A Pentecost Letter from the Patriarch

A Pandemic Pentecost

Here in the United States, the president said that the country would be reopening by Easter.  He was certainly optimistic.  But, after seeking the advice of medical professionals and epidemiologists, as well as other counsel, he changed his date, and here we are in May still debating when will be a good date to start reopening the country and lessening restrictions.  Ultimately, I guess, the real end of this pandemic will be when we have a vaccine. Given that, there is a lot of debate about when we will have a vaccine.

I have been home and in my “bedroom office” since March 17.  This “isolation” has been called a quarantine, a lockdown, and staying safe.  In some places in the United States, the governments are enforcing, not only stay home orders but wearing masks and social distancing, with large fines if the rules are not followed.  There are already battles in the courts about whether the government has the authority to enforce these “regulations.”

I prefer to call my “isolation” a “seclusion.”

A PANDEMIC PENTECOST

Certainly the fact that there is a coronavirus and a pandemic has influenced my decision to stay home.  I am sure I would not have chosen it by myself, especially since I am presently confined with three children – a two-year-old, a four-year-old, and a thirteen-year-old (a quarantween).

So early on I decided that I would offer this time to the Lord and work to build into my schedule more time for prayer, study, meditation, inward digestion of God’s word.  It would become a time to remove the things of the world and seek the Lord Jesus, knowing in this pandemic, and always, He was seeking me.

I have been drawn to the resources of the internet, especially on social media.  I have been able to pray with people, attend virtual Eucharists, and listen in on the preaching of so many men of God.  I have been so encouraged and edified by these words.  I have even gone out in social media world and I am live streaming a personal reflection on Scripture at 1 p.m. daily.

Early on I was struck by the hoarding of toilet paper by many Americans.  I am still not sure what that was all about.  But it struck me as extremely funny and people began sharing memes about the “Toilet Paper Crisis.”  There is even a Facebook group based on the “Crisis.”  I saw advertised tee shirts that said, “I survived the 2020 Toilet Paper Crisis.”  I was tempted to purchase that tee-shirt but decided not to because the real crisis is the death of thousands of people from this disease, and there is nothing funny about it.

However, I am sure there will be tee shirts, coffee mugs, bumper stickers, and other items put up for sale, after the pandemic passes. They will say, “I survived COVID 19,” or the “coronavirus,” or the “Pandemic.”  This pandemic will be a defining moment for many people as other historic events like 9/11 are defining moments.

In prayer, it came to me that this time needs to be more than “survival.”  If I made it a time set apart for the Lord, it could easily become a time of “revival.”  I didn’t want to come out of this time merely having survived, so that when the “crisis” ends I or the church go back to normal, or the Church got back to normal (perhaps with the addition of new technology).   I wanted it to be a time when I had turned away from all those things that have distracted me from picking up my cross and following Jesus.

I am seeking a new and renewed personal Pentecost.  I am praying that our Churches encounter a renewed Pentecost with fire and wind and zeal for the Lord Jesus.  Zeal that will force us out of “Upper Rooms” and into the streets. A Church proclaiming that Jesus is the Savior and that all who call upon Him will be saved.

Having gone out on social media with my own live stream and talking to others, we have discovered, by the number of views, that there is a hunger for the Gospel.  One Bishop is hosting a morning prayer meeting and thousands from around the world are joining him in prayer.  Small churches that have consistent attendance of 30 to 50 people are having hundreds join them via Facebook or YouTube.  Sometimes people, like myself, are listening to several sermons a day or attending online bible studies or small groups.  And, people who are not members of their Church are joining in on the study.  It is a new day.

Looks like Pentecost Sunday will be different (like Easter).  But let us pray that the Holy Spirit finds us as empty vessels ready to be filled again.  Let us be found ready to be used by the Lord Jesus, and to be empowered with the spiritual gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ, and for the evangelization of the world.  Let Pentecost be the beginning of a new day.

I continue to pray for each of you.

Under His mercy,

+Craig Bates
ICCEC, Patriarch

List of CEC Parishes Streaming On-Line–Updated

In his Easter message, the Patriarch of the ICCEC, Archbishop Craig Bates encouraged all members of the communion to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them in this season and watch various CEC services that are available on-line.  (You can read his entire message by clicking HERE.)  To that end, we have compiled a partial and incomplete list of services and devotions that various churches and clergy are streaming on-line, including the Patriarch’s own daily devotional that can be seen on his Facebook page.

Morning Prayer from the Daily Office

Christ the Holy Servant, Buffalo, NY—Fr. Josh Baker & Dcn. Alan Strauss:  They lead Morning Prayer, Monday through Saturday at 7 o’clock, on Facebook and post their services on their YouTube Channel as well.

Daily Mass

Cathedral of Christ the King, Selma, AL—Abp. Charles Jones: The stream their noon Eucharist and Sunday services on their Facebook and YouTube.  Abp. Jones also does and Monday night “In Christ” devotional on his personal Facebook page.

