NO DOOM-SAYERS

Dear Friends in Christ,

The weeks since the General Convention met in June have brought with them the inevitable discussions of the “crisis” in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Although I have shared in some of these discussions, I have decided that the best way to face the “crisis” is to work to strengthen Saint Matthias Church and the Diocese of Western New York. In making this decision I mindful of the witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. When confronted with the option of labeling as a “false church” the official German Church, which was in many ways a collaborator with the Nazis, Bonhoeffer refused. All he would say is that the “true Church” was where the Word was faithfully proclaimed and the Sacraments faithfully celebrated. He left all other judgments to God.

I believe that in spite of our failings, our parish and our diocese, are engaged in faithful ministry of Word and Sacrament. There is certainly room for us to become more faithful and effective in the ministry to which we have all been called and I would, as we begin a new “program year” in the parish urge you to consider three ways that we might grow in faithfulness and effectiveness.

1. Our Sunday morning of Christian education for all ages is designed to help children and adults grow as Christians. Our Sunday School and the Journey to Adulthood groups will continue to be places where the parish’s children and young learn about the Christian faith and develop deep friendships with their teachers and with one another. The learning opportunities which we will offer for adults include short courses on prayer and on telling our sacred stories, as well as presentations on less well-known saints and an exploration of the Gospel according to Luke.
2. The Diocese is offering us an opportunity to look more deeply at how we minister together as Episcopalians in Western New York. Forging Our Future promises to be a very important gathering of the Diocese and I hope that a large contingent from our parish will take part on September 23. (More information is to be found elsewhere in this issue of The Apostle.)
3. Dinner with Friends – Old and New will be a festive gathering of parishioners, friends who use our building regularly, and the friends that you invite. It will be a chance for us to give thanks for those groups who use our building to carry on important work for the community. More information will be sent to you in mid-September, but mark your calendars now and save Friday, October 13 for Dinner with Friends – Old and New.

When “doom-sayers” predict the death of the Episcopal Church, I look at the wonderful work that God has been doing among us in the past few years. I see the new members who have found a spiritual home in the parish. I see the children of the parish as they gather for song each Sunday with John Whitney. I see the young people who went on the mission trip to New Orleans. I see the residents of The Waters join members of the parish for the Monday afternoon celebration of the Eucharist. I see these signs of God’s gracious work among us – and so many others that are too many to list – and I give thanks for the great privilege of serving such a generous God in this place.

May the year ahead be for each and all of us to grow in “the knowledge and the love of God.”

Your brother and priest,

Daniel