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ADDRESS TO THE 209TH DIOCESAN CONVENTION In many post offices in Rhode Island, a digital clock is counting down the seconds to the twenty-first century. At some point the days, hours and seconds will converge and as if in an instant, the third millennium will begin. Fireworks will explode, the ball in Times Square will drop, lovers will kiss, and merrymakers will stay awake until the first light of the first day. I am looking forward to New Year's Eve. However, the primary significance of the year 2000, is the celebration of the Word made flesh: the revelation of God through Jesus Christ, disclosing the Divine plan for the salvation of the world. The year 2000, the Great Jubilee year, opens the door to the third millennium of Christian witness. The Jubilee year described in the twenty-fifth chapter of the Book of Leviticus is a time for humanity to live into the wholeness of God, which leads to the restoration of the world, and the reconciliation of its peoples. In the fiftieth year, the year of Jubilee, slaves were set free, land returned to former owners, debts forgiven, animals did not work, and the fields were fallow. Freed from normal patterns of work and responsibility, it was a season to receive God's generosity, not by our labors, but through Holy Grace. Putting aside our anxieties and the need for production, we are to relax in the sacred heart of Jesus, and receive God's bounty. Jubilee is the Sabbath of Sabbaths. It calls for a re-ordering of the way in which we approach our activities and relationships so that we might discover ways of creating a more equitable society. The Hebrew and Greek definitions of jubilee find their interpretation in the word, "release." More than a festive celebration it is the ushering in of a holy season. It is a time for liberation from the evil one, so that the ways of God may prevail. While others lift their champagne glasses to toast a new millennium with joy and laughter, we speak of a renewed commitment to share with Christ in bringing release to others. The words of Jesus echo through the centuries: "Feed my sheep; clothe the naked; be a servant of all; forgive sins; baptize in my name; love your neighbor and eat with sinners; restore health to the sick and open the eyes of the blind; release the prisoner; keep the Sabbath holy." Here is Jesus, revealing the hard work of Jubilee. We, who share the Eucharistic Feast, Sunday by Sunday, are dismissed into the world to do nothing less than see that no table be bare, no person go hungry. The love of Christ bids us to refresh our faith, increase our hope, and extend our charity. Our challenge is to live into our diocesan vision statement: "Live in Christ Jesus: Transform the World." Let us begin at home. Providence, Woonsocket, Newport, Pawtucket, and Central Falls are the poorest sections of our state. Twenty-five percent (24.8%, Kids Count) of the children who live in these areas are at risk. The medium income in these cities is $24,600 ($24,640, U.S. Bureau of Census), while in the five wealthiest sections of Rhode Island the medium income is $46,000 ($45,900). We do not have to look far to discover a disparity in educational opportunities, employment, and health services, they are in our midst. Most of this information has been widely publicised. However, barriers to taking bold initiatives for social change continue to exist. I will cite two. First, it is easy to say, "We don't have enough." "We don't have enough time, energy, money, people, contacts, to really make a difference." I agree. We do not have enough, but why wait for that which we will never have. Why not make a difference anyway. The most necessary resources are already available to us: the will and imagination of the community of faith. I believe that we have everything we need to transform the systemic and prevailing conditions in our state. If you think that money is still the primary issue, and that Rhode Islanders are poor, indeed some are, but the truth is, our per capita income places us eighteenth in the nation. It is too easy to say, "we don't have enough." The second barrier to taking bold action is the belief that poverty is the fault of the poor. How often we look to those in need and claim that their place in life was of their own making. When we say this, we are dismissing problems as if they belonged to an individual or to a certain group but not to all of us. Jesus shouldered the burdens of the poor without passing judgement on the cause of their poverty and saw his life through theirs. In the Gospel according to St. Luke, we read that Jesus opened the scroll in the midst of the synagogue, and read from the prophet Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim a year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:16ff) After closing the scroll, he said, "This has been fulfilled in your hearing." "Jesus is our Jubilee." (The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop) He came to restore humanity to wholeness. He saw poverty as poverty, and did not cast blame. Jesus' death, on a cross, shaped a radical shift in the way the world understands the place of the innocent victim. Now, the innocent victim instead of being vilified or slandered, is a mirror of Christ himself. We are slowly admitting the systemic problems that target certain peoples and cultures. Jubilee, the year of the Lord's favor, is a time to face the economic and social structures that define the living conditions of some people at the expense of others. Our focus must be on improving present human conditions, and healing the systemic problems which foster cycles of poverty; and racial, ethnic and sexual bias. Let us not be paralysed by our fear of those who differ from us. In our diocese, I am aware of population centers of immigrants, minimum wage earners, the elderly and unemployed, and people with a variety of social and physical challenges. While many of our churches in these areas have closed over the years, we have a few remaining parishes and missions. Some people have asked me when these churches will become self-sufficient. My answer, "Most likely not in my episcopate." "Will you close them down?" is usually the