eastern-shore-episcopalian-convention-2019-love

CONVENTION EDITION 2019

150th Anniversary

Reconciliation, Hope &

LOVE

a publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Easton

Contents:

In This Issue:

Presiding Bishop Curry is

coming to the Eastern Shore!

01 Bishop’s Letter

02 Convention 2019

02 Business Gathering Overview & Resolutions

03 Youth @ Convention

04 Ignite the Way Conference

05 150th Gala Banquet and Honorees

06 150th Celebration Eucharist

with Presiding Bishop Curry

08 Slate of Nominees for Convention

12 150th Love Challenge: Stories from around the Diocese on how

we answered the call (and are still answering the call) to show

love in our communities.

Cover Photo: Cara and Elizabeth enjoy a joyful moment together during the

Gathering Hope Harvest Festival at Camp Wright.

Love... One Load at a Time

Emmanuel Chestertown takes to the

laundromat in their innovative answer

to the 150 Love Challenge.

Pictured Below: More from the Gathering Hope Harvest Festival at Camp

Wright 1. Kids are enjoying the corn canoe 2. The Christ Church Easton

youth band performs 3. Everyone goes home with a free pumpkin!

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

A publication of the Bishop and Diocese of Easton

Published Quarterly

SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO:

Eastern Shore Episcoplian (ESE)

314 North St., Easton, MD 21601

150 Stuffed Totes

Christ Church Denton unites their

community around 150 totes for His

Hope Haven.

OFFICE AND MAILING ADDRESS

314 North St., Easton, MD 21601

410-822-1919 dioceseofeaston.org

joanne@dioceseofeaston.org

The Right Reverend Santosh Marray

Bishop of Easton

Joanne Fisher

Director of Communications

Senior Editor & Creative Designer

The Reverend Loretta Collins

Deacon, Editor

We are in the final stages in the

celebration of our diocese’s 150th

(Sesquicentennial) Anniversary

observances under three biblical

themes – RECONCILATION + LOVE

+ HOPE undergirded by scriptural

text – “GRACE UPON GRACE”

(John1:16).

From reports across the diocese, these

themes were enthusiastically supported

and parochially beneficial in giving

energy, focus and life to parishes

where they were embraced, especially

the 150 LOVE CHALLENGE.

There are numerous testimonies

of how rewarding and missionally

inspiring it was to be part of this lifegiving

experience. On behalf of the

diocese, I would like to extend my

sincere appreciation, to members of

the Sesquicentennial Anniversary

Committee under the leadership of,

the Right Rev. James “Bud” Shand,

X Bishop of the Diocese of Easton,

for their remarkable planning and

execution of the events surrounding

our diocesan anniversary.

The 151st Annual Diocesan

Convention will witness the final layer

of celebrations with convention’s threepart

sessions: On Friday the focus

will be on the business of the diocese,

commencing at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday

the Ignite the Way Conference: Loving

through Discipleship, Evangelism &

Mission begins at 9:00 a.m., and on

Sunday all are welcome to the Closing

Celebration Eucharist with Presiding

Bishop Michael Curry at 12:00pm.

The Bishop’s address on Friday will

present the first draft of a ten-year

vision for the diocese entitled: “God’s

Vision for God’s Church on the Eastern

Shore of Maryland 2020-2030. The

first draft that will be received by

convention is a conversation document

which will be unveiled to the wider

diocese for a year of conversation

led by the bishop to engage every

congregation’s input, suggestions and

recommendations which should define

and populate the final document to

come before Diocesan Convention

2020. This discussion will form part

of the bishop’s annual visitation to

parishes.

As baptized Christians, we are all

missionaries of Christ, and The Ignite

the Way Conference on Saturday will

explore ways to live into this call more

fully. Evangelism, discipleship and

mission is a mandate to all dioceses

of the Episcopal Church coming

out of General Convention and the

Presiding Bishop’s Office. The Diocese

of Easton sees this conference as

launching an important platform for

its work in re-energizing, re-imagining

and renewing God’s mission and

the church’s vocation to follow Jesus’

call to be his disciples (John 13: 35).

All Episcopalians in the diocese are

welcome and invited to engage this

initiative for personal, missional and

spiritual growth.

Sunday’s Celebration Eucharist is

open to everyone (no reservation

or ticket needed). Just come & be

blessed. Let us join together to offer

gratitude and praise to Almighty God

for innumerable blessings and eternal

guidance received over the years. The

famed bishop of the Royal Wedding,

our Presiding Bishop and Primate,

The Most Reverend Michael Bruce

Curry, DD, will celebrate and preach. It

promises to be very inspiring - a holy

and joyful time of worship and praise.

Also, at this Eucharist, the diocese

will welcome its 40th congregation in

Sagrada Familia de Jesus, Shrewsbury,

our first Hispanic/Latino congregation.

Attendees to the worship service

are encouraged to have a substantial

breakfast. There is a cake and tea

reception following the service, and the

Hyatt has graciously agreed to allow

our parishes to provide their own best

cakes.

Be sure to join us for this momentous

occasion.

+ San

FRIDAY MARCH 1: BUSINESS GATHERING

The weekend makes its soft opening on Friday with the annual business gathering. The Episcopal Church

of the Eastern Shore of Maryland gathers once a year to govern the parishes that make up the Diocese of

Easton. We worship, we celebrate, we listen, we speak, we debate, and we vote. It is an important event

with much work that needs to be done. It is also where the Bishop makes his annual address. Diocesan

Convention is a balance between being the church and dreaming the church, and there is a time and

place for both.

The Bishop’s address this year will introduce the process for solidifying a ten year project called Parousia.

This work-in-progress will outline God’s vision for God’s church on the Eastern Shore and will help direct

our steps for 2020-2030. This will be a prayerful response to the work of the last 5 years and is grounded

in scripture. A copy of the Bishop’s address will be posted to the website after convention.

