WU Labor Day 24

Hey there, Diocese of the Rio Grande. .9 This is your weekly update. .9 For the week of Labor Day 2024. Sorry. It's been a while. I've missed y'all. I hope you're doing well. It's been a busy summer with general convention. And then I had some vacation time and then getting reorganized. Now we're back. Here's your weekly update as we start leaning into the fall and we're getting at least a little bit of a break in the weather here in the diocese of the Rio Grande, which is good.

.9 Cause it's been one hot day.

In this weekly update, I want to give you the opportunity to join a mission trip south of the border called Bokeas and Beyond. I want to tell you about a mission trip for young people that took place in Taos at St. James in Taos earlier in August. .999 I want to give you an update on wildfire recovery efforts in Riodoso, New Mexico. .999 And I know you're aware that for the past few months we've been working on this diocesan four phase project.

I want to remind you what that is all about and tell you where we are in the midst of it. .999 And finally, I want to give thanks for the life and ministry of the Right Reverend Dave Bailey, the Bishop of Navajo Land, who passed away earlier, and whose memorial service will be coming up next week. 20 00:01:19,859.999 --> 00:01:24,180 If you don't know about Rio Grande Borderland Ministries, I want you to know about it here. Google Rio Grande Borderland Ministries.

The diocese of the Rio Grande, which involves far west Texas and the whole state of New Mexico, contains about 40 percent of the U. S. Mexico border. 25 00:01:36,874.999 --> 00:01:38,784.999 We are active all along that. 26 00:01:38,794.999 --> 00:01:43,395 We're one of the four United States diocese that are along that border. And Rio Grande Borderland Ministries is our effort.

So Google Rio Grande Borderland Ministries, and you will see across the top and invitation to Boquillas and beyond, which is doing a mission trip to Boquillas. .87142857 The general logistics you can find at Rio Grande Borderland Ministries dot org. 30 00:02:01,632.87142857 --> 00:02:14,919.999 You arrive on October 13th and on October 14th we'll cross the border and then we'll be laying about 900 square feet of tile and meeting and working with the young people in Boquillas.

Bcha and Beyond is a ministry that's been doing mission work south of the border through Rio Grande Borderland Ministries for quite some time now. They've installed solar panels for the school there and and in a variety of other places helping the, town and the village council there ministering to young people there. And so the laying of the tile is a part of the next. effort in Boquillas.

So if you're looking for an opportunity to serve and you got your passport because you're going to need your passport, we'd love for you to join us October 14th through 19th for Boquillas and beyond. 36 00:02:51,339.999 --> 00:02:52,390 The link is below.

.999 Leanna Brun, you are the Diocesan Youth and Family Missionary. 38 00:03:00,939.999 --> 00:03:02,470 We're grateful for all you're doing. And you want to tell us about a mission trip to Taos. Tell us about it. All right. All right. .9 So, uh, we had 13 attendees. And, uh, we had, uh, youth from Albuquerque. And from Española and from Taos. And, uh, we stayed at St. James Episcopal in Taos, um, old school, sleeping in sleeping bags on the, on the parish hall floor.

Um, and then we worked with the, uh, nunnery, um, that, uh, the La Sierra Encantada nunnery, which is Northeast headed up by, uh, Reverend Jill Klein. And so with, uh, Reverend Jill Klein and, uh, Father Mike. Olson, uh, and the parish of St. .999 James, we got the kids a place to stay, a place to fellowship and, and we got them fed. And, uh, we use this time to start building some networking, um, as kids will do. They, uh, they came together and didn't know each other.

So they were in their separate spaces until we started those wonderful activities and games that get people. To break down those walls and start getting to know each other. Um, by the end of the evening, people were friending each other on various social media platforms and, uh, finding out, uh, you know, the musicians in the room, the artists in the room and, and so on.

Um, the next morning we got up early and, uh, Sydney Klein, one of our own, um, took us up to Towski Valley and, and took a contingent up all the way to Williams Lake. .999 So that was a beautiful start to Saturday. Awesome. So that was a hike. Yes. Yes. Wonderful. Right. We did a hike. And for those that weren't able, uh, we were able to take them up on the ski lift so they could also see everything. .999 So, so that all, uh, we're able to accommodate.

