QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NEBRASKA SUMMER 2012 From the Bishop’s Desk You can get the on-line version of this FOR FREE—click the “Nebraska Episcopalian” button on the diocesan website and enter your email address. You can receive a printed edition in the mail by sending your name, address, and an $8 annual subscription fee to the diocesan office. Sometimes I am not absolutely sure what I think about something, until my opinion pops out of my mouth. That’s not always the case of course. I try to be considered and faithful about what I believe and in the decisions I make, but there are times I have to be asked before I know for sure where I stand. This dynamic comes up in my life especially when I visit churches around the diocese and talk to folks about the ministry of being a bishop and our shared life in Christ. Lately I have noticed a change in the way I answer some of the common questions I get asked, and it’s a change that seems worth sharing with all of you. How is your new job? When asked this question six months ago, I would often answer in about one-half jest: “I am probably in over my head.” There is a way of course in which that will always be true. There is no such thing as a perfect disciple (thank God for the love of Jesus!) and certainly the ministry of bishop includes any number of particular challenges. No one person is ever likely to be completely equipped to deal with them all. Despite all that, it’s now so clear to me that this job will in fact be do- able in the year and years to come. That is proving to be true not because I am rising to every challenge, but because so many of you are stepping forward to support me with constant prayer, kindness – and very often practical and tangible support in the way of time, talent and treasure offered to support your diocese. Nowadays, when asked about my new job I am much more likely to say, “The people of this diocese are amazing. It gets better every day!” What is your plan for the Diocese of Nebraska? This was a common question during the election process and folks continue to ask it to this day. Six months ago (and Tri-Faith a big Hit ! Our Episcopal Tri-Faith Initiative was one of the most popular booths at General Convention in Indianapolis, and over 600 people signed up to be Tri -Faith “Neighbors.” If you’re not a neighbor, won’t you be one, too? Check out the website at: http://trifaith.episcopal-ne.org certainly a year ago) my stock answer was, “I don’t know. I feel you’ve got to live in a place and get to know a people before you can develop any kind of meaningful vision for doing ministry.” I still have a lot to learn. I’ve not yet served a full year with you. I’ve not yet visited every church in the diocese. I don’t even begin to know all the people who have an important opinion to share on this score. Despite all that, it is clear there are particular areas of formation and ministry which we’ll certainly want to invest in as we work to bring increasing life and health to our diocese. Today when folks ask about my vision for the (see Bishop next page) How to Subscribe
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QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NEBRASKA SUMMER 2012
From the Bishop’s Desk
You can get the on-line version of this FOR FREE—click the “Nebraska Episcopalian” button on
the diocesan website and enter your email address. You can receive a printed edition in the mail
by sending your name, address, and an $8 annual subscription fee to the diocesan office.
Sometimes I am not absolutely sure what I
think about something, until my opinion
pops out of my mouth. That’s not always
the case of course. I try to be considered
and faithful about what I believe and in the
decisions I make, but there are times I have
to be asked before I know for sure where I
stand. This dynamic comes up in my life
especially when I visit churches around the
diocese and talk to folks about the ministry
of being a bishop and our shared life in
Christ. Lately I have noticed a change in the
way I answer some of the common questions
I get asked, and it’s a change that seems
worth sharing with all of you.
How is your new job?
When asked this question six months ago, I
would often answer in about one-half jest: “I
am probably in over my head.”
There is a way of course in which that will
always be true. There is no such thing as a
perfect disciple (thank God for the love of
Jesus!) and certainly the ministry of
bishop includes any number of particular
challenges. No one person is ever likely
to be completely equipped to deal with
them all. Despite all that, it’s now so
clear to me that this job will in fact be do-
able in the year and years to come. That
is proving to be true not because I am
rising to every challenge, but because so
many of you are stepping forward to
support me with constant prayer, kindness
– and very often practical and tangible
support in the way of time, talent and
treasure offered to support your diocese.
Nowadays, when asked about my new job
I am much more likely to say, “The
people of this diocese are amazing. It
gets better every day!”
What is your plan for the Diocese of
Nebraska?