Read about our Slate of Nominees for Diocesan positions on pages 8-11

Resolutions submitted by the Committee on Constitution & Canons

to the 151st Annual Convention of the Diocese of Easton

Resolution 1: Amendment to Article V -- Election of a Bishop: Add “Bishop Provisional,” prohibit

nominations from the floor, and provide for a nomination by petition. This is the second reading.

Resolution 2: Article XIII -- Parishes – Separate Congregations -- Missions: To revise and update the

minimum requirements of Parish By-Laws. This is the second reading.

Resolution 3: Article XIII -- Parishes – Separate Congregations -- Missions: To simplify the process of

closing a Parish, Mission, or Separate Congregation, with adequate provisions made for the perpetual

care of any memorials, graves, and/or cemeteries. This is the second reading.

Resolution 4A - Commitment to Respond to Climate Change. To act in response to General Convention

2018 resolution A018 ‘Episcopalians Participating in Paris Climate Agreement,’ (passed) which called on dioceses,

communities of faith, and individual Episcopalians to acknowledge and respond with care to the reality of climate

change. Submitted by St. Alban’s Parish, Salisbury.

Resolution 4B - Care of Water. To act in response to General Convention 2018 resolution B025 ‘Water as a

Human Right,’ (passed) which called on Episcopalians to learn about our public waterways, water and wastewater

infrastructures, and water usage, and to shift away from using bottled water unless necessary for safety reasons.

Submitted by St. Alban’s Parish, Salisbury.

Resolution 5: Establishing Sagrada Familia de Jesus as a Mission Congregation: To continue the process

of establishing Sagrada Familia de Jesús as a Mission Congregation within the Diocese pursuant to Canons, and

in the spirit and tenets of new mission development advocated, supported and encouraged by the Domestic and

Foreign Missionary Society also known as the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America and the

Diocese of Easton. Submitted by Shrewsbury Parish Church, Kennedyville.

For further information and explanation on each of

the Resolutions please visit

www.dioceseofeaston.org/2019resolutions

MARCH 1: YOUTH @ CONVENTION BEGINS

DETAILS:

Locaton: Hyatt Chesapeake Resort in Cambridge, MD

Dates & Times: March 1st – 3rd, 2019. Check-In Friday 6pm. Check-Out Sunday

2:00pm (check-out is following the Noon Service – parents are welcome to attend )

For: Students in grades 5-12 and Adult Chaperones. $40 all-inclusive.

April Knight returns! See her amazing painting come to life in just minutes during

worship. Learn how to do your own “scripture doodle” during a special morning

workshop. And discover your inner artist when you create your own canvas.

Hear from leaders and peers about how God’s grace has set them free. Share your

thoughts and stories during small group time. Learn more about Jesus, how His story

is a reflection of God’s grace, and how you can reflect grace too.

Enjoy all the amenities the Hyatt has to offer for the all-inclusive Youth price of only

$40. (Adult chaperones also pay $40.). Time will be set aside for swimming in the

indoor pool. Saturday night we’ll have a chance to see a special performance in the

Ballroom.

Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Diocese on Sunday with Presiding Bishop

Curry (the royal wedding preacher!). Invite parents and friends to this once in a

lifetime service at noon on Sunday. Plus there’s cake!

MARCH 2 : IGNITE CONFERENCE

Download Registration at www.dioceseofeaston.org/convention2019

Or Call the Office to Register: 410-822-1919

Discipleship: Building a Culture of Spiritual Growth

Since 2013, the Rev Jay Sidebotham has served as Director of RenewalWorks, a ministry of Forward Movement.

RenewalWorks seeks to build cultures of discipleship in Episcopal congregations, with a singular focus on

spiritual growth among congregants. He also serves as Associate Rector at St. James, Wilmington, N.C.

Previously, Jay served as rector in Illinois and North Carolina. He served as Vicar of St. Bartholomew’s in

Manhattan, and as Associate Rector at St. Columba’s in Washington D.C. and St. Martin’s, Rhode Island. A

graduate of Trinity College, Hartford and Union Seminary, New York, he was ordained to the diaconate in 1989

and to the priesthood in 1990. Prior to seminary study, he worked in New York in animation, illustration and

advertising. He appreciates the opportunity to produce cartoons for the wider church, describing the joys and

challenges of parish ministry.

Evangelism: Sharing the Beloved and the Way of Love

The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers serves as the Presiding Bishop’s Canon for Evangelism, Reconciliation and

Creation, helping Episcopalians to follow Jesus and foster loving, life-giving and liberating relationships with

God, each other and the earth. The author of Radical Welcome: Embracing God, The Other and the Spirit of

Transformation and The Episcopal Way (with Eric Law), she previously directed mission and evangelism work

at General Theological Seminary and in the Diocese of Long Island; founded The Crossing, a ground-breaking

church within St. Paul’s Cathedral in Boston; and led numerous church-wide renewal efforts. A native of

Frankfort, Kentucky, and a graduate of both Episcopal Divinity School and Harvard Divinity School, she makes

her home today in New York's Harlem neighborhood.

Envisioning the Future: The Mission of the Work Ahead

The Rt. Rev. Santosh K. Marray has worked extensively in promoting the Anglican/Episcopal Communion’s

Five Marks of Mission and has led numerous evangelism, discipleship and missional initiatives across the

communion; from planting and reviving congregations to re-imagining mission and leading through change.

He served as commissary to the Archbishop of Canterbury and was a member of the Anglican Covenant Design

Group. Bishop San was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in 1981 and bishop in 2005. He has served as

Bishop in the Diocese of Seychelles, and Assistant Bishop in East Carolina (2009-2012) and Alabama (2012-2016).

Most recently this work has been demonstrated through his leadership in the Diocese of Easton – in leading

the clergy and laity to craft and live into a unified identity and vocation (John 13: 35). He holds degrees from

Codrington Theological College, Barbados; the University of the West Indies, Barbados; General Theological Seminary, New York;

the University of Wales, UK, and Colgate Rochester/Bexley Hall Divinity School, NY.

