Eastern Shore Episcopalian - Summer 2019

SUMMER EDITION 2019 

Welcome All 

Share Jesus’ Love 

Serve the World 

a publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Easton

Contents: 

A Note from the Bishop 

Radical Hospitality: A Church Committed to Inclusivity 

02 

Christ Church IU Worton 

Embodies Welcome 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND 

Nine counties, 42 worshiping 

communities, and more than 

5,000 people engaged in living 

out our call to welcome all, share 

Jesus’ love, and serve the world. 

BISHOP 

The Rt. Rev. Santosh Marray 

Welcome All 

Share Jesus’ Love 

Serve the World 

12 

Repurposed Mission! 

“We are repurposing the gift of a 

building from a synagogue to a thrift 

store.” 

In This Issue: 

01 A Note from the Bishop 

02 Not So Low Sunday at Christ Church IU 

04 La Sagrada Familia de Jesus Introducing the newest 

church in our Diocese. 

06 St. Mary the Virgin Church - Repurposed Mission! A 

community comes together to begin a thrift shop. 

08 As Always a Dream Began with a Journey St. Paul’s Ocean 

City: Shepherd’s Crook & Red Doors both flourish 

10 Holy Trinity Oxford Two stories of welcome, for the Coast 

Guard and youth in the community. 

12 Drifting Into Sacred Water Devotional 

14 Reflections of the 150th Anniversary Celebration 

16 Snapshots of the Weekend (Photos by Jim Ritch) 

18 Youth @ Convention 

20 What Does the Cradle Represent in Your Faith 

Journey? 

21 Diocesan Events & Fall Preview 

Cover Photo: Members of La Sagrada Familia De Jesus take 

center stage during the Celebration Eucharist as they are officially 

welcomed into the fellowship and community of our Diocese. 

Photographer: Jim Ritch 

Jesus calls his Church to be an 

open sepulcher in which all are 

welcome and none excluded. 

This message is profoundly 

reflected in the Easter story of 

the empty tomb and embodied 

through his outstretched arms 

on the Cross of Calvary. We 

will recall his words recorded in 

Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, 

all you that are carrying heavy 

burdens, and I will give you rest”, 

and John 12:32, “And I, when 

I am lifted up from the earth, 

will draw all people to myself ”. 

No more sobering and inclusive 

words could be said to capture 

our Lord’s spirit of radical 

hospitality. 

Our diocese has dedicated itself 

to the promotion and mission 

of this radical option. We have 

committed the very core of 

this church to the pursuit of 

this noble, biblical, spiritual 

and moral core value. This 

is the essence of life in the 

beloved community. However, 

commitment may become mere 

rote or good promotional hype 

if it isn’t accompanied by visible 

evidence supporting our purpose 

as the church of the Jesus 

Movement. The Way of Love is 

the very embodiment of radical 

hospitality. To this end, credible 

feedbacks and follow-ups, 

regular self- introspection and 

conversion of hearts and minds 

should distinguish all our efforts. 

Our family of churches are the 

critical centers for this ministry 

to take flesh, form and shape. 

At present, we are fortunate 

to witness the remarkable 

and fruitful efforts of many 

of our parishes dedicated 

to this ministry of welcome 

and hospitality. From robust 

healing and recovery ministry, 

food security, assistance in 

various forms to our needy 

sisters and brothers in the 

community, childcare programs, 

rehabilitation program for 

incarcerated individuals and 

their family members, financial 

relief, the marketplace church, 

vibrant neighborhood church 

initiatives and the list goes on. I 

am always mindful of the refrain, 

“if your church were to be 

removed from the neighborhood 

would the community miss it…” 

Radical hospitality is the Way 

of Jesus and for this reason our 

Lord and Savior came among us 

to be God’s love and show God’s 

way to a broken and hurting 

world. Let us in the words of 

St. Paul, “keep our eyes on the 

prize.” 

PUBLICATION INFORMATION 

A publication of the Bishop and Diocese of Easton 

Copyright 2019 The Bishop and Diocese of Easton 

Published Quarterly 

SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: 

Eastern Shore Episcoplian (ESE) 

314 North St., Easton, MD 21601 

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 

1

OPPOSITE LEFT: Bunny Adams reads a 

story during coffee hour. 

OPPOSITE RIGHT: Phoebe Fritz, age 9, 

runs the altar guild. 

LEFT: Waiting for service with Father 

Frank Adams. 

