The Church of the Messiah

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the re-opening of public worship intended for this weekend will be postponed until next Sunday, July 5th.  We apologize for the late notice, the inconvenience, and the disappointment that accompanies this news.  We know how excited everyone was to gather again together and worship The Lord.  We look forward to doing so next Sunday.  Our service this Sunday, June 28th, will be streamed on Facebook Live as it has been in the past.  Please share this message on your personal social media pages in order to get the message out to as many people as possible.

Starting Sunday, July 5th, Church of the Messiah will hold its first worship service that will be open to the public since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic in March.  Ft. Caroline Presbyterian Church, the church from whom we lease our building, is graciously allowing us to worship in their sanctuary throughout the month of July.  Their sanctuary can seat up to 300 people, so our congregation may gather together once again and still maintain appropriate social distancing as is prudent for the day and age.  We are so excited to be able to worship together (in person) once again after worshiping together on-line for four months.

We are not pretending, however, that the Corona Virus is gone.  We ask the those whom the Centers for Disease Control considers especially vulnerable or at higher risk for infection (older adults, those with lung, heart, or liver disease, or those with autoimmune issues) to prayerfully consider staying home.  At the same time, we must insist that those who feel sick, or those who have been in contact with anyone has been sick or who might possibly have COVID-19 stay home.  Church of the Messiah has been blessed with a phenomenal record thus far of zero infections and we do not want that record to ever come to an end.  For the sake of those who are either unable to attend or uncomfortable attending public services at this point in time, we will continue streaming our Sunday morning services live on Facebook.

We will be working with Fr. Looker, the Rector’s Council, and various ministry leaders throughout the week in order to ensure that we are able to worship The Lord in the most glorious way possible while also being as safe as possible.  There are a great many moving parts that are still being adjusted and will likely continue to be adjusted very late into the week.  For the latest updates, please check our social media on Facebook or Instagram and this web-page.  Also, Wednesday night at 7 o’clock, Fr. Looker will dedicate his entire Fireside Chat to providing the most up to date information about the upcoming service so please watch that podcast on our Facebook or YouTube channel.

Ultimately, we are so blessed that we will be able to worship together this Sunday, June 28th, starting at 10 o’clock, in the sanctuary of Ft. Caroline Presbyterian Church.  Please keep an eye out for more information this week as it becomes available.

A Pandemic Pentecost

Here in the United States, the president said that the country would be reopening by Easter.  He was certainly optimistic.  But, after seeking the advice of medical professionals and epidemiologists, as well as other counsel, he changed his date, and here we are in May still debating when will be a good date to start reopening the country and lessening restrictions.  Ultimately, I guess, the real end of this pandemic will be when we have a vaccine. Given that, there is a lot of debate about when we will have a vaccine.

I have been home and in my “bedroom office” since March 17.  This “isolation” has been called a quarantine, a lockdown, and staying safe.  In some places in the United States, the governments are enforcing, not only stay home orders but wearing masks and social distancing, with large fines if the rules are not followed.  There are already battles in the courts about whether the government has the authority to enforce these “regulations.”

I prefer to call my “isolation” a “seclusion.”

Certainly the fact that there is a coronavirus and a pandemic has influenced my decision to stay home.  I am sure I would not have chosen it by myself, especially since I am presently confined with three children – a two-year-old, a four-year-old, and a thirteen-year-old (a quarantween).

So early on I decided that I would offer this time to the Lord and work to build into my schedule more time for prayer, study, meditation, inward digestion of God’s word.  It would become a time to remove the things of the world and seek the Lord Jesus, knowing in this pandemic, and always, He was seeking me.

I have been drawn to the resources of the internet, especially on social media.  I have been able to pray with people, attend virtual Eucharists, and listen in on the preaching of so many men of God.  I have been so encouraged and edified by these words.  I have even gone out in social media world and I am live streaming a personal reflection on Scripture at 1 p.m. daily.

Early on I was struck by the hoarding of toilet paper by many Americans.  I am still not sure what that was all about.  But it struck me as extremely funny and people began sharing memes about the “Toilet Paper Crisis.”  There is even a Facebook group based on the “Crisis.”  I saw advertised tee shirts that said, “I survived the 2020 Toilet Paper Crisis.”  I was tempted to purchase that tee-shirt but decided not to because the real crisis is the death of thousands of people from this disease, and there is nothing funny about it.

