A Message from Bishop Megan Traquair

Dear Friends in Christ,

As the rising tide of hate and violence saturates our country, we stand alongside, and pray with, our Asian American communities. They have been deeply woven into the fabric and culture of Northern California and our State’s history. Long before our diocese existed, Asian Americans worked tirelessly to build much that we appreciate today – the rail lines that run over the steep Sierra Mountains and connected California to the rest of the US is just one example.

There have been 3,800 anti-Asian racist incidents, mostly against women, in past year. For each of these victims of brutality we pray for healing. Incidents of hate are never acceptable. We kneel in prayer for all our communities that they may be healthy and whole.

In our Baptismal Covenant, we are asked “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?” Followed by “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” (BCP 305) We are reminded each time we reaffirm our baptismal covenant, that we have taken on a new identity in Christ. We commit to living out our faith, both inside and outside the church walls. We promise, with other believers, to walk in the path of Love, all with God’s help.

We are a diverse group of followers of Jesus Christ, and diversity is not only our blessing; it is also our strength. Each of us have the power to actively seek to transform the communities served, doing Christ’s work of reconciliation, and witnessing to his justice, mercy, and peace. We find God’s will for us not only in the word of Scripture, but also in the issues and events of our nation. Kindness costs us nothing, but makes a tremendous difference in our lives.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:26

May we always remember that we are all children of God.