On the Sunday after Easter, people amble into the 

church at a casual pace. It has the atmosphere of a 

family gathering as nods and waves are exchanged with 

genuine affection. It’s ten minutes before the service, 

and a visitor is greeted, not with even mild curiosity, 

but a cheery we’ve-been-expecting-you-glad-you’re-here 

kind of welcome. 

Such is the reception at Christ Church IU, located in 

Worton, the geographic center of Kent County. “IU”, as 

it’s known to locals, got the suffix from Isaac Usilton, 

whose largesse of property and purse provided for the 

church to be built more than two hundred years ago. 

The pull of the past makes it easy to imagine you’re 

walking into the 1700s when entering the Gothic 

Revival structure. It is tucked back from the road, 

surrounded by verdant fields and churchyard, 

seemingly untouched by time and technology. 

Other than electricity, it has not been renovated or 

remodeled. 

There’s no service sheet; and the hymns are posted on 

a board at the front. Two young girls serve as crucifer 

and acolyte. Service and lay readers stand at their pews 

to read the lessons. 

Not So Low Sunday at Christ Church IU 

by Faith Prince Spear 

clamber down from one lap and navigate across the 

aisle to claim a new perch on another set of knees. 

At most there are thirty souls in the pews, but when 

they rise for the Gospel hymn, their song is full 

throated and joyful, resounding from the vaulted 

rafters. 

The volume is surprising; someone listening outside 

would say the church was full. 

Celebrating the Eucharist is Father Frank Adams. 

whose bright blue eyes and fulgent smile belie his 

ninety-three years. “It’s low Sunday,” he explains 

somewhat apologetically, “usually we have a few more 

people.” 

Father Frank came to IU in the summer of 2011 “for a 

few months” and never left. As the Priest-in-Charge 

here, he is the oldest active priest in the diocese. And 

though he is in charge, he asserts, “This is a church of 

the people, it belongs to them.” Youngsters stop to hug 

him on their way to coffee hour. “I am the liturgical 

teacher and preacher. The people do everything else 

and everybody knows what to do.” 

the altar; she could teach it!” Phoebe is nine. 

The Vestry makes major decisions, but committees 

are unnecessary. “We have thirteen kids here and 

we’re all a family that enjoys the way the congregation 

functions,” Adams continues, “they take care of the 

church and they take care of each other.” 

If Father Adams could change something at IU, he 

would have a parish hall for meetings, social gatherings 

and confirmation classes. But overall he’s content with 

the way things are and grateful for a loving parish. 

He gives all the credit to the Risen Lord, “Jesus has 

always been with us,” he says before starting a Vestry 

meeting. The meeting takes place in the last two pews, 

with members turned to face each other, rather like the 

seats on a train. 

Coffee hour is in full swing in the narthex, which is all 

of five feet deep and runs the width of the sanctuary. 

Bunny Adams, wife of Father Frank, is reading a story, 

draped by rapt listeners. Nancy Nunn and Anita 

Williams offer refreshments from the pastries, breads 

and fruit tastefully arranged on what appears to be 

an antique hope chest, and explain the IU committee 

structure. 

“We just call and email each other when we notice 

something,” says Nunn. Sticks need to be picked up 

after a storm, or someone is under the weather and 

needs soup. “It’s pretty much ad hoc,” agrees Williams. 

and everyone here contributed.” Thomas Matinez, 

who is in high school, organized donations for the 

4-H Christmas toy drive and every family pitched in. 

Other causes are embraced by the church family as 

they come up through the year. 

“We love having visitors, “ Nunn says, “We get bikers 

and boaters and tourists and people who get lost.” 

Old Friends Day is an annual fall picnic when anyone 

with a connection to IU comes to celebrate that 

association. Some may have ancestors buried in the 

churchyard, parents who were married here, and 

former communicants will make a special trip. 

Anyone else is welcome, and many fellow Anglicans 

come. Everyone brings a dish and a smile to share. 

One member whose ties to IU go back generations 

is Ben Joiner, Assistant Head of School at Radcliffe 

Creek. He and wife Jane come most Sundays with 

their four children. He finds participation restorative. 

“You walk out feeling like you’ve made an impact, and 

the Church made an impact too.” 

Christ Church IU is a place to belong. There’s a 

renewing energy here that is so appealing, They are 

informal, but not irreverent. The ease of fellowship 

and comfort they exhibit is an amalgam of joy and 

the blessed assurance of salvation; and carries an 

unmistakable element of the Holy. 