MARCH 2 : HONOREES GALA BANQUET

The culmination observances of the Sesquicentennial Anniversary at the Hyatt Chesapeake Hotel of the Diocese

of Easton includes an Honoree Banquet on Saturday, March 2 at 6:00pm. The 150 th Gala Banquet includes a

delicious plated multi-course dinner prepared by the Hyatt Chesapeake and a special performance of “Harriet

Tubman: The Chosen One” by Gwendolyn Briley Strand. The evening costs $50 and is held in celebration of and

will be honoring members of the diocesan family for their long, dedicated and faithful service to the diocese.

We will be recognizing 19 members of the diocesan family chosen by a subcommittee of Diocesan Council from

persons whose names were submitted either by their parish and/or their convocation. The Council worked over a

six-month period to encourage as many people and congregations as possible to submit names to be considered.

Here are the honorees to be recognized:

Honoree Award (Clergy):

The Right Rev. James “Bud” Shand

The Rev. Dr. Robert ‘Bob’ Gribbon

The Very Rev. Dr. Frieda Malcolm

The Very Rev.Charles Osberger

The Rev. Nathaniel Pierce

Distinguished Service Award:

Nancy Dick

Doris Hughes

Honoree Award (Lay):

C Eddie Vance

Myron Richardson

Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Rice

Mary Booth Davis

Chris Maxwell

Charlotte “Peaches” Meyer

Albert Smith

Kathleen Wise-Ridley

Lynn Anstatt

Bonnie Caudell

Carrie Connelly

Pat Layton

“Harriet Tubman - The

Chosen One” is a dynamic

one-woman show that takes

its audience on one of the

many journeys Ms. Tubman

took on the Underground

Railroad. Watch Ms. Briley-

Strand, change into more

than a dozen characters,

right before your eyes.

Listen as she sings spiritual

after spiritual showing

how the enslaved used

this “secret language” to

communicate with one

another. Join Ms. Briley-

Strand as she transports

you into a time you’ve only

read about.

Parishes and

individuals are

encouraged to show

their support for their

honorees by coming to

the Honorees Banquet

which is open to all

members of the diocese:

Call the Office to Register:

410-822-1919

MARCH 3: 150th CELEBRATION EUCHARIST

The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, who gained international

attention and fame when he preached at the wedding of Prince

Harry and Megan Markle, will be present with us on Sunday March

3 rd at Noon at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, MD.

This momentus occasion is the wrap up to our year-long

commemoration and celebration of the 150 th Anniversary of the

founding of our diocese. The Episcopal Diocese of Easton was

founded in 1868, shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War. Since

then members of our almost 40 congregations have been faithfully

ministering with and to people all along the Eastern Shore of

Maryland.

Presiding Bishop Curry is scheduled to preach and to celebrate our

closing Eucharist and everyone is invited! In preparation for this

event, we have conducted a Day of Reconciliation at the recently

opened Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic

Park in Church Creek, MD and a Hope Festival at Camp Wright in

Stevensville, MD. Additionally, our congregations took on a “150

Challenge” by performing 150 unique acts of love or service in their

local communities.

An outstanding and dynamic preacher, Presiding Bishop Curry

gained international attention and fame when he preached at the

wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor on Saturday May 19, 2019. He

has also preached at numerous other events including General Conventions of the Episcopal Church. Videos of

his preaching can easily be found online. We consider ourselves truly blessed to have him with us for this great

celebration and hallmark moment in the life of our diocese.

No need to register. All Are Welcome. See You There!

The Celebration Eucharist Collection will be used to support our diocesan

vision for 2020-2030, the “Parousia” Initiative. Parousia is an ancient Greek

word meaning ‘presence’. Thank you for your support of God’s Vision for God’s

Church on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

The Diocesan website now supports online giving.

Visit www.dioceseofeaston.org

and click “GIVE” in the upper right corner.

MARCH 3: 150th CELEBRATION EUCHARIST

A SEA OF RECONCILIATION, HOPE, & LOVE

We are encouraging everyone to wear their 150th anniversary t-shirts to the Closing Eucharist of the 2019

Convention. What a cool image to have us all standing together - a sea of people united by Jesus’ call of

reconciliation, hope, and love. Clergy, including Bishop Michael Curry, will have stoles to match.

Yellow Hope

Short Sleeved T-shirt

$15

Blue Reconciliation

Short Sleeved T-shirt

$15

Red Love Short-

Sleeved T-shirt

$15

White 150th Short-

Sleeved T-shirt

$15

White 150th Long

Sleeved T-shirt

$25

Sizes: Small to 3X

Shirts will be on

sale all weekend at

convention (while

supplies last) or

order early by

calling the office:

410-822-1919

or email beth@

dioceseofeaston.org

White shirts also available in short sleeve.

Presiding Bishop Curry

Autographed Bobble Head

Tickets: $5 each or 3 for $10

Proceeds benefit:

The Diocese’s New Mission Frontier -

Our Hispanic/Latino Ministry

Drawing will follow Celebration Eucharist

Name

Address

Phone

Buy your ticket for our PB Curry Bobble Head Raffle all weekend at convention or

order early by going online to www.dioceseofeaston.org/bobbleheadraffle.

Introducing our

Convention Nominees...

Nominees were also asked to answer the following question:

“You are busy at work, at home,

and with your congregation,

why is this a good time to add

diocesan service to your plate?”

Board of Managers, Lay – Tom

Mendenhall: Tom Mendenhall in

retirement serves as consulting CFO

to For All Seasons, Inc., the Eastern

Shore’s leading agency in Behavioral

Health counseling and Rape Crisis

Support. Previously he served as

Director – School Advancement &

Finance at Wye River Upper School.

