For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…
– Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (NRSV)
For everything there is a season. It’s the Bible’s way of reminding us that change happens. As much as we might look fondly at the past, remembering the “good old days”, for everything there is a season.
We are in the midst of some very significant change, both within our world generally, and within the Diocese of Brandon specifically. October 1 marked the end of Bishop William’s time with us as the 7th Bishop of Brandon. As you likely know, he is now the Bishop of the Diocese of Ontario, centred around Kingston.
Bishop William came to us in March of 2016 at another time of uncertainty, a time when some even questioned whether this Diocese would survive. But thanks to his stewardship, his desire to trust in God and his faith in all of us, we did more than just survive. We flourished, and in doing so, became an example of faith, commitment and reconciliation for places much larger than us.
Just one example of this is the revival of our church camp and the vital ministry it provides to children all over the north of our Diocese. This change only happened because of the work of Bishop William in going out and championing our camp to those with the means to support us.
Yes, we changed, but not simply for change’s sake, but because we listened for where God was calling us to go, and Bishop William faithfully led us. Trust me when I say this, the way was not always easy, but God does not promise easy. God simply asks that we trust in him. +William did just that.
Well, we’re again in a time of change. We are actively preparing for the election of the 8th Bishop of Brandon. At the same time, one of the larger parishes in our Diocese, St. George’s, deconsecrated their church building and moved across town to worship alongside the people of Redeemer Lutheran. They are moving, changing, to allow them to continue doing the ministry they are called to do, but do it in a new place, alongside new people.
Here at the Cathedral, we have decided to, over the course of the next few months, rent out the entirety of our parish hall, both upstairs and down. We’re also exploring other changes to the cathedral side building to allow for easier access. It is our hope that by doing this, the Cathedral’s finances will stabilize and give us the ability to do ministry well into the future, in the same space, alongside new people.
In the north of our diocese, there have been some changes, hopefully temporary, to the number of clergy available to do ministry. And I’m quite sure that changes are happening in many other parts of our diocese too.
There will be changes in the publishing of the Mustard Seed too. Until there is a new bishop in place, the “word from the bishop” will move to letters from Archdeacon Jonathan Hoskin, Archdeacon Kara Mandryk and me. For now, three heads will be better than one!
My sisters and brothers, I know that change can be challenging. But change, if looked at in the right way can also be a time of renewal and excitement as we see and discern what God’s new plans are for us. At the same time, even in the sea of change that we are presently in, we can hold firm to the fact that we follow a God whose unchanging love has always been with us and always will be.
So as we say farewell to Bishop William, our prayers for his new ministry in the Diocese of Ontario follow him. Thank you +William, for your wisdom, your spirit of generosity, your presence among us and the love that you showed us, each and every day. You will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
As for us, for everything there is a season, and a new one is dawning.
Let us embrace it.
