Welcoming God. Welcoming Community. Welcoming You.
Click below to access the sermon by The Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, Co-Chair, Poor People’s Campaign. Given at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 14, 2020.
A National Call For Moral Revival
As we learn how to adjust our lives given the reality of the coronavirus and the request to do our part to slow its spread by practicing social distancing, I invite you to join me each week to take a moment to cultivate a ‘habit of grace.’
Sent to clergy and congregational and diocesan leadership
The bishops of the seven New England Episcopal dioceses today issued the following joint statement in response to President Trump’s photo op at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C., characterizing it as “cynical” and calling out “the abomination of continued oppression of and violence against people of color in this nation.” The text of the statement appears below.
June 2, 2020
What President Trump did in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square on the evening of June 1 was disgraceful and morally repugnant. Displaying a Bible from which he did not quote, using as a mere backdrop an Episcopal church where he did not pray, and – more callously – ordering law enforcement to clear, with force and tear gas, a path through demonstrators who had gathered in peace, President Trump distorted for his own purposes the cherished symbols of our faith to condone and stoke yet more violence.
His tactic was obvious. Simply by holding aloft an unopened Bible he presumed to claim Christian endorsement and imply that of The Episcopal Church. Far more disturbingly, he seemed to be affecting the authority of the God and Savior we worship and serve, in order to support his own authority and to wield enhanced use of military force in a perverted attempt to restore peace to our nation.
His actions did nothing to mend the torn social fabric of our nation. Instead, they were a blatant attempt to drive a wedge between the people of this nation, and even between people of faith. No matter where we may stand on the partisan spectrum, we, as Christian leaders called to proclaim a God of love, find his actions repugnant. Jesus taught us to love our enemies, to seek healing over division, and make peace in the midst of violence.
Our church may rightly feel outraged and insulted by having the symbols of our faith used as a set prop in a cynical political drama. The real abomination before us, however, is the continued oppression of and violence against people of color in this nation. Let us reserve and focus the energies of our indignation to serve our Lord Jesus Christ’s higher purpose: to extend love and mercy and justice for all, and especially for those whose life, liberty, and very humanity is threatened by the persistent sin of systemic racism and the contagion of white supremacy.
The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan, Connecticut
The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, Bishop Diocesan, Connecticut
The Rt. Rev. Thomas James Brown, Bishop Diocesan, Maine
The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates, Bishop Diocesan, Massachusetts
The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris, Bishop Suffragan, Massachusetts
The Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld, Bishop Diocesan, New Hampshire
The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, Bishop Diocesan, Rhode Island
The Rt. Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown, Bishop Diocesan, Vermont
The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, Bishop Diocesan, Western Massachusetts
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Please click below to read Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry statement:
The bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts issued on June 1, 2020, the following statement to the diocesan community.
https://www.diomass.org/news/diocesan-news/bishops-june-1-statement-violence-and-sin-racism
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As we learn how to adjust our lives given the reality of the coronavirus and the request to do our part to slow its spread by practicing social distancing, I invite you to join me each week to take a moment to cultivate a ‘habit of grace.’
Pentecost. What Does It Mean?
“The name in Greek means “the fiftieth day” because it falls on the 50th day after Passover. At this feast the first fruits of the corn harvest were presented (Deut. 16.9) and in most later times, the giving of the Law of Moses was commemorated.”
from “The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church”
The reading from Acts 2: 1-21 describes the event that the church has named Pentecost. This story of how the fearful apostles, huddled in a room discussing their dismay and bewilderment. It represents the beginning of the spread of the Good News – that Christ was born, died, and is risen from the dead.
The Ascension has put Jesus back in heaven with God and left the Apostles on earth still wondering what to do. They are given the arduous task of spreading the gospel. It was scary and challenging and brought with it all kinds of risks. Courage was required. Thus, the Holy Spirit was provided to the followers so that they would know their work and do it with passion and joy.