He has served as a chief operating

officer, chief financial officer, and general manager at several

small-to medium sized companies where his experience

included turnaround and business restructuring activities

focusing on general management, marketing, and finance.

He spent ten years with Martin Marietta Corporation where

he managed a short term investment portfolio of over $200

million. Tom holds a Masters in Management from the Alfred

P. Sloan School at MIT, and a BS from Drexel University.

Tom is married with four children and eight grandchildren.

He enjoys fishing, reading and writing. He is a member

of Christ Church, St. Michaels and serves on the Vestry as

Finance Chair. He has served on the Diocesan Council and

its Finance Committee, and currently serves as President

of the Standing Committee and Chair of the Camp Wright

Committee. Answer to Question: I have been involved in

Diocesan work for 6 years; it is simply part of what I do and

how I serve.

- See Full Bio Online

Board of Managers, Lay – Debra

Dragone: Read the beginning of

Debra’s bio under her Diocesan

Council Nomination.

Professional Experience, Education,

Family Avocations: Cradle

Episcopalian in the same parish

since birth. Married to John. BS in

Mathematical Science & Business

Administration; MS in Accounting.

Licensed as an active CPA in Maryland. Faculty Member

of Lerner College of Business & Economics at University of

Delaware. Faculty Advisor: Professional Business Fraternity

Delta Sigma Pi. Greek Sorority: Alpha Delta Pi. And for fun:

Irish Dance Club! Treasurer of St. Paul’s Cathedral Trust in

America

Answer to Question: My calling is to give back each day for

the bounty and grace God has given me. To that end, while

serving and facilitating such non profit organizations as St.

Paul’s Cathedral Trust as needed, I also love the one on one of

teaching Latino children piano lessons as part of our ministry

at St. Clement’s. Although I am seeking a financial position

as a member of the Board of Managers and my contributions

would be strictly financial in nature, good stewardship of

parochial and diocesan funds allow all of us to serve our

congregations and communities to the fullest of our means.

Standing Committee, Lay –

Kathleen Wise Ridley: I have been

a communicant of Christ Church

Cambridge since my Confirmation

in 1985. I have been active in the

parish at every level from committee

and Vestry work, to serving as

Senior Warden, to taking my place

liturgically as a Eucharistic Minister

and Worship Leader. I have also

been active in the Diocese as a member of the Commission

on Ministry, the Standing Committee, and as Deputy to

six General Conventions. I have been a search consultant

and a facilitator for Mutual Ministry reviews with churches

throughout the Diocese. Most recently I co-chaired the

Transition Committee during our Diocesan Bishop Search

and Election, and currently serve on the Cathedral Chapter.

I am married to Doug Ridley [and] we enjoy traveling and

family time with our seven children, 15 grandchildren, and

15 great-grands.

Answer to Question: The Standing Committee needs

seasoned, experienced members of the Diocese to be part

of this council of advice to the Bishop. I have served on the

Standing Committee before, and I believe that at this time in

my life I have both the time and the ongoing experience and

wisdom to be an asset in this position.

- See Full Bio Online

Standing Committee, Lay – John

Dragone: I have been a member of St.

Clements Massey since the early 1980’s.

Spouse Debra and I were married at

St. Clements. Over the course of those

years, I have served as a vestry person,

a VBS and Sunday school teacher, and I

am currently serving as Senior Warden.

At the Diocesan level, I was appointed

to an ad hoc Committee on Parish

Apportionment by Bishop Shand. It was during this

assignment that I became attuned to the fact that our small

parishes, including St. Clements, are faced with many similar

challenges as we work to secure our futures. I have also

served on the Compensation and Personnel Committee.

A graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, I sailed

for a number of years in the U.S. Merchant Marine as a

deck officer, including Captain. Since coming ashore, I have

worked for various shipping companies in Operations and

Labor Relations. I am currently employed by American

President Lines Maritime as Director of Labor Relations.

Answer to Question: I am at a good place in my career in

terms of schedule flexibility and available vacation days as

well as home life to be able to carve out the time necessary to

serve at the Diocesan level.

- See Full Bio Online

Standing Committee, Clergy – The

Rev. Chuck Hatfield: The Rev. Charles

J. (Chuck) Hatfield, Jr. has been Rector

of All Hallows, Snow Hill in the

Southern Convocation since February

of 2018. Fr. Chuck and his wife, The

Rev. Adele Hatfield, previously served

together as Co-Rectors at St. Peter’s,

Mountain Lakes, NJ in the Diocese of

Newark from Feb 2009 until January

2018. While in the Diocese of Newark he served on Diocesan

Council and on the Diocesan Finance Committee. Prior to

Newark, he served as in the Diocese of Southwest Florida as

Associate Rector at St. Monica’s in Naples, FL (2005-2009).

Fr. Chuck received his MDiv from VTS in 2005 and was

ordained a priest in April of 2006. Fr. Chuck received his BS

in Business Management from Virginia Tech.

Fr. Chuck has always enjoyed music and is a keyboard player.

He enjoys all types of music, especially rock, blues, jazz and

classical. Fr. Chuck’s favorite sport is baseball and growing

up in Baltimore developed a favorite Mid-Atlantic team of

Oriole Birds!

Answer to Question: Fr. Chuck brings previous experience as

a member of the Standing Committee, Executive Board, and

Commission on Ministry while in SWVA and would offer his

gifts and knowledge, if elected, on the Standing Committee

for the Diocese of Easton.

- See Full Bio Online

Standing Committee, Clergy – The

Rev. Mark Delcuze: Mark Delcuze

has served at Christ Church Parish,

Kent Island since 2013. In the

Diocese of Easton he has served as

Vice President of Diocesan Council,

Chaplain and Member of the Bishop

Nominating Committee for the XI

Bishop of Easton, and as a member

of the Clericus Planning Team.

