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News for the Weeks of
January 21 and 28, 2018
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" 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?'
Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
A few years ago, I led a women's bible study on forgiveness. One of the exercises that we did in the class was make a list of reasons why it is so difficult to forgive other people who have hurt us, angered us, or disappointed us. We came up with lots of reasons, a huge list actually, on one of those large flip-chart pages. We had a full page of reasons not to forgive and they sounded reasonable, like the other person isn't really sorry, the hurt was too deep, and they are just going to do it again. It wasn't a pretty list but it was honest.
After we finished the list about ourselves, then we started a list of reasons that God would have not to forgive us. We tried to think of reasons that God would have for giving up on a relationship with us. We tried to think of things that we might do that would cause God to hold a grudge against us. We couldn't think of any. It was embarrassing really. Here were the two lists side by side, one a very long list of human reasons for purposefully not being at peace with our neighbor, and the other a blank page. It was obvious to us that when it came to forgiveness, we were not living in a Christ-like manner.
But, offering someone the avenue that leads to forgiveness is difficult, sometimes it even looks impossible. So, frankly, why do it?
Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter, the Rev. Mpho Tutu, wrote a book on forgiveness, a subject that they have both have wrestled with after experiencing violence in their lives. Bishop Tutu writes, "Without forgiveness we remain tethered to the person who harmed us. We are bound with chains of bitterness, tied together, trapped. Until we can forgive the person who harmed us, that person will hold the keys to our happiness; that person will be our jailor. When we forgive, we take back control of our own fate and our feelings. We become our own liberators."[1]
He is saying that forgiveness is not only possible but essential for healing. Letting go of that negative connection with someone and offering forgiveness is freedom; freedom to live and breathe easier. This kind of freedom also offers space to enter into a new relationship with Christ, one where we aren't following our own desires but following God's desires instead. Repeatedly in the scriptures we are told to love one another and yet, that is a mandate from God that we, secretly, might not want to follow. It is really difficult to let go of those chains that bind us and begin to truly forgive one another.
The forgiveness that is needed for reconciliation is hard work. But, it is good work, necessary work. And yet it can begin in the most simple and honest way: forgiveness and moving towards reconciliation begins with prayer. Is there anyone who needs your forgiveness?
[1]
Desmond Tutu & Mpho Tutu, The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World, Harper One 2014, in Spirituality & Health, March/April 2014 p56
The Rev. Karen Workman Booth, Priest-in-Charge
Holy Trinity Church - Georgetown, The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington
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FORMATION DAY
AND
DIOCESAN CONVENTION
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REGISTER NOW for Formation Day, the Diocesan Convention, and the Diocesan Convention Choir!
To register, please click on the three links below:
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Diocesan Formation Opportunity
Friday, February 23, 2017, 2:30-7pm
This Diocesan Formation Day will center on the work of reconciliation and will include workshops, dinner, and brief evening worship. Our Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Allan Boesak, Theologian, Social Justice Advocate, and Anti-Apartheid Activist in South Africa.
Workshop topics include:
- Reconciliation through Artistic Expression in Parish and Beyond
- Reconciliation through Parish/Community Engagement
- Everyday Peacemaking with Sean Gladding
- Reflections on Traces of the Trade
The cost for this Diocesan Formation Day is $20. Please click here to register.
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The 122nd Convention of the Diocese of Lexington
Saturday, February 24, 2018
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DEADLINE FOR
NOMINATIONS:
JANUARY 19, 2018
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The Nominations Committee of the Diocese of Lexington is looking for candidates, who are communicants in good standing in their local churches, to stand for election for the following offices:
Standing Committee
,
Executive Council
and
Board of Trustees for the University of the South
.
LAST CALL for Nominations! The deadline is January 19, 2018. To fill out and submit the Nomination Form,
click here
.
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DEADLINE FOR
RESOLUTIONS:
FEBRUARY 9, 2018
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A Resolution is the legislative vehicle by which the Convention acts; it is the way we enact or change our church laws and practices.
Who can submit a Resolution to Diocesan Convention?
Any elected deputy, vestry member, or bishop's committee member from a parish or mission of the Diocese of Lexington, the Bishop, members of the Standing Committee, Executive Council, or the Officers of the Diocese may submit a resolution. However, every Resolution shall be sponsored by a Member {of Convention} who shall be present at Convention and prepared to move and speak in its favor. The Members of Convention include the Bishop, all Priests and Deacons canonically resident in the Diocese, and Lay Deputies elected from each Parish or Mission.
Is there a deadline for submitting a Resolution?
On or before the 15th day prior to the Convention.
The 2018 deadline is February 9.
Or, past that point, Resolutions may be submitted according to the Rules of Order of Convention: "Resolutions may be introduced during the Convention but may be acted upon only as follows: If introduced in the first business session of the Convention, the question before the Convention shall be whether the resolution shall be considered. Upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the delegates {deputies}, the resolution shall be referred to an appropriate Convention Committee for study and report to that Convention. Such resolutions that fail to receive the required vote, as well as resolutions introduced after close of the first business session of the Convention, shall not be considered. This rule shall not apply to resolutions of courtesy.
To whom should Resolutions be sent?
Address any resolutions in writing to the Secretary of Convention, care of the Administrative Assistant, Melanie Yankey, to
adminassist@diolex.org
, or mailed to PO Box 610, Lexington, KY 40588.
