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Renewal In Christ Ministries
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3: l. Have you ever wondered about God’s timing, his perfect timing? Well, there have been a few times that I have questioned Him, accusing Him of moving too slowly. Ever done that? Then, in a flash, He reveals His plan and it is perfect. He has done just that for me and I would like to share with you what the Lord is planning for me for the next year. August 28th I will be moving to Nashotah House to work on my Masters of Theological Studies. I will be in resident for nine months. One might say that I will be preparing for a birth, a new life in Him. I am having such an assortment of emotions. I am excited. I am scared. I am nervous. I am filled with awe as to how the Lord has made all of the arrangements for this to come to fruition. I am reluctant to leave my home (and my washer/dryer combo) but yet looking forward to my very first apartment. I will miss my grandchildren’s school year: Michelle’s, marching band season; Jessica’s Senior Year; Gabrielle and Joshua’s school programs; Olivia changing from a baby into a toddler. (These are my grandchildren that live close so I have been actively involved in their lives much to the delight (?) of their parents.) And of course, what will Gary do without me?? Who will pack the van for the road trips? How can Gary drive all over this land without me aiding him in so many ways? Who will do the laundry? Clean the house? But most, importantly, who will cook my dinner every evening? (Gary does the every day cooking and I have become quite spoiled.) We have worked together in the Church, in the ministry of RICM, and even in business. He does hope to spend some time with me at Nashotah when he is not planning or traveling to a RICM weekend. Many of you have known that I have been discerning a call to the priesthood for some time. I first believed the Lord was calling me in the mid-80’s. That is when I returned to school to complete my bachelor degree. And yet, it did not seem as if the time was right to pursue the call. Children and grand-children were still at home. Then college for our youngest daughters became a priority. I continued to surrender it time and again. It would not go away. I began to ask others to pray with me and for me so that I could clearly hear the Lord’s voice. I started to take some classes at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA, participating in their Jan-June-Aug Terms as well as many online courses. I think I did that to make sure my brain cells could still function. There were practical, financial, and spiritual barriers that needed to be overcome in order for the call to be heard clearly. Gary is canonically resident in the Diocese of Quincy which is one of the three Dioceses which do not agree with the Ordination of women. See Gary’s article for more details. When Gary was called to Christ Church, Clinton, IA as their Priest-in-Charge, we thought that perhaps, the Lord was opening a door for me in Iowa. Then, meeting several times with Bishop Scarfe and his lovely wife, Donna, and receiving their encouragement, I began the discernment process in the Diocese of Iowa. I have grown to love Bishop Alan and Donna. They have such a heart for God’s people. Throughout the month of July, the Scarfe’s hosted Bishop Meshack Mabuza and his wife, Lucy, from Swaziland and held Healing Missions throughout the Diocese of Iowa. Healings and blessings flowed throughout the land. At Christ Church, Clinton, we were privileged to hear Bishop Scarfe’s personal witness during one of our contemporary Praise and Worship services. I have been blessed and continue to be blessed to know two wonderful Bishops and their wives: Bishop Ackerman and Jo; and Bishop Scarfe and Donna. As of June 13th, I am officially a Postulant for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Iowa, sponsored by Christ Episcopal Church, Clinton, IA. This is really the first step of a long process, but I thank God for making it a wondrous first step. The second step involved a March trip to Nashotah House. We had received a mailing from Nashotah entitled “Experience Nashotah”. This is an open house event for those who are interested in attending Nashotah. At the very last minute, we decided to drive up to see what the Lord might have in mind. I did not know what to expect, but I loved the feeling of Nashotah (which somewhat surprised me since living in community has not been a gift that I was seeking). I again felt that the Lord was opening another door, another path on this walk of mine. Meeting and sharing with Father McGlynn, Dean Robert Munday, and Carol Klukas, a plan was devised that would require only one year of residency, taking into account my credits from TESM and my work in RICM as well as in the parish in Clinton, IA. We shared this information with Bishop Scarfe and he agreed to the plan. Thus, I am off in just a few weeks to begin this next part of my journey. The Lord continues to amaze me – his timing is truly perfect! However, this decision to follow my call has not been without cost or sacrifice. We have already received letters, rebuking us and the ministry of RICM, for pursuing my call. We also realize that some will choose to no longer be involved with us and for that we are very saddened. The Lord has used and will continue to use RICM for His glory, for His healing, for His transforming touch. Also, as I will be a full-time student, my attention needs to be on my studies (I am sure my mind will be stretched). Nashotah recommended that I not involve myself wholly in RICM during these next nine months so that I can focus on my studies. This will truly be a sacrificial act for me as I love this ministry and my RICM family. Below you will read of another sacrifice I will be making - let me give you a hint: No Dutch chocolates for me! So, my life is changing and I am taking a new path on my journey with the Lord. I will need your prayers and your support. RICM will need your support and prayers. Gary will need your support and prayers as well. We are also asking you to prayerfully consider financially supporting this endeavor. Since we have been living on faith for so many years, we are trusting that the Lord will provide for this move, this year of growth, training and education. We have a faithful God. He is our Jehovah Jireh, our Provider! In His love, Judith
An Invitation from the Charismatic Association of the Netherlands
Yes, RICM has been invited back to the Charismatic Association of the Netherlands for its Fall Gathering, October 18-23. This organization describes itself as “a body which aims to promote the charismatic renewal within the Protestant and Catholic churches of the Netherlands. We were so blessed and privileged to share the ministry of RICM with this community and we have longed to return. It truly was a God-incident to be invited the first time and then to return four more times was a quadruple blessing. We are so excited – many of the young people with whom we ministered and befriended now have children of their own. We are looking forward to reconnecting with them and many others as well. Our good friend, Martien Parmentier had joined us this past February in New York for one of our renewal weekends. It was such a blessing to be with him once again. He came with an invitation to return to the DeBron for the fall gathering. We had always hoped to return to Holland one day and I guess that day has come. This time, however, they have requested that we travel lightly, bringing, if necessary, only a small team. Gary will be the featured speaker and teacher, and will once again be ministering for long hours. Thank God for those “coffee drinkin” breaks in the midst of the healing services. Now do you know why I will not be having any Dutch chocolates! Father Ronald Drummond has graciously agreed to stand in my place and then some. (I wonder if he knows that he will be running interference and carrying the bags!) When Ron first came to the ministry of RICM he was but a pup. What a blessing for us and for many of you to see this young man become a priest in the Church. We are so happy that we can share the Holland experience with him. Over the years, he has heard many of our Holland stories. Now he will have the opportunity to minister among the nations. Please keep Father Ron and Father Gary in your prayers as they prepare for this Holland mission. I am so excited for them both and I know that they will be bringing me back something more than memories. (Do you think that they have gotten the hint about Dutch chocolates?)
