Simply Christian LIFE with Bishop Michael Hunn

Faith on Duty: Military Chaplaincy and the Diocese of the Rio Grande

Welcome to the Diocese of the Rio Grande's weekly update for the second week of Advent 2024. In this episode, we provide key announcements including the upcoming open house at Bishop's Ridge and guidance on subscribing to the diocesan newsletter. The highlight is an insightful interview with Bishop Anne Ritonia, the Episcopal Bishop for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries, and U.S. Navy Chaplain Jamal Scarlett. They discuss the role and significance of military chaplaincy, the responsibilities and challenges faced by chaplains, and how local churches can support military personnel and their families. Tune in to learn more about the profound impact of chaplaincy and community support.
00:00 Welcome and Weekly Announcements00:39 Introduction to Military Chaplaincy01:10 Upcoming Events and Email Updates02:08 Interview with Bishop Anne Ritonia and Chaplain Jamal Scarlett02:30 Bishop Anne Ritonia on Military Chaplaincy05:37 Chaplain Jamal Scarlett's Journey and Role10:34 Daily Life and Challenges of a Navy Chaplain25:17 Supporting Military Personnel and Families28:32 Connecting Local Churches with Military Communities39:06 Gratitude and Reflections43:59 Closing Remarks and Blessings

From Chilies to Pilgrim Shells: The Heart of St. James Episcopal Church in Clovis, NM

Exploring St. James Episcopal Church in Clovis, NM: A Rich History and Vibrant Community Join Bishop Michael Hunn and the Rev. Simon Carian as they delve into the rich history and vibrant community of St. James Episcopal Church in Clovis, NM. Discover the town's origins as a railroad hub, its agricultural and dairy economy, and the presence of Cannon Air Force Base. Learn about the diverse ministry efforts—including community outreach, bilingual services, and unique events like the Blessing of the Animals and Chili Day— that make St. James a welcoming and active part of Clovis. Don't miss the stories of creative initiatives like the Hartley House purse drive, all aimed at strengthening the local community. Whether you're visiting Clovis or part of the diocese, St. James offers a warm welcome and a rich tradition of service and faith.
00:00 Welcome to St. James Episcopal Church
00:47 Discovering Clovis, New Mexico
02:19 The Agricultural and Military Influence in Clovis
04:41 The Heart of St. James Community
06:33 Reviving Traditions and New Celebrations
10:25 Blessing of the Animals
16:03 Community Outreach Initiatives
18:28 Introducing Bilingual Services
21:48 Understanding the Needs of the Spanish-Speaking Community
23:53 Conclusion and Invitation

A Solemn Veteran’s Day

A Solemn Veterans Day with Bishop Michael Hunn Bishop Michael Hunn invites the Diocese of the Rio Grande to observe Veterans Day, honoring those who served and remembering those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms. He highlights a special film screening of 'Apache Blues Welcome Home,' a documentary about the Apache Troop's experiences during and after the Vietnam War. The event will take place at the Cathedral of St. John in Albuquerque on November 11th at 6:30 PM. Bishop Hunn also offers a heartfelt prayer for those in the armed forces, urging a collective hope for a world free of war.
 
Www.apachebluesfilm.com
 
00:00 Introduction and Veterans Day Invitation
00:08 History and Significance of Veterans Day
00:42 Diocese of Rio Grande's Support and Film Screening
01:21 Details of the Film 'Apache Blues Welcome Home'
01:48 Special Thanks and Film Trailer Information
02:03 Prayer for Armed Forces
02:39 Closing Remarks and Blessings

Bishops Address to the 72nd Convention of the DRG 2024

72nd Diocesan Convention: Strengthening the Future of the Episcopal Church in Rio Grande
Join us as we dive into the 72nd Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of the Rio Grande, featuring insights from St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Bishop Michael Hunn shares reflections from his travels and discusses the unique challenges faced by the diocese. Learn about the importance of supporting small congregations, our shared values of liturgy, inclusivity, and tradition, and the detailed findings from Phase One of the diocese’s strategic project. Discover our new youth and family programs, campus ministries, and the strength of our relationships with neighboring dioceses and the wider church. This video emphasizes the critical need for transparency, collaboration, and leveraging our generosity to ensure the thriving of the Episcopal Church throughout New Mexico and far West Texas.
00:00 Welcome to the 72nd Diocesan Convention
00:10 Reflections on St. Paul's Letter to the Corinthians
01:11 Visiting the Eastern Part of New Mexico
03:17 Challenges Facing Our Episcopal Churches
04:52 Phase One: Understanding Our Episcopal Identity
06:39 Shared Values: Liturgy, Inclusivity, and Tradition
10:08 Community Outreach and Social Justice
10:57 Supporting Our Clergy and Transparent Communication
16:02 Youth and Family Programs
20:03 Partnerships Beyond Our Diocese
30:49 Financial Transparency and Future Planning
39:18 Paul's Metaphor of the Body and Our Diocese
42:36 Conclusion: Strengthening Relationships for the Future

All Together Now! Strategic Intent, Fractals, Flocking

All Together Now! Reimagining Church: Strategic Intentions, Fractals, and Flocking
In this fourth episode of our mini-series on reimagining the Episcopal Church, we delve into how integrating strategic intention, fractals, and flocking can transform our communal and relational dynamics. The discussion highlights the importance of shifting from individualism to a collective mindset, ensuring that we thrive together at every level—individuals, congregations, and dioceses. By fostering interconnectedness and shared resources, we can embody the teachings of Jesus Christ and the early church as depicted in the book of Acts, working collaboratively to face future challenges.
00:00 Introduction to Reimagining Church00:26 Strategic Intention and Relational Shift01:42 Commitment to Thriving at Every Level03:56 Flocking Together for Strength and Resources08:32 Challenges and Opportunities for Small and Large Churches10:53 A Vision for Collaborative Ministry14:43 Conclusion and Call to Action

