This was the central message of B. Mary’s address at our last Diocesan convention.  As she recognized diversity in our Diocese, she also introduced a new paradigm that can be built with faith, hope and love, creating a new way of being here in El Camino Real and with those we are in touch.  Thus, diversity is no longer a divide, but a challenging opportunity we are invited to wrestle with.  The Bishop says,

“And citizenship, really being one with another equitably, is untidy business. Bishop Michael of Gloucester reminded us of this in one of his presentations. The message, though, of the death and resurrection of Jesus, also pretty messy stuff, the message of the community of Christians, people who follow Jesus, who have been the church for two thousand years now ‐ the message is that ‐ you keep at it. Messy or neat, you keep at the untidy business of welcoming the stranger and making citizens in the household of God. You keep at the untidy business of loving the ones you know – and loving the stranger who scares you or worse, that you do not know exists. You keep at letting Christ, who is our peace, overcome your fears, rigidity, and weakness. And we, in El Camino Real, are going to keep at this untidy business of welcoming the stranger, kingdom‐building, citizenship, living in Christ, who is our peace.” (From B. Mary Grey-Reeves 2009 Diocesan Convention Address)

Our hope is that, this Lent Season, you and/or your community of faith will positively respond to this invitation to join us in a diocesan wide prayerful discernment.    Citing B. Mary Convention Address once more, “It takes all of us in our various local contexts to build the citizenry of our church, to reach out to the stranger and to include others in the household of God. It takes us all.”

This is just an announcement of what it is coming soon.  A Task Force formed in December 2009 has been diligently working on putting this materials together.  The Lenten Series 2010 materials will be placed in our new Diocesan web site.  We are also hoping to have an additional blog were we can capture the richness of our personal and group reflections. 

Please, be looking for a second announcement to be sent out in the next couple of weeks! 

In the peace of Christ,

The Rev. C. Jesús Reyes

Congregational Growth & Development

Update:  Materials now available at http://ecr2010lent.wordpress.com/ .