Cathedral Church of the Intercessor, Malverne, NY—Fr. Brett Crompton: They stream Mass Monday through Saturday at noon, Friday at 6, and Saturday at 9:30 & 11:30 on both Facebook and YouTube.

Cathedral of Christ the King, New Paltz, NY—Bp. Gregory Ortiz: Monday, Wedneday, and Friday, Mass is at noon.  Thursday and Saturday, Mass is at 8 am.  Tuesday, Mass is at 5:30 pm.  Sunday morning services start at 10 am.  They also post a children’s story time.  Everything is on their Facebook page.

Cathedrals and Bishops

The Cathedral Church of the Resurrection—Bp. David Simpson: Full Sunday morning services begin live at 10 am on Facebook.

The Cathedral of Christ the King, Sharpsburg, GA—Bp. David Epps: The church has been posting their services live on their Facebook page and Bp. Epps has been doing brief daily devotionals and leading the Office of Compline (end of day prayers) on his Facebook page.

Cathedral Church of the King, Olathe, KS—Bp. Michael Davidson: Services are on their Facebook page.

Cathedral of St. Michael’s, San Clemente, CA—Bp. Doug Kessler and these guys get the award for the most cleverly named extra activity.  Fr. Ed Harris and his wife Mia give an online talk which he calls his “Ed Talk.”  Their services and their Ed Talks are on their Facebook page.

The Cathedral Church of the Reconciliation, Bel Air, MD—Bp. Robert Northwood: North America’s newest bishop is streaming his services on-line on their Facebook page.

Other Parishes and Missions

St. Michael & All Angels, Thomaston, GA—Fr. Michael Birdsong 

Emmaus Abbey Church, Knoxville, TN—Fr. Brett Travis

Trinity Communion Church, Rochester, NY—Fr. Eric Ockrin

Holy Trinity, Stewartstown, PA—Fr. Mark Nelson

Bread of Life, Dousman, WI—Fr. Chris Keough: Bread of Life is the parish that is closest to my seminary, but only just opened as I was leaving.  Fr. Chris is a fellow alumni of my alma mater or, as we refer to ourselves, a “son of the House.”

International Flavor

ICCEC Europe—Bp. Elmer Belmonte:  Bp. Belmonte oversees all of the CEC churches in Europe.  This Facebook page has daily devotionals as well as Sunday services, an Easter message from the Patriarch, and is definitely worth following!

The Patriarch has encouraged us to take full advantage of the abundance of talented three-streams preachers that are now available on the internet, both on Facebook and YouTube.  Take a few moments each day and watch a sermon from a faithful bishop or priest.  Watch a daily devotional and pray the Daily Office.  Come out of this season not overwhelmed by fear and doubt but empowered by the Word of God and fed by His Spirit and Truth!

 

