2012:
Bishop Wayne Wright
This Week
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- Bishop's Address: Click here to read Bishop Wright's address to the most recent Diocesan Convention.
Photo by Dreme Whitehurst.
February 15, 2012
Our 227th Diocesan Convention concluded on Saturday afternoon. Thank you for your support and for taking the time to participate in such a good event. The positive spirit was obvious. The Sheraton Dover Hotel is a convenient location, well suited for our meeting.
The Bishop's staff and a large group of volunteers from Christ Church, Delaware City and St. John the Baptist, Milton organized hospitality, arrangements, and logistics for the convention. Thanks go to members of Diocesan Council's Convention Committee for their help with planning; and, Patty Downing and Terry Gaus-Woollen for their help with worship and music. Special thanks go to Cynde Bimbi, our new Convention Secretary, for her leadership in organizing Convention and to the Bishop's Staff for their hard work. We were blessed to welcome Bishop Michael Curry to our diocese. He engaged us in such a vital and hopeful way. He is clearly someone who is "not afraid to preach the Gospel." [Click here to listen to Bishop Curry's sermon.]
The Diocesan Convention elected members to our governing bodies. Thanks to all who offered themselves for election and to Dan Saunders and members of the Elections Committee for organizing the balloting. Click here to see the committee election results.
To see copies of resolutions from convention, click here.
To listen to my annual Bishop's Address, click here.
Walt Cheatham, our Diocesan Treasurer, and Judi Gregory, our Business Manager, presented a balanced budget to the convention. Many worked together in order to make this possible. We are grateful to wardens, treasurers, and vestries for their support of our life together. This is recognized and appreciated. I am also grateful to staff, trustees, and members of the Finance Committee for much hard work in shaping budgets and reducing expenses. All this is a reflection of our long term commitment that the Diocese of Delaware should be a source of stability and strength for the mission of the church.
At Convention Russ Bohner distributed a handout inviting congregations to take part in the "90 Day Bible Challenge." Several of our parishes have already participated in this interesting program. Shortly you will be receiving additional information about how to involve your congregation.
On Sunday morning I visited Christ Church, Delaware City. That afternoon I made a hurried trip to Christiana Hospital to be with Nan and Simon Mein and their family. We mourn the loss of Simon. He was a remarkable man and a great priest. Plans for his memorial service will be announced when they are complete. May he rest in peace.
February 14, 2012
I write with sad news. Simon Mein was seriously injured in an automobile accident while on his way home from the Diocesan Convention on Saturday. He died on Sunday afternoon. I was with his wife, Nan, and family when he died.
Simon was ordained a priest in the Church of England. He had a distinguished career on the faculty and as dean of Kellam Theological College. He came to Delaware in 1972 to serve as chaplain at St. Andrew's School. For twenty years he guided the religious mission of the school. His ministry profoundly influenced a generation of students, faculty, and staff. Following retirement he served several Delaware congregations, most recently as associate at All Saints, Rehoboth and St. George's, Harbeson.
Simon will be remembered for his passionate belief to a faith expressed with intellectual integrity, his deep learning, and commitment to an ethical life. He was a good friend and teacher to many of us.
Services for Simon Mein have been scheduled for Thursday, February 23, at 2:30 p.m. in the St. Andrew's School Chapel. The chapel is located on the ground floor of Founder's Hall, the central building on the St. Andrew's campus. Bishop Wright will be the celebrant. Our prayers are with Nan and their family as they mourn this loss. May he rest in peace.
Faithfully, Wayne Wright, Bishop of Delaware
February 11, 2012
AUDIO RECORDING: Click here to listen to Bishop Wright's 20-minute address to the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware meeting in convention. This .MP3 recording begins with laughter as Bishop Wright remembers the recent failed predictions by some of The Rapture. He goes on to talk about finances in the year to come, the closing of the Cathedral Church of Saint John, the move of the Cathedral Choir School to a new home, a recent day-long tour of Delaware, and the success of our advocacy of same-sex unions. His address ends with a call to the State of Delaware to place a moratorium on executions.
