Eastern Shore Episcopalian (ESE) - Convention 2018

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12 Diocesan Council – At-Large Rep, Clergy – The Rev. John Schaeffer: I have been the Rector of St. Mary Anne’s in North East, MD for the past two years. My wife Karen and I have been married for 33 years, and we have three adult children, David, Eric and Jennifer. I sensed the call to ministry as I raised our children and participated in lay ministry at my local church in Pittsburgh, PA. I attended seminary part-time for many years while I was employed full-time in financial services industry. I obtained a Master in Divinity from Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA in 2012. I was ordained as priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh in December of 2012; and served as a Priest in Charge for three years in a small Pittsburgh parish, prior to my call to St. Mary Anne’s. I abundantly support Bishop San’s vision of being a prayercentered church and mission shaped diocese, and believe that it is an appropriate response to last year’s Diocesan-wide study of the Book of Acts and our corporate and personal charge in the Great Commission. Members of those early churches recognized that growth required God’s power; and that God responds to His people’s prayers. We know that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us and will give us what we request (1 John 5:14-15). Therefore, we need to ask. Clergy and lay leaders have a responsibility to teach the necessity of corporate and personal prayer and all are encouraged to utilize Scripture to emphasize its importance and example. Readings such as: Acts 1:24 and Acts 6:6 demonstrate the importance of praying before choosing leaders; and Acts 22:17 supports praying in worship and receiving guidance as to future ministry plans. With this solid prayer-centered approach, God will continue to reveal His will and mission for our Diocese, churches, and people. We can and will with God’s help. Standing Committee, Lay – Nancy M. Dick: As a lifelong Episcopalian at Emmanuel Church, Chester Parish, I have served in a variety of roles, some more than once: Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Choir member, Eucharistic Minister, lector, church school teacher, Acolyte. In the Diocese of Easton I am currently a member of the Commission on Ministry and the Secretary of Convention. I have been a deputy to General Convention seven times, have served on Diocesan Council, and on the Standing Committee. I am retired from my work as a Community Health Nurse. The Discernment Resolutions that have been adopted by the Diocese of Easton coupled with the ten Gifts of Spiritual Life give us guides for growing into the Bishop San’s vision of a prayer-centered church and mission-shaped diocese. I think that the Spiritual Gifts should be fleshed out carefully one or two at a time; these underlie prayer centeredness and missionally shaped. The recommendations of the Discernment Resolutions strengthen the diocese in seeking collaboration among parishes and identifying our strengths and weaknesses. The growth will not be fast paced but thoughtfully and prayerfully done. Standing Committee, Lay – Nancy Linck: I joined the Episcopal Church around 20 years ago having come from a long Catholic tradition including graduating from the Catholic University of St Thomas in Houston, Texas. Having been a member of St. Alban’s in Salisbury, I have been a member of the vestry, the choir, Agape Ministry and am finishing my service on the Diocesan Council for the past 3 years. It has been my privilege and honor to work with very knowledgeable, passionate and loving people from all over the Diocese. I believe that the continued focus on working together within the Diocese and our individual communities to foster hope and love in Jesus’ name will promote lasting and strong relationships now and in the future. Thank you so much. Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Men. Standing Committee, Clergy – The Rev. Mary Garner: I graduated from Episcopal Divinity School in 2006. As a seminarian I took a number of classes in urban/community outreach mission work. I served as chaplain for a low cost housing development for the elderly in Norfolk, Virginia and in addition to providing pastoral care, I developed many social service programs and connections to local churches for the benefit of the residents. I moved to Easton in 2008 and supplied in many of our congregations until I became the assistant rector at Christ Church, St. Michael’s in 2010.I was the chaplain at Heron Point in Chestertown from 2012-2014.I have served at St. Paul’s, Centreville since 2014. During my tenure as rector we have initiated many mission programs including the Haven Ministries Resource Center, the Micah Ministry for Social Justice and the Backpack Program for children in poverty. I believe that my education and experience in community outreach and my years of serving as a supply priest in all three convocations will be of use to the Standing Committee. I believe a prayer centered church must not just pray on Sunday mornings! Contemplative prayer, lectio divina,Bible Study, retreats and spiritual direction could have a greater presence in our churches. Being mission centered means knowing our neighbors, stepping out of the doors of our
