Dear People of Christ Church,

This week, I actually am writing to you on Sunday in advance of mailing this out later in the week, sharing news of our diocesan convention. This week I'm on retreat, spending days at the Campion Center in Weston, a Jesuit retreat center. Rev. Norm Faramelli, our longtime friend, is filling in on Sunday the 13th. (He is a faithful 8:30 attendee and his wife, Lucie, started Grandma's Pantry almost 20 years ago). Norm is also on the board of Refugee Immigration Ministries and we'll be distributing "mite boxes" to save our pennies to help their important work with asylum seekers and immigrants. Thank you, Norm!

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts comprises our state east of Route 495 and the Cape and Islands and around 180 parishes. This year there weren't any big-issue resolutions, though there was some conversation on a proposal to create committees and research on ministry to seniors in the diocese. An amended version passed to uphold and celebrate ministries with the aging, but not to require any reporting or mandated action.

The big thing of convention this year was the closing Eucharist, Bishop Cederholm's last as he is retiring. Bishop Bud was (officially, the Right Reverend Roy F. Cederholm) elected 11 years ago as the suffragan bishop (a fancy word for assisting), and has been a wonderful and grounded presence over the years. The decision has been made not to elect a replacement, so Bishop Tom Shaw remains the diocesan bishop and Bishop Gayle Harris will be the only Bishop Suffragan. Canon Libby Berman will help with some of the congregational work that Bud did, and he'll be back a few days a week as a "consultant." As he says, [My wife] Ruthann wants more of me, but not all of me!" First he'll have a few months sabbatical rest, though, to fully retire before coming back. On Friday night Bud the diocese had a party celebrating his ministry, complete with hot dogs and tours and his face lit up on the screen (see below). At the closing Eucharist he preached and closed the service by returning his crozier (Bishop's staff) to the church. It was quite moving and doubtful that there was a dry eye in the house.

The other major component of Diocesan Convention was the roll out of the Comprehensive Campaign, which donors to our own Capital Campaign are well aware of. last weekend was the official announcement of the project and invitation to parishes to give and participate in collaborative campaigns of their own (as we are now). They also showed a film, which had a few split-second screens of Christ Church at worship, as their videographer was at Christ Church a few weeks ago. Jonathan Duce and Mike Balulescu are our delegates--each parish gets two--thanks to them for their service.

Blessings,

Sara+

Nov. 13: God's surprises

This week, I have been called to “practice what you preach” with a vengeance.

We got a puppy. Unlike whatever sweet creature the Obamas bring to the White House, though, my little fluffball will not be little for long—in a moment of reckless spontaneity, we got a St Bernard. Cyrus is not quite seven weeks, and already weighs at least 20 lbs and will probably reach about 150.  The farm where we get our meat (Chestnut Farms in Harwick MA, has an agreement with Waltham Fields here in town where they bring the share of food to town once a month) had these tiny puppies at pickup two weeks ago, and I melted. One of our cats died this fall, and I have not been ready to consider another. I have a birthday coming up so Noah suggested that he could be my present. Cyrus is too small to be at home alone for very long, so he has come to the office with me this week.  If you’re wondering where the name comes from, Cyrus the Great was the 6^th Century BCE Babylonian King who enabled Jewish faith and life to flourish, though he himself was Persian.  There is one etymology that says that, rather than meaning “like the sun,” and being connected to the Greek Kyrie (lord), the name Cyrus means “humiliator of the enemy in verbal contest.” But I’m letting that one go. He doesn’t bark too much. . . yet.

 The reason I say I am practicing what I preach is thiat this whole adventure gives me a deep sense of God’s surprise and presence in unlikely places. God comes to us in ordinary ways, in the stuff of our lives. We can’t predict how or when or why—God’s gifts just find us somehow, when we need them.  I had thought that maybe, when he was older, we might get a dog for Isaiah to care for. But I have always been a cat person, so I was pretty reluctant. Now, God laughs: “So, you want a surprise, do you? You want me to bring you out of your ordinary habits, to get help you to outside more often?  Here you go!”

 And here we are. It’s only been a few days, but I’ve already talked to more people on Main Street than I ever did in three years of ministry here.  I’m enjoying even today’s grey autumn. I’ve met old people and young people, mothers with babies, people who work next door and people who are waiting for the bus. The sense of openness to others that implausible gift has led me into is only grace—simple and subtle and wonderful.  I don’t just rush from the car into the office, and stay at my desk for hours. I have to get up, go out, run around.  Play is not something I’ve made very much space for in my life, but this week, it’s been two hours!  And, of course, Isaiah is thrilled.

I also wanted to share with you the actions of our diocesan convention over the weekend.  You can see the full wording of these on the bulletin board at church, and I’ll have an electronic copy of them next week.  In addition to hearing about a new ministry to veterans in the diocese (let me know if you’re interested in talking more about that) and electing people to various diocesan committees, we passed seven resolutions, for the most part unanimously:

+Resolution creating a diocesan policy on immigration

+Resolution in support of transgender civil rights and inclusion in the ministries of all the baptized

+Resolution affirming actions of the 75^th General Convention on slavery and reconciliation

+Resolution on Christian formation/education regarding the spirituality, history, and practice of nonviolence in the Christian tradition

+Resolution for General Convention endorsing Feast Day on May 17 for Saints Andronicus and Junia, Apostles (as well as a second resolution on Andronicus and Junia approving use of their feast day in this diocese)

+Resolution confirming the support of the Diocese of Massachusetts for the work of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (which also included provision for further interfaith dialogue with Jews and Muslims).

Diocesan Convention is one of those things that’s much more compelling in the abstract than in its execution. That we are part of a (for the most part) democratically governed church, that anyone can submit a resolution for consideration, that priests, bishops, deacons, and lay people ALL have a say in  the decisions that are made is a great thing.  Sitting still in a conference room for two days is less compelling, so I have to remind myself that it is a privilege to be there. Each congregation has two lay delegates who can vote at convention, but anyone can attend—let me know if you’d be interested in it next year. I believe it is scheduled for November 6 and 7.