The One Hundred Thirty-eighth Council of the Diocese of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Report of the Bishop Ordinary November 8, 2018

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1 The One Hundred Thirty-eighth Council of the Diocese of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Report of the Bishop Ordinary November 8, 2018 Dear Brethren, The following report is submitted as a summary of my principal activities as Bishop Ordinary, September 2017 through September I. Regular Episcopal Visits (20 Confirmations) Trinity XIII, September 10, 2017 Grace Church, Collingdale. 2 confirmations. Trinity XIV, September 17-18, 2017 St. George s Church, Hamilton. Trinity XIX, October 22, 2017 Covenant Chapel, Basking Ridge. Trinity XX, October 29, 2017 Jesus the Good Shepherd, Brooklyn. Trinity XXIII, November 19, 2017 Redeemer Church, Jersey City. 1 confirmation. Sun. before Advent, November 26, 2017 Faith Church, Baltimore. Lent III, March 4, 2018 Grace Church, Havre de Grace. Lent V, March 18, 2018 St. Peter s Church, Elkton Easter III, April 22, 2017 Grace Church, Collingdale 1 confirmation Easter IV, April 29, 2018 St. Mary s Church, Bronx. Easter V, May 6, 2018 St. Stephen s Church, Eldersburg. 9 confirmations. Whitsunday, May 20, 2018 St. Mark s Church, Rydal. 5 confirmations. Trinity VI, July 8, 2018 St. Timothy s Church, Mt. Laurel. Trinity VIII, July 22, 2018 Grace Church, Scranton. Trinity IX, July 29, 2018 Church of the Atonement, Philadelphia. 1 confirmation. Trinity XI, August 12, 2018 Good Shepherd Church, South Easton. 2 confirmations Trinity XVI, September 16, 2018 St. George s Church, Hamilton. 1

2 Trinity XIX, September 30, 2018 Emmanuel Church, Pipersville II. Weddings & Funerals Funeral for Mrs. Charlene Ross. On Tuesday, January 2, 2018, I attended the funeral service for the Mrs. Charlene Ross, the wife of Mr. Jack Ross. Mr. Ross is a member of St. Timothy s, Mt. Laurel, and a member of the Standing Committee. The service was held at All Saints Roman Catholic Church, Burlington, New Jersey. Funeral for Mrs. Helen LaSane. On Monday, January 9, 2018 I participated in the funeral service for Mrs. Helen LaSane, a longtime member of Church of the Atonement, Philadelphia. The service was held at Church of the Atonement, and the Rev. Jason Holloway was the preacher. Funeral for Mr. Peter Rhoad. On Tuesday, August 14, 2018, I attended the funeral service for Peter Rhoad, the son of Mr. Merritt Rhoad, a long time member of St. Paul s Church, Oreland. Funeral for Mr. Bernard J. McGorrey. On Monday, August27, 2018 I attended the funeral service for Bernard J. McGorrey, the father of Mr. Bernie McGorrey, organist at Church of the Atonement, Philadelphia. The service was held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Southampton, PA. III. Other Activities St. Mark s Anniversary: On October 1, 2017, Lisa and I attended the service and luncheon in celebration of the 75 th anniversary of the founding of St. Mark s Church. Emmanuel Church, Somerville, Anniversary. I preached at a special service for the 75th anniversary celebration of Emmanuel Church on Sunday, December 3, Clergy and Wives Retreat: On Saturday, February 1-3, 2018 at Best Western Eden Resort, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I presided over the closing communion service for the annual clergy and wives retreat. The theme for the retreat was the Lord s Prayer. Farewell luncheon for the Rev. Michael Fitzpatrick: On May 20, 2018, the people of Grace Church, Collingdale, held a farewell luncheon for their departing rector, the Rev. Michael Fitzpatrick. I attended the event and gave words of thanks and appreciation for Michael s faithful service at Grace Church. IV. Reformed Episcopal Seminary Administration & Teaching. I continue to serve as President and Chancellor of the Seminary and Associate Professor of Biblical Languages and Literature. We continue to prepare for a site visit by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). The visit has been scheduled for March 18-21, This involves a new selfstudy process, which must be submitted to the accrediting association, prior to their visit. The mortgage on the new building at 831 DeKalb Pike has been paid off. The Seminary continues to lease part of the space for income. We also continue to attract new donors in support of the Seminary. FORES. The FORES (Friends of Reformed Episcopal Seminary) Banquet was held at St. Mark s Reformed Episcopal Church, Rydal, on Saturday May 5, The speaker was Dr. Harry Zeiders. Lecturer in Psychology and Counseling at RES. Audit. The 2017 audit for Reformed Episcopal Seminary was conducted by BBD 2

