What’sInside?

Annual CouncilNov. 3-5Page 2

ConsecrationPhotos

Pages 2-3-4

The Little GirlWith TheBig Heart

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Tri-FaithSpiritual SupportGroupsPage 4

John HinesPreaching

AwardPage 4

A Digital Publication of the Diocese of Nebraskawww.episcopal-ne.orgVolume 2 No. 11October 25, 2011

We Have A New Bishop!

The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker, 11th Bishop of Nebraska

At approximately 2:07 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, the good work of the Holy Spirit came to fruition as J. Scott Barker became the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Nebraska. Following the prayers and the laying on of hands by the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop, and Co-consecrators, the Rt. Rev. Barker was vested and presented to the hundreds present who rose in unison to deliver thunderous applause. Among Co-consecrators were the Rt. Rev. Julio Cesar Holguin, Bishop of the Diocese of the Dominican Republic; the Rt. Rev. Mark Sisk, Bishop of the Diocese of New York; Bishop the Rev. David DeFreese, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Synod of Nebraska; and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Joe G. Burnett, assistant bishop, Diocese of Maryland and the 10th Bishop of Nebraska. Delivering the homily was the Rev. Thomas James Brown, Rector, Parish of the Epiphany, Winchester, Mass., a long-time friend of Bishop Barker. Lectors were Bishop Barker’s wife Anne and son Sam. Presenting Barker were representatives from across the Diocese including Kendra Ash, Calvary Church, Hyannis; the Rev. Randy Goeke, St. Mary’s, Bassett; Debbie Hogue, St. Francis, Scottsbluff; Trampas Hutches, Christ

Church, Sidney; Sammy Reagan, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Elkhorn; Joan Reist, St. Matthew’s, Lincoln; Janice Seldon, Church of the Resurrection, Omaha; the Rev. Richard Swenson, President of the Standing Committee; and Jim Yeates,

All Saints, Omaha. Music was provided by Dr. Marty Wheeler Burnett, organist and conductor, from Trinity Cathedral, Omaha; Dr. Laura Palmer, All Saints, Omaha; Michael McCabe, Trinity Cathedral; and the Palladium Brass. Special music from the Choir of Church of the Resurrection brought the assembly to its feet with hands clapping. Litanist was Keith Winton, Church of the Resurrection, and Cantor was Becky Lowe, Trinity Cathedral. Following the Consecration and Eucharist, Bishop Barker was warmly greeted at a Tailgate Party. All activities occurred in the La Vista Conference Center.

Wearing a football (?) or is it a Mitre (?). Bishop Barker enjoys a beverage at his Tailgate Party while visiting with John Jones, a member of St. Matthew’s Vestry, Lincoln.

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The Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska109 N 18th St, Omaha, NE 68102

The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker, 11th Bishop of Nebraska

Editor: Don Rabbe

Your stories and digital photos are welcome. E-mail them to therabbes@inebraska.com or mail to Don Rabbe4000 S 56th St, Unit 111B, Lincoln, NE 68506-5101

The 144th Annual Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska will be held in North Platte Nov. 3-5 at the Sandhills Convention Center. Host Parish is Church of Our Savior and its rector The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey S. F. Nelson. Delegates will be asked to vote on a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the diocese. The proposal is to amend Article XII, Deputies to the General Convention and to the Provincial Synod Section 1, by striking the words “by orders.” Section 1 reads: Each Annual Council held not later than 12 months preceding the General Convention shall elect by a concurrent vote by orders four Clerical and four Lay Deputies and a like number of Provisional Deputies to represent the Diocese in said General Convention. Provisional Deputies shall serve as necessary according to the order of their election. Three items are listed as rationale for the amendment: 1. The Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church do not require vote by orders; 2. It makes no sense to vote by orders when the results are not reported to the Diocesan Convention by orders; 3. The Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church do not require vote by orders; It makes no sense to vote by orders when the results are not reported to the Diocesan Convention by orders; The counting of votes by orders to concurrently elect four deputies is unwieldy. The amendment will be presented and voted upon during one of the Council’s business sessions. Prior to Annual Council, on Nov. 2 and Nov. 3, a two-day Anti-Racism Training Workshop will be led by the Rev. Ernesto Medina and the Rev. Deacon Nancy Huston. It will focus on Gospel views of communication and how they impact our daily living. Other workshops to be held the afternoon of Nov. 3 include: Canons and Constitution, Woody Bradford, Chancellor; Understanding Faith Asking, Beth Byrne, CPA and Diocesan Financial Administrator; and Websites: What Works and What Doesn’t, Kate Baxley, Diocesan Administrator. On Friday, Nov. 4, during the lunch from 12:10 to 1:30 p.m., three workshops will be offered including: The Gifts of the Small Church, led by Jason Byassee; Centering Prayer: The Basics; and The Unbinding of the Gospel Series, Keith Winton and the Rev. Jason Emerson. Further information regarding Annual Council may be found on the Diocesan website.

Annual Council Just Days AwayEcumenical Guests AttendBarker’s Consecration

Among the numerous guest clergy representing other Christian denominations at Bishop Barker’s Consecration were, from left to right, the Rev. Ann B. Sherer-Simpson, United Methodist Bishop of Nebraska; the Rev. Roddy Dunkerson, Presiding Conference Minister of the United Church of Christ; and his grace, the Most Rev. George Lucas, Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Omaha.

