September Rector’s Letter
Dear Parish Family,
Instead of writing my own thoughts this month, I am passing on to you a Pastoral Letter written by Archbishop Steve Wood, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, to the entire Province. In the wake of recent acts of violence that have played out very publicly in our country, his letter directs us to the most important and powerful aspects of reality: the Cross of Christ, the inherent dignity of every human being, and the source of hope, our Lord Jesus Christ. I think what the Archbishop has written is very wise and I commend it to you.
Blessings,
Fr. John
September 16, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The past several days have been a difficult and profoundly troubling time in our national life. A school shooting in Colorado, the release of video footage of the murder of Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte light rail, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk have left many reeling. The violent taking of life – and in the case of Mr. Kirk, the attempt to silence by force those with whom we differ – is a profound evil.
As citizens of a different Kingdom (Philippians 3:20), our calling in these days is not to answer with bitterness or despair, but to reflect the eternal values of that Kingdom (Hebrews 12:28), embodying the hope and peace of the gospel to which we bear witness.
The Dignity Of Every Human Being
Holy Scripture teaches that all people are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). This inherent dignity is not conferred by political affiliation or ideology, but by the Creator Himself – a truth recognized by our nation’s founders and enshrined in our Declaration of Independence.
Whenever violence is committed against another person, it is not only an offense against civil order but also an assault upon the very image of God and a sin against God Himself. Our Christian witness requires us to affirm, without hesitation, the worth and dignity of every human being.
A Christian Response To Violence
In times of upheaval, we are tempted toward fear, cynicism, or retaliation. Yet our Lord calls us to another way:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
We must resist the spirit of the age that delights in division and cultivates suspicion. Instead, we are called to proactively promote respect, listen with humility, and reach across divides – even to those with whom we profoundly disagree.
Violence cannot be healed by more violence; hatred cannot be driven out by hatred. Only the love of God in Jesus Christ can transform hearts and reconcile enemies.
The Only Hope We Have
Our nation’s wounds cannot be mended by politics, nor its divisions healed by human effort. Only in the cross of Jesus Christ do we find truth and hope – for the cross reveals the depth of our sin and the surpassing greatness of God’s mercy.
Christ’s resurrection assures us that evil and death will not have the final word. And the outpouring of the Holy Spirit empowers us to live as witnesses in our society of His kingdom of peace and righteousness.
So may we proclaim with conviction that faith in Jesus Christ is not one hope among many, but the only hope we have – the only hope our nation has – the only hope the world has.
A Call To Prayer
I urge the faithful of our Church to pray earnestly:
For all who are bereaved, persecuted, or suffering from acts of violence, that they may be upheld by the Lord’s presence and strengthened in hope.
For our nation, that peace and mutual respect may prevail over violence and hatred.
For the Church, that we may be steadfast in our witness to the gospel of peace.
Beloved, the world needs to see in us the reality of the Kingdom that cannot be shaken. May we be diligent in prayer, bold in witness, and tireless in doing good. May the Lord use us as instruments of His peace, until that day when swords are beaten into plowshares and Christ reigns over all the earth.
With my prayers and blessing, I remain
Yours faithfully in Christ,
Archbishop Steve Wood
Anglican Church in North America