Awesome. 69 00:05:01,484.999 --> 00:05:03,425 So games and fellowship and then a hike. 70 00:05:03,494.999 --> 00:05:27,015 And then what else did you do? All right, so then we, so then we, uh, had arranged with the local interfaith group to find out how they do mission, and Taos is a smaller town, um, if you kind of take the Taos metro area as it were, uh, you're looking at, you're looking at around 10, 000 people max for, for this area that, that come and work here.

Uh, do their shopping here and that sort of thing. And so there are over 200 non profits in Taos alone. And St. James participates in the Enchanted Circle Interfaith Group. .001 And they have done a lot of work together to support each other's food pantries, helping the elderly get what they need. And so, um, one of the members of the Interfaith Group is our local Hindu ashram. And they invited us out, uh, to host, uh, they have a lunch on Saturday.

So they, they let us have lunch with them, uh, and gave us a tour and talked about how we work together. 79 00:06:05,429.999 --> 00:06:15,649.999 And then allowed the kids to ask questions about, um, and there were some great discussions about how we can support each other as we, uh, follow our different faith walks.

Uh, but, uh, there was a lot of, they understood that there was a lot of respect involved and that, uh, in the end, a lot of our, uh, different faith Uh, journeys lead us to serve one another and help one another. So it really helps support the idea of mission and discerning what your personal mission is. And so they did talk about what it was to keep people fed during, uh, during the time that COVID shut down.

.999 Uh, in Taos, how did that play out and how did we help one another? And so we talked about how the Presbyterians and the Methodists and, and everyone still work together, uh, for us to do this. And so that was, uh, I thought that was very beneficial and heard back from our youth later that that was the case, that this was really great to learn about this, uh, we took a little break, uh, everybody got a little breather, went out to Taos Cow, got some ice cream.

And then we went to, uh, to a soft opening of Common Grounds and, um, for those of you not aware, Common Grounds is, uh, the, uh, brainchild of, uh, Cindy Klein and some other youth supported by adults in Taos and at St. James and is an outreach of St. James. That, uh, is for either homeless or borderline homeless youth, uh, to be able to come together. It's a safe space for youth to come together, whether you are experiencing those things.

.999 And, um, you can wash your clothes, you can take a shower, you can go play some musical instruments, uh, get some tutoring, uh, there's a meditation space. And that evening, we had our 13 kids, we had the Common Grounds kids, and then Dreamtree brought over some, uh, youth that are currently experiencing homelessness. And so, uh, that evening, we had 32 people together gathered for dinner. And again, we started out as strangers and ended up as friends by the end of the evening.

I literally thought our youth were about to form a rock band in the other room. .999 And so, um, then we came back. 96 00:08:27,109.999 --> 00:08:40,940 Um, one practice we share quite often is affirmations and, and allowing a space for the youth to talk about what impacted them and what they're grateful for in this, in this space and what we had done together. And, um, so that, uh, that concluded our second night together.

And then the next morning, uh, we worshiped with St. .9995 James and spent some time, uh, learning what St. 100 00:08:53,64.9995 --> 00:08:54,095 James had to offer. And, uh, and then we all, uh, went our separate ways. Oh, it's wonderful.

I love, I love the, both the emphasis on fun, but also the different ways that community is built, you know, focusing on needs of others, but also bringing young people together, not just from different Episcopal churches in the area, but also meeting with young people who may not have a faith or, um, or just, you know, showing up at the event because it was going to be a fun event. So thank you so much for all you're doing.

And this, this will not be the only one of these trips, right? That's correct. Uh, we are going to, uh, of course have our usual events, but, uh, we are working on, uh, mission trips to, uh, West Texas and to, uh, our Borderlands ministry in El Paso, and, uh, we will, uh, you will be hearing more from us on how to sign up for those things. We always need chaperones. .9 We always need folks willing to, to come in and get trained and come with us and help make these things happen.

