In the Episcopal Church, we gather for common prayer. We kneel together for the Holy Eucharist every Sunday, which means that we also gather around the Eucharist. Worship of God is at our core, and everything else that we do comes out of that action, that spiritual event, that promise that we make to follow Jesus and respect the dignity of every human being. We are a people who come from every possible different background, which makes our common life rich and joyful and meaningful, and also sometimes challenging and in need of grace, forgiveness, and understanding. As a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, I have experienced all of those times, and as a priest, have been in need of grace and forgiveness more times than I can count. As a spiritual seeker, there is no place that I would rather be than in a congregation like Calvary, where we make our confession together, are forgiven together, laugh and cry and walk through life together, as beloved children of a Loving God who sees us all as equally in need of that love and healing that comes from Jesus.

I am making my declaration of faith and commitment and theological reflection to you against the backdrop of the most difficult election season that I can remember in my voting life. The past week has been joyful for many, and extremely difficult for many. As Americans, this is where we find ourselves – in a city, county, state, and country that are struggling to live according to the tenets of our democratic system, while citizens are all over the place in their response to the results of this election. No one knows what the next months and years will bring, but we do know that life will be different than it was in the past. As Christians, in this particular denomination, the question for me is, “Who shall we be?” How shall we at Calvary continue to do the work God has given us to do, which is the same work that we had a week ago, in a time that feels difficult, and for some, will be difficult in the future?

I don’t think we can know who we, plural, can be, until we are clear on who we are individually. It’s not a bad idea to periodically examine our own relationship with the Trinity – What do I believe? What is important to me about my faith, my spiritual life? How am I with God? When we feel secure in our relationship with God, knowing that we are always loved and held by God, knowing that we walk with Jesus, then it is time to examine where our families are, our neighborhoods are, and then where our faith community is with God. Core spiritual values for me are love, hospitality, healing, and reconciliation. A core belief for me is that I was created in God’s image, and am held and loved from before my beginning until after my end by the God who never leaves me lonely, never will abandon me, and walks with me in the deepest and darkest of days. Jesus always shows up in our most difficult of times, and on that I rely. So in times of joy and relief, we are God’s beloved. In times of sorrow and fear, we are God’s beloved.

What is our work?  To feed the hungry, clothe the poor, visit those in any prison they live in, live out our Baptismal Covenant promises, love God, and love our neighbors as ourselves. We will not accept racism, homophobia, misogyny, bullying, violence, or any type of behavior that isolates or demonizes vulnerable people of any age or background.

At Calvary, we do not have to gather around politics. We gather around the Eucharist, and around Common Prayer, and around Jesus. We will listen to the call of the Holy Spirit to understand where God wants us to be in God’s always-creative and justice-love work that is ongoing in our neighborhood. In community, we will be curious about what God has in store for us and how we will respond. As Ben Scott asked in his sermon this past Sunday, “Calvary community, are you listening?” I invite us to continue to be people of healing and hospitality as we have been for so many years, our hearts open and listening, and love one another as Christ loves us.

With deep love and gratitude,