This was a common question during the
election process and folks continue to ask
it to this day. Six months ago (and
Tri-Faith a big Hit !
Our Episcopal Tri-Faith Initiative was one of the most popular booths at General Convention in Indianapolis, and over 600 people signed up to be Tri-Faith “Neighbors.” If you’re not a neighbor, won’t you be one, too? Check out the website at: http://trifaith.episcopal-ne.org
certainly a year ago) my stock answer
was, “I don’t know. I feel you’ve got to
live in a place and get to know a people
before you can develop any kind of
meaningful vision for doing ministry.”
I still have a lot to learn. I’ve not yet
served a full year with you. I’ve not yet
visited every church in the diocese. I
don’t even begin to know all the people
who have an important opinion to share
on this score. Despite all that, it is clear
there are particular areas of formation and
ministry which we’ll certainly want to
invest in as we work to bring increasing
life and health to our diocese. Today
when folks ask about my vision for the
(see Bishop next page)
How to Subscribe
Page 2
How Firm a Foundation Choice
One of the gifts God gives us with new life is the urge to respond by giving and giving generously and repeatedly—as God gives. Of course, there is no way to repay for our new life. But our response can be to own the liberation offered us to live fully and give ourselves and what we have with bold generosity.
Br. Eldridge Pendleton
Society of St. John the
Evangelist
Sign up for “Brother, Give
Us a Word”, a very brief
daily devotion from The
Society of St. John the
Evangelist, an Episcopal
Benedictine monastery in
Boston, at
http://www.ssje.org/
The Real Lives of the Parish Administrators in Nebraska…
Inez Barth recently
celebrated her 8th
anniversary of work at
Trinity Church in Norfolk, but
for her it is pure joy to be a part
of this parish. She loves
working with Fr. Bob and counts
this as just one of her many
successful careers. Inez has
been a business owner for 22
years, a writer for a local paper,
a photographer (with a dark
room), and today she even finds
time to care for the elderly in her
community—Taking neighbors
to doctor’s appointments,
picking up their groceries, and
even running errands they cannot
do themselves. Inez is humble
about her life and reluctant to
brag, but her son is very proud.
He often brags that she can make
the fastest pies around. Inez can
literally get a call from the
church and have a great tasting
pie in the oven in less than 5
minutes!
For Barb White, the drive is the
best part of the trip. She and her
retired husband, Jack, pack up
the dog Casey and hit the road
to see some of their favorite
spots in Wyoming. Three days
of just driving and looking at the
big beautiful sky, sharing the
laughter of good company and
stories of memories from a
lifetime together help rejuvenate
Barb for continued service at the
Pro-Cathedral in Hastings. Barb
has served her entire career in
the church. For over 25 years
she has been a part of a parish
staff. She loves the people, the
clergy, and the Lord. She has no
Favorite Bible Verse
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kind-ness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Linda Shirck,
All Saints, Omaha
secrets and is outspoken and
honest. She loves the people of
St. Mark’s and is always excited
to see what will happen
next. For now, she awaits the
next trip. She assures me, “You
can see a lot of sky and
mountains in 3 days.”
Stayed tuned to our next edition
when we explore more Real
Lives of our Parish Admin-
istrators…their lives outside the
parish walls.
- Kate Baxley
Director of Administration and
Communications
Send us your
favorite Bible
verse and
we’ll use it in
a future edition of the
NE Episcopalian !
Bishop continued
diocese, I’ll usually say
something like, “I am just
beginning to figure this out, but
whatever we do we will surely
work to recruit, form and support
great clergy, we’ll be more pro-
active about serving people in
need in our communities, and
we’ll support just about any
ministry that brings the people of
our far-flung diocese together in
the name of Jesus!”
How is your new house?
You all have very kindly
inquired about how I am doing
when I am not working as your
bishop. Folks ask about our new
house, about Annie and the
kids…about whether I am still
running often enough to keep
from getting fat at all those
church potlucks! In the
aftermath of moving away from
a place and people that we loved
very much to come back to
Nebraska, I tried to be honest
when I answered these kinds of
questions. “Doing OK – but it’s
been hard to say ‘good-bye.’ We
miss being close to the kids
when they are away at college.
