Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ!
January of this year saw two distinctly different yet fruitful meetings, both of which have a significant impact on our diocese and one on the wider Anglican Communion. On a local level, clergy and lay delegates came together for the forty-seventh annual Diocesan Convention at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy where, over two days, worship, fellowship, elections and discussions were the focus. Internationally, Anglican Primates gathered in Canterbury, England for a weeklong face-to-face meeting dedicated to prayer, visioning, and extended conversation over the future of our church. I am encouraged by these two meetings and what they mean for the Diocese of Central Florida.
In keeping with our convention’s theme “For the Sake of our Future,” I dedicated a large portion of my address to diocesan youth responses to these two questions: “How does the church make a difference in your life?” and “What does a Christian leader look like?” Although seemingly simple, the responses elicited were far from simplistic. The teens spoke from the heart about acceptance, the truth and power of scripture, intercessory prayer, community, witness, and mission. Their answers serve as a striking reminder of that for which we as a collective body should strive. Raising up this next generation of Episcopalians gives me great hope and faith in the unifying power of our shared Christian belief.
Likewise, the gathering of Anglican Primates garnered a similar sense of “being in this together.” As I wrote in my January 18 statement on the Primates Meetingmeeting, Eucharist was celebrated, feet were washed, hard and honest conversations were held, and all was bathed in concerted intercessory prayers with the results as follows:
- A profound commitment on the part of the Primates to walk together
- An affirmation of the biblical doctrine of marriage
- Negative consequences for those branches of the Communion who choose not to walk together, including a three-year moratorium on any members of The Episcopal Church serving on any ecumenical or interfaith bodies as a result of The Episcopal Church changing the biblical doctrine of marriage
- Condemnation of the criminalization of gay relationships
- Affirmation of the centrality of evangelism
- Discussion of the problems of tribalism and corruption in parts of the communion as well as the challenge of refugees
- Affirmation of a meeting of all bishops at Lambeth in 2020
- A cordial welcome of Foley Beach, Archbishop of the Anglian Church in North America, as a participant in conversations
- Discussion of religious violence
- An ecumenical and permanent date for Easter in conjunction with the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches
Despite the divisions among the Primates in attendance, it is remarkable and an answer to prayer that notes of humility, mutual servanthood, and unity marked this meeting. I am also heartened that this meeting was not entirely given over to dealing with disagreements; the commitment to unity became the ground from which important talks about evangelism, religious violence, and other urgent matters received their rightful place. This meeting of the Primates is a clear signal that global Anglicanism has a significant future, and I find that deeply promising.
Over the past few months, I have become friends with The Most Reverend Josiah Idowu-Fearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. In his role as the right hand for Archbishop Justin Welby, Archbishop Josiah oversees the effectiveness of the Anglican Communion, its structures and programs, and serves as a bridge builder to effect healing among churches in the Communion. I have had the privilege of meeting Archbishop Josiah in person on two occasions where I was struck by his discernment, encouragement, and unwavering commitment to a unified Communion. At a time when there are large divisions within The Episcopal Church, I know God is at work in the timing of the blessing of this new partnership with The Most Reverend Idowu-Fearon.
Archbishop Josiah believes strongly in the good happening in our diocese and wants to work with Communion Partner Bishops to keep The Episcopal Church alive within the Anglican Communion. As a reflection of his dedication to our diocese and an interest in meeting all of you who work to make us the thriving example that we are, The Most Reverend Idowu-Fearon will travel to Central Florida May 19-22, 2016 to lead a Clergy Day at Canterbury, present a lecture open to all in the diocese at The Church of St. Luke and St. Peter in St. Cloud, and preach at a Eucharist at the Cathedral. More information about this landmark visitation by Archbishop Josiah can be found in this issue of the Central Florida Episcopalian and will be publicized via email, social media, and our website.
I remain inspired by you and emboldened about what the future holds for our diocese and the wider Anglican Communion.
Blessings and grace to you,
Gregory O. Brewer
Bishop