The Patriarch’s Easter Statement

Seems to me like every pastor, preacher, and evangelist has discovered social media, and in particular, the ability to live stream. It might seem to be that way for me because so many of my “friends” and/or “contacts” on social medial are conservative Evangelicals, Orthodox, Anglicans, or Catholics. Of course, I also have a significant number of friends from my own denomination. Despite this, I have held back on becoming involved in social media. I don’t want to become another “talking head pastor.”  I have instead tried to refer people to others who are doing an excellent job at leading people in prayer and worship. Many of them are ICCEC churches. I have also joined others during morning prayer, group gatherings, and Sunday mornings. What an encouragement these bishops, priests, and deacons have been to my family and me. Soon we will have link information on the various live streams on CEC-NA.
As I write this note to the ICCEC, the state of New York is the center of the pandemic in the United States. Not just in the United States but for the entire world. Today, there are 103,000 plus (and growing) cases in New York and most of those in the New York City Metropolitan Area. This does not include those in New Jersey and Connecticut.  The center of the pandemic in New York City is Elmont, New York (a village of Queens County in New York City), which is less than ten minutes from my home. I have been told that because of my age, some respiratory and health issues, to stay home and have no contact with anyone outside. I am careful to follow these instructions.
I have decided that the Christian response to the pandemic is to submit and obey to those who have authority over us. Certainly, I do so for myself but also because if I were to test positive for COVID-19, I would be highly contagious and perhaps, even unknowingly, infect someone else. Although, I am disappointed that I cannot gather with my brothers and sisters for the daily Eucharist, daily prayers, and, more importantly, the Sunday Eucharist.
The decision of Churches to cancel public gatherings is the right decision. This has been the decision of every sacramental church from Rome to Anglicans. The major spiritual leaders of the historic churches have all called for a suspension of public gatherings, even for Holy Week and Easter. I encourage all of us to do the same.
It is important that we do not get infected but also that we don’t infect others. The best way to end this thing is social distancing and washing our hands frequently. And pray. Rather than “sing happy birthday,” I pray the Our Father and other prayers.
This forced quarantine has opened up a tremendous amount of time for me to pray and research the Scriptures. I have also enjoyed reading and, above all, listening to some great preachers. On Sunday, I make a list of those who have live-streamed their services and then during the week I will listen to one of the sermons each day of the week. I have connected with my own Cathedral and sign on to their virtual Eucharist every day at 12 p.m. EST. I am part of a small group of brothers and sisters who have been faithful in prayer. I have also joined prayer groups in Manila and Europe. The increased use of the internet in ministry, especially for evangelism, I believe, is something that will continue after the pandemic. I am excited about that and the potential to reach our friends and others with the Gospel.
As I listen to the government and medical officials, it is clear that this pandemic is far from over. In New York, the apex or peak has not happened yet, and it is predicted that the peak will fall somewhere between two weeks from now to the end of April. After that, there will still be a time when the virus will be active, and we will still have to stay home. “Back to normal” is several months away for New Yorkers. Leaders are telling us that the worst has not yet happened, and in the end the death toll could be as high as 200,000 or maybe more.
It means for most that we will not have public worship services for Palm Sunday, all Holy Week, and Easter Sunday. It means that our services will be almost entirely “live-streamed.” If you are a small church and can’t live stream, it is important that you find out if your Cathedral is live-streaming and encourage your people to join them online.
I had hoped that this deadly virus would have been over by Easter Sunday. How glorious it would be if that were true, and we could gather and sing the great hymns and songs of the resurrection together. How our souls would rejoice to hear the Gospel proclaim that the tomb is empty, and death is defeated. Above all, it would be brilliant to gather at the altar where we know Him in the breaking of the bread and join with all the saints in eternal worship. I cannot remember a time in my seventy years that I was not around the altar for the Feast of the Resurrection.
We need to remind ourselves that celebrating the Passion and Resurrection is something we do every Sunday. We are a people of the resurrection, and in the face of death, we are not afraid. We do not allow anxiety, worry, or fear take the place of prominence in our lives. And, even at the grave, we will sing our song “alleluia.” The truth is that this horrible pandemic is going to end. I believe they will discover both a cure and a vaccine. We will gather once again and praise God in our churches.
This Lent (the Lent of all Lents) teaches that through prayer, reading and study of scripture, fasting, repentance, helping the poor, and sacrificial giving, we allow our souls and bodies to be drawn into a deeper participation in the life and death of Christ. But these are not just principles for Lent; they are disciplines meant for our entire Christian walk with Jesus. If we are to follow Him (which is far more than believing in Him) we are daily to pick up our cross. We are to deny ourselves and humble ourselves. It is through the cross that we come closer to Jesus.
When this ends, I pray that we have brought ourselves and our churches into a deeper commitment to daily prayers, both as individuals and communities. How great it would be if there were growth in early morning prayer both at the church, in our homes, and on social media. I am even thinking of starting an online prayer group. To pray is to breathe the breath of God. To pray is to abide in Christ, knowing Christ lives in us and we in Christ. To pray is to abide with Jesus in the heavenly places.
When this ends, I pray that we renew our commitment to the reading, studying, and doing the Holy Scriptures. We are called to be disciples, and our churches are called to make disciples. I know of one church that is looking at developing an online campus of events and programs that people can participate in without leaving their homes. However, I also hope there is an increase in weekday home groups (relationship is part of discipleship). During this pandemic, I have a renewed understanding of the role Scripture plays in my day to day life. It is the sword of the Spirit and it is profitable to a righteous man.  Every day, the Lord has spoken to me in His Word, and I have been equipped. I am more equipped to be an ambassador of Christ proclaiming in word and deed the ministry of reconciliation and not judgment. What a joy to have churches that have a Biblical world view and not a political or media-driven world view.
Fasting reminds us that the body is a great servant but a horrible leader. We are to be led by the Spirit, and weekly fasting is good for our soul. We sometimes laughed at the “no meat on Friday” obligation. We laugh because we saw it as “legalism.” But fasting one day a week is not such a bad thing. It is not necessary for salvation, but it is a good discipline to discipline the body and renew the Spirit. After this, Lent may we discover increase times of fasting not only individually and perhaps as a whole parish or a whole diocese. Not as a law, but as a means of moving more and more in the Spirit. I believe the Holy Spirit is going to move into the world with the message of God’s love and promise of eternal life.
We are not in need of repentance just during Lent. This isolation has turned me into the need to have my mind renewed repeatedly so that I am not conformed to the pattern of this world. Watching endless news conforms us to the world. I am thankful for the ability to confess my sins and have Him restore me day after day. Being able to look at the pandemic from the eyes of God enabled me to see how much I am loved, and we are loved. Hence, there has been caution, but no fear. I hope that the Churches and each of is renewed in our understanding that God has forgiven us, and we have a constant need to forgive those who have offended us. I hope there is a renewal of confession both in the Penitential order of the Liturgy. But I also hope for a renewal of private confession that will bring reconciliation and healing in our churches, homes, between individuals, and in our communities. What power will be released through this simple act of love. What power will be released when people look at us, and say, “we know they are followers of Jesus by their love for one another.”
The poor must be dear to our hearts, not only during Lent but throughout the whole year. In my times of prayer, I have had times of weeping thinking of the impact the pandemic is having and is going to have on the poor in our church in Africa, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia. How senseless was the hoarding behavior of people in the West? How we need to understand that the vast majority of Africa, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia have nothing to hoard. They already live day to day with no or limited medical care. How the poor live with the reality of cholera, malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Malnutrition and starvation is a reality for millions in these areas. Finding clean water or proper sewage is difficult. Also, in some places the people cry not because the schools are closed but because there are no school. I hope this Lent has brought us to live a life with and for the poor. The poor, the widow, and the fatherless are dear to our God. How can we serve them?
There is also the poor right around us. We have discovered how many live-in fear. And fear leads to all kinds of addictions and destructive behavior. There are those around us who are spiritually empty and searching. I hope that our use of social media will not be to entertain the saved but to reach the lost. May we come out of the pandemic as an army that has a mission that so much greater than the need to survive.
I have determined myself that there are two types of people, and I have since modified that to believe there are three types of people. The first are takers. Takers live life to get what they can out of life. They believe that they are entitled to everything. So, they live taking as if they can take all their possessions with them. Their sin is that they treat people like things and things like people. Instead of loving people, they love things. The second group are buyers. These are people who appear as if they are givers. They are generous in giving gifts, particularly to those less fortunate than themselves. But they also expect complete loyalty, as each gift comes with a price. They are manipulators of the least. The third group are givers. Givers are determined to live a life for others. It is not what they can take out of life but what they put into life and especially the lives of others. They give not out of duty or with expectations but because they know that real blessing is in giving.
I pray this Lent has taught us about things that really matter in life. Those things that are important and will motivate us to become generous givers, especially to the work of the Lord through His Church. We should study what it means to be a giver – particularly Malachi 3.8-12. This is not only about giving but about trusting in our Lord God. It is the beginning of living a life knowing for certain it is God who is our protector and provider. When the next crisis comes, we will not fear for we will know, not just believe, He is with us.
I believe in the Liturgical calendar. I enjoy keeping the Liturgical calendar. The time of Holy Week, Easter, the Ascension, and Pentecost are my favorites. I am going to miss the traditions and liturgies this year. But we all know that we are called to live in between Pentecost and the Second Coming. We are called to be Resurrection people in the midst of a dying world. I hope Lent transformed us individually, as families, and a Church community.
I don’t expect the world to be different and churches to be packed after the pandemic is over. It is like believing that was going to happen after 9/11. Nor is it any different than expecting that the Sunday after Easter is going to be as well attended as Easter. But I do hope that we, the people of God, will have been revived and renewed, and on fire to bring the Gospel outside of the church. May the suffering of this pandemic motivate us to live the three streams of being charismatic, evangelical, and sacramental in order to glorify Christ and lead others in the way of salvation.
Christ is risen from the dead. Trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Under His mercy,
+Craig W. Bates,
Patriarch

