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126th Annual Convention
Diocese of Newark
Teaneck, New Jersey
The Rt. Rev. John Palmer Croneberger
Ninth Bishop of Newark
FIRST EPISCOPAL ADDRESS - JANUARY 29, 2000
It's probably not possible to describe in words what just happened here in this place, or for that matter what's
been happening since we arrived on Friday. It's very appropriate that this particular Convention takes place so
near the Epiphany, because I believe we have indeed found ourselves to be in the midst of an Epiphany...a manifestation
of God's self, experienced within the life of a gathered community as it pauses to reflect on a substantial portion
of it's common life. It is right and good, (I dare say, necessary, ) to hold up and celebrate this unique and wondrous
and challenging journey that we have been on together. It is right and good that we mark the events that have brought
us to this grace-filled and poignant moment.
This Epiphany has also been revealed to us in and through the lives of two very special people, Jack and Christine
Spong, who came to be with us for a significant time and who graced us with their presence: with charm and challenge,
intellect and integrity, vision and vitality, foresight and foibles. How blessed we have been.
As was experienced in other, perhaps more notable mountain-top Epiphanies, we have a tendency to want to bask in
them for as long as possible..."Master, it's good that we are here...let's build some booths and settle in."
"Michael Francaviglia, it's good that we are here - this is really nice - how about arranging with the management
for us to stay - you work out the rooms and the table seatings, etc. - we'll just whip out the magic plastic ....and
stay."
And then comes Jesus, loving and affirming all that has just happened, inviting us to revisit these good memories,
but looking anxiously down the mountain and slowly, gently, but firmly nudging us on - back to Samaria - Galilee
- Jerusalem - Newark, Paterson, Milton/Oak Ridge, Ridgewood, Hackettstown, Jersey City , your town. Jesus says,
"Follow me."
As we come down off this particular mountain, back to the places where God is calling us to faithful ministries,
let my focus this first Episcopal address on what I see... On how I hope we might respond to God as a Diocese,
as groups within the Diocese, as congregations and as individuals.
A few years ago, Leonard Sweet, Dean of the Seminary at Drew in Madison, New Jersey led a small clergy conference
for the Diocese of Newark, and talked with us about some of his vision of the future church. Some deep responsive
chords were struck for me. I was delighted recently to see and read his latest book AquaChurch, which describes
more fully the material he shared with the clergy at that earlier conference. I have talked to Leonard about the
possibility of coming back to be with all the clergy at a fall conference to continue and deepen the conversation.
Dr. Sweet's book offers a prescription for how we might navigate as the church in a post-modern world and it has
influenced the way in which I want to frame my vision and dreams for what is ahead for us.
If Leonard Sweet is correct, as I believe he is, we have lived through the modern era from the fifteenth century
through much of the twentieth century using landed or earth images. We have used landscapes to describe our reality:
being rooted and grounded, singing "How Firm a Foundation"; hearing, "You are Peter and upon this
Rock I will build my church;" using words - "boundaries, borders, rock- solid- stable - hard and fast,
waterproof, water-tight, ordered, taking a stand."
In the post-modern world our reality is described by and surrounded by "seascapes" , and the words we
now hear are: "fluidity, chaos, uncertainty, otherness, openness, surfing the Net, multiplicity, change. "
What different understanding and connection could scripture have for us if we went back and re-read it with particular
attention and focus on the water images? What might it mean for us to replace images of Peter the Rock with Peter
the Fisherman? Perhaps Noah and Jonah and the Samaritan woman at the well with their water images need more focus
and attention. The relatively recent focus of the church on living water and on the Baptismal Covenant with the
waters of Baptism is indicative of a developing awareness of new imagery in this post-modern culture.
How do we propose to navigate as the Church in a post-modern world here in the Diocese of Newark?
I begin with a few personal observations. I like to sit on a four-legged stool - I outgrew those three-legged ones.
Truthfully, sometimes I sits and thinks -sometimes I just sits. Somehow seated on a four-legged stool while meeting
with the clergy and laity gives me comfort - I suppose I feel myself being supported by Scripture, tradition, reason,
and experience. I am aware, however, that by living in a post-modern culture, the surface is not usually flat,
the playing field may not be level or even solid. In order to maintain the stool I must recognize that from time
to time some legs will need to be longer, while other legs will be shorter. The trick in navigating in this post-modern
culture will be to know when the scripture and tradition legs need to be lengthened or shortened, so also with
the reason and experience legs, and to be able to adjust quickly when the ground shifts. And, if we adjust this
metaphor to be in sync with our water imagery, perhaps this is our anchor.
