As October becomes November, the Church calendar marks several well-remembered days. October 30 may or may not be well remembered, the commemoration of John Wyclif. He is best known for his landmark translation of the Bible from Latin into English. Part of the importance of his translation is that it is part of the Church's ongoing mission and theological work of bringing Christian faith -- with its apostolic origins in Jesus' incarnation, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection -- bringing that into the lived faith of each generation in each place, culture, person. Bexley Seabury and its legacy schools have always found themselves at that intersection: the origins of Christianity, and the lived, authentic faith of our own generation.

 

The true expression of Bexley Seabury's vocation is found in the ministry of each of our alumnae and alumni, as each takes her or his place in the Church and the world. Wyclif lived well before there was a Church of England (indeed, he was an early advocate of such an idea), an Anglican Communion, or an Episcopal Church. But, like us now, he strove to bring the fullness of Christianity and its treasures to every person. The Bible in English made it readily available to his neighbors, in that place, culture, time.

 

The Bexley Seabury board is diligently working through the Strategic Plan it developed earlier this year. A couple of specific goals underscore how our ministry continues that of people such as John Wyclif. Among other things, the Federation seeks to, "increase the racial and ethnic diversity of both faculty and student body." The Federation sees part of its vocation as bringing "renewed theological discipline and insight to the Episcopal spiritual body." When you support Bexley Seabury, it is such a vocation you support.

 

It can be easy to take for granted, or even not clearly see, things of great value in our own lives. We live in a multilingual world. Just the sound of different languages is wonderful. Asian languages rise and fall in pitch. I understand that the meaning of a word can be markedly changed just by intonation. Sub-Saharan African languages have consonants quite unfamiliar to our English speaking ears, what with clicks and all. The Semitic and Arabic languages of Northern Africa and the Mid-East move along with intensity. European languages do not all sound the same. Romance languages, Germanic ones, and Slavic ones each have their own cadences and contours. A poetry professor of mine once said that he was told that English, when heard by someone who does not speak the language, "sounds like cellophane crinkling in my mouth." I had never thought of that before, the sound of my own native language. I had not heard it clearly, or had taken it for granted.

 

You do not take your own ministry for granted. We do not take ours, which we share with you, for granted. It is a connection with roots, and an affirmation of each person.

 

Thank you for your support. I encourage you to continue to include us in your giving priorities, even in this busy time of the year. By giving, you are doing your part, strengthening a legacy. Your gift is important. It has an impact. Thank you.