follow-up question. My sisters and brothers in Christ, rather than close these missions and parishes that serve the very neediest in our state, we have the opportunity, albeit the Christian imperative, to make these churches our corporate mission centers. They offer hospitality and prayer, to waves of immigrants, to children who go hungry each day, and for people who live at the mercy and generosity of others. We cannot sacrifice losing the very few remaining on-site ministries that are located in the midst of highly marginal people. This would betray those whom Jesus called us to serve. We can make a difference in every part of our state and world, but we must make a special effort to support the ministry of those churches that are located in the most impoverished areas of our diocese. In these churches and through the people they serve we will be serving Christ himself, and from their wisdom, spiritual depth, and profound generosity, we will receive a sacred blessing. It is the poor who have spiritual riches, and the wealthy, who run the risk of creating other gods. Our Jubilee intentions begin in our state, but the plight of the world must always be in our hearts. I join with those who are seeking forgiveness of international debt to the poorest of nations. I strongly encourage our government to increase its foreign aid budget for international development, and to pay our dues to the United Nations--whose effectiveness we are undermining by our continued unwillingness to pay our fair share. My prayers are with Christians in at least eleven countries of the world, where people of our faith are suffering persecution. Bishop Prudence, from Rwanda, was in my bible study group at the Lambeth Conference. He spoke of the years he spent in refugee camps and of the headaches and fears that continue to haunt him. Even now, he knows that his life is in peril, because he is a Christian. Archbishop Azariah, from Pakistan, and his wife, live thousands of miles from their young daughters. Their children live with his brother in California because Christian girls, are not educated in Pakistan, and it is unsafe for them to go out alone. Each of us must continue to pray for peace at a time when ethnic hatred and fear are destroying whole populations, leaving children orphaned and peoples homeless. We continue to face issues of health care, nuclear security, violence, gambling, the selling of children, the warehousing of prisoners, and an increase in slavery. No wonder the trumpet sounds for a time of Jubilee, and compels us to take our place in the global community. Mary gave birth to the One who restored wholeness to creation. Her story is our story; her life is our life. Are we ready without reservation to acknowledge that God wants to enter our lives and thereby enter the life of the world? Do we really believe that we can redeem, reshape, and restore the universe? Are we ready to accept that to live in Christ is to live as a person of transfiguring love? "Will [we] seek Christ in all persons" . . . "and respect the dignity of every human being?" (BCP, p. 305, Baptismal Covenant) Our identity is unity with Christ in baptism, our vocation is serving Christ from the gifts he has given to us, our mission, is to transform the world. Let us surrender ourselves to this invitation. Let us give our lives for the purposes of working with Christ in transforming the created order, making it dignified, safe and sacred. Let us acknowledge our independent natures and yield our desires for the good of others. Together we can make it possible for the poor and disenfranchised to share in the gifts of Jubilee: gifts of freedom and sight, of daily necessities and a hopeful future. We have a glorious share in the inheritance of the saints: a share in opening the tombs of the whole world. Strengthened by the faith of our spiritual ancestors, and empowered by the Risen Christ we proclaim the good news of life's victory. Let us never underestimate Jesus' hope in us. The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop and Primate, has declared a Jubilee Year for our Church, beginning on the first Sunday in Advent, 1999, extending through the Feast of Pentecost, 2001. I bid all our churches to celebrate the birth of Our Savior this year and next with increased devotion to the mystery of the incarnation. Let us incarnate our faith, making it visible through our sacramental life, and tangible in our commitment to reach out to others. Let me be very specific in describing the opportunities available to our diocese during the year 2000, and the work we are doing in fostering the Jubilee message. -- The Jubilee Committee, who brought us the never-to-be-forgotten visit of Archbishop Tutu earlier this year, has scheduled two more programs. In March, members of Bainbridge House will present a program devoted to faith and mission. At the General Convention in Philadelphia, the Rhode Island deputation visited and had dinner with this inspiring group of lay men and women. The program, planned for a Saturday, will focus on how to make a difference in the life of the local community. Their work has appeared on local television stations, in the city newspaper, and as a segment on a CBS special. In late spring, our diocese, joining with Brown University, the Jewish Community, and the United Church of Christ, will build a triplex Habitat for Humanity House. Our hope is that former President Jimmy Carter will strike the first nail, and later in the day, share with us how his faith has informed his humanitarian efforts. -- Last year at Diocesan convention we made a commitment to each other that I was unable to fulfil until now. I am delighted to announce that with the help of a very dedicated, patient and forgiving search committee, I have called a co-ordinator for the Diocesan Resource Center. The Rev. Pamela Rannenberg, is an experienced teacher, has professional expertise in business administration, is familiar with resource centers through her studies at the Virginia Theological Seminary, and is a native of New England. I am confident that the resource center will be invaluable for the exchange of ideas, the development of educational programs, and the furtherance of Jubilee ideals. The