The Bishop’s Blog

In recent days we have all watched with horror as men, women, and children have been brutalized, and many killed, as Russia has continued its barbaric invasion of Ukraine. It is hard to believe that we are witnessing one European country systematically destroying another while the world stands by, seemingly helpless. While we have all been amazed by the courage of these innocent civilians and the inspirational leadership of their president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, agonizing questions haunt us all. What can we do? What should we do? Who is our neighbor?

By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return. (Genesis 3:19)

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.

"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.