However, I am sure there will be tee shirts, coffee mugs, bumper stickers, and other items put up for sale, after the pandemic passes. They will say, “I survived COVID 19,” or the “coronavirus,” or the “Pandemic.”  This pandemic will be a defining moment for many people as other historic events like 9/11 are defining moments.

In prayer, it came to me that this time needs to be more than “survival.”  If I made it a time set apart for the Lord, it could easily become a time of “revival.”  I didn’t want to come out of this time merely having survived, so that when the “crisis” ends I or the church go back to normal, or the Church got back to normal (perhaps with the addition of new technology).   I wanted it to be a time when I had turned away from all those things that have distracted me from picking up my cross and following Jesus.

I am seeking a new and renewed personal Pentecost.  I am praying that our Churches encounter a renewed Pentecost with fire and wind and zeal for the Lord Jesus.  Zeal that will force us out of “Upper Rooms” and into the streets. A Church proclaiming that Jesus is the Savior and that all who call upon Him will be saved.

Having gone out on social media with my own live stream and talking to others, we have discovered, by the number of views, that there is a hunger for the Gospel.  One Bishop is hosting a morning prayer meeting and thousands from around the world are joining him in prayer.  Small churches that have consistent attendance of 30 to 50 people are having hundreds join them via Facebook or YouTube.  Sometimes people, like myself, are listening to several sermons a day or attending online bible studies or small groups.  And, people who are not members of their Church are joining in on the study.  It is a new day.

Looks like Pentecost Sunday will be different (like Easter).  But let us pray that the Holy Spirit finds us as empty vessels ready to be filled again.  Let us be found ready to be used by the Lord Jesus, and to be empowered with the spiritual gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ, and for the evangelization of the world.  Let Pentecost be the beginning of a new day.

I continue to pray for each of you.

Under His mercy,

+Craig Bates
ICCEC, Patriarch

In his Easter message, the Patriarch of the ICCEC, Archbishop Craig Bates encouraged all members of the communion to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them in this season and watch various CEC services that are available on-line.  (You can read his entire message by clicking HERE.)  To that end, we have compiled a partial and incomplete list of services and devotions that various churches and clergy are streaming on-line, including the Patriarch’s own daily devotional that can be seen on his Facebook page.

Morning Prayer from the Daily Office

Christ the Holy Servant, Buffalo, NY—Fr. Josh Baker & Dcn. Alan Strauss:  They lead Morning Prayer, Monday through Saturday at 7 o’clock, on Facebook and post their services on their YouTube Channel as well.

Daily Mass

Cathedral of Christ the King, Selma, AL—Abp. Charles Jones: The stream their noon Eucharist and Sunday services on their Facebook and YouTube.  Abp. Jones also does and Monday night “In Christ” devotional on his personal Facebook page.

Cathedral Church of the Intercessor, Malverne, NY—Fr. Brett Crompton: They stream Mass Monday through Saturday at noon, Friday at 6, and Saturday at 9:30 & 11:30 on both Facebook and YouTube.

Cathedral of Christ the King, New Paltz, NY—Bp. Gregory Ortiz: Monday, Wedneday, and Friday, Mass is at noon.  Thursday and Saturday, Mass is at 8 am.  Tuesday, Mass is at 5:30 pm.  Sunday morning services start at 10 am.  They also post a children’s story time.  Everything is on their Facebook page.

Cathedrals and Bishops

The Cathedral Church of the Resurrection—Bp. David Simpson: Full Sunday morning services begin live at 10 am on Facebook.

The Cathedral of Christ the King, Sharpsburg, GA—Bp. David Epps: The church has been posting their services live on their Facebook page and Bp. Epps has been doing brief daily devotionals and leading the Office of Compline (end of day prayers) on his Facebook page.

Cathedral Church of the King, Olathe, KS—Bp. Michael Davidson: Services are on their Facebook page.