The new house is fine.”
Of course saying goodbye is
tough work, as is starting over in
a brand new thing. Even for
Christians – who know full well
God’s assurance that what
appears to be an end may really
be just a great new beginning – it
is still hard to let go. But now
going on a year since our move,
I find myself increasingly,
happily and wonderfully feeling
back at home. Today when
people ask me about how I am
doing, I can answer that, “It’s
been great to reconnect with old
friends. We love our new
neighborhood…and the new
house is the best one in which
we’ve ever lived!”
When will you come see us
again?
I get asked this a lot. I hope it
means that I am doing a good job
for you and that you like it when
your bishop comes to visit! I can
assure you that the most
regularly delightful part of my
new ministry is coming to visit
you where you live. But my
answer to this particular question
has not much changed in these
past many months. We have at
least 53 churches in the diocese,
and numerous other communities
which are on my visitation
schedule. I’ve said from day one
- and will say again here – that I
expect to come once a year and I
will do better if I can.
I am sticking to that promise.
Thank you for making it such a
joy to live into that commitment.
Know that I pray for you even
when I cannot be there in person.
I will see you again soon!
Faithfully Yours in Christ –
The Right Rev. J. Scott Barker
Editor-in-Chief
Page 3
Salute!
Environmental Ministry
Out of the ground the LORD God made to grow every tree that is
pleasant to the sight and good for food...
The Diocese of
Nebraska is blessed
with a variety of parish
gardens. Prayer
gardens of all sizes
provide a spot of
beauty with flowers
and other landscaping; some include
a place to sit and meditate or a short
path for a slow, quiet walk. In
Elkhorn, the Hitchcock Memorial
Garden at St. Augustine of
Canterbury provides a park-like
setting for parishioners and members
of the community to use. St. Mary’s
in Bassett has a lovely contemplative
flower garden in the space between
the church building and the walkway,
while St. Stephen’s in Grand Island
fits a small memorial garden outside
their main entrance, and a prayer
garden complete with chairs and a
bubbling fountain in the space
between the fellowship hall and
community center. A few parishes
now grow community vegetable
gardens that produce food to share
with our neighbors and among
ourselves, providing a visible sign of
hospitality along with fresh produce
that may otherwise be unavailable to
some. Both prayer gardens and community
gardens express an intention to be
good stewards and use our resources
well. An area of parish property that
might otherwise be covered in
bluegrass or pavement becomes an
oasis. People benefit from food for our
souls in the prayer gardens and food
for our bodies from the community
gardens. While these two benefits may
seem completely different in kind from
one another, we know as people who
believe in Christ as God incarnate that
the spiritual and the physical are
intertwined; the partitions we build
with our minds to help us sort and
understand things aren’t necessarily
reflective of the underlying reality. This reality is perhaps more evident to
the gardeners who spend time on their
knees planting and weeding and
thinning than to people who see only
the flowers or vegetables each garden
produces. Gardening provides an
opportunity to connect directly with
the earth; literally grounding our feet –
and knees --in soil helps us to become
spiritually grounded. As we work to
produce something that will benefit
others, we also gain something. The
connections with God and God’s
creation that we experience when we
tend gardens make us more mindful of
the interconnections among God,
every human being, and all of creation.
Gardens are often “thin places” where
the human and divine, the physical and
the spiritual, come together. Our parish
gardens offer flowers, vegetables, and
a place to grow in the knowledge and
love of God.
- The Rev. Dn. Betsy Blake Bennett
Volunteer Contractor Needed
One of our Omaha Metro area churches is looking
for a consulting contractor to assist in imagining
what might be possible in terms of some basic
church meeting space finishing and
remodeling. If you are a person who has skill and
vision in this area – and who would take joy in
assisting a local parish as they seek to grow –
please contact the diocesan office and we will
connect you with a community who could use
your talents!
