As long as I can remember, every time we are together, my niece Cassidy and I go for a walk. Through the years we have had some incredible conversations.  She is a bright, articulate, open, loving person. It has truly been a blessing to literally and figuratively walk with her and my hope is that I will be able to continue to do so in the next chapters of her life.

Alison Feigh, who gave our Episcopal Story Project talk a couple weeks ago, is the program coordinator for the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center.  She talked about how important it is that every young person have five adults besides their parents in their life. If you have not watched it I would really encourage you to do so, especially if you have children at home. (Watch this video now.)

As a person who has worked with young people, and for me personally,  I know how critical it is for all of us to to have mentors to walk with us.

We all need help of companions to be a part of our journeys. If you’ve not volunteered to help with your faith community’s youth ministry program, been a confirmation companion, or volunteered at a local school, please consider doing so.  Your life will be changed and the young person you walk with will undoubtedly benefit from your love and support

Walking through the gathered crowd both inside and outside of St. Mark’s, my own enthusiasm was exponentially magnified by excitement and anticipation for that which was about to take place.

Photo taken after more than 70 were confirmed at St. Mark’s Cathedral

One by one faith communities from throughout the metro and beyond came forward to lay hands and pray with me that the Holy Spirit would strengthen and empower those they have walked with in their faith journey. (Listen to the audio from my sermon.)

Within the next couple of weeks I will have prayed that prayer well over 100 times in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota! Each, a uniquely created and gifted child of God, is a privilege and humbling honor for me to participate as their Bishop in this moment of affirmation.

I am also always  acutely aware that leading up to this moment there have been a significant number of people who have walked with them on this journey. Parents, other family members, clergy, youth ministers, mentors, shepherds, companions, peers and friends have all played a role.

Three and a half hours later as I am driving away from this Spirit-filled event I find myself,  as I often do after such an occasion, still praying for those who have gathered…prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of hopefulness,  prayers that WE WILL do all in our power to support each other in our life in Christ.

On Sunday morning I was blessed to preside at the diaconal  ordination of  Brenda Ziebell as well as have confirmation and receptions at Emmanuel, Rushford.  It was a packed house for this great occasion and a significant number of those gathered were not Episcopalians. In fact, I understand the pastor who read the Gospel serves at both the local Lutheran and Presbyterian churches.

Dashing out the back door immediately after the service I quickly made my way to Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis.  It was another packed house with phenomenal music from St Olaf’s as we gathered to install Ann Svennungsen as the bishop of the Minneapolis Area Synod. It was a Spirit-filled occasion and I felt very honored to be the Episcopal Bishop representing the Episcopal Church in the laying on of hands.

In a few short weeks Lutheran pastor and long-time colleague in the northern reservations of Minnesota, Mark Olson, will begin to serve at St. John’s, Onigum. Mark will work with Robert Two-Bulls, our Missioner for DIW and Multicultural Ministry, as an Area Missioner.  Mark’s history and spirit of collaboration makes him a real asset.  Mark joins Roger along with Jackie Ziemer, who serves at St. Martin’s, Fairmont, as gifted Lutheran clergy who are serving in the Episcopal faith communities.

Folks often say that Minnesota is the land of Lutherans. While demographically that may be true, I would suggest that Minnesota is the land of mission and God is calling us as the Episcopal Church in Minnesota to partner with whomever we can  in engaging God’s mission!

Last summer, Gretchen Roeck, associate priest at Trinity, Excelsior decided that she would take up cycling. Along the way I shared my passion and encouragement. Then one day I received the phone call: Gretchen had crashed on her bike and done some major damage to her elbow.

This last week I had the opportunity to spend time with both of them. Considering the severity of their accidents – surgeries, hospital stays, long rehabs – it would be easy to assume that they would not be interested in “getting back in the saddle.” You might be surprised to know that both are back on their bikes.

I would not describe Rob or Gretchen as thrill junkies. Rather, I think both know first-hand the inherent risk in what they are doing. They are taking the necessary precautions, and are still willing to get back in the game.

This last Saturday evening I had the pleasure of attending the inaguaral Spanish language service at St. Nicholas, Richfield. After months of conversations, planning and preparations these courageous folks set sail on a new adventure. Was it a huge crowd? No, but it was a good size gathering. Will the place at some point in the near future be filled to the rafters? Don’t know. What I do know is that all involved are committed to giving it their best shot.

As we have heard in our recent readings from the Gospel the disciples were very fearful following the crucifixion of Jesus. Yet, amidst that Jesus stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” We, too, can be easily seduced by our fears. Not the least of which is our fear of failure. And as such, we try to find our own safe place to hide. This, however, is not our calling, particularly as witnesses of the resurrection.

We are called to not become paralyzed by fear but rather to boldly live by faith. Willing even amidst setbacks, or unmet expectations to keep stepping forward, keep getting back on the saddle, knowing we do not do so alone but that Jesus walks – or in some case rides – with us.

Many present were clearly long-time admirers of Parker Palmer. His earlier writings, particularly Let Your Life Speak and The Courage  to Teach, have been widely acclaimed in both the education and religious communities. Yet, most were here on this day to hear the author expand on the themes in his most recent book, Healing The Heart of Democracy : The Courage to Create  a Politic Worthy of the Human Spirit.

Palmer’s  message to me is not one of ‘sound bite’ blame,  but rather a passionate plea that deep within our corporate soul and deep within each of us we must learn how to walk together.  As he stated, “We must move from argumentation to inquiry.” For Palmer it’s absolutely critical that we truly hear each other’s story.

Thanks to our Native American brothers and sisters of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, one of the great blessings for me is our grounding in Gospel Based Discipleship. When we place the Gospel story in our center and then prayerfully listen to each others’ stories, we begin to see the other as a child of God and not as an ‘issue’ or a ‘position’.  And find new ways to live into our promise in the Baptismal Covenant to ”Respect the dignity of every human being.”