target date for an open house is this January. Let me share with you other ways in which we will celebrate the Jubilee year. -- On New Year's Eve, 1999, at 7 PM, at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, there will be an Ecumenical service of prayer and music. At 11 PM, the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated, at our Cathedral of St. John. -- A unique opportunity comes to us through the efforts of our young adults. The Taize brothers will be at the Cathedral the second weekend in February, having chosen our diocese as one of four national sites for an ecumenical prayer weekend. They are encouraging participation from young adults between 18 and 30, from New York and throughout New England. Through prayer, bible study, and fellowship they will share a global vision for all humanity. The brothers are planning an ecumenical conversation with clergy, and a Taize Prayer service for all ages. -- Our clergy need to be inspired if they are to encourage our Jubilee efforts at the local level. Both the clergy conference, in December, and the pre-Lenten quiet retreat in February, will focus on mission. The leaders, though not as well known as Archbishop Tutu or President Carter, are compelling presenters, knowledgeable, engaging and experienced in their field. I expect all parochial priests to be present and as many deacons as possible. Please make sure that you encourage your clergy to participate, by giving them the time and resources to attend. -- There are many other opportunities to be a Jubilee person. There are soup kitchens, housing cooperatives, food cupboards, and thrift shops all across our diocese and state seeking your help. There is prison ministry, the George Hunt Help Center, college students to visit, hospital and nursing home patients to call upon, legislative actions to monitor, and ongoing ministry to the Romanian orphans. There are no limits to the opportunities for mission. Our most experienced "missionaries" are our deacons. They serve throughout our state, and carry the message of the poor to our churches. Listen to their words, and be strengthened by their work. Every church will receive a video copy of this address. I bid you to show it on a Sunday morning in Advent, before or after the Eucharist, giving time for discussion. Communication through RISEN, the resource center, the diocesan web-site, deaneries, wardens, clergy, and churches will provide dates and details of events. Now, I have three Jubilee challenges. A very special challenge, will be saved for the end. The first, is the goal to change the way the diocesan apportionment is determined. If all our churches follow the same criteria in reporting income and expenditures, there will be a more equitable distribution of resources. The challenge is to be fair, honest, and just, not seeking special privilege, but serving the common good. It is my fervent hope that we will soon keep more of our resources at the local level. The second challenge is Episcopal Charities. Together we are doing what no one can accomplish alone: offer effective support across a broad spectrum of social agencies and programs. Charities will have distributed $450,000, by the end of 1999. In the Jubilee Year, the goal of the Charities Board is to raise $500,000, and significantly increase our commitment to fund more community projects. Now, the special challenge: The Bishop's Jubilee Challenge. The seating for this convention is by deaneries. If you look around you, you will notice that the people sitting nearby come from your section of the diocese. Deaneries, geographically grouped churches, can do exemplary things together. The Blackstone Deanery, in the Pawtucket area, is a prime example. Seeking to strengthen their commitment to Christian education, they pooled their resources, and called a full time, Christian educator to co-ordinate their efforts. They have developed joint training programs, curriculum, summer bible school, teacher support systems, and other group projects. What a difference their commitment has made in each of their churches. That's co-operation across a deanery. That's vision for education and formation. Thank you, Blackstone Deanery! In this Jubilee Year, I am challenging each of our deaneries to gather its member churches, to develop and carry out a plan for mission. Mission to those outside the church membership. Mission, not in the form of making financial grants, but of personal engagement. I want you to do together what none of us can do alone: transform the world. My hope is that you will meet as a deanery and through your conversations, share your dreams, and identify a common hope. From this shared hope, I want you to plan and implement a vision for mission and ministry. To spark your enthusiasm, each deanery will receive $10,000, for this challenge. This is seed money, to which others may contribute. My hope is that you will grow to love, respect and trust each other, and find joy in making the world a better place. My prayer is that through your efforts the gospel will come to life. Where did this money come from, you may ask. It came from the Fosterian Fund, which has some specific intentions, which I have honored in the past, but were not called upon this year. This fund, used at the discretion of the Bishop, I now share with you. Following this address, you will receive a copy of these remarks and a brief list of guidelines for the implementation of the Bishop's Jubilee Challenge. As stated earlier, money is not our most important resource. You, sisters and brothers in Christ, are the greatest resources available for the extension of God's reign in our time. We have over a year to begin and implement this Bishop's Jubilee Challenge. Then, on the Feast of Pentecost, 2001, we will have a diocesan Festival Eucharist, followed by a grand collation. We will give thanks to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and share the mission projects inaugurated by our deaneries during the Jubilee year. "Live in Christ Jesus: Transform the World." What a magnificent vision statement this is for a diocese. However, what is breathtaking is a diocese whose visions come true. |
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