The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
March 2008

Happenings in our Episcopal Community

Ed. Note: Taken from Parish and Ministry Newsletters and stories shared by those in our Diocese. Please let me know any events you want shared throughout the Diocese. If you have pictures… please email those also! cwirth@episcopal-ut.org

St. Michael's Welcomes the Rev. Claudia Seiter

The Rev. Claudia Seiter and her husband, David Seiter, "formally" joined the St. Michael's community in grand style at the annual meeting. The Seiters furnished a meal for all. The parish brought out the fine china for the dinner as they welcomed their new Priest-in-charge. The Rev. Seiter has been serving the Church of the Good Shepherd in Ogden prior to the Brigham City assignment.

The WAY has started plans for a house building trip to Mexico

The Church of the Resurrection announced the interdenominational youth group, The WAY (Wasatch Area Youth), is planning for the Mexican trip for its 2008-2009 projects. The group is for 7th to 12th graders in the Davis County area.

Prison Ministry of St. Stephen‘s starts new year after successful Angel Tree Party

The Dialogue is very happy to share a wonderful story from Lorrin and Carol Powell about the prison ministry at St. Stephen's. The Powells report this year is off to a great start because of another successful Angel Tree Christmas party. Here is the Powell's story:

We sponsored twenty-four children. Twenty children and their caregivers attended our party. Lorrin delivered gifts to four of the children that could not attend the party.

Prison inmates submitted the names of the children. St. Stephen's parishioners chose a child to sponsor and purchased gifts for the children. The gifts were wrapped during a "wrapping party" after church services the Sunday prior to the annual party. Each gift included a message to the child from their inmate parent. The Angel Tree program is unique in that it helps inmates bond to their children even though they cannot attend the party. The children all live in the West Valley City area, the inmates are housed throughout the United States and some of them have little or no contact with their children.

The Angel Tree celebration commenced with dinner, which was prepared by St. Stephen's parishioners. After dinner Christmas Carols were sung by all. It was a special treat when several of our children gathered around the piano and dedicated a song to Father Lee. Father Lee presented the gifts to each of the children. Special thanks to Terresa Newport and her son. They purchased additional gifts for each child and delivered them to St. Stephen's. Special thanks also to Karen Whelan-Berry and her daughter Palmer. They also purchased additional gifts for each child and delivered them to St. Stephen's. Judy Carter made sure each child had a colorful fleece blanket to take home with them in addition to their gifts.

We are very grateful to have the opportunity to coordinate this annual tradition at St. Stephen's. We could not do it without Father Lee and the support of the St. Stephen's community. We highly recommend this program to other parishes. If you are interested in sponsoring inmate's children and facilitating an Angel Tree Christmas party next year, please contact Father Lee at St. Stephen's, 801-968-2731.

Still time to learn more during Lent at St. James

Chris Frazier of St. James alerted us to the final weeks of an exceptional Lenten series. Do you want to explore the biblical accounts of the last week of the life of Jesus? If so, there's still time at St. James Episcopal Church, 7486 South Union Park Ave., Midvale. March 12 is the last day in the five-week session. Canon Nestler's course at St. James explores Jesus' passion and death through the four gospel narratives found in the New Testament to appreciate and illuminate the details of the stories familiar to the Christian experience. She further clarifies her talk with slides of art and archaeology and encourages group discussion throughout the presentation. According to the Canon Nestler, the close examination helps us to appreciate not only the viewpoints presented, but nourish our own souls as a pre-Lenten spiritual discipline. The course is open to everyone, but is best suited to those of high school age or older. Childcare is provided. There is no registration, and no cost. The evening begins at 6 p.m., with a potluck. For more information, call the St. James' Church office at 801- 566-1311.