from 

the first retreat house location. The Sisters 

continued their retreat ministry at the 

Pajarito site for nearly 12 years. 

The current site of the Spiritual Renewal 

Center was purchased, renovated and 

expanded in 2001. 

In 2004, the Spiritual Renewal Center, 

through combined efforts of the Board of 

Directors and the Sisters, built the existing 

‘Retreat House’ with rooms for up to forty 

retreatants, a large gathering space with 

a New Mexico-style landscaped grounds, 

mountain views and local walks and trails. 

2009 was a year of goodbyes as sisters 

became ill and retired. The Dominican 

Sisters completed their ministry at the 

Spiritual Renewal Center in 2009, turning 

over its operation to the Board of Directors 

of the non-profit corporation. 

The Spiritual Renewal Center’s history 

expressed concern that the Sister’s 

departure meant that the Spiritual Renewal 

Center had lost the Dominican ‘Face’, and 

prayers were raised for new directions. In 

2009 and 2010 programs were attempted 

to to provide lay ministerial leadership and 

retreat opportunities beyond its Roman 

Catholic origins to open its doors to all faiths 

and spiritualities. 

By the end of 2010, Bishop Michael Vono 

was made aware that the Center might be 

available for purchase, and negotiations 

began between the Center’s board and the 

Diocese. The purchase was finalized and 

ownership changed hands on January 30, 

2011. 

The Diocese is in the process of 

envisioning a new future for The Bosque 

Center as a new home for the Diocesan 

staff, as a resources for the Diocese, and a 

center for spiritual formation, retreats and 

conferences. 

An East view of the Retreat House 

Summer respite on the Patio 

A Fall evening view of the Main Building 

The View from the Retreat Space 

The Labyrinth 

Photo from the SRC Website 

Photo from the SRC Website Photo from the SRC Website 

Photo from the SRC Website 

Photo from the SRC Website

4 

IN THE 


Bishop’s Appointments 2011 

Canon to the 

Ordinary 

The Rev. 

Daniel GP Gutierrez 

Canon to the 

Ordinary 

The Very Rev. 

Kathleene McNellis 

The Rev. Daniel Gutierrez, born and raised in Albuquerque. He served at St. 

Michael and All Angels. The Rev. Gutierrez has an extensive background in 

marketing and civil government, holding positions as Chief of Staff for the Mayor of 

Albuquerque and Director of Economic Development for the County of Bernalillo. 

The Rev. Gutierrez is also a dedicated husband and father. 

The Very Rev. Kathleene McNellis, a native of New Jersey, has lived in Texas since 

the mid-1960’s, except for her years of seminary study at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford 

University, UK. She is currently rector of St. Christopher’s Church and vicar of St. 

Francis on the Hill in El Paso. She has served in various churches in the El Paso area 

since being ordained in 1986. The Rev. McNellis has been active in children’s and 

youth ministries throughout the diocese and was a school chaplain for nine years. 

Since 2007 The Rev. McNellis has been the Dean of the Southwest Deanery of the 

Diocese of the Rio Grande. 

Canon Pastor 

The Very Rev. Tom Gray 

Canon for 

Diocesan Life 

The Rev. Raymond Raney 

The Rev. Tom Gray first came to the Diocese of the Rio Grande in 1982 and has 

served as a parish priest and in a variety of Diocesan roles through that time. He 

was the Rector of Grace Church in Carlsbad for several years before retiring from 

parish ministry in 2008, and continues to live in Carlsbad and to be active in the 

life of the Diocese of the Rio Grande including serving as Dean of the Southeast 

Deanery and Canon Pastor of the Diocese. His wife Jane is a District Court Judge 

and is a native of Carlsbad, and they have two grown children. 

The Rev. Raymond Raney is Rector of Church of the Holy Cross in Edgewood. He 

served on the Transition Committee, and oversaw the planning and conduct of the 

Walk Abouts, which introduced the candidates for Bishop to the Diocese. He also 

has served on the Diocesan Communications Committee for the past three years, 

and assisted in the redesigns of the Diocesan Website and Together. He and his 

wife, Linda, have lived in New Mexico since 1985. 

Canon for 

Canonical Affairs 

The Very Rev. 

Michael Perko 

Canon for 

Ecumenical Affairs 

The Rev. 

Canon Carole McGowan 

The Very Rev. Michael Perko is an emeritus professor and former director of the 

Center for the Study of Christianity and Culture at Loyola University, Chicago. 

He has held appointments at the University of Chicago, University of London, 

Ecumenical Center for Theological Research (Israel), and Bar-Ilan University (Israel). 

The Rev. Perko is married to Lisa, a retired financial analyst and attorney. Their 

family consists of seven large dogs, including a 120 lb. Newfoundland named Grace 

Louise. 

The Rev. Canon Carole McGowan has been Rector of St. Thomas of Canterbury, 

Albuquerque since 1990. She came to this Diocese after spending six years on the 

staff of an Episcopal seminary in an ecumenical setting; Bexley Hall was officially 

related to American Baptist and Roman Catholic theological schools. While here 

she has served on the New Mexico Conference of Churches Board and has worked 

closely with Lutheran colleagues.

IN THE 

5 



Canon Theologian 

for Education and 

Formation 

The Rev. 

Dr. Richard Valantasis 

The Rev. Dr. Richard Valantasis, the new Canon Theologian for Formation and 

Education, received a BA from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, attended the 

Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, earned an MA in 

Theology and a Th.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins, as well as in Church 

History from Harvard University. He has taught at Saint Louis University, Harvard 

Divinity School, Iliff School of Theology where he was the Baldridge Professor of 

New Testament and Christian Origins, and his last academic appointment was 

at Emory University where he was Professor of Ascetical Theology and Christian 

Practice and Director of the Anglican Studies Program. He is currently a codirector 

of the Institute for Contemplative Living in Santa Fe, NM, an institute 

that promulgates contemplative practice for active people. Richard was ordained 

deacon (1973) and priest (1974) in the Diocese of Massachusetts. He has served 

in a variety of parishes in Massachusetts before beginning his academic career: as 

curate at St. Paul’s Natick; Rector of St. John’s, Winthrop; and co-rector with the 

Rev. Jennifer Phillips of St. John’s, Bowdoin Street, Boston, Massachusetts. He was 

also Chaplain for a decade to the Sisters of St. Margaret whose mother-house is 

in Boston. He is the author of Spiritual Guides of the Third Century (Harvard), The 

Gospel of Thomas (Routledge), Centuries of Holiness (Continuum), The Beliefnet 

Guide to Gnositicism and other Lost Christianities (Doubleday), Asceticism (Oxford), 

Religions of Late Antiquity in Practice (Princeton), The Gospels and Christian Life 

in History and Practice (Roman and Littlefield), as well as many articles on religious 

practice ancient and modern. He lives in Santa Fe with his wife Janet Carlson 

whose professional life was in book publishing and whose passion is quilting, and 

he is an associate priest at Church of the Holy Cross in Edgewood. 

Canon Liturgist 

The Rev. Deacon Patricia 

(Patty) Soukup 

The Rev. Deacon Patricia (Patty) Soukup, born 

and raised in Albuquerque, was ordained to the 

diaconate in 2006 and is currently assigned at the 

Cathedral of St. John. Prior to her ordination, she 

served for more than 30 years in various liturgical 

capacities at different parishes in Albuquerque. She served as the Director of 

Cathedral Acolytes from 1995 to 2003, and she also served as a Cathedral verger 

from 1998 to 2003 and as a verger at St. Mary’s Church in Albuquerque from 2003 

to 2006. She is a Fellow of the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church and has 

extensive experience in planning and coordinating special services at the diocesan 

level. Deacon Soukup holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the 

University of New Mexico and is the Executive Director of the state licensing board 

for certified public accountants. She and her husband, Mike, have been married for 

24 years. 

