Convocation Newsletter
February 16, 2022
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Our Regular Newsletter
for Members and Friends of
The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe
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In this issue:
Clergy Transitions: Cathedral Dean Retires
Convocation News:
"Heads of Ministry" meeting and Convention planning
Lent: Watch for Lent Sur La Table on Wednesdays in Lent
Holy Week: Joint Chrism Eucharist in Paris
APL: Several on-line offering coming up!
Mission Fest: Register fo this in-person event
General Convention: Our deputation is working
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O God, by your grace you have called us in this Convocation to a goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our Presiding Bishop Michael, and our Bishop Mark, other clergy, and all our people. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for the Convocation
Adapted from A Prayer for the Diocese, BCP p. 817
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Clergy Transitions: Cathedral Dean to Retire |
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The Very Rev. Lucinda Laird Retires March 1st, after 9 Years as Dean of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Paris |
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In a letter to the cathedral parish on Advent I, November 28, 2021, she wrote:
Dear friends,
Today marks the beginning of a new church year, and some new beginnings for the Cathedral and for me. With very mixed emotions of thankfulness, sadness and anticipation, I am writing to tell you that I will be retiring as Dean of the American Cathedral as of March 1st,, 2022. My last day in the office will be February 12th, and my last Sunday worshipping with you will be February 20th.
I have been here for nine wonderful, exciting, and challenging years. Together we have laughed and cried, struggled and hoped, taken care of each other and reached out beyond our walls. We have been together through the Charlie Hebdo and Bataclan terrorist acts, the fire at Notre Dame and a global pandemic. Most importantly, we have worshipped together and been fed at God’s altar, week after week, even when we had to do it virtually. In Christ, we have found community, and formed bonds that are indissoluble.
When I came nine years ago, I wrote in Trinité that I felt I was beginning a great adventure, and a journey of faith with you. It has been an extraordinary journey, and I am very grateful. Being your Dean has been an honor and a privilege. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I wrote then that I was coming with great joy, but I also mentioned the deep sadness I felt at leaving my previous church community. This is true again, and is probably the worst thing about being a priest: having to leave a beloved community when one leaves a job. As church custom and canons require, I will have to leave completely, and not be involved with this church or community for several years.
I can’t begin to tell you how very much I will miss this Cathedral. I will miss Paris, this beautiful space, and our incredible liturgy and music, but most of all I will miss YOU. This is a unique, diverse, quirky, creative, joyful, thoughtful, and caring community. You will always be in my heart and in my prayers.
These years have been rich. I have not done everything I had hoped to do, but then who knew about Covid? On the other hand, we have grown in new and unexpected ways, and done things we never imagined. I know I am leaving a strong and faithful community that will continue to grow and thrive. Please know that I will be praying and cheering you on from afar. Your wardens and vestry are beginning to make plans for the transition, and I can assure you that things are well in hand.
We have almost three months to continue to live and worship together, and to say goodbye. I’m looking forward to sharing some of my retirement plans with you, and I am especially looking forward to celebrating Christmas together. But now it is Advent, a time of hope and anticipation, and that is what we will be about.
With love, and in Christ’s love,
Lucinda+
Previously, Dean Laird served for 15 years as Rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Louisville, KY, and for 11 years as Rector of St. Mark’s Church in Teaneck, NJ, serving in leadership positions in both dioceses. She has been active in the national Episcopal Church as a five time deputy to General Convention, and as a member of the Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations.
She has also served on the Board of Trustees of The General Theological Seminary, the Board of Trustees of Berea College (Kentucky), and on the faculty of the Preaching Excellence Program.
A native of New Orleans, Dean Laird holds a B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University, and an M.Div. from The General Theological Seminary. She is also a Kentucky Colonel, the highest title of honor given by the governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding public service to a community, state or the nation.
"Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21)
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Council of Advice and "Heads of Ministry"
- The Bishop and Council will meet monthly on-line, and twice yearly they will meet in-person together with wider "heads of ministry" group.
- This wider group includes, heads of commissions, committees, and ministry initiatives of the convocation. It also includes the convocation officers and staff.
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This wider group met on-line in January and will meet (D.v.) in-person March 24-26 in Munich. Please keep them in your prayers.
Convocation Convention Planning Commission
Our next Convention will be hosted by Christ Church in Clermont-Ferrand in central France, October 27-29, 2022.
By action of the Council of Advice, the bishop and Council convene and commission this committee to undertake:
- A full-scale review of the annual Convention and
- Make recommendations about the planning, hosting, venue, and content of future Conventions, with specific reference to the 2022 Convention
By joint appointment of the Bishop and Council, the committee members are:
- Richard Cole, Secretary of Convention
- Maleah Rios, Digital Ministry Coordinator
- Sophie Plé, Canon for Administration
- Walter Baer, Archdeacon
- Pippa Mahoney, Christ Church, Clermont-Ferrand
- Audrey Shankles, Communications
- Lois Stuckenbruck, Liaison from the Council of Advice
- Vince Racana, impresario adviser
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Mark Your Calendars.... briefly noted: |
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Lent: Watch for Lent Sur La Table on Wednesdays in Lent
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There will soon be a separate mailing for this year's "Lent Sur La Table." This year we will meet on Wednesday evenings for five weeks March 9 to April 6.
Holy Week: Joint Chrism Eucharist in Paris
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On Holy Wednesday, April 13 at 11:00 a.m., Bishop Mark Edington and the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity will host a joint Chrism Eucharist and Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows for the clergy of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and the Church of England's Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe. Clergy from both churches will be present. Bishop Robert Innes and Bishop Mark will be leading the service. The service is open to all.
Academy for Parish Leadership (APL): Several on-line offerings are coming up this spring! Here is a tentative list of APL offerings:
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Details will be forthcoming from our European Institute for Christian Studies (EICS)
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May 20 - evening - Climate and Creation care - to be confirmed
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May 21 - 09.00-13.00 Children and Youth
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June 25 (to be confirmed) - Wardens, Treasurers, Clerks - for those in new roles, then work out regularly quarterly zoom meetings with topics of interest (or where they feel they need the most help)
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September - prayer through poetry or liturgy, during the Season of Creation
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October 1 - Session for Convention delegates and vestry leaders (thinking about Robert's Rules of Order).
Mission Fest: Register fo this in-person event June 10-12, 2022
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The long planned Mission Fest will take place in Augsburg, Germany. Lay and clergy from all our missions are encouraged to take part. Information and registration can be found here. Deadline for registration is March 31. The Mission Fest is sponsored by the Committee on Mission Congregations, and financial support for participation from each mission congregation is available.
General Convention:
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Our bishop and deputation are working hard in preparation for the 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, July 7-14, 2022 in Baltimore MD, USA. Legislative Committees are meeting in February and March. Bishop Mark and several deputies are on various of these committees.
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Bishop Mark sits in in the House of Bishops
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Our clergy and lay deputation sits in the House of Deputies, see here
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Our bishop and deputation will also attend the on-line Synod of Province II, The International Atlantic Province of the Episcopal Church, on Thursday, May 5.
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The Convocation of
Episcopal Churches in Europe
23 avenue George V
75008 Paris, France
+33 (0) 1 53 23 84 06
office@tec-europe.org
www.tec-europe.org
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...and it shall be that they shall bring to thee every great matter, and that they shall judge every small matter, and they shall lighten the task on thee, and they shall bear it with thee.
If thou do this thing, and God command thee so, thou wilt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
- Exodus 18:22b-23
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