by Jenifer Gamber | Jun 28, 2022
In his second letter to the Christian community in Corinth, the Apostle Paul writes that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Cor. 5:20).
Before his ascension, Jesus promises those gathered, “[Y]ou will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
What if you thought of your congregation’s vocation in terms of ambassadors, or witnesses, sent to share the good news of God in Christ with our neighbors? Doing so shifts the focus of your congregation’s mission from the people inside the church toward who’s outside the walls of the church, that is, your neighbors.
For some congregations, this is a significant shift in orientation. But, as the people of God, our ministry is primarily to represent Christ in the world (Book of Common Prayer, 855). We gather on Sundays not for our sake only, but for the sake of the world. We are unique in this way. As Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple said, “The Church is the only society that does not exist for its members.”
How do good ambassadors begin their work? By getting to know the people in the place where they reside, by listening to their neighborhoods. How well do you know your neighborhood?
Given the high rate of mobility in our society today and the demographic shifts in Washington, DC and the surrounding region, it is likely that your neighborhood has experienced significant changes over the past few decades. Some neighborhoods have become increasingly racially and ethnically diverse. Some have grown younger. Some older. Your long-time members may have noticed these changes while your new members may not. Either way, thriving congregations attend closely to the demographic and social changes in their area and understand the distinctiveness of their community– both of who they are and who they are becoming.
You might begin getting reacquainted with your neighbors might by gathering demographic data. The Episcopal Diocese of Washington offers its congregations access to MissionInsite, a program that offers in-depth demographic data, including religious beliefs and concerns of demographic groupings in the area surrounding your church. If you’d like to receive a MissionInsite report for your congregation, reach out to the Rev. Jenifer Gamber.
To really get to know your neighbors, to really listen to them, however, requires being on the ground, building face-to-face relationships. Through listening, you can become attentive to your neighbor’s needs, interests, and desires.
To help you and your leadership practice getting out in your neighborhood, the School for Christian Faith and Leadership will be hosting a workshop at Church of the Ascension in Silver Spring MD on Saturday, July 30th called Connecting with Your Community.
Consider attending – and bring your team!
by Bishop Mariann | Jun 24, 2022
The U.S. Supreme Court has issued rulings this week on two of the most divisive issues in American society, striking down handgun restrictions in New York and overturning Roe v. Wade.
While both rulings were anticipated, the news of them sends reverberations across the country, and I write to acknowledge the pain and fear they invoke among those of us who had hoped the highest court in the land would uphold a woman’s right to full reproductive health and use its power to help curb the epidemic of gun violence in our land.
In neither case will these rulings settle the issues they address. Greater access to guns will only increase gun violence and death, and history shows that restricting legal access to abortion disproptionately impacts the heath and safety of low-income women. Moreover, overturning an almost fifty-year precedent of constitutional protection for women, will, in the words of Dean Randy Hollerith, “only further inflame the country’s profound division on abortion.”
The Episcopal Church’s positions on both issues–gun violence and women’s reproductive rights–seek to strengthen the moral fabric of our society, protect individual rights as enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, and address the inequities among us that are an affront to God. Thus we will continue to seek common ground where possible and constructive dialogue among varied points of view. This week’s rulings make our work harder and all the more important.
I pray God’s mercy and strength as we face the days ahead, giving thanks to all in our church and beyond who persevere in hope.
The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde
Bishop of Washington
by Bishop Mariann | Jun 24, 2022
El Tribunal Supremo de EE.UU. ha emitido esta semana sentencias sobre dos de las cuestiones más controvertidas de la sociedad estadounidense, al anular las restricciones sobre las armas de fuego en Nueva York y anular el caso de Roe contra Wade.
Aunque ambas sentencias eran esperadas, la noticia de las mismas tiene repercusiones en todo el país, y escribo para reconocer el dolor y el miedo que invocan entre aquellos de nosotros que esperábamos que el más alto tribunal del país defendiera el derecho de la mujer a la plena salud reproductiva y utilizara su poder para ayudar a frenar la epidemia de violencia armada en nuestro país.
En ninguno de los dos casos estas sentencias resolverán las cuestiones que abordan. Un mayor acceso a las armas sólo aumentará la violencia y la muerte por armas de fuego, y la historia demuestra que restringir el acceso legal al aborto tiene un impacto desproporcionado en la salud y la seguridad de las mujeres con bajos ingresos. Además, anular un precedente de casi cincuenta años de protección constitucional para las mujeres, en palabras del Deán Randy Hollerith, “sólo inflamará aún más la profunda división del país sobre el aborto”.
Las posiciones de la Iglesia Episcopal en ambos temas–la violencia con armas y los derechos reproductivos de las mujeres–buscan fortalecer el tejido moral de nuestra sociedad, proteger los derechos individuales consagrados en la Constitución de los Estados Unidos y abordar las desigualdades entre nosotros que son una afrenta a Dios. Por lo tanto, seguiremos buscando un terreno común cuando sea posible y un diálogo constructivo entre los diversos puntos de vista. Las sentencias de esta semana hacen que nuestro trabajo sea más difícil y más importante.