Cathedral of St. Michael’s, San Clemente, CA—Bp. Doug Kessler and these guys get the award for the most cleverly named extra activity.  Fr. Ed Harris and his wife Mia give an online talk which he calls his “Ed Talk.”  Their services and their Ed Talks are on their Facebook page.

The Cathedral Church of the Reconciliation, Bel Air, MD—Bp. Robert Northwood: North America’s newest bishop is streaming his services on-line on their Facebook page.

Other Parishes and Missions

St. Michael & All Angels, Thomaston, GA—Fr. Michael Birdsong 

Emmaus Abbey Church, Knoxville, TN—Fr. Brett Travis

Trinity Communion Church, Rochester, NY—Fr. Eric Ockrin

Holy Trinity, Stewartstown, PA—Fr. Mark Nelson

Bread of Life, Dousman, WI—Fr. Chris Keough: Bread of Life is the parish that is closest to my seminary, but only just opened as I was leaving.  Fr. Chris is a fellow alumni of my alma mater or, as we refer to ourselves, a “son of the House.”

International Flavor

ICCEC Europe—Bp. Elmer Belmonte:  Bp. Belmonte oversees all of the CEC churches in Europe.  This Facebook page has daily devotionals as well as Sunday services, an Easter message from the Patriarch, and is definitely worth following!

The Patriarch has encouraged us to take full advantage of the abundance of talented three-streams preachers that are now available on the internet, both on Facebook and YouTube.  Take a few moments each day and watch a sermon from a faithful bishop or priest.  Watch a daily devotional and pray the Daily Office.  Come out of this season not overwhelmed by fear and doubt but empowered by the Word of God and fed by His Spirit and Truth!

This Sunday, April 5th, marks the beginning of the holiest week of the Christian calendar, however, this year, COVID-19 has changed the way that Christians will be observing Holy Week throughout the world.  On Wednesday, April 1st, both the Mayor of Jacksonville and the Governor of Florida issued their own “Safer at Home” orders directing non-essential businesses to close, residents to stay home unless on essential activities, and for everyone to maintain safe social distancing practices.

Thankfully, Governor DeSantis’ executive order specifically declares that churches and other houses of worship are essential during this time, but we will not do anything that might endanger either our congregation or those with whom they might come in contact.  The verse that Fr. Looker said would guide our actions during this time is still 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  We will continue to do everything that we can to share the love of God, but we will do so in a prudent way that makes every use of the sound minds which God has given us.

Recognizing that this current crisis makes for very fluid circumstances, here are our plans at the moment.  We will continue to live stream our Sunday morning services via Facebook Live.  We will do so with a skeleton crew that will be ten people or less, which follows the CDC recommendations and our Bishop’s directives.  Those people who are present in the building will do their best to maintain a healthy 6 feet of social distance whenever possible.  We will provide Holy Communion through the Host only to those who are present in the Sanctuary and those who join us in the parking lot at the designated times.  We believe that this allows us to be in submission to all of our earthly authorities while still remaining faithful to our heavenly authority which calls us to preach the Gospel at all times, and in all places; to be a light which shines in the darkness; and to bring hope to those who otherwise might have none.

In particular, we will hold our Palm Sunday service on Sunday, April 5th, beginning at 10 o’clock.  We will live stream the service through Facebook Live and those wishing to receive Holy Communion may do so in our parking lot from around 11 o’clock to 11:30.  At the time which we serve Holy Communion we will also distribute blessed palms to anyone present to take home.

Our Maundy Thursday service will be April 9th, starting at 7 o’clock.  While this service typically includes the clergy washing the feet of the congregation, we will obviously not be able to do that this year.  This service will be live streamed via Facebook Live.

Our Good Friday service will be release on our YouTube channel at noon on Friday, April 10th.  This will not be streamed live but we encourage those of you who watch it to share it on Facebook.  Our service will include the traditional reading of the Passion Gospel, the Solemn Collects, the adoration of the Cross, and, as is our tradition, seven meditations on the Passion of Our Lord.

We have yet to determine exactly how we will observe Holy Saturday.  In the past we have prayed the Liturgy for the Pre-Born outside a local abortion clinic.  We have yet to make a determination about this service.

