Tag Archives: Episcopal church

February 20, 2025 · 12:59 pm

Here am I; send me!

For most of my life, I have served as a lector in church. That is, I am one of those who regularly reads the holy scriptures assigned for the day during our weekly worship services. On 9 February 2025 at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, I read the Old Testament passage, Isaiah 6:1-8, which includes a memorable description of angels (“each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew”) and concludes with, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!” I love this passage because it is both a fascinating vision and a statement of vocation.

Variants of the phrase “Here am I; send me!” is in many places in the Bible, including, Genesis 22 (3 times), Genesis 27, Genesis 31, Genesis 37, Genesis 46, 1 Samuel 3 (5 times), 1 Samuel 12, 1 Samuel 14, 1 Samuel 22, 2 Samuel 15, Psalm 40, Isaiah 58, Isaiah 65 (twice), Jeremiah 26, Luke 1, Acts 9, 2 Corinthians 12, Tobit 2, Tobit 6, 1 Maccabees 6, and 2 Esdras 14. It is also the refrain of one of my favorite hymns, “Here I Am, Lord,” by Dan Schutte and St. Louis Jesuits (1981),

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord,
if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I think of Isaiah 6:1-8 whenever I am lucky enough to visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Under the dome are four large paintings of six winged angels soaring over the immense and ancient worship space. When I was there last in 2024, I bought a scarf featuring an abstract painting of the dome and angels.

Last night in Elmwood jail, John Plocher and I were discussing the concept of vocation with our weekly class – and of course we discussed Isaiah 6:1-8. Some of the inmates felt a vocation for art or music or sports but many of them are still considering what God is calling them to do in their lives. John and I have just finished a four month term using the “Transforming Literature of the Bible” course on the Christian Testament. Next week is movie night and the guys voted to watch “War Horse.” In two weeks, we will start the next Hebrew Bible term and I will be asking them to notice every time someone says, “Here am I; send me!”

Images (c) 2024-2025 by Katy Dickinson. If you want to receive Katysblog posts by email, please sign up using the Sign Me Up! button (upper right on Katysblog home).

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September 25, 2024 · 9:29 am

Susan Broaddus Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Susan Broaddus Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2023 for women students at the Université Anglicane du Congo (Anglican University of Congo) in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is an initiative of the Episcopal and Anglican Churches and their international Congo Network, for which I have had the honor of being the Secretary since 2015. The Rev. Dr. Daniel Karanja (Africa Partnership Officer, Episcopal Church) chairs the Congo Network. Episcopal Bishop Susan B. Haynes of the Diocese of Southern Virginia sponsors the Susan Broaddus Memorial Scholarship in the USA. The Rev. Dr. Kahwa Njojo, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Anglican University in Bunia, and recently elected elected Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kalemi, sponsors the Broaddus Fund in the DRC.

In the 2024-2025 term, the Broaddus Fund will support two students studying Theology at the Anglican University in Bunia. The Broaddus Fund committee is honored to support these capable and inspiring women of the church as inaugural Broaddus Scholars. The Broaddus Scholars are committed to following the model of Susan Broaddus, a faithful member of the Congo Network who died in 2021 after a lifetime of faithful activism and lay leadership, including twelve years as an Episcopalian missionary in the Congo. Susan’s outstanding and inspiring contributions developed the role of women leaders and educational programs, especially at the Université Anglicane du Congo.

Since the death of Susan Broaddus, the Congo Network has worked to honor her legacy of education and advocacy. The Broaddus Fund committee has developed a governance plan and process, established a partnership with Episcopal Bishop Susan B. Haynes of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, collected funds for the first two Broaddus Scholars, announced the scholarship, collected and reviewed applications, and approved the inaugural honorees.

If you would like to support women in church leadership in the Congo, consider a donation to the Susan Broaddus Memorial Fund.

For those who speak French, here is the information in that language, thanks to FRÉDÉRIC (FRED) SPITZ, Congo Network member, and Episcopal Church Global Relations and Networking Officer,

Le fonds de la bourse d’études à la mémoire de Susan Broaddus

Le fonds de la bourse d’études à la mémoire de Susan Broaddus a été créé en 2023 pour des étudiantes de l’Université Anglicane du Congo à Bunia, en République démocratique du Congo. Il s’agit d’une initiative menée par des Églises épiscopales et anglicanes et de leur réseau international pour le Congo, dont j’ai l’honneur d’être la secrétaire générale depuis 2015. Le Révérend Dr Daniel Karanja (responsable du partenariat avec l’Afrique pour l’Église épiscopale) préside le réseau Congo. L’évêque épiscopale Susan B. Haynes du diocèse de Virginie du Sud parraine la bourse Susan Broaddus aux États-Unis. Le Révérend Dr Kahwa Njojo, doyen de la faculté de théologie de l’université anglicane de Bunia et récemment élu évêque du diocèse anglican de Kalemie, parraine la bourse d’études Susan Broaddus en RDC.

