COMING TOGETHER IN FAITH

That was the theme of the “Special Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Episcopal Church in the United States” as was printed on the covers of the various booklets that were dispersed during our gathering this past Saturday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon. That long title was to insure those who gathered and those who were observers and anyone else who might be interested that any other entity that bills itself as the “Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh”, even if it has “Anglican” in parenthesis after its name, truly is not.

As only an observer, as I am and will remain canonically resident in the Diocese of Iowa even as I serve as Interim here at St. Brendan’s, this was a special day in the life of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. It was a day of joy, of hope, of peace, of fellowship. It was an occasion when those who gathered knew why they were there and why it was so important for them to be present. It was an Easter celebration in the midst of Advent, a day when new life was felt and was quite evident. It was good to be present and to celebrate with those who had reason to celebrate.

The theme of the Convention was not lost on anyone. There is much work to be done, much rebuilding and building to do and many, many miles to go before we are strong and standing on our feet again. But resurrection has begun. Jesus’ resurrection gave new life to that beleaguered band of followers who thought all was lost when he was arrested and crucified. Pentecost aided in their growing into the fullness of what they were to become, but it all took time and it all took faith.

And so it is for us. It is our faith in God, in Jesus, in the resurrection and even in ourselves that we are doing God’s work and God’s will and not our own, that brought everyone together last Saturday and it is that same faith that will keep us together and keep us going when the bumps in the road slow us down and try to trip us up. The same stones that were tossed at one another in the past have been laid down and will now, in the words of Father Jim Simons, the President of our Standing Committee, be used to build up our church and our Diocese.

We believe, we know, that some of those who threw those stones and are still holding on to them, will come to lay them down and join us in the rebuilding, the resurrecting of our Diocese. We know that others will lay theirs down as well but will continue on their separate ways. We pray for them even as we will miss their being part of us. There may still be some who will continue to throw stones. We forgive them.

Advent is a season of hope. There is much to hope for in the days and months and years to come. There is truly a future to hope in, a future that is and will be built upon by our faith and strengthened by our love one for another and for our Lord. It is a new day in the life of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and the family of St. Brendan’s. There is life, new life, resurrected life, life of the Spirit in us and all around us. Having come together in faith may we be refreshed, renewed and reinvigorated so that we can celebrate this new life in joy, in anticipation and in hope.