More Sending & Serving (Covention Sat. Part 2)

After hearing from the parishes (see previous post), we heard a report from our brothers and sisters from the Gulf Coast. In the Diocese of Mississippi, about 199,000 homes were destroyed. Ninety-two thousand people are in FEMA housing or trailers. In New Orleans, 120,000 owner-occupied & 80,000 rental units were destroyed. As of now, 13 homeowners there have received checks to start their rebuilding. In this aftermath of Katrina, the people of faith who come to help are making a difference. The Gulf Coast is transitioning from relief to recovery efforts. This will be a long road, and one which we in Massachusetts have pledged to walk with our brothers & sisters in Mississippi and Louisiana.

One of the three speakers was a doctor who started and works in a health care clinic which has served the underprivileged in New Orleans for a number of years. They were one of the first and only health care facilities to re-open in the city after the hurricane. After 400 years of systemic injustice, our guests talked of how New Orleans will be rebuilt and will be a more inclusive, just & sustainable city.

At lunch, Andy, Ellie & Helen went to a presentation on our diocese's Jubilee Ministry and what different parishes in the diocese are doing to participate. We received a DVD with a short video that we look forward to sharing with all of you. There is so much we can do here in our parish and in our diocese to help our brothers and sisters in Africa.

After lunch, Bishop Shaw continued his presentation to Convention. We need each other to bring God's message of hope to our world. Shaw emphasized accountability. Being dependent on each other means being accountable to each other. Accountability is also a gift from the Holy Spirit. Mission strategy gives us a way to say 'yes' to what we feel called by God to do. It also gives a way to say 'no' to those things to which we are not called to do. Specifically, the Bishop sees our expansion into college ministries as part of the call of the Holy Spirit.

The Diocesan Treasurer then presented us with how we will measure progress of our mission strategy. This will allow us to gauge how effective we are being with the resources entrusted to our use. More details of the mechanics of the rubrics and metrics to be used will be presented at our diocesan gathering in March. We look to answer the question, 'Are we bearing fruit, fruit that will last?'

We also heard reports on the the Barbara C Harris Camp and the Cathedral. Did you know the Cathedral has the longest continually broadcast religious services on the radio? They have been broadcasting services since around 1930! (You can hear the broadcast on WCRB-102.5 FM early on Sunday mornings.)

Now...On to the Resolutions...

By now, many of you have read about the votes taken at Convention. If you haven't, our November Banner has a synopsis or you can read the official Diocesan report. Your delegates will be meeting to write up that portion of our experience. So stay tuned for more...