Au cours de la période 2024-2025, cette bourse d’études soutiendra deux étudiantes en théologie à l’Université anglicane de Bunia. Le comité de la bourse d’étude est honoré de soutenir ces femmes de l’Église, compétentes et inspirantes, en tant que premières lauréates de la bourse. Ces boursières s’engagent à suivre l’exemple de Susan Broaddus, membre fidèle du Réseau Congo, décédée en 2021 après une vie d’activisme fidèle et de direction laïque, y compris douze ans en tant que missionnaire épiscopale au Congo. Les contributions exceptionnelles et inspirantes de Susan ont développé le rôle des femmes leaders et les programmes éducatifs, en particulier à l’Université Anglicane du Congo.

Depuis le décès de Susan Broaddus, le Réseau Congo s’est efforcé d’honorer son héritage en matière d’éducation et de promotion. Le comité de la bourse Susan Broaddus a développé un plan et un processus de gouvernance. Il a établi un partenariat avec l’évêque épiscopale Susan B. Haynes du diocèse de Virginie du Sud et il a collecté des fonds pour les deux premières boursières Susan Broaddus. Le comité a fait la promotion de la bourse, a collecté et examiné les candidatures, puis a approuvé les premières lauréates.

Si vous souhaitez soutenir les femmes dans des rôles de leadership dans les églises au Congo, envisagez de faire un don au fonds de la bourse d’études à la mémoire de Susan Broaddus.

26 Sep 2024: French translation added

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August 31, 2024 · 4:16 pm

Doctoral Dissertation Submitted!

You may have noticed a gap in my Katysblog posts in 2024. I was spending my time writing my doctoral dissertation, traveling to Africa, and visiting with my fascinating grandbaby, Alex.

This week, I turned my 123 page dissertation over to my committee for review. Hooray! Since 2021, I have been a Doctor of Ministry student at the Berkeley School of Theology. BST’s DMin degree is based on a project that comes out of the student’s regular work. My project was to rewrite The Transforming Literature of the Bible (TLB) class I present weekly in Santa Clara County jail. The current TLB text is about 300 pages long. The next step toward my degree is for my committee to read the dissertation and give comments. I then get to defend it. All of this should be done before 2025 (God willing and the creek don’t rise).

Here is my DMin dissertation abstract,

The Transforming Literature of the Bible scripture study and theological reflection program (TLB) provides faith-based study materials tailored to county jail inmate interests and challenges in a welcoming setting with the intention of reducing some of their disadvantages and support them in their goal to stay out of jail in the future. This project revised the 2018 TLB with a focus on supporting three groups of disadvantaged and often isolated inmates. The groups are those who are primarily-Spanish language speakers (mostly Latinx inmates who make up the majority of inmates in Santa Clara County, California), those who have reading difficulties, and those with mental health challenges. The high-level results of this project are, the TLB page count was cut in half, an image was added to each session (or chapter) with a process for theological reflection using that image as a focus, and a Spanish language translation of the TLB was developed. Mental health topics are presented in several TLB sessions in a way intended to encourage discussion without embarrassment. In response to a series of surveys of inmates and seminar observers in 2023–2024, 99% rated TLB as Excellent and overall satisfaction and 98% of inmates said that they would recommend the class. 92% of inmates said that it was important that TLB be presented in both English and Spanish and 98% said that the machine translations of TLB were of high quality and readability. This dissertation presents information on the TLB project and its methodology, background on incarceration, an analysis of the theological and biblical context for the TLB and this project, and detailed research results.

Wish me luck!

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December 11, 2023 · 1:12 pm

Christmas Cards to Prisoners

Supporters of the Stepping Stones Gathering got together yesterday to write Christmas Cards for prisoners. Stepping Stones was started in 2018 to support jail and prison inmates, and those in reentry and recovery. Sending written holiday greetings and letters of support to prisoners has been part of this ministry since it started. Prisoners have told us each year how important it is to get cards. Since many inmates are not in communication with outside friends and family, our cards may be the only ones arriving. Some prisoners keep their cards and re-read the encouraging messages for weeks or months.

