Rev. Valerie's Reveille

From July 5 th to the 13 th , the Episcopal Church will be meeting in Austin, Texas for our triennial meeting of the General Convention (GC). Since 1795, the members of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church (that’s the legal name – we usually call it The Episcopal Church, or TEC for short), have meet in General Convention about once every 3 years to consider and debate how we understand our mission to serve God faithfully.   While our roots are from the Anglican (i.e. Church of England) tradition, TEC is elementally American in its democratic structure of governance and bi-cameral legislative process.   We have the hierarchical system of ordination with bishops, priests and deacons, but also recognize the eminent order of the laity and as such have a polity that demands input from all members. Very similar to our national government, TEC has two houses, the House of Bishops (HOB) and the House of Deputies (HOD). The HOB consists ...

Yesterday and today are two lesser known or acknowledged days of remembrance of oppressed and displaced people.   As with all such days of recognition, it is vital to learn from the past to do better in the future.   As faithful Christians of good-will, we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves, both by not repeating the sins of the past and seeking better ways of respecting human dignity now and in the future. Yesterday marked the 153 rd  anniversary of “Juneteenth,” which commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the state of Texas.  Although the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, many slaves did not know about it or lived in States that ignored the directive.  Similarly, although the Civil War official ended in May of 1865, it took over a month for the news to spread to the far reaches of the United States, like Texas, hence on June 19 th , those persons who were enslaved learned they were legally free,...

When we think of “church,” most of us think of a building with a cross on it or in it somewhere, like a classic kindergartener’s depiction.   Some might remember a priest or minister telling them that a church is not the building, but the people that make up the community.     But the word “church” usually doesn’t remind us of what happens there, what takes place in that building or between the people.   The word “school” does evoke images of a building, as well as students and teachers, but it also carries the understanding that LEARNING happens in that place.   It is the essential characteristic of what a “school” is about. Hence, it makes sense that our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. William “Chip” Stokes, is offering the intentional re-thinking of our churches as “schools for disciples.” In truth, much of what we do at church is learning how to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ in order to engage the world beyond the building using those ideals and tools...

We will celebrate our Patronal Feast this Sunday in honor of St. Barnabas, who our foremothers and fathers choose to name their community after.   Often, such a decision is made due to the date in which a building is dedicated, as I believe was the case with the original St. Barnabas back on June 11, 1872. And yet I believe the Spirit moves through these events and allows the community to embody the essence of their patron and live into a new identity in their life in Christ. We are not sure how Barnabas knew of Jesus, as he was originally from Cyrus, but he soon became an important part of the early church, zealously sharing his resources, both material and spiritual. Barnabas was given that name by the church leaders because it means “son of encouragement,” which is exactly what Barnabas did for Paul and many others. Like Barnabas, we claim the identity of a disciple of Christ. We learn to share what we know about our teacher and savior, Jesus, with others, as well as c...

From the moment I heard that Bishop George Councell had suffered a stroke, my heart ached and my spirit hurt.   It was difficult watching (admittedly from the sideline) this incredible man deal with the physically debilitating affects of Parkinson’s disease, but the cognitive diminishment was worse.   For anyone who has had to witness a loved one loose themselves by inches with the loss of mental acuity and memory, I stand in awe of your courage, patience and fortitude. I met George at General Theological Seminary in NYC during my first year.   He was the newly elected, although not yet consecrated, Bishop of New Jersey.   The Committee on the Priesthood had brought him up to meet those of us in seminary that he was “inheriting.”   We each had about half an hour in a small room to talk with him. I offered my story, to which George patiently listened.   I mentioned that my father, a great man himself but brought up by a stoic German to be stoic himself, ...

Reflections on the Acts of Apostles Chapters 18-23 and Pentecost I have been using this weekly blog over the Seasons of Lent and Easter to coincide with the Forward Movement program encouraging the Church to read the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.     While I have enjoyed this enterprise, it has, at times, made it more difficult to reflect on the lections for the week or current events and their intersection with our faith.   It is fortuitous that this week there is a bit of an overlap with the Book of Acts and the Day of Pentecost, which we celebrate this Sunday. Jesus told his disciples that while John baptized with water, he would baptize with fire (i.e. the Holy Spirit).   The apostles did receive the Holy Spirit, some after his resurrection and all of Creation on the day of Pentecost.   They were filled with passion and purpose to continue Jesus’s ministry and work in the world.   Jesus even calls the Holy Spirit “the Advocate,” a helpe...

Reflections on Acts of the Apostles Chapters 15-17 This past Saturday was the 144 th running of the Kentucky Derby.   As with all outdoor events, it is at the mercy of Mother Nature, and sometimes she doesn’t seem to care that the humans prefer sunny, dry weather.   However, a certain horse named Justified was the odds-on favorite to win if it was a sloppy track.   And indeed it was.   Rain poured down for most of the day and it didn’t stop by the time the big race was scheduled to start.   The track was a sloppy as I have ever seen a horse race track be.   Justified loved it – and won. It seems counter-intuitive to me that such adverse conditions could led to victory.   What I would consider ideal conditions (sunny, warm but not hot, dry) was the complete opposite of what made Justified thrive.   The reality is that “ideal” conditions are rare – there is always something that is a bit sloppy or not exactly to our liking.   What is...