Let me give you some examples about how I believe we need to navigate in this new world. Later today you will be
asked to vote on a resolution asking the Bishop to appoint a Commission on Liturgy and Church Music, specifically
inviting the Commission to develop rites which address the particular needs of this Diocese. I would be pleased
to have you approve this resolution; to tell you the truth, I was already committed to appointing such a Commission.
I do have a broad vision in mind for the work of such a Commission. Since the Bishop is recognized as the Chief
Liturgical Officer in the Diocese, I plan to chair this Commission, bringing together some of the most talented
and creative musicians and liturgists - lay and clergy - to do this important work for the Diocese. Let me list
just three of the many possibilities for us to consider:
First, I have to confess I love Evensong. Evensong is like fine china, and that's a problem. We tend to take our
best dinnerware and put it away - up high in a cupboard where it is safe and gathers much dust. On a regular basis
we are more likely to eat from paper plates with plastic forks, or perhaps monotonous, plain plates and utensils.
One of the beauties of Anglicanism is the rich offering of its liturgies.
I will ask this Commission to assist me in gathering us together in different parts of the Diocese (with special
emphasis at the Cathedral) to provide for diocesan services of Evensong. We will also provide other liturgies that
will adequately celebrate and affirm lay ministries and other particular pastoral moments, congregational events,
or community celebrations. These will all need to be carefully prepared. Our goal will not be, "Well, we do
it" - but rather our goal will be, "We do it well!"
Second, In my first year traveling about the Diocese, I have been excited by the rich variety of music and liturgy
presently taking place around us. Sadly, much of it remains a well-kept secret. The Commission will explore ways
to share liturgical and musical ideas, as well as to create special opportunities within the Diocese to experience
the gifts among us as we become more of a Diocesan worshiping community. These worship opportunities will include
everything from Gospel rock to Solemn High Mass..from Grace, Van Vorst to Grace, Newark.
Third, I will ask the Commission to gather and examine liturgies which theologically and sacramentally make real
that which is already true in the lives of gay or lesbian persons living in faithful, committed, monogamous relationships,
asking of them no more nor no less than we ask of heterosexual couples. Although as Bishop I can authorize the
use of trial services, I will ask the Commission to present its best liturgical efforts in this area to next year's
Convention for its support and approval. We must and will listen carefully to discussion and debate at the General
Convention in July but I want to be clear that although some may choose not to use such a liturgy, others have
simply waited far too long. The naming and description of this liturgy will need further discussion, with heavy
reliance upon the wisdom of the gay and lesbian community. We don't need to make a big fuss about this...we just
need to do it. We need to have this liturgy available in order to provide the pastoral ministry to which the Church
is being called in this Diocese. Today's Rosa Parks might be a lesbian - and I'm just not willing to ask her to
go to the back of the bus...and wait. Justice delayed is justice denied. We need to anchor our pastoral and congregational
ministries with Scripture and experience and tradition and we also need to cast this anchor ahead of us into the
future.
We need also to continue to anchor our lives with reason. I love living and working in a Diocese that has valued
highly academic pursuits and possibilities. We will of course continue the annual John Hines Science and Theology
lecture series. I thank Skip Vilas and now Eric Hinds especially for their work on this series. A small endowment
has been established for it and we have been challenged by the high quality of the lectures. I will invite some
of you to review with me the New Dimensions lecture tradition in order to best determine how we might maintain
and grow that teaching tradition. I have also held some initial conversations about the development of a new series
of Diocesan Educational events for laity and clergy which might include a new version of the old Journey in Christian
Living conferences. I was encouraged to hear during this past year's listening events the significant requests
for more adult education on a congregational and diocesan level. More on this to follow, but if reason and tradition
is the anchor in this navigational imagery, then let's raise this anchor also and cast it ahead of us into the
future.
Next I would like to comment on two Leadership Arts that Leonard Sweet describes for navigating as the Church in
this post-modern world. These two leadership arts happen to describe my management style.