Where can I get more information about Resolutions?
- The Rules of Order for Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington
- The Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington (specifically Canon 1.09)
- More questions? Please contact Mission House, the offices of the Diocese of Lexington
859-252-6527 or the Canon to the Ordinary by email: elise@diolex.org
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In preparation for our one day convention on Saturday, February 24 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Winchester, we will again hold Pre-Convention Hearings for clergy, deputies/alternates to diocesan convention, and other interested people.
There are a few purposes of the Pre-Convention hearings. Deputies and clergy will have an opportunity to:
-- hear about and discuss any resolutions that are being presented to convention;
-- hear about those who are nominated for diocesan leadership roles (Executive Council, Standing Committee, Sewanee Trustee and General Convention Deputies);
-- hear and ask questions about the budget that was approved by Executive Council for affirmation from the Diocesan Convention;
-- and, for new deputies, be oriented to the work of the convention.
In order for us to have a one-day convention we highly encourage all clergy, deputies and alternates to attend one of the
five Pre-Convention Hearings:
| Sunday, Feb 11, 6:30 p.m. |
Good Shepherd, Lexington |
| Sunday, Feb 18, 3:00 p.m. |
St. Alban's, Morehead |
| Monday, Feb 19, 6:30 p.m. |
Trinity, Danville |
| Tuesday, Feb 20, 6:30 p.m. |
Trinity, Covington |
| Wednesday, Feb 21, 6:30 p.m. |
St. John's, Corbin |
If you have any questions about Pre-Convention hearings, please contact The Rev. Canon Elise Johnstone at
elise@diolex.org.
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ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE
STANDING COMMITTEE
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The Episcopal Election Planning Committee has created two documents to help the Diocese understand the process we've used to discern our next steps in electing our next Bishop Provisional:
- The Mini-Profile that was shared with the Office of Pastoral Development. This document has been well-received by the House of Bishops and is becoming a model for other Dioceses. Please click here to view and download the Mini-Profile.
- A Frequently Asked Questions page. This document includes a prayer for the election, information about our discernment process, and compensation information. Click here to view and download the Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have other questions, please contact a member of The Standing Committee. Their names are listed on the
Leadership page of diolex.org (click on the Standing Committee tab).
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The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Richmond, KY is currently seeking an Administrative Assistant. Please
click here to view and download this job description.
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Art at the Cathedral Gallery Hop and Arts Weekend
January 19-21, 2018
Please
click here to view and download the Arts Weekend event flyer.
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St. Andrew's Concert Series presents Ruth Bryan and Mary Brinkman
January 21, 2018 at 2pm
 Those who attended last year's Diocesan Convention at St. Michael's were blessed by the exquisite music of this exceptional duo! Ruth Bryan and Mary Brinkman will perform a full concert of contemplative and uplifting clarinet and piano music by Debussy, Douglas, Fauré, Finzi, Mozart, Stoltzman and Vaughn Williams. Parking is available in the Transylvania University parking lot across the street.
All are welcome! There is no charge for this concert, but donations will be gratefully accepted in support of the music program at St. Andrew's.
For more information please contact Lynn Vera, Music Director, at 727-644-1712 or
LynnVera@ymail.com.
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Weekly Eucharist at St. Augustine's
January 24, 2018 at 8am, and every Wednesday through the end of the semester
 Starting on January 24, 2018 and continuing through the end of the semester, St. A's will offer a quiet service of Holy Eucharist at 8:00 AM. The service will include some chant and time for reflection. Following the service there will be an opportunity for coffee and conversation.
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Organ Concert at Good Shepherd
January 26, 2018 at 7pm
Enjoy an evening of organ music with Jon Johnson. You will hear wonderful works by Bach, Hampton, Shearing, Vierne and others.
Suggested Donation of $20. All proceeds go toward the St. Alban's Choir Pilgrimage this upcoming summer.
Childcare provided.
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AGO Lexington Chapter presents January Jubilee
January 27, 2018, 8am-5pm
The Lexington Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is pleased to be hosting the AGO Great Lakes Region's 2018 January Jubilee! ALL church musicians from all denominations are invited to attend. This AGO Regional event will offer a full day of inspiration for the part-time or volunteer church musician, including 8 skill-enhancing workshops from which to choose, a choral music reading session, a music store display, catered lunch, a keynote speaker, and a closing organ recital.
Please click here to read more about this event on Facebook and learn how to register.
Questions? Please contact Dr. Larry Sharp, Jubilee Director, at agolarry@att.net.
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Sunday, January 21, 2018 (Third Sunday after the Epiphany)
St. James Church, Prestonsburg
The Rev. Sister Judy Yunker, Priest-in-Partnership
Sunday, January 28, 2018 (Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany)
St. Peter's Church, Paris
The Rev. Christina Brannock, Rector
Sunday, February 4, 2018 (Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany)
St. Thomas Church, Beattyville
The Ven. Bryant C. Kibler, Sr., Priest-in-Partnership
Sunday, February 11, 2018 (Last Sunday after the Epiphany)
The Church of Our Saviour, Madison County (Richmond)
The
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer is published on the
Resources page of the diocesan website under the "Resources for Worship" tab.
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To submit an event for publication in
DioLink and on diolex.org:
click here.
Please note that
submissions must be received by Tuesday evening
in order to be
included in that week's DioLink. The website is updated continually.
Thank you!
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