I thank you for calling me to a second term as bishop. I am honored and to be on this journey with you all. Below is a shortened version of the speech I gave during our last Synod Assembly.
Beloveds in Christ, there’s a lot happening in our world. You know this. And it’s easy to get overwhelmed or discouraged. But let me say this clearly: There is no better time than now to be the church. The world is complex and the work before us might be at times frustrating and messy and hard. And yet, I truly believe that in this complicated moment in time, for the sake of every beloved child of God, we are called to be the church of Jesus Christ.
And Christ is calling us for this moment – not to fear, but to love. Not to look backward, but forward. Not to hide, but to hope. Not to retreat, but to rise. Not to hate, but to love. Now is the time. Rooted in God’s presence and promise through Jesus the risen Christ - now is the time to stand in courage and truth. There is no better time than now to be the church.
Six years ago, when you called me to serve as your bishop, I promised – through the power of the Holy Spirit – that together we would focus on four things:
- We would walk alongside both traditional congregations and new ministries – honoring sacred practices while also innovating.
- We would deepen lay leadership across the synod – building richer, more vibrant communities of faith.
- We would strengthen relationships with our ecumenical and interfaith partners.
- We would listen to and lift up the diverse voices around us and amongst us – especially those who have long been silenced or marginalized.
In these last six years we have made great strides in all of these four areas. We haven’t always been perfect. We have learned, reflected, and grown. And yet, even through COVID and all the challenges and complexities that have come in these six years, by the Spirit’s breath and power, we are practicing these things together. Thanks be to God!
Now, in these days and as we look ahead to the next six years, I feel the Spirit calling us to something more. Let us be the church that publicly leads in love.
- In a time of rising hate speech, we are called to speak boldly – in love.
- As Christian nationalism distorts our faith, we are called to publicly resist – in love.
- When people are erased or excluded, we are called to uphold every person’s dignity and act for justice - in love.
Above all things, through all things, in everything we do and say, we are called to live and move and breathe in Christ’s love and, in this love, love every person – even those we are tempted to call our enemies. For we hold the promise that no matter what comes, Jesus Christ who died and is risen lives and moves and breathes in us. And Christ calls us not to fear, not to hate, but to love – to radically love.
I look forward to partnering with you for the next six years. I am grateful to be church together. For truly, we are chosen, forgiven, gathered and sent in Christ’s name and love for the sake of the world. Beloveds in Christ, let us show the world what it means to love in Christ. For there is no better time than now to be the church.
Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee
-
Location