First - Valuing the Crew - Collaboration and Teamwork;
One of the best things that has happened to me during this past year has been to share space at 31 Mulberry Street
with thirty other employees. The gifts and skills, diversity and dedication among them are deeply appreciated.
I have been warmly welcomed, and I am proud to be a part of this team dedicated to the Mission of the Church, especially
in the Diocese of Newark.
The management team that meets weekly with me includes the Rev. Paul Hunt, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, about
to become the Canon to the Ordinary (now that I've become Ordinary!); Ms. Gail Deckenbach, Assistant to Paul Hunt;
Ms. Susan Robinson, Assistant to the Bishop; Mr. John Zinn, Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese, and Mr. Michael
Francaviglia, Chief Administrative Officer of the Diocese. The Very Rev. C. David Williams will join us next week
when he assumes his place as Dean-Elect of our Cathedral in Newark. And we eagerly await his coming. You approved
the budget yesterday and that will enable us, later in the year, to add a Missioner for Congregational Development.
Together we shall seek to serve God in the carrying out of our common mission in this Diocese. Given my style of
leadership, most of the decisions that come to my office will be made after consultation with the team. I also
want you to know that all of the members of the management team will be available to visit parishes and missions
for various occasions - to preach, teach, celebrate or to listen.
Another very clear example of collaboration and teamwork is our recent decision to enter into a partnership in
a Camp and Conference ministry with the local Lutheran synod. This venture provides many wonderful and exciting
opportunities to expand our ministry within the Diocese, particularly offering excellent resources for use by individual
congregations. There are certainly challenges to be faced, but the future in this area looks bright. Our thanks
to Jack Lynch and Bonnie Magnuson, and all those serving on the Boards and Committees of the Camp! One Caveat -
what's in a name? The young people with whom I've spoken to seem to think - a lot - perhaps the name ought to be
revisited.
Teamwork has also enabled us to meet a challenge expressed in the listening meetings and at District meetings to
give attention to our youth. In our budget we have provided sufficient funding within the budget for full-time
youth ministry leadership for the Diocese in addition to our summer camping program. I salute Rich Bardusch and
Cooper Conway and Chris Badgley for their excellent leadership with young people and encourage your congregation
to get connected with the world of our Diocesan youth. The young people present with us at this Convention as youth
delegates and as pages and assistants are testimony to the vitality of youth ministry in the Diocese of Newark.
Continuing to discuss collaboration and teamwork: during this transition year I listened to thirty clergy or laity
groups, as well as numerous committees, commissions, vestries, wardens, and other individuals. One of the unpleasant
realities I faced was that given our present trend, we could have twenty or more congregations being transferred
to the roles of the Department of Missions within a few years. If these figures are accurate, then something needs
to happen.
I'd like to propose some images to assist us in charting a new course. I want us to develop our own model of mission
based on Claude Payne's successful strategy in Texas. When asked how many churches we have in the Diocese of Newark,
I want us to say "ONE" - one church with one hundred nineteen mission stations. And, if we include parish
and diocesan community development corporations, and other affiliated institutions such as Youth Consultation Services,
Heath Village, Cantebury Village, Christ Hospital, that number of mission stations rises to well over one hundred
and forty...with more to come!
In such a model we will need to commit to a time of serious discernment with respect to how we support and develop
healthy congregations. During my years in this diocese the task of congregational development has chiefly fallen
on the Department of Missions. The DoM has done good work over the years. However, to take such a significant amount
of our people and financial resources and funnel it to only 25 or so of our mission stations is not good stewardship.
Over the next year we are going to have to imagine and evolve into something different – something broader – something
more creative.
In the end we need to be able to respond to the needs of congregations in ways that are continually evolving and
adaptive. We need to put our resources into ministry that can be as fluid as the world in which we are called by
God to minister. Our current structure, with the DoM, set up as a separate corporation, and being the focal point
for congregational development is not one that will work for us in the future. At some point this year we will
be launching a nationwide search for a new staff person to oversee this shift in focus that has already begun with
the resolution you will be voting on to change the makeup of the Ward J. Herbert fund. In order for us to move
ahead - we really need to approve the reorganization of the Ward Herbert Fund. I Believe me, I have no illusions
that these transitions will be easy. It is going to take hard work and will at times be painful. Nevertheless,
I have spent over a year listening to all of you and many others, and am certain that we can move into a better
model for how we build and support healthy ministry in our 119 stations.
