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H1N1 Flu Season and Intinction Beloved in Christ, Grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! In the midst of the flu season with a new strain of flu among us, it is tempting to panic and to rely on reacting to our personal fears rather than thinking things through in light of new science and for the benefit of the whole community. Often we human beings fear the wrong thing and choose a path that is actually less life giving than the alternative – Christianity itself is a case in point. People choose not to trust in the Good News of God in Christ, and find themselves reacting to the world in fear, rather than trust in God. The Common Cup is a particular example for us Christians. Study after study has shown that sharing the Common Cup, with proper precautions (wiping and turning the chalice after each use) does not increase the chances of getting sick. In recent years we have learned that our hands are far more likely to pass on germs and viruses. Germs and viruses do not survive on dry inanimate surfaces, but continue to live and thrive on our hands. The practice of intinction, when either you or the minister dips the bread, puts others at risk and is not a loving practice. For centuries the Church has known and said that receiving in one kind – either bread or wine – is receiving Christ fully. Many alcoholics have not received wine for years, and those who cannot tolerate wheat have often bypassed receiving bread, receiving only wine. In fact there are some for whom both bread and wine are unhealthy who come to Eucharist and receive the Sacrament spiritually. I understand and hear your fears and concerns. I appreciate the precautions of sanitizing one’s hands before communion, but this practice in and of itself should remind us that to intinct is to put others at risk. I ask you discontinue this practice. If you choose not to receive from the Common Cup, know that you are still receiving all the benefits of God’s extravagant Grace. Some will stay at the altar while the wine is being distributed and receive spiritually by touching the base of the chalice or others will simply return to their seats to continue in prayer while others continue to receive. God’s Grace is poured out abundantly in ways we cannot begin to imagine, describe or certainly cannot delineate. As you receive God’s Grace in Holy Communion, I hope you will be especially considerate of others – which is a means of Grace in and of itself. I encourage your continued conversation with me on this matter. In the meantime, take good care of yourselves and take good precautions against the flu as found in other parts of this newsletter. You continue in my heart and daily prayers. Bendición, Nedi Text of letter for download
Bishop's Address to Convention, October 10, 2009
Bishop Rivera's Greetings to the People of Eastern Oregon Beloved Sisters and Brothers in Christ, When I was in seminary one of my professors had a poster on his door that has defined my life: “To believe in God is to know that the rules are fair, and that there will be wonderful surprises.” Wonderful surprises is exactly what God has had in store for me much of my life. In each of the places I have served I have found amazing surprises. Sometimes I wasn’t so sure that the rules really were fair, but looking back, I have come to understand that I didn’t have the foggiest idea about what the rules were, and that the surprises mostly came out of left field. This surprise – of being your Assisting Bishop – didn’t seem to fit the rules. And yet here we are. I was stunned when I was elected Bishop Suffragan in the Diocese of Olympia, and knocked off my feet when I was invited to participate in your Standing Committee’s Discernment Process for a Provisional Bishop. When I read about the qualities you sought in a Provisional Bishop, I heard a call. This is work I believe I am called to do. Blessedly, Bishop Rickel, bishop diocesan of Olympia, was open to my entering into discernment with you, to being a missionary partner with EDEO. None of us knows how the details of all this will work out, nor do we know where God will lead us. We never do, but this particular leg of the journey has no map. We will take it a piece at a time and we will evaluate how it’s going on a regular basis. Mostly, I look forward to getting to know each of you – each and every congregation, commission, region and minister. I look forward to walking with you, to discerning with you, to joining you on our journey together in Christ. I pray that I will be God’s instrument for wonderful surprises in the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon – surprises that delight, and that bring us all closer together and to God. Bendición, Nedi
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