church and into the community, respectfully listening to what is needed to further the kingdom of God and using our resources to bring that kingdom to the Eastern Shore. Standing Committee, Clergy – The Rev. Dr. Robert James Laws: Fr. Rob was born and raised in a small town in North Carolina. While attending Duke Divinity School, where he was studying for a Master’s in Religious Education, he started a journey which would eventually lead to his becoming confirmed in the Episcopal Church. Fr. Rob was ordained in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and most recently has served as rector of St. Andrew’s, Somerset Parish in Princess Anne for four years, and has been active in both the diocese and the community. He has served on Diocesan Council and the Bishop’s Transition Committee. In the community he serves on the Somerset County Long Term Recovery Board where he currently chairs the Neighborhood Affordable Housing Committee. He is also a trustee of the Somerset County Library Board and is active in the ministerial association. The vision of a prayer-centered church and a missionshaped diocese really is rooted in the ancient understanding that prayer and action together are important elements of holistic spirituality and faithful and engaging discipleship. This practice is the one that Jesus modeled for us in his own life and ministry, and only by embracing a life of prayer and action can we live into St. Paul’s admonition to “pray without ceasing” In order to discern the mission of God in the world, the church must re-imagine what mission looks like. Instead of engaging in church-shaped mission, which is insular and focused on meeting the needs of church members and structures, we are called to become a mission-shaped churcha church driven and empowered to do the work of God in the world, to follow the Holy Spirit into the world to meet Christ in the poor, the weak, the suffering, and the stranger, and to take seriously the dream of Jesus that the Church would not only continue his work, but that we would do greater works than he, as together we work to draw all of creation to unity with God and one another. such as those of Fortune 500 companies, state and local government retirement systems, endowments, mutual funds and private accounts. Enjoyed an active managerial role in the companies for which I worked in addition to my investment responsibilities. Employers included a state retirement system, two large regional banks and three private investment management firms. For the 15 years prior to my retirement, I served as President, Chief Operating Officer and Mutual Fund Co-Manager for a private investment manager in suburban Philadelphia with approximately $3.5 billion under management. Firm managed the Berwyn Funds, a small family of no-load mutual funds and sub-advised other mutual funds. Board/Trustee Experience: Community Center, Private School, Yacht Club, Endowment, Charitable Institution, Private For-Profit Company. Personal: I grew up in Richmond, VA where I graduated from St. Christopher’s School. Most of my professional career was spent in Philadelphia, where my wife and I lived in Center City for 38 years and raised a family. I have served on Vestries in both Richmond and Philadelphia and have been active in churchrelated activities, including being Endowment Committee Chair for 20+ years. My wife and I reside in Oxford where we are active members of The Church of the Holy Trinity and she currently serves on the Vestry. I think we can grow into Bishop San’s vision by, in part, taking our cue from the early Christians as recorded in the Book of Acts. We must exhibit compassion, inclusiveness and sharing, not just among ourselves but throughout the broader community and the world. This starts with seeking God’s guidance in all things through prayer – personal prayer, group prayer and parish-wide prayer. Then we must trust in God and move forward in faith, casting a wide net and engaging a diverse universe. Board of Managers, Lay – Fred Welsh For the full bio on each of our nominees please visit www.dioceseofeaston.org/convention2018 Board of Managers, Lay – Ray Munsch: Education: BS, Economics, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School); MBA, Finance, University of Virginia (Darden School). Military: Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, 3½ years active duty. Professional Experience: Investment Manager, over course of 40 years served as portfolio manager for institutional investment accounts 13
Page 1 and 2: CONVENTION EDITION 2018 Faith Redee
Page 3 and 4: Sesquicentennial (150th) Diocesan C
Page 5 and 6: Special Guest We are excited to wel
Page 7 and 8: The Message of Reconciliation “So
Page 9 and 10: od CALLED TO THE DIACONATE Although
Page 11 and 12: CALLED TO THE DIACONATE How does th
Page 13: “How do you see us growing into B
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Page 19 and 20: EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Bishop’s C

Eastern Shore Episcopalian (ESE) - Convention 2018

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