I do believe at least three things will have to happen for this new model of mission to work: the first is a willingness
to develop teamwork and area planning. As long as 119 congregations choose to relate independently to the Diocese
ultimately many will fail, a few will continue, but always with a struggle; and a few will actually grow and flourish,
almost in spite of our plans. Rivalry, competition, secret-keeping, turf wars, jealousy, mistrust or just plain
apathy will describe the way in which we choose to navigate in this changing culture. Measuring success as moving
from Mission to Parish status, and measuring failure as moving from parish status to mission status are not adequate
measurements for success or failure.
Rather, can you imagine a number of Mission Stations gathering together to discuss the common mission shared by
all? Proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ to a hungry world around us? Seeking and serving Christ in all
persons? Will you imagine working and making ourselves available to each other and others, as we strive for justice
and peace and the integrity of all creation in the mission field in which we find ourselves called by God? Our
Mission, through the proclamation of the Gospel is to influence the culture, not preserve the institution.
Example - the present Mission Stations already at work in Jersey City, Union City, Bayonne, Secaucus and Hoboken
come together to discuss the Mission of the church. They ask: Which gifts and ministries are already at work? What
resources are needed to enhance and expand these ministries? What's missing? Where does the next Mission Station
in our area need to be planted? What can each of us bring to this new work? What is the nature and focus of this
Mission? Now change the names in the example - insert your own, together with those about you and ask somewhat
similar questions, adjusting for your particular circumstances.
Further imagine that as these plans take shape, they come to District Councils for further conversation and refinement
- and then on to Diocesan Council. The Diocesan Council reverses its current method of operation so that the bulk
of its meetings are spent hearing, discussing, and prioritizing District plans. (Currently, these are the last
item on the agenda and rarely reported.)
The second thing we need to envision for this idea of Mission and Congregational Development to work is to strengthen
the District Clergy and District Council groups. Can you imagine as many as nine districts rather than the present
six ? To improve two-way communication between District and Diocese and make the work within the Districts manageable.
If we organize in such a fashion I would ask the District Councils to meet every month, excluding July and August.
The January meetings would be pre-convention meetings as they were this year. At the remaining monthly meetings
either I or the Canon to the Ordinary or the Missioner would meet with each District Council. We would be participants
and resources in the District conversations as mission stations share and refine strategies to present to the Diocesan
Council. If my math is correct, I would meet with each District Council at least three times each year - so also
would my Canon and the Missioner, And other members of the management team and the Diocesan staff would be readily
available as needed.
I ask you to imagine the above as a possibility. Let your imaginations soar - we may discover other ways to communicate
and manage our mission. As you know from the budget presentation, I have requested funds for a consultant. This
consultant will help us to look at the structure and organization of the Diocese to discern new ways to function.
You may also recall that during the selection process (or the election process), I spoke of taking our traditional
management pyramid and turning it on its side. It is my hope that the consultant will assist us in doing exactly
that! Whatever the final design, I assure you that I am committed to us being ONE church with many mission stations.
I am also asking the clergy for an additional time commitment. Following a schedule similar to that outlined above
I, or the Canon to the Ordinary, or the Missioner will meet with each of the District Clergy groups one morning
a month. The format might include Morning Office, Bible study, sharing stories and planning and dreaming and visioning
the future while we live into the present, sharing a meal. There will also be time for individual appointments
following the meetings.
The third thing that I ask you to envision is the commitment of adequate resources to support and sustain this
Mission at the local level. We simply cannot organize ourselves programmatically for Mission, if financially we
are determined to organize only for maintenance. It's about good stewardship - we will need to improve the income
side of the budget if we expect to meet the challenges of our Mission.
Another part of valuing the crew with Collaboration and Teamwork involves the report and recommendations from the
Task Force on Total Ministry that you heard yesterday. I appreciate the time and work offered by the committee
members, and I personally support the adoption of the report.
If I am to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the church, while also encouraging and supporting all baptized
people in their gifts and ministries, then I will remind us all that the Catechism clearly describes the ministers
of the church as lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons. The Ordinal makes provision for three distinct orders
of ordained ministers - Bishops, priests, and deacons.
I believe the report of the Task Force seeks both to restore to this Diocese the three orders of ministry provided
in the Ordinal of the Prayer Book, and also to affirm the presence and celebration of all the ministries of the
church - lay people, bishops, priests, and deacons. I believe the central ministry of the deacon is to organize,
support and encourage the servant ministry of the laity, in part by modeling that servant ministry in his/her own
life, as well as being an icon for the church's servant ministry in the world. The deacon also brings the needs
and concerns of the world back to the church for prayer and for the church to respond actively and passionately
to those needs and concerns. Given that description, the deacon will be able to take responsibility for some of
the concerns which usually fall on the priest and lay leader's shoulders, thereby supporting the ministry of priest
and laity. Implemented with careful study and loving concern, in such models, no one's ministry is replaced and
everyone's ministry is enhanced. I eagerly look forward to working with the Commission on Ministry and others to
implement the resolutions if you approve them.
One ingredient in this proposal to focus on Mission and Congregational Development in the Diocese, relates to Episcopal
visits and Confirmation. As you have probably heard by now, I am not calling for a Bishop Suffragan at this Convention,
although I am asking the Convention to approve a resolution authorizing me to employ an Assisting Bishop if that
seems to be the best choice to make during the course of the year. For now, I believe the best decision is to put
our financial resources into employing a Consultant and the Missioner for Congregational Development so we can
get to work on the Mission to which God is calling us. That being the case, I am planning a series of Regional
Confirmations to take place between September, 2000 and June, 2001. We have some good ideas about how to make those
very special events. We will solicit the advice and council of the about-to-be formed Commission on Liturgy and
Music, as well as individual District Councils and District clergy groups to take into consideration time, place,
and format. I will continue to make regular Episcopal Visits throughout the year, offering a variety of formats
for that time together, and being open to ideas and suggestions you might have. Some considerations include special
community celebrations, affirmations and celebrations of lay and ordained ministries, teaching opportunities, meetings
with lay leaders, appropriate visits sharing a meal together, sharing our stories. As I said at the Clergy Conference
in the Fall, I see the Office of the Bishop as more than just one person - it includes the Canon to the Ordinary,
his Assistant, my Assistant, the Chief Financial Officer, the Diocesan Administrator, the Missioner, the Dean.
Each has particular gifts in ministry that I hope your congregation will seek to discover.
Another leadership art is Communication. Our working together in a new structure should certainly improve our communications
with each other. But we also need to look at the means by which we communicate. We need to have the very best means
of communication, utilizing all the technology available to us. The simple fact is that those who choose not to
get on board with electronic technology will be left behind, whether Bishop or congregation. There really are no
acceptable excuses left. I do have a strong commitment to The Voice. It will continue to play an important part
in our communication system as a Diocese, but regular and timely communication will increasingly be on the Internet.
Those of you who have been trying to reach me by e-mail know I have work to do! I'll get there!
Another of Leonard Sweet's leadership arts for navigating church in this post-world is titled: Taking Shore Leave
- Sabbath Rest
One of the neat things about this Jesus of Nazareth is that he seemed to figure this one out from the very beginning,
and was clearly better at it than many of us. Jesus would engage, often vigorously with those in the world around
him, and then after a time, he would withdraw - disengage- go up to the mountain - out on a boat - into the desert.
There's a kind of arrogance about me when I believe I can do what Jesus couldn't or at least wouldn't do - that
I can stay engaged all the time - say yes to everybody and everything. Many of us think its great to imagine ourselves
as the center of the universe - and then complain to anyone who will listen about how tired and overworked and
abused we are. Remember that conversation Moses had with God - complaining about all God had given Moses to do?
God told Moses, "Look, I never intended for you to do it that way - go get some colleagues - take them off
on a conference. I'll spread some of My Spirit around and everything will be fine." Or, at least, that's how
I interpret that story.
When one of you complains to me about not taking time off for weeks at a time - you do not honor God, the Church,
me or you. We need to get with the program - find the Mary and Martha rhythm in your life - take time off regularly
- in the midst of a busy, hectic day, close the door, declare a mini-sabbatical - call your spouse or partner or
a friend - or go into the chapel or church or quiet room and be at peace with God.
The integrity of creation includes a concern for the health and well-being of all of God's creation, including
us. The church needs to model healthy life-styles for all of God's people. Clergy and lay leaders need to be good
role model in this area for the world around us.
Plan ahead for a sabbatical time in your life and ministry. Lay leaders, imagine planning at least two retreats
for yourself this next year - a vestry or congregational retreat and also an individual or family retreat. The
Sisters at the Convent of St. John Baptist would welcome your visit. Bob and Suzanne Morris and the whole team
at Interweave have much to offer. Check it out. Of course, there are also many other resources available beyond
the Diocese of Newark in nearby locations. Clergy, I'm asking you to plan on two conferences a year with your Bishop.
The Fall Clergy Conference is already on the schedule, and a Spring Conference for Clergy and Spouses or Partners
is also being developed by Brad and Harriet Whitaker and crew for April 7 - 8 -9. Marilyn and I are committed to
making this Clergy- Spouse/Partner conference an on-going part of our lives in the Diocese of Newark since we know
something about the spiritual hazards of living in a rectory and being a spouse or partner to a priest. I'm seeking
funds to cover most of the expenses of both these conferences in order that all who wish to attend may do so regardless
of cost. Healthy families greatly improve the health of congregations...it's that simple.
The final Category for Navigating as the church in this post-modern world combines three of Leonard Sweet's Leadership
Arts:
Risk Taking;
Vibrations;
Vision;
One of the questions asked of each of the candidates for Bishop in the Diocese of Newark was - "what risks
have you taken for the Gospel?" You don't have to be a Bishop to be asked that question, you just have to
be baptized. I believe the Baptismal Covenant encourages creativity and risk-taking. On the one hand we are called
to be responsible stewards of all that is entrusted to us. On the other hand, God calls us to be ready to risk,
to venture out on new seas, to set sail on a new Mission.
Pay attention to both calls.
In this Diocese we have stood firm, risking much for the Gospel in our quest for justice, diversity, and inclusivity.
We will continue that course! But risk-taking will also have a place in our evolving mission of congregational
development.
During this past year of listening, I came to understand something of Leonard Sweet's pieces about Vibration and
Vision -suggesting that as we are able, oft-times we need to hear and feel what we are seeing before we can see
what we are hearing and feeling. (You might want to work with that one for a time.) At least for me, hearing and
feeling has become a pre-requisite to my seeing. As I travel around the Diocese I've been hearing and feeling a
music - way down - deep - inside - a music that seems to connect with other sounds around me - other music - some
is softly sweet and tender, some is loud, harsh, blaring, some is plaintive, painful, crying, some is bubbling,
joyful, happy, some is strong, measured, sure- different, and yet the same. In 1945 Oscar Hammerstein wrote these
words for a song in Carmen Jones:
"I'll tell you why I want to dance.
It ain't the sweetness in the music.
I like the sweetness in the music,
but that aint' why I want to dance.
It's somethin' thumpin' in the Bass
a bumpin' underneath the music.
That bum-bum-bumpin' under music
is all I need to start me off.
I feel it beatin' in my bones
It feels like twenty million tom-toms
I know there's twenty million tom-toms
beatin' way down deep inside my bones.
I feel it beatin in my heart
And then I get a kind of dream
And in my dream it kind of seems
There ain't but one big heart for all the world.
And now my heart is beatin' fast
And that's a rhythm I can dance to.
I'm mighty glad I got a chance to
with a one big heart that's beatin' fast!
Tomorrow mornin' let it rain!
Tomorrow mornin' let it pour!
Today we're in the groove together
Ain't gonna worry about stormy weather
Gonna kick old trouble out the door."
Well - I'm left with two images that sustain me as we begin this part of the journey together: the first is
solo voices ...many solo voices..different solo voices...some singing without words - with hands or acts or unspoken
words of prayer...solo voices...called by God to sing together...humbled egos..solo voices...come together joyfully
to sing the Lord's Song in a Strange Land...rising in strength and volume and determination...rising to crescendo...determined
to be felt and heard so that other voices might be added..and somehow in the doing of all that we all become changed.
I think we can dance to that music.
The second image comes from Leonard Sweet. If you trust me, place your index finger in your mouth and then removing
it, raise it high. You will find yourself in the company of many navigators of old, putting your finger to the
winds. The wind of the Spirit is blowing through this place. I can feel it. Let's hoist the Anchor of our past
tradition? and set sail into the future, whose certainty is only in God's hands. That will be sufficient.
Amen.
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