Dear Resurrection Family,
As you may be aware, our diocese has undergone an investigative process over the last four years overseen by the Anglican Church in North America. Last week Bishop Stewart began participating in an “ecclesiastical trial” that was estimated to run approximately five to ten court days. However, due to the prosecutor’s unexpected resignation last Friday, the trial has been temporarily paused. You can learn more in today’s letter from the Diocese or on the Provincial webpage.
This trial is the first time that Bishop Stewart has had a formal opportunity before the Province to respond to claims made against his leadership. Our clergy and Vestry have been grateful for this occasion for all sides to be heard. You can find more background in the diocesan FAQs here.
We value your prayers for everyone involved in the proceedings, for truth to be made evident, and justice to be served.
There’s a lovely prayer in our Book of Common Prayer’s Compline service in which we ask the Lord, “Be present… so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness.” Dear Rez family, many things in life can shift, change, confound, or disappoint us. But I am so grateful that our Lord’s character of goodness, faithfulness, holiness, and love is utterly changeless. And I’m so glad we get to be on this journey together. Let’s continue to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, “the Author and Finisher of our faith” and the one who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 12:2,13:8 KJV).
Fr. Matt Woodley
Interim Dean