As summer draws to a close, so does my time with you as Bishop of Montreal. It has been a busy last few months, with General Synod, the election of our New Primate, visits to parishes, and a few more confirmations, inductions, bishop’s awards, and celebrations of parish anniversaries. So much to celebrate with you, so much to give thanks for.
I have loved serving the Lord and this Diocese as your bishop. It has been an honour and a blessing – and, sometimes, it has been very hard and discouraging work. I am proud of the ways in which we have stepped out in faith, learned to reach out beyond our comfort zones and made changes that were lifegiving.
Thank you for praying for me. It is such a gift to be supported in prayer by so many people. Our new Primate, Archbishop Shane Parker spoke of feeling the prayers of the church as he takes on this role. I can certainly attest to that too.
Please remember to pray faithfully for our Bishop-elect Victor-David Mbuyi as he prepares for his consecration as bishop on October 3rd, and his installation as Diocesan Bishop on October 5th. We are in good hands and our prayers and support are an important part of our future.
We stand on the edge of a new chapter as a Diocese. I will continue to love and pray for you and for our new Bishop. God is still leading us all and inviting us to listen even more attentively. I am excited to see where that takes us.
The letter to the Hebrews encourages us with these words:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever…Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:8, 15-16 (NRSVUE)
God bless you richly!