Le pido a Dios misericordia y fuerza para afrontar los días venideros, dando gracias a todos en nuestra iglesia y más allá que perseveren en la esperanza.
La Reverendisma Mariann Edgar Budde
Obispa de la Diócesis Episcopal de Washington
by EDOW | Jun 23, 2022
…lo plantaré; eche ramas y produzca fruto y se convierta en un magnífico cedro. Toda clase de aves anidará en él, y vivirá a la sombra de sus ramas.
Ezequiel 17:23
El Ministerio Latino/Hispano en la Diócesis de Washington ha puesto a prueba muchos modelos de ministerio y formación, desde el primer servicio litúrgico en español que tuvo lugar en 1974 hasta el día de hoy, en el que seguimos buscando nuevas oportunidades para hacer crecer esta vibrante expresión de fe. La diócesis está comprometida a equipar a sus seis comunidades activas de fe para que puedan prosperar tanto hoy como en el futuro.
Parte de este compromiso significa responder a las necesidades de los cambios demográficos en nuestros diversos campos de misión.
La demografía actual y proyectada de la región central del condado de Montgomery ayudó a tomar la decisión reciente de reubicar una de nuestras comunidades de fe latinas de Aspen Hill a Silver Spring, Maryland. De todos los lugares de la Diócesis donde tiene sentido invertir en una comunidad de fe de habla hispana, es éste. Con unos 81.000 habitantes, Silver Spring es la quinta zona más poblada de Maryland y la segunda más poblada del condado de Montgomery. Más del 27% de la población se identifica como latina/hispana. Y de ese 27%, estimamos que unos 14.000 individuos tienen entre 18 y 34 años.
¿Por qué es significativo este número? Porque, como parte de nuestro Plan Estratégico, reconocemos lo vital que es para nuestras comunidades de fe no sólo reflejar la demografía de los lugares de adoración, sino también que las casas de adoración son espacios en los que nuestras nuevas generaciones tienen un sentido de conexión y pertenencia. En el caso de nuestras comunidades latinas/hispanas, esto puede ser especialmente importante para las segundas y terceras generaciones.
Después de un año de discernimiento y de profundizar en los datos demográficos, Misión Buen Pastor, antes conocida como Misa Magdalena, se convirtió en una misión de la Diócesis tras una votación del Consejo Diocesano en marzo de 2022. Es la primera misión de la diócesis en la memoria reciente y el primer relanzamiento de una comunidad de adoración que se centrará en las nuevas generaciones.
Misión Buen Pastor se trasladó a la Iglesia Episcopal del Buen Pastor (Good Shepherd) y celebró su primer servicio el 15 de mayo. Misión Buen Pastor tiene mucho trabajo por delante. Con el liderazgo de la Rvda. Anna Olson, la congregación está explorando valientemente nuevas formas de ser iglesia en su comunidad. La gente está ansiosa y espera servir a la población de habla hispana en el área de Silver Spring/Aspen Hill/Wheaton.
Mildred Briones Reyes
Misionera de Ministerios Latinos/Hispanos e Iniciativas Diocesanas
by EDOW | Jun 23, 2022
…I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.
Ezekiel 17:23
Latino/Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Washington has test driven many models of ministry and formation, from the very first liturgical service in Spanish that took place in 1974 through today, when we continue to seek new opportunities to grow this vibrant expression of faith. The diocese is committed to equipping its six active faith communities so that they may thrive both today and in the future.
Part of this commitment means being responsive to the needs of the changing demographics in our various mission fields.
The current and projected demographics of the Central Montgomery County region helped inform a recent decision to replant one of our Latino faith communities from Aspen Hill to Silver Spring, Maryland. Of all the places in the Diocese where it makes sense to invest in a Spanish speaking faith community, this is it. At roughly 81,000 residents, Silver Spring is the fifth-most populous area in Maryland and the second-most populous in Montgomery County. Over 27% of the population identifies as Latino/Hispanic. And of that 27% percent, we estimate about 14,000 individuals are between the ages of 18-34.
Why is this number significant? Because, as part of our Strategic Plan, we recognize how vital it is for our faith communities not only to reflect the demographics of where they worship, but also that houses of worship are spaces where our rising generations feel a sense of connection and belonging. In the case of our Latino/Hispanic communities, this can be especially important for second and third generations.
Following a year of discernment and digging into the demographic data, Misión Buen Pastor, formerly known as Misa Magdalana, became a mission of the Diocese after a vote by Diocesan Council in March 2022. It is the first mission of the diocese in recent memory and the first relaunch of a worshiping community that will focus on rising generations.
Misión Buen Pastor moved to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and held their first service on May 15. Much work is ahead for Misión Buen Pastor. With the leadership of the Rev. Anna Olson, the congregation is courageously exploring new ways to be church in their community. The people are eager and look forward to serving the Spanish speaking population in the Silver Spring/Aspen Hill/Wheaton area.
Mildred Briones Reyes
Missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministries and Diocesan Initiatives
