Come Labor On:

I hope that you had a chance to either hear or read Bishop Paul’s letter to the Diocese about the controversial actions of General Convention. Bishop Paul stresses in his letter that it is clear that there are people in the Episcopal Church – and within our own Diocese – who disagree about the moral quality of same-gender relationships. He also stresses in his letter that it is entirely possible to be a good Episcopalian and to disagree (or agree) with any or all actions that General Convention has taken. To be an Episcopalian really comes down to being part of a faith community that worships Jesus as Lord, receives the sacraments of the Church and is willing to honestly engage the work of reconciling God and the World. While I personally agree with the actions that General Convention took in this instance – I have in the past disagreed with other stances. I have never felt that I was being removed from the church because of my disagreement.

I don’t want to make light of the pain of some of the members our parish at the present moment - but I do want to caution us all that what seems painful right now may not be seen as such in 10 years. The church doesn’t move quickly or agilely but rather slowly and somewhat ponderously. As I write this note plans are being put in place to convene an international meeting of the Archbishops of the Anglican Communion. We don’t actually have an Archbishop here in the USA – we have a Presiding Bishop – and no Bishop in the Episcopal Church has the power to compel any other Bishop of this church. But our Presiding Bishop will be present at the meeting with the Archbishops and together they will take council together about the best way to move forward. I honestly don’t know what will happen and I don’t know how any action they take will be received either here at home or abroad. But I do know that we won’t fully understand what is happening for at least a generation. What I am certain of is that no matter specifically happens, the Anglican Church is moving forward into new self-understanding of what it means to be part of the Anglican of the Anglican Communion.

In the meantime I think it would be helpful for us to continue doing the work that God has given us to do. We are seeing larger than average numbers in the Soup Kitchen as the ramifications of the Welfare to Workfare legislation passed a few years ago are being realized. There are groups within the parish that are talking about becoming involved in a community based effort to provide parenting resources for young families in our neighborhoods that may be struggling to appropriately care for their children. Our Education Dept. at Trinity is beginning a partnership with our Cathedral to provide more educational opportunities to our teens. I am working with people in our parish to find effective ways to reach out to college students and tell them about who Jesus is and how we seek to serve both Our Lord and our neighbor. There are many other programs that we continue to support and/or that God is calling us to become a part of. There is plenty to do at the moment and as we wait to see what is going to happen in the larger arc of history in our Church and our Society, we can certainly be about the work that it seems God has given us to do.

The autumn season is a time for Trinity when we get back to being the full parish of Trinity. Welcome back to those who have been away this summer. Do spend a moment and read through the many worship, prayer and educational programs that will be offered to the parish this fall. And do spend some time in discernment to see if you can hear God’s voice calling you into a new ministry of service and healing.

-Nick+