Following Jesus in Complicated Times

Beloved,

We’ll soon be releasing an updated version of the ECMN Re-Gathering Plan, which will include some more detailed guidance for faith communities as we continue to plan for the coming months. The new guidance lays out the public health benchmarks that must be met before we reopen our buildings for worship, and a process for faith communities to use to make plans in their own contexts.

It feels like a strange time to be thinking about regathering indoors, especially as we are seeing a new surge in cases across the state and the nation. I want to be clear that it does not seem to me that we will be able to safely re-open anytime soon, and I continue to be convinced that we are being most faithful by proceeding with an abundance of caution. However, given that we will be in this for the long haul, and the complexities involved with navigating through this, it makes sense for us to establish a frame for our discernment, and begin making some plans.

Regardless, it is my fervent hope that we will always keep foremost in our minds the question of what it means to follow Jesus, to choose love, and to let the Holy Spirit lead. 

I am also working with elected leaders in ECMN, experts in the wider church, and others to continue to plan for what this year's diocesan convention will look like. Gathering as a deliberative body, where the voices of all the baptized are equally represented in common discernment, is central to who we are as Episcopalians. The limitations of virtual gatherings make it exceedingly difficult to do that deliberation truly and well, so we are working to find a way to gather that accomplishes the basic business of the diocese without trying to do more than is strictly possible and faithful. We are hoping to send out detailed information and registration next week.  

In these complex and challenging days, I am especially grateful that ECMN is blessed with an abundance of outstanding lay and ordained leaders, who are helping us to navigate the way forward as faithfully as we can. In even a few short months, I have been immeasurably blessed to be surrounded by such great colleagues in this work. 

The Right Reverend Craig Loya
X Bishop
Episcopal Church in Minnesota