Winter 2014 ConnectionsIowa VOLUME 1, NUMBER 4 From the Bishop Convention Sermon The following sermon was preached by Bishop Alan Scarfe at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Des Moines, during the 162nd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa on October 25, 2014. (Readings: Zechariah 8: 3-12, 16-17; 1 Peter 4: 7-11; Matthew 10: 32-42) To conclude the Convention with the Eucharist creates a different opportunity for the preacher. I get the chance for one final word of encouragement, one more go around at underlining the emphasis of our time together; and one more opportunity to give thanks to God and to you for your faithfulness as the children of God who take the words of Peter Bishop Alan Scarfe at 162nd Annual Convention of the seriously, and seek to “serve God in the strength of Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. the resources God gives you”. calls us all to the singular baptismal ministry of It has been a remarkable Convention. I sensed reconciliation. That we all may be one is not just an from the opening liturgy that this was a time through ecumenical call. It is a directive for the entire human which God sought to convert us, to change the race. direction of our lives and mission. I hope we do not Recognition – sight – enlightenment- awakening forget the faces we have seen at our tables, and on the - opening our eyes – visioning – focusing – noticing videos these past two days. Nor forget the challenge – these are all words that are the fruit of the Gospel. before us to seek and serve Christ in all persons and They are signs that God is at work. particularly “the suffering, the friendless, and the This year I attended a couple of funerals of needy” as the Collect for today reminds us. prominent people in this Diocese. Pete Harris was I was glad to see how the Matthew version of Jesus one of them. And I particularly remember being call to be servants as He came to serve and not be struck by the relationships being testified to that he served connects with the story of blind Bartimaeus. embraced, or that people were thankful for. This If Jesus was to ask you that one thing as He did came from co-workers, but also neighbors and Bartimaeus –“what would you have me do for you?” community members. Relationships require seeing – what would your answer be? Would it be the same your neighbor in a knowing way. It also includes as Bartimaeus? “Lord, that I might see again”. Or seeing the stranger as somebody worthy of love and even more – “Lord, that I might see as You see”. relationship. Seeing again isn’t a bad request in itself. But “Just Faith” has been a large part of this seeking God’s view of things would appear a stronger Convention. And I anticipate our partnership agreed request, yet one which we might not be able to bear. to through the budget process will grow more deeply In his famous meditation on this story, connected roots in years to come. One program Archbishop Anthony Bloom reflects that we all need they have is an eight session module on a single topic to acknowledge our blindness before we can call out for the intervention of the One passing by, who is Continued on page 3 the Light of the world. For, it is the accumulation of IOWA CONNECTIONS what we do not see in our lifetime that has us in need Winter 2014 Lydia Bucklin, Editor of the mercy of the Son of David. Certainly we have Iowa Connections is published quarterly by The Episcopal been focusing on those in society who have become Diocese of Iowa, 225 37th Street, Des Moines, IA 50312. invisible to us, perhaps often to make our own lives (515) 277-6165. www.iowaepiscopal.org more comfortable. A great part of the mission of PUB ID# 12160. Periodical Postage Paid in Des Moines, God is to shine light into dark places, and to call us IA and additional mailing offices. to recognize that God’s purpose is to invite us to be POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: Iowa one as a people even as God is one. The Trinity itself Connections, PO Box 937 Bellmawr NJ 08099-0937 is recognition that Diversity is Unity, and Unity is Address changes may be sent to episcopaljournal@ Diversity. And so it is expected that the Prayer Book aflwebprinting.com Winter 2014 IOWA CONNECTIONS 3 Convention Sermon Continued from page 2 – immigration for example. And there is one that I always amazes me whenever I have to have my caught my eye – again there is the seeing reference. eyes dilated by the ophthalmologist just how much It was entitled “In the footsteps of St Francis light there is in this world. It is overwhelming to the and the Sultan: an invitation to Muslim–Christian very naked eye. I hope that the sharing of actions dialogue”. The advertising brochure carried the and insights of love this weekend has had a dilating striking title: “From Syria to Ferguson, West Africa effect on you. to the West Bank, the world cries out to be heard. In We choose how much shade we desire to live in. dark times, where is the light? Who is listening?” Unlike Bartimaeus we control our darkness. For we This is what the Bartimaeus within us cries out as live in a different time, marked by the impact of the Jesus passes by. And Jesus answers the question and One who rose from the dead. shows that He is listening. Jesus stops and gives us Death has lost its sting; love has overcome hatred; His time. He calls us over to Him but then He asks and light has scattered the darkness. All is so, and “what do you want Me to do for you?” We have to can be so if we open our eyes to it. articulate our need. And then He gives light into our In Zechariah’s words – children can play in the beggar’s darkness as we reply: “That we might see streets if we simply allow it and imagine it. Old men again. And even that we might see with Your eyes”. and old women can do what we love to do best – Peter calls this “maintaining constant love for one to sit and talk of our lives as they stretch over the another. Love that covers a multitude of sins”. All years, sharing those fond memories that enrich all our past histories with one another personally and humanity if we dare stop, acknowledge and listen. as peoples of the earth; all our blindness that has All is possible, if we would simply allow it and created systems of such great injustice and inequity; imagine it. all the frame works we have built that are preserved “From Syria to Ferguson; for West Africa to the only by keeping people out of sight lest we feel guilt West Bank, who will hear our cries? In dark times – or shame; all of these things are covered over by where is the light? Who is listening?” love’s power to forgive and move on. And yet it calls “I am” says I AM WHO I AM. I remain with for us to come out into the open. you. I see you. I Am as revealed in Jesus Christ, and There is little opportunity for love and forgiveness present in the Church in all of you through the Holy when we cannot see each other. When we only Spirit. I AM THE LIGHT and I AM LISTENING. see each other trough the disfiguring lenses of “What would you have ME do for you?” our religious fanaticism or the scorning specter We get to choose our response. God offers the of history; if we only see each other through the possibility of re-imagining. Will we take it? Dare we technological screen that reduces mass killing to take it? “Lord, that I might see again”. And so it is the level of a video game; if we only see people according to His word. Amen as numbers and computerized data within our economic system; if we only see each other through the discriminatory sites of racial and ethnic prejudice – darkness prevails and the blind continue to lead the blind. We will all fall into a single ditch which Jesus alone has the authority to call the abyss. “From Syria to Ferguson; from West Africa to the West Bank, in the dark times where is the light? Who is listening?” Jesus stops and calls us over. “What do you want me to do for you?’ “That I might see again.” “That I might see like You” Can we admit our blindness? All this new light begins by our admitting that we embrace Bartimaeus. Are we ready for the stunning flow of light of the love of God? 4 IOWA CONNECTIONS Winter 2014 Gathering and Sending: Jezreel explores what it means to be in relationship with God By Lacey Howard word political statement, program, “I will focus not just As Jack Jezreel’s words rang ‘Everyone is precious to God on collecting items for need, but out in the banquet room at the and therefore to me’,” said youth will also focus on visiting those Downtown Des Moines Marriott delegate Tiffany Farrell from who we are giving the items to. Hotel on Friday, October 24, it Trinity Waterloo. A little of our time may be all a pierced the hearts of many of Another memorable line Jezreel person needs to get through the Iowa’s Episcopalians who had attributed to Pope Francis: No day.