Grow - Saint Matthias Episcopal Church

WHERE DO WE GROW FROM HERE?

The title of this was changed (from "Go" to "Grow") after a member of the parish told me that I had it wrong.
Fr. Dan.

Dear Friends in Christ:

The Collect for the Fifth Sunday in Lent refers to "the swift and varied changes of the world...." We have certainly had experience with changes over the past few years and at times we may feel that we have lost our bearings. The Collect goes on to pray that "our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found...." In the difficult circumstances of change we are invited to fix our hearts on the love of God which we know in Jesus Christ. With our hearts fixed there we are given the power to continue on in our journey of discipleship.

Amid all the more controversial decisions of this past summer's General Convention, we may be forgiven for having missed one of the most significant decisions. For the first time in a long time, the General Convention articulated budget priorities for the Episcopal Church and made sure that they were reflected in the budget the Convention adopted. That meant reducing funding for certain programs in order to provide adequate funding for the priority programs. These priorities provide us, at the parochial and diocesan level as well, with some clear direction for our work in ministry in the coming years. The priorities adopted by the General Convention are:

YOUNG ADULTS AND YOUTH: Reaching out to young adults and youth through intentional inclusion and full incorporation in the thinking, work, worship and structure of the Church.
RECONCILIATION AND EVANGELISM: Reconciling and engaging those who do not know Christ by participating in God�s mission of reconciling all things to Christ and proclaiming the Gospel to those who are not yet members of the Church.
CONGREGATIONAL TRANSFORMATION: Revitalizing and transforming congregations through commitment to leadership development, spiritual growth, dynamic and inclusive worship, greater diversity, and mission.
JUSTICE AND PEACE: Promoting justice and peace for all of God�s creation and reaching out to the dispossessed, imprisoned and otherwise voiceless needy.
PARTNERSHIPS: Reaffirming the importance of our partnerships with provinces of the Anglican Communion and beyond and our relationships with ecumenical and interfaith partners.

I believe that these are not simply the Episcopal Church's priorities, but God's priorities. There is work to be done and, as I have pointed out many times over the past two years, we are the people that God is calling to do that work. As we continue to discuss the decisions of General Convention, and not just the more controversial ones, I pray that we may remain committed to the work in ministry to which God has called us in this place and time.

Your brother and priest,

Daniel+