As I write this, millions of people in several states are still recovering from Hurricane Helene. And Hurricane Milton is bearing down on Florida. Calamitous weather seems to be the new normal across the nation and the world.
Looking at our political landscape, I think we could find bipartisan agreement that we face many metaphorical political storms. Precisely at a time when our nation needs its elected leaders to work together for the common good, our leaders seem locked in acrimonious division.
Literal and metaphorical storms take an enormous toll on us, both as individuals and as a nation. And these storms are related, because our leaders are not adequately addressing the underlying problem of climate change that leads to more frequent and more intense storms of all kinds.
It would be easy to despair. What is a Christian to do?
Those of us who were not affected by recent storms can help those who were—with prayer and monetary donations. All of us can do our part to work for healthy governance as we enter the voting booth soon.
I don’t have the answer for how to navigate the storms of this life, either the harsh weather and dysfunctional politics. But St. Paul has good advice for us. He knew something about storms and struggles. So when he speaks, he has the credibility and the experience we need.
Here is his advice, found in the fourth chapter of Philippians:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)
I don’t know about you, but I’m going to try to do as he says. The peace of God is just what I need. Maybe you do, too.
I’ve just returned from a few days in the Diocese of Texas, where I’m happy to report the Holy Spirit is doing mighty things!
On Sunday, I preached at St. Cuthbert’s in Houston. It’s one of the most racially diverse churches I’ve ever had the pleasure of worshiping in. A dazzling row of flags hangs in the worship space representing the many nations from which the members of this church come. But more than that, the place is radiant with the Spirit. They have seen dramatic growth in the last year or two, and there’s no sign of that slowing down.
What’s their secret? Why are they so vibrant? There are probably a lot of reasons, but I think their sustained focus on the transforming love of Jesus Christ — changing the world one life at a time — must be the root. Their music is lively and excellent. Their worship is well done and right out of the Book of Common Prayer. And, golly, they are deeply welcoming. If you are in the area, go check it out.
Sunday afternoon, I drove out to Camp Allen, the camp and conference center of the Diocese of Texas. There I met with the Small Church Network. This is a practice I would commend to other dioceses: twice a year, the churches with attendance under 50 get together to learn from one another. These smaller churches are able to offer personal ministry and tight-knit community. While larger churches may have more programs, small churches have their own strengths. Bigger is not better, it’s just bigger.
I heard inspiring stories of transforming ministry taking place in small churches in small towns. The Gospel is making a difference. If you are reading this and you are from a small church, I encourage you to reach out to others and to draw inspiration and support.
Finally, while I was in Texas, I met with their diocesan group of retired clergy and spouses. There were centuries of ministry experience in the room. I was encouraged by their hope for the future of our church and for the love of Jesus to make a mark in the world.
Sometimes it’s tempting to despair over the challenges we face and the seemingly unstoppable decline of our beloved church. But decline is not unstoppable. Jesus Christ, who conquered death and the grave, also promised to abide with his church until the end of time. We are not alone in our work. We have our Lord, and we have the company of fellow pilgrims on the way.
Let us all draw inspiration from one another. And let us never forget the reason our churches exist. It is not for comfort or prestige or security, but rather so that we can make disciples of Jesus Christ.
As October begins, we are getting closer and closer to Advent – and more excited about this year’s Advent devotional from Forward Movement, Show Me Your Ways, O Lord.
Last week on the blog, we met two of the four authors for this devotional. This week, we welcome the rest of the authors to our blog and your inbox. Get to know Kim Fox and Nancy Frausto in this author Q&A. (And don’t forget to order your copy of Show Me Your Ways, O Lordfrom the Forward Movement website!)
Can you introduce yourself briefly to our readers? Tell us how you got started as a writer.
Nancy Frausto
Nancy: Hola, I am the Reverend Nancy Frausto. I have the honor of serving as Director of Latinx Studies and Lecturer for Multicultural Ministries at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX.
It’s difficult to answer this question because though I have always wanted to be a writer I don’t necessarily consider myself one. Though I will share that in middle school I wrote short stories and really bad poetry all the time!
Kim: My name is Kim Fox. I serve as priest, missioner, and on diocesan staff in North Dakota and am a poet in my parallel vocation. I was honored to be able to write a successful United Thank Offering grant in environmental reparations for one of our Native congregations, St. Paul’s, White Shield, and am the new Province VI UTO Board representative.
I have been writing since childhood and have been fortunate to publish several books of poetry (published under Kimberly L. Becker), as well as having written for Forward Day by Day in the past.
