In my former years of engaging the government, media, and the public on behalf of religious freedom in Romania and other countries, I learned that journalists called August the “silly season.” A favorite story of what could happen in August was of a British reporter assigned to Czechoslovakia who was at a loss for news-worthy content that month. He made up a story that an entire “lost” brigade of Napoleon’s army had been found at the bottom of a frozen lake! Everything had been preserved by the ice. He made up a detailed accounting of the lost brigade that had wandered off-route heading to or returning from Russia! To his shock, he received a wire from head office indicating “Photographer being dispatched immediately.” To which he as quickly replied, “Lake in forbidden military zone!”
Of course, we don’t need a silly season any more. It seems that our newsfeed is in constant motion,
throwing up “the precious and the vile” as Jeremiah would say it. Discernment between the two is
becoming a daily spiritual practice. Our prayer for people who impact public opinion is helpful in setting
out our values as people of faith: “Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen” (BCP, page 827).
In a time when we all have access to impact public opinion, this prayer assumes a personal significance
for each of us. And it is often in the silence of God’s Spirit accessible in our own hearts that we better discern that direction—more than in the clamor of the whirlwind, or the shaking of the earthquake. We are all capable of indulging in silly seasons, but for those who work for the Church, it is not in August.
In August, our congregations are often preparing for formation classes and program offerings for the year. The month of August is always taken seriously in diocesan affairs as well. It’s a turning point, as we as a staff along with Convention Committee Chairs, turn to preparations for Diocesan Convention, and making sure everything is lined up so that we can take our various vacations and be set for the two-month run-up to Convention after we all re-gather after Labor Day.
Our theme for Convention and for the year ahead is “Finding the Simple Way.” It seeks to build on what we anticipate to be the inspiration from our keynote speaker, Shane Claiborne, who lives in a community which is called “The Simple Way.” I have been encouraging us to prepare for his presence with us by entering into a Summer read of his book, The Irresistible Revolution. We also hope to welcome the new Bishop of Nzara, Richard Aquilla, whose people certainly know how to be a vibrant Church on so many fronts in the simplest and most gracious of ways. Bishop-elect Richard will be consecrated on August 10th, as the whole House of Bishops of the Church of South Sudan converges on the Cathedral compound of All Saints, Nzara. The Diocese of Iowa will be represented by Elizabeth Popplewell, President of the Standing Committee, together with her husband Dennis, and also Bob North. We look forward to their joyous report as well as greeting Bishop Richard in person in Iowa.
For this Convention I am also inviting each church to report on our diocesan vitality at the congregational level. We have celebrated so many wonderful ministries this year through Engaging All Disciples, and I would like us to capture it in one document. Please look at the vitality survey, and find the appropriate person or persons to submit your report. It is our hope that the report will help us celebrate together, share our challenges, and inspire us by catching a glimpse of the Spirit at work across our diocese.
I give thanks to God for each of you for all you bring to the life of the Church, and wish you rich blessings as you move more deeply into the late summer days of August.
In the peace and love of Christ,
+Alan
The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa
