Sheepshead Bay church burns down for 2nd time in 11 years

From Long Island- (video)

A fire gutted a church in Brooklyn early Thursday morning.
Flames could be seen shooting from the steeple in Sheepshead Bay.
The parishioners at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on East 23rd Street can't seem to catch a break.

They were still trying to rebuild from a fire 11 years ago, and now they will have to deal with it again.

The sanctuary was destroyed and there is barely a shell of a building left.

Flames spread through the church sometime before 12:30 a.m. and firefighters worked to get the flames under control.


More here-

https://abc7ny.com/brooklyn-church-burns-down-for-2nd-time-in-11-years/4787216/ 

also here-

https://pix11.com/2018/11/29/fire-rips-through-historic-sheepshead-bay-church/

Parting With the Parsonage

From The New York Times-

Sky-high housing costs “price pastors out of the market except for the largest congregations,” Mr. Tammen said. “If the person from God you want to call is in Minneapolis, if you don’t have a manse, you can’t call them.”

Another benefit to having a manse, he said, is that it allows members of the clergy to live in the community they are serving, sometimes on or right next to church property. Congregants “want to see them at the grocery store,” he said.

Episcopal churches with rectories are likely to keep them, said the Rev. Canon Shawn Duncan, the chief information officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, counting 29 out of 40 Nassau churches and 26 out of 43 Suffolk churches with rectories. “Nationally the trend is to have rectories in those areas that are expensive to live,” he said. The church contributes to an equity allowance for priests living in the rectory, with the goal that when they retire they will have a down payment for a house. Those that sell are typically shrinking congregations that no longer have full-time clergy, he said.

More here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/realestate/long-island-in-the-region-parting-with-the-parsonage.html

Christ Episcopal Church in Lynbrook has new life with the arrival of the Rev. Walter V. Hillebrand

From Long Island-

When people need help in their lives they may turn to their place of worship and seek the guidance of its staff members. But if a place of worship is in need where can those staff members turn to for help?

The Christ Episcopal Church in Lynbrook was on the verge of collapse a few months ago due to financial woes. The parish located on Blake Avenue, between Peninsula Blvd. and Merrick Road, has approximately 15 current members. Things were looking grim for Christ Church, but then a prayer was answered.

Trinity-St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hewlett was looking to branch out into other communities to aid parishes in need. Bishop Larry Provenzano has resided over the Diocese of Long Island for two years and it is his belief that all parishes should come together as one. This belief led Trinity-St. John’s to reach out to Christ Church and sent the Rev. Walter V. Hillebrand to Lynbrook. Hillebrand transferred to the Lynbrook parish in the middle of December after working the past two years at Trinity-St. Johns.

“It’s a great [opportunity] for both churches to work together and redefine how churches should (operate) in the 21st century,” Hillebrand said of the recent collaboration. He is fond of Christ Church’s diverse community and close proximity to trains and buses.

More here-

http://www.liherald.com/stories/A-prayer-answered-in-Lynbrook,38289?content_source=&category_id=5&search_filter=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=&town_id=

After 125 Years, Still Going Strong: St. Luke's Fair

From Long Island-

It started 125 years ago: a small fair on the lawn of St. Luke's Episcopal Church that raised $950 for the community. Now, more than a century later, the St. Luke's Fair continues to provide fun and games, along with great food and expensive prizes, to residents and summer visitors alike.

Year after year, the Fair has attracted not only local and visiting families, but also a fair number of the fairest celebrities who reside on the East End. There have even been a few non-resident celebrities who have stopped by such as Paul Newman and John Lindsay. Last year, New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly visited the fair, no doubt not looking for criminals on the lam. (Whitey Bulger may have been apprehended a lot earlier if he had visited the Fair).

This year, there are going to be some exceptional prizes auctioned off to visitors to the Fair: a South Beach Condo vacation, a private curator-guided tour of the Museum of Modern Art, another private tour of all the backstage facilities at the Metropolitan Opera, gourmet dinners at the 1770 House, the Grill, Cittanuova, and East Hampton Point (a circuit usually pursued by hungry restaurant critics), two dreamy nights at the Maidstone Arms, and much more.

