Nov 2010 - Diocese of the Rio Grande

IN THEEPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDENovembeR 2010Photo by Rev. Raymond Raney

2IN THEEPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDEBishop Vono’s Report 2010 House of Bishops Fall MeetingTo the Laity and Clergy in the Diocese of the RioGrande,It was a great honor to represent the Diocese ofthe Rio Grande at the House of Bishops meeting inPhoenix, Arizona September 16-21, 2010. As Bishop-Elect, I was enthusiastically welcomed and invitedto participate fully in every important discussionconcerning a variety of contemporary religious,social, political, cultural and international issuesfacing the world and the Church of our Lord JesusChrist in this third-millennium.As has been customary for more than severalyears in the House of Bishops, Presiding Bishop+Katharine has both modeled and encouragedGod-centered discussions and informed debates aswell as a deliberate spiritual process of listening tothe Holy Spirit through prayer, dialogue, consensusbuilding and decision-making. The work of eachday was prefaced by worship, communal MorningPrayer, silence and Bible study. Our witness is tothe guidance in, and trust of, the Holy Spirit and, byacknowledging the gift of Christ’s living presence inthe church, we engaged in discussing how God seemsto be transforming the Church. Bishops, as chiefpastors, are responsible as Christ’s good shepherd.The overall theme of session-gatherings was,“Changing Contexts for God’s Mission: What isthe New Invitation?” Presentations dealt withcontemporary trends of religious, social and politicalglobal controversies around issues concerningeconomic migrants, international cross boarderimmigration, trafficking of drugs and persons,poverty, ethnicity and racial diversities and thechallenges of communal multi-cultural assimilations.Several of these matters are on the hearts and mindsof many people in the Diocese of the Rio Grande.The Episcopal Church’s witness seeks to honor God’skerygma, “Missio Dei” (God’s mission) which arisesout of our need – laity and clergy - to understandand live into the Gospel’s ‘Sermon On The Mount’imperatives. Each Bishop had time to share hisor her insights about their diocesan contextualrealities. At table groups we discussed how Scriptureinforms our understanding of God’s mission in ourgeo-demographic changing contexts. Listening andlearning was at the heart of these discussions. Ilearned many important lessons and gathered somewonderful resources for education and discussion.The question raised at each session was: “What isthe New Invitation” or more simply put “What is ourLord God doing in our time and where we are living?Where is Christ actively moving about in our midst?How our understanding God’s mission in the DRG isconsistent with Christ’s ministry as described in theGospels?”Our Changing Contexts and Biblical Perspectivesencourage us in the Diocese of the Rio Grande toconsider the following insights and questions:• Is the ‘stranger’ (alien, im/migrant, foreigner)recognized as a gift from God? Consider thecomplexities and truths (non-truths) of theimmigration issues from an Old and NewTestament biblical perspective.• Is accepting the ‘otherness’ of strangers froma foreign land a reflective reality of our ownimmigrant selves when viewed from an historicalor a biblical perspective? Consider Abraham andhis family, Jacob, Joseph and Israel in Exodus. AllGod’s people, which include us, are aliens andim/migrants. Are immigrants scapegoats for theeconomic and labor problems we face today?• The Christian Theology of Missio Dei emphasizesthe need to understand missional socio-culturalcontexts. Is there a text without a context? Isthere a context without a text? The IncarnateWord of God - Jesus Christ Son of God – risenand living is both the text and context and isrecognizable in diverse historical times of salvationhistory. Consider the Biblical narrative of ourearth-bound heavenly journey in search of God’sKingdom.A Pastoral Letter and a Theological Resource entitled“The Nation and the Common Good: Reflections onImmigration Reform”• Teaching document from the House of Bishops hasbeen made available to all the laity and clergy inthe DRG, which I whole heartedly encourage youto consider, read and discuss among yourselves.These inspirational teachings will assist us inprayerfully considering what Christ’s mission is inthe DRG.Developing Leaders for Evangelism: ChangingContexts for Christ Centered Congregational Vitalityin the 3rd Millennium Evangelism• Missiological reflections focus on three questions.~ What is God doing (discipline of discernment)in our age – relating God’s story in HolyScripture to our personal – family - communalstory?~ What biblical story illumines our personal, aswell as church, context of “doing mission” andChrist’s ministry for the poor and powerless?~ How do I/we respond as God’s agent(s) ofreconciliation?• Church’s mandate, evidenced by the public witnessof Jesus in his day, is to engage the world (culture)for what it is and not what it was. Today’s globalPlease visit www.dioceserg.org/resources for the Anglican Covenant Study Guide.and communal transformations are fueled by a fastgrowing and changing technology of information.What do you know or not know? What informationis true or not true? Are we not all engaged incontinuing education?• Targeted Pastoral Evangelism. Three effectivefacets of congregational vitality~ An open, welcoming community which invitespeople to know and become followers of JesusChrist.~ Provides opportunities in community forspiritual/life changing transformation.~ Equips people for ‘evangel-gospel mission’ inthe market and work place. A spirit of Joy,trust, hope and enthusiasm characterizeseffective sharing of the good news of Jesus.Tell your story. Listen to other’s faith story.Acknowledge one Lord and God of us all.• There is a need to return to our “mother- tongue”….the language of Scripture, our first languageas Christians, which we need to know it, learn it,and tell it. A Christian’s life in the world and in thechurch is a living faith-narrative.• Pastoral Awareness: Contextual understandingof Evangelism of God’s people: Hispanic, NativeAmerican, displaced poor and despised Im/Migrants in 3 rd millennium is a global concern ofour day.Resolutions Taken: Affirmed by Majority Vote• Mind of the House Resolution: RenewedCommitment to the Millennium DevelopmentGoals• Mind of the House Resolution: Appeal for theRebuilding of the Episcopal Church of Haiti• Mind of the House Resolution: For Bishop CharlesBennison, Diocese of Pennsylvania, to tender hisimmediate and unconditional resignation.Other Topics of Discussion• Background Information from the StandingCommission on Liturgy and Music Consultationon Resolution C056: Liturgies for Same GenderBlessings.• The General Board of Examining Chaplains & theGeneral Ordination Examination. Issues includedfrequently asked questions concerning the crisis inSeminary Education today, curriculum formationcriteria for those in preparation for ordainedministry, and spiritual formation.Blessings, Bishop MichaelThankyouThank you to our dear friends in the Diocese of the Rio GrandeTo our dear friends in the Diocese of the Rio Grande, Barbara and I want to thank you againfor the wonderful send-off you gave us at the time of Michael Vono’s Consecration.The Nambe Icthus occupies a place of the honor in our house, and the creation of the scholarshipfund for theological education in our name has touched us very deeply.It has been a privilege, an honor, and an unqualified blessing to be permitted to serve you.We’ve left a piece of our hearts in the Diocese and wish all blessings to you and your new shepherd.+Bill Frey

