Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

God always seems to invite God's people to see and follow a new way. It happened to a people living in slavery in Egypt and again for captives in Babylon. In Jesus Christ, that new way is found in a disciplined life of self-emptying and renewal that finds its sacramental manifestation in the Eucharist. As a Eucharistic people we are called to be one in Christ. We are called to be God's body in the world.

Through the centuries, the church has imperfectly lived out this Eucharistic calling. Blessed by various moments of reformation and renewal, the church has changed. Those changes have frequently been unexpected, unwanted and fear-provoking. Nevertheless, such moments come upon the church and invariably prove to be life-giving. These critical times also are fertile times of missional imagination and action.

Dear ones, we are living in such a time. And in this time of transition and change, we are called to be in conversation with God. Of course, such holy conversations are mysterious and require discernment. God speaks through a veil and through God's people gathered. And so, over the past few weeks, you have been conversing with one another, your congregation and those in Area Four. I know that you have found it a blessing to come to know each other. I am also aware that you are feeling some frustration and fear. A number of you have invited me to grasp my Episcopal staff and relieve this anxiety with "clarity," to tell you what this is about and the outcome that is foreordained. I sincerely believe that to do that would impede the process and be unfaithful, and I cannot do that for I do not have a preconceived notion of how the future church should look.

What I have stated before and should state again: the reality is that our present model of being church is unsustainable. Focusing just for a moment on Area Four, if nothing changes in the next three to five years, churches will close and all the churches will be weakened in mission and ministry. The answer from someone in authority, like me, would be to act quickly (now) and likely close a few and sustain the rest. I am not convinced that is the godly way -- thus, this process.

I have invited you as six congregations to re-imagine your future together. I am eager to participate with you as you find helpful. As I have over the last ten years, I will show up and lend my energies and efforts in any way. However, I do not want to unintentionally, or against my better judgment, impede your investment and commitment to the future church that is discerned. I am intentionally and prayerfully holding my ecclesiastical authority gently. My deepest desire is that we discover God's call to us as a future church.

I do not claim to know that future. My intuition is that it will come to us, in community, through prayer, study, and sacred conversation. Listening will be as critical as talking. Some may feel that there should be more words, more communication. Others have already asked for more direction from me as your bishop, again more words. Indeed, this very communication to you is a response to that request. Reminded of how God spoke to Elijah in the still small voice, I am sensing a great need to model quiet listening. I do not know what our future is. I do trust God, and I trust us as collective disciples to do the work of discernment.

What we have put in place is this. Three discerners will work with us, especially you, the experts of the mission field in Area Four. You can make this discernment process your own. We believe at the outset that information (study) is important as a companion to prayer and discerning.

To gather this information, in consultation with you, the discerners have established a timeline and work-plan, which begins with the Church Assessment Tool (CAT). This assessment tool is really you telling you about yourselves. Its usefulness extends beyond this process. It is an opportunity for everyone in the area to voice his or her concerns, hopes, and dreams. The CAT will require approximately one month to complete and one month to discuss the results. Then, aided by its findings, you will be in a better position to do the discernment work, and ultimately lay out a plan for a future church.

Also as a part of gathering information, if your congregation has not yet completed the asset report, I urge you to complete that survey. This report provides critical data for devising realistic future plans. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this report. Please contact your area missioner, Tom Mauro, with questions or concerns: tommauro57@gmail.com.

As we live into this season, I share many of your fears and hope, and I long to be with you as we engage this important work. I look forward to the half-day retreat on Saturday, November 15, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at St. Michael's by-the-Sea, Carlsbad as a time of prayer, spiritual nourishment, breaking the bread and joining in holy conversation.

Know that I pray for you daily and keep you in the forefront of my mind. I ask for your prayers as we walk this road together.

Faithfully,