A Vision for the Convocation

What is the vision for a diocese, in our case the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe? This is what we have been talking about since last night. It was good for me to be here even though I would have very much liked to stay in Romania. But I can only find support from the parishes when I do talk to all of them, especially the rectors. And when they feel called to participate in this very special endeavor, engaging in mission trips, with the willingness to be transformed. It takes courage, but it also shows where Church really is.
Now I am on. I need to prepare material to get them to have me visit and present this possibility in being alongside those who we want to help. Being alongside, listening to their needs, trying to help them to find the solutions they need to develop to be able to move forward.
May God guide me and all of us in this endeavor so that all we do may fulfill his will for us.
This is of course only a small part of the vision we have for our congregation which in spite of its small number of members is yet so spread and so rich. But whatever brings us closer to God is worth engaging in. And that is to be our goal and our vision for the next years.

Visit in Germany

This is my first blog and I should probably introduce myself and my project. Well, that will come, but not today. Apologies for that. I am fighting the technique of blogging and just managed to get the picture in the way I kind of want them. I put the time in but it shows Pacific Summertime, no, that's not where I am, but I can't change it. Or at least I don't know how to change it. The internet and I, an ongoing struggle.

It is just too strange to be away from Husi, the place and people I got to love and about which this report will be. I am currently on Clergy Retreat with my fellow clergy of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe in Schloss Fürstenried, Munich, Germany. Here one of my collegues showed me how to start a blog. So here we are.

I left Husi already a week ago and hope to return there next Wednesday, God willing. My program of what to do here is way to big and I just hope to be able to manage at least the bigger part of it.

Today Vision 2012 will begin, a conference of the Convocation, my diocese, to plan for its future and my hope is to make this project a part of it.

       

Schloß Fürstenried was built in 1715 by the Bavarian Prince Elector Max Emanuel as hunting lodge and royal residence. From the upper front windows one can look directly towards the Frauenkirche, the Roman Catholic cathedral of Munich.

Today's entrance is on the side, but it looks very impressive when one can look through the gate that was used for the royalties. 

In the middle of the 19th century an order of Trappist nuns found refuge at the Schloss. This was the first religious use of the building. At the beginning of the 20th century Prince Otto was incarcerated there for many years until his death in 1916.

Today it is used as retreat center of the Roman Catholic Church. It has a French as well as a beautiful English garden with wonderful old trees that stretch their branches towards the sky and in which many birds find shelter. 

This blog will continue when I am back to Husi, the place this is blog was created for. So stay tuned! If God's plan for me fit my plans, I will be back mid week.