4IN THEEPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDEBishop-Elect Michael Vono’s Address to ConventionI have always felt that it was appropriate thatconventions are held in the time in which we movetowards Thanksgiving, because, in fact, in everydiocese, it is a time for people to rejoice and celebratethe many things that we have to be thankful for, andhaving the consecration, as well as this convention,close to Thanksgiving is a wonderful, wonderfulcontext in which both of us begin our new ministry.I am very grateful to all of you for the wonderfulgenerosity of spirit and outpouring of love that Ihave experienced in not only the time when we hadthe walk-abouts with my colleagues, but also in theparishes that I have visited, in the clergy that I haveseen. It is truly overwhelming, thestrength of hospitality and of love andwelcome that you all seem to have as aunique charisma in this part of the world.And mind you, this part of the world is anew part of the world for me.I want to begin by saying these wordsof thanks to you all, clergy and laity. Inmy pastoral letter I wrote to you in ourdiocesan newspaper, “Together,” someof you might have already read that Iquoted St. Augustine, who said on theday he was bishop, “Believe me, brothersand sisters, if what I am frightens me,what I am with you reassures me. Foryou, I am the bishop. With you, I am aChristian.”You and I will share a mutual ministryof all the baptized, carrying on Christ’smission and ministry in what I woulddescribe as our new challenging age,because I believe it is an age in which theworld and the church are moving fromfamiliar boundaries to new frontiers,God’s frontiers.Those of us who have recently movedto New Mexico know something aboutwhat this means. Walter Brueggemann,an Old Testament theologian and churchscholar, recently wrote, “The great crisisamong us is the crisis of the commongood, the sense of community, solidaritythat binds all people in common destiny.”The early church, he says, was bornout of the passionate conviction thatin Christ crucified and Christ risen, they, followers ofGod’s incarnate son, Jesus Christ, could welcome oneanother in all their unique differences and everyoneelse overcoming every superficial earthly challenge,just the way Jesus did.For the Church of Jesus Christ, I’d like to think thatPentecost is a daily experience. We learn in the NewTestament writings, particularly the Gospels, thatChristian unity never meant sameness. It always meanswholeness. Christ has come to make us whole, tomake us one with each other, one with God. Diversity,St. Thomas Aquinas says, is the perfection of theuniverse. Imagine that being said centuries ago. AndSt. Augustine concurred, and St. Paul makes the caseto the Corinthians. “My dear people, in Christ andby the grace of the Holy Spirit, I do believe we areempowered and poised to meet every single and allchallenges which resist the priority of the commongood, violate community solidarity, and inhibit thatwhich binds all in common destiny, the destiny weproclaim to the world redeemed by the blood andPhoto by Rev. Brian Wintercross of our Lord, Jesus Christ.”We are a special people, God’s people, God’s holypeople. And we as Episcopalians, as members of theAnglican communion, we as Episcopalians who elicitfrom others, people’s eyes to cross and to wonderabout us, we practice the presence of God in allpeople, because we truly believe that we are all madein the same image and likeness of God. There areno foreigners in the body of Christ, no strangers oroutcasts in the community of the Anglican church,especially in our Episcopalian church. We believe thatall people by the grace of God do seek to be holy asGod is holy.The Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori presents Bishop-Elect MichaelVono a gift with the following message: This is a gift. It has a quote fromDom Helder Camara, who was the Archbishop of Recife in Brazil in the 1960sand 1970s. It says, “The bishop belongs to all. Let no one be scandalized if Ifrequent those who are considered unworthy or sinful. Who is not a sinner?Let no one be alarmed if I am seen with compromised and dangerous peopleon the left or the right. Let no one bind me to a group. My door, my heart,must be open to everyone, absolutely everyone.”Now, I am sure you can tell by this time that I amvery happy to be in the Land of Enchantment. And, infact, I have been dreaming -- and some of you haveheard me say this -- I have been dreaming of a dioceseof enchantment in the American Episcopalian church.And by definition -- because one of my dear priestsasked me, “But what does that mean?” I know whatit means. My best definition is described in Psalm133. “Behold how good and pleasant it is for peopleto dwell together in unity.” It is what Christ prayed for,what the Holy Spirit inspires and calls all of us to.In your diocesan profile, you describe yourselves asa missionary people. Therefore, I will be a missionarybishop. I.e., my hat. A missionary bishop in NewMexico and Southwest Texas. And I will pray we willmake this our public presence that we are a visionarytransformational people in New Mexico, being inspiredby all scriptures, tradition, and reason and humanexperience as we live this experience in our newchallenging age. We will seek to be transformed inChrist into the likeness of Christ. You have heard mesay time and time again, our greatest challenges willbe, in time, our greatest blessings.I know you have high expectations of your new bishop.I have high expectations of you. What consoles me isthat God has higher expectations than both of us. Butpart of my expectation is my hope that our diocesanmission imperatives will include these things which Ihave been thinking about, praying about, in the twomonths that I have been here, in getting to knowyou, and in getting to see some of our wonderfulcongregations, a public presence of grass roots caringministry to all God’s people in every parish and everymission of this church in SouthwestTexas and New Mexico. It is already inall your parishes and missions. I havebeen carefully reading. Those of youwho have profiles, I read them whenI was still in Rome. But I pray for thatto be the single public presence thatemerges, that on the grass roots, we areso attentive to the people around us.And who are they? Our militaryveterans and their families certainly inthis part of the world, in the Dioceseof the Rio Grande. The poor who arearound us; the sick, those who areunchurched, struggling families, forcedeconomic migrants. It wasn’t only inRome that I was attentive to them.We need to be attentive to them here.Displaced and abandoned adults, aswell as youth. The Hispanic unchurched,of which there are many. And to oururban Native American brothers andsisters, which you are already soconscious of.I believe our future is bright becauseI believe our future is in God’s hands.I will conclude these reflections bygiving you two inspiring quotes. Theclergy have already heard them. I gavethese quotes to them at our clericusgathering. The first is from the ProphetIsaiah. “A voice crying out in thewilderness.” We’re in the wilderness.“Do not remember the former things orconsider the things of old. I am about todo a new thing. Now it springs forth. Doyou not perceive it? I will make a way in the wildernessand rivers in the desert.”Bishop Katharine remembered the words of JohnXXIII. The pronunciation is adjornamiento. Andadjornamiento means that the windows have beenbroken open, that the spirit of God has been flowingin and moving people and souls closer to Christ.Adjornamiento certainly is part of this diocese.The second quote I gave the clergy was from acontemporary mystic. “Life is not measured by thenumber of breaths we take, but by the moments thattake our breath away.”In this time of Thanksgiving, may we all beconsciously grateful to the Lord God, to his son, ourLord Jesus, to the grace of the Holy Spirit for the manyblessings bestowed upon us individually and uponthis diocese, whom the Lord God has been mindfulof always. Let us be conscious of those blessings nowwhich take our breath away. Grazie mille. Grazie ditutto. God bless all of you.

