The Good News of St. John’s

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Calls Church to Prayer

 

PLEASE NOTE: The hospital in Gaza that was bombed this past Tuesday is the Al Ahli Arab Hospital and is operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (not the Baptist Church as some news outlets have been reporting). This hospital takes no political stance but is now in desperate need of help. Please donate here: American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (through which one may give to support the Ahli Arab Hospital) and Episcopal Relief and Development. 

We have all been invited in the last few days to join with Archbishop Hosam Naoum and the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, as well as Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby, to pray fervently for all those who have been hurt, harmed, or killed in this conflict. My heart aches when I remember visiting al-Ahli hospital in 2018 during Holy Week to meet the medical teams and all the people of that remarkable ministry. They were passionately committed to anyone who had need.

I know personally how faithful Episcopalians are in praying. During my surgery and recovery, you have prayed for me and for my healing, and I am more grateful and thankful than words can say.

Right now, I ask you to pray fervently for the birthplace of the Abrahamic faiths and for all its people. Pray for those who have been hurt, harmed, or killed—regardless of who they are or who did it.

Pray also for the leaders and people of the entire region, that they will remember God’s mercy, and that they will find the way to a just peace where all may live in safety and security as God intends.

Pray this week for President Biden, that he may be an advocate for immediate humanitarian access for those who desperately need food, water, and medicine—and for comfort and consolation for those who have been displaced and those who are grieving loved ones.

Please join me in praying:

For Peace: Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen.

The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church

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Re-balancing Administration and Leadership

Dear Ones,

Earlier this year, the Vestry of St. John’s voted to reduce the Rector position from full time to part time. This was a necessary step to ensure the financial stability of the congregation. As I said in the months leading up to that decision, I was grateful for that conversation and agreed with the decision. The finances of St. John’s have always pointed to the need to reduce the Rector’s salary.

Since that time, the Vestry and myself have been working to re-balance the workload of the Rector. To assist with this, the Vestry of St. John’s and I will participate in a day of reflection led by the Rev. Allison Moore where she will lead lead us in a Mutual Ministry Review. Because both lay leaders and clergy leaders have ministry when it comes to administering a congregation, our combined leadership, then, must be one of mutuality.

We know that this transition is one that will take time, prayer, and intentional effort by both the leadership and the community. Our ministry in the Episcopal Church isn’t as hierarchical as we would like to think it is. It’s not all on the person wearing the collar or the funny hat. Instead, it’s more of a Venn diagram – overlapping circles of responsibility and oversight.

What, then, are the most important things for the priest to be doing? What do the lay leaders need to be tending to? What are the responsibilities of leading a congregation and how do we manage those creatively so that no one is overtaxed and all are able to participate fully in the generous life of the community of St. John’s?

And, perhaps most importantly, how do we remember that being “church” is really not about the administration of the congregation – it’s about how we serve the community around us. As Archbishop William Temple once said, “The church is the only organization that exists for the sake of those who are not its members.” (paraphrased, of course). So, if we are only worried about how to “do” church, then what are we doing?

The Vestry and I will be gathering on Saturday, November 4 for our time with Rev. Allison. If you have questions, please reach out to any of the Vestry members or myself. And please offer your prayers for the leadership of St. John’s as we discern the best way forward for the administration of our congregational life.

In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle

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Announcements for October 22
The Twenty-first Sunday After Pentecost