Reflections on General Convention, Episode 2

Our Guest Columnist is Mother Carola von Wrangel

One of the highlights of my trip to General Convention was the Saturday evening Worship Service — not just any worship service but an old fashion revival service! Presiding Bishop Michael Curry led us with a rousing sermon. The music was astonishing. And we were then given the opportunity for individual prayer with small prayer teams — prayer for healing, revival, a fresh dose of the Holy Spirit, recommitment to Jesus.

What — all of this in the Episcopal Church? At General Convention? Yes! This revival service was part of a major focus of the Episcopal Church over the next years, Evangelism — spreading the good news of Jesus Christ in the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement.

I was so blessed to be part of this service. Most people I spoke with were blessed as well. So many people responded to the call to prayer and evangelism.

Bishop Curry’s message was based on Jesus’ call to Life in Jesus, based on the Gospel of John. And the response to this Life in Jesus, we are called to Love and to be Beloved. Here are the closing words of the sermon:

“My brothers, my sisters, my siblings, we have work to do. To stand for Christianity, a way of being Christian that looks like Jesus of Nazareth. A way of being Christian that is grounded and based on love. A way of being Christian that is not ashamed to be called people of love. So go from this place and be people of the way. Go from this place as people of Jesus. Go from this place as people of love! Go from this place and heal our lands! Go from this place and heal our world! Go from this place until justice rolls down! Go from this place until the nightmare is over! Go from this place until God’s dream is realized! Go from this place and help us live!
God love ya! God bless ya! And GO!
Go! Go!”

You can see the sermon here, including the delightful interaction between the Bishop and his Spanish interpreter.