Canon Missioner 

The Rev. Canon 

Colin P. Kelly, III 

Canon Kelly has faithfully served the Lord as Rector 

of Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church in Los Alamos 

since 1986. His ministry in the Diocese has included 

serving as a member of the Diocesan Long Range 

Planning Committee, Chair of the Camp Stoney 

Long range Planning Committee, Chair of the Diocesan Renewal and Evangelism 

Committee, Diocesan Spiritual Director of Cursillo, Member of Diocesan Council, 

Chair of the Commission on Ministry, President of the Standing Committee, and 

eight time deputy to General Convention. A graduate of the United states Military 

Academy, Canon Kelly also received an MDiv. from Philadelphia Divinity School, a 

Masters in Education from Long Island University and a DMin in Congregational 

Development from Seabury Seminary. He and his wife, Sue Ellen have five children 

and five grandchildren. 

Archivist 

Dr. Evan Davies 

Early education in Kansas, where his father 

(Seminary, Greeley CO ’28) was rector of St. Paul’s, 

Manhattan; High School, Roswell NM ’55; KSU ’59 

(BA Greek); Berkeley CA, CDSP ’62 (BD/M.Div); St. 

Andrew’s, Roswell ’62 (deacon, CJ Kinsolving); St. 

Paul’s, Las Vegas NM ’62 (curate); Linacre Oxon. 

’62 (Matric.); Soc. St. John Evangelist Oxon. ’62- 

’63 (scholar in residence); Christ Church Oxon. ’63 

(priest, Stephen Bayne, Exec. Officer Anglican Communion); Pembroke Oxon. ’63-’66 

(assoc. chaplain); Conf. Anglican Chaplains in Europe ’63 (Berchtesgaden, Germany); 

Lambeth Palace UK ’64 (scholar in residence); Oxon. ’66 (B.Litt/M.Litt. Theology); 

Big Bend, TX ’66-’69 (vicar); St. Andrew’s, Las Cruces NM ’69-’75 (rector); DRG Com. 

on Ministry ’70-’75; Linacre Oxon. ’75-’82 (D.Phil. Ecclesiastical Courts); Oxf. Univ. 

Soc. Bibliophiles ’76-’82 (president ’77-’78); Institute of Historical Survey Foundation 

[IHSF] ’82-2011 (president); Laicized ’87 (RM Trelease); DAC American Red Cross ’82- 

’97 (executive director); DRG ’84-2011 (historian). 

Canon for Pastoral 

Theology 

The Rev. Scott Ruthven 

The Rev. Scott Ruthven was born and raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico, however, 

he was sponsored for Ordination from the Diocese of Colorado. After graduating 

from Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in 1988, he was ordained priest the same 

year. He served as Curate in the Diocese of Connecticut from 1988 to 1992. 

He then became the Rector of St. John’s in Alamogordo from 1992 to 2003. 

Currently, he is Rector at St. Andrew’s in Las Cruces. During his ordained ministry in 

the D iocese of the Rio Grande , he has served as Dean of the Southwest Deanery 

from 2000 to 2004 and Canon Theologian from 2004 to 2011.

6 

IN THE 



NE AREA DEAN 

Ms. Karen Aubrey 

Northeast Dean Karen Aubrey is a long-time member of St. Bede’s Episcopal 

Church, Santa Fe, where she is a lector, usher, chalice bearer and member of 

the altar guild. She moved to Santa Fe from Tucson, Arizona, in 1976, and has 

practiced law in Santa Fe since 1978 in the areas of oil and gas, estate planning, 

real estate, and family law. She is the Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Santa Fe, 

and a member of the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Suicide Intervention 

Project. She is the mother of Sgt. Philip Aubrey, Special Operations Combat Medic, 

currently stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. 

SW Area Dean 

The Rev. Dr. Nick Funk 

Jesus is Lord! The appointment as Dean of the 

Southwest Deanery brings honor and responsibility 

to St. James Church Mesilla Park and to me. With 

God’s help, we will continue to build on the good 

work of previous Deans. As with many who hang 

their hats in New Mexico, I hailed from elsewhere. 

Living in Las Cruces brings joy to my heart after 

having lived on both coasts and places in between. Prior to following the Lord’s 

call to enter the ordained ministry, I had the honor serving in Intelligence with the 

US Army Special Forces, doing museum work in Washington DC, and technology 

consultation in the corporate world. The call to serve as the Rector of St. James 

in lovely Las Cruces came after serving as a priest in two churches in the Diocese 

of Southwest Florida. I join with our Bishop in the loud proclamation of the Good 

News in Jesus, and the joyful reconciliation found in the arms of God. As we say at 

St. James, “We’re on an adventure together.” 

SE Area Dean 

The Very Rev. Tom Gray 

NW Area Dean 

The Rev. Dan Tuton 

The Rev. Tom Gray first came to the Diocese of the Rio Grande in 1982 and has 

served as a parish priest and in a variety of Diocesan roles through that time. He 

was the Rector of Grace Church in Carlsbad for several years before retiring from 

parish ministry in 2008, and continues to live in Carlsbad and to be active in the 

life of the Diocese of the Rio Grande including serving as Dean of the Southeast 

Deanery and Canon Pastor of the Diocese. His wife Jane is a District Court Judge 

and is a native of Carlsbad, and they have two grown children. 

The Rev. Dan Tuton is Vicar of Hope-in-the-Desert in Albuquerque. Michele is 

his wife of almost 25 years, and they have three sons, Robb (21), James (18) and 

Christian (15). He has been an ordained priest for seven years, and is a graduate of 

Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry. 

NW Deanery Pastor 

The Rev. Jim Hunter 

The Rev. Hunter has been a member of the Diocese 

of the Rio Grande since January 1, 2008 serving 

as Rector of the Episcopal Church of St. Mary in 

Albuquerque. During this time he served on the 

Northwest Deanery Board for one year. The Rev. 

Hunter was trained as a Stephen Ministry Leader in 

1999 and brought Stephen Ministry to St. Mary’s. 

He is actively involved in the training and supervision 

of eight Stephen Ministers in the parish. This experience, combined with twentyfive 

years of pastoral experience, is excellent preparation for the position of Deanery 

Pastor for the Northwest Deanery. Other things Jim has done since coming to the 

diocese and St. Mary’s include introducing Financial Peace University to the parish 

as well as the Bread Ministry for new member incorporation. He has incorporated 

weekly Children’s Sermons and One Minute Stewardship Sermons in Sunday worship 

and developed a Contemporary Worship Service for Sunday afternoons. The Rev. 

Hunter also initiated a Diabetes Support Group in Albuquerque, which has since 

inspired other such support groups for diabetics. 

NW Deanery Pastor 

The Rev. Jan Davey 

The Rev. Jan Davey has been ordained for 29 years, in those years she was a 

member of two team ministries, in Espanola and Ruidoso, and served as vicar at 

St. Philips in Belen, New Mexico. She was also on the Standing Committee for six 

years, president for three of those years. She served on two National Committees 

of the church for over six years and served several other functions within the 

diocese. Her most recent assignment was as Dean of the Northwest Deanery.

IN THE 

7 



NE Deanery Pastor 

The Rev. 

Dr. Donald Hassemer 

Commission on 

Ministry 

The Rev. Rod Hurst 

The Rev. Dr. Donald Hassemer. The Rev. Don Hassemer has been living and working 

in Northern New Mexico since 1982. The Rev. Hassemer has been serving with the 

Chili Line Ministry since its inception, especially at St. Stephen’s, Espanola and St. 

