3 minute read
From the Bishop
From the Bishop
The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, IX Bishop of Western Massachusetts
By now you have all received the news that the Standing Committee of our diocese has called for the election of the 10th bishop of Western Massachusetts. We have entered into transitional space. You still have a bishop. I am as committed as ever to serving this diocese that I love. At the same time, we are all anticipating a big change. It is not surprising that I find myself thinking about the early days of our ministry together but there will be plenty of time for taking stock ahead. What is most important now is the work that remains—our shared call to live the Gospel and work for God’s justice.
This next year will necessarily include lots of prayer, reflection, and deep discernment. The Standing Committee will cast the net wide to include many in the search and transition. All the while, we will rest in the faithfulness of God. We will trust the God who always wants to give us more—more peace, more, hope, more life. It is the perfect time to “Celebrate God’s Abundance” as we gather for the 123rd Diocesan Convention next month and as this year of preparation unfolds.
Big change is scary for many and exciting for some. The truth is that nothing stays the same. We are always becoming— always still on the way. It is one of the many gifts of faith that we have rites and rituals to mark liminal moments—the ones in which we can almost feel God doing something new. I was blessed to witness two of those early this fall.
It was a joy to participate in the consecration of Bishop Nathan Pipho, New England Synod ELCA. My friend, Jim Hazelwood, has retired and Nathan was chosen by the Holy Spirit to lead the Lutherans in all of New England. My friend, Alan Gates has retired as bishop of Massachusetts and it was my great honor to serve as co-consecrator of Bishop Julia E. Whitworth, the 17th bishop of Massachusetts.
As I think about where we have been together and where will might go in the next year, I am inspired by a prayer attributed to Archbishop Oscar Romero, martyr of El Salvador. It was actually written by Bishop Ken Untener in 1979. It is good wisdom for us all as we do what is ours to do in this time, in this place. This prayer truly celebrates the abundance of God.
It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision. . . . This is what we are about: We plant seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.This enables us to do something, and to do it well.It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for God’s grace to enter and to do the rest.We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.We are prophets of a future not our own. Amen. ♦
+Doug
