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We are the light to the World.

“Blessed are those who consider the poor and the needy!
The Lord will deliver them in time of trouble.” — Psalm 41.1

The theme of the great days of Epiphany has to do with light coming into the midst of darkness. It is a light not only for just one group of people but for all people everywhere. The Gospel from the beginning was exclusive in that it proclaimed very simply that Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life and no could come to the Father expect through Him. Yet, it was also inclusive because it was not a religion defined by a particular race or ethnic group. The mystery that was hidden but now revealed is that in Christ and at the cross the barriers have been broken down.

The ministry of reconciliation is both bringing Christ’s message of forgiveness to mankind and bringing mankind into the one human family of God. We do this by being light to the world – His light. This is most evident when we go amongst the sick, the poor, the addicted, the hungry, the homeless, the stranger, and the prisoner. All ministry is market-place ministry if we are to obey the Great Commission (Matthew 28.19ff). The work of the Church is not to “do church” but to advance the Kingdom of God through proclaiming the ministry of reconciliation.

In recent memory, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her Sisters of Charity lived out Epiphany. Mother went to one of the poorest places on earth to a city that was dedicated to the goddess of death. With out resources or even much support from the Church this group of women impacted people around the world with the Gospel. The world heard through her acts of incredible mercy the love of Christ Jesus. Mother Teresa was not a social worker or even a worker of charity. Mother Teresa was a nun who first and foremost sought Jesus and from her relationship with Jesus in the Scripture and the Sacraments she went to minister to Jesus in the least.

This is our call whether it is in Estonia, Latvia, Germany, Spain, France, Great Britain, Sudan, Philippines, Hong Kong, Kenya, Canada, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, United States, Liberia, or the Congo. In these lands we have been placed for the purpose of being light to all nations, races, ethnic groups, or tribes. In those areas we bring the Scriptures and the preaching of the Word is confirmed with signs and wonders. It is not just the call of the CEC it is the call of the Church.

This Sunday is the last Sunday of Epiphany and we will gather on Wednesday, February 6^th to begin the Great Lenten Fast in preparation for the Holy Week and the Great Celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. The Lenten fast along with the disciplines of Lent draw us to remember our constant need for repentance. It is the need to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds in accordance with the mind of Christ. It is confession of sin that blinds us to the call of Christ. So we come to confess our sins with a humble and contrite heart intending, with His grace, amendment of life.

This amendment of life is not so we are “better people” but rather are more and more conformed in to the image and likeness of Jesus. We are to be light.

As I have entered into this new call upon my life I have been overwhelmed with the love in our communion. I have heard over and over again of signs and wonders. There are so many anointed ministries of healing and deliverance. I have talked with men and women who go to the jails and prisons on a weekly basis and experience young men and women come to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus. I have heard of churches that feed hundreds of poor people on a weekly basis. I have met couples that adopted alcohol syndrome babies or rescue babies.

Eucharistic Worship – coming into the throne room of God to the banquet of the King – is the central act of the Church. The Eucharist is a life-transforming encounter with Christ Jesus. And while we are drawn into His glorious presence and receive His Body and Blood we are directed by the Deacon at the end of the liturgy to “God into the World.”

Epiphany is much more than the time between Christmas and Easter. Epiphany is the glorious reminder of the total redemption of the world achieved in our Lord Jesus. All things will be drawn to Him.

Under His Mercy,

The Most Rev’d Craig W. Bates
Patriarch, ICCEC

On a cold Saturday (1-26-08), Georgia. Bishop David Epps and Fr. Bob Roethel accompanied a group of Seminarians and some members of St. Luke CEC, of Manchester, Georgia, on a field trip to LaGrange, Georgia. The educational trip, organized by Canon Robert Wills, included the visit of two museums. First, we visited a Russian Icon Exhibit at the LaGrange Art Museum. The Bibb Collection, on loan from a New Orleans art museum, features 70 icons written during the 16th through 19th centuries from several different schools of iconography. Many of these were rescued from destruction under the Communists during Stalin’s reign of terror. Some, like the 16th century icon of St. George pictured here, have burn marks on them, being saved from fires designed to eradicate Christian symbolism.

This photo shows the CEC group at the Iconography exhibit.

After leaving the Icon exhibit, we visited the LaGrange Museum of Antiquities. This museum features a program that uses archeology, Bible stories, and reproductions of cultural items from the Holy Land to teach visitors about life during Bible times. A guide-lecturer presents the life of a shepherd, the life of a farmer, and the life of a villager at the time of Christ. There are reproductions of olive presses, sheep folds, wells, a Beduin tent, a village, and a place of crucifixion.

Pictured below in a goat hair tent are, Bishop Epps and seminarians Jason Epps and James Gardner .

The trip was educational, interesting, and provided the clergy present with several new sermon illustrations.

Submitted By Canon Robert Wills

Last Tuesday, close to 200 CEC members descended upon Washington, D.C. to take a stand for the sanctity of life. After two successful nights of rallies, a large number of CEC clergy and laity participated in an ecumenical service for the pre-born in the Senate Building, which was sponsored by Priests for Life, CEC for Life, and a number of other organizations. It was truly a blessing to see that among all the clergy that participated in the service, close to half were CEC! What a great statement that made to the other denominations present that the CEC is PRO-LIFE!

Fr. Terry and CEC for Life did a fantastic job organizing everyone and bringing this communion together to make a statement that abortion is wrong, as well as remember those children who were killed in their own mothers’ wombs over the last year. Here is a video clip of the service held in front of the Supreme Court.

See more videos here

Alan Melanson
Church of the Intercessor, NE Diocese

A graduation ceremony was held for Albert Pitts today as he successfully completed the Bridges of New York Transitional Housing Program. Bridges of New York is a faith based program that was started in Florida by Bishop Frank Costantino, and has been brought to New York to continue to transform lives as Bridges of America has been doing for over 30 years. Bridges of New York is run by the Brotherhood of Saint Joseph and the Diocese of the Northeast.

Jesus told us that those who are blessed are those who make peace. Our prayers go out to all the people of Kenya in this difficult time in their history. Particularly we pray for those in the Rift Valley, Kisumu, Navasha, Gilgal, and Nakuru. We pray for Bishops Bernard Obora Afwanda, Joshua Ayoo Koyo, and Zedekiah Otsula Chunge who serve over the areas of Kenya that are most affected by the outbreaks of violence. We know that these incredible men of God will be given wisdom in bringing the message of reconciliation to the people committed to their care. We stand with all those in Kenya who seek peace. For we know that in Christ Jesus and at the cross all barriers are broken down.

Under His mercy,

The Most Rev. Craig W. Bates,
Patriarch, ICCEC

10 people being confirmed by Bishop Gene Lilly at Christ our Savior in Davao City Philippines. 31 people were received into the church and 18 people were reaffirmed in the faith. It was a glorious day with a big feast with lechon and lots of food. After lunch the young people met and agreed in prayer to be able to come to the International Convocation in Orlando, Florida.

This weekend cechome.com reached the 25,000 hit mark. Thanks again for all of the visitors, readers and contributors.

Archbishop Bates is meeting today through Wednesday in Olathe Kansas with an administrative work group. The purpose of the meeting is to develop a strategic plan for an administrative infrastructure for the ICCEC.

The plan will be presented to the Patriarch’s Council at the February meeting in Orlando. Participating in the meeting today are Archbishop Craig Bates, Bishop Michael Davidson, Father Gregory Ortiz, and Deacon John Garrett.

Bishop Craig Bates ministered this weekend at the annual Overcomers Retreat sponsored by the Cathedral Church of the Intercessor. The Retreat is held at Mt St Alphonsus Retreat Center in Esopus, NY. The Overcomers Ministry of the Cathedral is a Christian 12-step program of recovery and healing for all those struggling with any life controlling problems.

click here for the photo album