UPDATE: Church of the Messiah’s Sunday Service

In an effort to give the very best response to the ever-changing Corona Virus crisis, we are changing our plans for our service this Sunday, March 22nd.  While Mayor Lenny Curry has restricted building occupancy to less than 50 people, we believe that it is most prudent to follow the President’s and the CDC’s guidelines and restrict those gathering in Church of the Messiah’s building to 10 people or less.  Obviously, that begs the question, “How can you have church with 10 people or less?”  Our response to that question will be three-fold.

First, we will livestream our service on Facebook Live.  We encourage everyone to watch on-line and to start their own “watch parties” and share the church service in this “Corona Virus era” way.

Second, we still urge that anyone showing flu or cold symptoms, anyone who is considered high-risk, and anyone who has traveled to a country where there has been an outbreak, as well as anyone who has been in contact with someone who has traveled to a country where there has been an outbreak to remain home and contact the church office or one our priests.  We are blessed to be able pray for you and to bring Holy Communion to you in such a way that you will not put yourself or anyone else at risk.  To be clear, those who are considered high-risk are those with cardio vascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, people in treatment for other illnesses, and those who are over sixty years old.  

We feel the need to reiterate the second point because our third method of responding to this crisis is where we are really breaking new ground.  As we livestream our service, we are opening our parking lot to those who are able to join us.  We encourage those who feel so led to join us in our parking lot and watch us via livestream for what we are calling “Drive In Church.”  You gather in your car in our parking lot and, when we have consecrated the Eucharist, at around 11 o’clock, we will bring the Body of Christ to those who are in the parking lot.

This is not a perfect solution.  It is far from it, but it does allow us adhere to the guidelines set by the President and the CDC, while addressing the two biggest shortcomings of just livestreaming our service.  Watching a service on your phone, tablet, or even cast up onto your television does not allow you to have the sense of community that is vital to a church fellowship.  We hope that gathering together in the parking lot will foster and strengthen that “we’re all in this together” sense of community that the Church has always had.  Secondly, your electronic device cannot ever give you the Blessed Sacrament.  While it is not prudent at this point to administer the Blood of Christ, we can still prudently and cautiously administer the Body of Christ to those who gather in our parking lot and remain in their cars.  We are working on the way to do this in the most sanitary, secure, and holy way possible.