The Nebraska Episcopalian salutes Marilyn Brandt, who was
just honored as one of our nation’s “Distinguished Women”
at the tri-ennail gathering of the Episcopal Church Women in
Indianapolis. Marilyn is retired and lives with her husband,
Don in McCook. She serves on the Women’s Ministries
Commission, is an active member of Daughters of the King,
and is the person in our diocese most responsible for linking
visiting out-of-town patients with someone locally who can
be there to support them and their families.
Worship
Remember that a sacrament is “an outward sign
of an inner grace.” Life – our outward life – is
sacramental, every moment of it teeming with
God’s presence.
Br. Curtis Almquist
Society of Saint John the Evangelist
Favorite Bible Verse
Matthew 5:46
For if you love those who love you, what reward
do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do
the same?
Keith Winton, Church of the Resurrection Omaha
Prayer garden at St. Stephen’s, Grand Island
Page 4
Youth Ministry Notes
Your mission, should you
choose to accept it, is to venture
across the state to Valentine, NE,
and by extension to Rosebud
Indian Reservation in South
Dakota, and discover Christ’s
love in the hearts of the residents
of the local community, as well
as in your own heart.
After being given this
opportunity, 16 youth and 7
adults did choose to accept this
mission, and thus piled into their
vehicles for the annual Diocesan
youth mission trip. Representing
churches from all over the
Diocese, we bonded together for
six days to carry out God’s call
to service and love. While there
were certainly challenges to face,
it is safe to say that we all had a
wonderful time – Jesus was truly
among us during this trip!
Most of us left early Sunday
morning (Around 9:30, but that’s
pretty early for me) and spent
about six hours on the road to
our gracious hosts, St. John’s
Church in Valentine, NE. Upon
arrival, we took some time to get
set up and organize ourselves.
We were able to spend a little
bit of time in the chapel,
preparing for the tasks ahead of
us. The chapel of St. John’s is
truly beautiful – I especially
enjoyed the unique stained glass
windows that are situated in the
sanctuary. At the end of the day,
we were all worn out from our
travelling and preparations, but
excited to get onto the
reservation the next morning!
For the next four days, we drove
across the border into South
Dakota to visit the Rosebud
Indian Reservation, where we
would be working with the
Church of Jesus. The Church of
Jesus is the oldest Episcopalian
church on the reservation,
having been around since the
1800s. I adored the church, with
its tranquil sanctuary and the
trees surrounding it. Throughout
the week, the mission team
worked on several projects
around the church grounds. We
repainted the Church of Jesus’
community center, pulled down
an old sign that will be replaced
by another mission team, and
hung up new chalkboards in the
classrooms.
Perhaps the most exciting part
of our service was the young
children who gathered with us
during our Vacation Bible
School program! Each child
brought a sense of love and
excitement to the group. Most of
them were pretty shy at first,
perhaps only willing to nod or
shake their heads in response to
questions. But after a few songs,
stories, and games, just about
every youth had a child asking
for a piggyback ride or eagerly
running about to play kickball!
Countless times, we were shown
the love of Christ through the
actions and words of the
children. One day, I gave a little
boy a piggyback, and he pulled
my bandana off my head! When
I set him down, he first gave me
the bandana, then ran over to the
water cooler, filled up a cup,
and gave it to me. How ironic
that, in the evening, we read a
Bible passage in which Jesus is
explaining the reward that
awaits those who give a cup of
water to his disciples. Those
events make me ponder my role
as Christ’s servant. But that also
leads me to wonder who is the
disciple – myself, or that young
child, who welcomed us into his
home and his life? I feel very
fortunate to have worked with
these children, and felt God’s
love through them. Truly, they
are blessings of God!
Our V.B.S. program was
centered on God’s love and the
story of Jesus as they relate to
traditional Lakota Sioux beliefs,
such as the creator Wakan
Tanka, and the red, yellow,
white and black medicine circle.
It is not hard to see the overlap
between the different traditions.
Sometimes, it took a little extra
thinking and examination to
connect the traditions, but there
was always a way. Working to
find a way to connect Christian
and Lakota tradition was eye-
opening, not only due to the new
exposure to Native American
beliefs, but also because we had
to re-examine and dig deeper
into Biblical stories we have
been taught since childhood in
order to look at them through
the traditions of the Lakota. We
also had to be familiar enough
with our own faith tradition to
be able to explain it to others.