Cards are donated and must meet jail and prison requirements: no foil or glitter, regular postal size, no scents or images on envelopes. (Also, no “Home for the Holidays” messages – because most of the prisoners will not be home.) St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church hosted the card writing (we met in one of the rooms of St. Andrew’s School), provided coffee and tea, and is buying the stamps. Stepping Stones volunteers donated sweets or sandwiches to the party.

I put together a list of 122 inmates and people in reentry with whom Stepping Stones has been in contact, verifying prisoner addresses against Santa Clara County and California location websites. We regretfully do not have addresses 32 of those who have been released or sent to another carceral facility but we hope to locate them for next year.

Yesterday, diligent Stepping Stones card writers completed 263 cards. Each of the 90 men and women for whom we have an address will be sent at least one card, and many will get more than one. I am mailing 65 at a time so as not to overwhelm the jail mail distribution system. Cards with glitter or gold foil or decorated envelopes have been donated to a San Jose program that supports people in reentry and recovery.

Stepping Stones meets online Sundays at 8 am Pacific time to worship and support each other. Please consider joining us: weekly information is on the Stepping Stones Facebook page. Some of the Stepping Stones members are also chaplains for the Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy of Santa Clara County, regularly visiting prisoners in jail.

Images Copyright (c) 2023. Thanks to Thierry Doyen for the group photo! If you want to receive Katysblog posts by email, please sign up using the Sign Me Up! button (upper right on Katysblog home).

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July 11, 2022 · 4:49 pm

Day 4, GC-80, General Convention

El Camino Real sign decorations, General Convention, 11 July 2022
El Camino Real sign decorations, General Convention, 11 July 2022

This is the fourth and final legislative day for the deputation of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real (ECR) at the General Convention (“GC-80”) in Baltimore, Maryland. Today, after morning worship and an inspiring sermon by the newly-elected President of the House of Deputies, Julia Ayala Harris, we discussed changes to the Book of Common Prayer, heard a health report by Dr. Rodney Coldren (only 26 COVID cases reported during GC-80) who thanked us for protecting our fellow deputies, celebrated many House of Deputies awards by outgoing President, the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, thanked many remarkable people who have worked for years to make this event happen, planned for GC-81 in Louisville in two years, and filled a variety of positions by election. We particularly celebrated the ten years of the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings as HofD President and gave her many standing ovations.

The historic change of leadership was symbolized by a hand off of the President’s gavel from the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings to Julia Ayala Harris. Both are inspiring and remarkable women who make the world change for the better. In her concluding remarks, Rev. Gay Clark Jennings said it was not enough to appoint and elect change makers, we must also actively encourage and support them to stop the racism and misogyny endemic in our church. People of color and women face real gritty situations and structural barriers, not theoretical problems. We must commit ourselves to this work, seize the opportunity, and not assume others will take care of it.

Check out the Diocese of El Camino Real’s daily GC-80 “Updates from the Floor.”

El Camino Real with the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, General Convention, 11 July 2022
El Camino Real deputation with the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, General Convention, 11 July 2022
Rev. Gay Clark Jennings with pigeon mascot, General Convention, 11 July 2022
Rev. Gay Clark Jennings with masked pigeon mascot, General Convention, 11 July 2022
House of Deputies ovation for Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, General Convention, 11 July 2022
House of Deputies ovation for Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, General Convention, 11 July 2022
Katy Dickinson badge and iPad, General Convention, 11 July 2022
Katy Dickinson badge and iPad, General Convention, 11 July 2022
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, General Convention, 11 July 2022
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, General Convention, 11 July 2022
House of Deputies President calling House of Bishops, General Convention, 11 July 2022
House of Deputies President calling House of Bishops, General Convention, 11 July 2022
Handoff of gavel between House of Deputies Presidents, General Convention, 11 July 2022
Handoff of gavel between House of Deputies Presidents, General Convention, 11 July 2022

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July 10, 2022 · 7:58 pm

Day 3, GC-80, General Convention

Rev. Ruth Casipit Paguio, General Convention, 10 July 2022
Rev. Ruth Casipit-Paguio of the Diocese of El Camino Real, Episcopal General Convention, 10 July 2022

This is the third legislative day for the deputation of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real (ECR) at the General Convention (“GC-80”) in Baltimore, Maryland. Today, despite persistent technical challenges, the House of Deputies (HOD) passed a variety of resolutions and amendments, including the church’s budget, the election of Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton as Vice President of the HOD (the first ordained woman to be so elected), and the celebration of the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, the first woman to serve as President of HOD as her term nears its end. There are so many remarkable faith and community leaders here – it is inspiring!

