“I want to be very clear – this church of ours is open to all – there will be no outcasts – the convictions and hopes of all will be honored.”
—the Most Rev. Edmund Browning, 24th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church (1986-1997)
Dear Siblings in Christ,
As your bishop provisional, I feel compelled to address some of the things that transpired yesterday – a day when many people rejoiced and many people wept. I want you to know that however you reacted to the peaceful transfer of power yesterday, I care about you and about how you are feeling today. I also feel it necessary to share where I stand in all this and my expectations of our congregations.
I opened this letter with a quote from former Presiding Bishop Edmund Browning. Bishop Browning boldly proclaimed this statement at a time when the church was struggling with all types of inclusion and was divided in its thoughts on issues around inclusion especially. We have come a long way as a church, following the way of love proclaimed by Jesus: Love that welcomes all. Love that sees every human being – no matter how they express themselves or who they love – as beloved. Love that welcomes the immigrant and refugee, for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were immigrants and refugees for a period in their lives (read Matthew 2:13 and following).
It is important for me to convey my expectations for the members of The Diocese of West Missouri. As followers of Jesus and his way of love, rooted, I ask that:
- Every human being be respected in our churches, regardless of race, creed, gender expression, nationality, or immigration status.
- Every human being be respected from our pulpits, in our pews, and throughout all our ministries.
- No individual or group be dehumanized in any way, shape, or form.
- We will love and be respectful to those with whom we disagree.
In following Christ, we are commanded to love God and to love one another. We are not called to love some – we are called to love all equally. Our love and loyalty are to God alone. “Jesus said, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40).
As always, I am happy to talk to any of you about this letter or anything else that is on your heart.
Faithfully,