We do not know how long we will continue to have our services in this manner.  We do not know how long this crisis will last.  As circumstances continue to unfold, we will continue to adapt to that we can continue to minister the Word of God and the Sacraments of the Church to as many people as we are able in the best and most responsible way that we can find.  For this Sunday, we look forward to you joining us on our livestream or in our parking lot.

God bless you all!

You’re Invited to Ash Wednesday Service

On Wednesday evening, March 26th, starting at 7 o’clock, Church of the Messiah will hold its annual Ash Wednesday Service.  Ash Wednesday is the traditional beginning of the Holy Season of Lent which commemorates Our Lord’s forty days in the wilderness following His baptism in the River Jordan.  Lent is time of prayer, fasting, and charitable giving as well as deliberately focusing on strengthening our walk with The Lord.  The Ash Wednesday Service is wonderful way to begin the season of Lent.  The service includes a time of praise & worship, readings and a homily from Holy Scriptures, the special once a year Imposition of Ashes and Litany of Penitence as well as the Holy Eucharist.   Our Youth Group will be included in the special service and childcare is provided for those between the ages of one year old to fifth grade.  We invite everyone to join us this Wednesday night, beginning at 7 o’clock, as observe Ash Wednesday and begin a Holy Lent.

The Patriarch’s Letter on the Feast of Our Lord the Giver of Life

The Gospel of John chapter 10 and verse 10 reports Jesus telling His disciples that He came that we might have life and have life abundantly. It is through the sacraments and the Scriptures that we find the essence and fullness of human life, now and for all eternity. John further records in John 14:6 that life is not a “concept” or merely something “spiritual” but is the person of Jesus. The person of Jesus shows that, in the eyes of God, all human life is not only good and sacred but is the focus of His love in Jesus and therefore worthy of redemption.

Every Christmas season the whole world and especially the Church are reminded that the God and King of the entire universe has become human in the womb of a virgin. Not human for a time, but for all time. He never abandons His humanity but takes humanity, through His death and resurrection, upon His Kingdom throne and sits in His humanity over all creation. This Christ Jesus, whom we worship because of His humanity and divinity, is God with us to never leave us.

The Church is called to proclaim that Jesus is Lord. He is the truth. Our task is not to debate the world about this truth but to proclaim this truth. Our convincing the world of this truth is far more profound than just discourse with our society and culture about truth; it is the presentation of Christ in us in the world. We are to live out the truth that is revealed to us by living that revelation in the culture and society in which we dwell.

I am absolutely opposed to abortion. I believe abortion is never necessary. I believe abortion is the taking of human life and, in some cases, not only killing but murder. I am abhorred by any abortion but particularly by late-term abortion and by those who are now comfortable even with infanticide. I am appalled by those who march forward with advocating abortion for any reason whatsoever, including genetic selection, gender selection, and racial selection.

Because I am opposed to abortion in this manner, I am often challenged with the charge that “being pro-life is more than being anti-abortion.” Of course to be pro-life is to be more than anti-abortion. And, the church, particularly the ancient and historic church, has always been in the forefront of proclaiming the dignity of human life. The church is called to bring life, not only for the salvation of our souls, but in the food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, and shelter for the homeless. The church has always embraced a welcome to strangers and refugees. The church has always visited those in prison and declared release to those who are in bondage to sin, the world, and the devil.

Drug addiction, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity, greed, materialism, consumerism, poverty, domestic violence, and the sex trade industry are breeding grounds for the killing of the unborn. The church must bring the Gospel of life and the light of that Gospel into those areas of darkness. The Gospel is the way to address these horrors.

At this moment in our history, we are confronted in the United States with around 3,000 abortions a day or 1,095,000 a year. Around the world there are more than 100,000 abortions a day or 36,500,000 a year. More abortions committed in one day than in all of World War II.

Abortion is not a legal issue or a political issue, though we need to address the issue in the courts and in the legislature. Abortion is a moral issue and an issue of the soul. Mother Teresa reminds us that a country that allows the killing of its infants in the womb has lost its soul. Have the nations of the world who have permitted and legalized this murder of children lost their soul, particularly the United States?

Because this is a moral issue our primary weapons are not carnal but spiritual to the tearing down of this stronghold of death. Prayer must be at the front of the Pro-Life movement. Through prayer that is sustained, not for days, but for day after day, we are going to see spiritual victories won in the physical realm. We are going to see the Gospel lived out in the flesh of transformed lives living out the Pro-Life discipline of discipleship. Abortion will end because we will see it for the evil that it is and always will be.

For this reason, at the core of the mission of CEC for Life is prayer. We know we belong in front of abortion mills, as well as places where abortion mills are being constructed, to stand and pray. We do the

Liturgy for the Preborn at the Time of Death because this is what the Church is called to do. We are called to pray.

Secondly, we educate the church on the issue of abortion. We keep the church informed of victories that are happening around the world. We educate people on how they can work in their own church and in their communities to end abortion. And, particularly, we educate young adults for the future of this ministry. They are the generation that will end abortion.

