Dear Clergy Associations, Affiliate NNECA Members and Friends,
The year of 2011 has flown by on the same wings of change that have been carrying us for the past several years. As old structures become cumbersome, as our churches work to find new ways of carrying out God’s mission in community, so we also are aware that old ways of serving as your national network board are no longer feasible. New, more efficient and cost effective ways of communication have become prevalent in our world. However, since the paper Leaven newsletter ended in 2009, it has been a struggle to be as effective in reaching our constituents with our website, Leaven FASST, and other electronic media. Fewer associations and fewer dues make it next to impossible for us to travel to start or galvanize existing associations.
That said, there is still no other independent voice for Episcopal clergy like your NNECA Board. This past year we received emails from clergy in difficult situations looking for advice, support and direction and were able to interact with them. And we are here for you. We bring their concerns and yours to the attention of our church leadership.
Our connections to the Church Center and Church Pension Group leadership remain very strong. This coming January 17th we will be in New York City meeting with ++Katherine Jefferts Schori, +Stacey Sauls and their associates for a conversation on the latest in structural changes and developmental happenings at that level. On January 18th we head to CPG to meet with their new president, Mary Kate Wold, and other leaders there to do the same. We will also meet with Donald Romanik and ECF while in New York to hear what initiatives they have in process. One of these is the Barnabas Project, a continuing educational opportunity for priests ordained 5 years or less for advanced leadership training and mentoring. Diocesan pilot projects are beginning in 2012 in Oregon, Connecticut and West Texas.
While in collegial relationship with all these Episcopal Church entities, we nonetheless work independently and specifically on your behalf. After our January meetings we will communicate what transpires to you and utilize the information we learn to further discern how God in calling NNECA to work in the future to best serve you. Our structures may change, but our passion to serve those who serve God as ordained persons remains.
May 2012 be a year of transformation and joy for us all.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Canon Neysa Ellgren
NNECA Board President
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