Presiding Bishop MeetsWith Lay Leaders andClergy of Diocese

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori spent several days in the Diocese of Nebraska prior to the consecration of the Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker as 11th Bishop of Nebraska. In addition to spending time with various committees and commissions, she met with clergy and lay leaders from throughout the diocese at St. Andrew’s, Omaha. (Photo Courtesy the Rev. Canon Judi Yeates)

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The Rt. Rev. Julio Holguin, Bishop of the Dominican Republic, celebrated the Eucharist at St. Andrew’s, Omaha, Oct. 9. Leader of the Diocese of Nebraska’s companion diocese, Bishop Holguin came to Nebraska for the consecration Oct. 8 of the Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker as Bishop of Nebraska. (Photo Courtesy the Rev. Canon Judi Yeates)

Bishop Holguin Celebratesat St. Andrew’s, Omaha

Sales of tickets were brisk prior to the consecration at the Women’s Ministries Bishop’s Quilt Raffle. Signed by the Presiding Bishop and Nebraska Bishops Barker, Burnett and Krotz, money raised will go to endow the Women’s Ministries Scholarship Fund.

Bishop’s Quilt SignedOn Each Corner

ConsecrationColor Was RedThe Liturgical Color for the Consecration of Bishop Barker was Red --preferably Husker Red. But prior to donning his clerical clothes, the Rev. Jason Emerson, Rector, Church of The Resurrection, Omaha, was seen proudly displaying his Ohio State Buckeyes game wear. The Ohio State team and many supporters were staying at the hotel next to the conference center.

Emily Secora of Trinity Church, Norfolk, was recognized Oct. 9 during services at St. Andrew’s, Omaha, for her mission work. She undertook a variety of projects, including providing temporary patriotic tattoos at Norfolk’s Fourth Of July activities, and raised money at her school to support three children in the Dominican Republic. She was also able to provide pencils, pens and notebooks to 87 children. The Rt. Rev. Julio Holguin, Bishop of the Dominican Republic, called her “the young girl with the generous heart.” Emily is shown with the Rev. Bob Snow, deacon missioner to the DR, who also thanked her for her support of schoolchildren. At the right is the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer, Rector of St. Andrew’s. (Photo Courtesy the Rev. Canon Judi Yeates)

“TheLittleGirlWithThe BIG

Heart”

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Episcopal Tri-Faith Ministries gathers each Sunday at St. Augustine’s, Elkhorn, at 5 p.m. to worship and celebrate God in the lives of the faithful. “The other six days of the week is when the mission of the church is done,” said the Rev. Canon Tim Anderson, Episcopal Tri-Faith Foundation. “It is through our interactions that love, peace and justice are brought into the world. Each of us is a missioner who must ‘go in peace to love and serve the Lord.’” A number of Spiritual Support Groups are forming. Each has the goal of supporting one another in spiritual growth. Participants will help each other discover how God is acting in their lives and how they might discern His will as they pray together and share their stories. Groups meeting at this time are all within the Omaha metropolitan area but it is hoped other groups will form throughout the Diocese of Nebraska. One group meets Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. in the HyVee Store at 132nd and Dodge. If you have questions, please contact Theresa Newell at 402-614-1864. Another group meets at Mimi’s Cafe every other Saturday at 9 a.m.. If you would like to join this group, please call the Rev. Ruth Tomlinson at 402-640-7118. A third group meets at the home of Camille Culp on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. To join this group call Camille at 402-697-9387. Pick any group or create your own! Contact Canon Anderson for further information.

New Episcopal Church logos and shields bearing the approved updated style are available for downloading at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/Imageshop_345_ENG_HTM.htm Also available are the new graphic guidelines, outlining such details as fonts, color palette, use of the shield, important design information and related elements. New “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You” signs are available for purchase from Episcopal Marketplace: www.episcopalmarketplace.org. Affordable websites for congregations and dioceses are available through the National Church Office of Communication. For more information contact Jake Dell, Episcopal Church senior manager of Digital Marketing and Advertising at jdell@episcopalchurch.org

Virginia Theological Seminary is accepting entries for the annual John Hines Preaching Award. The deadline for entries is Dec. 15, 2011. The award recipient (s) will be announced in the spring of 2012. The award honors outstanding sermons in which a prophetic voice is central and which are deeply grounded in Scripture. The sermon should be focused on the seen and unseen needs of the worshipping community, the nation and the world. All bishops, priests, deacons and laity of the Episcopal Church in America are eligible for this award. Entries should be sermons delivered between Advent 2010 and the end of the same liturgical year. Recipients of the John Hines Preaching Award will receive $2,000 and be invited to Virginia Theological Seminary to preach. Inquiries should be directed to Ms. Shelagh Casey-Brown, director of Alumni, Church Relations, and Annual Fund, at 703-461-1711 or by e-mail at scbrown@vts.edu or at 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304.

New Shields and LogosAvailable For Parish Use

Increased Spiritual Support Groups is Goal of Episcopal Tri-Faith

Entries Sought For 2012John Hines Preaching Award

Herding Clergy And LaityIs Not Unlike Herding Cats?

Trying to line up nearly 150 priests, deacons, commission and committee members, ecumenical guests and banner bearers for the procession may have been the most hectic task of the weekend. Those in charge of arrangements did so with much grace and compassion, and no little amount of patience.