What was the most enjoyable part of the writing process? What about the most difficult part? Kim: Engaging with Scripture and allowing the Spirit to move through me, even when topics were difficult. Bringing an Indigenous (Cherokee) viewpoint to my reflections.
As for the most difficult part: one of my meditations has a trigger warning, since it references abuse. I did have some communication with the editor about whether this was appropriate for the book, but I did feel strongly it should be included, so I’m glad it was accepted, as, sadly, I believe many readers will be able to relate to that theme.
Nancy: The most enjoyable part is having the finished product, or the closest one can get to the finished product. I savor the moment when I see I have accomplished a goal. Deadlines are not my friends, so being able to see the complete product after much anxiety and procrastination always brings me joy.
The most difficult part is getting started. I am old-school and I love putting pen to paper. That is my first and most dreaded step… actually getting started. But once I do, and everything starts to flow, the sense of dread returns only after I am done and think about what others will think once they read my work!
Where do you typically write? Kim: In a comfy large cream-colored chair in my living room, although I have also been known to dictate ideas while driving many miles across Northwest North Dakota!
Nancy: Wherever inspiration hits. Sometimes it is easier for me to start writing after I have gone for a walk and gathered my thoughts. If I just sit at a desk all I end up doing is doodling in my notebook.
Do you have a favorite Advent or Christmas tradition? Nancy: As a Mexican, posadas are my favorite tradition! It is all about recreating the Holy Family’s journey and seeking a safe place to lay one’s head…. and of course, we cannot forget that once a safe place has been found, we honor the hospitality of the hosts by celebrating God’s abundance with lots of yummy food, good music and wonderful fellowship.
Do you have a favorite psalm? Kim: Being from the mountains of North Carolina, my favorite psalm has always been “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills” (Psalm 121)
Nancy: Psalms of lament are my favorite because I just feel they are raw prayers offered up to God. In my most vulnerable and painful moments, when the sorrow and grief are too great and words just can’t capture the pain, the psalms of lament remind me that we God is present even when I am in too much pain to feel God’s presence.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? Nancy: I would just like to give my appreciation to Forward Movement for the opportunity to be part of this project. I feel so honored that my Advent reflections share the same space with other women of color. I hope this book helps the reader through their Advent journey.
This coming Sunday’s epistle reading comes from James. It begins:
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.
Whether we are suffering, celebrating, or sick, we should pray. In other words, we are meant to pray without ceasing, as the scripture says elsewhere.
Our epistle reading this week was written to the leaders of the church, offering counsel for the fledgling church. It’s still good advice. We would do well to anchor our churches in prayer.
I have observed, however, that this is not always the case. Lay leaders and clergy discover a challenge and struggle to solve it. Vestries grapple with financial stress or church conflict or some other issue. In our pull-ourselves-up-by-your-bootstraps culture, we are all trained to solve our problems on our own. But this is not the Gospel.
If you or your church is facing a challenge, pray. If you are celebrating, pray. If you or someone you know is ill, pray. That’s just what James says, and it’s spot on. The first point is especially important.
A few years ago, I was working with a vestry who were facing a severe challenge. They talked about the problem from all angles and debated how to solve it. Then someone spoke up, “I don’t think we know the answer. We should pray.” After a moment, it was clear that everyone knew this was the thing to do.
Is your church struggling with a challenge, or maybe several of them? Let us pray.
This coming Advent, join four women authors offering diverse perspectives on psalms of adoration, lament, repentance, and thanks, in our new devotional: Show Me Your Ways, O Lord. During a time of chaos and confusion, these daily devotions will help you stay anchored in the knowledge that “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and all who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).
For those of you who have enjoyed our author Q&A posts in the past, this one is a little different since the book has four authors! Today we hear from two of them: Beth-Sarah Wright and Kathryn Nishibayashi. Learn more about their writing process – and their Advent traditions and hopes – in today’s Q&A. (And don’t forget to order your copy of Show Me Your Ways, O Lordfrom the Forward Movement website!)
Beth-Sarah Wright
How did you get started as a writer? Beth-Sarah: I started writing in earnest when I was 15 years old, after graduating from high school in my home country of Jamaica to complete my A-levels in Edinburgh, Scotland. I attended The Edinburgh Academy, a boys’ school, where I was one of only 20 girls. It was a pivotal moment in my life—filled with homesickness, a joyful curiosity about living in a new culture and discovering new capacities for achievement and excellence when I became the head girl of the school. Effusive journaling became my way of making sense of it all. Writing was my solace, a dear friend in whom I found peace, vented frustrations, spoke to God, prayed, and celebrated joys and hopes.
