Official Diocesan Blog

At a time when the world was far from settled, the apostle Paul wrote, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1–2)

We were on a family vacation and visiting a church that was new to us. The liturgy was familiar, and we were blessed by the music and the preaching. At communion time, Angela, Rachel, and I headed for the altar rail to receive the elements, and on the way back I was aware of a middle-aged couple who were looking quite intently at us. They didn’t seem unfriendly, so I nodded and smiled, but they continued to stare.

February 23, 2022 

Dear Friends,  

The week for our candidate “walkabouts” is coming quickly. We have four special gatherings planned for March 21 – 24. We look forward with enthusiasm to discover which of these three men the Lord would have as our next bishop. As we prepare to meet with our candidates, here is an update with instructions related to our time together.  

Who Are Walkabouts For?  

"When I served as rector of Truro Church, I made a point of asking newcomers about their experience of our worship – what worked and what didn’t? Early on, I heard many of the same comments – while they appreciated the music and the preaching, they got lost in the liturgy. It was too complicated, and we used too many different books. In response, I decided to arrange an “Instructed Eucharist,” during which I would give a series of brief teachings as the service progressed, explaining what we were about to do and why."

Liturgy serves many different purposes. At its most basic it provides an order for common worship. Even those churches that consider themselves “non-liturgical” have a regular pattern for when they gather for worship. Our Anglican liturgy is grounded in Scripture and many of its elements remind us of our Jewish roots. Its regular use also imparts a common language of faith that is designed to not only instruct and inspire but also establish communities that can bear witness to the non-believing world of the redemptive love of God. Liturgy is never meant to be a “straight-jacket” stifling of the creativity and imagination of the local community, but rather to provide a framework to allow us to draw closer to God and to one another.

Hospitality is not only a Christian virtue – it is also a powerful antidote to the increasing scourge of loneliness. In recent years, the astonishing growth in the use of mobile phones and information technology has failed to improve social cohesion – instead, it has contributed to greater polarization and personal isolation.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work as the interim bishop of the ADP has been encountering hundreds of men and women throughout the diocese who are determined to seek and follow the call of God on their lives and communities. It is a precious gift that gives me great hope for the future of this diocese.

Compassion fatigue is encouraged by our 24-hour media, giving us relentless awareness of every crisis and every pressing need all around the world. We must all regularly disconnect from our internet news sources if we are to avoid overload. But that does not mean we must renounce caring or heartfelt compassion. As we enter into this new year, I encourage you to beware the dangers of compassion fatigue, but don’t forget to care for the least, the last, and the lost.

Epiphany is a wonderful season to reflect on new opportunities for mission. If they are not already a part of the life of your congregation, I encourage you to investigate short-term missions. There is an enormous variety of opportunities available for all ages, abilities, and budgets. Not only will you be doing your part to fulfill the great commission, but you will also discover that these mission trips transform the lives of those who go and bless those to whom they go.