The altar was prepared this morning by Phoebe Fritz. 

Father Frank was speaking literally when he said Jesus 

“Phoebe IS the Altar Guild.” Father says with obvious 

IU cherishes their children. There is no hushing or 

pride. “She knows everything there is to know about 

It’s the same with outreach. “We support each other’s has always been at IU. Christ’s love and grace are 

shushing. Little ones wander freely and toddlers 

causes,” Nancy says, “I’m involved with Horizons evident. He is in the midst of them. 

2 3

On March 3, 2019 a new mission 

congregation of Shrewsbury Parish, 

Kennedyville was officially welcomed as the 

40 th congregation of the Diocese of Easton. 

On behalf of the Church, Bishop Santosh 

K. Marray and Presiding Bishop Michael 

B. Curry received Sagrada Familia de Jesus 

and its Mission Developer (Fundador) Vicar 

Thomas G. Sinnott. 

The origin of the mission goes back over 

20 years as St. Andrew’s Suddlersville and 

Shrewsbury Parish Church engaged in 

hospitality and pastoral ministry with the 

Spanish-speaking residents in Kent and 

Queen Anne’s Counties. Fathers William 

Chilton, Thomas Hughes, Thomas Sinnott, 

lay leader Carol Orange and the people 

of Shrewsbury generously supported this 

ministry over many years. 

La Sagrada Familia De Jesus 

by The Rev. Dr. Thom Sinnot 

“Sagrada Familia de Jesus is a welcoming 

Christian Community: engaged in God’s 

mission, following the Way of Jesus and 

strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Its ministry 

of worship, service, witness, learning 

and support endeavors to bring peace 

and justice to all who reside in its parish 

without boundaries.” (Congregation mission 

statement) 

This year everything is a “first time event,” 

Fr. Sinnott said. “This work has been carried 

out by the Church since its foundation on the 

Day of Pentecost. We are the next generation 

to hear the Spirit’s call that all ‘in our own 

language we hear them speaking about God’s 

deeds of power (Acts 1:12).’” 

Sagrada Familia de Jesus will work with 

its partners to reach its immediate goals 

of: growing its membership, establishing a 

Christian Education program and seeking a 

native-speaking mission developer. Please 

ABOVE: Fr. Thom at 

Convention in 2019 and in 

2016 at the Investiture of 

Bishop Marray. 

OPPOSITE TOP: SFDJ 

celebrates their first 

Baptism and their first 

Confirmation Class. 

OPPOSITE: Sagrada 

Familia De Jesus - founded 

(officially) on March 3, 

2019 at the Diocese of 

Easton’s 150th Celebration 

Eucharist, closing the 151st 

Convention. 

SPANISH TRANSLATION: 

Found on page 23. 

After his election in 2017, Bishop Marray 

offered his vision, leadership and support 

to the formation of this new congregation. keep the congregation in your prayers. 

4 5

St. Mary the Virgin Church - Repurposed Mission! 

St. Mary the Virgin Church in Pocomoke, 

Maryland has a new, repurposed 

mission! The congregation is filled with 

excitement for the opening of our new 

thrift store. Recently we were gifted an 

abandoned synagogue located next door 

to our church. After careful thought and 

MANY prayers, the church decided the 

best way to utilize the building in order 

to help the community would be to open 

a store. And did we have some work to 

do! 

In preparation for the opening, the 

church sent out a call for volunteers. 

A very enthusiastic group showed 

up one Saturday in May to tackle the 

building clean out project. The energy 

was amazing. One volunteer, who is 

not a parishioner, commented that he 

could not believe the turnout in helpers. 

And his church has at least 4 times the 

congregation! 

Best of all, God has given 

St Mary’s this opportunity 

to repurpose ourselves; to 

repurpose our dedication to 

our church, to our community, 

and to Him. 

by The Rev. Christine Mottl 

Besides the clean out required, The Attic 

also needed new brickwork, paint, and 

flooring. We also have the finishing 

touches to do such as outfitting the 

dressing room and setting up the racks 

and shelves. In addition, we will be 

calling for volunteers again to help us go 

through the abundance of donations we 

have already received. What a blessing! 

St. Mary’s vision for The Attic is to 

provide low cost items for families to 

stock their homes, such as clothing, 

kitchenware, decorations and who knows 

what else may be donated! We will accept 

any gently used clothing and treasures 

that still have a repurpose. The proceeds 

will go directly to helping our fellow 

neighbors in our community. 

