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January 25, 2007
Send comments and questions to the Standing Committee at standingcom[atecr]edecr.org.
At the annual retreat of the Standing Committee
on January 11-12 we spent time studying Paul’s
Letter to the Philippians. It inspired us to want
to write a letter to the diocese telling you how
much we appreciate you and to thank you for your
support, hard work and love over these past few
years.
Dear Friends in the Diocese of El Camino Real,
from the Standing Committee.
We wish to send you beloved members of the body of
Christ greetings from our recent gathering in
Santa Cruz. We hold you in our prayers and are
grateful for yours. We know that the flame of
faith in Christ Jesus is burning bright in all of
our hearts. The suffering fades away as we
continue to move forward in healing, as
individuals and as communities. As Jesus promised
the gift of the Advocate, we know that the Holy
Spirit guides us and guards us in the mission and
ministry of Jesus Christ on the Central Coast of
California. We are listening with our ears as well
as with our hearts, and encourage you to continue
in this also.
As we listen to you and to those fellow followers
of the Christ beyond our borders, we are buoyed by
the joy that others are expressing about the
mission and ministry that we as a diocese are
accomplishing. In the hopeful words of Frank
Sinatra, “the best is yet to come.” You, as the
baptized, are invited to recommit yourselves to
this new time in our diocese. The Holy Spirit
invites our passion in this recommitment.
The Bishop Search process is well underway, thanks
to the work of many faithful servants, including
all who participated in last year’s survey. You
and we believe that the Holy Spirit is leading us
into a new way of understanding the office of
oversight, the office of the bishop. The former
way, under law, led some to die spiritually, and
did not share in responsibilities given to us all
at baptism. With our new life in Christ, God is
showing us how to work together, to share in this
mission and ministry, in order to do our part in
bringing God’s reign closer in our time and place.
This path brings us into a wholeness, a more
healthy process in our joint work.
We, your Standing Committee, acting as the
Ecclesiastical Authority, owe all of you, our
beloved brothers and sisters, a great thanks for
all that you are doing. We are seeing many persons
who have been giving so much to serve Christ and
God’s people, with no thought of receiving in
return. God teaches us that our reward now is the
joy of fellowship; our reward to come is full
fellowship with God.
With our love and blessings, we greet you.
The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of
El Camino Real, January 2007
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The Standing Committee welcomes responses,
comments and suggestions at all times. Contact the
Standing Committee at
standingcom[atecr]edecr.org. | | |
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