Diocese of the West’s Missionary Deanery holds annual retreat
The Missionary Deanery of the Diocese of the West held its annual retreat on February 19 to 21, 2008, at the Life-Giving Spring Retreat Center in Boulder City, NV. Each year, the Missionary Deanery brings together over 40 mission clergy and lay people for three days of prayer and reflection. While most the participants are from the Diocese of the West, this year there were a number of clergy from different dioceses and jurisdictions. The Life-Giving Spring Retreat Center is an institution of the Diocese of the West and hosts numerous retreats throughout the year.
The speakers were a panel of successful missionary priests who shared their experiences with others in the mission field. Fr. Marcus Birch, rector of St. John of the Ladder Mission in Greenville, SC and dean of the Carolina Deanery of the Diocese of the South was the first speaker. He shared his experiences of being dropped at a mission with little resources and how they were able to build the community. He also shared how this building started other missions in the area. Fr. John Parker of Holy Ascension Mission in Mount Pleasant, SC was the next speaker. He recounted his approach to mission and the growth of the mission to the point where they are about to consecrate the new temple. He also shared the success of the Church Planting Grant with his community. Fr. Eric G. Tosi, rector of St. Paul the Apostle Orthodox Church and chairman of the Department of Evangelization of the OCA also shared some practical advise on mission management and informed the participants on the Church Planting Grant program and work being done on the national level.
Fr. John Hainsworth of All Saints of Alaska Mission in Victoria,BC also was a panel speaker. He shared his experience and theories on mission and community building. Also speaking was His Grace Bishop Benjamin of the Diocese of the West who spoke about various aspects of mission life. Fr. Matthew Tate, Dean of the Mission Deanery and host of the event also spoke in length about missions in the Diocese. All the missions were able share the latest news and issues in the mission throughout the retreat. The retreat concluded with Liturgy at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Las Vegas, NV.