Narrative Biography        Answers to Questions       Resumé

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All candidates were asked to submit a professional resumé, a 200-250 word narrative biography and answer the same 4 questions.

Questions Answered

Question 1: Describe a time you led others through a variety of choices to develop a vision, and what were the results.

       

In 1998 St. Bede's received a gift of $25,000 from members of the parish to establish outreach youth programs. Along with the director of Christian Education we did the Episcopal thing and formed a committee. We charged ourselves to search out and research various youth related programs in the city of Santa Fe. After much brainstorming we sent out teams of two to three people to interview on site programs and their related needs. What resulted was outstanding. After searching about we developed two programs. One was an outreach/partnership program with one of the local middle schools in which members of the parish and friends of St. Bede's spend a considerable amount of time tutoring, mentoring, assisting teachers in one of the tougher schools in the city. This is also a cross cultural outreach program. The program still exists and has expanded to outreach to a second school, an elementary school similar to the middle school. Our second venture was to establish a house-building mission in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Twice each year we send teams to build small homes in a colonia on the outskirts of Juarez. In January, over the Martin Luther King holiday, we send an intergenerational team of approx. 20 people ranging in age from 12 to 70 and in June we send a youth group consisting of young people from around the city and a variety of churches ranging in ages from 12-18. The intergenerational build is often interfaith and cross cultural. We just built our 14th house. I enjoy chiding the adults to outdo the youngsters who always build a house in under 4 days. The adults are still working toward that goal.

 

Question 2:  Describe how you led a congregation to grow both spiritually and numerically, the associated conflicts and “bumps in the road” and as a result, what new understanding of God emerged with the final outcome?

       

Since my arrival in St. Bede's we have grown from a pastoral to program size congregation. I've been very fortunate in my tenure at St. Bede's. I came to a church already vibrant, spiritually grounded with a vision of social justice, inclusivity and community outreach. Those qualities are still alive and well. We formed a good and healthy match between priest and parish. I have added to that ground by being very visible and active in the community. We raised a rainbow flag to express to the wider community that we are a place where the GLBT community can come in safety, trust and welcome. We have adapted in the lobby of our entrance the welcoming statement from St. Stephen's, Casper, Wyoming, the church of Matthew Sheppard. I have said from the beginning that the doors to St. Bede's are the arms of Christ reaching out to a needy world. We have become a place where a variety of community groups meet ranging from 12 Steps to PFLAG.

We share space with a Jewish Congregation, HaMakom, an lternative worshiping community for Jews. I have emphasized a ministry of radical hospitality towards one and all that come to our doors including that welcome at the communion rail.

We have developed a wide ranging lay pastoral care program which affords services of various caring capacities to parishioners homebound, in the hospital and in need of companionship. Above all I have worked hard to create an atmosphere at St. Bede's of being a level playing field where all people of all lifestyles have opportunity to participate and live out their Baptismal Covenant. We have learned that we are about the work of building and establishing the Kingdom, the Reign of God in our particular patch. At the center of our corporate life we draw on the strength of the Eucharist. We have, and I especially have, worked hard to be a reconciling place in a diocese often at odds with our point of view. Word, Sacrament, reconciliation and service have become hallmarks of our life. This has not come without some stress and strain. As new people come into church fear is often expressed that we growing to big and may become impersonal. That hasn't happened. I have had even a vestry member ask me to determine "just how many people you want in here on a Sunday morning".

We have just finished a feasibililty study in the hope of building a new church. The report came back that at this time we don't have the financial commitment necessary. Some of this is due to the resistance to growth. I strongly believe that over the next four years, with or without me, the building will occur and it will occur in the context of a wholesome, spirit based and healthy atmosphere.

Question 3:  Describe when you were a community leader, for what purpose or mission, and the final outcome.        

I have been a community leader in a variety of capacities in my time in Santa Fe. I have worked with the local Rape Crisis Center to develop an anti hate program for local schools, have been active in developing the above mentioned partnership with the local public school system, lobby at the state legislature during its part time sessions. I lobby on various hunger/poverty issues as well as anti death penalty issues. I speak for causes around the city and have become known as a local activist for these and other issues. I am currently working with the local vets center to help organize leaders of faith communities to reach out to returning vets from Iraq and Afghanistan and be evaluated for Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD related issues. I am working with the mayor's liaison for Domestic Violence to also organize faith communities to assist in dealing with Domestic Violence issues.

The local ministerial alliance, now known as the Interfaith Leadership Alliance, has chosen as a focus the problem of youth homelessness in Santa Fe. I serve on the subcommittee that is organizing and researching by meetings with various city wide program leaders. One result is about to happen. We as an alliance are getting behind the efforts of a Presbyterian parish to develop a "One Stop Shop" where homeless youth can come during the day for help and referrals. We are exploring funding options, getting our local congregations interested in providing volunteers. The Presbyterian church is located near the downtown area where homeless youth gravitate and will be a terrific place. Interest is high all around.

Question 4:  Having read our profile, name three major challenges/opportunities upon which you would base your episcopate.

The first area that struck me is the need for church growth. The decline in many parishes is sadly striking. However, that said, the potential for growth is exciting and challenging at the same time. The progressive/liberal tradition of the Diocese of Rochester is one of hope. As Bishop I would commit myself to being the leader to shine the light of hope on the church. I would work alongside Diocesan leaders to develop a focus of hospitality and welcome in our parishes and worship centers. I am not sure how much the current struggles of our tradition have effected people who wish to either return to church or come to us for the first time. That would need to be addressed.

Widening and expanding youth programs and opportunities needs to worked on with diligence. Youth need to be listened too. Another strong point in the midst of declining numbers is the increase in giving in a number of parishes. For instance, the figures at the bottom of page 11 are interesting: decline in Communicants in good standing v. a 355 increase in average pledge. That, to me, expresses faith and trust in people to church and diocese.

Secondly, I would work with present anti racism programs to do everything we could to end what Martin Luther King called a cancer in our society. As a people who, in faith, commit ourselves to the Baptismal Covenant it is mandatory we work together to end racism in all its forms. The issues of racism are as real in my present setting as anyplace else. Here they are often referred to as "Santa Fe's dirty little secrets."

Thirdly, is the sense of isolation which rural parishes feel. This can be a fruitful and challenging opportunity. I would work with clergy to develop a sense of wider community in the diocese. I would make it my business to be present in rural and isolated areas with clergy as their pastor and bring them into closer relationship with brother and sister clergy throughout the diocese. We need to develop authentic models of family and community as fellow pilgrims with JesusChrist.

In conclusion, thank you for allowing me to be a nominee and candidate. I look forward to working with you and being part of a terrific diocese. In Peace, Richard Murphy+