Holy Week: "Such a Rush"

Bishop on the Border: during the April 2 Via Crucis and border Eucharist. Photos and videos

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

 

Sometimes it seems that Holy Week and Easter is such a rush: recruit people for the various roles in the Passion reading; prepare a myriad of bulletins; come to renewal vows on Tuesday; strip the Altar on Maundy Thursday; hold Good Friday with stations, last words, or the liturgy of the day; attend the Vigil on Saturday; and then on Sunday, "He is risen." On Monday, we are out for the count!

 

It is good to be aware of how much we do to make this sacred movement a transformational time. I hope that in the midst of this busyness and great work, each of us can have moments of grace. It may come when you wash the feet of one of your parishioners or baptize someone in the first moments of Easter whom you brought to Christ. It may be when you pronounce the Easter acclamation or break the host.    

 

It is my prayer that as we lead others to those liminal places for Christ encounters, we allow ourselves to experience the divine encounter. That is my prayer for myself and for you.

 

As we move into the Great Fifty Days of Easter, we have a wonderful opportunity to join together in the healing work of the resurrected Christ by focusing on our church's role in caring for creation.  

 

In September 2011, the House of Bishops issued this pastoral teaching on caring for the environment. On Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at St. Bartholomew's in Poway, we will hold the Fragile Earth Symposium to explore this teaching and ways that we can responds as individuals, congregations, and as a diocese to the environmental crisis that is upon us, the human family. I hope you will make every effort to participate and assure that a team of three to five individuals from your congregation will come. I believe that our church is called to lead on this issue. Your congregation's team can return from this symposium empowered to facilitate that important transformational leadership. 

 

Please know of my gratitude for your faithful service at all times, but my particular thankfulness for your care and hard work as instruments of God's mission in this season of resurrection and new life in Christ.

 

Faithfully,

 

The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes

Bishop

Interfaith Community Footwashing This quarterly service project of the Diocesan Service Coalition takes place on Maundy Thursday, April 5 at the Episcopal Church Center, 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., 10a - 1p. We will wash the feet of homeless people in Ocean Beach at the Center, where they will also be able to connect with social services that will help them long-term. Each church is asked to donate 25 pairs of new shoes or $125. More info? Contact Ms. Nancy Holland or visit the diocesan web site. Volunteers wanted. 

Fragile Earth Symposium All are welcome to attend this symposium about caring for our earth, as a church, as individuals and as a community. Join the conversation as we think about how to exponentially decrease our carbon footprints in an effort to honor God's creation, this fragile earth, our island home. Saturday, April 21, 9a-3p at St. Bartholomew's, Poway. More Info 

Legacy Evensong Bishop Mathes will host the first Bishop's Legacy Society Evensong on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 5pm at St. Paul's Cathedral. For those who have remembered an Episcopal church or ministry in their estate plans. Followed by a reception in the Great Hall. For more information, please contact Canon Howard Smith.

Mission Sunday Bishop Mathes has designated Sunday, May 20, as Mission Sunday. This is a day to celebrate our new diocesan mission plan, as well as ministries your congregation is presently involved with, and introduce the ministries we share as a diocese. Through our combined efforts, we can impact the community, the diocese, and the world. We will provide resources, readings, and promotional materials to help make this Sunday as successful as possible. Read the new Mission Plan.

Bishop's Appeal The Bishop's Appeal supports the mission and ministry of our diocese, and it will be mailed this week. With donations received through the Bishop's Appeal, we are able to help support our companion diocese of El Salvador and Second Chances food distribution in Ocean Beach, as well as many other ministries. Please participate in this important work and encourage those in your congregations to support the Bishop's Appeal. Thank you for your leadership.

Preaching Conference "The Preaching Task: Prayer, Preparation and Performance," is hosted by the Episcopal Preaching Foundation. The Rev. Dr. William Brosend and the Rev. Dr. Lauren Winner will present three 75-minute segments which will include an opportunity for participants to discuss these aspects of preaching. Tuesday, May 8, 9a-3p at St. Bartholomew's, Poway. No cost; lunch will be provided. Register here.