If one word could summarize St. 

Mary’s mission, it would have to be 

REPURPOSE. We are repurposing the 

gift of a building from a synagogue 

to a thrift store. We are repurposing 

items given to us into new treasures for 

families. We are repurposing our skills 

into a project that is giving our church 

new life and enthusiasm. Best of all, God 

has given St. Mary’s this opportunity 

to repurpose ourselves; to repurpose 

our dedication to our church, to our 

community, and to Him. We thank God 

for this opportunity. And we invite you to 

visit us at The Attic and see what God is 

doing! 

OPPOSITE TOP: Outside of 

“The Attic” in Pocomoke. 

OPPOSITE: Parishioners and 

community members joined 

together to rehabilitate 

the synogogue for it’s new 

dedication as a thrift store. 

In order to decide on a name, members 

of the church submitted their suggestions 

during our Easter gathering. The 

committee in charge pondered over 

all the wonderful ideas and settled on 

a combination to name our store “The 

6 

Attic.” 

7

As always, a dream began with a journey. 

by The Rev. Br. Matthew J. D’Amario, OP 

As always, a dream began with a 

journey. I was driving to Easton 

with Joy Connor, the Director of 

the Red Doors Community Center 

when she made a suggestion that 

provided a bright future of growth 

and expansion to our signature 

ministries and a radical welcome to 

members of our community. 

The Red Doors Community Center, 

was founded by Fawn Mete and 

the Rev’d David Dingwall in 2012. 

Modeled after a Jewish community 

center, it is a center of community 

life, offering classes in the arts, such 

as dance, drama, and painting, as 

well as STEM programs including 

a Sea School, internships in local 

engineering and science careers, and 

a NASA camp. 

Around 1999, the Shepherd’s 

Crook food pantry was founded 

in the rectory by Ken MacMullin, 

a parishioner devoted to “feeding 

God’s sheep”. It has continued to 

grow and feed our town’s homeless 

population, international students 

who work in the resort during 

the summer, and those who are 

food insecure, like retirees and 

the working poor. Last year, the 

Shepherd’s Crook was able, from its 

location off campus in downtown 

Ocean City, to offer 16,000 meals to 

the community. This is due to the 

volunteers that draw from over eight 

different congregations in the Ocean 

City religious community. Truly this 

is an ecumenical undertaking! 

Baltimore Avenue, five blocks 

south of the Church. The lease for 

the property ended in May, 2018, 

and the Shepherd's Crook began 

suspending operations. We had 

nowhere to go. It was deeply painful 

to the congregation that we would 

have to stop feeding the community, 

and we were uncertain how to move 

forward. 

At the same time, the Red Doors, 

housed in our DeWees Hall since its 

inception, was feeling growing pains. 

We were unable to offer summer 

classes and camps due to the lack of 

parking, and the number of student 

was maxing out our space. We were 

beginning to limit what we could do 

with the Red Doors as well. 

Just when the times looked the 

darkest, with the Shepherd's Crook 

shut down for six weeks, and the 

Red Doors shut down for the 

summer, a breathtaking opportunity 

presented itself. A local church was 

selling a property! 

All the while, the congregation 

was focused on finding a new 

home for the Shepherd’s Crook. 

On that fateful car ride, Joy made 

a suggestion that was obvious. She 

said, “Why not buy the property 

and relocate the Red Doors there? 

That would free up Dewees Hall 

for the Shepherd’s Crook to reopen 

in its original home!” The clarity 

and simplicity of the vision was 

astonishing, and we proposed it to 

the vestry. 

Red Doors Community Center to 

relocate and expand. Parking and 

space had inhibited the growth and 

expansion of both the Red Doors 

programs and now it may offer 

classes all twelve months of the year. 

This freed up space in the parish hall 

for the Shepherd’s Crook to return 

and open in July, 2018, as well. 

Our future is bright! Our 

congregation is growing on 

Sundays, and our ambitions 

include increasing and nurturing 

our ecumenical and interfaith 

partnerships, growing the Red 

Doors community and its offerings, 

and expanding services in the 

Shepherd’s Crook, including twelve 

step groups and GED programs. 

Our radical welcome now embraces 

the homeless community, the 

international students, and the food 

insecure right here in our parish 

hall. We have children and families 

welcomed in our new Red Doors 

property, and it has also lived into its 

mission to be a community center 

with our Speaker Series and a new 

relationship with the Retreat House. 

