From the Bishop

The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, IX Bishop of Western Massachusetts

There were two events in June when I felt - really felt - that our beloved Church was coming out of the pandemic. The first was June 6th when so many gathered under a tent at Christ the King-Epiphany in Wilbraham for confirmation and reception. For several months of the pandemic, a clergy team had prepared people for this day with an excellent course done weekly over Zoom.

The second time was late June at our Cathedral. We received several people into the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement. Then I invited anyone who wanted to reaffirm their baptismal commitment to come up individually and hear the words: “God has begun a good work in you. May Jesus continue to be your hope and inspiration.” Every person at both the English and Spanish services came forward. Every single one!

These two gatherings felt like Resurrection. We had been through so much in 15 months of COVID-19 and now God was doing something new (Isaiah 43:19). And it began with recommitment to our baptisms.

The theme of this issue of ABUNDANT Times (and Diocesan Convention) is “Repairing. Rebuilding. Reimagining.” I’m grateful to our team who came up with this theme. As we repair, rebuild, and reimagine Church, we need to add another “re” word. We need to “recommit” - recommit to our God who was ever present to the Hebrews as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and who has been with us in our wilderness for the past 17 months; to Jesus and his Mission of Mercy, Compassion, and Hope; and to the Holy Spirit who is always leading us to newness.

When we were baptized, this prayer was said for us: “Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and persevere, a spirit to know and love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.” The Book of Common Prayer, 308.

During the pandemic, God has given us “the courage to will and persevere.” It has been hard, but I know that closing our buildings while keeping the mission of the church wide open saved lives.

Today I hope we can be guided by the rest of that prayer. May we have “inquiring and discerning hearts.” We are not yet the post-pandemic church, but we know we have been changed. Our work now is repairing relationships, rebuilding community and reimagining ministry. We will know “joy and wonder” as we engage the mystery with a spirit of curiosity about where the Spirit is leading us. Joy was so abundant at those liturgies of recommitment. I’m still filled with wonder at how quickly the vaccines were developed and mass-produced. I am in awe of the sacrifices so many have made for the greater good.

And so we pray: “Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at their baptism. Send us forth in the power of that Spirit to perform the service you set before us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.” The Book of Common Prayer, 309. ♦

+Doug