I have mostly stayed in the hotel and convention center but from time to time we go out to eat. Tomorrow night, we celebrate Maryland Night, so I will see more of Baltimore. Check out the Diocese of El Camino Real’s daily GC-80 “Updates from the Floor.”

El Camino Real Diocese, General Convention, 10 July 2022
El Camino Real Diocese, General Convention, 10 July 2022
Constellation ship, Inner Harbor Baltimore, 9 July 2022
Constellation ship, Inner Harbor Baltimore, 9 July 2022
dragon paddle boats, Inner Harbor Baltimore, 9 July 2022
dragon paddle boats, Inner Harbor Baltimore, 9 July 2022
Bumble bee on morning glory flower, Baltimore, 10 July 2022
Bumble bee on morning glory flower, Baltimore, 10 July 2022
Bird inside Baltimore Convention Center, 10 July 2022
Bird inside Baltimore Convention Center, 10 July 2022
Bishop Susan Haynes, Helen Sharpe-Williams, Katy Dickinson, 9 Jul 2022
Bishop Susan Haynes (Diocese Southern Virginia), Helen Sharpe-Williams, Katy Dickinson, 9 Jul 2022
Chaplain Rev. Lester Mackenzie, Katy Dickinson, General Convention, 10 July 2022
Chaplain Rev. Lester Mackenzie, Katy Dickinson, General Convention, 10 July 2022
Episcopal Bishops Mary Gray-Reeves, and Lucinda Ashby, General Convention, 10 July 2022
Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves, and Bishop Lucinda Ashby, General Convention, 10 July 2022
Chaplain Rev. Lester Mackenzie, General Convention, 10 July 2022
Chaplain Rev. Lester Mackenzie, General Convention, 10 July 2022

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July 9, 2022 · 11:54 am

Day 2, GC-80, General Convention

El Camino Real, Episcopal General Convention 80, 9 July 2022
El Camino Real, Episcopal General Convention 80, 9 July 2022

This is the second legislative day for the deputation of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real (ECR) at the General Convention (“GC-80”) in Baltimore, Maryland. The big excitement so far was this morning’s election of Julia Ayala Harris as the next President of the House of Deputies (PHoD). She is the first Latina lay person to hold that role, was endorsed by the LGBTQ+ Caucus, and is from the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma. After the HoD ballot count was announced, Ayala Harris thanked the other candidates who ran, thanked her predecessor the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, and said her election was “for justice, for inclusion, and for Jesus.” A good start!

Julia Ayala Harris, newly elected President House of Deputies, Episcopal General Convention 80, 9 July 2022
Julia Ayala Harris, newly elected President House of Deputies, Episcopal General Convention 80, 9 July 2022

Ovation for Julia Ayala Harris, newly elected President House of Deputies, Episcopal General Convention 80, 9 July 2022
Ovation for Julia Ayala Harris, newly elected President House of Deputies, Episcopal General Convention 80, 9 July 2022
Julia Ayala Harris, Episcopal General Convention 80, 9 July 2022
Julia Ayala Harris, Episcopal General Convention 80, 9 July 2022

Today’s House of Deputies session opened with worship and a sermon by the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings. There are about 800 deputies from 107 Episcopal dioceses present. We get a health and safety update from Dr. Rodney Coldren daily. As of this morning, only eight people had reported having COVID-19, which is about 1% of the House of Deputies. Dr. Coldren urged us to follow the guidelines not only to protect the immunocompromised but to respect and protect other people’s choice not to get your COVID. In these pandemic times, assume that symptoms of “just a cold” means COVID, even if you test negative. In more general news, it is raining in Baltimore. Our deputation enjoyed pizza dinner together between the afternoon and evening sessions.

If you want to follow General Convention in real time and detail, check out the Virtual Binder: “The Virtual Binder contains all of the legislative information for the meeting of General Convention. The website is vbinder.net and accessible to the public.” Also, read the Diocese of El Camino Real daily GC-80 “Updates from the Floor.”

Raining, Episcopal General Convention 80, 9 July 2022
Raining, Episcopal General Convention 80, 9 July 2022
El Camino Real pizza dinner, General Convention, 9 July 2022
El Camino Real pizza dinner, General Convention, 9 July 2022

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