“…God has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:19b
Diocesan Convention begins next Thursday, October 2, at St. Matthew’s, Fairbanks. The theme for Convention this year is: Communities of Reconciliation – “…God has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:19b
St. Paul made clear to the Church in Corinth that God’s purpose in Christ Jesus was reconciliation: the restoration of harmony, unity, and right relationship between God and humankind through the fullness of love made perfect in the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Reconciliation, therefore, is healing and God committed this word, this ministry of reconciliation and healing, to us by sending the Holy Spirit to fill us and lead us in the way of God’s reconciling love in Christ.
While this theme for Convention was established months ago, the need for reconciliation in Christ, and the importance of this ministry of healing through the Gospel, is even more important in the context of our world today where we are witnessing a disturbing increase in political violence; the ongoing atrocities associated with war and global conflict; the continued starvation of God’s children; the intimidation and persecution of the vulnerable and those who have been marginalized; and the rise of authoritarianism across the globe; and growing division in our communities.
In fact, at the recent House of Bishops meeting, after prayer, meditation and conversation on the growing divisions in our world and urgent need for reconciliation, the bishops were called to offer a witness to the Episcopal Church in the form of a word—a letter. That witness emphasized the need for the healing and reconciliation that can only be found through the Gospel. In their word to the Episcopal Church, the bishops wrote:
“We believe [that our response to broken relationships in our world] must be grounded in the Good News of the Gospel that injustice, violence, suffering, and ultimately death itself, are not the last word. We commit ourselves and invite the whole church to boldly proclaim by word and example that the cross and empty tomb stand forever as signs of the decisive victory of God’s love over the forces of evil. We are being called to embody the values and imperatives expressed in the teachings of Jesus, the One we proclaim as Lord, who always stands with the poor, the vulnerable, the grieving, and the oppressed.”
In Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are committed to reconciliation. And as the body of Christ-the Church, we are called to be communities of reconciliation by embodying the Gospel of Jesus, and the Kingdom his love reveals.
At Convention, we will continue to explore our calling to be Communities of Reconciliation as we move forward with the whole Episcopal Church in the work of truth and healing from the legacy of Boarding Schools. Over the past year, the Standing Committee appointed a sub-committee to formulate a plan for the Diocese of Alaska to address this work. That plan is the development of a “Truth Telling and Healing Commission,” which will create and guide our process. At Convention, we will learn more about the Truth Telling Commission and its formation.
We are also delighted and blessed to have as our Keynote speaker, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Carol Gallagher, one of only 3 Native American Bishops in the Episcopal Church. Bishop Gallagher has been a constant witness to the work of reconciliation in the Episcopal Church. She was part of the leadership team for the Episcopal Church Jamestown Covenant and the launch of the “Decade of Remembrance, Recognition, and Reconciliation” between the Episcopal Church and our Native American siblings. Bishop Gallagher is looking forward to her return to Alaska. We will also have a video presentation by The Rev. Canon Dr. Brad Hauff, the former Missioner for Native American and Indigenous Ministries for the Episcopal Church. Canon Hauff is now working with Bexley-Seabury Seminary to assist its plans to strengthen theological education for Indigenous Ministries.
Let us come together as the Episcopal family of God, the body of Christ, in Alaska to celebrate, worship, and listen to how God has committed to us the word of reconciliation.