We all learned a bit more about
our Christian tradition, thanks to
this chance to look at the stories
of God from a different vantage
point.
After our four days at Church of
Jesus, it was time to say good-
bye to the children. We rested
for a night, and then ended our
trip to Valentine with a trip on
tubes down the Niobrara River,
Huckleberry Finn-style! All
those on the mission trip had a
fantastic time working with the
people of Valentine and
Rosebud, and I pray that the
children on the reservation took
something positive away from
their experience at V.B.S. I also
pray that each member of the
mission team learned about
themselves and God, whether it
was through an experience in
faith, leadership, service, or any
other lesson. Personally, I
learned that I am constantly
called to be a leader in Christ.
The mission trip was a time for
me to step up and take charge,
rather than allowing someone
else to take the reins. And
believe me – I wasn’t always
happy that God put me in that
role. I certainly had my
frustrations throughout the
week, as everyone on this
mission trip did. However, I am
glad that I was called to be in a
role as a leader. I learned even
more about what it takes to be
an effective leader, and I learned
that God always has something
for me to do! God calls me, and
all people, to never stop sharing
God’s blessings and gifts with
others. Thanks be to God for
pushing us to our limits, and
teaching us God’s way
throughout our lives!
So with all these activities,
experiences, and lessons, what
truly stood out and touched me
on this trip? Without a doubt,
my favorite part of this trip was
building new relationships with
all the people involved in our
mission trip. I engaged with the
children of the reservation, met
leaders in the Church of Jesus,
made new friends from parishes
across the Diocese, had
wonderful conversations with
the parishioners of St. John’s,
and learned from a mission trip
leader from North Carolina. I
am so blessed to have met all
these new people; each one
really impacted my life as Christ
alive in the world. God is
present in my life through the
people of the mission trip – new
friends I will not forget.
(see Youth next page)
Mission team and kids at Church of Jesus, Rosebud Reservation
Page 5
Global Mission Conference
Nebraska Episcopal Diocese Global Mission Conference
Companion Diocese Dominican Republic
Companion Diocese Twic East South Sudan
This coming September, we will
meet to conduct a conference on
our global mission. This will
cover the various activities
relative to our Companion
Dioceses of Twic East and
Dominican Republic. The purpose of the conference
will be to present, discuss and
share with all interested
diocesean members the many
exciting activities going on in
parishes across the diocese.
One object of the conference is
to stimulate possible new
directions and ideas for growing
our overall mission in our
companion relationships. We presently have fund raisers
of various types, donor gifts,
mission trips, pilgrimages,
guilds, individuals and
communication interface with
national organizations within the
Episcopal church i.e., U.T.O.,
and with other Non-Govern-
mental Organizations (NGO’S).
We are also becoming involved
with advocacy groups and
organizations operating within
our scope of interest in our
Companion Dioceses. In the near future, we will have
the specific date, time and
location for the conference. We
will poll the parishes to see who
may wish to attend and pick a
location with the most interest to
maximized attendance. In this
Youth continued This was my first year as a part of the mission trip, and I am so grateful that I finally had the chance to travel with the group. Our mission was
accomplished – each of us encountered God in some manner, and now understands a little bit better how God is present in ourselves and in our
surroundings. I have grown as a person and as a follower of Christ because of this trip. Thank you to everyone involved in making this
wonderful trip happen, and thank you to God. It was quite the experience. - Abby Culp Abby attends Mercy High School in Omaha and serves as Chair of our Diocesan Youth Commission. – Ed
austere time, funds are not
available for travel expenses,
however we will work with
interested parties to find ways to
minimize expense to
individuals. The Diocese of Nebraska is
dedicated and committed to
growing and expanding our
Global Mission.
Fat Sunday Challenge Award Trip to Bassett
Bishop Barker, Fr. Jason Emerson, Vestry members and
parishioners of Church of the Resurrection spend a day with
the COR Fat Sunday Challenge winner— St. Mary’s, Bassett.
