“So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:7
Dear Friends:
Sometimes, I imagine we all wonder who to follow; especially in times of uncertainty. Who is our true leader? Where do we keep our allegiance? At the same time, we may ask what type of leadership is effective? Some leaders are pacesetters and lead effectively by getting out in front. Others find themselves more involved by leading from behind, encouraging input and ownership from the flock. Some leaders involve themselves fully in the mix, coaching teams to bond, in an effort to invite folks into a new vision. In our world today, both near and far, we are facing a crisis that requires a variety of leadership styles. Most importantly, we want to be led with truth and love. Jesus is our leader.
Jesus is known to refer to himself as the Good Shepherd. This Sunday, Easter IV, is typically what the church refers to as the Good Shepherd Sunday. We join in reading our favorite Psalm 23, “the Lord is my Shepherd”. We learn from the book of Acts of the community, the flock of believers, who come to unite and share in the name of the church. In John’s gospel, Jesus, in his leadership, refers to himself as a gate of the sheepfold. Through him, we come in and we go out and we find pasture and life to the fullest as intended for us by God. On Sunday, as we gather for Family Worship, bring the children around to share in the good news of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who is our gate to safety and the door to freedom with Jesus always by our side. Log onto
click on the worship bulletin and join in the live stream online worship.
Now, I imagine folks are fully engaged in the life-style change of working and schooling from our sheepfold of home where limited trips to the store with masks, constant hand washing and a practice of social distancing are giving a whole new definition to living in the community of family. This is challenging work and you are an exceptional people embracing this new normal. You’ve adapted with patience and compassion. Now, more than ever, as the sheep of his pasture, we need one another. We may not be gathering in person to share with one another Christ’s community of love. But, we are still the sheep of his pasture. Perhaps during this time, take a minute to check in by phone call or text to others connected to Epiphany. Let folks know you’re praying for them. Reach out to your vestry who are engaging in leadership more than ever during this time. Offer to help where you can. You have gifts that may very well be of great comfort to those in leadership. Talk with folks about where Jesus is leading us now? Are we following? Breathe deep my friends, and allow the peace of the good shepherd to surround you with a loving embrace. He is the gate to our going in and our going out. But, always, he is with us, providing us all we need whether in the protection of the fold, or, outside where he truly walks by our side, leading with understanding as we venture forth into what is often an unknown.
Sometimes, stepping outside the sheepfold is an opportunity into giving and receiving. Please, with social distancing and mask wearing, consider helping on Mondays and Tuesday with the Food Pantry. This ministry, shared with Community of Faith, each week, gives away boxes of food to the under resourced. The Food Pantry needs your help. Pack food. Carry food to waiting cars. Let me know if you’d like to help and I’ll happily arrange for you to be connected with the Food Pantry. We need you.
Thank you for your continued generous giving to God’s good work in the life of Epiphany. Giving is as easy as a tap of the finger on line: https://onrealm.org/EpiphanyEpiscopal/-/give/now
Your staff are still working faithfully in the continuation of church work. We look different. But, we’re here. The building does not have its usual activity. Preschool is suspended and our tenants are adhering to the “stay at home” policy. Consequently, rent payments have been reduced in an effort to help all during this time. Your vestry very astutely applied for the PPP loan and we’ve yet to learn of the results of that request. We can give thanks for our leadership who give so abundantly of their time, talent and treasure, assuring that Epiphany continues in its many ministries and worship.
Trust in your leadership my friends. Jesus is holding the gate securely as we go in and go out.
“See” you on Sunday. Stay well. You remain in my prayers for wholeness and thanksgiving.
Blessings,
Hillary