For All The Saints Who From Their Labors Rest

I am now returning to Anaheim and taking a few minutes to reflect on the day that is past.

The memorial service for Sue Scott was wonderful. The family and Jim Nelson planned a beautiful memorial service. The hymns were favorites and meaningful to those present. Rachel Suarez, a good friend of Sue’s gave a fine reflection on her life which I thought very much captured her beloved nature and gifts of love, kindness, grace, friendship, and family. Jim followed the reflection with one of his own that honored her and showed the influence she had on many of her clergy peers.

The good people at Good Shepherd were great hosts and the hospitality and kindness they showed to me and the family was what I have come to expect from this wonderful parish.

For all the saints who from their labors rest,Who Thee by faith before the world confess,Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest,Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might;Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.Alleluia! Alleluia!
Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old And win with them the victor's crown of gold.Alleluia! Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine,We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.Alleluia! Alleluia!
And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.Alleluia! Alleluia!

by

William W. How

1823-1897

Heading Home

Before I left for General Convention two weeks ago I had the pleasure of con-celebrating a home Eucharist with the Rev. Sue Scott. That was not the plan.

It was one of the most grace-filled moments of my ministry (my whole ministry). I always found Sue to be a delightful person, a caring person, a creative person and my experience that day was no different.

The plan had been to take her communion. Ann and I arrived at Sue and Ron's lovely home to find Sue sitting up and visiting with Martha. We joined the conversation, Ron the consummate host offering tea and water on the 106 degree day.

During the conversation we talked about how wonderful the people of Trinity and Good Shepherd had been both in their visits and attentiveness to bring her communion regularly. I thanked them both for allowing me to come and visit. It was in this moment that Ron and I giggled about how communed Sue was, and he offered that it would be wonderful for Sue to celebrate one more time for a host of friends and family.

You know me, I just blurted out, not thinking really of the profound meaning or moment to come, saying that maybe Sue could con-celebrate with me. What an honor that would be!

Sue is known for her profound gifts of love given freely and shared with everyone she ministered to. So, it seemed like a real gift for me.

However, it was in that moment of celebration, of the words of institution, memorial acclamation, and eppiclesis that I was moved at the deepest level. Realizing my presence in that moment as icon of the church I was touched in my soul by the participation of the whole church and its presence in that room with Sue as she continued the service by giving me communion first. All her family and friends were present in that moment, as a friend used to say: all the saints of God where in that home filling the house wall-to-wall.

I have reflected on this moment repeatedly over the last two weeks. Each time, even now in writing this, I am tearful. What a holy moment that was...and in that moment...the recognition of God's love for each of us profoundly and freely given in his son Jesus Christ and in the action of breaking the bread.

I am heading home, writing this in the airport. It was a good thing to be welcomed into the home by Sue and Ron. Sue is home now. It is good to go home to that place where nothing separates us from the love of God. I am grateful, as priest, bishop, as a Christian for Sue's witness of Jesus' love for us. I am heading home. We are all heading home. Blessed is the journey home, and grateful are we for the saints along the way.

Press, Protesters, and People of God

Yesterday, July 8, USA Today (delivered to our rooms) announced "Tense Times for Episcopals."

Attendees had to walk through a line of protesters to get into the convention center.

However, my experience of the day was one of people in real conversations, speaking and listeninng to one another.

It was interesting to hear how a priest and deputy walked up to the protesters and engaged in a civil conversation. She invited one of them to sit for a while, have coffee, and visit. They did, perhaps not changing one another's mind but engaging in being the community of the church.

I experienced a house of bishops in an honest, open, and deliberate conversation. Respecting one another's views but thinking deeply about matters before us. While this occured during a time when visitors were not allowed into the House, I can say that I was keenly aware of a House not divided but living into the Body of Christ we are called to reflect and be.

I can bear witness to the global church that is gathered as a host of bishops from around the communion were introduced to us and the Archbishop led us in a meditation on our mission of stewardship and will lead us this morning in a bible study. These are reminders we are not a church alone in the US but a global communion.

In the exhibition hall, a market of ideas were being shared in many conversaitons as I spent time between meetings.

I visited with young Texans excited about seeing and experiencing the breadth of their church and feeling not only invited to be a part but truly feeling a part of a greater body. Others (James D. and Kevin S. who have been invited to lead the worship at the Young Adult gathering) ready to share the gifts and leadership of the Diocese of Texas with a wider church.

Our deputies have been meeting together and are a diverse group. They reflect us well. They also reflect well the best of the Diocese of Texas as I witness their work of deep listening to one another and attempts to understand their discerning role as our elected leaders.

Our Bishops, Dena and Rayford, are representing us well in their leadership on committees. I am thankful for their partnership and thier work with me and our deputation.

In these few days it has already been a time of renewed friendships from around the church, seeing friends from other ministries and times, it is like a family reunion in that sense of things.

This event as a whole is also an icon of who we are and has the potential for moments of clarity where we can witness the kingdom of God if our eyes can look beyond the headlines, harsh reactions, and into the eyes of our fellow Christians speaking our story and bearing witness to the a living Christ who died that we might truly glorify God in our mission and ministry.

This may be a hard time. However, we should also be proud of our church and the incredible work we do and witness we bear to the world of Jesus Christ's love for God's people.

Archbishop Rowan Williams at General Convention

Archbishop Rowan Williams has joined us at General Convention.

He will be meeting with a diverse group of representatives from across the Episcopal Church.

Evidently his meeting this evening is an open meeting. Tonight (7.08.09) Archbishop Williams will participate ina presentation and panel discussion hosted by both Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori and President Bonnie Anderson. We will gather at the Hilton Anaheim from 6:15-7:30 p.m. (PDT) under the theme "Christian Faithfulness in the Global Economic Crisis."

He will also lead a Bible study during the Thursday Daily Eucharist.

The Archbishop's website is: www.archbishopofcanterbury.org

I am looking forward to our time tonight and believe that we will probably hear the continuing theme of mission priorities.

July 7, 2008, First Day of General Convention

We began and ended the day with Committee Meetings. Tuesday morning the process of legislation lurched forward as the different committees began to channel work into the different houses.

Our deputies are all here and accounted for. We enjoyed a nice gathering last night in our room. If you are here in Anaheim from the Diocese of Texas please join us at 6 in the Oasis Tower of the Marriot, room 1748.

There was good discussion last night and people shared their different experiences in committees.

We are joined in Anaheim by ECW and Daughters of the King representatives, youth and young adult representatives. I am so very proud of our representation here!

The newcomers to convention have eyes wide open and are taking it all in...

Today we begin with a brief legislative session, followed by an opening Eucharist. JoAnne and the girls will join me for worship.

I understand that we will end the day with the Archbishop of Canterbury visiting with the House of Bishops, then JoAnne and I and the kids will join our class of bishops for dinner.

Keep us in your prayers as we begin our work today.

Blessings,
Andy