The CEC is not a church that is Pro-Life; it is a Pro-Life church. From the beginning we have been given signs and symbols to make visible the Pro-Life message, and not only on Sunday morning. We are a communion of people birthed in the jails of Los Angeles and around the country, making visible the Gospel of Life. We are a Church that knows we are to identify with the preborn, the woman in crisis, those in need of healing from abortion, and with those who seek freedom from the abortion industry.

On January 19th, the third Sunday of the Christmas season, the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church celebrates a feast in honor of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord and Giver of Life. During the Eucharist, an offering is to be taken where we ask every participant and member of the ICCEC to give generously to the Pro-Life work of our communion. We also ask every clergy, along with every parish, to partner with CEC for Life by submitting their membership request for the year.

I know you will want to participate with me in this holy work. I know you will want to give sacrificially and generously. Go to our website and see all that is happening because of your generosity and the blessing of God.

You are always in my prayers.

Under His mercy,

+Craig W. Bates, Patriarch ICCEC

Christmas Services at Church of the Messiah

Church of the Messiah invites you to join us as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior this Christmas season.  Our Christmas services begin at 7 o’clock on Christmas Eve with our Family Service.  This is s special service with all sorts of family fun and traditional Christmas Carols by candlelight.  This year there will be a special presentation of the Christmas Story by our youth and children that was written and produced by one of our own youth.

On Christmas Day, beginning at 10 o’clock, we have our Christmas morning service.  This is a said Mass and generally lasts between forty-five minutes to an hour, but is a wonderful way to help “Keep Christ in Christmas.”

As the season of Christmas is twelve days long and begins on Christmas day (not ends), we also will be celebrating the Christmas season on the First and Second Sundays after Christmas, December 29th and January 5th, at our 10 o’clock services.

We invite you to join us at any or all of our services throughout the entire Christmas Season this year and wish you and all of your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a blessed new year.

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

 

Celebrate Thanksgiving with Church of the Messiah

This Wednesday night, November 27th, Church of the Messiah will hold its annual Thanksgiving Eve Service.  St. James reminds us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (1:17)  Since every good gift we have comes from Our Father in Heaven, it is only right that we come together and give thanks to Him as we celebrate our Thanksgiving Feast.

Our service begins at seven o’clock and will combine our regular adult Bible study and Youth Service into one service for the entire congregation.  The service will include praise & worship, readings from Holy Scripture, a special guest preacher, the Litany of Thanksgiving, and the celebration of Holy Eucharist.  There will be childcare for those younger than 6th grade.  We know that Thursday will be an especially busy day, so we remain committed to conclude the service by 8:30 so that everyone can be ready to go early on Thursday morning.

Please join us this Wednesday night, beginning at 7 o’clock as we “enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”

Major Changes Coming to Wednesday Night Services

Church of the Messiah is excited to announce that there will be major changes coming to our Wednesday night, mid-week services beginning this Wednesday night, November 6th.  The most significant change is that the Youth Group will be taking over Wednesday Nights.  The Youth will have the run of the service from 7 o’clock until 8:30 in the main sanctuary while everyone else attending church in the evening will be attending Bible studies elsewhere in the building.

When Church of the Messiah first relocated to our current location in 2013, we began having Wednesday night services which had previously been impossible while we were worshiping at Jacksonville University.  In 2018, Casey Harlow was appointed as the Youth Pastor of Church of the Messiah and our Youth Group began meeting during our regular mid-week services.  As our Youth Group has grown, however, fitting everything needed for a youth meeting, into the time we had previously allotted for the Youth simply became unmanageable.  After prayer, and in consensus with his Rector’s Council, Fr. Looker made the decision to cede the mid-week services entirely to the Youth Group.  This decision gives them triple the time that they previously had for their meetings and more than enough room to grow and thrive.

Those who are over eighteen are not left out in the cold.  We will be leading a series of Bible studies for those adults who are attending church on Wednesday night.  We will start off with Max Lucado’s Anxious for Nothing in the church conference room this Wednesday at seven o’clock.  It is not necessary to purchase anything to participate in the Bible Study, however, if you would like to do so, you may buy copies of the individual book by clicking this LINK.

We will still have childcare for children who are younger than fifth grade and we will still honor our commitment to be out by 8:30 so that everyone can get home in time to prepare for work and school the following morning.  While this means that Wednesday nights will not regularly be Eucharistic services, we will occasionally join with the youth in having special Eucharistic services.  The first of these services will be November 27th, when we celebrate Thanksgiving.

 

The Patriarch’s Letter on the Fourth of July

Please take a few moments and read this letter to the Bishops and clergy of the CEC in North America on the Fourth of July.

I know some of you who will receive this letter are not citizens of the United States of America However, to save someone the task of taking names off a mailing list for this one letter, you are included. I hope you enjoy it and that some of my thoughts will minister to you as well.