A safe space for us to be able to take our youth on these trips. Yeah. And there's gonna be a, a Doon convention event too, is that right? Yes, yes. We are definitely, uh, this year at Doon Convention, uh, the youth will be helping with, uh, a fun event on Friday evening. Um, so we'll, um, we'll be helping get the space ready for the things we'll do together, um, at the conclusion of the meeting portion of Friday. And then, and make that fun, that space.

Fun. And then on Saturday, we will have a field trip out to the bio park. We'll be seeing the aquarium and the gardens and we're going to have some folks helping us out with some games and things out there and youth are invited to participate in that, that activity. 118 00:10:44,699.999 --> 00:10:48,110 So that'll be an Albuquerque during diocesan convention. So you guys can take care of cannons and all those things like that. And we'll, we'll go and do that.

Yep, so youth, young adults, look for more information coming out of Leanna's office going forward. Leanna, thank you so much for all you do. Um, you are a blessing to us all. 124 00:11:04,69.999 --> 00:11:04,509.999 Thank you. 125 00:11:08,159.999 --> 00:11:11,579.9995 I know you all have been hearing about the four phases that we're doing. 126 00:11:11,579.9995 --> 00:11:16,290 And by the way, we could probably come up with a better name for the Dawson Four Phase Project.

If you've got a better name for the Dawson Four Phase Project, why don't you let me know? That'd be really helpful. Maybe put some comments down below. The reason we're doing this four phase project is that across the diocese, as I visit the congregations, I am hearing about some concerns about the future finances of our congregations. And I know personally about the concerns that I have about the future financial resources that we have at the diocese.

I want to be the most effective bishop I can be. .999 I want to make sure that you have the most effective diocesan staff. You can be. I and we exist to serve you in the congregations. And so this four phase project is really a chance to gather data from the congregations, uh, that data that can be used to help me as your bishop and your diocesan staff kind of refocus our attention so that we can serve you better.

more efficiently and to be doing the kind of things that you need us to do now and in the days ahead, which may be different from the things that we've always done. You know, we've always done it that way, only works in the past. .999 We need some ways that will help us work in the future.

.999 And that's why we're inviting you to participate in this four phase project. 140 00:12:31,54.999 --> 00:12:40,620 Phase one is an attempt for us to hear from you in the congregations, what you love about the Episcopal church and what you In New Mexico and far West Texas.

What is it about this church that makes you want to be a part of this church instead of the many other options that you might have? I think there are particular charisms that the Episcopal Church has, our little Episcopal branch to the Jesus movement is precious in the inside of God, and it brings a certain charism to the community in terms of who we are. I've got a lot of a lot of ideas about why I'm an Episcopalian and why I love the Episcopal church.

.88181818 But I want to hear about you and your congregation's input. 144 00:13:10,326.88181818 --> 00:13:22,164.999 We have heard so far from almost half of the congregations in the diocese, and we will be sharing that data with the diocese and with the clergy at clergy conference coming up in October. 145 00:13:22,434.999 --> 00:13:26,965 So if your congregation has not yet done phase one, talk to your clergy person about it.

And if you're a clergy person and your congregation hasn't quite gotten around to doing phase one yet, I encourage you to do it. The feedback we're getting around the diocese from those congregations that have done it is that it does a great job of raising energy and enthusiasm for your congregation, which is the point after all. 148 00:13:45,89.999 --> 00:13:50,630.001 We're trying to raise and encourage the thriving of the congregations in the diocese of the Rio Grande.

That's what phase one is all about. And we'll be talking about phase two going forward. Remember the reason we're doing this is to gather data. So your bishop and diocesan staff can be most effective in meeting your needs. And so we need your help with that. 154 00:14:07,899.999 --> 00:14:11,879.999 And we're asking for the collection of this data in order to strengthen the diocese. and its congregations for the many decades ahead.

.999 My friends, you all will remember the wildfires that have ripped through Riodosa, New Mexico and the mountains surrounding that area, including the Mescalero Apache Nation. 157 00:14:35,304.999 --> 00:14:41,775 And I want to let you know that those recovery efforts continue, even though the fires are out.

And we know that that fire recovery effort will take not just the next few months, but in fact, years for the full recovery to still happen. 159 00:14:52,709.999 --> 00:14:57,999.9 Later this week, I'm going to be releasing a video about ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. following the Calf Canyon fire around Las Vegas, New Mexico, and how our Episcopal Church, uh, is involved in that ongoing effort.

Today, I want to ask you to continue to help support the Church of the Holy Mount in Rio Doso, New Mexico, and their ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. Just Google the Diocese of the Rio Grande, and when you see our website, there's a place to give, and then you just select Rio Doso Wildfire Recovery, and those funds will go directly to the people in and around Rio Doso to be administered by the Congregation of Holy Mount to help with the ongoing wildfire relief efforts.

I also want to take this moment to give thanks for Episcopal Relief and Development, and their chief agent working with us, Katie Mears.

We plan for Katie to come and talk to us at the Assassin Convention, and we're grateful for all the help that is happening, um, from Episcopal Relief and Development. 165 00:15:54,264.999 --> 00:16:03,895 Ria Dosso, people at Holy Mount, we love you, we are with you, we are praying, and we're going to keep sending financial aid to help with that ongoing recovery effort. 166 00:16:04,25.1 --> 00:16:24,394.999 When do you want to return? Oh, soon! I first met the Right Reverend Dave Bailey when I was working with Bishop Michael Curry, and part of my job was to connect with and work with all the indigenous Episcopalians throughout the Episcopal Church. 167 00:16:24,654.999 --> 00:16:26,844.9 Particularly, those diocese.

Alaska, Navajo land, North Dakota, and South Dakota, who are actively engaged in indigenous ministries and supported by the Episcopal church through its general convention budget. Bishop Dave is a former rodeo guy. He is a cowboy with a heart of gold. And Dave loves the people of Navajo land and has given many years of his life dedicated to serving and nurturing and growing that ministry there.

When I first met him, he had a vision that the next bishop of Navajo land would be called from the indigenous, uh, Navajo people. 173 00:17:04,594.999 --> 00:17:15,655 And he wanted to make sure that there were a number of choices of Navajo people who had Masters of Divinity degrees and that the next bishop would be a Diné person. And by the time he passed away earlier this summer, There are enough Navajo clergy to choose from to choose the next bishop in Navajo land.

Bishop Barry Beisner is the current provisional there. He kind of took over for Dave with the role of helping to nurture the diocese as they put together a process to choose the next permanent bishop of Navajo land. .999 And Navajo land became a diocese of the Episcopal church, not just an area mission as they were before, but a diocese. .999 All of that had to do with Dave Bailey and his faithful leadership as the Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Navajo Land for the time that he served them.

So, um, I miss Dave terribly. My prayers are with his family. And the people of the diocese of Navajo land as we will be gathering later on this week to celebrate his life in Farmington, New Mexico. 182 00:18:12,969.999 --> 00:18:14,160 God bless you, Dave Bailey. I'm grateful for all you taught me about being a bishop and I miss you, my friend, but I'll be there to help celebrate your life. And I'm grateful that you are now part of the communion of saints and always there to help us out.

God bless you.

Well, my friends, that's your weekly update for this Labor Day weekend of 2024. This Labor Day weekend, I hope you take some time to rest from your labors and get some Sabbath, but I also hope you'll take some time to think about, pray for, and give thanks for all the many people whose labor makes your quality of life so much better than it would be otherwise. I'm talking about the people who do the roofing, the people who pave our streets and lay the concrete.

I'm talking about the people who serve our communities as teachers, as nurses, as health technicians, as physicians. I'm talking about the people who are our police officers and our firefighters, the people who are our social workers, the people who are our clinical therapists, the people who check us out in the grocery line. Who wait on tables and take care of us when we're going through the drive through. I'm talking about the people who raise the food that is on your plate.

Those who help prepare it and those who do the dishes. 194 00:19:33,824.999 --> 00:19:42,225 It takes all of us and our labor in order to raise the quality of life for all of us this Labor Day weekend. .999 Give thanks for those who labor know that your labor is blessed by God and is sacred and hallowed. Let's give thanks for one another. My friends. God bless you, and we'll see you next time on the Weekly Update.