Michael Skulavik, Fr. Randy Goeke, Becky Deterding
and Lucy Geib from St. Mary’s receive the Fat Sunday
Challenge Award from Bishop Barker and Fr. Jason
Emerson.
No job is too big for Bishop Barker! Kids from Church of the Resurrection
provide music for the workers. The Bishop gets a special
purple vacuum cleaner.
Page 6
Mission Notes
The Changing Face of Mission
“Don’t tell anyone that you went
to the beach,”
a friend
recommended
when I
returned from
a recent visit
to the
Dominican
Republic. “If
you do, no one will think it was a
real mission trip.”
The term “mission trip” is loaded
with meaning and assumptions. In
Episcopal circles, we use it to
describe anything from a youth
trip to a neighboring diocese to an
adult trip requiring special skills
(i.e. “medical mission”). Some
mission trips involve physical
labor—building a house or
refurbishing a park, for
example—while others entail
sharing specific information or
skills, like offering workshops or
classes. Oftentimes members of
our communities—whether
mission trip participants or
observers—are uncomfortable
with trips that where work isn’t
the primary focus. This is a
difficult topic to navigate, and I
know that what I’m about to say is
controversial, but…
Most mission trips are not about
the work.
The word “mission” means,
“sending,” or “being sent.” For
most of the Church’s history up
until now, “mission” has meant
the propagation of the Christian
faith—“making disciples of all
nations,” as Jesus commanded his
followers to in the wake of his
resurrection. The history of how
that command has been lived out
is full of ups and downs. At many
points in history the call to spread
the Good News did considerable
damage to cultures where
propagating the gospel was
inappropriately tied to
propagating Western values. In
these cases, Christian mission
was linked with trading, imperial
expansion, and sadly, economic
and political power. While the
gospel of Christ is always good
news, our human sinfulness has
not always delivered the gospel in
the most Christ-like ways.
In recent decades, our
understanding of Christian
mission has changed
significantly, thanks in part to the
end of the colonial era and the
growth of cross-cultural and
interreligious dialogue. We
understand the world better now
and, hopefully, we have a greater
appreciation for how other
cultures and communities
encounter the Holy in their lives.
Most Episcopal Church mission
trips these days are spent with
other Christian communities. In
the Diocese of Nebraska, for
example, we have companion
relationships with the Diocese of
the Dominican Republic and the
Provincial Diocese of Twic East
in South Sudan—two Episcopal/
Anglican communities where the
gospel is flourishing.
With all of this in mind, a
challenge for Christians in the
21st century is how to engage in
mission when “propagating the
gospel” is no longer our goal;
when we recognize the damage
done by Westerners equating
faith with wealth and goods.
Mission still means “being sent.”
We just have to figure out what
we are being sent to do. What is
God’s will for our mission trips?
God’s will is always creative
(think of Genesis!) and always
relational (think of the Trinity!
Or of Jesus!). If nothing else, let’s
start there. When we engage in
mission, we are open to God’s
creative Spirit, which inevitably
means being open to personal and
communal transformation. On
mission trips, we are asking God
to open us to a new understanding
of the gospel, to see the good
news of Christ in a fresh and
challenging way. Much of this is
accomplished simply by stepping
out of our comfort zone and
getting to know Christians who
experience God in a context
removed from our own. It’s like
worshipping in a different pew
than the one you’re used to—the
whole sanctuary looks different!
When we embrace God’s
relational nature, we strengthen
our understanding of what the
Body of Christ looks like, who
are neighbors are, and what it
really means to be made in the
image of God. God doesn’t just
look like our neighborhood, or
our workplace, or even our parish
church. God is much bigger and
more diverse than that.
I misstated the truth earlier.
Mission trips are about work—
hard spiritual work where our
assumptions are challenged, our
understanding of God tested and
remade, and our imaginations lit
up and ignited for change in our
own communities. That’s such
hard work that you might need to
go the beach for a few minutes,
just to see God in the water.
