Vicar's Page

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 We are into the month of November, the month that brings hope for us all bringing the joy of Christmas closer. With music and singing and cheers of the month of planning December that was certain till last year. But this time in the seventh month of the Pandemic uncertain is the mood. I remember the Y2k crisis in 1999, everyone didn’t know what was to happen on 31st December9 1999. But here we are 20 yrs. After, now still wondering what will happen?

This month in the Christian Calendar calls for a renewal of the Church, learning of faith and practices of the church. The church calendar year begins here. Our church is rich in Christian Heritage but also known as a reformed church. The reformation is still continuing. It’s not just a memory, but has theological and sociological factors. Our faith is embedded in the liturgy and prayers that we offer. 

We are building the identity of the church, laying bricks of faith on the foundation of Christ. The circumstances of our time now lots of things are uncertain. For many years Israelites had a focal point of worship, the temple. They travelled many miles to worship there. But look at their faith even when the temple was destroyed. They did not give up? They did not demand the reopening of their temple. Similarly, do not be shaken. We have to simply adapt because what was certain is now uncertain. God did not call us to be certain. God called us to be faithful. We will be back together. Let us continue trusting our lord. He is keeping us connected. In alignment with these, we reaffirm the liberative elements in our faith tradition that call us to right relationships that are founded on justice, responsibility, compassion and solidarity. 

Let us remember the values of our former metropolitan. His contributions and his leadership. Now we pray for the future of the church because this month we will see new leadership and new decisions. May the God strengthen the new leadership to do the God's will. 

May the Lord Almighty Give us courage, strength and the ability to help us understand one another and form us into loving and compassionate beings, to put your teachings into practice, with courage, strength and the ability to reconcile the anger, impotence and frustration that we experience to do our work towards peace, justice and dignity. 

Yours in prayer  

Johnson Achen

917-932-4575

revjohnsonpa@gmail.com