December 29, 2012
From the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Virginia to the Continuing Diocese of South Carolina and its New Worshipping Communities
We send our hearty encouragement and support to you as you continue to worship God and live your faith even in adversity. We thank God for you, and we thank God for your courage, for your steadfast hope, and for your faith in the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are praying for you as you continue to love God and love your neighbors during difficult times.
We are hopeful that the most painful parts of your journey are behind you. We expect the times ahead will be labor-intensive but are hopeful that you will discover abundant new blessings, new opportunities, new healing, new love, new peace, and new joy.
We particularly pray for those who continue to worship God as Episcopalians even without their buildings. You are not alone. Episcopalians in Virginia and in other places have continued Episcopal worship without their buildings too, discovering deeper meaning in statements such as “The Church isn’t the buildings; it’s the people” and “Whenever two or three are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them” and “The greatest of these is love.”
The experience of reorganizing has developed all sorts of muscles in our souls, and we are confident that the muscles in your souls are developing too. Things that used to seem daunting begin to happen before your eyes. Small miracles pop up in front of you and gifts drop from heaven and the Holy Spirit is at work in you and among you.
As your diocese prepares to gather to elect your next bishop, we are glad that the Presiding Bishop will be with you and supporting you. Our diocese has its annual gathering the same day and we will be with you in spirit and grateful for your presence and participation in The Episcopal Church. God bless you all.
Unanimously adopted by the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Virginia
