Loading...Dear Friends in Christ,
I love to read. I have always loved to read. My parents were readers. When I was a child there was a bookshelf full of books. I used to stand in front of them and stare in wonder, and promised myself that I would read them all. I didn’t read them all, but I did read a great many of them before going into high school. We got the daily paper, Life magazine, Reader’s Digest, and a host of other magazines. I have had a subscription, off and on, of Reader’s Digest since then. Now I read it on my e-reader.
October’s issue had an article that really grabbed my attention. It was by a teacher. The title of the article was “I Wish My Teacher Knew…” The writer says as a new teacher she wanted to get to know her students, many of whom came from underprivileged homes. She asked them to complete the sentence “I wish my teacher knew…” She received some very honest responses that gave her great insight. One student wrote “I wish my teacher knew sometimes my reading log is not signed because my mom is not around a lot.” Another wrote “I wish my teacher knew how much I missed my dad. He was deported to Mexico when I was three years old.” She posted one on twitter - “I wish my teacher knew I don’t have pencils at home to do my homework.” That one brought many responses not only from other teachers but from other professionals. An Admiral held an “I wish my admiral knew…” session. A counselor tried “I wish my therapist knew…” Advocacy groups used it to show some light on how people cope with disease. “I wish people knew that diabetes…”
It made me think, what is it I should know about my parishioners that could help me be a better servant. So, I am asking you to complete this sentence “I wish my priest knew…” You can send it to me by email or snail mail. The addresses are in this newsletter. The responses will be held in confidence, but I would like to share some of them. Names, of course, would be deleted.
I feel that many of you do share your life with me and let me know what I need to know, but not everyone does or feels like he or she can. You do not have to respond, but if there is something I need to know about you or our life as a church that will help me be a better priest to you and to others, then please let me know.
The Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, was elected and confirmed to be the next Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church at the 78th General Convention on June 27. According to the Canons of The Episcopal Church, he becomes Presiding Bishop and Primate on November 1. Bishop Curry is the first African-American to be elected Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Bishop Curry will be the 27th Presiding Bishop, the Primate, and the Chief Pastor of The Episcopal Church. He will also serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society and chair of the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church.
The service will be reflective of the comprehensiveness of the Episcopal tradition and community. Bishop Curry will preach at the service. The Holy Eucharist will be a live webcast
On demand video of the Eucharist will be available. Go to the Episcopal Church webpage for more information.
I thank you for letting me serve you. I am blessed for it. May God continue to bless you and our parishes.
In Christ’s Love,
Father Russ