Ordained for 33 years, he has served as Ecumenical Officer

in three dioceses, as Title IV Consultant in two dioceses,

and as Three-time Clergy Deputy to General Convention

(Southern Virginia). He has Chaired the Finance Committee

for Esperanza Academy in Lawrence, MA and Chair of

Personnel for the Virginia Council of Churches. For the past

four years, he has been an Instructor in the School fo Adult

Learning at Chesapeake College. Married to Mimi Delcuze

for 35 years, he has two grown daughters, a son-in-law, and

three grandchildren. He plays the guitar and ukulele and has

been known to write a hymn or two.

Answer to Question: Serving Christ in the church is primary

to my vocation. This means always having one major

diocesan responsibility in addition to my parish work.

Diocesan Council – At-Large Rep,

Lay – Dee Rinehart: Dee Stanek

Rinehart is a member of St. Alban’s

Parish, Salisbury, where she sings in

the choir, serves as a Worship Leader,

Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic

Visitor. and Teller. She has served

several terms on the parish Vestry and

held the offices of Junior and Senior

Warden.

Her diocesan service has included Diocesan Council,

Standing Committee, Commission on Ministry, and as

a trainer for Worship Leader, Eucharistic Minister, and

Eucharistic Visitor.

Dee and her husband Harry live in Vienna in a house built in

the 1850’s. Yes, history and genealogy are among her hobbies,

but her favorites are her time spent with grandchildren and

singing with her friends in the choir. She is a retired educator

who holds a Masters Degree plus 30 graduate hours. Most of

her career was spent in Dorchester County Public Schools.

Diocesan Council – At-Large

Rep, Clergy – The Rev. Frank S.

St. Amour, III SSC: St. Paul’s, Kent

- Northern Convocation Chair,

Disciplinary Board. In parish ministry

since 1983 with twelve years as a

National Guard Chaplain. Also, as

a Rural Dean and member of the

Church Growth Committee in NJ; in

Bethlehem, on the Commission on

Ministry, Congregational Renewal Committee and the Grants

Committee; and, in WNY, on the Diocesan Council.

A Rotarian for twenty-five years, I have held many offices and

am currently Treasurer of the Chestertown Club.

Diocesan service, like community service, goes with the

ministry. May one hope the Convention feels I could serve

this Diocese on Council.

Diocesan Council – At-Large Rep,

Lay – Debra Dragone: St. Clements

Church: North Kent Parish, Massey:

Organist for worship since the age

of 12. Leadership Positions Held:

Senior Warden, Treasurer and

Registrar. Vestry person numerous

terms. Lay Reader during transitional

ministry. VBS Director & VBS teacher

numerous terms. Lay Representative

to Diocesan Convention several years

Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, and other

Committees of the Diocese: Secretary to Annual Convention

of the Diocese of Easton for latter years of Bishop Shand

episcopate through 2014 – approximately 6 years. Teller at

Annual Convention under the episcopate of Bishop Martin

Townsend. Previous Member of Board of Managers. Previous

Chair of Finance Department 4 year term ending 2018. Just

accepted Finance Administrator for Board of Managers as

Chris Maxwell is transitioning to an appointed position with

the Board

Supporting CW ministry as member of the Advisory Board –

and specifically with financial advisory work as needed. This

is a new ministry since 2016

Read More of Debra’s bio under her Board of Managers

Nomination. See Full Bio Online

Diocesan Council – At-Large Rep,

Clergy – The Rev. Dennis L. Morgan:

Priest in Charge at St. Mary’s, Tyaskin

and at St. Paul’s, Vienna. Employed

as a part-time Chaplain at Peninsula

Regional Medical Center Salisbury,

working one overnight [16 hours]

plus an additional 14 to 18 hours per

week. I also serve as chaplain/pastoral

care for the ALS [amyotrophic lateral

sclerosis, aka Lou Gehrig’s disease] clinic and support group

at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Serve as a clients’

rights advocate on the Behavior Support Committee at The

Holly Center [A residential community for developmentally

disabled, both physically and intellectually, adults] in

Salisbury, MD. Married to Jane Morgan.

Answer to Question: My father, gone to glory some thirty-two

years now, was prone to say in response to my endless fretting

about making the “right” decision, “No matter what you do,

it will be all right.” For many years, I was never sure what

he meant by that. It was only in the days just after his death

that I realized he wasn’t talking so much about the outcome,

rather he cared about me and the stress and worry I put

myself through in the process. There may never be a “good

time” to take on another challenge, but to do is to realize that

there is no better time than now, and to understand that now,

is all the time I/we will ever have. This is the right decision,

and, “it will be all right”.

- See Full Bio Online

Diocesan Council – Middle

Convocation Rep, Lay – Richard

Savington: A native of the Eastern

Shore, I went away for college,

returning to raise my children here

with my wife, a local Emergency

Medicine physician. Attending

Washington & Lee University and

Loyola University and after a career

in finance, I studied at University

of Baltimore School of Law receiving my J.D. with a

concentration in Tax Law and Estates and Trust. I’m currently

in private practice in Easton, where my daughter is in 8th

grade at my Alma Mater, Saints Peter & Paul. My son is

studying at Marymount Manhattan University in New York.

I worship at St. Paul’s Trappe, where I serve on the vestry and

was on the clergy search committee. My family emphasized

service and actively participated in the life of our church and

I have tried to continue that tradition in my life.

Answer to Question: This new opportunity is a natural

progression in a life of service which began as a child. My

family always emphasized giving back and to whom much

is given much is expected. Even my choice to pursue a legal

career was part of my desire to help others. I believe this next

chapter will allow me to give back and make a positive impact

on our church family and our community at large. I would be

honored to serve on Diocesan Council. - See Full Bio Online

Diocesan Council – Northern

Convocation Rep, Lay – Sandy

Bjork: I am a RN with a B.S. in Health

Care Administration and a J.D. with

a certificate in Health Law. After my

retirement as a nurse attorney, we

moved to Chestertown in 2007. I have

been an active member of Emmanuel

Church, Chester Parish in the Northern

Convocation, where I have been a choir

member, helped with the Kitchen Krew, Flower Guild, and

am currently Senior Warden. I have been honored to serve on

the Board of For All Seasons, the behavioral health and rape

crisis center, and am currently vice president of the Chester

River Health Foundation Board. I serve on the Constitution

and Canons and the Commission on Ministry.

