November 2005

Our Rector

The Reverend Canon Meredith Hunt
Email: info@stjohnssturgis.org

Let’s start with Scripture: Jesus of Nazareth ( Mark 1:24 ), the Word of God ( John 1:1-5 ), was born ( Matthew or Luke ); he came to take away the sins of the whole world ( John 1:29 ); he preached the Good News of God’s redemption ( Luke 4:18-19 ); he healed all who came to him ( Matthew 8:16-17 ), he commissioned his followers to do the same ( Luke 10:1 ); he gave us a new commandment to love one another as he has loved us ( John 15:12 ); he suffered for us ( Acts 3:18 and 1 Peter 2:21 ) and willingly ( Matthew 26:53-54 ) submitted to death on a cross ( Luke 23:34 ); he rose triumphant from the grave ( Matthew 28:1-10 ); he sent the Holy Spirit to empower the Church ( Acts 2:1-12 ), which is His Body ( 1 Corinthians 12:27 ).

Jesus is why we Episcopalians gather together in weekly worship, in monthly Vestry meetings, in an annual Parish Meeting, in an annual Diocesan Convention, and in an every three year National Convention; because we are seeking to live more fully and faithfully as the Body of Christ and because Jesus has promised to be with us, when two or three are gathered together in his name ( Matthew 18:20 ). A Church Convention ( a formal assembly of representatives ) is a gathering of Christ followers, yearning to live into Gospel conversation and action .

Do we do it perfectly? I would certainly say no . Is He with us, nonetheless? I absolutely believe so, because I accept His promise to us. The Risen Lord Jesus was with us in Battle Creek at the 2005 Diocesan Convention, because we gathered in His Name. This doesn’t mean that I agreed with every decision that was made by the Convention Delegates. At times, I even felt out of sorts, because of some of the budget decisions, including the lack of Diocesan commitment to work on preserving the Cathedral property (even so, a will and means may still be found). At those moments, however, my attitude of resentment did more to push Jesus away from me than any Convention decision that was made. Truly, in order to experience the Peace that passes understanding, I intentionally have to “Let go, and let God” as often as needed.

While I would not presume to know God’s will or identify my position on various issues as God’s will, I do believe that the will of God will ultimately be expressed in God’s time. We can trust God!

Consider, for example, the abolition of slavery in this country. It took a long time for it to happen; the Church Denominations originally believed that there was nothing inconsistent with slavery and God’s will. Eventually, they became fractiously divided on the issue, but we know, today, that not one Church Denomination would proclaim that slavery is God’s will. In fact, today, most Churches would proclaim that racism , whether institutional or personal, is a sin – i.e. something which separates us from God. Yet, even though the church got it wrong for so many hundreds of years, it doesn’t mean that all of those early Christians are damned for their unacknowledged sin. God loves us and his redemption extends to all sinners ( John 3:17 ).

So it is with us. How many unacknowledged sins are with us in this generation, that God shall someday rectify, whether through a willing or unwilling church? We don’t know. So we must always remain nonjudgmental ( Matthew 7:1 ), humble in the face of our ignorance ( Luke 14:11 ), and willing to engage in a faithful process ( 1 Corinthians 14:12 ) of seeking to discern God’s will and purposes for us. These are the Christian conventions ( widely held practices which facilitate social interactions ) which we must strive to practice in Christian community, in our parish and even at our Convention. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.