Padre’s Ponderings, October 2025

Bishop Cowden joins us for worship on Sunday, October 19, 2025.  Bishops’ visits are important in the Episcopal tradition because of our name, Episcopal.  “Episkopas” is Greek for bishop; that is to say, the Episcopal Church is led by our bishops.  And so, it is a special time in the life of St. John’s “Episcopal” Church when our bishop visits. 

Yes, Bishop Cowden leads us in worship to confirm, receive, reaffirm, and/or baptize those in need of such sacraments.  Confirmation and baptism are important sacraments in the life of the Church.  You/we have a critical role to play in the lives of the confirmands and baptisands.  We are to support those who commit themselves and their lives to Christ in the presence of our bishop.  Together, we are the body of the risen Christ.  We have an active role to play for those new in their faith, as well as for those of us more mature in our faith. 

The world is a topsy-turvy place today.  We need one another’s support now more than ever.  It is important to be present with one another during worship, coffee hour, vestry meetings, formation gatherings, outreach planning, justice-seeking, and more.  We need to remember that we were created to be in community with one another.  As we encounter each other in worship and fellowship, may we remember to honor Christ in the other.  May we take the moments necessary to be present and support each other. 

I look forward to Bishop Cowden’s visitation.  He will baptize, confirm, preach God’s unconditional love, and celebrate Holy Eucharist.  He will be present to our confirmands and to all of us during worship and the reception following worship.  He will sit with our vestry following the reception to speak and listen. 

Sundays at St. John’s are exciting to this rector.  I see people engaging God’s love during our Connected Communities.  I see folks loving one another through how we worship together.  I see new people joining us for coffee hour.  What will our bishop see in us and experience through us on October 19?  As I drive home after Sunday worship, I’m filled with love and hope.  What will our bishop’s takeaways be from his St. John’s experience?  I invite you to  embody the love you want to see in the other. 

In God’s Grace,

The Very Rev. Eric L. Miller+

Rector of St. John’s

Dean of the Kanawha Deanery