A note of thanksgiving from Judith and the Dalmasso family: March was a month of life in all its forms for my family. On March 19th our eighth grandchild, Bryant Gary Reyes entered our world. It was also my father’s 91st birthday. Nine days later, at sunrise on Easter morning, March 27th, my dad, Conrad Wilson, died. I can’t begin to tell you the joy and the sorrow that filled this month: new life here on earth and in heaven. I was blessed to be at Bryant’s birth (I cut the cord so whenever he looks at his belly button, he will be able to thank me.) and to help care for him during his first week of life. Because of that, I was not able to be with my family during my dad’s last week. My dad had fallen down the stairs on the 22nd and broken his neck. However, it was pneumonia that killed him. I do remember the last time that I saw my dad alive. We were celebrating his birthday early so I could be there and it was also our grand-daughter’s last Symphony concert. As I was waiting for my mother and my aunt to finish getting ready, my dad asked me if I would be going away to school, to be a priest. (We had just been to Experience Nashotah). I replied that was my hope. He told me that whatever I wanted to do, I could. His words really blessed me that day. I believe that exchange was God’s gift to me to sustain me in the days ahead. We had a glorious celebration of my dad’s life on April 3. I thank all of you who sent cards, emails, and memorial gifts. I was touched by the outpouring of love that we received from our RICM family and friends.
Father Gary, what does your Bishop think?
Once Judith officially began the discernment process and we began to share with others her call to the priesthood, the question was often asked, “Father Gary, what does your Bishop think?” I cannot begin to speak for Bishop Ackerman, but I do want to share with you how we have shared with him and why we have chosen to seek Judith’s ordination outside the Diocese of Quincy. First, I would like to share how much we both love and value Bishop Ackerman and his wonderful wife Jo. His spiritual covering for this ministry has not blessed only us, but all of you who have been touched by RICM. We treasure his friendship and I, as a priest resident in his Diocese, often seek his direction and wisdom. From the moment that I first met Bishop Ackerman, before he was even elected the Eighth Bishop of Quincy, I spoke of my conviction regarding the ordination of women and my involvement in the charismatic movement. I asked if this would be a problem for him. He responded by saying that he believed we could work together. That was over ten years ago. I believe that we have worked very well together over these years. I have supported and will continue to support his right to have the theological position on the ordination of women that he holds. I have defended his right to hold that position with many outside the Diocese of Quincy for years and I will continue to defend that right. When Judith, many years ago, expressed the call she felt the Lord had laid upon her, I was hesitant, not knowing how my Diocese and Bishop at that time would respond. I put myself and the ministry of RICM above her call. When the Holy Spirit convicted me that if I could support other women’s ordination, and not my wife’s call, I had better look deeper inside myself and deal with some of my own fears. Once the Lord finished with me on that subject, I have become Judith’s biggest supporter. Since we both love and respect Bishop Ackerman, we went to him first before telling anyone else and told him that Judith would be actively discerning her call and seeking ordination. We didn’t want him to hear it from anyone else. I have been accused by some of deceiving my Bishop about my position, but I have never deceived him. In no way would Judith or I desire to cause Bishop Ackerman embarrassment or will we challenge his right to have his belief and position on the ordination of women. So, one may continue to ask what does your Bishop think? I could never answer for him. I probably could guess what some of his thoughts might be, but it would only be a guess. I am sure he is disappointed. I can’t tell you what he thinks, but I can tell you how he has treated both Judith and me. There has been no hateful words, no quoting of scripture in condemnation of our actions, no rejection of our friendship, and no avoidance of us as people. He continues to respond to us as he always has, with Christian charity and respect. Has he changed his mind on this theological position? Of course not! But my Bishop always approaches people with the love of Jesus, in the way we all have been called to do. He is one man who, with God’s grace, does that very thing, even to those with whom he very much disagrees. So, I can’t tell you what he really thinks, but I can tell you how he lives and responds to us and the ministry of RICM. We love Bishop Ackerman and his wife Jo very much, and we will continue to covet their prayers for the ministry of RICM. Bishop Ackerman remains my Bishop and spiritual authority for which I am most thankful and proud. I realize that my willingness to support Judith in her vocation may cause some repercussions within our ministry, but I believe that Judith is being called to the Priesthood and as her husband, I am standing with her. We very much need your help and prayers. We especially ask and need your support in all ways over these coming months. Please stand with us.
Father Gary+ |
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letter from Judith to our dear Family of RICM,