Since then, writing has been my constant companion. Through writing, I discover more about God, the world, and myself than reading or pure observation. Writing helps me see differently, deconstruct and build back up. Writing holds a particular power and depth that resonates with me deeply and has shaped me ever since.
Kathryn Nishibayashi
Kathryn: I’ll admit, I kind of laughed when I read this question. I don’t really know when or how I started writing. I always enjoyed writing, but I first found myself good at editing, both my own and other people’s work. In high school and college, friends would often ask me for editing help on papers. I occasionally had small paying gigs for editing publications for our local children’s hospital.
I guess being a good editor at some point translated into me becoming a writer. And somewhere along the line, folks at Forward Movement must have liked my writing, as I have written for AdventWord and Forward Day by Day and now this Advent meditation book. I remember a conversation with my spiritual director a couple years ago when she helped me realize that perhaps I do have a gift for writing and clearly people providing me with these writing opportunities see me as a writer, so it might be time for me to embrace the “writer” part of my identity!
What was the most enjoyable part of the writing process? What about the most difficult? Beth-Sarah: The most enjoyable part of the writing process was grappling with the Psalms. Though I cherish many parts of scripture, the Psalms have always been closest to my heart. Diving deeper into their rich layers felt like a joyful exploratory journey. Writing about Advent, a spiritually profound season in the liturgical calendar, only added to this experience. Advent’s call for deep preparation provided fertile ground for asking new questions, reflecting, and conducting a personal spiritual audit. It was both a time of introspection and a celebration of the mystery and promise of what is to come.
The most difficult part of the writing process was tackling Advent many months before the season arrived. Imagining how these reflections on the Psalms would resonate with readers during Advent required a bit of mental gymnastics. It was challenging to put myself in the mindset of the Advent season while being so far removed from it. Yet, this challenge also deepened my appreciation for the preparation and anticipation that Advent embodies, even in the midst of the writing process itself.
Kathryn: It was really helpful to be able to be writing during the Advent and Christmas seasons. As I was working on the meditations, having the assigned psalms for the week in the back of my mind ended up giving me a new perspective on the Advent season. I enjoyed being able to connect my personal stories and experiences with these psalms. Sometimes I surprised myself with the connection I was able to make, but I am pleased with how the meditations turned out.
There were times when I felt constrained by only being able to choose from verses from 3 psalms. I wondered if I would have enough material to write seven meditations. But whenever I reached a point of “writer’s block” I would try to put whatever meditation I was working on aside and come back to it later. Usually when I returned to it, I found something new to add or a new angle to pursue. Clearly the Holy Spirit did some work as I put it aside and later returned to it.
Where do you typically write? Beth-Sarah: I love to write in my office, a space filled with my favorite things—photos of my beloved family, images of hummingbirds, palm trees, and the Caribbean sea. The room is flooded with bright, natural light, and I enjoy the warmth of scented candles and the softness of the rug beneath my feet, surrounded by colors that bring me joy.
Kathryn: On my couch. It may not be the most conventional but it’s more comfortable than a desk and I usually have pretty good lighting coming in and can sometimes open the sliding door to get a breeze.
Do you have a favorite psalm? Beth-Sarah: When I was a little girl and couldn’t sleep because of bad dreams, my father introduced me to Psalm 27. He told me, “Read this, and your bad dreams will go away, and you’ll be at peace.” It became the first psalm I memorized. I treasure it not only for its connection to my father but also for introducing me to a God who cares deeply about me and my dreams. Psalm 27 has journeyed with me through many stages of life, from moments of anxiety during exams to the c-sections that brought my children into the world. Even now, when I recite it, it still brings me peace.
Kathryn: My favorite psalm is probably Psalm 23. I have very distinct memories of learning it in my Sunday school classes when I was in about 2nd or 3rd grade. Then as I grew older and became a bit of a “choir geek,” I was introduced to a choral setting of Psalm 23 by Bobby McFerrin where he changed the pronouns from male to female. It resonated with me and deepened my appreciation for that psalm.
Do you have a favorite Advent or Christmas tradition? Beth-Sarah: I particularly treasure the tradition my family and I share when we decorate the tree. As we hang each ornament, we tell a story—a story that intertwines the birth of Jesus, the love of our family, the memories we hold dear, the joy, the sadness of those no longer with us, and the promise of new life, hope, joy, and new beginnings.
