As of the end of June, I will have visited each of our 110 congregations. It has been an extraordinary honor to be invited in to lead worship and a forum, talk to children and meet with the Vestry. I am eager to do run this cycle again, and I will, beginning in September.
While it can be said that there are significant differences from one community to another – in terms of the location of the church (urban, suburban, rural – and its proximity to New York City), the size of the building and the congregation itself, and the demographic make-up of each community – there is nonetheless a common thread that connects each of the congregations.
People care about their church, they care to be in relationship with God – and they especially care for each other. Over and over again, I hear people tell me how important the community of the congregation is to them. I hear it – and I see it. Over and over again, I hear stories from people who say that the prayers and presence of the church have been critically important to them. And in times of crisis, the church has shown up. To help, to heal – to offer a hand. It is often the case that people are in tears as they talk about getting through those difficult days with the help of clergy and laypeople from their church.
And the new people to churches – the brand new people, (and there are new people in nearly every church I have been to) describe unashamedly and spontaneously how the community of the faithful has become something unique – and vital, to their lives.
This is all very good news. If the mission of the diocese is to equip congregations (the first phrase of our mission statement), having the foundation of a caring and committed community is the best place to start. To be sure, the strain of the economic downturn has had an impact; but while it has raised anxiety I also think it has heightened the need for each other.
It is also good news that I hear an echoing desire from congregational leaders to empower people and engage the world (the second and third phrases of our mission statement). The desire is there – and it is passionately expressed, but the plan to implement that desire does not emerge as naturally or as easily as caring for one another.
My prayer is that we are going to get better at empowering people and engaging the world. Part of that process is to develop a sharper focus and clearer objectives, all in the hope and justice of Jesus. The Covenant process will help with this as will the mission statement. I have also been working on the vision portrait of our diocese which I will share with you in the fall.
I would like to say that we will take a bit of a breather from this during the summer. That will not be the case, however, for everyone at Episcopal House as we are reworking our job descriptions to be aligned with our mission statement. That certainly will not be the case for those of us who will be at General Convention in Anaheim, California (July 7-17). I will be issuing regular reflections back to the diocese, which can be reviewed on our web site (www.dioceseofnewark.org) and/or through my blog (http://forgatesofhope.blogspot.com).
I bear witness to the presence of the Holy Spirit in our congregations across the diocese. A lot is being stirred up. That same Spirit will let it percolate this summer – to let it be poured out as increased commitment to live more fully with the hope and justice of Jesus.
Peace,
+Mark Beckwith