During the development of Cable News and the beginning of the internet, especially social media, we are all assaulted with news and information. Some are true, and some are false. Social media and the internet have given rise to the validation of the “tabloid” press and, for better or worse, has given everyone a place to express their opinions or ideas without the necessity of facts or concern for truth.

I love reading history. I love reading historical novels (if you know of a good one let me know). I would have focused more on studying history, except that it meant remembering dates. Dates meant “numbers” and for some reason, anything that involves “numbers” escapes me. If I can get things in the right century, I am okay with myself.

I love, however, reading about the characters who made history and being able to hear the stories of those involved. I like to have things clarified as to the reasons things happened, how thing evolved, how things got settled, and the implications of those events on modern history. It is one of the reasons I can watch the PBS documentary on the Civil War repeatedly.

When it comes to the Revolutionary War, I grew up understanding the war with the limited information I was told in school. I thought that there was the “big bad British” who took the freedoms away from the “good and wonderful people of colonies.” When there was a tax imposed on the people, a group of colonists “threw tea” in the Boston Harbor, provoking a “shoot out” in Lexington & Concord with the “shot heard around the world.” The colonist signed a Declaration of Independence (which I had to memorize in high school). Then the British sent more “Red Coats.” Until finally, ALL the colonists came to arms, endured great suffering (especially in Valley Forge), and finally in Virginia defeated the English (after the French showed up).

Of course, there was much more. But what I knew and what my environment reinforced, made me proud to be an American. I still am. Plus, growing up in metro-Philadelphia, where the Declaration was signed, the Fourth of July, was a major feast day and a source of pride.

The point of this rambling is that much of what I knew about the Revolution was through filters. One of those filters is that every colonist supported the Revolution. The fact is that they didn’t. As many as 20% of Americans remained loyalists to the crown. Further, somewhere between 20% to 30% were considered “patriots” and wanted to break with England. Surprisingly, 50% plus just wanted to live in peace and didn’t take sides. American was divided. It was divided even after the war. There was a lot more work to unite and form a Union.

Perhaps the election and re-election of George Washington were the only uncontested elections in US History. From the time George Washington retired, every election reflected a division in the nation. Often a very serious division. Campaigns involved name-calling, false accusations, and even threats of death.

The compromises of the first Constitution, particularly regarding slavery, barely held the nation together. Hence, the nation fell into the great Civil War. Certainly, slavery was a major issue but underneath or behind that issue were concerns, attitudes, and beliefs about the nature of government and man’s relationship to that government. So much so that many in the Confederate states called the civil war, ‘the second revolution.”

Reconstruction divided the nation. Segregation divided the nation. The nation was divided about entering World War I. In the years before World War II; the nation was divided about entering into the war in Europe. Pearl Harbor united us for a moment as we came against the evil in Europe and the Pacific. But after we returned, we remained a divided nation. I remember the election of 1960 when the nation was divided. My father, normally not a political type, worked for Richard Nixon because he believed that if John Kennedy were elected, the United States would be ruled by the Pope. The election was one of the closest. There were accusations of voter fraud with some claiming that even the “dead” came out to vote.

The 1960s saw even more division. We watched on television not only the horror of racism and segregation but the horror of war. The nation again was divided, and we every night the media showed us the division. We saw that “hatred” and “rage” that one side expressed towards the other side. There was violence in the streets as some believed the only solution was the overthrow of the government and the establishment of a new social state. College campus were centers of revolution and groups like Students for a Democratic Society, or Young Socialist Alliance captured the minds of the youth.

Out of this division and turmoil, the country moved forward, and we talk about a new order. The evil of legal segregation ended. There was a new South. The Civil Rights Act and the Voter Rights Act changed forever the way Americans thought about each other. The War in Vietnam (not unlike Korea) has made us more cautious about entering battles overseas. Perhaps a lesson we are still trying to learn. They also brought about a renewed respect for our military.

I could go on and on, but history shows us that the American Experiment of a free people forming a Republic that governs “by and for the people” has always existed in tension and at times on the verge of collapse. The good, old days were not always that good, but as a country, America has normally come back to the values that have fueled the Experiment since the signing of that Declaration two hundred and forty-three years ago (a short time in light of world history).

We are still, as a people, trying to apply the core values of our nation to a host of problems. Do we have a strong federal government or is the best government that which governs least? Are we going to address, finally, the systemic racism that keeps one group from obtaining the same advantages as the majority? Or, have we already addressed these issues and are now living in a post-racist society? What about immigration? Is it open borders with Lady Liberty inviting all, or do we close our borders to protect ourselves from crime and drugs? What is the balance of power? What about the right to bear arms versus the protection of our children in the schools?

Not only is there division, but merely suggesting a position on your Facebook page can result in a long “sophomoric” chain of rantings, name-calling, labeling, and judgment. It is amazing to me that we even attempt to resolve extremely complex issues and do a theological inquiry on a medium that is designed to share what you had for dinner, your recent vacation, your plans for the summer, or an occasional joke.