We enthusiastically embrace our 

new mission to Love God, Serve the 

World! 

OPPOSITE TOP & LEFT: Shepherd’s Crook 

food pantry continues to “feed God’s 

sheep” in it’s return to the Parish Hall of 

St. Paul’s. 

OPPOSITE RIGHT & BOTTOM: The Red 

On November 26, 2013, a fire in 

Doors Community Center serves as a 

In July, 2018, the congregation 

the rectory claimed the life of John 

center for community life in its new standalone 

location at the junction of Route 90 

purchased property at the junction 

Sterner and Fr. Dingwall. Since the 

of Routes 90 and 113 in Berlin, 

fire, the Shepherd’s Crook began 

& 113 in Berlin. Among its many offerings, 

with over ten acres of land and a 

the center supports year round classes in 

renting a location at 205 South 

two story house. This allowed the 

dance, drama, and the arts. 

8 9

We Love Our Coasties 

by The Rev. Kevin Cross 

Holy Trinity / Trinity Cathedral Youth Group 

by The Rev. Kevin Cross 

The Church of the Holy Trinity led a campaign to 

ensure our local Coast Guard was well fed and had 

access to funds to cover living expenses during the 

government shut down. Individuals, businesses and 

organizations came together to help us with these 

programs. Over 30 delicious and hearty lunch and 

dinner meals were provided for them each day of 

the shut-down and beyond. In addition, donors 

generously provided over $14,000 in funds to provide 

direct financial assistance to each of the guardsmen 

so that they could cover many of their day-to-day 

living expenses. In addition, groceries were provided 

for them to have food to bring home. The over 110 

individuals who contributed are too numerous to 

mention but you or your neighbor are likely amongst 

those generous souls. Businesses providing meals and/ 

or donations included Doc’s Sunset Grill, Latitude 

38, Garden and Garnish, Highland Creamery/Oxford 

Social Club, Key Lime Taxi, Carpenter Street Saloon, 

Out of the Fire, Giant, Temple B’Nai Israel, Easton Girl 

Scouts, Chick-Fil-A, Easton Rotary Club, Oxford Fire 

Company, Tidewater Cleaning, Coast Guard Flotilla, 

Friendship United Methodist Churches and the Town 

of Oxford. This is but one demonstration of the love 

and compassion of this marvelous community. God is 

well pleased. Bless you all. 

The Church of the Holy Trinity and Trinity Cathedral 

youth group has been meeting on a monthly basis 

this year exploring our relationship with God and 

development of faith through encounters with 

nature and service. At our April event, we focused 

our activities on exploring the challenges and gifts 

of differences mainly by looking at our perceptions 

of able-bodiness and different-bodiness. We played 

a game, Cross the Line, that pointed out the unique 

differences between ourselves. Then we viewed a film, 

The Vanier Way, about a group of Canadian teens who 

visited the L’Arche community in France where Jean 

Vanier established a place where able and differentlyabled 

people live, work, and play together. Sharing 

our reactions to the film we also talked about similar 

experiences in our day to day lives. The challenge of 

the day was to make pizzas in two person teams where 

each participant could only use one arm. It helped 

us experience a different way of working with each 

other and developed different perceptions of our own 

selves and abilities. The key learnings were that a team 

approach was far easier than trying to do it alone and 

that communication was critical to success. Most 

importantly we experienced that God has created us 

with diverse talents and differences that when brought 

together create a beautiful community of God. The 

day ended with a brief tug of war. Girls 1, Boys 1. 

PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Cross the Line activity, Tug of War, Eating Our Pizza Creations, Making Our Pizza Creations. 

10 11

DRIFTING INTO SACRED WATER 

A Devotion by April Reese 

St. Paul’s Marion Station 

“I sat down and enjoyed 

what seemed to be a private 

screening of nature’s 

special performance.” 

One recent summer evening while 

paddle boarding off the tiny beach 

behind my house, I experienced 

a dynamic spiritual encounter. I 

remember it was an especially pretty 

evening with the gentle wind forming 

delicate ripples in the water. I headed 

out just before sunset, as I usually do, 

to watch the sun slowly disappear into 

the bay. The reflection of the sun was 

bouncing red and orange brilliance 

off the water. I stopped paddling 

and drifted, a bit in awe amidst the 

spectacular show unfolding before my 

eyes. Then I heard what sounded like 

music in the varied calls of ducks, geese, 

seagulls and some other waterfowl I 

didn’t recognize. As I looked around I 

became aware of the sight and sound 

of splashing from schools of feeder fish 

attempting to avoid their fateful link 

in the food chain. The effect was as 

if I were floating in an enormous pot 

brought to a rolling boil by the heat 

of the slowly submerging sun. I sat 

down and enjoyed what seemed to be 

a private screening of nature’s special 

performance. 

