Messages from Bishop San
What Did Jesus Do?
A Reflection
“…if you can you choose, you can make me clean” (Mark 1: 40-45)
“A Christian life should be one long sacred liturgy of praising God”


The reflection from last week's enews has had a very positive response from around the Diocese. Leaders are encouraged to share this message with their parishioners to help them as they navigate these times. Click here for the full reflection.

My seminary professor wisely cautioned his seminarians to be mindful of the fact that when we do exegetical reflection for preaching or teaching, we should always consider three pillars (1) the time the text was addressing (2) the context it was written for and (3) time and context determine content. The gospel reference (Mark 1:12-15) is about Jesus healing a leper; Matthew 26:6 identifies the leper to be Simon in whose house a woman anointed the feet of Jesus in preparation for his suffering, death and burial and ultimate resurrection.

Leprosy was a dreaded infectious disease that was damaging at several levels. (1) Physically, the disease could be painful and sometimes fatal. (2) Socially, the law required lepers to be quarantined outside of Israelite society (Leviticus 13:45-46). (3) Religiously, lepers were ritually unclean and thus unable to participate in worship (Leviticus 13:3,8). The combined weight of these burdens was extreme, and nothing was more welcome then healing and cleansing.

It was unthinkable for a Jew to touch a leprous outcast. Jesus nevertheless crosses this boundary and reverses the expected outcome: instead of contracting ritual uncleanness himself, he cleanses the leper of this ailment by the very act of touching him. This shows that Jesus brings into the world a new form of holiness that overcomes even defilement and disease. This act shows the divine aspect of Christ.

What is equally interesting in this miracle event was the human aspect and action of Jesus. After he did that divine act he was conscientious and observant of the community’s expectation by instructing the leper to go and show himself to the priest, the person who had the authority to authenticate his healing and confirm his return back to full inclusion into societal life. Second, Jesus took the place of the leper by going into exile from society. Jesus observed the standard protocol of the culture by entering into quarantine in the countryside (although he did continue to maintain accessibility to those who chose to come visit with him). Jesus traded places with the leper in that while the leper was returned to his family and community, Jesus went outside the sphere of Israelite society. Continue reading here.
First Confirmation at our Latino Congregation
This past Sunday, September 27th, was a historic day in the over 150 years of the Diocese of Easton, Bishop San celebrated the confirmation of twelve (12) young people from La Sagrada Familia de Jesús (Holy Name of Jesus) and Shrewsbury Parish. The group represented the first Confirmation Class since La Sagrada Familia became on official mission church in the Diocese of Easton. "This should be a bright spot for all of us," said Bishop San, "seeing such an amazing group of young people committing their lives to Jesus and to sharing God's message of love and hope. As a global missioner for Christ, I live for moments such as this, God is good, Jesus continues his ministry of calling people to the message of the good news and the kingdom of God even in a pandemic.”

The confirmation class, which began in late summer of 2019 (during Vacation Bible School), was taught by the Rev. Thom Sinnott. He covered topics ranging from bible study and prayer to church history, liturgy and what it means to be a Christian in the world today. Rev. Sinnott had wonderful things to say about the class, "It was so encouraging to see young people from both parishes together, and all with a desire to learn and to deepen their faith." 

The Confirmation itself was originally scheduled for Palm Sunday in April. "We had to wait until after the quarantine," said Rev. Sinnott, "and we still could only have the students and families." He continued, "We are grateful to Bishop San for making a special effort to be present with us and we are looking forward to having a class reunion and fiesta when large gatherings are allowed - for the whole congregation to celebrate and welcome this Class of 2020!"

Although, Latino Ministry has existed in the area and worshipped at different locations for over 20 years, La sagrada Familia de Jesús was the first to officially join the Diocese of Easton. Established at the 151st Diocesan Convention in March 2019, the newly received congregation actually began worshipping at Shrewsbury Parish many years ago without any denominational affiliation. Bishop San, upon arriving to the diocese, immediately began visiting the congregation and made it a priority to visit regularly over the four years of his episcopate. The bishop is extremely confident the church will grow and, hopefully, the diocese will soon be in a position to call a full-time Latino Missioner to further extend our Latino missional presence across diocese.

