Our diocesan staff is eagerly getting ready for our Convention on Saturday, October 19. So are the good people of St. Philip’s-in-the-Hills, Tucson, who are hosting us!
Amidst the frenzy, I am spending some time reflecting on our convention theme: Rising Joy.
I have counted Bishop John Orina Omangi of the Diocese of Upper Southern Nyanza-Kisii, Kenya a friend and colleague since we met at the Lambeth Conference in 2022. Several people from the Diocese of Arizona visited him in Kisii last summer, and you have been collectively generous in supporting the ministry and mission of their newly established Diocese.
It is my joy to confirm that Bishop John is on his way to Arizona right now, and will be visiting many of our churches and ministries, including our Diocesan Convention this October.
Today at Morning Prayer, I prayed Canticle G from Enriching our Worship, the Song of Ezekiel. It includes the verse, “A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit put within you. I will take the stone heart from your chest, and give you a heart of flesh.” It’s one of my favorite verses in the Bible.
I have felt myself, this week, subconsciously hardening my heart–choosing the heart of stone over the heart of flesh. The news is too awful, there are too many places of violence, and too many conflicts that seem intractable.
On Saturday, September 7, 2024, the Union of Black Episcopalians Karl and Virginia Washington Arizona Chapter (“UBE Arizona”) gathered at Saint Barnabas on the Desert in Scottsdale for an exciting and productive morning of food, fellowship, presentations, and planning.
After a summer away from meetings, 28 UBE Arizona members and guests from across the state enthusiastically came together to renew friendships and form new relationships while recapping the past year’s challenges and successes and preparing for the wonderful opportunities and activities of the year ahead. A number of the guests were even moved to become UBE Arizona members before the day was out!
The following tells of a potent (but virtually unknown) climate change that began and ended in a 300-year timeframe. At first, it benefitted the people and led to population growth and stability. But when it changed again at the end of that period, the two largest American civilizations north of Mexico had ceased to exist.
Today’s article for Hispanic Heritage Month is about Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero, one of the most recent saints and recognized persons in Latin America and the world. He inspired not only a movement within the Roman Catholic Church, but his Christian testimony of commitment has a large impact on many Christian denominations, and many countries have him also as an example human rights fighter.
For the last three weeks, you’ve heard about the work that’s happening across our diocese to share the love of Christ with those struggling through incarceration. You’ve read about the ways that the Sunshine Club has brought joy and dignity through the sample act of writing cards. You have heard how Camp Genesis helps kids experience a safe and nurturing environment at Chapel Rock every summer. And you’ve seen how Angel Tree brings hope and cheer to families at Christmas. And perhaps more than that, you’ve heard the people of our diocese testify that these ministries have changed their own hearts and minds.
We welcomed Hispanic Heritage Month which began this September 15th and will continue until October 15th; during this month we will celebrate and recognize the contributions that Hispanics have made to the culture of the United States.
Did you know that Arizona is home to over 200,000 children who have an incarcerated parent? That’s 10% of the total for the entire US! We need to reach more of these kids who are affected by incarceration.
We are called to be caretakers of the gift of God’s creation. As we take time this month to reflect on God’s creation, it’s easy to dwell on the negative impacts that are taking place and lose sight of the forest for the trees. However, here in Arizona, congregations and ministries are taking action now to help reduce the problems around climate change and our environment. Here are just some of the ways.
Project Angel Tree, a program of Prison Fellowship Ministries, has been providing children Christmas gifts on behalf of their mothers and fathers in prison for over 30 years. Parishes like yours volunteer to collect and distribute gifts to these lonely and hurting children, with thoughtful and programmatic support from Project Angel Tree.
Jesus called disciples and then sent them out and trusted them with the mission of the Gospel. Generation after generation in the church, clergy and lay leaders have prayed about, interpreted, and acted on that mission.
Each of our congregations does this, and we do this on a diocesan level as well. This is the last week we are receiving nominations for two important diocesan elected ministries: Disciplinary Board and Standing Committee.