Bishop Minns Letters

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.

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

 

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)

As we celebrate this season of hope, I pray that you will reach out to those in your various communities who struggle with addiction and assure them that they are not beyond the reach of God’s transforming love.

History is full of men and women who wanted to predict the date of Christ's return. And while all of those dates have come and gone without event, we know that He WILL return one day. So what are we to do? How should we prepare?

Deaths of Despair are an increasing problem in the United States and abroad. Too many choose to end their life when they feel the weight of the world closing in around them. So, how are we to deal with this phenomenon as the Church? How do we meet this despair with the love of God?

"Good preaching starts on our knees as we listen to the Spirit of God. This leads us, through our study, to a confident proclamation of the Word of God, with the sure expectation that God will speak through that proclamation to the hearts and minds of those present – beginning with the preacher! Preaching is a holy moment and deserves our very best effort and most fervent prayers."