Jerome’s, Chama. He is also a very busy medical doctor with offices at the Espanola 

Medical Center. He and his wife, Wendy, are proud parents three grown children. 

The Rev. Rod Hurst, and his wife Carol and daughter Juliana reside in Carlsbad 

where Rod serves as Rector of Grace Episcopal Church. He is a native of the Pacific 

Northwest and was confirmed in The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia (Western 

Washington). The Rev. Hurst is an alumnus of Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary, 

has many years of varied ministry experience and several years experience in 

government service (States of Washington & Arizona). He is also currently a 

member of the Camp Stoney Board of Directors and member of the Diocesan 

Ecclesiastical Court. 

Commission on 

Ministry (of the 

baptized) Recent 

Seminarian 

The Rev. Deacon Lin Lilley 

Urban Native 

American Mission/ 

Ministries 

Mr. Douglas K. Bleyle 

In September 2010 Deacon Lilley completed coursework in the DRG School for 

Ministry and was ordained a transitional deacon. She is now in a formational year 

at St. Thomas of Canterbury, the congregation which sponsored her for ordination, 

under the mentorship of the Rev. Carole McGowan. 

Mr. Douglas K. Bleyle received a B.A. Metropolitan State College, M. Div. Iliff School 

of Theology, and Th. M. Candler School of Theology in contemplative/ascetical 

theology. He is Co-Director of the Institute for Contemplative Living in Santa Fe, a 

postulant, and doing an internship at the Cathedral of St. John with an emphasis on 

the Urban Native American Fellowship. 

Chaplain for Retired 

Clergy and Clergy 

Widow/Widowers 

The Rev. John Zachritz 

The Rev. John Zachritz was rector of St. Luke’s/La Union from December of 1994 

to July of 1999, and currently serves as a volunteer in the Chili Line Team Ministry 

and on the ministerial team of St. Stephen’s in Espanola. He retired from active 

ministry after serving as C haplain & Executive Director of St. Francis Academy in 

Espanola and as chaplain to foster families under the care of St. Francis Academy in 

W estern Kansas. 

Chaplain for Retired 



The Rev. A. Philip Parham 

The Rev. A. Philip Parham, Doctor of Ministry, is 

an Episcopal priest, who conducts workshops 

and seminars on Emotional Health and Spiritual 

Wealth throughout this country and overseas. His retreats and presentations on 

communication, intimacy and spirituality have touched and enriched many lives. 

A Yale graduate, he earned his doctorate at San Francisco Theological Seminary 

with his dissertation on ministry to alcohol complicated families. He is the bestselling 

author of “Letting God: Christian Meditations for Recovery”, by Harper 

Collins, which is still in print after 20 years. His most recent book is “Feeling Free: 

Emotional Redemption in Christ”. The present and sixth rector of St. Alban’s in El 

Paso, celebrating her 90th birthday this Easter. and can be contacted by email at 

alfredparham@att.net . His webpage is www.lettingGod.com .

8 

IN THE 



Chaplain For Retired 



The Rev. Steve Caldwell 

Education for 

Ministry 

Coordinator 

The Mrs. Cheri Winter 

The Rev. Steven Caldwell. The Rev. Steve Caldwell was called to the Diocese of the 

Rio Grande in 1989 as the rector of St. Chad’s Episcopal Church in Albuquerque. 

Since his retirement in 2004, the Rev. Caldwell has served several congregations 

as Priest-in-Charge including St. Francis’, Rio Rancho, St. Andrew’s, Roswell as well 

congregations in Montana and North Carolina. He and his wife, Barbara, have 

three grown children and several beautiful grandchildren. 

Mrs. Cheri Winter holds a theology degree from Virginia Theological Seminary and 

is currently an Education for Ministry (EfM) Mentor at St. Chad’s in Albuquerque 

where she attends with her husband, Brian, and their two sons. She brings her 

love for the Episcopal Church, EfM, and spiritual development to her role as 

Diocesan Coordinator. 

Congregational Life 

and Development 

Committee 

The Rev. Canon 

Colin P. Kelly, III 

Canon Kelly has faithfully served the Lord as Rector 

of Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church in Los Alamos 

since 1986. His ministry in the Diocese has included serving as a member of the 

Diocesan Long Range Planning Committee, Chair of the Camp Stoney Long range 

Planning Committee, Chair of the Diocesan Renewal and Evangelism Committee, 

Diocesan Spiritual Director of Cursillo, Member of Diocesan Council, Chair of the 

Commission on Ministry, President of the Standing Committee, and eight time deputy 

to General Convention. A graduate of the United states Military Academy, Canon 

Kelly also received an MDiv. from Philadelphia Divinity School, a Masters in Education 

from Long Island University and a DMin in Congregational Development from Seabury 

Seminary. He and his wife, Sue Ellen have five children and five grandchildren. 



Committee 

Ms. Catherine Bailey 

Growing up in this Diocese I attended Camp Stoney, was an YCRG and EYC officer, 

and “Happening” participant. As an adult, I remain committed to youth ministry 

having volunteered with youth groups from three parishes. I twice served as a 

J2A leader and Pilgrimage sponsor. While serving as Vestry Warden, my parish 

launched a capital campaign to purchase property and start a building project. 

Diocesan experiences include: four years as delegate, member of New Life 

Team, and New Life Process facilitator to help inform the diocesan profile in the 

Bishop Elect search. In 2010, I facilitated “Walkabouts” meetings in Roswell, 

Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. 



Committee, Co-Chair 

Ms. Diane Butler 



Committee, Co-Chair 

The Rev. Brian Winter 

Diane Butler, a native of the Southeast, has been in the diocese since 2002 and 

has been active in numerous diocesan ministries. She has served on the Standing 

Committee since 2007, co-chaired the New Life Task Force for three years and 

assisted the Search and Transition Committees in organizing focus groups during 

the search for a new bishop. Ms. Butler was a deputy to General Convention 

in 2009 and will serve in this capacity again in 2012. She continues to facilitate 

retreats for vestries and congregations and looks forward to working with the 

congregational development team. 

The Rev. Brian W. Winter has been Rector at St. Chad’s Episcopal Church in Alb. 

since October 2005, after serving as Associate Rector at Trinity on the Hill in Los 

Alamos and Vicar at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Brigham City, Utah where 

he was ordained to the priesthood in January of 2003. The Rev. Winter has been 

on the Standing Committee in the DRG and is currently pursuing his Doctorate of 

Ministry in Congregational Development at Virginia Theological Seminary. The Rev. 

Winter is married to Cheri Winter and has two teenage boys.

IN THE 

9 


Study Day Explores Anglican Communion Covenant 

By the Rev. Rhonda McIntyre, 

Vicar of San Gabriel Episcopal Church 

More than eighty people from 18 parishes and 

missions from as far away as Silver City gathered on 

Saturday, January 15, at St. Michael’s and All Angels 

for a day-long study of the history and content of The 

Anglican Communion Covenant. 

Led by the Rev. Dr. A. Katherine 

Grieb, Professor of New Testament 

at Virginia Theological Seminary and 

one of the Covenant’s authors, the 

group considered several Biblical 

models of “doing church,” and the 

history of the Anglican Communion 

before looking at the Covenant 

itself. 