February 8, 2012
Clergy, lay delegates, and guests are about to gather for our 227th Diocesan Convention. We look forward to welcoming Bishop Michael Curry from the Diocese of North Carolina. He is a powerful speaker with a warm, embracing faithful message. On Friday evening and again on Saturday morning he will address the convention theme "Hope and Perseverance."
We are meeting again at the Dover Sheraton. Your feedback from last year suggests that this is a good venue for our annual meeting. Changes in the convention format provide more time with our speaker, opportunities for worship, and more time to be together with friends and to complete diocesan business. Don't forget that there will be a special orientation session on Friday at 2:00 p.m. for new delegates and for others attending the convention for the first time. Special thanks go to our host congregations, the Convention Committee of Diocesan Council, and the Bishop's staff for all that they are doing to help us prepare for what will be another good convention.
This coming Sunday I will be visiting Christ Church, Delaware City.
Faithfully, Wayne Wright, Bishop of Delaware
February 2, 2012
The Rev. Fred VanderPoel died Monday, January 30, 2012. He served as the Bishop's Assistant for Congregational Development and as Vicar of St. Stephen's, Harrington from 1989-1992. Following his retirement he served for five years at St. Philip's, Laurel. He went on to serve as an interim priest in several congregations before moving with this wife, Martha, to a retirement community in Lititz, PA. Before coming to Delaware, Fred had a long career in ministry. He studied at the Philadelphia Divinity School and was ordained in 1957. He served parishes in Missouri, Pittsburgh, and Maryland. Services will be on Saturday, February 11 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James' Episcopal Church, Lancaster, PA. Our prayers are with Martha and their family as they mourn this loss. May he rest in peace.
Faithfully, Wayne Wright, Bishop of Delaware
February 1, 2012
At last week's Priest's Conference there was much conversation about how to become more knowledgeable and involved in ministries to immigrants and their families. I promised to write something about opportunities here in Delaware.
In New Castle County, by far, the best opportunity to learn about immigration and related issues is to visit the Latino congregation at Trinity Parish, Wilmington. For almost 20 years, Trinity has been the home for Spanish-speaking ministry in Center City Wilmington. The growing congregation serves as a hub for outreach and service to this community. Be in touch with Juan George or Patty Downing if you would like to learn more.
In the mid-1990s, our diocese played an important role in helping to found La Esperanza, a community service organization for the immigrant community in Sussex County. La Esperanza is based in Georgetown and offers a wide variety of programs and services. This vital ministry still needs our involvement and support.
Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) is a program of the Episcopal Church. Last year EMM assisted 3,600 refugees in finding new homes here in the United States. There are always opportunities for local congregations, families, and individuals to become involved. Here is a link to the website of this nationally recognized ministry of our church:
This coming Sunday I will be visiting St. David's, Brandywine Hundred.
Faithfully, Wayne Wright, Bishop of Delaware
January 26, 2012
Thanks to everyone for making it a priority to attend the ordinations this past weekend. We are grateful to St. Anne's School, All Saints', Delmar, and St. Philip's, Laurel for their hospitality and warm welcome. Our prayers are with Gary Taylor and Ken Athey as they begin their new ministries.
The Middletown Transcript had an excellent article about the ordination of Gary Taylor at St. Anne's. Click here to take a look. We will post photos from Ken Athey's ordination on this website when they become available.
It was good being with our priests for the annual Winter Conference. Our theme this year was "Creativity." Thanks go to Cynde Bimbi and the Priestly Formation Committee for all that they do to make this event possible.
On the conference's second evening we watched the movie "The Visitor." This sparked conversation about our church and the need to be involved in immigrant and migration ministries. Next week I will share more detailed information about opportunities here in Delaware.