3 Associates and will be distributed to the Trustees and Board of Directors via , very soon. The audit is required by the Association of Theological Schools for accreditation purposes and the Federal government for Title IV acceptance, so that students may take advantage of student loans and loan deferrals. The audit process is rigorous and sets a high standard of financial accountability. The audit indicates that the seminary is on a stronger financial footing than it was in V. Pastoral Connections and Vacancies St. Luke's & Bishop Hoffman Church, Philadelphia. For the first half of 2018, services and pastoral care at St. Luke s and Bishop Hoffman Church have been provided by the Rev. Russell Buchanan and the Rev. David France. Bishop Gillin and I alternated in attending vestry meetings on a quarterly basis. The Rev. Michael Fitzpatrick assumed the position of vicar, beginning in June St. John s by the Sea. The parish is making progress on its pastoral search process. The Rev. Frank Spadafora has been serving as interim rector, since January 1, Redeemer Church, Jersey City. The parish makes progress on its pastoral search process. Various clergy in the Diocese have presided at the service of Holy Communion each month. Covenant Chapel, Basking Ridge. This parish continues the pastoral search process. The Rev. Paul Howden is serving as interim rector. Grace Church, Collingdale. Grace Church has begun the search for a new rector. The Rev. Michael Fitzpatrick left the parish for his new position at St. Luke s & Bishop Hoffman Church, Philadelphia, in June The Rev. Andrew Brummett serves as interim rector. I met with the Search Committee on Sunday, August 19, Church of the Messiah, Philadelphia. The Rector of Messiah Church, the Rev. Chiron Thompson, suffered a brain aneurysm in November of By God s grace, he has made a marvelous recovery; however, he has not recovered sufficiently to return to his duties at Church of the Messiah. The congregation has determined to worship with nearby Church of the Atonement. On October 1, 2018, the Standing Committee designated the parish as a mission parish, and I have appointed a joint vestry for both parishes. VI. Other Parochial Matters Church Planting. With the assistance of Canon Jack Clark, we continue to explore church planting efforts. The Rev. Russ Buchanan continues to work with St. Patrick s Fellowship, Norristown. The Rev. Bukola Adenuga is working with a group in the Fox Chase area of Philadelphia, called Chapel of the Nativity. The Rev. Ron Martin (formerly rector of St. Paul s, Oreland) is working with me to plant a church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Under the supervision of St. Stephen s, Eldersburg, an extension work is being organized in the Westminster, Maryland, area with the Rev. Ricky McCarl. REC100. At our last General Council in 2017, Presiding Bishop Ray Sutton gave a presentation on the Reformed Episcopal Church s new church planting initiative, REC100. Through this initiative, funds are being raised for each diocese, in order to assist with church planting. More information may be found on the REC100 website: 3

4 I am pleased that our diocese participated in this program. We have over $9,000 to use in church planting; however, only 36 per cent of our parishes responded, and we contributed the least amount to this effort, among the dioceses of the Reformed Episcopal Church. Below are the figures for each diocese in the REC, as of September 18, Central States $16,860 Mid-America $61,616 Northeast $ 9,728 Southeast $10,365. VII. Postulants for Holy Orders Aaron Andrade (Good Shepherd, E. Bridgewater) Joshua Devers (St. Stephen s, Eldersburg) Matthew Maule (St. Mark s, Rydal) Aaron Capucci (St. Mark's, Rydal) VIII. Examinations, Ordinations, Receptions and Transfers Nicholas Ziegenhagen. (St. Mark s, Rydal). On September 15, 2017, Nicholas Ziegenhagen was examined for ordination to the diaconate. The examination was sustained, and the ordination service was held on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at St. Mark s, Rydal. The examiners were The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Riches, the Rev. Jason Patterson, the Very Rev. Eric Jorgensen and I. At the service, he was presented by the Rev. Jason Patterson, and the Rev. Peter Joslyn was the preacher. Paul Luth (St. George s, Hamilton) Deacon Paul Luth was examined on Monday, November 13, 2017 for ordination to the presbyterate. The examination was sustained. The examiners were the Very Rev. John Smith, The Very Rev. Dr. Jonathan Riches and I. An ordination service was held on February 11, 2018 at St. George s, Hamilton. He was presented by the Ven. John Smith, and I delivered the sermon. Ricky McCarl (St. Stephen s, Eldersburg) Deacon Ricky McCarl was examined on Friday, March 2, 2018 for ordination to the presbyterate. The examination was sustained. The examiners were the Very Rev. Eric Jorgensen, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Riches and I. The service of ordination was held at St. Stephen s Church, Eldersburg, Maryland, on May 27, He was presented by the Very Rev. Dr. Eric Jorgensen, who also was the preacher. John Vic Broberg (Emmanuel, Pipersville) Mr. Vic Broberg was examined on Wednesday, April 28, The examination was sustained. The examiners were the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Riches, the Rev. Cedric Benner and I. The ordination service was held at the McCausland Chapel of St. Philip the Deacon (Reformed Episcopal Seminary, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania) on June 1, He was presented by the Rev. William Garrison, and the sermon was delivered by the Rev. Canon Dr. Jonathan Riches. Tait Deems. (St. Mark s, Rydal). On May 23, 2018, Tait Deems was examined for ordination to the diaconate. The examination was sustained. The examiners were The Rev. Canon Dr. Jonathan Riches, the Very Rev. Dr. Eric Jorgensen, the Rev. Jason Patterson, the Rev. Cedric Benner and I. An ordination was held on Saturday, May 26, 4