Professor Grieb began with the 

questions, “What attitudes, actions, 

habits, and dispositions will best 

work to strengthen the ‘bonds of 

affection’ that bind us together as 

the people of the various provinces 

of the Anglican Communion Or, to 

frame it less positively, “what will 

drive us further apart” 

She presented two models for 

Christian practices in ages past: 

centrifugal and centripetal. A centrifugal approach 

is one where things spin away from the center. She 

cited various passages from Scripture (1 John 2:18-19, 

and 4:1-,4-6; Revelation 18:4ff) in which community 

considered themselves the best example of 

Christianity and, in fact, were relieved when those who 

thought or acted differently broke away. A centripetal 

approach is where things are drawn toward the 

center, where unity is valued, even though there are 

disagreeing factions within the whole. This model can 

be seen in the writings of the apostle Paul (Romans 

1-3, the letters to the Corinthians). The Apostle to 

the Gentiles called for Christ-centered unity in the 

earliest churches. Dr. Grieb’s hope and work is toward 

a centripetal model for the Anglican Communion. 

Before giving background on the history of the 

Covenant, she also reviewed the four existing 

instruments of unity: the Archbishop of Canterbury, 

the Anglican Consultative Council, the Lambeth 

Conference of Bishops, and the Primates’ Meeting. 

The idea for the Covenant came out of the Windsor 

Report, and a Design Group was formed in 2006. For 

details of the history of the Covenant’s formation, 

please go to http://www.anglicancommunion.org/ 

commission/covenant/index.cfm. 

The process has been centered in prayer and 

committed to a listening process, and feedback 

has been diligently sought from throughout the 

Communion at each stage of drafting. The Covenant 

The Rev. Dr. Katherine Grieb leads the discussion 

has been presented now to all Provinces of the 

Anglican Communion for formal consideration for 

adoption through the appropriate processes of each 

Province. To date, the Province of Mexico is the only 

one to adopt the Covenant. 

The Episcopal Church is asking each Diocesan 

deputation to gather information prior to the next 

General Convention in 2012. The deputation of the 

Diocese of the Rio Grande is developing a process 

for input, and Bishop Michael Vono has urged each 

congregation to undertake an in-depth study to 

aid with feedback. Instructions for submitting your 

responses to the deputation is being developed and 

will be announced via e-mail, the website, and through 

clergy, diocesan delegates and church administrators. 

There are four sections of the Covenant: Our 

Inheritance of Faith; The life We Share with Others: 

Our Anglican Vocation; Our Unity and Common Life; 

and Our Covenanted Life Together. What we have in 

common worldwide is stressed. The Covenant holds 

no legislative or judicial power; each Province is bound 

by its own canons. Within the instrument there is an 

effort to balance autonomy and accountability among 

all Provinces. Section Four provides a formal process 

for dispute resolution, details of which seem to be 

where there is the most disagreement. 

In the letter that presented the Covenant to all 

Provinces, The Rev. Canon Dr. Kenneth Kearon, 

Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, wrote 

that it “represents an invitation to 

deepening relationships among 

Provinces. We have a long history 

of friendship, affinities, and 

collaboration between Provinces, 

dioceses, parishes and people across 

the globe, and we celebrate these 

manifold expressions of our oneness 

in Christ. The Covenant represents 

a further step in these relationships, 

building on and giving expression to 

the bonds of affection which shape 

our common life.” 

The study day at St. Michael 

and All Angels was an illuminating 

gift, full of accurate information, 

challenging issues, and lively 

discussion for those who attended. 

May we continue to explore ways to 

better communicate with our fellow 

Christians, as the work of healing within and beyond 

our Communion continues. 

As Dr. Grieb writes, “The centripetal model requires 

a lot more work … like the long hard work of staying 

married, or of raising a child, or of caring for an elderly 

parent, or of working with a colleagues with whom 

you just don’t see eye to eye on the basics. The bonds 

of affection between us are both fragile and as strong 

as steel. When an iron bar is broken and welded back 

together again, the strongest point in the bar is the 

welded place. But bonds of love are fragile in any 

relationship; they need to be mended and renewed 

again and again.” Amen! 

The Anglican Covenant Study Day was initiated 

by the Rev. Brian Winter and organized with the 

assistance of the Rev. Rhonda McIntyre, the Rev. 

Christopher McLaren and Ms. Diane Butler. The day 

was graciously hosted by the Rev. Daniel Gutierrez, 

the Rev. Christopher McLaren, Ms. Margaret Gant 

and Ms. Linda Towel of St. Michael and All Angels. 

Sponsoring churches were: St. Michael and All Angels 

and its mission San Gabriel the Archangel, St. Chad’s, 

and St. Thomas of Canterbury all in Albuquerque, with 

support from the Diocese of the Rio Grande. 

Photo by Brian Winter 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR PHOTOS 

Please consider submitting photographs for publication in Together. Photographs 

should be submitted in JPEG format in the highest resolution possible, which would 

be approximately 20 megabytes in the TIFF format that would compress to 3.5 MB 

in JPEG. Also, please include a caption that identifies people in the photograph 

with correct spelling, and the location of the photo, and all pertinent details. Send 

submissions to diocom@dioceserg.org

10 

IN THE 


A Peaceful Habitation 

By Mr. David Dixon 

My people will abide in a 

peaceful habitation, in safe 

dwellings and in quite resting 

places. Isaiah 32:18 

On a peaceful street in 

Albuquerque is a habitation where 

God is healing lives. A Peaceful 

Habitation, (APH) was created to 

bridge the gap for incarcerated and 

recently released women who want 

to draw upon the power of Christ to 

live new, transformed lives, to break 

patterns of self-defeating behaviors, 

and become independent, 

contributing members of society. 

APH does this by first providing a 

safe and secure and home; yes bed 

and board, but also peers, staff 

Peaceful Habitation Staff 

and volunteers who care. And APH 

provides training in life skills to get 

a job, manage money, probation and parole mandates, etc. But all of this has a foundational 

reliance on Christ. Church attendance, weekly Bible study, nightly prayer and mentoring by 

wonderful Christian role models are the core of everything else. 

With this foundation, APH has a miraculous history. Since 2007 the house has received 36 

women, of who 20 completed the requirements for graduation, a job, $1,000 in the bank and six 

months in the house. Of those only 1 has returned to prison, against a national recividy rate of 

almost 30%. APH started on a shoe-string, and now has an annual budget of $127,000.00 and 

$40,000 cash to help with a new home. But most importantly, all of these women, even the 

stray sheep, have grown in Christ and experienced wondrous healing. Some testimonials: 

“Words cannot express my gratitude and love for all my Lord and Savior has done 

and is doing for me. It has been a life-changing experience for me, with God in control 

and under the care of A Peaceful Habitation. Before coming to APH, my life was a 

mess and unmanageable. Anyone who knew me, and I myself knew, that there was 

nothing left in me. God’s grace, mercy and love for me didn’t agree, and through Jesus 

Christ I have been saved. At APH I learned how to live life all over again. It was quite 

an experience, but a good one. Through structure, discipline, classes and learning my 

Bible, I can now live a free and enjoyable life.” 

“I didn’t know it at the time, but the Lord saved my life December 13, 2003, the day 

I got arrested. This was not only the beginning of my recovery from alcohol and meth 

but my walk with my Heavenly Father. I’ve now been clean for 57 months and I walk 

with the Lord in all I do. When Leticia Chavez-Paulette came to the prison to tell us 

about APH I knew that this is exactly where I need to be. I graduated APH August 27, 

2008. My foundation in God has been reinforced. I’ve met so many wonderful people 

here and have been to so many amazing functions. Every day I woke up there was a 

blessing. Thank you APH for this opportunity.” 