Elizabeth Masterson reminded us about Maria and Joseph Tucker and their mission to Sierra Leone. I recently received a report from them about their mission trip to the Diocese of Bo, Sierra Leone. The Tuckers were able to stay in Sierra Leone from almost six months. On this trip they focused on developing a sustainable agriculture program. Working with the Parish of St. Stephen's, they started a farm project to increase production of rice, cassava, and bananas. They established a fund to assist in purchasing seeds and helped to buy a small plot of land to grow seedlings for transplantation on neighboring farms. The civil war in Sierra Leone significantly affected the nation's ability to feed itself. Programs like these are vitally important in the ongoing recovery. The Tuckers mission to Sierra Leone is supported by the Episcopal Church and by many Episcopalians here in Delaware. We are happy that the Tuckers have returned after such a successful trip.
This coming Sunday I will be visiting St. Luke's, Seaford.
January 18, 2012
"And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8
This morning's Wilmington News Journal announced that Governor Markell has commuted the death sentence of Robert A. Gattis. Underlining the importance of Markell's decision, the News Journal reminded readers that this "is the first time in modern memory, and perhaps the first time ever, that a Delaware governor has commuted a death sentence to life in prison." In making his decision, the governor cited the "unusual and perhaps historic" recommendation of the Delaware Board of Pardons to offer Gattis mercy.
Underlying these decisions was months of preparation and advocacy by the pro bono attorneys representing Robert Gattis. Citizens from around Delaware including inter-faith leaders and members of the Episcopal Church petitioned our governor and the Board of Pardons to take this step. Such commitment and dedication are to be commended and appreciated.
The words of the ancient Hebrew prophet, Micah, continue to echo down the ages. While societies must live justly, we must also love mercy. Today these words have been fulfilled in our midst. Thanks be to God.
Dustin Trowbridge has accepted a call to serve as priest-in-charge of St. George's, Newburgh and St. Thomas', New Windsor. Both of these parishes are in the Diocese of New York. He will begin his new ministry this coming Lent. Dustin was ordained to the priesthood here in Delaware and has been serving as priest associate at Trinity Parish, Wilmington. We wish him the very best and many blessings in this new ministry.
The coming Sunday I will be visiting St. Albans, Brandywine Hundred.
Faithfully, Wayne Wright, Bishop of Delaware
January 11, 2012
Greetings! I hope that everyone enjoyed a very good holiday season. We look forward to many blessings in this new calendar year.
There are several important events coming up in the next weeks. Don't forget that we have two ordinations scheduled in the middle of this month. On Friday, January 20, 1:30 pm Gary Taylor will be ordained to the priesthood at St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middletown. Gary will be serving as chaplain at St. Anne's School. He is from the Diocese of Connecticut and recently graduated from Virginia Seminary. Dean Ian Markham will be the preacher. On Saturday, January 21 at 11 a.m. Ken Athey will be ordained to the priesthood at All Saints Church, Delmar. Ken is also a graduate of Virginia Seminary. He will be serving at All Saints following his ordination. Oran Warder, an old friend of our diocese, will be the preacher. The presence of clergy from around the diocese at these events is a great blessing. We look forward to seeing you.
The annual Winter Priest's Conference is coming up at the Pendle Hill Conference Center, January 23-35. This event has become increasingly important in strengthening the spirit of collegiality among our clergy here in Delaware. Thanks to the diocesan Priestly Formation Committee and to Cynde Bimbi for all that they do to make this possible.
I am happy to report that during 2011 Episcopalians across Delaware have contributed $19,204.00 to the Bishop's Mission Fund – a very significant amount. This year's collection is being sent to the Diocese of Haiti. It will help rebuild Episcopal churches and other ministries damaged in the recent devastating earthquake. Thank you for encouraging so many to support the Bishop's Mission Fund and thanks to all for your generous gifts.
Two of our congregations, St. Peter's, Smyrna and Immanuel on the Green, New Castle have begun interviewing candidates to serve as their next rector. Please keep these congregations and the candidates in your prayers during such an important time.
This coming Sunday I will be visiting St. James' Church, Newport.
Faithfully, Wayne Wright, Bishop of Delaware
Other Years: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007