IN THE5EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDEDiocesan Convention 2010 Preliminary Reportby Diane ButlerPhoto by Rev. Brian WinterCanon Kelly presents Bishop & Barbara Frey with theologicaleducation fund certificateThe 58th Annual Convention of the EpiscopalDiocese of the Rio Grande convened at 9:30 AM onFriday morning, October 21st. Fifty-five congregationswere represented by 63 clergy and 138 laity.The Very Rev. Jan Davey, NW Area Dean led thedelegates in the Nicene Creed and then welcomed allpresent to Albuquerque. Dean Davey offered thanksto Lois Phillips and Annie Danielsen who chaired theConvention Committee and to all of the volunteerswho assisted them in planning and who worked at theconvention.Canon Colin Kelly introduced Presiding Bishop,the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori and herhusband Richard Schori who were enthusiasticallygreeted with a standing ovation. Her address toconvention began with congratulations to the diocese:“Congratulations on the election of a new bishop.Congratulations on the healing that has happened inthis place led by your Standing Committee, by ColinKelly, by Bishop Frey, by their many collaborators andpartners in this ministry.” She continued by definingthe Italian word adjornamiento as “coming into a newday,” and described an image “the window is openand the Holy Spirit is blowing in.”Members of the Standing, Search, Transitionand New Life Committees and the Area Deanswere introduced and Canon Kelly expressedappreciation, on behalf of the diocese, for theirwork over the past few years. The Rt. Rev. Bill Freyand his wife Barbara were introduced and given agift in appreciation for their ministry to the dioceseover the past three years. Bishop Frey has servedas Assisting Bishop during the search for a newbishop and Barbara accompanied him as he visitedchurches across the diocese. The diocesan staffand volunteers were introduced and received astanding ovation.Canon Tom Gray, Chair of the ResolutionsCommittee presented courtesy resolutions to thedelegates, including:Thanks to the NW Deanery and Dean JanDavey for hosting convention,Thanks for the Reverend Michael L. Vono withgreetings and welcome “assuring him of ourlove and support and of our trust that his lifeand ministry with us will be long and full ofthe Lord’s own peace and grace.”Thanks to the Right Reverend William C.Frey for serving as our Assisting Bishop withgreetings to Bishop Frey and to his wife,Barbara with assurance of the love andgratitude of the diocesan family.Recognition of the exemplary and faithfulleadership of groups providing primaryleadership during this time without a bishop:The Standing Committee, Deans, DiocesanCouncil, Search, Transition and New LifeCommittees.Thanks and gratitude to the diocesan staff:Lisa Katz-Ricker, Mary Jewell, Toye Robertson,Carol Miller, Arlene Padilla, and volunteersChris Hollis and Barbara Caldwell.Thanks and greetings to The Reverend CanonColin P. Kelly III for his service as presidentof the Standing Committee during the timethe committee served as the EcclesiasticalAuthority.Recognition of Mr. Stephen Watkins, longtimecommunicant of the Church of the HolyFaith, who has served as a parish delegate toDiocesan Convention for more than 40 yearsand who is attending convention for the lasttime this year.Prior to the convening of the convention, a breakfastwas held for the Presiding Bishop and the Clergy of theDiocese. At the same time the clergy spouses met forbreakfast with Richard Schori.Convention delegates met for worship servicesincluding Noon Days Prayers, Evensong and DailyDevotions, officiated by Ms. Lois Phillips,Ms. DianeButler and Mr. Allen Lowery. St. Michael and All-Angels ensemble@9 music group, led by Ken Gilman,accompanied the Evensong Service. Ms. Ricki Sherrillled the UTO Ingathering at the Offertory duringEvensong.Centenarian Rev. Al Tarbell greets delegates at conventionPhoto by Rev. Brian WinterDiocesan Convention 2010 Election ResultsStanding Committee Clergy: The VeryReverend Mark Goodman, Cathedral ofSt. John, Albuquerque, NMStanding Committee Lay: Ms. DianeButler, St. Thomas of CanterburyEpiscopal Church, Albuquerque, NMDiocesan Council Clergy: The ReverendWoody Peabody, Epiphany EpiscopalChurch, Socorro, NMDiocesan Council Lay: Ms. CatherineBailey, St. Michael and All-AngelsEpiscopal Church, Albuquerque, NMCommission on Ministry Lay: Ms. RickieSherrill, St. Bede’s Episcopal Church,Santa Fe, NMEcclesiastical Court Lay: Ms. LoisPhillips, Epiphany Episcopal Church,Socorro, NMEcclesiastical Court Clergy: TheReverend Rod Hurst, Grace EpiscopalChurch, Carlsbad, NMCathedral Chapter: The Reverent Dr.Nicholas Funk, St. James EpiscopalChurch, Las Cruces, NMNeeded to elect – 129 VotesStanding Committee ClergyMark Goodman 118Bob Gross 66Ken Semon 72Standing Committee LayDiane Butler elected 216Diocesan Council ClergyWoody Peabody elected 224Diocesan Council LayCatherine Bailey elected 181Jesse Heald 36Canonical ChangeGeneral Convention 2009, in an effort to move from a juridicalto a more pastoral approach to clergy discipline, passed asweeping revision to Title IV of The Constitution and Canonsof the Episcopal Church. As a result, virtually every diocese inthe Episcopal Church will have to change its diocesan canonson clergy discipline to bring them into conformity with thenational canons that go into effect in July, 2011. The StandingCommittee unanimously agreed to sponsor the proposedrevision of Canon 17 as drafted by an appointed committeeconsisting of Robert St. John, Chancellor; the Reverend FrankBALLOT 1 BALLOT 2Commission on Ministry LaySally Blackstad 88Rickie Sherrill elected 161Ecclesiastical Court ClergyRod Hurst elected 235Ecclesiastical Court LayLois Phillips elected 219Cathedral ChapterNick Funk elected 233Needed to elect – 124 VotesStanding Committee ClergyMark Goodman elected 133Bob Gross 43Ken Semon 70Wilson, Canonist, and Canon Michael Perko, diocesan staff.[The complete text of the Revision to Title IV, Canon 17 can befound in the September, 2010 “Together”.]The canonical change to Canon 17 was passed by a greaterthan 2/3 majority of the delegates to diocesan convention.BudgetThe Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande Operating Budget for2011, as presented by Charles Arms, Treasurer, was approvedby convention. [The complete budget can be found in theSeptember, 2010 “Together”].

