Dear Ones,
Our Diocese is made up of people of different political views, but I pray that we will remain united in our faith in Jesus Christ and live in such a way that we proclaim and ACT on the belief that God loves you—all of you—no exceptions. We are living in days that we have anticipated with simultaneous, mixed realities where some are safe and secure, and others are extremely vulnerable. These securities and vulnerabilities are real.
Many of you have heard me express that our priorities ought to be God, Family, Church. It is because our priorities are aligned in this way that we remember the abiding love and care of God in Christ and the divine promise that God will be with us always.
We remember our families—our families of blood and/or friendship. Our families include migrants, undocumented immigrants, trans kids and adults, and LGBTQIA siblings. Those who are threatened by the recent executive orders are not ‘other’—they are us. And we remember our churches—sacred places of worship, care, and service that will not be co-opted for ends that are counter to Christ’s gospel of love.
I invite all of us to be engaged in this work we share. Please read the recent statement by the Presiding Bishop about our commitments and values as the Episcopal Church to protect the vulnerable. And if you haven’t viewed Bishop Mariann Budde’s sermon at the National Prayer Service, please watch it at this link and hear her speak to our diocesan missional pillar to stand with the vulnerable and marginalized. I look forward to being with the clergy of the diocese for a pastoral check-in by Zoom tomorrow (Thursday, January 22nd at 4:00 pm Eastern/ 3pm Central).
May God continue to bless, protect, and keep you.
Faithfully,
Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows
