The First Phase of the nominating process is complete. Click here to view the report of the Nominating Committee. The second phase of the nominating process, "floor nominations," will be finished in June. Contact the OPB or the PBNC with any questions.

God willing, we will gather for our 9^th synod October 9-12 in St. Louis, Missouri. After more than two years of Covid, we are hoping and planning to gather in one another’s physical presence and know the refresh that we experience when we are together. 

Please note: the synod this time begins on Sunday afternoon and ends on Wednesday afternoon. That is a change. It was a compromise to accommodate those who have long been asking that we do the synod on the weekend. 

We have been sent for a reason. Francis of Assisi puts the emphasis on actions: “Preach the Gospel at all times; and if necessary, use words.” Theresa of Avila, we are told, says that after reaching the final stage of holiness there is only one question that remains, “How can I be helpful?” Pope Francis gave us a new image of the Church: a field hospital, that is, so many in the world are suffering; the church’s role is to attend to that suffering, as Jesus did.

Of course there are always opportunities to verbally witness to our experience of, and relationship with, God. Something like the RCIA is necessary for the growth of disciples. But all of this, which is essential, within the Church, is aimed at getting workers out to “the field hospital,” in the unwalled part of the Church. We don’t hide our story of being “in Christ” in the world, but we don’t focus on that story either while we are changing dressings in the hospital; we focus on serving “in Christ” and attending to suffering as he did and as he does through us.

This emphasis has a great advantage in our time. One, the world needs loving and just people who care about those in need. Two, the world recognizes this kind of goodness and resonates with it, even when it might not resonate with everything that comes out of our mouths. Three, other great faith traditions end up at the same place Teresa did, namely, attending to the needs of others; that means there are opportunities galore to collaborate with many other religious and non-religious people in doing this work of, as the Jewish tradition would say, tikkun olam, mending the world. There is a freedom when we allow our internal stories about Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, to motivate us and then go out into the world and lock arms with the many people who are motivated to alleviate the suffering of the world.

This is what “Church in Action” looks like. Look only to the history of religious women in this country who got off the boats from Europe and started taking care of the sick and the uneducated and the orphaned, etc. Now they are focusing on human trafficking and neighborhoods getting sick from ground water contamination. They are humble sacraments of the compassion and justice of God. May they be our heroes as we walk into our future.

May I ask you to consider two ways to prepare for the synod. Think about sending at least one or two younger persons from your community, and as delegates if you have not already chosen yours. This is one way we assure our future. Also, again if you have not already done so, plan to put some money aside now to help your delegates come to the synod to represent you. We pay for the synodal experience because we believe in a Church where everyone’s voice is represented.

If you wish to know more about them, use Google translate to read their website: Dominican Sisters of Krakow, Poland

Tomasz’ consecration in Poznan, Poland is planned for June 18^th. We are planning cautiously for this event while we keep our eye on the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. If there is reason to believe we will not be safe as we get closer to the event, we will of course consider making alternative arrangements. In the meantime, I am thrilled for our sister church in Poland and look forward very much to being with many old friends and having the joy of praying with them at the beginning of Tomasz’ episcopal ministry.

1.     Guidelines on email and internet postings

2.     Guidelines for large Zoom sessions

3.     Procedures for handling a complaint about the constitutionality of a decision within the ECC.

4.     An “ECC Commission on Education,” especially the education of clergy.

Thanks to each of you who have been working hard at perfecting our Communion.

Your brother,

Council of Bishops

Leadership Council

Steering Committees of the House of Laity and the House of Pastors

Treasurer of the OPB and HOL Finance Committee

Mary Magdalene Society

Truth & Reconciliation Commission

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