In This Season: Light in the Darkness

One in a series of occasional reflections from the Presiding Bishop

For the People of the Episcopal Church:

     The Episcopal Church continues to focus on its mission of reconciling the world, par­ticularly as it cares for the least, the lost, and the left out. We participate in God's mis­sion to heal the world as we feed the hungry, house the homeless, educate children, heal the sick, and seek to change the systems that perpetuate injustice.
     We also seek reconciliation with those within and beyond this church who differ from us theologically. While we regret the recently publicized departures of individuals from churches in Virginia and elsewhere in this Church, and the rejection of this Church's elected leadership by various bishops here and across the world, we continue to seek reconciliation.
     God is not served by bickering, name-calling, and division. We recall Jesus' prayer in John's gospel, "that they maybe one" and understand that to include the whole world _' those who agree and those who disagree, people of different faith traditions and none, and the poorest and most broken among us.
     We will continue to engage in that mission of healing the world, whatever others may decide. In this season, we affirm the ancient dream of peace in our day, shalom, sa­laam, the peace of God which passes all understanding.

May the Prince of Peace shine in your hearts, and may that light bless the world.

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it" (John 1:5).

Shalom,
Katharine

The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori is Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church

from Episcopal News Service

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