A Message from Rev. Sean Love, September 10, 2023
I have a personal notice for you all this morning.
Many of you know that ANiC is looking to elect a new Suffragan or assisting Bishop to our Diocesan Bishop Dan Gifford, who moved to Ontario two weeks ago. The Suffragan Bishop will help out primarily in Western Canada. This week the two candidates will be announced and I am one of them. (Lord, Have Mercy!)
The election will happen at our annual national Synod gathering in Vancouver, in 2 months.
I have let my name stand for this not because I’m seeking it; I’ve said no to many people for a long time. I’m not looking for a new job! But over the past year I have sensed that obedience to the Lord Jesus means stepping forward. There has been much prayerful discernment, with Penny, and others.
The job description of Bishop is to be a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, caring for His church. It involves diligently preaching and defending the Word of God, administering godly discipline according to Scripture, and encouraging and strengthening pastors and congregations in Western Canada.
Now, there’s one thing I don’t know, and one thing I do know.
None of us knows what will happen on November 16th. And so I’m asking you to pray with me for the next two months for God’s will to be done, in a way that blesses you, me, and ANiC.
But what I do know is that God has been very generous to us at SJR. For years we have strengthened the saints beyond ourselves: through Bible in a Day, God’s Big Story, training five Artizo Apprentices, sharing musical gifts, Lay Reader Training, and much more. And so this is not just a me thing but a we thing because SJR must be prepared to release me to bless and serve others. This would mean we would need to pray for a new Rector for the Spring of 2024.
If I’m appointed to this ministry, SJR will still be my home church and you are my church family, and I hope to participate as a member of the congregation, under a new Rector. I’m not moving from Richmond.
Either way, God’s grace is always greater than we can imagine, and we will be blessed.
Rev. Sean Love