More here-

http://www.hamptons.com/Out-And-About/For-The-Cause/14962/After-125-Years-Still-Going-Strong-St-Lukes.html

New York Bishop Orders Gay Clergy to Marry

From Christian Post- (I didn't see this coming)

In the wake of gay marriage soon becoming a legal institution in the state of New York, the Episcopal Bishop of Long Island, has ordered that homosexual priests wed their partners.

Long Island Episcopal Bishop Lawrence Provenzano has put his foot down against gay clergy who residing in homosexual relationships, and has given a nine month deadline for them to either get married or stop living together, according to the News Observer.

“I need to be mindful that the church has always asked people to live in committed monogamous, faithful relationships. I won’t allow heterosexual clergy to live in a rectory or church housing without the benefit of marriage. When one puts it in that context, then you see how it all begins to make sense,” said Provenzano.

Reverend Christopher Hofer, pastor of the Episcopal Church of St. Jude agrees with Provenzano, “I think his statement was not only fair, but beyond generous. It gives people time, acknowledging that there’s a financial component involved and recognizing that some may not choose to live together.

More here-

http://www.christianpost.com/news/new-york-bishop-orders-gay-clergy-to-marry-52529/

Episcopal Diocese Wants $205K From Lawyers

From New York-

The Episcopal Diocese of Long Island wants law firms to repay the $205,000 in legal fees that "dissident" parishioners allegedly paid out of church coffers after trying unsuccessfully to take over a church. The squabble erupted after the consecration of the church's first openly gay bishop, in 2003.

The Diocese says the dissidents voted to disaffiliate St. James Church of Elmhurst in 2005, then used church money to pay their legal fees as they sought control of the parish's 304-year-old property.

Citing "theological and moral decline," the St. James' dissidents fled the Diocese and affiliated with the Anglican Church of America, according to news reports at the time.

The Jakubik Law Firm and Silber Law Firm represented them in an action seeking control of the church's property, which was held in a trust created in 1871, but a court dismissed their claim in April 2008.

During the legal battle, the dissidents appointed an "unauthorized priest" and formed the St. James Anglican Church, according to the complaint. The Diocese says the dissidents wrote checks against the parish's bank and stock accounts to pay $205,000 in legal fees.

The church and diocese sued Mark Jakubik, Meyer Silber and their law firms, alleging unjust enrichment and conversion. They are represented by Jennifer McLaughlin with Cullen & Dykman of Garden City.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/11/24/Episcopal_Diocese_Wants_$205K_From_Lawyers.htm

LI's new Episcopal bishop faces strong challenges

From Newsday-

As head of the Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains, the Rev. Lawrence Provenzano spent five weeks at Ground Zero saying last rites over remains brought to a makeshift morgue.

Compared to that traumatic experience, he says, taking over as bishop of the embattled Episcopal Diocese of Long Island - where his predecessor stepped aside amid a battle with alcoholism and complaints about mismanagement - is nothing.

But weeks into his reign, Provenzano faces another challenge: The Vatican last month announced it is setting up a new structure to allow Anglicans or their entire parishes to more easily switch to the Roman Catholic Church. This would allow married Anglican priests to continue to operate within the Catholic Church.

The move appears aimed at attracting Anglicans - or Episcopalians, as they are known in the United States - who oppose their church's embrace of female priests and gay bishops.

Provenzano, 54, is taking it all in stride and says he is not taking any special steps to prevent defections. "This all becomes a distraction to us in terms of really doing what we are called to do, and that is preaching the Gospel, taking care of the poor, taking care of the homeless," he said. He added that "I don't think any parish in our diocese will take this invitation" by the Vatican. There are nearly 150 Episcopalian parishes in the Long Island diocese.

More here-

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/li-s-new-episcopal-bishop-faces-strong-challenges-1.1559997

Episcopal Diocese Of Long Island Consecrates Bishop Coadjutor

From Long Island-

The consecration of The Reverend Lawrence C. Provenzano as Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island took place on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Tilles Center on the campus of C.W. Post University. The Tilles Center was packed and overflowing with Episcopalians from all over Long Island who came to welcome their new bishop. There was also a large representation from Bishop Provenzano’s former parish, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Long Meadow, Massachusetts and from the Long Meadow Fire Department where he served as Fire Chaplain. The new Bishop was also the Fire Chaplain for the state of Massachusetts. After the consecration, the attendees broke into a thunderous applause that lasted from many minutes in approval of their new diocesan leader.