Easter Sunday, April 12th, we will do our very best to celebrate the glorious resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ and to give that day all of the glory and honor it deserves.  Our service will be streamed live via our Facebook channel starting at 10 o’clock.  If you just cannot imagine an Easter Sunday without going to Church, then celebrate with us in our parking lot and receive Holy Communion from 11:00-11:30.

We know that these are anxious and uncertain times.  This will be a Holy Week unlike anything anyone has ever celebrated in over 100 years.  At Church of the Messiah, we are doing our very best to bring honor and glory to God, to bring hope and joy to God’s people, and to be that city on a hill that shines out God’s light in this dark time.  We invite you to join with us during this time.  By God’s grace, we will get through this together.

In an effort to give the very best response to the ever-changing Corona Virus crisis, we are changing our plans for our service this Sunday, March 22nd.  While Mayor Lenny Curry has restricted building occupancy to less than 50 people, we believe that it is most prudent to follow the President’s and the CDC’s guidelines and restrict those gathering in Church of the Messiah’s building to 10 people or less.  Obviously, that begs the question, “How can you have church with 10 people or less?”  Our response to that question will be three-fold.

First, we will livestream our service on Facebook Live.  We encourage everyone to watch on-line and to start their own “watch parties” and share the church service in this “Corona Virus era” way.

Second, we still urge that anyone showing flu or cold symptoms, anyone who is considered high-risk, and anyone who has traveled to a country where there has been an outbreak, as well as anyone who has been in contact with someone who has traveled to a country where there has been an outbreak to remain home and contact the church office or one our priests.  We are blessed to be able pray for you and to bring Holy Communion to you in such a way that you will not put yourself or anyone else at risk.  To be clear, those who are considered high-risk are those with cardio vascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, people in treatment for other illnesses, and those who are over sixty years old.  

We feel the need to reiterate the second point because our third method of responding to this crisis is where we are really breaking new ground.  As we livestream our service, we are opening our parking lot to those who are able to join us.  We encourage those who feel so led to join us in our parking lot and watch us via livestream for what we are calling “Drive In Church.”  You gather in your car in our parking lot and, when we have consecrated the Eucharist, at around 11 o’clock, we will bring the Body of Christ to those who are in the parking lot.

This is not a perfect solution.  It is far from it, but it does allow us adhere to the guidelines set by the President and the CDC, while addressing the two biggest shortcomings of just livestreaming our service.  Watching a service on your phone, tablet, or even cast up onto your television does not allow you to have the sense of community that is vital to a church fellowship.  We hope that gathering together in the parking lot will foster and strengthen that “we’re all in this together” sense of community that the Church has always had.  Secondly, your electronic device cannot ever give you the Blessed Sacrament.  While it is not prudent at this point to administer the Blood of Christ, we can still prudently and cautiously administer the Body of Christ to those who gather in our parking lot and remain in their cars.  We are working on the way to do this in the most sanitary, secure, and holy way possible.

We do not know how long we will continue to have our services in this manner.  We do not know how long this crisis will last.  As circumstances continue to unfold, we will continue to adapt to that we can continue to minister the Word of God and the Sacraments of the Church to as many people as we are able in the best and most responsible way that we can find.  For this Sunday, we look forward to you joining us on our livestream or in our parking lot.

God bless you all!

Please take a few moments and read the following pastoral letter from Fr. Scott Looker, Rector of Church of the Messiah.

Beloved in Christ,

As most of us have in the past few days, the Rector’s Council and I have been very attentive to all of the news and most recent updates on the Corona Virus pandemic and how we can best fulfill our call to be good pastors and shepherds of the congregation which God has entrusted us.  In light of that, we met last night and prayerfully formulated this response, aware that this situation is ever-changing and that what we say now may need to be amended in just a few hours.

First and foremost, our response to this and every other situation, crisis or otherwise, is to be guided by the words of Holy Scriptures.  Near the time of his own death, St. Paul reminded his disciple Timothy that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)  This verse is terribly relevant because it reminds us of both how we will respond and how we will not respond.

