A Note from Canon Terry DeForest

The first book in the New Testament after the gospels is called “The Acts of the Apostles.” It is a companion to The Gospel according to Luke, written by the same author. Its focus on the mission activities of early Christian communities and their leaders is quite distinctive. The gospels are essays on the theological significance of the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. The remaining New Testament books are mostly letters written to particular persons or communities offering guidance about the specific issues and circumstances their recipients face in their discipleship. The Acts of the Apostles does not provide us with an unfiltered look at the early church’s history. It is not a critical, objective, or even entirely accurate, historical offering. [On that score, the letters of St. Paul are more accurate sources for the history of his ministry than Acts.] What it is, however, is quite significant – an in-depth theological reflection on the work of mission set in the lived, historical context of early Christians.

With The Acts of the Apostles in mind, we at the Church of the Incarnation are launching a new communication vehicle – Incarnation Acts! Its focus is our work in God’s mission from the perspective of those (individuals, groups or our whole parish) actively engaged in it. It is intended that it will come out every couple of months or so and that each edition will be issued around a mission-related theme. The Ministry Covenant into which Bishop, Priest-in-charge and lay leaders entered in January 2011 [and which we celebrated in a moving worship service with Bishop Michael on February 8th] is providing our themes for the coming 12-18 months. That covenant sketches many of our near-term aspirations for mission and ministry. Its goals and strategies are aimed at putting the Church of the Incarnation on solid foundations for the future. These foundations (rooted in our diocesan vision) are: a generous culture of stewardship [this issue’s theme]; prophetic social justice-making; life-changing worship [the theme for the next issue planned for late August]; a continuous culture of innovation; outstanding leadership in ministry; comprehensive communications and a caring community.

Our lived historical context is one of ongoing dramatic change. This is clear in the wider world and church alike. It has been especially so here in our parish in recent years. What can be constant is our purpose – to be disciples of Jesus faithfully living and serving together so that God can build, on earth, the commonwealth of healing, peace and justice among and even through us. With God’s mission as our purpose, we, the Church of the Incarnation, have an enduring reason for being and the opportunity for renewed growth and vitality. The prophet Isaiah’s witness is that we can be assured of this, voicing God’s confidence: “my word...shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” [Isaiah 55:11]

I fully expect the format of Incarnation Acts! to evolve over time. It is being “published” both in digital and hard-copy form, with the digital copy going out to those households for which we have an e-mail address and paper copies going to the rest of the parish. Through the wonders of digital communication, blog postings from members of our parish may soon give us a chance for interactive dialogue with one another. Please know that your submissions, suggestions and assistance would be most welcome. It is intended that a hard-copy print-out of the newsletter and current postings will be available on a narthex bulletin board. I hope that as it evolves its focus on God’s mission and the fulfillment we find in engaging it will deepen.