“I am a 15 year heroin and crack cocaine addict. In 2005 I was sentenced to a 3 

year prison term where I found the Lord and my life changed completely. I got my 

self-esteem back, my self-respect, and I looked at life in a different way. I got to see my 

twelve year old daughter for the first time in eleven years. I wanted more out of life 

than I have ever wanted before. When Leticia came to the prison to talk about APH, 

I wanted to further my walk with God and to stay clean and sober. I got to APH in 

January 2008. Everyone was so wonderful and giving. I was provided with everything 

I needed. I learned so much being there. The way I feel about the program now is 

I regret ever leaving. I have always felt it was a beautiful, peaceful and wonderful 

place to be. I encourage other women that I talk to, to go there. I give out the address 

like it’s my own. If I could go back now I would be more than happy to! I miss it a lot. 

~ God Bless You All. “ 

APH receives funding from 20 Albuquerque churches and is currently praying for a new house 

and additional mature Christian mentors. More information and testimonials are at www. 

apeacefulhabitation.org, and through that web site you can get notices of upcoming APH events. 

St. Martin’s 

Hospitality Center 

By The Rev. Susan Allison-Hatch, St. Thomas of Canterbury 

and Mrs. Sarah Lindblom , St. Martin’s Hospitality Center 

Matthew 25:35-36 states: “For I was hungry and you gave me 

food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you 

welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you 

visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” 

These are the words on which St. Martin’s Hospitality Center was 

founded with the goal of assisting homeless and near-homeless 

people by providing resources, opportunities, and hope. In 1985, 

St. Thomas of Canterbury, along with St. Aidan’s (now St. Mary’s) 

and other congregations, started St. Martin’s and continues to 

support all of the amazing work they have done. 

St. Martin’s provides full-service programs to the 3,200 

homeless in Albuquerque. These includes meals, basic/critical 

need services (showers, clothing, phone, mail delivery, storage), 

and support services including mental health, substance abuse, 

job development, housing support and Sunday worship led by an 

ecumenical team from St. Thomas of Canterbury, St. Michael and All 

Angels, Risen Savior Roman Catholic Church, the Newman Center 

and the Center for Action and Contemplation. St. Martin’s clients 

range from those finding themselves unable to put dinner on the 

table to those living under bridges and in parks. St. Martin’s is one 

of the few complete resource centers in Albuquerque and is able to 

provide those in need with programs that allow them to move into 

a life of self-sufficiency. 

A client of St. Martin’s, Jane, describes St. Martin’s as a “miracle.” 

Jane found herself at St. Martin’s door a year ago. She is a single 

mom with three kids, a mortgage and a car payment. She works 

one-and-a-half jobs to make it financially, but after her divorce 

wasn’t able to put food on the table. Her day starts at 4:00am and 

doesn’t end until she goes to bed at 1:00am. Her oldest child, Janie, 

was a junior in college but had to quit in order to help her mom 

with the other two children financially. Chad, the second oldest, 

just started High School, and Vickie, the youngest, is in fifth grade. 

Janie was forced to take advantage of St. Martin’s many services. 

Janie was not looking for a handout but looking for a helping hand. 

St. Martin’s provided that and is happy to report that Jane has 

gotten the skills and help needed to change her life for herself and 

children. 

One out of five New Mexicans live below the poverty line, and 

last year 17,000 New Mexicans found themselves without a roof 

over their head. St. Martin’s serves an average of 350-400 people 

in their shelter and last year served more than 130,000 meals. Each 

day nearly 80 people use their showers, 60 people get clothing, 200 

people use storage services, and 150 people use their counseling 

and job development services. Last year, St. Martin’s placed 600 

people into homes and provided them with the services needed to 

be self-sufficient. 

The support that St. Thomas provides, in partnership with 

St. Martin’s, allows them to give hope to men, women, children 

and families in Albuquerque. On January 30th, St. Thomas was 

instrumental in St. Martin’s opening their doors for worship and 

breakfast on Sunday mornings after a disruption in these services. 

Over 150 homeless individuals showed up the first day to worship 

and eat. The number is expected to grow to 200-400 people. 

We hope that many of you will join us for worship in the weeks 

ahead as we gather around the table as one community. Our 

worship begins at 8:00 a.m. and is followed by a breakfast. It is our 

extended faith community that allows the doors of St. Martin’s to 

remain open. 

In the end, we at St. Thomas support St. Martin’s in giving 

people what everyone wants: LOVE, HOPE, UNDERSTANDING, and 

WELCOMING!

IN THE 

11 


Episcopal Youth Event 

Bishop Blesses Parish Hall at 

St. Michael’s, Tucumcari 

By The Rev’d Deacon Mark W. Lake 

The Rev. Gay Wellborn pauses beside a photograph of the late Col. Bill Fric following the blessing of 

the new Parish Hall. 

COME TOGETHER: 

Intimately linked in this harvest work 

REUNAMONOS: 

Entrelazados Intimamente en esta Cosecha 

Save the Dates! 

Episcopal Youth Event will take place June 22-26, 2011, on the 

campus of Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. 

Matthew 10:40-42 (The Message) 

“We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts 

what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who 

accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a 

messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting 

someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. 

This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed 

by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone 

who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving 

makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.” 

“For more information please contact Jane Gober at the Cathedral 

of St. John (505)247-1581 or jgober@stjohnsabq.org 

Go to: www.episcopalchurch.org/eye2011.htm 

January 30th was a very special day filled with hope and excitement as we 

welcomed our beloved Bishop Michael Vono to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 

Tucumcari. Excitement filled the community in anticipation of the Bishop’s 

blessing of our newly completed Parish Hall. 

The completion of the Parish Hall marks the beginning of a new chapter in 

the life of St Michael’s as we discern God’s will for our ministry and mission in 

Tucumcari. The Parish hall will provide a place to gather for shared meals and 

educational ministry, and most importantly, a place to minister to the hungry, 

homeless or troubled travelers that Interstate 40 brings us. 

Bishop Vono encouraged us in our discernment and challenged us to be 

a great witness in our community. He reminded us that every parish lives 

through times of growth and times of decline, but always God is faithful. The 

confirmation of Vicki Henry was a joyful symbol of the future God has in store 

for this small, but faithful parish. 

Our time of worship, led by the Bishop, reminded us that we are a part of 

something much larger than our own parish. Together with the Diocese of the 

Rio Grande, the people of St. Michael’s are faithful witnesses to the love of 

Christ throughout the world. Special thanks goes to The Rev. John Rollinson, who 

traveled from Clovis to provide beautiful organ and piano music for our service. 

We enjoyed a wonderful first meal together in our new facility and felt so 

blessed to be able to share this first time event with our new Bishop. 

Our new Parish Hall partially was made possible by a generous bequest of 

the late Col. Bill Fric, a long time member of St. Michael’s. St Michael’s was 

established in 1908, and the present building was constructed in 1965. The first 

Priest to serve the parish traveled by train from Dawson, New Mexico, once a 

month to conduct services. Our present Vicar, the Rev. Gay Wellborn has served 

St Michael’s since her ordination in June 1987. 

Please join us in praying that God will continue to bless our ministry in 

Tucumcari. 

Save the Date 

Treasurer 

& 

Vestry Workshop 

Saturday, March 19, 2011 

9:00am – 4:00pm 

St. Chad’s Episcopal Church 

7171 Tennyson Street NE 

Albuquerque, NM 87122 

(505)856-9200 

The workshop is tailored 

to church treasurers 

and vestry members, 

but is also useful for 

clergy, bookkeepers, 

administrators and 

members of the audit 

committee. The Rev. 

Geisler brings experience 

from multiple venues 

and creates a forum that 

is conducive to valuable 

information gathering and 

exchanging of ideas. 

Morning Session 

Payroll 

Discretionary Funds 

Financial Presentations 

Committee System 

Budgets and Audits 

Presented by: 

Diocesan Treasurers 

Afternoon Session 

Communications 

Use and Care of Property, 

Stewardship and Planned Giving 

Property and Casualty Insurance 

Diocesan Particulars 

Guest Speaker: 

The Rev. Canon William F. Geisler, C.P.A. 