6IN THEEPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDESouthwestern Cultures Flow TogetherFor the Consecration of Bishop VonoBy Rev. Raymond RaneyWith a resounding shout of “AMEN” the gatheredcongregation concluded the Prayer of Consecration forthe Rt. Rev. Dr. Michael Louis Vono, declaring him thenew Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande.Approximately 1,300 persons gathered at theHyatt Regency Hotel in Albuquerque to witness theconsecration by Chief Consecrator, the Most Rev.Katharine Jefferts Schori and five Co-consecratingBishops.The Consecration was the culmination of a 21/2-year process that began with the creation and chargingof the Search and Transition Committees in Juneof 2008. Nominees were presented by the SearchCommittee in January, 2010. The Transition Committeeintroduced nominees to the Diocese in April, followedby the election of the Rev. Dr. Michal Vono on April 24,2010. The Transition Committee and the Consecrationand Liturgy subcommittees spent hundreds of hoursplanning the Consecration to incorporate its visionof an event that would be open to all who wished toattend, and reflect the diversity of cultures and faiths ofthe Diocese.Participants in the Consecration spanned the widthand breadth of the Diocese, which includes the BigBend region of Texas west of the Pecos River and all ofNew Mexico. The cultures of the Southwest blendedvisually and musically for the Consecration.The unifying focus on the altar combined thepassion and fire of the Holy Spirit in the red of thefrontal with the sacred turquoise of the drape thatBishop Vono celebratesaccented the Zia Altar cross, which embodied thesignificance of Native American symbolism with thecentrality of the Holy Spirit manifest in the symbol ofthe Dove, the angel of God’s peace. In front of thealtar, a contemporary Navajo rug by weaver EleanorZazzie combined the buttes and monuments to recallNavajo tradition with an overlay of the JerusalemCross.The music preludes ranged from contemporary andCeltic music by Ensemble@9 from St. Michael andAll Angels, Albuquerque, and St. Chad’s Music Groupand the organ works of J.S. Bach played by FrederickTeardo, associate organist at St. Thomas Church, FifthAvenue, New York. Choral works were performed bya Diocesan Choir made up of singers from thirteencongregations of the Diocese, and led by Dr. MaxineThevenot, Director of Cathedral Music. The postludewas performed by the ensemble of Mariachi Tenampa.The languages of the solemn liturgy also spannedthe cultures. The Ministry of the Word opened withthe canting of the Sh’ma in Hebrew by Rabbi LawrenceBach of Temple Mount Sinai, El Paso. The Veni CreatorSpiritus was canted in English, Spanish, Navajo andLatin by Andrea D’Agosto, who traveled from Rome,Italy, where she was Bishop Michael’s administrativeassistant at St. Paul’s-within-the-Walls EpiscopalChurch. The first lesson from the Book of the ProphetIsaiah was read in Spanish by Nick Thompson of HolyCross, Edgewood. The Lord’s Prayer was printed inEnglish, Spanish and Italian, and participants wereinvited to use the language of their choice.Co-consecrators were the Rt. Rev. Larry Benfield,Vice President of ProvinceSeven of the EpiscopalChurch; the Rev. AllanBjornberg, Bishop of theRocky Mountain Synod ofthe Evangelical LutheranChurch in America; theRt. Rev. William Frey,Assisting Bishop ofthe Diocese of the RioGrande; the Rt. Rev. OnellSoto, retired AssistantBishop of the Diocese ofAlabama; and the Rt. Rev.Pierre Whalon, Bishop inCharge of the Convocation of American Churches inEurope.Among the Sixteen Episcopal Bishops attending theConsecration were Bishop David Bailey of Navajoland;Bishop Bavi “Nedi” Rivers of East Oregon; BishopSuffragan Paul Lambert of Dallas; Suffrogan BishopDiane Bruce of Los Angelos; Bishop Andrew Doyle ofTexas; Bishop Edward Konieczny of Oklahoma; andBishop Kirk Smith of Arizona.Sarah Eagle Heart, the Episcopal Church’s programofficer for Native American ministries was includedamong a host of local, national and internationalguests, including visitors from St. Paul’s within-the-Walls, where Vono had served as rector since 1992,and others from the Convocation of Episcopal Churchesin Europe, including guests from Germany, Switzerland,Austria and France, as well as Archbishop MichaelSheehan of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.A reception hosted by the Cathedral of St.John followed the Consecration. Bishop Vono’sEnthronement at the Cathedral was celebrated at the11 a.m. Eucharist on Sunday, October 24.Rt. Rev.William Frey, the Rt. Rev. Michael L. Vono,The Most Rev. Katharine Jeffrets-SchoriRichard Frey presents crozier to our new BishopBishop Michael with consecrating BishopsBishop Michael greets Archbishop Sheehan Archdiocese of Santa FePhotos by Rev. Brian Winter

IN THE7EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDEBishop Michael Vono smiles in delight following his enthronementat the Cathedral of St. John as he stands before the Cathedral altar.Enthronement of Bishop Michael VonoBy the Very Rev. Mark GoodmanAt the conclusion of four days of joyfulcelebration in the Diocese of the Rio Grande, BishopMichael Vono was enthroned at the Cathedral of St.John, seated in the cathedra that is the symbol of hisepiscopal ministry. The ceremony took place at the11:00 Eucharist at the Cathedral, which some 450individuals attended. Bishop Vono’s family and manyout-of-town friends were in attendance, includingthose that had travelled from Rome to be part of theweekend’s festivities. The Bishop of the EpiscopalChurch in Europe, the Rt. Rev. Pierre Whalon, wasthe preacher at the Eucharist.The beginning of the service of enthronementis the ritual welcoming of the Bishop into hisCathedral. Dean Goodman, accompanied by theThe Diocesan Crosier provides the symbol of his charge to shepherd thepeople of the Rio Grande for Bishop Michael Vono.Cathedral Wardens and members of the TransitionTeam, processed to the main doors of the Cathedral.Bishop Vono, from outside the doors, knocked loudlythree times and said, “May the doors of this Cathedralbe opened that I may enter and give thanks to theLord.” The Wardens opened the