We will not respond in fear.  We will not shutter the churches, lock ourselves away, and forget that we are Christians, called that name by a Savior who overcame death itself and calls us to be lights that shine in the darkness.  We are, indeed, walking through a dark time in America and in the world, and they shall know that we are Christians by our love.  The Great Commission has not been put on hold because a disease runs through the land.  The world needs Jesus now more than ever.

We will respond, however, in the spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind which God has given us.  In respect to the “sound mind,” that means that we will employ the Christian virtue of Prudence.  We will not take foolhardy or dangerous actions because we do not fear the repercussions.  Such actions would imperil the lives of countless others and would not be acting in love but rather the height of selfishness.  As it relates to the power, we will remember that God bestows on us the Gift of Healing and calls us to pray for others and move in the confidence that even death is not a true defeat because Our Lord has conquered death.

When in comes to love, the greatest of all the gifts, we must be mindful to be charitable in this dark time.  Our friends, neighbor, and loved ones will not respond to this crisis the same way that we will.  We must show them the love of God.  Hundreds of thousands of thousands of people will be financially impacted by this crisis.  We should do what we can to reach out in love to those who are hurting.  People’s lives have been completely upturned.  They need to hear the calming, loving voice of Him who can speak to the wind and waves and say, “Peace, be still.”  We must be that voice.

As to practicals changes, we will comply will with the Mayor’s directive to limit occupancy to less than 50 people in a building.  We ask that anyone showing flu or cold symptoms, anyone who is considered high-risk, and anyone who has traveled to a country where there has been an outbreak, as well as anyone who has been in contact with someone who has traveled to a country where there has been an outbreak to remain home and contact the church office or one our priests.  We are blessed to be able pray for you and to bring Holy Communion to you in such a way that you will not put yourself or anyone else at risk.  To be clear, those who are considered high-risk are those with cardio vascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, people in treatment for other illnesses, and those who are over sixty years old.  

We will continue our Wednesday night adult Bible study and youth group as regularly scheduled unless otherwise notified.  We will be postponing our women’s ministry Bible study on 2 Timothy until further notice.  We will be “livestreaming” our Sunday morning services for those who are shut in.  Our first attempt at this was last Sunday and it was met with all of the challenges one would expect from launching new technology.  We are endeavoring to improve this as we go.  You should be able to watch the livestream on our Facebook channel at Facebook.com/mycomjax.  We ask everyone to be faithful with their tithes and offerings during this time.  As with every other business, bills remain largely unchanged regardless of attendance.  Please consider sending in checks by mail or giving on-line.  If you have not already set up on-line giving, you can visit mycomjax.com/give or text “mycomjax” to 77977 and follow the directions.  The service which we use to process on-line donations is PCI DSS Level 1 compliant meaning that they meet the highest standards of industry safety for on-line financial transactions.  Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity.

Now, the obvious question is how will we proceed with Holy Communion?  In the past week, I have reached out all over.  I have talked with dozens of clergy, read all sorts of web-pages and blogs, looked at what this parish and that diocese is doing.  I have made my decision.  Not everyone will like it.  Some will think it too harsh; some will think it too weak.  Remember that responding in power, love, and a sound mind requires that each of us move in faith, make prudent decisions for ourselves, and be charitable to those with whom we disagree.

We will continue to distribute the the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist and we will make the Chalice available to those who wish to drink from the Chalice.  We will in no way think less of those who refrain from partaking of the Blood of Christ in the Chalice, nor will we think more highly of those who choose to partake.  It is a choice that is made with a great many factors involved and we will not judge.  We will NOT allow any longer, however, what is known as intinction, or the dipping of the Host into the Chalice.  Many see this as the healthier and more sanitary option and wonder why I exclude it.  I will explain.

If we are going to make a change, it must be a change that will legitimately and truly impact the health of those worshiping with us and not just appear to do so.  While intinction appears to be more sanitary, having consulted with medical professionals and other clergy, I believe that is not more sanitary, rather it is just a different way of transmitting germs.  Instead of the possibility of transmitting germs from mouths on the Chalice (mitigated by several factors: diligent acolyte cleanliness, the metallic surface of the Chalice, the alcohol content of the wine, etc…), intinction creates contact with every hand in the congregation, and then places the fingers of the server in the Chalice and then near the mouth and nose of every other member of the congregation.  This is not a more sanitary way of receiving Communion; it is rather a different way to transmit germs.  To be clear, there will be NO dipping of Hosts into the Chalice by anyone, clergy or lay, until this crisis has passed.

