Episcopal bishop calls for renewed activism

Stacy J. Willis

Friday, Oct. 19, 2001 | 8:45 a.m.

Nevada's new Episcopal bishop will call for a renewed emphasis on community activism at the denomination's annual convention this weekend in Henderson.

Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori, who was consecrated in February, said the state's Episcopalians "need to engage in mission work locally, nationally and internationally at greater levels."

Jefferts Schori plans to ask about 300 clergy and delegates at the convention to devote seven-tenths of a percent of the diocese's net disposable income to international missions, such as relief work in Honduras or infrastructure work in Africa.

"We can do an enormous amount of good work around the globe, and I think the events of Sept. 11 showed us even more how important that work is," Jefferts Schori said.

Jefferts Schori also plans to welcome a new congregation into Nevada's Episcopal Diocese. The Church of the Holy Spirit in Bullhead City, Ariz., will add about 50 members to the 6,000-member diocese. The church is closer to Nevada's Episcopal communities than to Arizona's, she said.

Nevada's Episcopal diocese is relatively small, and Jefferts Schori said another purpose of the convention will be to discuss church planting and evangelizing. The diocese has six churches in Las Vegas, one in Boulder City, and one in Henderson, in addition to its Northern Nevada members.

"It will be a priority for us to spread the gospel, to minister to Spanish-speaking neighbors, and to continue our mission work in prisons and to the homeless," she said.

The convention will be hosted by St. Timothy's Episcopal parish and will run from Friday night through Sunday night.