doors and invitedBishop Vono into the Nave. At the conclusion ofthe entry into the Cathedral, the people added theirwords of welcome: “We welcome and receive Michaelas our Bishop and promise to uphold him in thisministry.” The Dean then escorted Bishop Vono to thecathedral as the Cathedral Choir sang Parry’s I wasglad. At the conclusion of the anthem, the Bishop wasinvited by Dean Goodman to be seated, after whichthe congregation offered extended, and enthusiasticapplause and joyful shouts as the Cathedral bell wasrung and the organ trumpets sounded.As the Bishop stood again, the Choirbegan the choral Mass setting for the day, theMissa Omnes Sancti of Malcolm Archer. Thisis a setting commissioned for the Cathedraland given its premiere at St. John’s in 2006.In addition to the Archer, the choir sang Liftup your heads, by William Mathias, He thatis down needs fear no fall, of Philip Moore,and O how amiable are thy dwelling places,by Anthony Piccolo. The Piccolo is anotherCathedral commission, having its premierein 2009. Mr. Fred Teardo, Associate Organistat St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, New YorkCity, served as the accompanist for MaxineThevenot, Director of Cathedral Music.The very fine sermon, preached by BishopWhalon, was an extended reflection on theplace of the Bishop in the life of the dioceseand the relationship of the orders of ministrywith him and one another. It was recordedand may be downloaded from the Cathedralwebsite: www.stjohnsabq.org.The weekend’s events were given their finalpunctuation by the Bishop’s blessing, afterwhich all in attendance enjoyed a festivereception in honor of our Bishop Michael andhis family.The Very Rev. Mark Goodman, Dean of the Cathedral, gestures in welcome toBishop Michael Vono during the announcements following the enthronementceremony at St. Johns.Photos by Rev. Raymond RaneyThe extended family of Bishop Michael Vono surround the bishop following hisenthronement at the Cathedral of St. John

8IN THEEPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDECathedral Choir England TourArticle by a Cathedral Choir member, photos by Dean GoodmanYork Minster, seat of the Archbishop of York, as seen from themediaeval walls of York, EnglandSt. John’s Cathedral Choir rehearses at York Minster before the Sundaymorning Eucharist.Three years after the first tour from St. John’sCathedral, the Cathedral Choir was prepared to returnto England for another two weeks in residence atseveral Cathedrals. Departing on Saturday, July 31,the thirty-two singers, along with another sixteenspouses and tour participants, made their way toHeathrow Airport in London. The first week was to bespent at St. Paul’s Cathedral, singing daily Evensongand one Choral Eucharist. The excitement in theairport as everyone gathered was high, as everyonewas looking forward to the culmination of months offundraising and hours upon hours of rehearsals.Landing in London on Sunday morning, the firstgoal was not to fall prey to jet-lag, and so most madetheir way around the City, in various directions, untilthe hour to assemble at the Cathedral. As the Choirwas led into St. Paul’s, the audible expressions ofamazement, to be in this incredible building, wereon everyone’s lips. From the stunning architecture ofChristopher Wren, to the reminders of history whichone met at every turn (the resting place of AdmiralNelson and John Donne), to the endless acousticresonance of the space, all the first impressions madeus aware of the enormous privilege and blessing itwas to be part of the choral tradition of St. Paul’s.The schedule during the week at St. Paul’s wasalmost invariable. Each morning the members ofthe choir were free to explore London. At 2:00every afternoon, however, we were to be in placein the “Wren Suite,” a series of vaulted chambers inthe Crypt where we rehearsed each day. Evensongwas at 5:00, followed usually by an assemblage atthe Cathedral “local” for a pint with the Cathedralclergy and vergers. Dean Goodman joined the choirfor the tour, singing in the tenor section, a role hehad not enjoyed for more than twenty years. It wasthe source of repeated, and positive, comment bythe clergy of each venue of the tour that the Deanof the Cathedral had joined in the work of the dailyrehearsals and services.Dr. Maxine Thevenot, as Director of Cathedral Music,led the tour and was the unifying force of our worktogether. While in residence at St. Paul’s, Maxinewas assisted by Huw Williams, formerly principalorganist at St. Paul’s, London, and currently sub-Organist of the Chapel Royal at St. James’ Palace.The choir certainly felt in capable hands with Maxineconducting and a musician so familiar with the St.Paul’s organ at the keyboard. Though the Dean ofSt. Paul’s was away, the Cathedral Choir was warmlywelcomed by the Canon Pastor, Bishop MichaelColclough, retired Bishop of Kensington.The week at St. Paul’s ended with the celebrationof the Feast of the Transfiguration, with theCathedral Choir singing for the Choral Eucharist.Bishop Colclough invited Dean Goodman toparticipate in the service. A composition, a setting ofAve Maria, by a member of the Cathedral Choir, MaryBadarak, was one of the high points of the week.The Choir said good-bye to a place in which they hadbeen made to feel warmly welcome and where wewere free to come and go, and we looked forward tothe next Cathedral on our tour, Southwark Cathedral.Southwark Cathedral, though dating from the 11thCentury, was only made a Cathedral in the early partof the 20th Century. It is the oldest Gothic churchstill in existence in London. It was at this Cathedralthat Thomas Becket preached before setting off forCanterbury, just days before his murder. LancelotAndrewes, author of the Preces Privatae, is buried atthe High Altar. More intimate in scale than St. Paul’s,the Cathedral Choir felt more comfortable here,singing the Choral Eucharist and Evensong on Sunday,August 8.Departing London on Sunday evening, the Choirand friends made their way north to York, where theywould be in residence at York Minster for the secondweek of the tour. Being in York Minster was a vastlydifferent experience from St. Paul’s. The great