Weekly Update: Flooding in Roswell, The Bishop Gets Political, Convention update

Weekly Update: Roswell Relief, Election Guidance & Diocesan Convention In this week's update from the Diocese of the Rio Grande, we extend our thoughts to those affected by flooding in Roswell and discuss the diocese's collaboration with Episcopal Relief and Development. As the presidential election approaches, we offer guidance for maintaining peace and community trust, including tips on faith, responsible voting, and managing media consumption. Also featured are updates on the upcoming Diocesan Convention and the exciting 'Episco Disco' silent dance party. Stay informed and connected during these challenging times.
00:00 Weekly Update Introduction
00:19 Roswell Flooding Crisis
02:15 Diocesan Convention Preview
02:28 Election Season Reflections
05:13 Promoting Peace and Stability
07:10 Bishop's Tips for Election Season
08:31 Encouraging Trust in Our Communities
09:47 Managing Media Consumption
10:41 Prioritizing Self-Care and Prayer
12:06 Episco Disco: A Silent Dance Party
14:19 Diocesan Convention Updates
15:56 Weekly Update Conclusion

The Power of Flocking: The Seven Nearest...

The Power of Flocking: The Seven Nearest…
 
In this episode, Bishop Michael Hunn applies the concept of 'flocking' as described by adrienne maree brown in her book 'Emerging Strategy’ to live in the Episcopal Church.  By examining how birds, bees, and fish use flocking for defense, energy conservation, and resource finding, the video draws parallels to church congregations. It proposes an innovative approach where each church member focuses on connecting with the seven people nearest to them, fostering a deeper, more connected community. The idea extends to diocesan levels, encouraging clergy and church leaders to maintain regular, intentional connections with their peers. This transformative model aims to strengthen the church's unity and efficacy, aligning with early Christian practices.
 
00:00 Introduction to Flocking
01:02 Flocking in Nature
01:33 Flocking and Energy Conservation
02:00 Flocking for Resource Finding
02:51 Applying Flocking to Church
03:00 The Seven Connections Concept
04:01 Implementing the Concept in Congregations
05:56 Diocesan Level Connections
07:53 Broader Implications and Conclusion
09:10 Preview of Next Video

Ferns, Fractals and Faith : Scaling Patterns in the Episcopal Church

Ferns, Fractals and Faith : Scaling Patterns in the Episcopal Church
 
In this episode, Bishop Michael Hunn explores the concept of fractals and their relevance to the Episcopal Church. Fractals illustrate how patterns exist at every scale in reality—from small to vast, like a shell spiral compared to a galaxy. This idea translates to organizational theory in the Church, where patterns of behavior and belief, like individualism, are present at every level. We discuss how individualism manifests within the Church, detailing its influence from individual parishioners to entire dioceses. The episode challenges viewers to reconsider the Church's value systems at all scales to foster new relational qualities and offers a preview of the next episode's exploration of alternative models inspired by nature.
 
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:04 Understanding Fractals
01:01 Fractals in Organizational Theory
02:19 The Pattern of Individualism
04:03 Individualism at Different Church Levels
06:43 Reimagining Church Values
06:58 Conclusion and Next Steps

Indigenous peoples day 24

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day in the Diocese of Rio Grande In this special message from Bishop Michael Hunn, the Diocese of the Rio Grande is invited to honor Indigenous Peoples Day by deepening their understanding of indigenous history and cultures in New Mexico and West Texas. Bishop Hunn shares recommended readings to learn about the Puebloan and Diné peoples, examines the impact of colonialism, and encourages respect and stewardship of the natural world. He highlights important books and historical events like The Long Walk, offering insights to foster meaningful connections with indigenous communities. The video calls for a respectful and open-hearted engagement with the indigenous cultures within the diocese.
00:00 Introduction and Invitation
00:32 Exploring Indigenous Histories and Cultures
00:54 Pueblo Peoples on the Pajarito Plateau
01:52 Discovering Jemez Pueblo
03:10 Learning about Contemporary Navajo Culture
04:05 The Tragic Long Walk
05:41 Colonial Interactions and Slavery
06:35 Theological Perspectives on Colonialism
07:22 Braiding Sweetgrass and Creation Care
09:13 Conclusion and Call to Action

Strategic Intention: Reimagining Church in Uncertain Times

Embracing Strategic Intention in the Episcopal Church This video introduces a series about reimagining the Episcopal Church using insights from adrenne mares brown's, 'Emergent Strategy.' The focus is on 'strategic intention,' a concept that emphasizes staying true to core values over rigid planning, especially in uncertain times such as political elections. Bishop Michael Hunn encourages congregations to adapt to unforeseen challenges by understanding who they are and their fundamental mission, fostering unity and love within their communities regardless of external circumstances.
00:00 Introduction to New Church Concepts
00:35 Understanding Strategic Intention
00:58 Strategic Intention vs. Strategic Planning
02:26 Practical Example: Election and Church's Role
05:11 Embracing Beloved Community
06:56 Focusing on Core Values and Intentions
08:38 Phase One Plan and Future Vision
09:43 Preview of Next Topic: Fractals