It is worth acknowledging that we believe both the Body and Blood of Christ are contained within the Host so one is “fully” partaking of Communion if one “only” receives the Host and elects not to drink from the Chalice.

All of what has been said before can change in the blink of an eye.  As of the current press releases, tweets, and updates, this is the best course of action that the Rector’s Council and I can assemble in the face of this current crisis.  Given the fluidity of the circumstances, this may change very quickly and we will do our very best to update everyone as soon as possible.  We are very aware that Holy Week and Easter are only a few weeks away and we want those experiences to be the best, most glorious services which we have ever had, while at the same time maintaining the safety of all our members.

While these circumstance may change daily, it is important to remember that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and that His Word never changes.  The Church has been through crises before.  It has been through plagues and pestilences before.  We will not stop being the Church because of COVID-19.  We may start doing some things differently, but our mandate to share the Gospel has not changed because of a virus or a limit on the number of people who can gather in one place at a time.  Prior to His betrayal and Crucifixion, when Our Lord would endure His own isolation and ultimately conquer death, He reminded His Disciples, “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32-33)  In this season, we may find ourselves isolated, but we are not alone because Christ is with us.  We are facing a trial the likes of which none of us has ever faced before.  Nevertheless, be of good cheer.  We serve a God who has overcome the world.

I am praying for you and I look forward to worshiping Our Risen Lord together with you on Sunday morning (on livestream or in person).

In Christ,

sjl+

On Wednesday evening, March 26th, starting at 7 o’clock, Church of the Messiah will hold its annual Ash Wednesday Service.  Ash Wednesday is the traditional beginning of the Holy Season of Lent which commemorates Our Lord’s forty days in the wilderness following His baptism in the River Jordan.  Lent is time of prayer, fasting, and charitable giving as well as deliberately focusing on strengthening our walk with The Lord.  The Ash Wednesday Service is wonderful way to begin the season of Lent.  The service includes a time of praise & worship, readings and a homily from Holy Scriptures, the special once a year Imposition of Ashes and Litany of Penitence as well as the Holy Eucharist.   Our Youth Group will be included in the special service and childcare is provided for those between the ages of one year old to fifth grade.  We invite everyone to join us this Wednesday night, beginning at 7 o’clock, as observe Ash Wednesday and begin a Holy Lent.

This week more than a dozen members of Church of the Messiah will be heading up to Washington, D.C., to join with CEC for Life and participate in the 47th Annual March for Life.  If you cannot make the trek to the frozen north, you can still participate in a series of events planned right here at Church of the Messiah.

On Thursday night, beginning at 7:00, we will have a night of pro-life intercession and prayer at Church of the Messiah.

On Friday morning, starting at 9 o’clock, we will participate in a silent prayer vigil at All Women’s Health Center at 1545 Huffingham Road (click HERE for a map.  Please park in the church parking lot or alongside the road.)

On Saturday morning, starting at 9 o’clock, we will be leading the Liturgy for the Pre-Born in front of All Women’s Health Center.  If you have never attended one of these liturgies, this will be a perfect opportunity to do so.

For more information on any of these services, please contact Casey Harlow or Fr. Scott Melanson.

In light of these scheduled event and our many youth who are traveling to Washington this week to participate in the March for Life, we are cancelling both Youth Group and our Adult Bible Study on Wednesday night, January 22nd.  This events will resume as normal on Wednesday, January 29th.

The Gospel of John chapter 10 and verse 10 reports Jesus telling His disciples that He came that we might have life and have life abundantly. It is through the sacraments and the Scriptures that we find the essence and fullness of human life, now and for all eternity. John further records in John 14:6 that life is not a “concept” or merely something “spiritual” but is the person of Jesus. The person of Jesus shows that, in the eyes of God, all human life is not only good and sacred but is the focus of His love in Jesus and therefore worthy of redemption.