age ofthe Cathedral, dating back to the 8th Century, givesthe place a very mystic quality of deep prayer andservice. The current Minster, of Gothic design, datesfrom the 13th to the 15th Centuries, though earlierfoundations, and even Roman antecedents, can beseen in the Crypt. Walking through York Minster,with its vast panels of mediaeval stained glass, madea deep impression upon the choir members and tourparticipants.York, being a small city, the historic center beingquite small and still almost entirely encircled by itsmediaeval walls, was a very different experiencefrom London. Most choir members welcomed theslower pace and quieter setting of York. Again, theChoir rehearsed each afternoon, sang daily Evensong,with one day off, and then the Choral Eucharist,Sung Mattins and Evensong on our last Sunday,August 15, the Feast of St. Mary. Our organist thesecond week was the (most appropriately named)assistant Organist for the Minster, David Pipe. TheDean of York was away for the first part of the week,the Cathedral Choir being made to feel very muchat home by the sub-Dean, Glyn Webster. DeanGoodman officiated at Evensong twice and wasinvited by Dean Keith Jones to participate in theSunday morning liturgies.The tour was, above all, a singing tour. By the endof the two weeks the choir had sung 11 Evensongs,three Choral Eucharists, and one Choral Matins. Inthose 15 services the choir sang two Mass settings,fifteen different Psalms, twenty-six different anthems(counting separate Magnificat and Nunc dimittissettings) and ten hymns of varying degrees offamiliarity. Still, there were ample opportunitiesfor exploring London and York. Off-time was spentin a variety of ways. In London many partook ofthe various cultural offerings of the City. Someattended the Globe for a Shakespearean experience,while others attended more modern theater. Onegroup went to the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall,and another went to the Royal Opera House for aperformance by the Bolshoi Ballet. Some made tripsout to sites in the countryside, and likewise, in York,some travelled to the coast for a day at the seaside.Restaurants aplenty tantalized the taste buds. InYork, on the other hand, the pace was much calmer.There day trips were the norm, with excursions toCastle Howard (featured in the 1980s adaptation ofBrideshead Revisited), Fountains Abbey, the YorkshireDales and Beverley Minster (resting place of St. Johnof Beverley, who ordained The Venerable Bede).At the end of the tour, Dr. Thevenot shared someof the moments when colleagues spoke to her aboutthe Cathedral Choir. Andrew Carter, a renownedcomposer who met the choir one afternoon at York,spoke in glowing terms about the choir’s singing.Robert McCormick and Kyle Babin, accomplishedorganists and choral directors, attended the Sundayservices at York and “commented on how excellentand beautiful the choir sounded.” Phillip Moore,composer of “The Song of Christ’s Glory,” whichthe choir sang in York, came to the rehearsal roomto meet the choir and offered most encouragingcompliments to the work undertaken. It’s greatto have the experience of offering great music inmajestic spaces, and it’s good to receive such positivefeedback about the results of one’s efforts.While at the start of the tour, two weeks seemedlike a long time, at the end all wondered wherethe time had gone. One participant summarized:“Blessings on this trip were often little things: gettingtogether with friends over a pint at the end of thesinging day; groaning over a pun; looking for GreenMen amid the wall carvings in the Cathedrals; gettinga squeeze of encouragement when you need it themost. The warmth and good spirit that pervaded thegroup was indeed the most important of the ‘wealthof blessings.’”The reredos at Southwark Cathedral, on the south bank of the ThamesRiver in London

IN THE9EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDESave The DateCommunications WorkshopPresented by:The Diocesan Communications CommitteeGuest Speaker:The Rev’d Catherine VollandAssisting Priest at St. Thomas Episcopal Church Denver, ColoradoFormerly a trainer in the computer software industryTwo Sessions:Using Simple, Effective Ideas to Promote Your Parish (3 hours)Using only materials you can print on your own photocopy machine(or a local printshop) and using Microsoft Word, create materials for awelcoming, mission-driven, growing parishCreating Electronic Newsletters (3 hours)Electronic distribution of your parish newsletter and other updates cansave money, improve readership, and make your parish more responsiveto timely events. Here’s the how-to.Saturday, January 22, 2011 • 9:00am – 4:00pmSt. Michael’s and All Angels, Albuquerque, NMThe Rev’d RichardGeorge TolenMarch 2, 1931 - October 3, 2010(Adapted from the Santa Fe New Mexican)Richard George Tolen (“Dick”), died Sunday,October 3, 2010 in American Fork, Utah at theage of 79. Dick was born on March 2, 1931. inOrd, Nebraska; graduated from Ord High Schoolin 1949, and later graduated with a Bachelor’sdegree from Hastings College. He subsequentlycompleted a Master’s degree in EducationAdministration at the University of NorthernColorado. After college, he served in the UnitedStates Army and was stationed in Germanyprior to his honorable discharge.Dick was an ordained Deacon within theEpiscopal Church and served at both theChurch of the Holy Faith and St. Mark’s on theMesa. Dick had many passions in life, includingwriting, singing, reading poetry, classical music,and church. Above all, he was a master teacherand school administrator, working in Haigler,Gothenburg and Hastings, Nebraska, and inSitka, Alaska, before spending the remainder ofhis career in the Santa Fe Public Schools. At theschools where he was principal, he insisted onhandling cafeteria duty so he would be able tospend more time with the kids. He eventuallyretired after devoting over 40 years of serviceto the profession he loved.Urban Native American FellowshipThe Very Rev. Mark GoodmanBeginning in 2009, an Urban Native AmericanFellowship began gathering at St. John’s Cathedral ona regular basis. The impetus for a renewed invitationto Native Americans in the Albuquerque area to bepart of an ongoing community of fellowship, worshipand prayer came from initial discussion betweenBishop Mark MacDonald, Dean Mark Goodman, theRev. Dr. Richard Valantasis and Doug Bleyle. TheFellowship holds large gatherings four times a year,with honored guests to give a particular focus ofworship or learning to the meeting.Since the initial gathering, the fellowship hascontinued to grow. Students from UNM and otherAlbuquerque schools attend, as well as folks fromGood Shepherd Mission in Fort Defiance, Arizona,Phoenix, Holbrook, Albuquerque and neighboringcommunities. A “New Opportunities” grant from theEpiscopal Church was successfully obtained to assistin the growth of this ministry. Doug Bleyle serves asthe convener of the Fellowship, whose home is theCathedral of St. John. St. Bede’s Episcopal Church,in Santa Fe, also supports the work of the Fellowshipand hosts smaller gatherings from time to time.The Urban Native American Fellowship will nextbe gathering on Sunday, November 14, startingat 2:00 PM at the Cathedral of St. John, 318 SilverAvenue SW. The day will include time for fellowship,prayer, worship, conversation, and sharing a potluckmeal together. Honored guests are Howard P. BadHand (Sicangu Lakota) and Rev’d. Dorothy Saucedo(Dinè). Come hear how people live out the gospel inan indigenous way.For more information, visit our website atwww.riograndenations.org.Paul Jacob BallmerRemembrances ….September 13,1952 - October 2, 2010Paul Ballmer, beloved friend of the Dioceseof the Rio Grande passed away on October2, 2010. He was a dedicated, humble manwho selflessly helped so many in a variety ofroles in his life. At St. Chad’s he participated inthe choir, formerly served on the vestry, andmost recently was the St. Chad’s treasurer.In the Diocese, he previously worked as theCommunications director, handling the Diocesewebsite and the publication of the DioceseTogether newsletter. In Civil Air Patrol (CAP)he was a tireless mentor to young men andwomen.Dean Mark Goodman celebrates UNAF EucharistCorrection: The obituary for Kathryn Garnett inthe October edition misprinted the birth and deathdates, which should have been: April 15, 1914 –March 11, 2010.

10IN THEEPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDEThe Mantras of a Nomadic Mission:San Gabriel’s Moves Again!By the Rev. Rhonda McIntireVicar of San Gabriel’sSan Gabriel the Archangel, theparochial mission of St. Michael andAll Angels, has moved to its sixthhome in five years. “We met in a golfcourse meeting room, a recreationcenter, individual homes, and amartial arts center before finding afull-time rental space in Corrales in2008,” said founding member KarenPound.Having a permanent home meanta rapid 50% growth in attendance,and there was barely room at theback of the worship space for atable to hold the coffee pot. Sowhen the opportunity arose to takeon additional space next door as afellowship hall, we jumped at thechance. The extra space would allowus room for classes, retreats andpotlucks, but more importantly, itwould allow us to begin to reach outto our neighbors in the village of Corrales by offeringthem meeting space. Particularly on our minds were12-Step Groups, whose goals of wholeness and healingfit ideally into our mantras.A San Gabriel member who is also a commercial realestate attorney assured us that our lease would allowhosting these groups. Three AA group leaders wereinterviewed and the space-use agreements signed. But,when our landlady got wind of it, she pronounced, “Noton my property, and if you want to fight me, you can getan attorney.” (She gave no reason for her decision andwould join in no further talks about the matter.)Well . . . we already had an attorney, but we were noteager to pursue that path. Instead, the Mission Councilcalled a congregational meeting and described thedilemma. “We took on the extra space (and extra rent)so we could expand our ministries,” said Vicar’s WardenTad Pound, “and now we are told that we cannotexpand in the way we had hoped.” We reaffirmed twoof our key founding principles: doing outreach beforein-reach and providing a space for healing. It tookabout two minutes for the congregation to reach aunanimous decision to find a landlord who would honorPhoto by Marsha BaumeisterBlessing the animals on the feast of St. Francis“Outreach before in-reach.”“We are a place of healing.”“Ministry matters most!”our commitment to reaching out beyond ourselves.And, we did! The move took place on August 31, withour first Eucharist in the new space on September 5.It was hard work. Frankly, it would have been mucheasier to stay comfortably in the former location. But,in a second congregational meeting, we all agreed thatthe “place” is not who we are as God’s mission. SanGabriel’s was founded on principles of outreach andhealing, and God’s people upholding those principles,wherever they may be, is who we are.Then, we started tossing around the idea that perhapswe are a new model for our Diocese and beyond.Firstly, San Gabriel’s has been self-supporting from itsinception (receiving no monies from our mother parishSt. Michael’s & All Angels or from theDiocese), which has not been the normfor new churches in recent decadesin the Rio Grande. But, perhaps moreimportantly, we are not attached to abuilding: the congregation takes thesacraments and our Gospel commitmentwith us wherever we go.There is no doubt that the secular worldneeds churches in its midst to live outthe teachings of our Savior. But, in manydioceses, there are not resources forpurchasing land and erecting buildings,and God’s people, in many cases, arealso tightening their personal belts. Inthis financial climate, might rentingmake more sense than purchasing landand building churches? If San Gabriel’ssewer system goes haywire, our landlordpays for its repair. If the air conditionerbreaks, it is the landlord’s responsibilityto fix it. Though some might argue thatwe are throwing away money on rent,we don’t have thirty years of mortgagepayments, and we have no capital needs, which meansthat a greater percentage of our resources can go tooutreach.In 2010, San Gabriel’s pledged 10 percent of its totalbudget