Dear Friends,

Thank you for taking the time to read this note. I suspect the attacks in Paris reminded you of the uncertain world in which we live. I share those sentiments. Shortly after the attacks our Presiding Bishop produced a video, which I shared, calling us to pray for the victims, families and people affected by this horrible tragedy. I appreciate Bishop Curry’s pastoral leadership. Bishop Pierre Whalon of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe issued a statement Saturday thanking us for our prayers and support. I urge you to continue to pray for everyone affected by the events in Paris and wider issues.

Several days have passed since the attacks and I would be remiss if I didn’t identify a growing concern — namely, a rising tide of “anti Muslim” sentiment. We are called as people of faith, in our baptismal covenant, to “respect the dignity of every human being.” Muslims throughout the world are speaking up on social media and denouncing the perpetrators of these attacks with the hashtag #NotInMyName. Many Muslims, in France and elsewhere, are continuing to raise their voices in prayer for the victims of this horrendous crime and for their families and loved ones. On Sunday following the attacks, Imams in Paris gathered at the Bataclan concert hall (site of the worst attack) to sing the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, in solidarity with the city and the nation.

My dear friends, I beg of you to love, hold dear, and pray for the beautiful people who have been harmed by these terrorist acts an those who represent the Islamic faith in its true nature and form. We are all part of the human family. Terrorists do not define the Muslim men and women who have been part of our country and world since the earliest of days. As you pray personally or corporately, I invite you to offer the following prayer from our Book of Common Prayer (pg. 840 #7).

For the Diversity of Races and Cultures

O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world. Enrich our lives by everwidening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Peace of the Lord be Always with You,

+Brian Seage

STATEMENT FROM THE RIGHT REVEREND BRIAN R. SEAGE, BISHOP OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF MISSISSIPPI

The decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. The United States, over the last 240 years, has sought to become a haven of liberty, justice, and a home for those seeking to exercise the rights bestowed on them by our Creator.

I applaud the decision. It stands alongside previous courageous decisions the Court has made, such as Brown v. Board of Education and Loving v. Virginia. The LGBT community has patiently awaited full inclusion in society and recognition of human rights granted to all people through our Constitution. This is certainly something they should celebrate. It is also something that we should all celebrate because, as the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “No man is free until we are all free.” There is now a recognized layer of freedom for all that did not exist before this ruling.

I understand, though, that there are some who do not celebrate this decision. They may see this as a threat to much-beloved institutions of our society. Those fears are to be acknowledged. We need to walk with those who dissent from this opinion as they face these fears. Many people of good conscience disagree, and we must keep the doors of our churches and institutions open to them. They, too, are our brothers and sisters.

The court’s ruling raises questions as to the meaning of potential actions by the Episcopal Church’s General Convention being held in Salt Lake City. I would offer a way of viewing those considerations.

First, there are issues of justice, which the Supreme Court has addressed quite fully in its decision. These are issues of equality under the laws of the United States. The Church has already taken significant steps to address issues of justice and we may speak even more clearly in the days ahead.

There are also theological and sacramental issues, which the Court could not address. The Church is the appropriate province for those discussions. We may be asked to state – in our canons or our constitution – whether there are adequate theological foundations for the church to create and offer a sacramental liturgy of Holy Matrimony for those persons in same-sex relationships. These are not simple, one-dimensional discussions. Support of equality under the law does not preclude appropriate discussions from the viewpoint of sacramental theology. The mind of the Church, gathered in General Convention, may make that decision.

These are times which are both exciting and challenging. I hope that all people of faith will hold God’s reconciling mission in their prayers in the weeks ahead.

Come Holy Spirit come.
Come as Holy fire and burn in us.
Come as Holy light and lead us.
Come as Holy truth and teach us.
Convict us, convert us, consecrate us and
Make us wholly thine.

You may have heard me offer this prayer. I use it frequently before worship, meetings, presentations and gatherings. A mentor, Joel Keys, offered this prior to worship at St. Thomas in Diamondhead. I heard it a couple times and quickly committed it to memory. It is actually a shortened version of a longer prayer from an anonymous source. The words, to me, are so familiar that they’re comforting but more than comforting they are empowering. Empowering because this invocation is us, God’s people, reaching out to the Holy Spirit and asking the Spirit of God to set our souls on fire! We don’t often reach out to the 3rd person of the Trinity but perhaps we should.

It’s really difficult to articulate how we experience the Holy Spirit (or Ghost). I suspect that all of us have different ways of attempting to explain its presence to newcomers, friends, children or parishioners. The Holy Spirit is indeed a Holy mystery. Maybe when we seek to understand or explain the Holy Spirit we should simply refer to the words of this prayer and see the Holy Spirit as a fire that burns in our souls, while providing light and truth for our journey of faith.

As I continue making visits to the missions and parishes of the Episcopal Church in Mississippi you will hear me offer this prayer over and over. Feel free to offer or use these words in your personal prayer life or when asked to pray before a meeting or even a meal. The Spirit of our Lord is indeed with us but it never hurts to invite that same Spirit to guide us into mission and ministry while making us “wholly thine.” My continued prayer is that our souls will be set on fire for doing God’s work in our families, missions, parishes, cities, state, country and world!

Peace be with you!
+Brian

You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf!
-Jon Kabat-Zinn

September 29, 2014

Wow, what a weekend! I’m still blown away by the amazing sense of community and spirit that enveloped us during the celebration on Saturday. Yes, the Holy Spirit was very present … with or without … the loud explosions prior to and during the prayer of consecration! As Bishop Rickel reminded us this was a celebration for the Church in Mississippi and what a grace filled celebration it was! I pray that our time together on Saturday will serve to stoke the fire of the Holy Spirit within each of us.

I am excited and frankly “stoked” to be moving into this new role in leadership in this Diocese. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’m a little scared as well! I ask for your prayers during this time of transition while I learn how to be a bishop. Thankfully, I’ve been able to watch and learn from several important mentors and teachers. Over the weekend I was blown away by the collegiality extended by the many bishops in attendance. Most, I had never met before but all reached out welcoming me and offering their experience and insight. I thank God for Bishop Gray’s ministry. He is a great bishop and a wonderful pastor who has slowly and carefully shared his wisdom and know-how.

At the start of this post is a quote from Jon Kabat-Zinn that Margaret Ayres shared with me. I like it. God’s creation never stops moving whether it is waves in the water or ministry in our churches. I like to say that we practice ministry … because … as we reach out we find that every person and situation is different. We, the body of Christ, are called to share in creation by learning how to reach out to a world hungry for God’s love and presence in their lives. Every opportunity to share God’s grace is different and requires us to creatively engage how to best re-present the love of Christ. We can’t stop the waves, nor can we stop humankind from needing God’s grace. We can, however, learn to surf … and … work with and within God’s holy creation.

Thank you for the blessings you give me and thank you for joining me in the practice of ministry in this special place.

Peace be with you!

+Brian