Bishop's Writing / Enews October 2023
Dear People of God,
Oh… what a week! What an awful week! This is a time a lot of us hoped would never come. The merciless attack of Hamas on southern Israel followed by the merciless bombing of residential neighborhoods in Gaza by Israel has left us reeling and shattered. Our friends on both sides of the divide are inconsolable. Attacks on both Jews and Muslims are increasing in our country. The destruction at Ahli Arab Hospital, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which many of us have supported for years, is a terrible blow to the work of healing and reconciliation. I am heartbroken.
For us who share our God with Judaism and Islam and who follow the Prince of Peace, this is an important moment. Our belief is that all humanity belongs at the feast together and that the ultimate goal for human life is unity and harmony. We are compelled to reach out in love and support to all who are struggling with the outbreak of hostilities, to be companions with both our Jewish and Islamic neighbors. The charges and counter-charges notwithstanding, we make our stand with the least and with the innocent, and we will continue to make that our primary concern. Of particular importance is the necessity of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza so that water, food, and medicine may reach the people. I urge you to contact one of our Senators about that.
I know many of us also fear these hostilities may lead to a wider war. I ask your fervent prayers for peace and for cooler and wiser heads to prevail. We will all regret a wider conflict. It is a time for us to say that more violence is not a solution to the dilemmas and disagreements that confront us.
As our Presiding Bishop has asked us, let us pray: Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen (BCP, p 815)
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Turning our attention to matters of local concern, our annual Convention is fast approaching. We will be meeting by Zoom on Saturday, October 28, 2023. The Convention will also be live-streamed on YouTube. In addition to the usual matters of electing people to diocesan offices and adopting an annual budget, we will also be addressing two matters of singular importance.
First, we will be preparing for the election of the Ninth Bishop of Rochester. We will address resolutions setting the date and establishing the electors for the Electing Convention and for determining the policy for Nominations by Petition. Nominations by Petition will be in order following the release of the slate of candidates chosen by the Discernment and Nominating Committee in mid-November according to guidelines set by the Standing Committee. We will also consider Rules of Order for the Electing Convention.
Second, we will consider the change of status of three congregations of our diocese. We will bring to a conclusion the lives of St Stephen’s, Rochester, and Trinity, Canaseraga. We will also change the status of St John’s, Sodus, from parish to mission. Members of each church will address the Convention prior to the votes. These are important and somber matters, and we will take the time to engage them with the respect and dignity the occasion requires. It is a time of sadness, as we mourn the loss of two communities of faith. It is a time of thanksgiving for all the faith, love, and ministry that has proceeded from these communities for many years. Finally, it is a time of hope for the future flourishing for the members.
All of the materials for our Convention may be found on the Convention 92 tab on our website. I urge you to look at the materials and, if you have concerns, to speak to your parish delegates to the Convention.
My prayers are with all of you in these difficult days. May God grant you times of rest and refreshment, times of blessing and joy, and may you find courage to stand for the faith that is in you.
Peace,
+Steve