"Congregational Life" Theme of Diocesan Annual Convention in Mansfield

On November 4-5, 2005, approximately 650 clergy and delegates and other congregational members convened at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, Massachusetts for the 220th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.

The opening session on Friday afternoon, November 4, largely was devoted to the formal business agenda. At the outset of Bishop Shaw's address to the convention, he introduced State Senator Jarrett Barrios from Somerville, who spoke briefly to the convention regarding public policy initiatives. Later during in his address, he introduced the Rev. Mario Ribas, missioner in the Diocese from Brazil, who spoke briefly regarding his missionary activities with the Brazilian community residing in the Diocese.

In Bishop Shaw's remarks, he reported on his trip this past August to Africa with a delegation from the Diocese, which visited Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to view first-hand the disastrous effects that AIDS has had on the population of these countries as well as through out Africa. In the course of his report, he honored a youth from Calvary Church, Danvers, who raised over $2,200 through lemonade sales that Bishop Shaw delivered to an orphanage in Kenya visited by the delegation. Bishop Shaw also showed a video of him and other members of the delegation visiting the orphanage.

Other matters covered by Bishop Shaw were progress of the diocesan 10-year mission strategy that was launched at the 2003 convention, including development of an urban ministry that was highlighted with the announcement of the establishment of the Urban Training Center and appointment and introduction of the Rev. Gregory Jacobs as Staff Officer of Urban Congregations and Ministry Development. Bishop Shaw mentioned progress on other mission strategy goals, including increased attendance and stewardship at several congregations, which Bishop Shaw attributes to a growing sense of community.

In a continuation of his address at the Saturday session, Bishop Shaw reported on the establishment of a new campus ministry at Boston College and two-year exploration of a campus ministry at Framingham State College. Chaplains and students involved in existing campus ministries at MIT, Boston University and UMASS Dartmouth were introduced and applauded.

Bishop Shaw also reported on the response of the Diocese to churches in the Gulf Coast affected by the recent hurricanes and introduced the Rev. Harold Roberts, Rector of the Church of the Redeemer, Biloxi, Mississippi, who addressed the convention and showed a short video of the devastation caused by the hurricanes.

Bishop Shaw responded to concerns about the tensions within the Anglican Communion due to the ordination of Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire, who is the only openly gay bishop. Bishop Shaw spoke of assurances that he has received from several African bishops, whom he had met on his recent trip, who stressed the importance of the Anglican Communion over differences regarding particular issues.

Finally, Bishop Shaw announced that he is commencing a five month sabbatical following the convention, which will consist of travel, study, time on retreat and teaching.

Following Bishop Shaw's address, John Erdman, Executor Director of the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, gave his report to the convention, which included a performance by members of the camp choir.

There was also a presentation by representatives of Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light, including Steve MacAusland.

In concluding remarks on Saturday, Bishop Shaw asked for approval of a resolution that called for convention delegates to report to their congregations before the first Sunday in Advent on "the teaching, goals and work related to the diocesan mission strategy" and to register with the Office of the Bishops on or before January 1, 2006 "how and when the report was made and any resulting insights or responses gained by their congregations."

Other business considered by the delegates was approval of the $7.4 million diocesan budget, including resolutions on clergy compensation and benefits, and election of clerical and lay deputies to the General Convention, clerical members of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, members of the board of directors of the Barbara C. Harris Center and various other diocesan offices, including the Secretary to the Convention and Treasurer of the Diocese.

Two resolutions were also considered by the convention: A resolution repudiating Anti-Semitism and a resolution for the General Convention and the House of Bishops to Affirm the Recommendations of the Windsor Report. The convention voted in favor of the first resolution as amended to broaden its scope beyond the worldwide and local resurgence of anti-Semitism, but as well to call upon the 75th General Convention Standing Committee on Music and Liturgy to prepare a report on the problem of liturgical texts which can function to promote or maintain anti Jewish prejudice. The convention approved a substitute motion on the Windsor Report that instead encourages study and dialogue at the congregational level regarding the Windsor Report and the issues that led to it. Although debate pro and con regarding both resolutions was passionate, it was marked by respect and civility.

The theme of the convention was congregational life, which was the focus of a luncheon discussion on Friday with Diana Butler Bass, Ph. D, author of The Practicing Congregation, who was also the keynote speaker at the Saturday session to which congregations were urged to bring non-delegate members. In her address on Saturday, Dr. Bass spoke of her study of 50 mainline churches which led to findings that churches with an emphasis on tradition, faithfulness and wisdom, not certainty, are attracting new members and growing compared to churches with an emphasis on programs. Churches that are growing Dr. Bass described as "communities finding common cause in a voice of faithfulness and working together." or "remembering," "doing" and "knowing God themselves."

The Friday session closed with Evening Worship and the Saturday session opened with the Celebration of Holy Eucharist. In place of sermons were short plays performed by the New England-based unit of the Covenant Players, an international repertory company that performs plays, which they describe "challenge people to take a closer look at themselves and the practice of their faith." Following the Friday session was a dinner at which George Kidder was honored for his many years of service as Chancellor of the Diocese.

John V. Woodard
St. Paul's Church, Dedahm
Deanery Representative and Convention Delegate