My Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

During the last couple of weeks of the Easter Season, I pray you are reflecting on what it means to be a People of the Resurrection. On June 8th, when the Eastertide ends we'll celebrate the Feast of Pentecost in honor of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church, and on you as participants in the Priesthood of All Believers.

While the clergy have a role in our Christian community life, the biggest and arguably most important role is yours. 

As we’ll hear in coming weeks, the Holy Spirit of Almighty God empowers and emboldens for God’s mission. 

If Jesus’ message of LOVE, writ large, was to flourish, the first disciples could not remain silent and hidden away, nor can we. 

In Christ, with the power of the Spirit, we are to be transformed as the original disciples were. They were no longer fearful. Instead, they boldly proclaimed the Gospel and changed the world. … We are to do the same.     

We are to be led by the Spirit in offering hope to the world as we humbly work for distributive justice, loving as we are loved by God. In the process, the Spirit will give us an inner peace – the peace of Christ, which surpasses human understanding, and which is both the foundation for – and the confirmation of – our confidence in the Resurrection.

While our church polity rightly has bishops, priests, and deacons, the laity - as participants in the Priesthood of All Believers are most important, in my view. The clergy prepare and support the Laity, but it is the Laity - as the vast majority of the participants in the Priesthood of All Believers - who can change the world.

Hopefully, our Easter reflections have prepared us to be the Body of Christ in the World. The transforming love of Christ is desperately needed.

In Christ's Love & Peace,

Mark Andrew+

"Anxiety weights down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up" (Proverbs 12:25).