Church Pension Fund Tax & Financial Consultant for Clergy & Churches 

PO Box 2624 • San Anselmo, California 94979 

$15 registration fee. Lunch will be provided. 

RSVP by March 4th to Toye Robertson 

trobertson@dioceserg.org or (505)881-0636

12 

IN THE 


Natural Church Development: 

Growth and Development at St. Andrew’s, Roswell 

By Mrs. Lynne Hooper 

There are few opportunities for a parish to 

completely re-evaluate the community’s life and 

ministry. We, parishioners of St. Andrew’s, Roswell, 

found that set of circumstances almost two years 

ago when the rector and several parishioners chose 

to leave. Last year during group meetings, focus 

groups, and survey sessions, St. Andrew’s parishioners 

expressed concern about our church’s growth and 

development. With the endorsement of interim 

rectors, the Rev. Steve Caldwell and the Rev. Frank 

Wilson, the parish responded to suggestions for reevaluation, 

determined to discover just who we are, 

where we are going, what actions might affect positive 

change and how we discern God’s plan for the family 

at St. Andrew’s. 

The Vestry adopted an approach called Natural 

Church Development (NCD), a program that has helped 

many worldwide congregations determine their state 

of health, including development and growth in parish 

communities. Mr. Christian A. Schwarz, the founder 

of NCD, began his study, the largest Christian study of 

its kind, by surveying 1000 congregations of different 

denominations and worship styles. Through the use 

of a sophisticated survey and computer generated 

statistical analysis, Schwarz uncovered eight principles 

or quality characteristics that promote healthy growth 

independent of a church’s denomination, theology, 

ministry model, liturgical style or size. NCD is a new 

paradigm built upon a worldwide study that attempts 

to answer the question: “What are the essential 

qualities of a healthy, growing church, regardless of 

culture and theological persuasion” The eight quality 

characteristics are: 

• Empowering leadership: Leaders of healthy, growing 

congregations concentrate their energy on the 

empowerment of other Christians for ministry. 

• Gift-oriented ministry: The role of church leadership 

is to assist its members in the identification of 

their gifts and to integrate them into appropriate 

ministries. 

• Effective structures: Structures are never an end in 

themselves, but means to an end that clarify roles 

among the Rector, Staff, Vestry, and Committee 

Chairs. 

• Inspiring worship: Whether or not the worship 

service is an inspiring experience for the participants 

demonstrably separates growing churches from 

stagnant and declining ones. 

• Passionate spirituality: Are the Christians in this 

church “on fire” Do they practice their faith with joy 

and enthusiasm Is this a happy place 

• Loving relationships: Unfeigned and heartfelt love 

endows a church with a much greater magnetic 

power than all the marketing efforts of this world. 

The “love quotient” is high in healthy churches. 

• Need-based evangelism: The secret of healthy 

evangelism efforts is the way that persons share the 

gospel to meet the needs of the people. 

• Holistic small groups: Growing churches have 

developed a system of small groups where Christians 

can find intimate community, practical help, 

enjoyment of one another, and intensive spiritual 

interaction. The vision to see these small groups 

reproduce, characterizes the healthiest of churches 

surveyed. 

NCD proposes a cyclical method to examine a 

congregation’s quality characteristics with this key 

factor in mind: “How can the God-given growth 

potential be released in this congregation” NCD’s 

long- term strategic process centers on a survey 

administered to the clergy (interim rector in our 

case) and 29 active parishioners. The results provide 

a unique, accurate and up-to-date assessment of 

the health of a church in the eight quality areas. 

The maximum factors (high scores) are identified, 

celebrated and continued by the congregation. If the 

parish has a hope and desire to improve its health, 

consideration and planning to improve the minimum 

factor takes place. 

Mr. Schwarz uses the illustration of a barrel with 

staves of varying lengths to symbolize the eight quality 

characteristics. The barrel (the church community) 

can only hold water to the height of the lowest stave 

(the weakest factor). Mr. Schwarz argues a particular 

church can only grow as far as its “Minimum factor,” 

that is the lowest of the eight quality characteristics 

in their church. He challenges churches to resist the 

temptation to work on improving areas in which they 

already excel, for by doing this they do not increase 

their minimum factor or their church quality. 

A key ingredient of NCD is based on the “Parable of 

the Growing Seed.” (Mark 4:26-29) Our role as God’s 

people, and our leaders in particular, is similar to the 

farmer. We cannot give life and produce growth; only 

God can do that. A continual process of identifying 

the barriers that impede growth within the life of the 

church, and removing them, maximizes the potential 

for “all by itself” growth. Our job is to focus on the 

watering and planting while letting God take care of 

the growth. NCD helps the church determine the 

fundamental nature of this watering as expressed 

in the eight qualities of healthy, growing churches. 

It helps leaders understand what elements exist 

and which may be stifling the church from seeing 

quantitative and qualitative growth. 

After The Rev. Steve Caldwell approved the use of 

NCD, the Vestry was provided in-depth information 

about the program. An opportunity to address 

the congregation was also afforded and slowly the 

whole congregation was exposed to the meaning of 

the NCD process through parish meetings and the 

newsletter, The Word. In 2010, the Vestry approved 

an expenditure of a little over $200 to purchase the 

NCD survey, and an informal gathering was held at 

which time the survey was explained and taken by 

the interim rector and 29 leaders in the parish. The 

survey forms were sent back for evaluation, and, NCD 

returned a very detailed report and profile of our 

health in terms of the eight quality characteristics, 

including the minimum factor – the characteristic 

least developed according to the survey and the factor 

that the Church Health Team would address during 

the following year. Another survey in a year or so 

will reveal growth during the past year and provide 

another minimum factor (hopefully not the same one.) 

The process engages the whole congregation, and 

adds energy. NCD isn’t “another thing to do”; it helps 

each congregation find a better way to do what God is 

hoping for it to do. 

At a meeting intended to explain the results of the 

survey, The Rev. Steve Caldwell said, “This could very 

well be a defining moment in St. Andrew’s history. 

What you decide to do with the information that is 

being laid before you tonight may determine what 

St.Andrew’s Church will look like for years to come. 

You may decide that the parish is exactly as you think 

it should remain, or you may be moved to participate 

in setting a new course, believing that is possible and 

desirable. Neither decision is ‘right.’ But either one 

will have lasting effects on the Episcopal Church in 

Roswell. So my prayer for you this night – as always, for 

that matter – is that you will have the grace and gift of 

discernment for the good of the entire parish and the 

advance of the Kingdom of God.” 

The parish responded positively to the revelation 

of the minimum factor during a meeting of over 100 

persons. Several volunteered to form the Church 

Health Team. A key to the success of the NCD process 

is the presence of a coach, someone who helps the 

congregation prepare for the process and for the 

congregation’s work on the minimum factor. To St. 

Andrew’s great fortune, one parishioner, Ms. Sally 

Wistrand, had past experience coaching a similar 

program before recently moving to Roswell. She 

agreed to serve as coach. Several others volunteered 

to form the first Church Health Team. Ms. Dawn 

Tschabrun will lead the Church Health Team, which 

began its work in late August. She also presented the 

proposed action plan to the Vestry in December. 

The Rev. Frank Wilson wrote in The Word after 

the NCD Church Health Team explained the survey 

to a large gathering, “I was impressed with the 

presentation of the essentials in such a straightforward 

manner. I also reviewed the survey and the 

profile. They provide important information that can 

help us identify where we need to concentrate if we 

are to continue to engage the development process. 

