Dear Sisters and Brothers of the EDSJ

As an all-too-frequent-flyer, I wish to begin with this image. It has been an extraordinarily long flight, suffice it to say, the flight was challenging, sometimes turbulent, and certainly at times less than comfortable. And I trust the thought occurred to all those on board once-or-twice, will this thing ever land? Landed it has. We are on the runway and the tarmac upon which we find ourselves is unfamiliar to us, that's what eight years will do. And if you allow me to continue with the image for a moment longer; we are sitting on the tarmac and the attendant has indicated that the seatbelt sign is still on. Faithful ones of the EDSJ, this is the most important point I wish to convey. The seatbelt sign remains illuminated. It is not time yet to get up and empty the compartments overhead, nor is it time to deplane. We need to sit a bit longer. And patient we have been, particularly those who have been waiting for eight long years, what a flight! But sit a bit longer we must.

As I trust you are aware, the California State Supreme Court has denied the defendants' petition for review. Thus, the original judgement in favor of the EDSJ and ordering the return of the properties and funds stands.

And as we have anticipated, now much of the hard work truly begins. Firstly, our Chancellor and I need to engage in conversation with Bishop Eric Menees (ADSJ) and his Chancellor. These conversations will involve the ways in which properties are returned and the appropriate timeframes established. I hope these conversations will occur as soon as possible and I am inviting your prayers for these discussions. I can assure you, the Chancellor and I will be approaching these conversations in the most pastoral manner possible. We will seek an orderly transition and exercise our responsibility on your behalf with humility and care.

Secondly, we need to give more attention to and prepare for the plan regarding the future landscape of the diocese. At the last joint meeting of Standing Committee and Diocesan Council, we discussed every property and explored through prayerful discernment the potential outcome regarding each one. SC and DC will continue to develop the plan in the days to come. We welcome your input via members of SC and DC. We want to ensure that we are working as consultatively and transparently as possible and to that end we will offer frequent updates.

And lastly, I must ask you to allow us to do the work we need to do at this time. I have every confidence that the attention we give to this part of the process will make our "deplaning" far more expeditious. So please again, be still a bit longer.

I have suggested in the past that we assume a position of "prayerful restraint." There will be an appropriate time and place for celebration. What we do now, which is what we are always called to do, is to give thanks to God that we are Called to be...

And the ways in which we continue to emerge in this Jesus Movement remains our focus.

 

I ask that you direct any queries from the Press to my office or to the Chancellor.

You are in my daily prayers and I give thanks to God for each of you.

Blessings

+David