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A message to The Episcopal Church from Executive Council

February 24, 2025
Office of Public Affairs

The message below is a letter from the members of The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council following its Feb. 17-19 meeting. See prior letters to the church here.

Council chaplains offered homilies during Morning Prayer. Read transcripts in English and Spanish of the Rev. Cameron Partridge’s homily and the Rev. Nancy Frausto’s homily.

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Executive Council gathered at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, just outside Baltimore, on Monday, Feb. 17, amid talk of turbulence.

Turbulence and other weather issues delayed the arrival of many members even as the uncertainty in our national life with its varied international impacts has left many members of this diverse body feeling fearful, angry, worried, anxious, and grief-stricken, if not for themselves, then for their colleagues.

Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe acknowledged the turbulence in his opening remarks. He called for a focus on those “pushed to the margins,” saying that the marginalized “are at the center. They are the bearers of salvation. Their struggles reveal to us the kingdom of God.” 

President of the House of Deputies Julia Ayala Harris began her address recalling how, growing up in Chicago’s multicultural Mexican Catholic community, images of the Virgin of Guadalupe were everywhere, creating spaces that spoke of a God who sees the forgotten and lifts up the lowly.

During a break later, Ayala Harris quietly gave each member of council small finger prayer beads, saying she prayed for each member by name.

As the first day of the meeting concluded with Evening Prayer, council members were invited by the chaplains to take out these beads and pray for individuals and groups with whom they are associated. The chaplains, the Rev. Nancy Frausto and the Rev. Cameron Partridge, commented that it had not gone unnoticed by them in this turbulent season that they both are members of targeted groups.

Readings appointed for the day included “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) and this accompanying prayer: “God of our tears, you have wept. Embolden us to cry. Give us courage to weep with others. Strengthen us that we may see the tears that flow down the cheeks of others. In the name of the one who also wept, Jesus. Amen.”

A call and response prayer adapted from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Shake Us from Our Slumber” opened with:

When our eyes do not see the gravity of racial justice;
Shake us from our slumber and open our eyes, O Lord.

It went on to plead:

When the chaos of this dies down,
Give us a lasting spirit of solidarity, O Lord.

Seeking solidarity isn’t easy. The diversity of the room can cause tension at times as different cultures, different languages, different customs can collide. Council members also continue to walk through the struggle toward becoming Beloved Community.

In addition to time in plenary session, Executive Council members participated in trainings on emotional awareness and technology. In afternoon sessions, committees met to address areas of realignment. Members of the Finance and the Governance and Operations committees met to hear via Zoom from the Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, bishop of South Carolina, as they considered forgiveness of loans related to costs incurred in realigning the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina following litigation. The committees voted to recommend forgiveness of the loans, an action that received the required confirmation by council.

On Tuesday, work on the realignment continued with a session led by the Compass Group on future priorities and evaluation measurements. In an exercise that involved sticky notes, black pens, and much conversation, council members completed posters that outlined priorities and the metrics with which they hope to measure the success of these efforts. Again and again in these briefings, council members have emphasized that the realignment efforts are not a reflection on the work of the current staff, even as they have acknowledged the anxiety this work causes.

This input will be used by Compass as they work with the presiding officers on the realignment.

Committees met on Tuesday afternoon to continue their work and prepare reports to be delivered on Wednesday afternoon. Some of these meetings continued into the evening.

Tuesday night, council members were invited to an informal briefing by Episcopal Migration Ministries (in person) and the Migration Response Network (via Zoom) on the current situation in the U.S. with Immigration and Customs deportation efforts, in particular about ways churches can protect their vulnerable people.

 Despite a long and exhausting day, nearly the entire council turned out.

Then Bishop Mariann Budde joined via Zoom. She was greeted by the council with applause as they expressed gratitude for her courageous, Gospel-related words at the Prayer Service for the Nation at the National Cathedral following the inauguration. Then council members shared stories of the impact of her remarks as well as concerns about her safety. Budde reassured everyone she was fine. One speaker described Budde’s remarks as a breaking in of the Spirit into the midst of much turmoil.

But the informal gathering made it abundantly clear that the Gospel mandates of welcome for the stranger, love of neighbor, and care for the vulnerable among us is a high priority for this council. Members also expressed concern about our children and young people, especially those made vulnerable by shifting political policies.

As this triennium unfolds, the council is embracing its mission with unwavering courage and a joyous spirit. As members deepen their connections and build trust, they are resolutely committed to the vital work ahead of them.