Now we must prayerfully consider whether we can 

commit to carrying through with that process, and 

if so, begin to pray how and when and who. Honest 

self-evaluation is never easy. Even with the proper 

tools, it is not easy. Having taken that step, it is even 

more difficult to apply to our community that which 

we have learned. Pray that we may be empowered and 

strengthened to move forward in faith, and learn and 

grow together.”

IN THE 

13 


Camp Stoney Board and Staff 

gearing up for another 

GREAT summer!!! 

The Camp Stoney Board and Staff are working hard in 

preparation for our summer camping season as well as 

welcoming in vestry, parish, and other group retreats this 

spring. We still do have some open weeks and weekends, so if you 

are thinking of a parish retreat, give us a call, 505-983-5610!! 

Our summer 2011 theme will be KEEPING THE EARTH and 

is based on a curriculum with daily themes and Bible passages 

as seen below. Again this summer we have an exciting lineup 

Day Title Daily Bible Text 

1 Keeping the Earth Genesis 1:26 - 2:1 

2 Keeping the Covenant Genesis 9:8-17 

3 Keeping Life Abundant John 15:1-8 

4 Keeping the Song Alive Psalm 19:1-4 

5 Keeping Creation Luke 19:36-40 

of camps, everything from our famed Narnia and Harry Potter 

Camp, to Adventure camps with backpacking and camping out 

to our Summer Fun and family camps. We have camps for all 

ages and invite everyone to come and see what is happening 

at Camp Stoney this summer. If you think your children are too 

young, bring your entire family to our Family Camp May 27-30th 

(Memorial Day Weekend) and give them a peek at what camping 

is like at Camp Stoney. We are sure the entire family will enjoy 

that. If you are a couple or single, you are invited to Family Camp 

as well; this camp is designed to bring the diocesan family and 

families together!! 

Our summer schedule is as follows, and as always there are 

scholarship opportunities for those who might need some 

assistance this year. It is the goal of the Camp Stoney board to 

make sure anyone who wants to come to camp can. You will again 

see Grace Camp this year, a special ministry to children with a 

parent who is incarcerated. Grace Camp has been a model camp 

for many other diocesan and ministry programs. Anyone wanting 

to share his or her gifts with Camp Stoney for Grace Camp or 

our general scholarship fund is encouraged to contact us at the 

number above. You can of course also visit us online at www. 

campstoney.org. 

We thank everyone for your many prayers and continued 

support. The board and the diocesan leadership are excited 

about the new acquisition of The Bosque Center in Albuquerque 

and know there are many wonderful possibilities for expanded 

ministries at both facilities. After this summer camping season, 

Camp Stoney will be in a Sabbatical of a few moths as a new 

leadership team is formed and visioning can take place for the 

mission and ministry of both locations. The new board will be in 

place to continue the wonderful ministry of Camp Stoney in the 

Spring of 2012 and of course for another great summer at Camp 

Stoney in 2012 as well. Yes, Camp Stoney is alive and well and 

continues to be a wonderful outdoor ministry for and with the 

Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande! 

Summer 2011 Camping Schedule 

May 27-30 Family Camp 

June 5-11 Senior High Adventure Camp 

June 12-18 Outdoor Adventure Camp and 

Jr. High Adventure Camp 1 

June 19-25 Summer Fun Camp and Arts and Crafts Camp 

June 26 – July 2 Jr. High Adventure Camp 2 and Narnia Camp 

July 3-9 Harry Potter Camp and Sr. High Fantasy Camp 

July 10-16 Grace Camp and Sr. High Leadership Camp 

For more information on all camps and for online registration 

please see us at www.campstoney.org 

Camp Stoney Summer 

Schedule 2011 

May 27-30 Family Camp – all ages – parents required FEE: $100 adults, 

$75 children 

Come for a long weekend with your family. This camp provides a great way 

to introduce younger children to camp while providing families quality time 

participating in traditional camp activities and sharing their faith together. 

June 5-11 Senior High Adventure Camp – grades 9-12 FEE: $350 + 

$100 rafting fee 

Adventure Camp offers wilderness backpacking, off-site camping and whitewater 

rafting, work on our own high and low ropes course, a trip to the 

climbing gym, Bible study and dynamic worship in God’s creation. 

June 12-18 Outdoor Adventure Camp – grades 3-6 FEE: $350 

A Pre-quel to the Jr. High Adv. Camp, it focuses on outdoor skills such as 

hiking, campfire cooking, and sleeping in teepees. Also, traditional camp 

activities - low ropes, arts & crafts, field games, archery - all while building 

a stronger relationship with Christ. 

June 12-18 Jr. High Adventure 1 Camp – grades 6-9 FEE: $350 

+ $50 rafting fee 

Early teens are introduced to the rugged outdoors through wilderness 

backpacking, off-site camping and white-water rafting, work on the ropes 

course, a trip to the climbing gym, Bible study and dynamic worship. 

June 19-25 Summer Fun Camp – grades 3-10 FEE: $350 

A traditional summer camp program that includes Bible study and worship, 

swimming, archery, field games, hiking, low ropes, arts & crafts, s’mores, 

and lots of fun. 

June 19-25 Arts & Crafts Camp – grades 3-10 FEE: $350 + $50 

for materials 

An opportunity for children to experiment with different art forms and 

mediums: pottery, fabric painting, mosaic tiles, origami, wood crafts, and 

a visit to the Folk Art museum, while getting to know the Creator in whose 

image we are made. 

June 26-July 2 Jr. High Adventure 2 Camp – grades 6-9 FEE: $350 

+ $50 rafting fee 

Early teens are introduced to the rugged outdoors through wilderness 

backpacking, off-site camping and white-water rafting, work on the ropes 

course, a trip to the climbing gym, Bible study and dynamic worship. 

June 26-July2 Narnia Camp - grades 3-8 FEE: $350 

Campers grow in their relationship with Christ as they explore the world 

of C.S. Lewis’s “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”, by participating 

in drama, Bible study, worship, and traditional camp activities. 

July 3-9 Harry Potter Camp – grades 3-8 FEE: $350 

A fantasy camp that explores the Christian themes found in J.K. Rowling’s 

“The Sorcerer’s Stone”, through Bible study and worship. Play Quidditch, 

put on a skit, make themed art projects, take a potions class, swim, hike, 

and have an archery lesson all at Camp Stoney’s version of Hogwarts. 

July 3-9 Senior High Fantasy Camp – grade 9-12 FEE: $350 

A fantasy camp for teens. They will explore the Christian themes found 

in the last three books of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series through Bible 

study and worship. They will participate in traditional camp activities and 

learn to play Quidditch from a real Collegiate player. 

July 10-16 Grace Camp – grades 3-6 Scholarships are provided 

for all participants. 

This is a special outreach ministry that provides a camping experience 

for children of an incarcerated family member. Please note: volunteers 

and donations are needed to support this ministry. 

July 10-16 Sr. High Leadership Camp – grades 9-12 FEE: $350 

This camp offers teens a chance for creative fun and an opportunity to 

serve. Campers will explore the call of Christ on their lives through Bible 

study and worship and will reach out to the Grace campers through 

mentoring.

14 

Grant’s All Saints’ 

Episcopal Church 

Hosts Visit By Bishop 

By Mr. Bob Clark 

IN THE 


Bishop Vono 

visits St. John’s, 

Farmington 

By Mr. Jack Yerby 

All Saints Episcopal Church, which serves Grants and 

Milan, New Mexico was the host for a visit by the Rt. Rev. 

Michael L. Vono, Bishop of the Diocese of the Rio Grande, 

over the week-end of January 9th. 

