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A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Croneberger
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We are all deeply shocked and grieved by the horrific events of Tuesday, September 11th. The response of our clergy and laity has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive of parish members and of others in our communities with prayer services, celebrations of the Eucharist, and the open doors of our churches. The staff at Christ Hospital in Jersey City and the staff in parishes in the cities along the Hudson River has been incredibly responsive in these first days. In many towns there have also been ecumenical services to help us recognize that people of all faiths and cultures are affected by these events. However, we know that some are still waiting to hear about family and friends and that for some, the news will not be good. We also know that in the next few days and weeks, each of our congregations is likely to feel the losses. Our prayers are with all of those who wait and hope. If your congregation has a need for the assistance of additional crisis and bereavement counselors, please call Canon Hunt's office and we will put you in touch with the trained clergy of our diocese who will be available to you. You should also know that the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund has offered emergency grant assistance to the Diocese. On Saturday, September 15th, at 10:00 AM, we will gather at Trinity
& St. Philip's Cathedral for a Eucharist of Peace and Remembrance.
This service, originally designed for the celebration of the 25th anniversary
of the ordination of women, will now be a simple prayer book Eucharist.
This will be an opportunity for clergy and lay leaders who have been
caring for parish/mission members and families to pray together. The
service celebrating the 25th anniversary of General Convention's approval
of the The Rt. Rev. David Joslin, Assisting Bishop of New Jersey, and I have been in conversation today and we will release a joint statement to our congregations and to the New Jersey media. Please communicate to your parishioners during your Sunday services, my deep love and concern for them and for you. I hope that we all will continue to act in Love and to encourage our political leadership that responses borne from hate and vengeance weaken us all. In closing, I'd like to share two readings with you that we used at our Eucharist on Wednesday at Episcopal House. : > From David McCullough's John Adams: a letter from Abigail Adams: "You cannot be, I know, nor do I wish to see you, an inactive
spectator...We > From the Book of Occasional Services: Restoring of Things Profaned Almighty God, by the radiance of your Son's appearing you have purified
a Faithfully, The Rt. Rev. John Palmer Croneberger |
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