Every Christmas season the whole world and especially the Church are reminded that the God and King of the entire universe has become human in the womb of a virgin. Not human for a time, but for all time. He never abandons His humanity but takes humanity, through His death and resurrection, upon His Kingdom throne and sits in His humanity over all creation. This Christ Jesus, whom we worship because of His humanity and divinity, is God with us to never leave us.

The Church is called to proclaim that Jesus is Lord. He is the truth. Our task is not to debate the world about this truth but to proclaim this truth. Our convincing the world of this truth is far more profound than just discourse with our society and culture about truth; it is the presentation of Christ in us in the world. We are to live out the truth that is revealed to us by living that revelation in the culture and society in which we dwell.

I am absolutely opposed to abortion. I believe abortion is never necessary. I believe abortion is the taking of human life and, in some cases, not only killing but murder. I am abhorred by any abortion but particularly by late-term abortion and by those who are now comfortable even with infanticide. I am appalled by those who march forward with advocating abortion for any reason whatsoever, including genetic selection, gender selection, and racial selection.

Because I am opposed to abortion in this manner, I am often challenged with the charge that “being pro-life is more than being anti-abortion.” Of course to be pro-life is to be more than anti-abortion. And, the church, particularly the ancient and historic church, has always been in the forefront of proclaiming the dignity of human life. The church is called to bring life, not only for the salvation of our souls, but in the food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, and shelter for the homeless. The church has always embraced a welcome to strangers and refugees. The church has always visited those in prison and declared release to those who are in bondage to sin, the world, and the devil.

Drug addiction, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity, greed, materialism, consumerism, poverty, domestic violence, and the sex trade industry are breeding grounds for the killing of the unborn. The church must bring the Gospel of life and the light of that Gospel into those areas of darkness. The Gospel is the way to address these horrors.

At this moment in our history, we are confronted in the United States with around 3,000 abortions a day or 1,095,000 a year. Around the world there are more than 100,000 abortions a day or 36,500,000 a year. More abortions committed in one day than in all of World War II.

Abortion is not a legal issue or a political issue, though we need to address the issue in the courts and in the legislature. Abortion is a moral issue and an issue of the soul. Mother Teresa reminds us that a country that allows the killing of its infants in the womb has lost its soul. Have the nations of the world who have permitted and legalized this murder of children lost their soul, particularly the United States?

Because this is a moral issue our primary weapons are not carnal but spiritual to the tearing down of this stronghold of death. Prayer must be at the front of the Pro-Life movement. Through prayer that is sustained, not for days, but for day after day, we are going to see spiritual victories won in the physical realm. We are going to see the Gospel lived out in the flesh of transformed lives living out the Pro-Life discipline of discipleship. Abortion will end because we will see it for the evil that it is and always will be.

For this reason, at the core of the mission of CEC for Life is prayer. We know we belong in front of abortion mills, as well as places where abortion mills are being constructed, to stand and pray. We do the

Liturgy for the Preborn at the Time of Death because this is what the Church is called to do. We are called to pray.

Secondly, we educate the church on the issue of abortion. We keep the church informed of victories that are happening around the world. We educate people on how they can work in their own church and in their communities to end abortion. And, particularly, we educate young adults for the future of this ministry. They are the generation that will end abortion.

The CEC is not a church that is Pro-Life; it is a Pro-Life church. From the beginning we have been given signs and symbols to make visible the Pro-Life message, and not only on Sunday morning. We are a communion of people birthed in the jails of Los Angeles and around the country, making visible the Gospel of Life. We are a Church that knows we are to identify with the preborn, the woman in crisis, those in need of healing from abortion, and with those who seek freedom from the abortion industry.

On January 19th, the third Sunday of the Christmas season, the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church celebrates a feast in honor of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord and Giver of Life. During the Eucharist, an offering is to be taken where we ask every participant and member of the ICCEC to give generously to the Pro-Life work of our communion. We also ask every clergy, along with every parish, to partner with CEC for Life by submitting their membership request for the year.

I know you will want to participate with me in this holy work. I know you will want to give sacrificially and generously. Go to our website and see all that is happening because of your generosity and the blessing of God.

You are always in my prayers.

Under His mercy,

+Craig W. Bates, Patriarch ICCEC