A Word From The Bishop

Tree of Life Synagogue

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Greetings in Christ. I am sure you too have been praying for the repose of the souls of the victims, the care for the wounded, and peace for our country after the horrific slaughter in the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. The killer mixed together a contemporary hatred of immigrants and refugees with the ancient poison of anti-Semitism. So first of all we mourn and pray in the face of such evil.

These events are also occasions that summon us. We are called anew, as local congregations, to welcome, solidarity and charity for our neighbors. We are, at this moment of our national life, called to impatience with politicians who would use divisive anger and xenophobia for political gain. And finally, we remember our special obligation to tangible and visible friendship with the Jewish people, the descendants of Abraham and Moses, the brothers and sisters of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace

+GRS

In Memoriam: Senator John McCain

In Memoriam Senator John McCain

Integrity, courage,loyalty, capacity to suffer, love of country: are these Christian values? No, they are values for all humankind. But we can give a Scriptural basis for their possibility and their necessity, namely that we are made in God’s image. The late senator exemplified all of these, and therefore we as Christians and as Americans celebrate his life and mourn his death. I might add one last feature which made John McCain equally remarkable, his ability to be aware of and critical of his own flaws. This  was a witness we now need as a people, for which we as Christians give special thanks.

Peace,

+GRS