February 7 & 8, 2020 were amazing here in metro-Detroit. The Episcopal Presiding Bishop, Michael B. Curry, was in town for the Consecration of our new diocesan Bishop, Bonnie A. Perry. There are many web-places to enjoy scenes from that weekend, such as our diocesan site www.EDOMI.org
Spending time with PB Michael is always a treat. Ever since the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, where Bishop Curry was the preacher, he is truly the most famous Episcopalian in the world. He still preaches love, of course. But against a backdrop of harsher times and darker spirits at work.
Bishop Curry told us of his recent experiences among other bishops, and archbishops (called Primates) of the Anglican Communion. Specifically, there is a worldwide tendency toward fascism and suppression of freedoms. Not only in our country but in many others. And what will Christians do about it? He asked us to set aside time — suggesting Wednesdays starting in Lent — to fast and pray for the healing of our country and the casting out of the world’s darkness. Quoting Dr Martin Luther King Jr: Darkness cannot cast out the darkness, only light can do that. The Light of Jesus Christ.
The Episcopal Church has got other amazing preachers. Listen to +Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows’ sermon that starts at 1:33:15 of the Consecration video, for instance. On Saturday, Bishop Baskerville-Burrows enjoined us to “trust the waters” of our creation and our baptism into Christ’s Body, the Church, as we “paddle” with our new bishop (an avid kayaker) toward justice and healing.
And when she stepped into the pulpit for the first time as Bishop of Michigan, Bonnie Perry preached the most concrete challenge of all: “Mind the gaps” between rich and poor, black and white, and help her, help God, dismantle all that divides the children of God in SE Michigan. “What if…” she proposed… What if we really do notice injustices, and take action? What if we actually dare to break the bonds of oppression, and set the captives free, quoting Isaiah’s vision.
These are no mean feats. But our life, our world, depends on our success. The Gospel stories we hear, week in and week out, as followers of Jesus demonstrate that sitting on our hinies isn’t an option. How will we be salt and light? What will we do, when next we see the gap? I’m grateful that our leaders are pointing the ways forward.