- The Rev. Liz Easton
The Rev. Liz Easton is Assistant
to the Rector at All Saints in
Omaha. Liz helped lead the
mission and service team that
travelled this spring to our
companion Diocese of Twic
East in South Sudan. – Ed
Favorite Bible Verse 1 Corinthians 13:7
Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things. Beth Byrne, Church of the
Holy Spirit, Bellevue
Fall Academy “Exploring and Envisioning Church Growth “
Christ Church, Beatrice ● St. James, Fremont
St. Elizabeth’s, Holdrege ● St. Hilda’s, Kimball
St. David’s, Lincoln
Dates to be
Announced
Soon !
Mission Team in Dominican Republic
Page 7
If that is not enough…we are just beginning to appreciate the extent
to which obesity is damaging to the brain. Obesity has been linked to an
increased risk of cognitive decline (Whitmer, 2008) promoting a state of
insulin resistance in which the brain becomes starved of glucose –its
preferred fuel source. There is evidence that the brain may literally rewire
itself due to overweight. So there is hope that this can be reversed.
Dementia is one of the most costly and devastating health problems facing
our country… the possibility that obesity today will lead to higher rates of
dementia in the future is alarming.
Two of the most prevalent health issues present in society today are
obesity and depression. Research shows that BMI and depression are
highly correlated and that obese individuals have a 25% chance of
experiencing some form of mood or anxiety disorder (NIMH, 2008).
Research suggests… that there may be a strong correlation with the
soaring 400% use of antidepressant drugs since 1988. Medical costs of obesity in the US are a staggering $147 billion/year
(Finkelstein, 2009). If future projections become reality, by 2030 obesity
related conditions will cost the US health care system up to an extra $66
billion each year (Wang, 2011).
Heavenly Father…author of all health and salvation…we humbly
beseech thee to help us discern the discipline and wisdom
necessary to care for our bodies, minds, and spirits as temples of
your essence and presence within us. Guide us on our journeys as
we renew our commitment to honor health and wholeness in such
a way that will glorify you and our ability to serve all of your
people. Give us the strength and courage to persevere and run the
race set before us not only for ourselves but for our nation, the
world and future generations to come. In the name of your son
Jesus Christ we pray… Amen - The Rev. Dn. Stephanie Ulrich, RN, SD
Minister of Health, All Saints Omaha
Nebraska Summer We dropped peaches into boiling water long enough to cook the skins, then plunged them into a sink full of ice cubes. The skins came off when we rubbed them. You cut the fruit and into each jar I laid a pit, as I had seen it done. I said, I don’t know why; must there be a reason? We set the jars into the canner and left them while we took a walk in the corn in the dark; we moved down the row, listening to crickets, corn between us and on either side, forever. When I looked at your silhouette, it was you and corn against the sky, and corn leaves brushed our bodies like slender hands. - Marjorie Saiser
Marjorie Saiser's most recent book is BESIDE YOU
AT THE STOPLIGHT (The Backwaters Press,
Omaha, 2010), winner of the Little Blue Stem
I recently attended a seminar entitled Food,
Stress and the Brain presented by Beverly
White, PH.D., R.D. The focus of this
seminar was on the interconnectedness/
relationship between all three. Usually I am
not shocked by many health related issues/
concerns today, but this was a learning
experience that was alarmingly sobering. Here is the first of
many ongoing related series I will be featuring in this column
from INR (Institute for Natural Resources); a non-profit
organization dedicated to research and education in the fields of
science and medicine. Clearly this article as alarming as it might be... is meant only to
raise awareness and to begin the dialogue on the myriad of health
related/concerns issues we face in the church, our nation and the
world. Take heart! As individuals and as a diocese we can
collectively come together and empower one another by
encouraging whole person health through increased self-
knowledge, personal responsibility and inter-dependence among
God’s people.
The brain is the “motherboard” for all of the body’s systems.
This amazing three pound organ is the seat of our intelligence,
interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and
controller of behavior.
There is a direct relationship between food intake, stress and
brain physiology.
The prevalence of obesity in the US has doubled in the
1980’s and 1990’s (Flegal et al., 2002). This increase occurred in
every age, race, sex and socioeconomic group.
