As Episcopalians, we confess our sins during worship most weeks; some of us seek out individual confession; we teach that through repentance, amendment of life, and God’s saving mercy we are promised forgiveness and redemption. But I would say that as a whole, our culture does not demonstrate a true conviction in the power or …
Bishop’s E-pistle
The Bishop’s E-pistle: Memorial Day
O Judge of all the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly …
The Bishop’s E-pistle: Call the Midwife Meets 2019
Call the Midwife has been one of my favorite TV shows since its premiere. It is set in 1960s London, and the main characters are midwives and nuns living in Nonnatus house, an Anglican convent dedicated to women’s health. The personal and professional dramas are often reflected upon in prayer and meals around the community table. …
The Bishop’s E-pistle: What Would Jesus Do?
John 15:13: No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. I have been heartbroken the past two weeks at the stories of students who bravely attacked gunmen in their schools and saved lives of classmates around them, but lost their own in the process. Riley Howell at the University …
The Bishop’s E-pistle: Send a Child to Camp!
I spent 24 hours last week at our beautiful diocesan camp, Chapel Rock. More than 13,000 people per year attend programs at Chapel Rock, including year-round science programs for children, and our own Summer Camps for children, youth, and families this June and July. Registration is open now; look at Chapel Rock’s website to see …
The Bishop’s E-pistle: Alleluia, Christ is Risen!
It was fascinating to experience Holy Week and Easter as a bishop for the first time. It brought home to me how little of parish priesthood is the actual liturgies for those days, and how much is the planning and preparation for those liturgies and the surrounding activities. As bishop, I planned almost nothing except …
The Bishop’s E-pistle: Loving Our Neighbors, Knowing Our History
On Wednesday, I wrote a letter to the Chabad of Flagstaff offering my prayers and support after their new building was vandalized this week. In that letter, I said in part: “Anti-Semitism has no place in this world. Hatred of any people, group, or religion has no place in this world. As faithful people of …
The Bishop’s E-pistle: Bishops at the Table
Last week, I attended my first House of Bishops meeting at the Kanuga conference center in North Carolina. It was a fascinating week of being embraced by new colleagues, and spending time together in prayer, song, learning, and discernment. Highlights included joining the “bishops’ choir” to help lead music for our daily Eucharist and sitting …
The Bishop’s E-pistle: Abundant Thankfulness
I know it’s Lent, but I think I can give myself dispensation to say on behalf of our diocese: “Hallelujah”! I am writing from Kanuga, where I am attending the House of Bishops, a bi-annual gathering of all my new colleagues in the Episcopal Church. The whirlwind of the consecration weekend has paused to allow me …