On Saturday Diocesan House was the setting for a wonderful gathering of our African clergy and their spouses. Adrienne and I were honored to host the group for lunch. They met with Bishop Skelton and her spouse, the Rev. Eric Stroo. After lunch there was a free and open discussion about the ministries of our African clergy and about their hopes and dreams for themselves and our diocese. I learned so much and came away from that gathering excited about this amazing cohort of leaders.
On Sunday I was St James, Kent to preach. I’m thankful to the Rev. Ruth Anne Garcia for the invitation.
St James, Kent is also home to a newly formed Kenyan worshipping community led by the Rev. Agnes Kuria.
This group began during the pandemic as a prayer circle that started because of a family in need due to illness. The group gathered and communicated through WhatsApp (a cell phone app that allows users to send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other content). As the pandemic relented the group felt that God was leading them to meet and prayer together in person. That group eventually became the community that worships at St James. There is still a large praying community that continues to gather through WhatsApp and other online tools. I am deeply grateful to Rev. Kuria for her faithful leadership of this community.
On Tuesday I met with the Rev. Beverly Moore-Tasy.
We had the chance to have lunch and get to know each other a little better. It was excited to hear about her work at St Margaret, Bellevue. Under her leadership, St Margaret’s has hosted several events celebrating Black History month. On Feb 26th theses celebrations conclude with Stephen Newby and the Sound of the Northwest Choir, directed by Vanessa Bruce. Can’t make it? Then keep an eye peeled later this year for the return of GospelFest at St Margret’s.
Tuesday evening the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians met for the first time in several months. The chapter is springing back to life and we look forward to new leadership, new membership and new ways of building beloved community in our region. My deep thanks to Deborah Moore, who has worked hard to relaunch the chapter’s website and get us in position to receive new members and strengthen our financial situation.
On Ash Wednesday, I was at St Luke’s, Renton.
It was a simple and beautiful liturgy with the imposition of ashes and Eucharist. The Rev. Kevin Pearson presided and preached. I was moved by his homily inviting us into Lent, to confess our disintegrated live and move into the wholeness of God.
On Thursday Vinh Do and I met with the Rev. Steve Thomason, dean of St Mark’s Cathedral. We met to discuss how the Cathedral and the Racial Justice Audit Task Force can partner to help the congregations of our diocese discuss and respond to The Racial Justice Audit of Episcopal Leadership. This is one of many action items being launched to help our church engage with the complex issues of racial justice.
Thursday Afternoon I was part of a meeting with the leadership of St Matthew San Mateo. We discussed ways that the bishop’s office and that congregation will work together. The ministry of St Matthew San Mateo has always been multiculturally rich. That will continue to be the case as this congregation looks to what is upcoming in its life and ministry.