Thoughts from Your Rector,
St. Anselm of Canterbury Episcopal Church
AkA St. Elsewhere

 

September 21, 2007

Dear Parish Family and Friends:

Fall is fast approaching and I have no idea where the summer went. I guess it must be a sign of busyness. Early in the Summer I had a chance to travel to Israel/Palestine, and then New York, but I can’t say I have had much of an opportunity for vacationing. Although we’re a small church, life has been busy for us, and I am very pleased with the caliber of the events that we have been hosting and sponsoring here at St. Anselm’s. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, we have become one of the most visibly committed churches to the causes of economic justice, healthcare for the disfranchised, peace in the Middle East, Darfur, interfaith relations, worker justice, etc., in Orange County. Our journey and evolution as a parish is leading us to take bold new steps in the spirit of the Hebrew prophets, proclaiming the Gospel of Liberation as we seek to live out our baptismal covenant. The caliber of our events has improved dramatically over time with exceptional speakers and presenters on an array of topics. We have a wonderful track record and slowly our parish is becoming known in greater Orange County as the place where issues of substance are addressed, not ignored. Few churches are willing to take the risk of addressing controversial issues, but we serve a living God who inspires us to see the world according to God’s vision, and this gives us courage. Here at St. Anselm’s we are moving toward the goal of living the gospel of Christ in all its radical implications locally, and globally. We are on a definite journey!

Recently I published a brochure for our parish titled: “Religion is Garbage, Why Bother?” For those who have seen and read it, you can probably tell I’ve been having fun with my new IMAC as a tool for publishing quality pamphlets. This brochure is directed at those who have been wounded by organized religion, especially in a Christian context. There have been many conversations in our midst about the walking wounded, and it is my hope that this new brochure will fall into the hands of those who need it most. Spread the word, St. Anselm’s, AKA St. Elsewhere, is a safe place where people of certain and uncertain faith are both welcomed and embraced. I recently read a line by a minister, Dr. Dickson Yagi, who wrote: “truth is never absolute and faith is pluralistic.” I have to agree. We have a great potential here to minister to those people who have a thirst for God, but have been deeply wounded by religion. The word needs to get out that faith is not about fundamentalist thinking and intolerance.

In the coming months things will get even busier for us. Before you know it Thanksgiving and Christmas will be upon us. Time goes by way too fast. God willing, we will continue our trend of sponsoring courageous and relevant events here at St. Anselm’s, while building community and fellowship. Incase you haven’t seen the notice you are all invited to share in a celebration of Iftar, on Saturday September 29th. Iftar is the breaking of a fast at the end of the day during the month of Ramadan for Muslims. See our parish bulletin for more information. Muslims for Progressive Values approached us and asked if they could use our space for this. This is a testament to the level of trust other faith traditions have in us, and for us, yet another opportunity to learn something about a religion other than our own.

On a less happy note, St. Anselm’s is facing difficult times. We are small and our finances are a challenge to us. How to grow and remain a place of integrity is the question we are all asking. At our last Vestry meeting we had a long discussion about how Christendom is at one of those places in history where a shift is taking place, and what has been the norm up until this century is changing, and changing fast. There is talk of the Emerging Church, a term that many mainline Protestant denominations has come to fear, and yet it strikes awe. What it means is that if we are to survive and thrive in the future, we need to explore ways in which we can be part of this new emerging church, study it and understand it, and make changes accordingly. How to do this and not disrupt what already works for the older generations, the Loyalists, is also a challenge. Perhaps in time, we will have an additional worship service here at St. Anselm’s with a very different flavor, different from our current form of Episcopal worship. We need to be bold in our direction from the Spirit, and see where this will lead.

Before closing, I would like your prayers for a program that may become a reality here at St. Anselm’s through an Agency in the Latino Community called: Bienestar. Bienestar (wellbeing) is a service organization that assists HIV and AIDS patients in the Latino community. I met with the executive director, Oscar De La O, about starting a spiritual support group here at St. Anselm’s, and I am waiting for a formal proposal from the agency to move ahead. Please keep this in your prayers; it will be yet another opportunity to serve our Lord through those who are in need of caring.

Finally, we will be sending pledge cards soon. Please consider your pledge for 2008 very seriously; we are at a critical time. As a parish, we have so much to offer and with the guidance of the Spirit, we will forge ahead. This is a time for careful reflection and meditation, a time for guidance from the Spirit and awakening. Now more than ever we need to call upon the Spirit to show us the Way.

Blessings and Peace,

Wilfredo Benitez +
The Rev. Wilfredo Benitez,
Rector

 

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