The Reverend Lawrence C. Provenzano was elected Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island at the diocesan election convention March 21, 2009, which convened at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City, NY. The bishop coadjutor-elect received the consent of the General Convention (the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops) when it met this July in Anaheim, California. The diocese is preparing for the consecration of the bishop-elect, who will serve as Bishop Coadjutor, with the right of succession, until the retirement of the present Diocesan Bishop, the Right Reverend Orris G. Walker, Jr. on November 14, 2009.

More here-

http://www.gcnews.com/news/2009-10-02/Community/Episcopal_Diocese_Of_Long_Island_Consecrates_Bisho.html

LONG ISLAND: Provenzano becomes diocese's bishop coadjutor

From Episcopal Life Online-

The Rev. Lawrence Provenzano was ordained and consecrated as bishop coadjutor in the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island September 19.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was the chief consecrator for the service, which took place at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Greenvale, New York. Other consecrators included Newark Bishop Mark Beckwith, New Jersey Bishop George Councell, Long Island Assisting Bishop David Joslin and Western Massachusetts Bishop Gordon Scruton.

Beckwith and Councell served with Provenzano in Western Massachusetts before being elected bishop. With his consecration and ordination, Provenzano becomes the fifth active bishop who was elected out of Western Massachusetts. The Rev. John Tarrant will be the sixth when he is ordained October 31 as the next bishop of the Diocese of South Dakota.

The Rev. Mpho Tutu, founder and executive director of the Tutu Institute for Prayer and Pilgrimage, preached the sermon during Provenzano's ordination and consecration. There was a special collection of non-perishable food items that will be distributed by the diocese's Episcopal Community Services agency. The diocese's clergy continued their tradition of purchasing the bishop's ring, which was presented during the service.

Provenzano, 54, was rector of St. Andrew's Church in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, when he was elected March 21.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_114876_ENG_HTM.htm

Lawrence C. Provenzano to be ordained bishop in the Episcopal Church September 19 at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts

From Long Island-

The Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, 54, of Longmeadow, Mass ., will be ordained a bishop by the Episcopal Church on September 19 at 11 a.m. in a two hour service at the C.W. Post Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, Brookville, N.Y. The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the USA will be the chief consecrator; with 20 bishops from across the country participating in the "laying on of hands" that marks the consecration of a bishop.

Father Provenzano will serve as bishop coadjutor in the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, with headquarters in Garden City, and become head of the diocese in November when the incumbent diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. Orris G. Walker, Jr ., retires after 21 years at the diocese.

More than 2,000 are expected to attend the ordination service, which will be part of a Holy Communion liturgy or mass. This will be the first mass celebrated by Provenzano as bishop. The preacher will be the Rev. Mpho Tutu, Founder of the Tutu Institute for Prayer and Pilgrimage, Alexandria, Va ., and daughter of Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

More here-

http://7thspace.com/headlines/320172/lawrence_c_provenzano_to_be_ordained_bishop_in_the_episcopal_church_september_19_at_the_tilles_center_for_the_performing_arts.html

Episcopal Diocese head to take leave, then retire

From Newsday-

An internal battle in the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island apparently has ended with Bishop Orris Walker Jr. taking a leave of absence and setting a retirement date of Nov. 14.

The Rev. Richard Brewer, head of the diocese's Standing Committee, would not say what happened, but he said that Walker had stated at public events that he had been urged to resign earlier this year but had refused.

But now Walker, 66, has taken a leave of absence, and will permanently leave his post in November, according to a diocesan announcement. His leave went into effect June 1.

Walker did not respond to telephone messages and a visit to his house seeking comment. "He's chosen not to offer any of his own comments at this time," said diocesan spokesman Canon Kris Lee.

Church officials are saying little publicly about the nature of the dispute or how they resolved it. Walker's leave was announced in a statement on the diocesan Web site. He has publicly acknowledged an alcohol problem in the past. Also, some parishioners, who ask not to be named, complain about how he managed the diocese.

More here-

http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/friday/news/ny-libish1812889903jun17,0,780487.story

LONG ISLAND: Bishop Walker begins leave of absence

Bishop Orris Walker, Jr. is taking a leave of absence from the Diocese of Long Island until November 14, the day his resignation takes effect, the Garden City, New York-based diocese announced. The leave started on June 1.

Walker appointed retired Bishop David Joslin as assisting bishop and has delegated to him all administrative and pastoral duties during the interim period. Joslin said in an interview that Walker is coping with health issues. Joslin added that he is looking forward to his work in Long Island. "It is a very, very exciting diocese with a wonderful social ministry and exciting things going on in its parishes," he said.

Walker, who has been bishop of the diocese since 1991, will be succeeded this fall by bishop-elect Lawrence Provenzano, who was elected bishop co-adjutor (bishop with right of succession) on March 21. Provenzano's service of consecration is scheduled to take place September 19.

Joslin is the former diocesan bishop of Central New York and has served as assisting bishop in the dioceses of New Jersey and Rhode Island. He lives in Westerly, Rhode Island, will be in the diocesan offices at least two days per week and also work online and by telephone, he said.

The diocese said that Walker will represent the Diocese of Long Island in the House of Bishops at General Convention (July 8-17 in Anaheim, California) to introduce Provenzano to the bishops. "Assuming the receipt of canonical consents to our election, [Walker] will be a co-consecrator at the ordination and consecration of Fr. Provenzano in September, and will preside at the diocesan convention in November until he bids the diocese farewell and turns authority over to the new bishop," the diocesan announcement said.

The rest is here-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/81803_108848_ENG_HTM.htm

St. Andrew's pastor to be L.I. bishop

The Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, pastor of St. Andrew's Church, was elected bishop coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island on Saturday.

Provenzano's election came during the diocesan election convention, which convened at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City, N.Y.

Provenzano was elected on the second ballot.

"It's very exciting," Provenzano, 54, said Saturday night, though he added "there's kind of a bittersweetness to all this."

"There's a sadness. Longmeadow's been home for over 14 years," said Provenzano, who will remain at St. Andrew's until at least summer. He became pastor in January 1995.

Because the election falls within 120 days of the General Convention, Provenzano must receive the consent of the General Convention (the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops).

He will be consecrated on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Born in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn on Jan. 25, 1955, Provenzano holds a bachelor's from the State University of New York and a master's of divinity from Christ the King Seminary.

http://www.masslive.com/hampfrank/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-18/123770614523460.xml&coll=1

300th anniversary of St. Andrew's brings denomination's leader here for the first time

"Not many churches make it to 300, and this one is thriving and doing new things."

ENGLISH MISSIONARIES

The parish had its start when missionaries from England were sent to Staten Island just after the start of the 18th century.

The Rev. Aeneas MacKenzie, who would become the first rector, sent word back to England in 1704 that he needed money to hire teachers. Three teachers were hired; they taught white children in the daytime and the children of African slaves at night, Bishop Schori said.

"Aeneas MacKenzie and some of the leading citizens here wanted to start a church," she said. Queen Anne chartered the congregation in 1708 and sent a silver communion set that was used in yesterday's service. The first church building was consecrated in 1711.

http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1228139114243350.xml&coll=1

In God's hands

A report on how the economic crisis is effecting churches on Long Island. They call it prayer. (The hat is divine)

Reverend George Bonner, Rector of St Albans Episcopal Church, a mainly West Indian parish in Canarsie in Brooklyn where scores of Barbadians join Jamaicans, Guyanese, and other West Indians every Sunday to worship, gave a similar reaction.

"People are worried, no doubt about it," he said.

"Throughout our community, there is considerable uncertainty," said Bonner. "Mortgage payments are escalating as rates reset and in this mainly middle-class home-owning community where people take pride in their homes and see homeownership as an indication of success as immigrants, for instance, the fear is real as jobs are threatened. We are uncertain about the future. But people remain committed to their church and are praying more."

More here -
http://www.nationnews.com/story/336190156104836.php

Good Stuff in TEC: Long Island

St Albans Church enjoys 'rebirth'

FOR EPISCOPALIANS or Anglicans the death of a parish or mission church occurs when its congregation is so small that keeping the doors open is impractical. That was the situation in which St Albans Church at 9408 Farragut Road, a large West Indian Episcopal parish in the heart of Brooklyn's Canarsie community, found itself in the early 1980s.

"Actually, St Albans was scheduled to be closed by the Long Island Diocese of the Episcopal Church," explained Reverend George Bonner, the rector. "It was felt that little could be done to merit keeping it alive. On Sundays, the church often had less than 20 worshippers in its pews. "

The rest is here -

http://www.nationnews.com/editorial/304114572268023.php