November 10, 2024 – The 25th Sunday After Pentecost
Fr. Cal Calhoun
In the Name of God, the God of All: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today, I am going to deviate from my usual reflection on the day’s Scripture to share some words about this past week. Much of these words come from the President of the House of Deputies for the Episcopal Church, Julia Ayala Harris. While she is speaking of the entire Episcopal Church with her words, I believe her words apply so well to this community of faith.
Today, our church is called to a distinct witness: to stand firm in our gospel commitments while remaining in communion with those who see the path forward differently.
The prophet Micah calls us to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God,” not just when it’s comfortable, but especially when it’s challenging. In times like these, when our wider culture seems increasingly polarized, moving further and further apart, we must remember that what binds us together runs deeper than any earthly division.
As we move forward together following this recent election, I want to remind you who we are:
First, our mission remains unchanged – to Grow in Faith, Live in Hope, and Share God’s Love. We pursue this mission by embracing our core values of love, active caring, and servanthood.
Second, our commitment to respect the dignity of every human being is not a political statement but a baptismal promise. Every human being includes all those who feel vulnerable in these times, and those who disagree with us politically. Our church must remain steadfast in our obligation to ensure that every person is safe to live, serve, and minister as their whole selves within this community of faith.
Third, we are called to be both prophetic and pastoral – to speak truth while maintaining fellowship across our differences. This is not easy work, but it is holy work.
With this week’s result, some in our church family are celebrating while others are experiencing deep fear and concern. Let us demonstrate to a watching world how Christians can model respectful dialogue and genuine fellowship even in the midst of political difference. The bonds of affection in our church family run deeper than any ballot box could measure.
And here, I want to be clear, this is not intended as a scolding, or a warning, this is gratitude and a reminder of who you are as a community of faith. In the scarily close to 20 years that I have been a part of this community, I know this to be one of the most accepting, loving, understanding, and least conflicted communities I have ever been a part of. I can’t express to you, how grateful I am for that.
So today, I am calling on you to be who you are, and who I have always known you to be. Let us move forward not with fear but with faith, not with anxiety but with the of assurance in God’s abiding presence with us. May we continue to be a community where our shared faith in Christ remains our foundation, and where all can safely worship, serve, and lead.
May God grant all of us wisdom as we navigate this path together, and may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and your minds in knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Year B – The 25th Sunday After Pentecost – November 10, 2024 – The Rev. Cal Calhoun
