On the last weekend in February, Bishop Ed Leidel of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan spent two days working with the laity and clergy of the Diocese of El Camino Real. Over the weekend, there were approximately 50 clergy and 144 laity in attendance, with 37 congregations represented.
On Friday, February 25, Bishop Leidel met with current diocesan leaders to share the history and experience of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, especially in the areas of funding and structure. Like the Diocese of El Camino Real, Eastern Michigan is a very young diocese; with Bishop Leidel's as a guide, the diocese has worked to implement "grass-roots" ministry. Sample comments from post-meeting evaluations follow.
What about this day has been helpful?
Learning more about the necessity of shared leadership..... The modeling of a man who is a bishop who is comfortable in sharing authority, power, ministry.... I appreciated hearing details of a very different, convocation-centered model..... Reflection on a diocese similar to ours that seems to have healthy ways of relating and working together....Experiences in a diocese with similar origin, history, size, "demographics" in terms of geographical challenges, parish size, etc..... Just hearing about different diocesan structures and ways of doing things.... There are other ways of doing diocesan governance....ECR is not fulfilling her vision when founded.... The knowledge that our problems are not unique... The Bishop helps put everything in the perspective of Scripture; useful for getting us out of old patterns that do not work....
What key insight about ECR did you gain?
We still need healing and a new look at our organizations... Focus on deanery system - establish purpose, network, increase responsibility....We have more options than we thought.... Simplifying our structure... We are way too organized and compartmentalized.... That Eastern Michigan will not translate easily to El Camino Real... How we can structure our diocese under our next bishop to be more involving?... We can do it, too....
Note: A DVD of the Friday Conference will be sent to all delegates. Thanks go to St. Timothy's and St. Edward's for taking the video and editing it, burning the DVD and sending it out to congregations. (A complete set of evaluations has been posted on the ECR web site on the Diocesan Conferences page.)
On Saturday, February 26, all members of the diocese were invited to a workshop on "grass-roots spirituality," also led by Bishop Leidel. Sample comments follow.
What about this day has been helpful?
Meeting in community with Bishop Leidel.... Spending a Spirit-filled day as a diocesan community... Encouragement for our future as a diocese....Made us think about our role in the church and the diocese.... A useful reminder that change is inevitable and that hungering for a healthier future is a Godly desire.... Being together as community and as a diocese; hearing new things and old; pushing us forward to new beginnings... Fresh visions for our future discernment.... Talking with others, sharing ideas, knowing we're in the same place.... The idea that transitional time is holy time....
What will you take forth for the diocese?
I will continue to serve as a parish delegate with increasing knowledge.... Our ongoing lay responsibility to be active participants in parish outreach and evangelism as we look forward to our next bishop.... The building of a new community structure... A cautious optimism that the diocese will follow through on its own transformation.... A strong desire to build the larger community as a unified team.... Encourage the diocese to think differently.... To empower local ministries to build strong communities... Having a bishop who will carry on and involve us as a team... We need to practice "courageous transitions" and "radical hospitality"....
(A complete set of evaluations has been posted on the ECR web site on the Diocesan Conferences page.)
Upcoming Schedule:
History and timelines
March 1 - San Luis Obispo Deanery; St. James, 2-4 pm
March 29 - South Coast, Salinas, Santa Cruz Deaneries; St. Paul's, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
April 2 - West Valley, South Valley, Central Valley Deaneries; St. Edward's, 9:15-11:45 am
Understanding Our Connections, Telling Our Stories
April 23 - St. Andrew's, Saratoga 10:00 - 3:00 - to be facilitated by the Rev. Rob Voyle.
Once again, we will come together as a diocese to share our stories. On April 23 we will work to identify our "norms" as we begin to establish some priorities for the diocese.
Recommended by Bishop Ed Leidel, Rob Voyle is a New Zealand born and trained Episcopal Priest with over eighteen years of experience in the ordained ministry. He has a doctorate in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary in addition to degrees in Theology, Counseling and Mechanical Engineering. In his parish ministry he has focused on pastoral counseling for both individuals and churches in transition. He has recently completed his fifth interim ministry position. Rob also works as a licensed clinical psychologist in Ventura County and has a strong interest in the integration of Christian spirituality with the practice of psychology. Rob has recently been appointed as the national coordinator of NAEIMS, the National Association of Episcopal Interim Ministry Specialists.
Be known By Our Actions
June 18 - Place and time to be announced (please note the date change); facilitated by Rob Voyle.
We come together as a diocese to establish our core values and purpose.
People, GET READY!
Sept 24 - Place and time to be announced; facilitated by Rob Voyle.
Using all that we have learned about ourselves and our community we will affirm our identity and establish our vision and mission.
Ordinary Time for Extraordinary people
October 29 or November 5 (time and place to be announced); Fall one-day Convention as mandated at January 2005 Convention.
