June 2020
OF PRESENT MOMENTS
As followers of Jesus, we are working toward the practice of
unconditional love through the values of:
– Human Dignity – Creation Care -Spiritual Formation
BISHOP’S COMMENTS
ON PEOPLE, PLACES, & THINGS
“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.”
Micah 6:8. Message Bible
My Dear Friends,
I write this on Tuesday morning, following the tragic death of George Floyd, the ensuing protests and escalating riots, and now the events at the steps of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. when peaceful protesters, along with our clergy serving them, are forced off of our own property by unannounced, violent means.
And all of that in the grips of an ongoing pandemic.
What words can I use to fully express my disbelief, my concern, my anger. I am incredulous that we have come to such a time as this. Quite possibly, there are no words. Yet I know I must speak my heart, for and with you all.
Where, and what, is the Way of Love in this convergence of so many forces? I find myself hearing Jesus’ words in the Gospel, words of compassion, words of truth, of justice, and of peace. Even as he hung within the grasp of his own death, he speaks to the criminal beside him, and to the Father about him, of these themes. They are words we must claim and act out now.
My friends, I make every effort to avoid politicizing my messages with the hope I might communicate across the political spectrum with all of you. And I would wish that true now even more – but it may be impossible to speak truth to power without being political. And I want to be clear that I may offend some, but truth must be spoken.
Those who nailed Jesus to the cross, and who were responsible for his death, were the “law and order” people of his day. Jesus’ Way of Love threatened them, and their perception of reality, by his consistent and passionate message of justice and peace. Jesus’ judgment of those who failed to care for the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed was spoken openly, consistently, passionately. And his actions supported his words.
If we would truly be followers of Jesus, if we claim his name, we can do no less. Our discipleship, our professed creed must be lived out in doing justice and making peace. If that Way of Love places us in opposition to powerful forces, then God strengthen and embolden us to stand firm in love with and for all people.
+Patrick
Publisher:
Orbis Books
ISBN
9781608330010
Let us pray:
“Father of all mercy, Shepherd of every hope, the Refuge of our bewildered hearts; steady us with thy most tender mercy lest the darkness of this hour hide the providences of a lifetime from our sight. Within the shadow of our fears thy love doth stand waiting upon the very threshold of our need. Though we cannot see the way, guide us step by step and strengthen us for each day’s journey with a peace beyond our making. Wherever we walk, in sunshine or in shadow, show us the sign of Christ our Lord, who hath gone before us and suffered all things that we might be delivered from fear and in every extremity trust thee with our life. Amen.” -Samuel Miller
A WORD ON THE POSSIBILITY OF REGATHERING AMID THE PANDEMIC
I was hoping that we could begin allowing Congregations to gather as Pentecost began. But there is just too much uncertainty yet, especially now as large gatherings are taking place throughout our state and country. I am being overly cautious, but your precious lives are still at stake. I would rather prolong the inconvenience and discomfort of not gathering, than to open too soon and see someone seriously impacted.
For now, we will wait until the end and of June to see if the phase process is working. During this month, I will be in dialogue with the Standing Committee to develop a planned reopening along with recommended guidelines. So please hold in there, and be patient.
We will be together again soon, hopefully.
OF PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS
– With the concurrence of the Standing Committee, I am moving the venue for our Diocesan Convention back to Ascension School for this fall. It seemed most prudent from a planning and financial standpoint to do so and will allow us much more flexibility in making decision about what that might look like. The initial information for Convention will be going out from our office later this week. I want to affirm that we are making provision for the possibility of holding Convention virtually and will be planning a parallel effort for that should it become evident that we refrain from a physical gathering. But we will keep you informed as we move through these next few months.
– One fallout from this unprecedented period is our decision to cancel the camping season at Ascension for this summer. That was a very hard decision to make, made over several months of discussion. But I am convinced we have made the right move. I am so thankful that other projects and programs will continue at Cove.
– To that, one of the efforts by our Ascension staff is to provide lunches for our community’s children during the summer. The school district provided free meals up until the “official” end of school, and we took it up as an outreach effort to serve our local kids. No child should ever go hungry!
On a personal note: I grieve, as do so many of you, in the untimely and unexpected loss of The Very Rev. Bill Ellis. Bill was a significant leader and friend in this Diocese for all the years I have been associated with Eastern Oregon. He had done some early training here, and then came back to the Diocese shortly after I arrived over thirty years ago. He then came up to the Spokane Diocese, and we worked together there as well. Bill was a most down to earth person with an acute sense of humor, and probably the most astute, keen thinker and loving Pastor I have known. I cannot tell you how many times I have pulled him aside or called him up to seek his concise counsel. I will miss him very much. Our prayers go out to Beth and to all the family in this deep loss.