Dear Friends,

As most of you know I have been nominated for Bishop.  It is a very affirming and humbling as I consider this possibility.  I have been praying, thinking and hoping and in the midst of this I had a moment I want to share with you. (I posted this in a response to one of the questions on the Forum) 

Vision for the Diocese.    Last week I was traveling and while on a twelve hour drive I was praying (eyes open) and thinking about our diocese.  I focused on the passage from John 17, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus.  This prayer speaks to many issues: the Glory of God; Salvation; Obedience; Scripture; the Unity and Mission of the Church.  I commend it to all of us (click here for a link).  I sensed the Lord "whisper" to me,  "I will answer this prayer in the people of Central Florida".  My heart leapt for joy as I envision a John 17 Diocese.  We become a place, a sacred geography where in a unified effort we are about the mission to see Jesus lifted up and His love raining down, where people come to faith and surrender their lives to His Lordship.   

Ultimately this prayer is contained in the first sentence...

"Jesus... looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you" (John 17:1 NRSV)  The rest of the prayer could be considered commentary on how God is glorified in the life and mission of Jesus and in us and through us as well.  I intend to spend from now until the election meditating and studying this passage.  It is to me, a clear way for us to articulate a future for the Diocese of Central Florida.

Whether I am elected or not I believe this is a word for us not only in the diocese but specifically at Church of the Incarnation.  You could say as we begin any venture we start where we are and it extends out from there. So ponder with me what would it mean for us to be a John 17 Church? What does this look like in a practical way.  What is the labor for us to do?  How do we cooperate with the Holy Spirit so that this prayer of Jesus is answered in us and through us as his people in this community?   Questions and thoughts I will be meditating on in the days ahead.  Join me...  

in the mission,

Father Jon+  

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The Haygood Family wishes to thank all those who supported the Step Up for Downs Syndrome walk on Saturday. Here are a few PICS...

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Thanks from the INCARNATION YOUTH GROUP & THE CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD for you support at the Spaghetti Luncheon & Bake Sale

        Special thanks to Chef Sherise