In 2010, an expert panel for the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans stated “The obesity epidemic is the single biggest
threat to public health in this century.” Two-thirds of our adult
population is now either overweight or obese… up from 15-19%
reported in 1995… if this trend continues…it is postulated that
within 20-30 years it will soar to 90-95% of the US population…
and by 2048 predicted @ 100%. Beverly reported that obese
children in the US are physiologically aging faster and actually
now enjoy life less than children undergoing chemotherapy
treatment…30% of our kids are now overweight (1 in 6 or 17%
of our kids are considered obese).
There is great concern…that the rising prevalence of obesity
will translate into higher rates of chronic disease…not only
increasing our financial burden…but having a profound impact
on our quality of life. Being overweight and obese are associated
with multiple coexisting metabolic abnormalities and they greatly
increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The
American Cancer Society estimates nearly 90,000 cancer deaths
each year are related to obesity (Calle, 2003).
Health & Wellness Corner
Editor’s Note: Ted Kooser, the former Poet Laureate of the U.S., will choose a poem for each issue of the NE Episcopalian. Ted worships at St. Andrew’s Seward.
Page 8
Global Mission Girls Middle School Update
Background The country of South Sudan has
been engulfed in two major wars
since achieving independence
from the British as a colony in
1954. The last war which lasted
21 years has resulted in South
Sudan separating as a sovereign
nation from North Sudan. Over 2
million citizens of South Sudan
have perished during the last war
which ended with the signing of
the CPA (Comprehensive Peace
Agreement) in 2005. The
relationship we have with Twic
East Diocese can aid and assist in
our small way to help lift up a war
torn nation.
Since 2002, some Nebraska
Diocese parishes have had
informal working relationships
with Sudanese refugee Diaspora
here in Nebraska and also with
some humanitarian and capital
projects in South Sudan. Some of
the projects in South Sudan were
in Boma Town in Bor Diocese
and also in the Twic East Diocese
villages of Wangulei, Doung/
Paloi, Paliau and Maar in Jonglei
State. It should be pointed out that
Twic East Diocese became a
Diocese in 2010, being part of Bor
Diocese prior to that.
In 2009, during discussions in
Nairobi, Kenya between Assistant
Bishop Ezekiel Diing Malangdit
of Bor Diocese and Canon Judi
Yeates of the Nebraska Diocese, it
was determined that the primary
initial project for Nebraska
Diocese to assist Twic East with is
a Girls Middle School in the
village of Wangulei
Prior to the formal Tri-
Companion announcement, a
grant request was prepared and
submitted to the U.T.O. (United
Thank Offering) organization for
funds to build a Girls Middle
School in the village of
Wangulei. Companion Diocese
grants from U.T.O. are a separate
entity from the conventional
Episcopal Diocese grants. Only
Companion Dioceses can request
grants from that funding account.
This is one of the benefits of
forming the Companion Diocese
Relationship Covenants. A
$75,000. grant was approved by
U.T.O. to construct the school,
kitchen, office and restroom
facilities. The middle school
construction was initiated in mid-
2010 and completed in early
2011. The initial student
population will be 50 students
and have a capacity of 200
students. State certification of the
school was completed this past
March.
At the Annual Council meeting
in November of 2010, the
Nebraska Episcopal Diocese
formally signed a Covenant
Agreement to become a
Companion Diocese to the
Dominican Republic Diocese and
Twic East Diocese in South
Sudan, also known as the Tri-
Companion Agreement. This
landmark agreement was signed
with all three Bishops present:
Bishop Burnett from Nebraska
Diocese, Bishop Holguin from
Dominican Republic Diocese and
Bishop Ezekiel Diing Malangdit
from Twic East Diocese South
Sudan.
About the School The school is for girls entering
the 7th grade and who have
passed student certification
exams, with special consideration
given to orphans and girls with
extraordinary circumstances in
need of special assistance. In any
event they will come into the
school from the local Twic East
communities. The middle school
will be for the 7th thru 9th grades,
with a full curriculum of studies.
Upon completion of the 9th grade
school year, the girls will be
academically prepared to move
on to higher education. The basic premise of the Girls