My husband and I enjoy travel in the US and abroad, golf,

and local theater. I was pleased to spend almost ten years of

singing with the Chester River Chorale. We are fortunate to

have our children and grandchildren living on the Western

Shore and in New York so there are many trips back over the

Bay Bridge.

Answer to Question: On reflection, I believe that achieving

the inclusion of all of God’s children as identified as the role

our Diocese is pursuing in living out God’s Mission takes

precedence over the “busyness” that one finds oneself in.

With that in mind, I would be honored to serve on Diocesan

Council.

- See Full Bio Online

Diocesan Council – Southern

Convocation Rep, Clergy – The Rev.

David Michaud: I am the Rector

of St. Peter’s Church in Salisbury

where I have served for 5 ½ years. I

previously served as Rector of St.

Andrew’s Princess Anne and was

ordained in this Diocese in 2007.

Previous to ordained ministry I

served as the CEO of the Community

Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

Current: Chair of the Diocese’s Green Hill Church

Committee; Member of the Diocesan Finance Committee

and the Diocesan Grants Committee. Previous: Co-Chair

of the Diocesan Discernment Committee; Vice President of

Diocesan Council; member of: Bishop Search Committee,

Camp Wright Committee, Nominating Committee,

Disciplinary Board, and Communications Task Force.

Deputy to General Convention 2015 and Alternate Deputy

2012 and 2018; Appointed General Convention Assistant

Secretary for Digital Systems 2012, 2015, 2018.

Answer to Question: I believe that given my skills and

experiences in parishes, the diocese and the wider church I

would make valuable contributions as a member of Diocesan

Council. Through the leadership of Bishop Marray the

Diocese is embarking upon some exciting ministries and I

would work diligently to help implement the vision.

- See Full Bio Online

For the full bio on each of our nominees

please visit

www.dioceseofeaston.org/2019nominees

150 LOVE CHALLENGE

Churches around the Diocese got creative with the #DioEastonLove challenge.

We hope you enjoy reading their stories as much as we did.

“Beloved, since God loved us so

much, we also ought to love one

another. 12 No one has ever seen

God; if we love one another, God

lives in us, and his love is perfected

in us.”

(1 John 4:11-12)

St. Paul’s Marion

St. Paul’s Marion has met their 150th Love challenge with their

cemetery restoration project. To date, 150 gravestones have been

restored to reveal their original beauty. This labor of love, removing

decades and even centuries old dirt and moss, was spearheaded

by parishoner Kay Ferraro. She and her dedicated cleaning team,

comprised of family, parishoners, young and old alike, made the

St. Pauls Marion cemetery shine!

The Church of the Holy Trinity Oxford responded

to our Bishop’s challenge to create 150 of something

in celebration of the Diocese of Easton’s 150th

anniversary. As a congregation, inspired by our

Sundays School children, we committed to gather

at least 150 oyster shells, represent the heritage of

the eastern shore, and inscribe them with messages

proclaiming God’s love for all. The plan was to then

have parishioners give the shells to people throughout

the eastern shore community.

150 Shells Proclaim God’s Love

These shells were inscribed at the annual parish

Harvest Fest on Sunday, October 28, 2018. However,

this activity took on a more focused perspective in

light of the massacre at the Tree of Life temple in

Pittsburgh the day before. Parishioners were inspired

to inscribe the shells with messages of solidarity, love, support, scripture,

and prayer for our brothers and sisters at Temple B’nai Israel. Fr. Kevin

brought these symbols of our love to Rabbi Peter Hyman the morning

after this event where they were gratefully received as gifts from God’s

people to God’s people.

These are the olive wood

crosses that Christ Church

Easton has been handing out

at services. Well over 150 have

been handed out to date. They

made a particularly powerful

impact at a recent memorial

service where over 450 of the

600 attendees took a cross.

Trinity Cathedral collected

150 days of diapers for the

babies at the Talbot Interfaith

Shelter. Their final count: 2,266

diapers or 15 diapers per day

(for four babies) times 150

days (with 16 to spare). Plus an

additional $145 in donations.

Way to go!

As a part of the 150th

anniversary celebration, St.

Paul’s, Berlin, collected well over

150 cans which were distributed

to the local food pantry.

150 Acts of Love Challenge at Emmanuel, Chestertown

When the Rector and Vestry

announced the 150 Acts of Love

Challenge to the parish in May

2018, some wondered if we

could just list the many things

the parish already does, things

like provide lunch to almost

150 students and mentors from

the National Music Festival for

two weeks every summer, or

our annual collection of school

supplies that always exceeds

3x150 needed items. But in

true Emmanuel fashion, our

imaginations were piqued and

we set to work to share God’s

love throughout the community

in additional ways, often new

and quite different.

Our Vestry led the way by

offering $10 to each of the

150 local parish families, and

challenging us to multiply that

$10 gift to make a difference.

The results were staggering.

Parishioners reported back that

they had challenged extended

family to match the $10

contribution thereby making

$150 donations to organizations

like the Bayside H.O.Y.A. S.,

“No Kid Hungry,” legal defense

funds for immigrant children,

the Community Food Pantry,

and the Good Neighbor Fund.

Others used their $10 (often

plus money of their own) to

do individual good deeds for

neighbors, and for strangers.

They bought stamps, gift cards,

flowers, groceries, breakfast for

a group of seniors, helped pay

for prescription medications

for a young family, and “passed

it forward” at coffee shops, ice

cream shops, and fast food

restaurants.