“The missional partnership between Shrewsbury Parish and La Sagrada Familia de Jesús Mission is a model for all of us,” reflects Bishop San, “our historically established churches should look outside their doors to see the mission field around them. Let us all be ‘laborers in the vineyard’; a hospitable and welcoming community that befriends the ‘holy other’ among us embodying the command of Jesus, ‘to go make disciples…’” The Rector of Shrewsbury Parish, the Very Reverend Henry Sabetti, and their Vestry are commended for their missional foresight and zeal for God’s work. This model of mission growth has proven to expand and deepen God’s presence in both congregations – and at very little fiscal cost. 

The Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Sinnott serves as the "Fundador (Founder)" of the mission in its current format, and Vicar of the new congregation. The Very Rev. Henry Sabetti, Rector of Shrewsbury also participated in the Confirmation service. We congratulate all 12 of the students, their families, and both of their supporting churches. 
Deacons’ Ordination Schedule & Livestream Links
Plus Parochial Deployment after Ordination*
(Ordered by date of Ordination)
Livestream links below will be confirmed and posted in future publications.
 
Dr. Katherine E. Webb
Date of Ordination – October 10, 2020 @ 2:00 p.m. – Emmanuel Church, Chestertown
Watch this Ordination: via Emmanuel Church, Chester Parish Facebook Page
Deployment: Holy Trinity, Oxford
Clergy Mentors: The Reverend Kevin Cross & The Reverend Dr. Darcy Williams
 
Christine J. Sabas
Date of Ordination – October 11, 2020 @ 9:30 a.m. – St. Alban’s Parish, Salisbury
Watch this Ordination: via Zoom
Deployment: Deacon - St. Andrew’s Parish, Princess Anne
Clergy Mentor: The Reverend Dr. Rob Laws & The Reverend Laura Dorsey
 
Alisha M. King
Date of Ordination – October 11, 2020 @ 9:30 a.m. – St. Alban’s Parish, Salisbury
Watch this Ordination: via Zoom
Deployment: Deacon - St. Alban’s Parish (November 1 to December 25, 2020)
Deployment: Deacon - St. Paul’s Parish, Berlin (January 3, 2021)
Clergy Mentor: The Reverend Michael Moyer
 
Barbara A. Coleman
Date of Ordination – October 17, 2020 @ 11:00 a.m. – Christ Church, Easton
Watch this Ordination: via Christ Church Easton’s Facebook Page
Deployment: Regional Deacon – Christ Church, Cambridge, Old Trinity & St. Andrew’s Church, Hurlock
Clergy Mentors: The Reverend Canon Dr. Dan Dunlap, The Reverend Bernie Schroeder and The Reverend Laura Dorsey 
 
Laura Jean McCarthy
Date of Ordination – October 24, 2020 @ 11:00 a.m. – St. Peter’s Parish, Salisbury
Watch this Ordination: via St. Peter’s Facebook Page OR St. Peter’s Website
Deployment: Deacon – St. Peter’s Parish, Salisbury
Clergy Mentor: The Reverend David Michaud
 
Marguerite A. Samuels
Date of Ordination – October 31, 2020 @ 11:00 a.m. – Shrewsbury Parish, Kennedyville
Watch this Ordination: via Shrewsbury Parish Church’s Facebook Page
Deployment: Deacon – St. Paul’s Parish, Centerville
Clergy Mentor: The Reverend Mary Friel
 
Andrew C. Cropper
Date of Ordination – November 1, 2020 @ 3:00 p.m. – St. Paul’s Parish, Berlin
Watch this Ordination: via St. Paul’s Facebook Page
Deployment: Deacon – St. Paul’s Parish, Berlin (November 1 to December 25)
Deployment: Transitional Deacon – All Hallow Parish, Snow Hill (January 3, 2021)
Clergy Mentors: The Very Reverend Michael Moyer & The Reverend Chuck Hatfield
 
Stephanie B. Clayville
Date of Ordination – November 22, 2020 @ 3:00 p.m. – All Hallows, Snow Hill
Watch this Ordination: via All Hallows YouTube Page
Deployment: Deacon – St. Mary the Virgin, Pocomoke City
Clergy Mentor: The Reverend Adele Hatfield
 
 
*Note that in most cases deacons will report to their new deployment on Advent Sunday, November 29, 2020. The first Sunday of the Christian year. However, deacons may make individual arrangements with the rector/senior warden if they wish to be in the parish before or after the approved date.

**Deployment Postings were shared with and approved by clergy/senior wardens and deacon candidates

***Churches hosting the ordinations are encouraged to contact Joanne Fisher if the livestream link posted is not accurate.