Kathryn: One of my favorite Christmas traditions is making toffee for friends and family. It is a family tradition. My grandmother taught my mother how to make it when she was a child. Then when I was a child, I started helping my mother with it, and eventually I learned how to make it from start to finish. As the seasons of our lives change, some years I make more of it, some years my mom makes more of it. We know that family and friends who receive it look forward to it every year and when the toffee making season starts, I know it’s almost Christmas.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? Beth-Sarah: If there’s one thing I’d like to share, it’s an invitation: be astonished by the world we live in. Look at it with new eyes—observe. Jesus, in the Great Commission, said, “Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” When we truly see the world differently, it invites us to act differently—to close gaps, to right injustices, to center and respect human dignity in everything we do. Let us be intentional about exuding joy wherever we can, and let’s invite others to join us on this journey of joy and transformation.
Kathryn: I hope that something in the book resonates with you and helps you celebrate Advent in a new or different way this year!
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about travel and how it helps remind me of important life lessons. That same trip gave me other insights, as well.
While I was in Cairo, I went to see the pyramids of Giza. I’d wanted to see them for decades, and they lived up to the hype. The morning I went, I walked all around the site, seeing the pyramids from different perspectives and touching ancient stones.
After a while, I needed a break, so I found a well-known restaurant with a splendid view of all the pyramids. Because it was the height of summer heat, there were very few other tourists. In the quiet, as I sat there sipping my coffee, I gazed at the ancient wonder of the world.
For 3,800 years, the Great Pyramid was the tallest human-made structure in the world. According to the traditional chronology, when Moses lived, the great pyramid was already close to 1,000 years old. Compared to the normal structures of the era—modest dwellings, even palaces—the pyramids must have been mind-blowing.
It would have been easy to see those pyramids and conclude that Pharaoh’s might was the greatest force in the world. And yet, when God sought to liberate his people, the mercy of the Lord exceeded armies, wealth, rulers, and worldly power. Mercy triumphed over might.
As I sat there pondering this, I thought about the vexing challenges of our time. Too many politicians crave power over the public good. The rich exploit others to gain even more wealth. People turn a blind eye toward injustice and oppression. Most of us consume more than we need, poisoning our world and harming others so that we can enjoy cheap goods.
Sometimes I am filled with despair. How can we fulfill our Lord’s command to love our neighbors? How can we work toward a better world? How will the mighty be cast down?
Seeing those pyramids helped me remember that, in the end, God’s mercy endures forever. We surely have a role in proclaiming this truth and in aligning our lives with God’s will. But we don’t have to save the world. We already have a mighty savior. What good news that is!
Today could be a demanding day for a follower of Jesus. The anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 will no doubt bring out a range of reactions, some helpful and others less so. As the US presidential election draws near, we may at times alternate between hope and despair. What is a person of faith to do with all this?
Prayer is never the wrong answer.
The scriptures call us to pray without ceasing. When Jesus was met with great challenges, he turned to prayer. So prayer is a very Christlike response to challenges.
In terms of the election, I invite you to join Forward Movement in a season of prayer for an election. We are encouraging individuals and churches to pray during the nine days leading up to this November’s election, but you can use the prayers we’ve assembled any time. Let us all pray for wise discernment for voters and for courage, clarity, and compassion in all those who seek public office.
As the news media remind us of the horrors that were visited on the US 23 years ago, let us pray for those who died, for their loved ones, for those who carry scars from their work as first responders, but also for those whose hearts are filled with hatred, that they may be led from acts of violence to a place of mercy and grace instead.
I’m here to witness to the fact that prayer can bring about miracles. Let us pray for nothing less than a miraculous change in our world, one life at a time.
I’ve just come back from a three-week solo travel adventure. On this trip, I visited five countries that were new to me: Comoros, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, and Spain. It was amazing. And it didn’t all go according to plan.
There are lots of reasons I love traveling to see the world. But one of the big reasons is that nearly every trip ends up serving to remind me of a crucial lesson for the Christian life: sometimes our plan doesn’t happen. It may be that our plan and God’s plan are different, or sometimes it may just be as simple as “stuff happens” and we must adjust to new circumstances.
When I travel, I usually have a list of things I want to see or do, with the most important ones at the top of the list. I read about how I will accomplish all these things, and then I set out. But sometimes things happen: a flight is late, a site is unexpectedly closed, there’s a traffic jam, or some other problem.
As I watch my plans evaporate, it can be tempting to get frustrated or even angry. On a good day, I remember that the point of travel is to see new things, not to execute a plan I made back home. Sometimes disruptions or last-minute changes improve my travels in ways I couldn’t imagine. Other times, I miss seeing things I really wanted to visit, and there’s no way to repair the plan.
