Dear
Sisters and Brothers,I often find blessings and new insights in my reflections on those whom we commemorate in our Lesser Feasts and Fasts. The story of John Coleridge Patteson touched me in a powerful way. Bishop Patteson served as missionary bishop in Melanesia during the 1860's when slave trade, while illegal, still flourished. He fought against this offense throughout his Episcopate. He and his companions were martyred when they were mistaken as slave traders while visiting the island of Nakapu just after a vicious raid by slave traders. I find Bishop Patteson's story an important caution in a conflictual time. Sometimes we see those who come among us to bring hope, peace, help, and health as demons sent to do harm.
The conflicts in our church have borne heavily upon us all in these recent weeks and months. In these first months of my Episcopate, it has been my prayer that I could be present with you in the midst of difficult times as your pastor and leader, listening, serving and caring for all. Because of some recent events, blog sites and letters from members of our Church, I find myself being more suspicious than I would like to be, and surprised by the viciousness of those who claim to hold the love of Jesus in their heart. I have received a letter to me ending with [expletive deleted] you in the name of Christ" along with a death threat. All of this occurs in the midst of reports about our Church which at the very least are misrepresentations and at the most, lies.
For me the ever present spiritual challenge is not to be changed by what is done to me or our Church, while being clear and principled in what I must do. I do not want to lose sight of the principles which must lead our life and ministry: to have the mind which is in Christ Jesus and, to pray daily. As your bishop, I additionally am called to guard the faith, order and unity of our Church, to facilitate appropriate freedom within order, to lead with fairness, to seek peace and understanding, and to see the face of God in all persons, even in the face of those who disagree with me. The temptation is to abandon those principles out of frustration, disappointment, and fear.
I do not claim to have found the key to do this, but I pray I will continue to find ways to nurture that spiritual center of the principled life. I am sure much of the critique that I have received, and will continue to receive, is an accurate report of my humanity. However, it is my yearning and prayer to be faithful to my calling and to assist you in being faithful to yours. Today, as we remember Bishop Patteson, who was tragically misunderstood, I wanted you to know this part of my heart. The good news is that even in the midst of misunderstanding and attack, the gospel of Jesus Christ can break forth in a broken world so much in need of God's love and saving grace.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes