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My name is Sandy Hampton and I approve this message...and I pray that God will too.
First of all, I wish to thank you, my sisters and brothers in Christ, for offering Mari and me the opportunity of serving you in The Diocese of Oregon during this interim period. We have been in almost half of the congregations of the diocese for Visitations or some other event and have been warmly welcomed in every place. It has been a wonderful “honeymoon" and please know how APPRECIATIVE we are.
When I first responded to The Standing Committee's invitation to serve as your Assisting Bishop, I suggested God's call of Abraham as a metaphor for my own. Recall that Abraham (at the age of 75) together with his wife, Sarah, and the rest of their household left their lifelong home in Haran for the land of Canaan. I'm 73. I don't push that metaphor too far for we know what happened to Sarah and were that to happen for Mari and me it would be no "laughing matter".
May I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to my "bosses", The eight members of The Standing Committee who serve as The Ecclesiastical Authority in the absence of a Bishop Diocesan, and most especially the retiring president, Mary Cramer, who has devoted herself to this ministry in ways far and above any "call of duty" during this challenging time. Also, we all owe a profound debt of gratitude to others who have shared in governance, The Board of Trustees and their chair, the Rev. Margaret McMurren, the Diocesan Council and a most dedicated chancellor, Paul Dakopolos from St. Timothy's, Salem. "Well done, good and faithful servants."
On your behalf, I also offer thanks to the Rev. Lin Knight, Arlene Ullman and Marie Bagwell, who came out of retirement to serve with the rest of a wonderful diocesan staff at The Bishop’s Close. May I assure you they are serving faithfully and well. Lastly, I express my gratitude to your beloved retired diocesan bishop, Bob Ladehoff for his support and encouragement of me and my ministry since I began.
I have been here for almost seven months, and over that time have been asked, on several occasions, "What have you seen in the Diocese?" In three words, I have experienced A HEALTHY DIOCESE. I have experienced faithful and dedicated clergy (deacons, priests and chaplains) as well as lay persons who are excited about their local congregations and thankful to be part of The Episcopal Church...even as we find ourselves in the midst of controversies, local, national and international within The Anglican Communion. Sometimes we need reminding that controversy has been part of the very fabric of the Christian movement from the beginning as evidenced by various parts of The Gospels and most clearly in Paul's Epistles, all written to address one issue or another that threatened to divide the early church. I can certainly empathize with St. Paul when, towards the close of "Galatians" he says, "Quite frankly, I don't want to be bothered anymore by these disputes. I have far more important things to do…The serious living of the faith." Those of us who are long time Episcopalians will remember our struggles over churchmanship: Were we High/Catholic or Low/Protestant? Would we refer to the priest as Father or Mr.? Would we wear Eucharistic vestments or simple surplice and cassock? Would we reserve the sacrament or not? And on and on.
It was then observed, humorously, that there were three kinds of Episcopalians, the high and crazy, the low and lazy, and the broad and hazy. But for the most part we were able to live together with our differences, one of Anglicanism's great contributions to the Christian enterprise since we gave up burning people at the stake. In my own euphoria I don't wish to deny that there are good people in our midst who continue to hurt and be angry over actions that happened in the past. The Standing Committee and I have, and will, continue to make ourselves available to help folks work through this and there are two designated opportunities at this Convention.
So, we gather, in Jesus' name, around our convention theme, "Becoming a Prophetic People". In a wonderful coincidence we commemorate one of Anglicanism's greatest prophets, William Temple, who served as Archbishop of Canterbury for only 2 1/2 years and died in 1944.
William Temple is well known to us who preach for his saying, "The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members." I repeat. "The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members." This sounds, to me, like a clarion call to mission, an area which I hope would challenge us as a diocese in the months and years ahead. Mission certainly involves various ministries to and with "...the least of these our brothers and sisters...” Social Justice is fundamental to the proclamation of the Gospel from earliest times and is well summarized by the prophet, Micah in the Old Testament reading appointed for this evening. And many of our congregations are engaged in these ministries.
But mission also involves planting congregations. Since I came on board we have closed two developing congregations and several long existing congregations are hanging by a thread. As far as I know there is no new work on the drawing board. May I challenge us this night to rededicate ourselves to inviting others to know Jesus Christ through The Episcopal Church (that's simple evangelism) and engage ourselves in serious strategizing about where an Episcopal Church presence would be helpful in moving The Kingdom of God forward. My remarks are particularly directed towards larger congregations, that you might be encouraged to begin new work based out of your congregations without, necessarily, waiting for the diocese to take the initiative.
"Becoming a Prophetic People". One of William Temple's best known works is his devotional commentary, "Readings from St. John's Gospel." He comments on the opening verses of the Gospel passage appointed for this evening, "All that is noble in the NON-CHRISTIAN systems of thought, or conduct, or worship is the work of Christ upon them and within them." He goes on to say that "By the word of God...by Jesus Christ, Isaiah, Plato Zoroaster, Buddha and Confucius (and were he present today he likely would have added Mohammed) conceived and uttered such truths as they declared." So Temple challenged the church in his time..and ours...to not only witness to our own truths but to discern the Christ present in other spiritual communities as well. Prophetic, to be sure.
"Becoming a Prophetic People". It has to do with our becoming..."...word made flesh...” to push against the culture which has developed an “us-them” mindset where we too easily demonize those who differ from us in appearance, political convictions, or in ways we seek relationship with God. "Becoming a Prophetic People" is to take most seriously those vows we affirm every time we renew our baptisms, to "...seek and serve Christ in all persons...and respect the dignity of every human being." There are no exceptions. There is no fine print. Even the most despicable of us embodies The Christ and to own that is to "Become a Prophetic People". For years I carried in my wallet, and now in my heart, a prayer of a former Anglican Archbishop of Ireland: "Lord, keep me in the truth but preserve me from those who think they have found it."
To "Become a Prophetic People" is to become sacramental ourselves...to be outward and visible signs of God's love, God's forgiveness and God's healing power. We in The Diocese of Oregon have a "Fresh Start". The light has again entered our part of God’s wonderful world and the darkness is being overcome. God has given us a tremendous responsibility to witness to that light...to move forward in mission and ministry as we prepare for the election of the next Bishop. How important are we in God's scheme? I would venture an answer by sharing an ancient legend:
It tells of the encounter between The Risen Christ and an angel..."Well, Jesus, how did it go down there?” asks the angel. “To tell you the truth, not very well", replied Jesus. "Tell me about it." (Angel). "Well, I went down to earth just as The Father commanded me. I preached, I taught, and I healed. But the more I did those things, the angrier people seemed to get with me. Finally, the religious and governmental authorities conspired to arrest me, try me and execute me and, I'm back. (Jesus). "I'm sorry to hear that but what about the work?" (Angel). "Oh, I took care of that." (Jesus) "How?" replied the angel. “I left it with a group of Episcopalians in The Diocese of Oregon." (Jesus). "You're kidding. I mean look at them. They're but a fraction of folks in the least churched part of The United States. They're not a terribly large or influential group, and by some standards a lot of them are pretty old, and many not have a whole lot of energy to give to this. And you left it with THEM!!" (Angel). "I did. I left the work with THEM. (Jesus). "But, what if they fail? What if they fail?" (Angel). I left it with THEM. I have no other plan. I have no other plan." (Jesus)
The Rt. Rev. Sanford “Sandy” Hampton
November 6, 2008
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