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Bishops' and Rector's MESSAGES |
 February 24, 2022
Dear colleagues and friends, The news reports emanating from Ukraine bring directly into our homes and hearts the terrifying reality of war. With it come emotions that including anger, fear, and helplessness. We feel these both for ourselves and for all those more immediately in harm’s way. It seems unimaginable that, as an advanced civilization, we are unable to find ways to move toward peaceable resolutions that, in the words of our baptismal covenant, “respect the dignity of every human being” and protect the vulnerable and undefended. It is hard to accept that destruction and death constitute an acceptable way to find stability and security. We may be thousands of miles from where the missiles are launched and the bombs land, but we are all complicit. In continually succumbing to a we/they construct in addressing our local, national, and global differences, we are inevitably led to polarization and destructive results. I offer this not in judgment, but in confession. It remains our common human condition. As disciples of the one who said, “Peace I give to you, my own peace I leave with you,” we turn to him now for guidance and help. We hold before him our human brokenness that keeps leading us into dehumanizing behavior, and we offer our broken selves back to the God who has given us this life to share. Our prayer for the victims of this attack on Ukraine and our prayer for those who have initiated it must be accompanied by our prayer for ourselves, that we will give ourselves to peace. Such willing self-sacrifice is at the heart of all intercession. Indeed, God can do anything, but always demands our participation. The answers Jesus gives to our prayers at this moment will doubtless cost us. They will require us to pick up the peace he has given us, his own peace, and make the same sacrifice of ourselves that he made for us. They will require us to hear what God needs of us to incarnate the peace of Christ in our own lives and be willing to pay the price. Let us, therefore, pray for peace; for the safety and comfort of all victims in this time of fear and devastation; for those in leadership and those carrying out their orders; and for ourselves, that we will give all that we are to the peaceful resolution of all conflict: Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 258) Know that you are in my prayers, The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr. Bishop of Ohio SPECIAL VESTRY MEETING
The Vestry met in a special session on Wednesday, January 5, at 7 pm via zoom. The question had been raised within the Vestry as to how we should proceed with our worship practices given rising infection rates and hospitalizations. The Vestry had a candid and forthright discussion. At the conclusion of that discussion Vestry made the following decisions: 1) We will continue, when a Priest is present and available, to provide Communion in both kinds. With the established protocols for a) intinction b) communion from the common cup. 2) We will continue to serve Communion at the Altar rail. 3) The Usher on Sundays mornings will direct groups of five or six to come to the rail for Communion. This will hopefully reduce congestion in the aisle and at the rail. 4) We will continue to recommend masks for all those attending worship. We will provide paper masks, these will be offered to anyone who arrives at church without one. 5) Coffee Hour has been suspended. The gathering in a confined space without masks was a concern to the Vestry. 6) Vestry will actively seek communication from the Parish on how they feel as we move forward. Particularly during Fr. Mike's absence on Sabbatical. Grace and peace to all who worship with us and seek to be in relationship with Christ Church ~Fr. Mike and The Christ Church Vestry |
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