Rector's Forums on Same Sex Blessings
St. David’s Episcopal Church and School Vision:
To know Christ and make Christ known
in a Covenant Community
where no one stands alone
and lives are transformed.
To know Christ and make Christ known
in a Covenant Community
where no one stands alone
and lives are transformed.
St. David's is a truly remarkable covenant community, Spirit-filled and committed to knowing Christ, and making Christ known, a witness to God’s transforming power. The Holy Spirit is working here, present in our first forum on blessing same sex unions on March 19, and in our subsequent conversations, discernment and prayers.
In those conversations, I have been blessed to see that St. David’s is filled with faithful people who desire to honor God and God’s word in this place and in our lives. I have heard a deep commitment to faithful interpretation of scripture and questions about how we respond faithfully to God’s call to us. I have heard a deep desire to please God and a deep love of St. David’s and the community we share. I have heard loving hearts responding as honestly and clearly as possible. Our invitation is to see the face of Christ in every person, to open our hearts and minds to listen, and to leave room for the Holy Spirit to move in our midst.
Clearly, this is a conversation that is just beginning. Our first session was honest and difficult. I am committed to creating safe space for all voices, and discerning as a community where God is leading us.
I have not made a decision about my performing blessing of same sex unions at St. David’s, and my commitment is to engage the parish in longer term discernment before making that decision. An ongoing conversation and discernment over time will be most helpful. I propose meeting regularly with prayer and scripture and study together in community. These meetings are not for the purpose of changing anyone's mind but rather to understand one another and discern God’s path for St. David’s. This process would include everyone who wants to participate, and involve digging deep into the Word of God, which will be essential to all of us as we seek understanding in our covenant community.
Our next forum is scheduled for April 9, Wednesday evening and will be held in the narthex. I am asking for questions in advance of that meeting, not to edit or control but to provide a safe venue for everyone to ask questions, and so we are sure to address everyone’s concerns. Please e-mail me at rector@sdlife.org, call me at 571-236-7749
571-236-7749, or call the church office and leave comments/questions with Liz. I will not identify names of people with questions without their express approval. Questions can be anonymous if you wish.Please feel free to call me, e-mail or come in and talk as we engage in this work together. My heartfelt prayer is that we continue to hold one another in prayer as we discern together. These conversations are hard and St. David’s has the courage and heart to engage the tough questions and remain one body in Christ.
I welcome your thoughts as always and value your input. Every voice is valuable. I am happy to arrange a time to talk by phone or in person, tomorrow or Friday. My prayer is that you will remain engaged as we do this work seeking God's will and seeing Christ's face in each other.
Mary Kay+
