From the Interim Rector
The Rev. Jim Strader-Sasser
Greetings in Christ Jesus Everyone,
I’m writing this this letter to all of you offering my perspective on the results of Tuesday night’s elections in the United States. Yesterday, perhaps like you, I needed a day to reflect, find some space for prayer and contemplation, and just rest following a sleepless and troubled night. Some if not many of us may require more days to encounter our emotions and what they are saying to us as individuals and as a society. One of the things that I continue to observe is that I believe we remain a “tribalized” species. We, are still quite behaviorally immature in understanding as well as believing in our interdependence upon one another and the world we live in. We have not yet learned how to live our lives more fully in the spiritual truth of “ubuntu” in this nation. "Ubuntu" is sometimes translated as "I am because we are.” I became an Episcopalian close to 30 years ago because the Episcopal church that I visited sought to live into this truth in the ways in which it worshipped, founded it Christian mission in loving people as Christ loves us – especially across boundaries of prejudice, and was willing to be both pastoral and prophetic in its prayers and practices in programming and ministries inside and outside of its building walls.
In that light - I want to share two links with you written by The Episcopal Church’s newly elected Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe as well as a letter written by our own Diocesan Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Audrey C. Scanlan.
In his letter (https://www.episcopalchurch.org/publicaffairs/letter-from-presiding-bishop-sean-rowe-on-the-u-s-presidential-election/) – Bishop Rowe says: “Regardless of our political allegiances, we must remember that God has called us in The Episcopal Church to seek and serve Christ in all persons. No matter the party in power, we are one church, and we will continue to fulfill our baptismal covenant by proclaiming in word and example the Good News of God in Christ, striving for justice and peace among all people, and protecting the dignity of every human being.” He adds: “We urge President Trump and members of Congress to exercise compassion toward the immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees we serve and to know that, at every turn, we will stand for the dignity and human rights of all of God's people. We are Christians who support the dignity, safety, and equality of women and LGBTQ+ people as an expression of our faith. I pray that President Trump and his administration will do the same.”
In her letter (https://diocesecpa.org/leadership-news/a-letter-from-bishop-scanlan-on-the-u-s-presidential-election/) – Bishop Scanlan writes: “As the chief pastor and primate of our diocese, let me remind us that we have One Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism (Ephesians 4:5) and that our mission as Christians has not changed: we are called to love God and to love our neighbor. The work that we do in our diocese serves the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit those in prison. We work for justice and peace and, in all that we do, we respect the dignity of every human being. I am proud to be a member of the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus movement and today, my path does not waiver. I am called to serve the least and lowly and to oversee this great diocese that strives to be messengers of God’s unending love.”
Both these bishops, and other Episcopal Church leaders resoundingly are “emphasizing Episcopalians’ baptismal commitment to being witnesses in the world to Jesus’ message of love for one another and respecting the dignity of every human being.” We at Prince of Peace have our historical and theological roots in being a Christian Community and church who have lived through the conflictual divisions of our nation. We have provided memorializing space to honor the lives of those persons who died because of hatred and war between biological and sociological sisters and brothers alike. Our opening statement on our webpage tells guests and members alike that we “are a welcoming, open and loving congregation. We are traveling together on this Christian journey, walking through life's questions, seeking and learning together, sharing one another's celebrations and even one another's sorrows.”
I recently began reading a book by Ilio Delio, The Not Yet God. In the opening page Delio writes: The transcendent goodness of the human person is evolution’s best kept secret, and the ultimate source of this goodness is God. I dedicate this book to all who seek the living God in a world of change.” Her hope in the unfolding nature of God’s love and humanity’s capacity to live into and express it is a lofty vision. And, we as Christians and the Episcopalians in Adams County, PA have choices we can adopt and manifest in efforts to be believers in Christ’s Way of Love. May it be so.
Blessings along The Way, Jim+
