September 26, 2008 was Synod for Province VII in Oklahoma City, OK.

Province VII members welcomed four Episcopal guests from the Diocese of Fort Worth. From Wichita Falls was Ann Coleman. From Fort Worth were Rev. Courtland Moore, Lynne Minor and Laura Adcock.

Following are Laura’s abbreviated notes from her full report. This version particularly concerns the diocese of Fort Worth, Hurricane Ike, the Bishops’ Panel on Lambeth 2008, and the future plans of Province VII.

Two of the folks elected at Synod had visited with Fort Worth lay representatives in summer 2007:

• Max Peterson became President (previously Vice President)
• Vycke McEwen became Province Rep toExecutive Council (previously Province Coordinator)

The Necrology Report had no names listed -nor read aloud - from the Diocese of Fort Worth

Treasurer Rev. Jim Davey noted a few items before the proposed 2009-2011 budget was passed: · Rather than line items, the proposed expenditures were divided into two pools:

1. Ministry and Mission
2. New Program Opportunities

Reasons are to adjust for the fluidity of needs (& commitment to projects) over a 3-year period.

• The budget total is down from the previous triennium because of an expected $6,700 shortfall from the Diocese of Fort Worth.

Three Diocesan reports were given on the recent hurricane Ike…

1. -Bishop Coadjutor Elect Andrew Doyle spoke, representing Bishop Wimberly:
   • A 3-year recovery and remediation is anticipated.
   • ERD will have money for mission trips to help with rebuilding.

2. - Bishop High identified himself as being from the branch office in Tyler:
   • In times of disaster, people say they’re fine, but keep calling – keep asking -- as many don’t admit that they could use help at the beginning.
   • Money and blood donations are needed NOW.

3. - Bishop MacPherson spoke about the continuing hurricane destruction in Western Louisiana:
   • He wryly said he suspects folks may think there is some kind of relationship – he’s been there 5 years, and 5 hurricanes have hit: Lily, Rita, Kristina, Gustov & Ike.
   • He said that they did put in a Disaster Relief program after Rita and Kristina that did help when Gustov and Ike occurred.
   • He said many do not have hurricane insurance, and that it’s hard to get ANY insurance.

Considerations for the future:

• Preparation for new GC reps will be held 5/1-2/09 in the Dallas area
• A Diocese is needed to host the 2011 Synod.
• Improved communications, including
  1. HUB newsletter is moving to be on line – send Diocesan news to skhanson@gmail.com
  2. New one-stop service email address – provincevii@gmail.com
  3. New website – www.province7.org

The bishop’s panel, Laura felt, was the most significant learning opportunity of the day. Following is her selection of a thought or two from each Bishop’s presentation.

Pictured in the Bishops’ Panel on Lambeth 2008, from left to right are:

The Right Reverend C. Wallis Ohl – Bishop, Diocese of Northwest Texas -- This Lambeth focused on relationships, as was originally intended.

The Right Reverend Gary R. Lillibridge – Bishop, Diocese of West Texas -- 90% want to do all they can to hold the communion together. Since 2/3 of the Lambeth participants are new every time, Lambeth is not conducive to problem solving.

The Right Reverend D. Bruce MacPherson – Bishop, Diocese of Western Louisiana -- The best thing was the Bible study. Because of US actions, the fabric IS torn – I witnessed it every day for 20 days. Who we are and what we are is bigger than us.

The Right Reverend Edward J. Konieczny – Bishop, Diocese of Oklahoma (standing) -- We are a people of privilege in the US, and sometimes we forget that. At the Canterbury Retreat, the Archbishop asked them to consider these questions:

1. What do you WANT?
2. What do you NEED?
3. What are you willing to SACRIFICE?

The Right Reverend Larry Benfield – Bishop, Diocese of Arkansas -- A discussion of theology doesn’t seem to work in a group of 300 people, and hopefully future conferences will not try to define theology. Two words were being used all the time, context and covenant.

The Right Reverend Rayford B. High, Jr., -- Bishop Suffragan, Diocese of Texas -- The problem seems to be that we’re American, not Episcopalian. African bishops were astounded that Episcopal lay folks, especially women, have a voice.

[Full report available upon request]