Bishop Baxter Writes...

April 11, 2011

Dear Sisters & Brothers;

During Lent I have been addressing some of your questions regarding baptism, full membership, confirmation and other matters of our common life. I will resume these commentaries in Eastertide, including some additional questions you feel would be helpful to have your bishop make note.

As we are approaching Holy Week I wish to encourage you to two areas of special focus:

1. Please keep your clergy in prayer as they gather for the annual renewal of ordination vows. Because our ordination is grounded in our baptismal vows, the presence of laity is greatly encouraged at this service. Many laity find renewal and also we clergy are strengthened as we participate with them in the liturgy. Bishop Jane Holmes Dixon, the second woman to be made a bishop in the Episcopal Church, and retired Bishop Suffragan of Washington, will be our Preacher. She and her husband Dixie are close friends of the Baxters and I know that all who hear her---clergy and lay---will be greatly renewed.

2. Also, please give special remembrance of the needs of the Province of Japan, especially the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Japan (Kita Kanto). Special offerings during Holy Week in each congregation will be sent to Episcopal Relief and Development from our diocese, earmarked for Kita Kanto.

Finally, I thank you for your on-going commitment to the rebuilding of Haiti, one of the oldest Dioceses in the Episcopal Church. The recent Diocesan Evensong at St. Andrew’s Church, State College raised $1,500. I had the privilege of speaking with Bishop Zache of Haiti at the recent House of Bishop’s meeting. He was so encouraged by our efforts, as well as the united effort of The Episcopal Church, to rebuild the diocese’s churches, schools and Cathedral. He asked that I express to you his deep gratitude. I hope to have him come to our diocese at some time in the future.

May God bless us all to walk with Our Lord Jesus in the week of his Passion. May we be blessed in each liturgy of these high holy days to remember his faithful suffering and his redemptive love for us and the world he calls us to serve in his name.

Peace & Grace,
+Nathan