Perspective is everything. Earlier this year, I was in Japan to see cherry blossoms. I started to get myself worked into a state because the sky was a dull gray instead of the bright blue I had hoped for. And then it clicked: “Scott, you’re in Tokyo seeing amazing cherry blossoms, and they are stunning regardless of the weather.” That’s all I needed. I went back to being delighted in God’s creation.
This lesson from travel applies to larger life, in big and small ways. We can become angry or frustrated that our plan isn’t working. Or we can adjust to the new plan, whatever the cause, and give thanks for God’s presence with us on life’s turns and twists.
I don’t believe the gospel promises that the Christian life will be easy, but the gospel does assure us that God abides with us throughout life’s journey. It’s a lesson I need to learn over and over.
Yours faithfully,
Scott Gunn
Executive Director
P.S. Travel photography is a hobby of mine, so if you’d like to see photos from Comoros, Egypt, Morocco, or Spain, have a look.
While Scott is traveling this summer, we bring you a rerun post from August 2019. Hope you enjoy it!
Dear friends in Christ,
It sure seems like the cool weather of fall is a world away. And yet, we’re only a couple of days away from the change. At Forward Movement, our summer “half-day Fridays” come to an end with the start of September. The point is, you’d better enjoy the last little bit of summer life!
Whether or not the start of September makes much of a difference in your home, it does make a difference to lots of people. This time of year is one of those times when plenty of people think of finding a new church. Is your church ready for an influx of guests?
We at Forward Movement offer lots of resources to help guests learn more about the Episcopal Church, but it’s not just about having a fresh pile of books and pamphlets. Now is a great time to check your signage, make sure your website is up to date, and clear away clutter in the hallways and entries.
I frequently hear that we need to provide a clear path for guests. How do they learn more? How do they get involved? How are they invited into membership? For small and large congregations, it’s a challenge, though the challenge is different. Larger congregations with loads of programs need to provide a roadmap (“Start here, this is next, and finally this is how to become members.”). Smaller congregations won’t have a dizzying array of programs, but they still need to provide a path. Here the solution is probably an individual meeting between guests and either lay leaders or clergy.
Our church is shrinking, and one of the reasons is that we don’t always do a good job of inviting people through our doors. And when they arrive, we’re not often good at welcoming and connecting them into ministries. Check out Invite Welcome Connect to help with this process.
Lots of people are yearning for a community with purpose. They’re waiting on you to invite them and to offer them a place.
Forward Movement’s mission is “Inspire disciples. Empower evangelists.” And more and more Episcopalians are talking about discipleship these days. You might well wonder what a disciple is. And that might lead one to wonder what discipleship is.
Simply put, a disciple is a follower of Jesus. The word in Greek comes close to meaning “a learner.” But this isn’t just about being a good student and getting all the facts right, though there’s never harm in getting the facts right!
Disciples pattern their life after Jesus. To put it in the language of our prayer book, a disciple seeks to grow more fully into the stature of Christ.
That means we who are disciples look to Jesus so that we can learn to believe what he taught. It means we seek to orient our lives toward love, just as he did. It means we look beyond our own interests toward God’s will for us, just as Jesus did. It means we are quick to offer sacrificial love, just as he was.
So are we treating Jesus as merely a moral teacher, someone who dispensed bits of wisdom that we try to learn? He was a moral teacher, of course. And he was more. Being disciples means that we pattern our lives after Jesus. Being a disciple means that we are faithful in our worship, just like Jesus. Being a disciple means that we rest and pray, just as Jesus did. Being a disciple means that we fearlessly speak the truth in love, always.
How can anyone do this?! It all sounds impossible. And it would be if it were up to us alone. But we have the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth, to guide us. And we know that Jesus himself sits at his Father’s right hand, loving us and advocating for us.
Discipleship is teaching and practicing the ways of a disciple. Discipleship involves a set of behaviors and beliefs, some of which we intellectually learn and actually practice. Others are given to us by God, often as gifts of the Spirit.
When I am Christ-centered, I am more faithful, more patient, more gentle, more loving, and so on. I hope you have a rich journey as a disciple of Jesus Christ who makes more disciples.
What was the most enjoyable part of the writing process? What about the most difficult part?
Do you have a favorite psalm?
What was the most enjoyable part of the writing process? What about the most difficult?
Do you have a favorite psalm?
Dear friends in Christ,
Dear friends in Christ,