We are very happy to welcome Sallie Hart as CSR’s intern for 2011. She served as a counselor for Camp Henry for four years, is a graduate of Sewanee, and is currently working as the bookkeeper for Lake Logan. Her internship will focus on learning the responsibilities and opportunities of a director of a resource center; and increasing the visibility of, and offerings for, people ages 20–35 in our diocese, working with CSR, the diocesan staff, Young Adult Vocation Project, and other advisors.
The Day with the Bishop at St. Luke’s, Lincolnton, on March 6 was filled with very rewarding and meaningful conversation about the changing roles of the clergy and laity over the past several decades and where we go from here. You will be able to watch video highlights on the CSR website soon, and if you’d like a copy of the extensive notes taken from the day, let me know and I’ll email them to you. We had a panel discussion in the morning with clergy, laity, and the Bishop, followed by discussion. In the afternoon, we broke into small groups to discuss and reflect upon the morning’s panel and then regathered to share what we gleaned from the day. Our next Day with the Bishop will be Saturday, May 1, at Good Shepherd, Hayesville.
In support of CSR and our diocese, Rev. Rosa Lee Harden donated 64 copies of “via media” ($499 each) to the Center. I could choose to sell them as a much-needed fund-raiser for CSR, but in the spirit of this incredibly generous gift, I have decided to give them to each of the churches in our diocese as a way to support our shared spiritual journey. Rosa Lee will be offering a workshop on “via media” at this year’s Mission & Ministry Conference, which will be held Saturday, June 4. “via media” is video enhanced curricula designed to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ Jesus and to present the Episcopal Church in a contemporary context. For more about the program, visit everyvoice.net.
I encourage you to visit our website to learn about upcoming program offerings. A few programs highlights in April include: The Rev. Canon Charlotte Cleghorn offering a lenten program on the healing power of forgiveness at Valle Crucis Conference; Sharon Pearson and Bishop Taylor will be facilitating a program at St. John’s Sylva, “Beyond Page 355: The Book of Common Prayer: Educating for Ministry”; Bishop Taylor will be at Valle Crucis in late April for a day-long offering on Jesus and the Parables; and Rev. Liz Canham will be offering a day-long program called “Sacred Pauses: Balancing Work and Worship in Daily Life.” The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault will be offering her Contemplative Wisdom School at Valle Crucis in October 2012 and March 2013. This program is almost full so let me know if you are interested in attending as soon as possible. Please don’t miss an opportunity to enrich your spiritual journey with these wonderful programs.
I have people ask regularly how they can support CSR. Here are a few suggestions:
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Make thecsr.org your home page or one of your home pages so you can keep current with the many resources and programs available to you.
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Share your gifts and talents with us so we can let others know what you have to offer.
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Let us know what you want to know more about so we can help you find what you are looking for.
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Attend the programs we offer.
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Tell others about CSR. Even though I travel throughout our diocese and speak regularly, attend several meetings a week to discuss programs and resources CSR offers to our community, write or respond to more than 500 emails most weeks, and send out e-newsletters regularly, I am always surprised by how few people truly know what we have to offer.
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Pray for our mission and ministry, that we are fully living into God’s purpose for the Center.
Faithfully,
Robbin Whittington, Director
robbin@allsoulscathedral.org
www.thecsr.org