Official Diocesan Blog

"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.

Epiphany season is a good time to remember the many ways in which God still reveals himself to us. For some, those revelations are dramatic and life changing

The birth of Jesus changes everything. That’s one reason all of those angels showed up – it was and is an event of cosmic significance. The whole course of human history was changed. Art, music, literature – Western culture itself reflects this reality. And there is a truth beyond that: for millions of people who have lived since, the birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life but a new way of living it. Is celebrating Christmas worth all the effort? YOU BET IT IS!

 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)