Bishop Vono was welcomed to Grants at the home of Mr. Bob Clark and Mr. John Martinez, where a sit-down dinner 

in his honor was hosted by the Rev. Martin Bayang and his wife, Veronica, and Ms. Caroline Finster, Bishop’s Warden 

for the Church. Guests for the evening included members of the Bishop’s Committee and their spouses. 

Saturday’s dinner was beautifully presented in a relaxed setting, which enabled guests to talk informally and share 

ideas and thoughts. According to the Rev. Bayang, “the evening was an opportunity for us all to visit with Bishop Vono. 

At the same time he got to know us on a one-to-one basis, which we believe was important. Of course he charmed 

the guests, as well. It was a great and most enjoyable event.” 

The next day the Bishop officiated at services of confirmation, reception and Holy Communion. Mr. John Homko 

of Albuquerque was guest organist for the service. The Bishop confirmed seven people and received five into the 

Episcopal Church. Diocesan Lapel Pins, donated by the Bishop, were distributed to those who attended as mementos 

of the occasion. A reception and buffet luncheon followed for the Bishop and those who were confirmed and 

received. 

Sunday’s services were very well attended, due in part to news of the Bishop’s visit in The Cibola Beacon on the 

previous Friday. 

Cibola County’s All Saints’ Church has a colorful history. It was formed in 1956 during the “boom” following the 

discovery of Uranium. The Church has continued to serve its parishioners without interruption for fifty-five years, 

weathering the dramatic fluctuations in the area’s economy and population growth. Many feel that the congregation’s 

very survival is attributable to the faith, strength, perseverance and stamina of its clergy and parishioners. 

Bishop Vono’s Visit to Gallup 

By the Rev. Lynne Perkins 

On the first Sunday after the Epiphany, celebrating the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, Bishop Vono 

came to the Church of the Holy Spirit, Gallup, to confirm and reaffirm members into our congregation. 

Bishop Vono confirmed five new members into the Episcopal Church and reaffirmed three long standing 

members of our congregation. The Bishop preached the homily and celebrated the Eucharist. The visiting 

Gallup Ecumenical Bell Choir played an offertory anthem. The service was very well attended and was followed 

by a gala reception in the fellowship hall. 

Bishop Vono came to St. John’s, Farmington, 

on December 12th where he confirmed six 

folks and received six others who had been 

confirmed in another denomination. He also 

preached, celebrated Eucharist, and enjoyed 

good fellowship at a potluck brunch after the 

service. 

In the middle of his sermon, though, disaster 

struck! One of the two-year olds escaped from 

the nursery, and his cries of “Mama! Mama!” 

could be heard as he ran for the nave of the 

church pursued by two five-year old girls (one 

being his sister), whose main purpose was to 

fetch the fugitive before he reached the safety 

of Mom. 

Alas, it was not to be. Little two-year old 

hands could not turn the doorknob, and the 

sound of three bodies crashing into the closed 

door and the ensuing struggle to apprehend 

the escapee brought every mother in the 

church to her feet and rushing for the door. 

Of course by this time, no one was listening 

to the Bishop, but he took it all in stride. After 

the commotion ended, he pleaded for the kids 

saying, “Let my children go free.” But it was not 

to be. The three deserters were corralled and 

herded back to the nursery, and the Bishop 

continued merrily along with his sermon, which 

can be heard (with the interruption) on St. 

John’s website www.SaintJohnsChurch.info/ 

sermons. 

Bishop Michael and the Rev. Guy Mackie during visit to St. 

John’s, Farmington 

Bishop Vono reaffirms Mr. Thomas Kirby, Holy Spirit’s Bishop’s Warden.

IN THE 

15 


BISHOP AROUND THE DIOCESE 

Hope in the Desert, Albuquerque 

Bishop gathers with Confirmands 

Ladies Tea 

Church of the Epiphany, Socorro 

book review 

God, in Particular, 

By the Rev. Dr. Guy Mackey 

For more information on the book 

go to: www.saintjohnschurch.info/ 

rectorspage.php 

Christology is the study of just 

who Jesus of Nazareth is. The 

Incarnation is that mysterious 

“event” in which God lowered Himself to assume 

human nature, and in so doing brought salvation 

and eternal life to those who would obey Him. The 

sanctification of time is the daily ordering of our lives in 

a manner in which the Incarnation is played out in each 

of our lives through our celebration of the Christian year. 

Bringing these three together is what Father Mackey 

does in his very fine dissertation prepared for his Doctor 

of Theology degree. 

For those of us in Christian traditions who understand 

the fullness of a Christology that celebrates the 

transcendence and immanence of God through Jesus 

Christ, the yearly calendar affords an important way 

to encounter God throughout each and every day. The 

liturgical life of the church revolves around the life and 

teaching of Jesus in two separate cycles, both aiding us 

in our understanding of the mysteries and teachings of 

the faith. 

Father Mackey captures this understanding and 

applies it to both the church as a body and to the 

individual lives of each Christian. As one who has for 

some time compiled two published editions of liturgical 

Ordo calendars, I am acutely aware of the importance of 

this cyclical view of the Christian life. And as an Anglican 

Catholic Christian, I also understand the importance of 

the Incarnation as the core of life for both the ecclesial 

body and the individual Christian. 

I commend this work to your reading for the simple 

fact that it holds the kernel of truth in understanding the 

essential elements of the Catholic Christian faith. 

The Rev. Barry Eugene Yingling 

Holy Cross Shines Brighter 

Bishop Michael Vono blesses the new Portico and Stained 

Glass Window at Church of the Holy Cross in Edgewood on 

the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany. From left are Crucifer Ms. 

Jane Vickers, Holy Cross Rector the Rev. Raymond Raney, the 

Bishop, and the Rev. Richard Valantasis. The blessing and 

dedication concluded the Bishop’s visit that included the 

Confirmation and Reception of six members of the Church, 

the Blessing of the 25th Anniversary of Mr. Steve and Mrs. 

Barbara Hines, and the Celebration of Holy Eucharist. The 

Portico was made possible by the gift of the founding Vicar 

of Holy Cross, Dr. Adams Lovekin and his wife Ann. The 

window, created by East Mountain artist Ms. Melissa Snyder, 

was made possible through the generosity of the Robert & 

Evelyn McKee Foundation. The Lovekins and Ms. Melissa 

Snyder were present and honored during the dedication.

Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande 

4304 Carlisle Blvd., N.E., 

Albuquerque, NM 87107-4811 

NONPROFIT 

US Postage 

PAID 

Permit 229 

ABQ, NM 

16 

IN THE 


Church Spotlight 

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church 

Fort Stockton, Texas 

Moving with history and the Holy Spirit from 

1896 in Pecos to 1958 in Fort Stockton. 

Together 

is a monthly publication of 

the Episcopal Diocese of 

the Rio Grande 

4304 Carlisle Blvd. N.E. 

Albuquerque, New Mexico 

87107-4811 

505-881-0636 

Bishop & Senior Editor: 

The Rt. Rev. Michael L. Vono 

Diocesan Communications 

Committee: 

The Very Rev. Mark 

Goodman, Chairman 

The Rev. Raymond Raney, 

The Rev. Daniel Gutierrez 

Ms. Diane Butler, Ms. Lisa Katz- 

Ricker, and Ms. Mary Jewell 

Editorial and correspondence 

may be mailed to 

Diocesan House: 

4304 Carlisle Blvd., N.E., 

Albuquerque, NM 87107-4811 

or emailed to 

Diocom@dioceserg.org 

Submission deadline is the 

6 th of the Month. 

Visit the Diocesan website at 

www.dioceserg.org for archive 

copies of the newsletter.

Mar 2011 - Diocese of the Rio Grande

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