to outreach, and we hope to increase thatamount yearly. And, now, in our new space, we alreadyhave plans to host four Alcoholics Anonymous groups,a Buddhist meditation group, and a monthly meetingof volunteer tutors at the local elementary school. Weare becoming the welcoming “village church” we’vedreamed of being.On moving day, after all the furniture had beentrucked down Corrales Road to our new home, wehung our wooden cross above our portable altar. Wejoined hands and gave thanks that God has called thepeople of San Gabriel’s to be exactly who and whatthey are: disciples whose commitment to makingministry happen is greater than any desire for materialtrappings.We also remind ourselves weekly that Abraham, ourparent in faith, was a nomad, too … and it worked forhim!CALLING ALL DEACONSTO A RETREAT WITH BISHOP MICHAEL VONOSATURDAY NOVEMBER 2O, 2010ST. PAUL’S CHURCH IN TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM9:00 AM-3:00 PMBox Lunches Will Be ProvidedQUESTIONS? CONTACT: JUDITH JENKINS • 505-342-9288 Jenkinsj6972@msn.com

IN THE11EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDEBlessings of the Backpacks andSchool SuppliesDuring the summer Holy Family EpiscopalChurch in Santa Fe collected school supplies.On August 8, 2010, all of the schools suppliesthat had been collected were gathered, sorted,separated and placed in backpacks and bags. Theresult was 16 fully supplied backpacks, five bagsof complete sets of supplies, and a box of oddsand ends supplies. The average was two setsof supplies per family in the congregation. Thebackpacks and supplies were given to Faith atWork to be distributed. Gloria Durham organizedthe collection of the supplies and Emily Durhamprovided the supply list.Thanksgiving on theSouth MountainWilliam Parkes helped Gloria and EmilyDurham fill the backpacks and carry thebackpacks to the altar to be blessedSt. James’hosts SulRoss StateUniversityHymn SingBy Virginia KnabThis is the second yearthe Sul Ross State University(SRSU) Concert Series hasincluded a Hymn Sing. Dr.Nancy Mae Antrim, Professorof Linguistics at SRSU andmember of St. James’, Alpine,TX, issued an invitation forour church to be the venuefor the concert this year. Theinvitation was accepted, and she served as Chair ofthe Festival Committee.The concert took place on Thursday evening,October 7th. The church was filled with overone hundred music lovers eager to listen to andparticipate in “A Festival of Hymns: The ChurchYear in Hymns and Anthems”. The SRSU ConcertChoir under the direction of Associate Professor ofVocal Music, Dr. Donald Callen Freed, performeda wonderful selection of hymns: many fromthe Hymnal, and the program included piecescomposed and/or arranged by Dr. Freed. Inaddition to his choral direction, Freed, a tenor,began the evening with a solo, “What Songs WereSung” by composer John Jacob Niles. Freed wasrecently awarded $1,250 by the American Societyof Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)for compositions written in 2009-2010. This is thesixth year that the ASCAP has recognized his work.Guest organist for the event was Randy LeeWebster, an Episcopal priest with a Mastersin Divinity in Pastoral Music from Bexley Hall,the Episcopal seminary in Rochester, NY, (aDr. Donald Callen Freed & the SRSU Concert Choir.joint program with Eastman School of Music).More than half the program was designed forthe audience to sing along, which they didenthusiastically! Freed, a gifted teacher, preparedand encouraged the audience as needed,resulting in the making of some very beautifulcongregational singing. Throughout, our guestorganist accompanied the choir and audience. Inthe final piece, “Organ Voluntary” by DiderickBuxtehude, Webster held the rapt attention ofthose gathered, united and uplifted, in an amazingorgan solo.SRSU graduate student, Ben Stringer, providedchoral and piano accompaniment. One especiallymemorable moment was a wonderful exchangebetween the organ and the piano that delightedthe audience.Members of St. James’ made all feel welcome,providing a dessert reception in the FellowshipHall after the concert. Performers and audiencegathered and talked in a relaxed environment. Thehall was decorated in the colors of autumn. Onthis evening the Lord was surely entertained andtruly magnified in music, hospitality, and joy!Parishioners of Church of the Holy Cross receiveCommunion from Father Raymond Raney with theassistance of Chalice Bearers Wendy Northorn (left)and Diane Kirby during the third annual celebrationof Holy Cross on the Mountain on Sunday October17. The gathering at the former Mijas Camp, thehome of Frances Boggess and Andres Gallegos onSouth Mountain north of Edgewood, drew nearly 50Parishioners and friends for the Eucharist and potluck.HOPE+IN+THE+DESERTEPISCOPAL CHURCHA Healing Community in theAnglican TraditionOffers an Ecmencial Prayer &Healing Service in the Style of TaizéJoin us the third Tuesday of everymonth for prayer, songs, scripturereading and quiet contemplation.7:30-8:30 PMDoors open at 7:00 p.m.for silent contemplationHope Office Park8700 Alameda Blvd NE,Albuquerque, NM 87112Directions:Located East of Barstow, west ofVentura north of Signal Ave.The entrance is on AlamedaPhoto by Richard Dennehey

Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande4304 Carlisle Blvd., N.E.,Albuquerque, NM 87107-4811NONPROFITUS PostagePAIDPermit 229ABQ, NM12IN THEEPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDEChurch SpotlightTogetheris a monthly publication ofthe Episcopal Diocese ofthe Rio Grande4304 Carlisle Blvd. N.E.Albuquerque, New Mexico87107-4811505-881-0636Bishop:The Most Rev. Michael L. VonoDiocesan CommunicationsCommittee:The Very Rev. MarkGoodman, ChairThe Rev. Raymond Raney,The Rev. Daniel GutierrezDiane Butler, Lisa Katz-Ricker, and Mary JewellEditorial and correspondencemay be mailed toDiocesan House:4304 Carlisle Blvd., N.E.,Albuquerque, NM 87107-4811or emailed toDiocom@dioceserg.orgSt. John’s FarmingtonOur mission is to grow in our relationship withChrist and to make Him known to all.Submission deadline is the10 th of the Month.Visit the Diocesan website atwww.dioceserg.org for archivecopies of the newsletter.