5 2018 at St. Mark s, Rydal. He was presented by the Rev. Jason Patterson, and the Rev. Nicholas Ziegenhagen delivered the sermon. Licensing and Reception of Clergy. On Saturday, September 22, 2018, at the meeting of the Philadelphia Clergy Convocation, I presented licenses to three clergy and one deaconess from parts of the Anglican Communion overseas, who desire to be received into our diocese. A service of reception was held at St. Mark s Church, Rydal, with a service of Holy Communion, followed by meetings of the clergy and clergy wives. I have communicated with the bishops of each person and received their recommendations for transfer. The appropriate background checks were also done. The Standing Committee approved adding them to the clergy roll. The Rev. Obaid George (Presbyter, Anglican Church of Pakistan). He is presently worshiping at Grace Church, Scranton. The Ven. Ebenezer Olubajo (Presbyter, Anglican Church of Nigeria). He is presently worshiping at Church of the Atonement, Philadelphia. The Ven. Dr. Gideon Uzomechina (Presbyter, Anglican Church of Nigeria). He is presently worshiping at Covenant Chapel, Basking Ridge. His licenses was withdrawn subsequently, and he was not added to the clergy roll. Mrs. Martha Menya (Deaconess, Anglican Church of Kenya). She is presently worshiping at Church of the Atonement, Philadelphia. Additionally, the Rev. Shawn Riley, deacon, has returned to Pennsylvania and has been transferred back to our diocese from the Diocese of Mid-America. IX. Bishop s Youth Advisory Group (BYAG) The BYAG meets primarily now through teleconference meetings and continues to support the efforts of parishes with the work of reaching and retaining youth and young adults in our Diocese. X. General Council Conference of Bishops. I attended the General Council bishops and committee meeting, last October, at Church of the Holy Communion, Dallas, October 3-4, 2017 and April 20-17, DMA Synod. I was the preacher at the opening service of Holy Communion at the annual synod of the Diocese of Mid-America, February 22-23, Additionally, as vice-president of the General Council, I formally installed the Most Rev. Ray Sutton as bishop ordinary of the Diocese. Missionary Diocese of All Saints. On March 15-16, 2018, I accompanied the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Ray Sutton, to the synod of the Missionary Diocese of All Saints (ACNA). The purpose of our attendance was to talk about the REC as a possible home for their diocese. Free Church of England. As vice-present of the General Council, I represented the Reformed Episcopal Church at the national convocation of our sister church in England, June 4-7, I preached at the service of Holy Communion, during the convocation; and on Sunday, June 10, 2018, I preached the sermon at Holy Trinity Church, Oswaldtwistle. XI. Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). 5

6 Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. I participated in dialogue meeting held at RES on December 5-6, Orthodox Church in America. I participated in the dialogue meeting held on April 17, 2018 in Dallas Texas. College of Bishops. I attended the meeting of the College of Bishops in Victoria, British Columbia, September 5-7, 2017 and January 8-12, 2018 in Melbourne, Florida. Summit for Life and March for Life. I participated in the annual Summit and March for Life in Washington, DC, January 18-19, GAFCON: My wife and I attended the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) meeting in Jerusalem, Israel, June 17-23, We were accompanied by the Rev. Jack Clark, Mrs. Esther Clark, Mrs. Diana Lopez, Mrs. Caroline Prickett, representing the Diocese, and the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Riches, representing Reformed Episcopal Seminary. XII. Recommendations. 1. That the offering of the service of Holy Communion on the first day of Council be alms, designated for the Anglican Relief and Development Fund. 2. That the offering of the service of Morning Prayer on the second day of Council be assigned to the Reformed Episcopal Board of Foreign Missions. Respectfully submitted, The Rt. Rev. David L. Hicks 6