What are my prayers and my dreams for the Anglican Church in 2019? I remember someone saying that when you ask people what their dreams are for their parish, diocese, national church and the Anglican Communion, the trick is not to tell them that they are really praying. Our dreams are our prayers.
First of all, I would see the Church being strong, loving and wise. Strong enough to stand up for what it believes to be right. Loving enough to live together in spite of our differences and difficulties. Wise enough to steer a path that will carry us forward to 2019 and for years beyond.
Martin H. from Edmonton has provided us with a wonderful image in the parable of the snake. While it continues to be a snake, it periodically renews itself by shedding its skin. It does not look back to what its skin used to be but forward to what it may become. While continuing to be the Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, as a constituent member of the Anglican Communion continues to grow, to face old and new challenges, to continually reflect on what it means to be the people of God in God’s world.
May we recognize each other, walk together in spite of differences in race, colour, doctrinal positions, gender, sexual orientation, financial status, seeing God’ s love reflected to all person in each other, One of my favourite quotes is from Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “there is nothing we can do that will make God love us less, there is nothing we can do that will make God love us more,”
My academic interest is the development of the Church and Christian doctrine and theology. St. Athanasius was exiled from Rome at least six times before his view of the Trinity was accepted as orthodox. Wecannot expect to solved all the questions surrounding human sexuality and other isuues in twenty of thirty or forty years. We need to walk together respecting both those who want change and those who do not.
I remember a prayer that Bishop Timothy Matthew used to us, it is most applicable to the church today
May the Lord Jesus who walks with wounded feet
walk with you to the end of the road
May the Lord Jesus who serves with wounded hands, help you to serve one another.
May the Lord Jesus who loves with a wounded heart be your love.
Bless God where ever you go, and may you find the face of the Lord Jesus in the face of every one you meet.
May God bless us all.
Warren M.