In a matter of minutes that could have 

been hours, the sun slipped below the 

liquid horizon and all activity from 

the fish and birds slowly dwindled into 

silence, like a movie theatre after the 

curtains have closed and the audience 

has left. Turning around to paddle 

home in solitude, I was stunned to see 

a bright full moon already hanging 

like a lantern, low and large, to light 

my way. The moonlight danced along 

a path on the water leading me home. 

Any concerns I might have had about 

losing my direction in the dark were 

alleviated. 

As I reflect on that beautiful evening, I 

am reminded of just how awesome the 

works of God’s hands truly are. 

What a blessing to be in these natural 

surroundings and to be called as a 

direct participant in witnessing and in 

sharing the glory of God. His “sacred 

creation” is surely evidence of his great 

love and grace that nourishes and 

elevates the soul. 

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, 

which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man 

that you care for him? You make him a little lower than the heavenly beings, and 

crowned him with glory and honor“ (Psalm 8, Verse 3-5). 

12 13

150th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 

Reflecting on Convention Weekend

Youth @ Convention Weekend 

This year as the church celebrated 

the 150th year of our Diocese at 

Convention, so did the youth. The 

theme for their Youth @ Convention 

weekend was “Grace Upon Grace.” 

They heard messages about God’s 

grace, spent time in small groups 

discussing grace, worked on applying 

grace in their own lives, played games, 

swam, laughed and more during this 

two-night weekend event. 

This year’s special feature for Youth@ 

Convention was a breakout session 

where they learned to express worship 

My Experience at Convention 

My name is Amanda Dolle and I have 

been with the Christ Church Easton 

youth group for nearly 2 years now. 

I have always had trouble with social 

situations and for me and my mom, 

when I just started going to Christ 

Church, the pieces were just starting 

to come together. Later in 2018 I was 

diagnosed with ASD (Autism) and 

just recently absence seizures. My 

health issues have been a big deal 

for me and being in and out of the 

hospital is not fun. Youth group has 

brought out the best in me. I am so 

grateful to have met so many new 

friends and many people to talk to 

and trust. 

by Kelsey Spiker 

by Amanda Dolle 

through painting. They worked with 

artist April Knight who helped to 

bring their picture of “What Grace 

Looks Like” to life. The youth worked 

together during Sunday’s Service 

to paint 6 individual canvases that 

came together to make a large mural 

(pictured left). 

Many of the youth also met the 

Presiding Bishop during Sunday’s 

service! How cool!? 

Peace & Love. Kelsey Spiker, Youth 

and Family Minister 

about and under-estimate a lot. Most 

importantly, this weekend I learned 

that grace is a gift, not something you 

earn, so no matter how much you sin 

or how much you try to serve God in 

life, He will always give you grace. 

Anyone who knows me, knows 

that I love music (everything and 

anything), and that I play several 

instruments. I was a little leary to 

attend the weekend this year. I did 

not feel well all weekend, but when I 

found out they were going to have a 

mini-orchestra up at the front of the 

ballroom playing with the choir for 

the Sunday service. I knew God had 

given me grace. It was fun to watch so 

many talented people perform. 

CONVENTION PHOTOS: 

PAGE 16/17 :Presidng Bishiop 

Michael Curry preaches during the 

Closing Eucharist. 

PAGE 18 TOP LEFT: Jerusalem 

Greer, Stephanie Spellers, and 

Jay Sidebotham headline at the 

Evangelism Conference on Saturday. 

PAGE 18 TOP RIGHT: Bishop 

San closes out the Evangelism 

Conference with a presentation on 

Mission. 

PAGE 18 BOTTOM LEFT: Ms. 

Gwendolyn Briley Strand took us on 

a riveting journey through the life of 

Harriet Tubman. 

PAGE 18 BOTTOM RIGHT: A view of 

the hubub in the hallway. 

PAGE 19 TOP LEFT: The Sagrada 

Familia de Jesus officially became 

the 40th worshipping community in 

our Diocese during the Eucharist. 