But the most unique way

Emmanuelites met the 150 Acts

of Love Challenge was to initiate

and continue the ministry of

Laundry Love. Once a month a

small group of parishioners visits

the local laundromat armed

with rolls of quarters, detergent,

bleach, fabric softener, and some

snack food. For two hours one

evening a month, parishioners

provide everything needed to

wash and dry the laundry for

whoever comes in the door. Over

the six month period from July

through December 2018, we

washed and dried 382 loads of

laundry, and we are not done yet!

Christ Church Cambridge

Christ Church Cambridge collected 150

hats, scarves, and gloves. These were

distributed to local schools and senior

centers.

100 Parishioners Each Perform 50 Hours of Service

at Shrewsbury Parish

Angels in the Attic: Collecting and

selling lightly used, affordable items

so our children can buy gifts for

their loved ones for Christmas.

Collecting socks filled with tissue

packets, chapstick, and hand

sanitizer to give to the homeless.

Angel Tree: Offering gifts for families

in need in our parish.

Nicole Wagner developed a

Prayerground in the back of the

church, so that toddlers have a place

to play during worship..

Shrewsbury Parish Church is doing the

“50 Hours of Service Challenge.” We are

encouraging 100 parishioners to each

perform 50 hours of service. We have a

booklet that we distributed in November

after we reviewed spiritual gifts. In fact,

we presented a spiritual gifts survey at the

end of October, so that everyone would

know his or her gifts. Then we distributed

booklets which had suggestions on how

people can volunteer. For example, there

is Playmakers Camp at the Garfield,

the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, Camp

Wright, Character Counts!, American

Red Cross, and St. Martin’s Ministries. We

listed 28 organizations in the booklet. We

also suggested ways to serve the church

on the altar guild, as an usher, or to teach

at an adult forum. In the booklet, we

asked people to list the service performed,

the dates, and the number of hours. We

will collect the booklets at the end of

February to offer to the Convention. We

have heard testimonies from pashioners

about how they are now driving for

the blind, knitting for veterans, or

joining Character Counts! as a coach.

The Sisters of Rebecca Matoaka at

Shrewsbury Parish ran a free art

project with children who came to

Fountain Park in Chestertown.

Collecting hats for veterans in

November, spearheaded by Isabelle

Requena and Pam Quarstein.

Kenya Connect: Making educational

materials for children in Kenya.

150 Card Challenge

Story courtesy of Nancy Linck, St. Albans Salisbury

The Daughters of the King chapter

service project last summer in the

park.

Knitting booties for veterans and the

homeless, spearheaded by Roberta

Brown.

The people of Salisbury and beyond took up their pens to make the last

months of Jose Grover’s life a little brighter -- showing love in the same

way he shared it. Each year, Jose had a reputation for sharing Christmas

cards with EVERYONE in his life, and so the call was sent out for 150

cards for Jose. Here is a quote from his family dated May 16th...

“[We] would like to thank you for your funny, loving and gracious cards

sent to Jose Grover since his diagnosis of a brain tumor on 3/5/2018. To

date, we have received 186 cards from as far away as Munich, Germany

(Shorebirds fan) to family around the country...

Every day we lived in suspense as to how many cards would arrive.

Then, every night we would read the new cards and place them on

the walls. There were games, sympathy cards, Happy Birthday cards,

Merry Christmas cards, homemade cards, daily cards from the same

people, weekly cards from the same people, cards with themes, cards

with stories, cards from total strangers, cards with jokes...all honoring

Jose’s generosity of time, talent and spirit. They spoke of Jose’s cooking

skills for Advent & Lent Mexican soups, dining monthly at all the local

restaurants with Barrie Smith, attending all the Shorebirds games with

his friends, or acolyting at St. Alban’s Episcopal.” #DioEastonLove

JOSE ANGEL GROVER entered heaven on Thursday, May 10, 2018

at 11:15 pm. He left this world calmly and gently into his own “Good

Night”.

Raising money for the purchase of

mosquito nets and clean water.

Trinity Elkton Records Over

150 Acts of Kindness

161 to be exact. The congregation reported their acts of kindness

every week and a tally was kept. Whether sharing with a churchmembers,

neighbors and friends (101) or serving strangers (39) the

parishioners were hard at work to bring a little cheer to their community.

The rest of the tally was in assisting in local and churchwide

community projects (21). Here are some of the quotes taken

from the spreadsheet - wish we could fit them all!

• Cut my elderly neighbors grass

• Rescreened my neighbors door

• Invited a new person to Church

• Painted a dove mural at

Clairvaux Farms

• Prayed with a homeless woman

• Bought groceries and cleaned

and cooked for an elderly

neighbor and friend.

• Helped restore a historic garden

in Gettysburg. All vegetables

grown in the garden go to the

local food bank.

• Treated a recovering addict to

lunch

• Passed on shoes to a friend

• Called Church friend not seen

or heard from in a while. Needs

AC with this hot weather.

Started campaign to try to get

an AC.

• Provided a ride to a Church

member for Church

• Sent thinking of you card to a

shut in Church member

• Helped with “Christmas in

April”

• Prepared and served 72 meals

at the community kitchen

• Visiting a long term care

patient who does have local

family support

• Cared for Neighbor’s cat while

he was away

• Helped neighbor flush leaves

from clogged rain gutter

• Donated clothes to veteran’s

administration

• Cleaned my grandmother’s

basement

• Prepared bag lunches for Paris

Foundation

• Made soup for neighbor

• A student home visiting from

college jumped into the choir to

sing the anthem!

