Every August since I have been working at Northern Illinois University, the bug of autumnal anticipation has bitten me. Though the air has not begun to chill yet and the leaves have not begun to turn, I know this is just around the corner. Students will begin to arrive on campus, and the streets of DeKalb will suddenly be much more congested. Young people will begin another year of studies in preparation for their adult lives. One can see evidence of the thrills of youth by observing the crowds of these young people gathering at social events at local coffee houses, bars, and of course, at sporting events. The future for these young people is exciting, but it is also uncertain, as it is for the rest of us. This fall will bring some exciting and potentially challenging times for us at St. Paul's, as well as for our neighbors and friends outside our parish. Three phenomena strike me in particular about this fall. First, our children will begin a new year in school and in our Godly Play Christian education program. Second, our vestry and parish will discuss offering blessings of same sex unions at St. Paul's, in response to Bishop Lee's authorization of a same-sex blessing rite and the concurrent authorization by the General Convention for such a rite. Third, our nation is facing a major election season.

The school year will be full of the fun and exciting events that a new year brings, as well as the inevitable challenging and difficult times.   The children of our parish receive enthusiastic support from our congregation and from our rector, and this encourages me. Our parish came together to renovate our basement last year, and it continues to look great! Our Godly Play Christian education program for children is a wonderful resource made possible by the dedication of a good number of parishioners who give of their time and talent for the goal of facilitating our children's formation into mature Christians. Outside of St. Paul's, our children - along with our neighbor children in the DeKalb area - will begin a new school year, with all its inherent adventures and trepidations. Life is not always rosy for children, as they are some of the most vulnerable participants in society. Our "Keeping God's People Safe" logos on our doors are an encouraging sign to our children and youth to signify that St. Paul's Church is a safe place for everyone. I encourage all of us to keep our eyes and ears open, to support our children, and to advocate for the safety of all children, inside and outside our parish.

It probably goes without saying that the blessing of same sex unions has been, along with the ordination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons to the diaconate, priesthood, and episcopate, one of the most divisive courses of action in the recent history of the Episcopal Church. This action has now reached us at St. Paul's Church, as we begin our discussion of the blessing of same sex unions (a congregational meeting on this subject will be at 9AM Sunday, September 23rd). I am humbled by the opportunity to join in the dialogue around such a momentous topic. The fact that we are having this discussion demonstrates that we care very deeply about our sisters and brothers who love someone of the same sex. However, this is uncharted territory for us at St. Paul's, and the outcome of our discussion is uncertain. Rev. Stacy counseled us in her sermon on August 5 to "to tell the truth to one another in all manners of speaking, but do not forget to love one another just the same." It is likely that our discussions will bring differences in opinions and beliefs to the fore. I take comfort in the words of Jesus, who reminds us in his Sermon on the Mount to be reconciled when we have differences: "So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24 NRSV). In all my time as a member of St. Paul's, I have been impressed by the thoughtfulness of our parishioners, and I am confident that we will continue to be thoughtful as we discuss same sex blessings.

Our upcoming election season is imminent. In addition to our usual round of state and local matters to decide this November, we will also be electing the President of the United States. The Republican National Convention will take place between August 27 and August 30, and the Democratic National Convention will follow it shortly between September 4 and September 6. After that, we will be bombarded with two months of political advertisements that seek to discredit one or the other of our presidential candidates, or candidates in other races, in various broadcast and Internet media. Often these advertisements do not address the problems that our politicians seek to solve, but rather they seek to hurt the candidates, who are human beings. By extension, those of us who identify as supporters of one or the other of these candidates are bound to be hurt as well. It is a great privilege to have a voice in our government, but it is a privilege that is difficult to exercise unscathed. I hope you will join me in a prayer for those who run for office, and for those who vote.

In conclusion, I leave you with the words of our Blessed Patron in his letter to the Ephesians. These words give me comfort and encouragement in divided times. "Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 4:31-5:2 NRSV).  

Yours in Christian fellowship,

Michael Duffy