Be merciful, as your Father in heaven is merciful." These words are from Jesus to the disciples. Mercy is at the very heart of God. Mercy is at the heart of our calling towards others. Mercy has the siblings of love and compassion—these are the things of God and the things of Christian moral vision.
The Church must have a vision for this world; as the book of Proverbs says, "without a vision, the people perish." Our witness as the church is always before us in this life. Calling for mercy in this life is not about identity politics, but the politics of our identity as Christians. Our identity as followers of Christ demand certain things of us and to deny this is to have forsaken the narrow gate of which Jesus speaks; it is to deny the cross of Christ. My witness and your witness to Jesus in this life matter, and I want to say: it matters as much today as it ever has in this world.
This Sunday, in my Annual Address, I will speak of three things: 1) the great work and ministry of our parish over the past year; 2) updates about our Building for the Ages Campaign and building improvements; 3) our witness as the church today.
I look forward to being with you on Sunday for a time of celebration and reflection together,
Rev. Nick