• Volunteer at civil war

reenactments to help educate

the youth about our local

history

• Took all tablecloths from coffee

hours and washed them

• Helped my son in hard

financial time

• I helped push a stuck vehicle

from the mud at the lights

festival

• Repaired neighbors porch light

• Signed up for Cruise to help

Puerto Rico victims

• Called my Aunt to check on her

• My beautiful wife dedicated

her time towards the spaghetti

dinner

• Pruned shrubs and trees on

Trinity grounds, moved debris

to street for pickup

St. Paul’s, Vienna & St. Mary’s, Tyaskin

“To honor these children of

God we have collected 150 +

Boxtops for Education”

The parishes of St. Paul’s, Vienna and St. Mary’s, Tyaskin both

served by the Rev. Dennis Morgan, see the love of Christ in the

children of the community. Vienna’s children often park their

bikes, scooters, Hoverboards, etc. in the church yard and hurry

into church on Sunday morning. T. is always eager to prepare

the snacks for coffee hour, others look forward to helping

Fr. Dennis at the altar. Oh what wonderful questions they

have during education and after the service! To honor these

children of God we have collected 150 + Boxtops for Education

to go to Vienna Elementary School. We have opted to continue

this project far into the future.

When Fr. Dennis looks out into the congregation at St.

Mary’s, Tyaskin during the service, he often sees a few of

the children mirroring him as he raises the elements, lifts his

hands in prayer or crosses himself. To honor the children of

the community and its history (St. Mary’s is also celebrating its

220th anniversary), many parishioners added $1.50 or $2.20 to

their weekly offering. With this extra commitment, we are able

to provide backpacks and end of summer pizza for the children

attending the Kids Club program housed in the Westside

Community Center.

The children of Tyaskin and Vienna are in good hands, those

hands of our Lord.

“...many parishioners added

$1.50 or $2.20 to their

weekly offering. ”

250 ACTS OF KINDNESS

ST. PETER’S SALISBURY

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury

took the 150 Challenge to a new level.

Since they have been celebrating their

250 th anniversary they decided to

challenge each other to 250 Acts of

Kindness.

Their acts of kindness reached far and

wide in their own church family and

into their community. Parishioners

visited homebound folks, took them

communion and made home cooked

meals. They picked up trash along roads

as they went on walks. One loaned

her car to a neighbor whose car was

being fixed; others gave rides. They

helped with gardening and landscaping,

cleaning, setting up and putting away

chairs. Others volunteered in their local

schools and reached out to all ages to

play games and visit. They supported

the Summer Lunch Program for local

children. One parishioner spent her day

with a new neighbor helping them to get

acquainted with the town. Others shared

produce from their gardens to others.

The entire journey was logged pictureby-picture

on their facebook page

in a photo album titled “250 Acts

of Kindness”. Although 250 acts of

kindness are now complete, their acts

of kindness go on! The new challenge

to each other is to keep those acts of

kindness coming, sharing with their

neighbors the love of our God.

Christ Church Denton St Luke’s Church Hill Next Generation Church Church of the Nazarene

150 Totes for His Hope Haven

Ames Church Greensboro Baptist Calvary Baptist The Town of Denton Women for Women

As many may know, Christ Church

Denton is in partnership with His

Hope Haven homeless shelter (their

Resource Center is located in our

Parish Hall). We approached them

first as to what would be a good

item to raise up in a quantity of

150. I said to Lynn Keckler who

manages the shelter that we wanted

something more challenging than

150 cans of soup. She came up

with the idea of Shower Totes that

they could give to their shelter

residents that could be carried to

the common showers with each

one’s personal items. These are the

ones chosen:

We decided on 3 colors: bright

blue for the kids, hot pink for the

women and black for the men. At

$6.00 each, the goal was to raise

$900. -- a real challenge for our

small parish.

Then we had the bright idea of

involving other churches in our

area who are also involved in the

mission of His Hope Haven to

supply the personal care items to fill

the totes. Stefanie Johnson of HHH

took on the task of organizing the

other churches. We divided the

time to complete the challenge into

3 two-month periods to make the

fundraising and tote filling more

manageable. For May-June we

had a Stuff the Totes! event here at

Christ Church Denton. For July-

August we had a Stuff the Totes!

event at Next Generation Church

and the final event for September-

October took place at Calvary

Baptist Church.

Besides the staff & volunteers at

His Hope Haven and folks from

our church, many other churches

and organizations took part in

the project. These included Next

Generation Church, Church of the

Nazarene, Calvary Baptist, Ames

Church, Greensboro Baptist, St

Luke’s Church Hill, the Town of

Denton and Women for Women (a

domestic Violence group).

St. Luke’s Church Hill joined our

campaign and made a significant

financial contribution and The

Rev. Loretta Collins joined us to

stuff totes. We raffled a large swan

decoy at Summerfest this year that

was donated by retired waterman

George Edwards and the winner,

for the first time, was a member of

our own congregation, Mark Fuchs.

He arranged to have the decoy

sold online and made another

significant contribution to the

campaign.

The Episcopal Diocese of Easton

314 North Street

Easton, MD 21601

410-822-1919

dioceseofeaston.org

CAMP WRIGHT - RESIDENT CAMP - SUMMER

Session Schedule

Session 1/SHL June 22-28

Mini 1 June 22-24

Mini 2 June 26-28

Session 2/SHA July 1-7

Mini 3 July 1-3

Mini 4 July 5-7

Session 3 July 9- 15

Mini 5 July 9- 11

Mini 6 July 13 - 15

Session 4 July 18 - 24

XMAS/AC/STEM July 27-Aug 2

Session 5 Aug 4-10

SENIOR/NATURE Aug 12-16

www.campwright.com

Join us on Kent Island this summer! For over 85

years, Camp Wright has provided young people

from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and beyond an

encouraging place to grow, learn, play, and make

new friends. With traditional programs and specialty

camps throughout the summer, Camp Wright offers

something for everyone.

Eastern Shore Episcopalian - Convention 2019 - Love

products

Features

Resources

Developer

Company

Pro Features

Help & Support

Integrations

Plans & Pricing

Company

Eastern Shore Episcopalian - Convention 2019 - Love

Delete template?

Save as template?

products

Features

Resources

Developer

Company

Pro Features

Help & Support

Integrations

Plans & Pricing

Company