Day 1 . . . Check!

Day 2 . . . Still too early to know.

That’s right, I have made it through one day of 2010 and kept my resolution (at least I think I did) for the year. It really shouldn’t be that hard to keep. Yet, then again, it just might be.

My resolution for 2010 is “To be able to make the difference in the life of just one person each day for the glory of God.”

On first take it seems like very simple resolution to keep. To live for God’s glory serving and helping others while I do it. I will strive, each day, to make a difference in one person’s life. This lives fully into our command to love one another. Simple! Easy! However, it assumes so much.

It assumes that I will live my life not being selfish and more concerned about other’s wellbeing than my own. It means actively looking around at my friends, parishioners and neighbors and being prepared to help. It means making myself available in settings which I might wish to be alone.

Perhaps more than anything, it means self-sacrifice. For most humans, this word, “sacrifice” is a scary one. We don’t like to sacrifice anything. I find, though, when I sacrifice some of myself, I gain so much more. Jesus did say “take up your cross and follow me.” I know of no cross which involves anything but sacrifice.

So I move into day 2. Praying, ready and willing.

Copyright © 2010 The Very Rev. Christopher D. Hofer

It has often been said that “fact is stranger than fiction.” This past week, as I opened Wednesday morning’s New York Times, I discovered just that in the front-page headline, “Vatican Plan to Oversee Conversion of Anglicans.” Newsday put it more simply, “Vatican seeks to lure disaffected Anglicans.” Perhaps the best headline wasn’t a headline at all. Mike Luckovich, Pulitzer Prize cartoonist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, penned a cartoon with the Pope motioning a couple of Anglicans to a very long pew. He is saying, “Folks, what’ll it take for me to put you in this roomy 2009 Catholic pew??…”

In case you missed the news, here’s the story in a nutshell. The Vatican, recognizing that a few individuals in the Anglican Communion are upset with the perceived liberalization of the church, has put forward a proposal to allow these Anglicans (Episcopalians), including deacons, priests and bishops, to be received into the Roman Catholic Church, maintain much of their beloved Anglican liturgical traditions and, the shocker, to allow priests who are married to remain married – thus perhaps opening the way to a married Roman Catholic priesthood (this practice has been happening in much smaller ways over the past few years).

I have long believed that no individual should be in a faith community that she/he does not feel spiritually fed in. St. Jude’s has received many individuals from other traditions, including the Roman Catholic Church, due to such a reason. However, the actions of Rome sadden me more than perceived rejoicing at their opening of doors.

In this bold action, Rome is arguing that our Anglican Communion’s move into welcoming and affirming all of God’s children, including women (deacons, priests and bishops), divorced individuals, the GLBT community, and those who question, is the wrong thing and, in turn, anti-Christ. Yet, the more we, as a Communion and as a parish welcome these individuals and all who might feel like an outcast, the more evident the Holy Spirit’s work is. Without a doubt God works and moves through all and in our Church and all of these are welcome.

I pray for Rome in its move to maintain and expand an ever-more orthodox faith. I pray for those who find more comfort in such a setting. However, in the midst of these prayers, I continue to pray and give thanks to the Holy Spirit for showing us that welcoming all as Christ welcomes us is not only a Biblical mandate, but a blessing.

I hate being cold. This is a bit ironic considering I was raised in the upper Midwest and was used to sub-zero temperatures. However, now that I have migrated eastward and get to experience the moderating temperatures of the Gulf Stream, being super cold is not something I relish.

Imagine my horror three years ago when the 75^th General Convention of the Episcopal Church decided to freeze the Church. In a moment of severe weakness, Deputies and Bishops voted on B033 which called on the Church to exercise restraint in calling individuals to the episcopate who might be objectionable to the rest of the Anglican Communion. The impetus for this resolution was because many in the greater Anglican Communion were angry about Bishop Robinson’s election, ordination and consecration. There were threats about keeping our Communion together and threats about whether our bishops would be allowed to attend the Lambeth Conference. The outcome of the resolution was that gays and lesbians were shut out of Episcopal elections (Long Island, included). Unfortunately for the Church, this shutting-out was the exact intent of the resolution.

The chilling effect on the Church was great. Qualified gays and lesbians in lifelong relationships were not even considered by nominating committees in Dioceses. They weren’t even given the chance to move forward which was and is contrary to our Canons. We, as a Church, reneged on our own baptismal vows. This was until two weeks ago.

During the 76^th General Convention, the Deputies and Bishops voted, 2-1, on D025 that declared that we, as a Church, are no longer in the same place where we were three years ago, that the Canons are quite clear and that individuals of all sexual orientations have and may be called to all orders of ministry. The effect was to end the chilling effect of B033 and move our church forward. Did it ever!

Imagine my surprise and that of the rest of the Church when yesterday, the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota nominated three individuals to be its next bishop (one of whom is an out, partnered lesbian!). Wonderful! Now all things can be equal. Praise God!!!
Then, today, of all things, the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles put forward its slate for Bishop Suffragan. Of the six individuals nominated, two (2) are partnered, out priests. Thus, of 9 individuals nominated in the past 24 hours, 3 of 9 are gay/lesbian.

Regardless if the individuals are elected or not (they may or may not be called to be bishop in that place or in this time – that is for the people in the Diocese to vote upon), it is a great couple of days for our Church. The chill and cold has ended. Let spring come and may hope flow eternally.

Copyright © 2009 The Very Rev. Christopher D. Hofer