Have you noticed a little extra buzz around the office lately? We've been working on a new visual identity for the Diocese, which will include a website, new fonts, and other printed (and embroidered!) materials, but perhaps the most exciting recent development is our new diocesan logo.
"These are the ongoing ordinary work of the church: to be evangelizing (proclaiming the gospel) and to be forming and shaping and discipling believers. That is, in Ordinary Time, the ordinary work of the church."
As we enter the long season of "Ordinary Time" in the church year, Bishop Alex emphasizes the two-prong mission of the church—to be both kingdom-minded and relational.
"As we think about Pentecost, I love to hold both of these things together—the daily, mundane reality that I need his Spirit with me just to make the right choices in my life, and also the spectacular, supernatural gifts that remind us that God is truly a mighty God."
Is "Pentecostal" a bad word? Watch to find out! As we approach the Feast of Pentecost this Sunday, Bishop Alex explains the background and meaning of Pentecost and how God equips us to do the work he has given us to do.
"The Ascension reminds us that Jesus is indeed at the right hand of the Father. His sovereignty—his rule and his reign—is real. Sometimes it doesn’t feel that way, sometimes it doesn’t look that way, but it is our conviction as Christians that Jesus is King and he remains King. And in the midst of things that are challenging, that is an important comfort to us."
Bishop Alex reflects on the poignancy and hope we can find in Ascension Day, when we might be wondering, "Is everything going to be okay?"
"One of the things that we are disconnected from, as we don't (most of us) plant our own food, is the reality that we actually are dependent upon God for his gracious provision for us."
In reflecting on the upcoming Rogation Days and their original purpose in our church calendar, Bishop Alex points out the continued value of regularly connecting with the idea of our dependence on God and reminding ourselves that the very breath in our lungs is a gift from Him.
"The [church] calendar does this great thing. It helps us pay attention to the major events in Jesus life and the need for the continued growth and mission of the church throughout the year."
Why do Anglicans use a church calendar? This week, Bishop Alex walks us through the significance of our church calendar and some of the themes that it helps us to notice and celebrate as we progress through each year.
"There is effort involved in following Jesus—as there should be—and I think that for many of us, at least certainly for me, the realization that following Jesus was going to demand something of me was actually a plus..."
In this week's message, Bishop Alex urges us to not only be honest about, but to embrace, the cost of discipleship.
"As a Christian person, as a disciple of Jesus, why is it that I go to church, anyway? What is it that drives my churchgoing? Now, if we're talking simply to my own fallen nature or cultural bias, I would probably say I go to church because I like it or I get something out of it. But I don’t think that’s the best place to be..."
Following up to Easter, Bishop Alex examines the importance of regular church attendance in our relationship with God, with ourselves, and with those in our church community.