There remains one issue that is exposing more than any other the division that exists in America.  ST. Teresa of Calcutta said, “the nation that will abort its young has lost its soul.” Is America losing her soul, or has it lost her soul? In either case, the redemption of a nation, a nation, and homeland I love, is not a political solution or a judicial solution. Men without a soul will not bring about an end to a holocaust. We see troubling things in our past and future like genocide, slavery, segregation, sex trade industry, the abuse of women, systemic racism, and the other great causes. Seeing this, one sees a call for social justice with a Church in leadership as a voice for the oppressed, the disenfranchised, and the poor. But, abortion is by far the greatest evil ever to happen in America and worldwide. It is not millions of babies that have been burned alive or butchered in the womb since 1973; it is billions worldwide. One hundred and fifty thousand babies are murdered in the womb every day.

I rejoice at the great victory in Alabama and other states that have made abortion all but illegal with criminal penalties for so-called doctors, nurses, or other persons who abort babies for profit. I am sickened to live in a State where a baby who survives an abortion can be left to die or be euthanized. Whether or not it is rare or never used at all, the fact that it is legal and possible is abhorrent. The Governor, who claims to be a Roman Catholic yet lives with his mistress, along with legislators applauded and cheered with joy at the signing of this bill into law. Are we losing our soul, or have we lost our soul?

I am an American because I was born in America. I was born into a family that loved America, and to parents who survived the Great Depression, served in World War II, and taught me to love America. My parents were Republicans because Eisenhower was a Republican. My grandfather was a Republican because he believed Franklin Roosevelt was a communist. We were Episcopalians and were proud that the government of the United States and the Episcopal Church complimented each other. We were proud that the majority of Presidents were Episcopalians. While at the same time, I think my mother would have been a loyalist during the Revolution because she loved Queen Elizabeth and everything British. She was proud that we had a relative that fought in the Revolutionary War. My father was proud that we had a great uncle that died at Gettysburg fighting for the Union. He also supported States Rights and segregation. At the same time, he was proud of my civil rights activism and my anti-war activities. I was taught to vote because we were free, and we were Americans. I have voted in every election (even local) since I became voting age.

I was raised and surrounded by men (and women) who saw evil and believed that the Church had an obligation, in fact, a mandate, to speak against injustice. This was to be done in the tradition of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, William Wilberforce, John Wesley, William Temple, Jonathan Daniels, Martin Luther King, Ralph Abernathy, Paul Moore, and several clergies who would not be silent in the light of evil. I learned that the Church had a role in the streets and the market place when it came to injustice. It had to be a voice, resisting violent solutions to social problems and was to make visible Christ’s love even if it meant martyrdom. When the world had engulfed itself in hatred and violence, the Church was to be light.

I was taught that we engaged in social ministry (Matthew 25) because we did it unto Jesus. The image of Jesus was being formed in us through the Eucharist, Scripture, Prayer, Service, Fellowship, and especially in surrender to the Holy Spirit.

I believe things in America might become more divided. America refuses to recognize that if we continue to kill our innocent children in the womb, we will keep open the doors for the destruction of the family, the dehumanizing of human sexuality, gun violence on the streets, prolonged wars. It will also add to the using of people in groups for political ends, the abuse of women, and even the increase of opiate addiction to numb the emptiness that our culture offers in the name of freedom. It is no wonder that we want to legalize marijuana.

As a Bishop, a Priest, and a Deacon, my place is to minister at the Table of the Lord. I am first and foremost called to preside at the Eucharist, where Christ is made present among us. Christ is the only one who can redeem and restore our soul. It is in Christ that we have our freedom, that no one can take away. It is in Christ that we find our eternity and the eternal destiny of all creation. It is at the Eucharist that we enter not only into the redemption of the world and every soul but also the great eschatological banquet, which is the source of hope for all humanity.

My diaconate reminds me that not only am I to wash the feet of those who have become weary from the world, but to wash them, equip them and send them forth into the world with the Good News. It is the Good News, not political platforms or Supreme Court rulings that are going to give us back our souls. My diaconate reminds me that the Church needs schools, emergency housing programs, ministry to the dying, outreach to the homeless, street counselors outside of abortion clinics, Christians in the halls of Congress, programs that offer help to single mothers and fatherless children. We must be engaged in social justice because Christ Jesus has a heart for the broken, the least, the lost, and the lonely.

In the Eucharist and the poor, we will find our soul. Whether times get worse or better, let us call out for a revival that is found in Jesus, and sustained in the Eucharist, and the poor; 2 Chronicles 7.14. Jesus is the One who brings healing and deliverance not only individually but to entire nations as we immerse them in the Holy Spirit and teach them to obey.

God bless America. America bless God. I am thankful for the freedom that those men and women proclaimed and shed their blood for over two hundred years ago and throughout two hundred and forty-three years. I will continue to pray for our country and our leaders and teach others to do so. No matter what the outcome of an election. I will continue to work for the advancement of the Kingdom, thankful that it is much easier here in the United States than other places. And, I hope that this Fourth of July, we can stop for a day and celebrate us without damning, hating, and railing against those who disagree with us.

Under His mercy,

+Craig, Patriarch