A Quiet Resolution from the 2003 General Convention

In 2003, amidst all the wide-spread publicity about Gene Robinson, a quiet statement was issued to our Church: “in Christ, God calls and forms the church to be a missionary people...Missionary character is important at all levels in the church.  In the Young Adult Service Corps it is understood that a Companion in Mission will incarnate these characteristics: companion, witness, pilgrim, servant, prophet, ambassador, host and sacrament.”  (It is inherently understood that the sponsoring individuals and communities will strive to incorporate these same characteristics in their lives as well.) (From the Mission Vision Statement of the Episcopal Church, adopted by General Convention, 2003)
   
Robin Denney, whom we at St. Paul’s are helping to sponsor, is a Companion in this Young Adult Service Corps.  On Sunday, August 27th, Robin was commissioned at St. Luke’s in Atascadero.  Bill and I were present, along with others from our deanery.  The service was moving and beautiful, but it was the moment when the church as a whole was asked to respond to the following question that I found powerful and deeply challenging: “Will all of you, as sponsors and supporters of Robin, as a Mission Companion, do all in your power to mirror the characteristics of Christ, as companions, witnesses, pilgrims, servants, prophets, ambassadors, hosts and sacraments to Robin and all people?” (The people reply: “We will with God’s help.”)
   
As I said, powerful and deeply challenging.  It reminds me that the church is never called to send people “out” to do its work for it in the world.  The church, if it is to be successful in mission, must vigilantly remain as deeply committed to its ambassadors and their mission as if they were physically present with them.  Jesus modeled this when he sent his disciples “out”.  He knew when they were in danger, and went to them in prayer, and sometimes even in person.  We, too, are called to that kind of alertness to and focus on Robin.  We cannot just wish her well and then forget her.
   
Twenty years ago, I went on a short-term mission to Ecuador, to a remote jungle area near the equator.  This was before Bill and I had moved to Cambria, but we had already developed deep ties with many here at St. Paul’s.  Before I left on the mission, I talked to a number of individual from St. Paul’s, asking each for a specific area of prayer vigilance for me, knowing that they would be faithful to keep their part of this mission.  And they were.  After I returned home, we compared notes and dates, times when I was most in danger, or discouraged, etc.  And my prayer companions already knew.  They had awakened in the night to pray, or in the midst of some daily task had been alerted.  They were “on mission” as much as I was.   This same spiritual vitality continues here at St. Paul’s. It is one of our unique spiritual gifts.  I ask you to now hold Robin close, as you once held me.  Join me in being “on mission” with her.  Pray  for her daily, not just for the day or days you signed up for.  We, too, have been called, and with God’s help, and Robin’s courageous love, a different part of our globe will be touched by the light of Christ.

        Gay Blundell, Deacon