PAGE 19 TOP RIGHT: Amy Morgan 

leads a huge choir with singers and 

musicians from around the Diocese. 

PAGE 19 BOTTOM: Bishop San and 

our local clergy pose with visiting 

Bishops and PB Curry. 

OPPOSITE PAGE TOP: Youth @ 

Convention show off their canvas 

paintings. 

OPPOSITE PAGE LEFT: The Youth 

Band lead worship during one of 3 

“Big Room” sessions learning about 

Grace. 

OPPOSITE PAGE RIGHT: Youth, under 

During our Youth @ Convention 

the tutelage of worship artist April 

weekend the the theme was “Grace 

Knight, work on a mural during 

Even though I did not feel the best 

Upon Grace” and we learned the way 

the first part of the Celebration 

I had a great experience. I am so 

of God’s grace. For me the concept 

Eucharist. 

thankful to Ms. Susie for supporting 

of grace is different from the things 

me while I was not feeling the best, 

OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM: The 

we often hear about such as love and 

and also to Kelsey for encouraging me 

completed mural painted by the 

peace. I think of grace as something 

Youth @ Convention. 

to write this, Thank You. 

that we Christians don’t hear enough 

18 19

What Does the Cradle Represent in Your Faith Journey? 

I recently returned from our 

Diocesan Convention where I 

experienced the joy of Christian 

companionship in worship and 

the inspiration of the Spirit with 

a serving of holy sausage making 

in the form of church business 

added in for good measure. As 

I struggled to keep my focus 

during the business sessions, 

I found myself noticing some 

things people said with new 

interest. During the debates 

and discussions of amendments 

to the constitution and canons, 

I recognized an old saying in a 

new way. 

During one discussion, a mature 

woman of quite proper bearing 

approached the microphone 

to speak. She began with this 

forthright statement: “I am 

a cradle Episcopalian”. That 

opening line lingered with me to 

the point that I hardly remember 

anything else she said. 

I was stuck on that phrase 

because I remembered hearing 

it spoken from the floor, at least 

once, from every convention 

I have attended over the last 

decade. 

(Doubtless, you have heard 

that line before as well.) Now, 

however, I couldn’t get that 

affirmation out of my mind. 

What was she saying with this 

preface? What image was she 

hoping to set in the minds of 

the audience? What weight 

by Tom Schuster, St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Ocean City 

had she just lined up behind 

the statements she was about to 

make? 

I must admit her proclamation 

gave me a chilled feeling of 

inferiority. I can’t make that 

same cradle claim. 

I come to the Episcopal Church 

from earnest travels through 

other Christian traditions. I 

was formed in faith as a child 

from my parents’ Christian 

tradition. I was baptized 

as an infant, confirmed as 

a child and remained in a 

church environment to young 

adulthood. In college I drifted 

along paying more attention to 

secular things. After marriage, I 

began a transformational period 

of examination of faith and 

purpose. Eventually, after the 

birth of two children and moving 

several times, we arrived at our 

current spiritual home. 

We embraced the Episcopal 

Church after our move to Ohio 

in 1995. We were welcomed 

and embraced in return by the 

congregation of Christ Church, 

Hudson. And when hardship 

struck our family in 1997, the 

leaders and members of that 

congregation lifted us up in ways 

we can never fully repay. 

Now, 24 years after Christ 

Church Hudson, I think 

about that phrase “Cradle 

Episcopalian” and wonder if my 

place in this faith tradition is 

different from that woman who 

spoke at the convention? Are 

there membership categories in 

the Episcopal Church? Is there 

some type of seniority system at 

work in our church? Did I join 

in this Episcopal community too 

late in the day? 

On reflection, I have to go to 

my source document, the New 

Testament, for my answer. In 

the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 

20, Jesus tells the parable of the 

laborers in the vineyard. At the 

end of the parable, the laborers 

who went into the vineyard in 

the early morning “grumbled at 

the landlord” when they received 

their pay. “Friend, I am doing 

you no wrong”, the landlord says 

and concludes with “I choose to 

give this last the same as I give 

you.” 

I know I am not the last to come 

into the vineyard that is the 

Episcopal tradition. I also know 

I am not a cradle Episcopalian. 

But I do know I have been a 

laborer in Jesus’s vineyard from 

my earliest days and am proud 

to proclaim myself a Cradle 

Christian. 

God gives grace fully and 

unconditionally to each of us. 

When and how we accept grace 

is our own choice. So, let each of 

us accept God’s grace in our own 

way and time. Pray that we may 

all go forth to proclaim God in 

Jesus Christ in this vineyard we 

all share. 

Spanish Translation. Continued from page 6... 

La Sagrada Familia De Jesus 

by The Rev. Dr. Thom Sinnot 

El 3 de marzo de 2019, una nueva congregación 

misionera de la parroquia de Shrewsbury, 

Kennedyville, fue oficialmente bienvenida como la 

quarenta congregación de la Diócesis de Easton. En 

nombre de la Iglesia Episcopal, el Obispo Santosh 

K. Marray y el Obispo Presidente Michael B. Curry 

recibieron la Sagrada Familia de Jesús y su Fundador 

de la Misión Vicario Thomas G. Sinnott. 

El origen de la misión se remonta a más de 

20 años, ya que St. Andrew, Suddlersville y la 

Iglesia Parroquial de Shrewsbury quando se 

comprometieron en la hospitalidad y el ministerio 

pastoral con los residentes de habla Español en los 

condados Kent y de Queen Anne’s counties. Los 

Padres William Chilton, Thomas Hughes, Thomas 

Sinnott, la líder laica Carol Orange y la gente de 

Shrewsbury apoyaron generosamente este ministerio 

por muchos años. 

Después de su elección en 2017, el obispo Murray 

ofreció su visión, liderazgo y apoyo a la formación 

de esta nueva congregación. “La Sagrada Familia 

de Jesús es una comunidad cristiana acogedora: 

“Comprometida con la misión de Dios, siguiendo el 

Camino de Jesús y fortalecida por el Espíritu Santo. 

El ministerio de adoración, servicio, testimonio, 

aprendizaje y apoyo se esfuerza por llevar la paz y 

la justicia a todos los que residen en este parroquia 

sin límites”. (Declaración de la misión de la 

congregación) 

Este año todo es un “evento por primera vez”, 

el Padre. Sinnott dice. “Este trabajo ha sido 

realizado por la Iglesia desde su fundación en el 

Día de Pentecostés. Somos la próxima generación 

escuchando el llamado del Espíritu de que a todos 

“en nuestro propio idioma les escuchamos hablar 

sobre los actos de poder de Dios (Hechos 1:12)”. 

La Sagrada Familia de Jesús trabajará con sus 

compañeros para alcanzar sus objetivos inmediatos 

de: aumentar su membresía, establecer un programa 

de educación cristiana y buscar un desarrollador de 

misión de habla nativa. Por favor, siempre tenga a la 

congregación en sus oraciones. 

NEXT ISSUE 

SHARE JESUS LOVE: 

• Hear from five more of our Churches 

• Camp Agape is Still Going Strong 

• A Life Changing Summer at Camp Wright 

• Peru Mission Team: God’s Love on the Miranon River 

• Submit for Consideration to: 

joanne@dioceseofeaston.org 

NOTABLE DATES 

August 1-4 

EYES TO SEE - A HOME BASED MISSION 

Teens and tweens ages 10 to rising High School Seniors are 

invited to join the Christ Church Youth Group for a 4-day 

opportunity to serve locally. 

September 10th 

CLERICUS 

The monthly gathering of clergy in the Diocese. 


EVANGELISM - THE JOURNEY CONTINUES 

The next installment of the Evangelism series begun at 

Convention. Newcomers welcome. 


WARDENS & TREASURERS CONFERENCE 

This annual event is for Wardens and Treasurers to learn 

more about the ins, outs, & expectations of their roles. For 

both new and seasoned wardens & treasurers. 

October 5th 

BISHOP’S INSTITUTE LAUNCH 

Join us for a special Eucharist and celebration of the launch 

of the Bishop’s Institute. 

October 11-14 

TRAIL TO TRUTH YOUTH PILGRIMAGE 

Youth from around Province III will travel between 

Washington DC and Philadelphia to continue the work of 

racial reconciliation in our communities. 

The Bray House (Offices of the Bishop) will be closed on 

Friday afternoons during the summer. 

SIGN UP FOR THE BI-WEEKLY ENEWS 

dioceseofeaston.org 

20 21

The Episcopal Diocese of Easton 

314 North Street 

Easton, MD 21601 

410-822-1919 

dioceseofeaston.org 

To All Our Campers and Staffers: 

HAVE FUN & CAMP WRIGHT! 

22

Eastern Shore Episcopalian - Summer 2019

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