The speaking and/or understanding of many languages is the animation of what it means to go out into the world proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The emphasis is on “the world” – meaning everyone – no matter who or where – beyond culture and language and race and gender, etc.
Some churches call this the birthday of the church – the point at which the church begins its ministry. I think regarding Pentecost as the birthday of the church is trite and minimizes what was truly a momentous reality. No longer is the gospel being shared with just the Jews in Jerusalem but to ALL, in every language and nation.
This is the essence of the feast. I like to think of it as the day we learn to burst out of our individuality, our social prejudices, our comfortable homes and clubs, etc. We can go OUT into the world with courage and blessings understanding that God is with us and the Holy Spirit will guide us and bless us for our work and provide us with courage.
What I see and what I experience of Pentecost is the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, as an essential part of our Christian responsibility to share God’s love with ALL people.
Special Note: We invite parishioners to participate in our Sermon Dialogue discussion and taping on Saturday, May 30 at 3:00 pm via Zoom. We hope you can take the time and are given the courage to speak about Pentecost. It can be fun, and I hope affirming. You can use this blog as a discussion starter or as a stimulus for your thinking.
If you are interested in participating, please email us at info@emmanuelwr.org and we can send you the details.
The Diocese of Massachusetts has sent out the following announcement reiterating the continuation of no in-person public worship or gatherings in our churches until July 1, 2020:
May 18, 2020
Today the bishops of both Massachusetts Episcopal dioceses are issuing a document entitled “A Journey By Stages: Gathering, Serving and Growing as The Episcopal Church in Massachusetts During and Beyond a Time of Pandemic” [posted online here]. The document is a compilation of directives, guidelines and resources, prepared in consultation with the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, to assist Episcopal congregations and related organizations in Massachusetts traveling the path beyond restrictions toward a “new normal” for common life.
This morning Governor Charlie Baker announced a phased roadmap for reopening Massachusetts amid the coronavirus pandemic. Under Governor Baker’s plan, places of worship may resume many activities, with significant restrictions, as early as today. While our churches and organizations are expected to observe the minimum safety standards imposed by civil officials, we must also stay attuned to the counsel of public health authorities to guide the timing and the protocols we follow.
Following the governor’s announcement this morning, the Boston Globe reported that several epidemiologists have said that “a second wave of infection is possible, likely even. They noted that a return to church and worship services could be especially problematic.” It is reported that several large outbreaks in other states have originated in churches.
Last week, the bishops of both Massachusetts Episcopal dioceses announced an extension until July 1, 2020, of the directive for no in-person public worship or gatherings in churches. That direction remains in effect and will continue until express permission is given for regathering. All will need time for the planning and complex preparations that are required to gather safely.
The “A Journey By Stages” document does not contain a timeline because the trajectory of the coronavirus is not known. The stages described in the document are not linear, since a resurgence of COVID-19 infections may necessitate a return to more restrictive practices at some point. Certain counties and municipalities may be at different stages depending on the severity of infections in their area. As “A Journey By Stages” states, in each community and congregation, Episcopalians “must consider how we protect one another and our neighbors, carry out the mission entrusted to us and offer our prayers and praises to God.”
The practices and resources in “A Journey By Stages” are offered to the Church, as that “wonderful and sacred mystery,” trusting that in these painful and challenging days, God is at work among us “that things which had grown old are being made new.”
Tracy J. Sukraw
Director of Communications
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
138 Tremont Street, Boston MA 02111
617-482-4826, ext. 493
www.diomass.org
From the Episcopal Diocese of MA:
As the Commonwealth continues to face high numbers of COVID-19 fatalities and of new cases reported, it remains vitally important for us to care for our neighbors and ourselves by maintaining strict levels of physical distancing. While we regret this ongoing necessity, we know it is the safe and loving course of action.
Current restrictions on in-person public worship and gatherings in our churches are now extended until July 1, 2020.
Faithfully, in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates
The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris
