Welcome Home!
There are some Sundays that feel a little like family reunions.
This coming Sunday is one of them.
We are delighted to welcome The Rt. Rev. Sally French, Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey, as she joins us for worship at St. Mary's. If you've never experienced a bishop's visitation before, you're in for something special.
One of the questions I hear most often is, "What exactly does a bishop do?"
The short answer is... a little bit of everything!
A bishop is a pastor to the pastors, a teacher of the faith, a guardian of the Church's unity, and a reminder that every Episcopal congregation is part of something much larger than itself. While St. Mary's is our beloved parish home, we also belong to a diocesan family stretching across New Jersey and to the worldwide Anglican Communion, worshipping in more than 165 countries.
When a bishop visits, she comes carrying all of those relationships with her.
She comes to encourage us, pray with us, preach the Gospel, celebrate the Eucharist, confirm and receive new members when appropriate, and remind us that the Holy Spirit is still leading Christ's Church into the future.
Bishop Sally brings joy, a gracious spirit, and a genuine love for God's people. She listens well, tells wonderful stories, and has a remarkable ability to make every parish feel seen and valued.
In other words, she's family.
After worship, I hope you'll stay for our Welcome Home Breakfast. It will be a wonderful opportunity to share conversation, enjoy some delicious food, and introduce yourself if you've never met our bishop before. She truly enjoys getting to know the people who make each congregation unique.
If you're visiting St. Mary's this weekend, you've picked a wonderful Sunday to join us. If you're one of our year-round or summer parish family members, come ready to extend the generous hospitality for which this church has become known.
As the writer of Hebrews reminds us:
"Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:1-2)
Sunday will be filled with familiar faces, a few new ones, joyful worship, and, God willing, plenty of laughter around the breakfast tables.
I can hardly wait.
See you Sunday.
Faithfully in Christ,
Mo. Allison+
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