Dear Deputies and Alternate Deputies,
Stepping into this new season together, I am mindful of how the Spirit calls us to both steadfast conviction and tender compassion. Let me speak plainly about who we are and what we stand for as Episcopalians and as disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Episcopal Church stands for:
- The fundamental dignity of every human being, as declared in our baptismal covenant
- Radical inclusion that seeks and serves Christ in all persons
- Justice that flows like water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream
In these times of profound challenge facing our world, our nations, and our church, we are called not merely to observe, but to participate in God’s transformative work. Political landscapes may shift beneath our feet, but we stand on holy ground, anchored in the ancient waters of baptism. These waters run deeper than any political current, reminding us that our primary citizenship is in God’s kingdom of love and justice.
Many among us feel the weight of division and uncertainty. It can be tempting to withdraw into silence, to turn away from difficult conversations, or to assume our differences are too great to bridge. Yet the way forward is not found in retreat, but in relationship. We will not always agree. We may see the world differently. We can remain steadfast in our love for one another because as followers of Jesus we are called to something greater.
Our sacred commitments compel us to action because the Gospel of Jesus Christ demands it.
- We stand with LGBTQ+ people—especially our transgender and nonbinary siblings—against legislation that denies their God-given dignity.
- We proclaim that Black lives are precious in God’s sight and essential to the Body of Christ.
- We defend Indigenous sovereignty and identity as sacred gifts.
- We walk alongside our Latino siblings, protecting their dignity and celebrating their presence.
- We welcome the stranger, accompany those seeking safety, and advocate for refugee resettlement.
Our Anglican tradition has long held that unity does not require uniformity. Like the disciples at Pentecost, we speak different languages but proclaim the same truth: God’s love knows no boundaries, and every human being bears the divine image.
In these desert moments, when the way forward seems uncertain, we might be tempted to retreat into comfortable silence. The challenges before us—whether political, social, or environmental—can cast long shadows. Compassion is not just for those with whom we share common ground—it is also for those with whom we struggle. The Episcopal Church has never been a church of uniformity, but one of unity in Christ. We do not need to think alike to love alike. Our strength is found in our ability to remain in communion, even in disagreement, bound together by our shared baptism and our call to seek and serve Christ in all persons.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ demands of us:
- Compassion that reaches across the chasms of difference
- Courage that stands firm in the face of injustice
- Community that welcomes the stranger and protects the vulnerable
Our church has long stood as a refuge for those in need—welcoming the stranger, accompanying those seeking safety, and supporting refugee resettlement. This is not about partisanship; it is about embodying the love that Christ modeled for us, a love that knows no borders and fears no difference.
This February, as we observe Black History Month, I am reminded of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray—lawyer, priest, activist, and saint of our church—who proclaimed: “Hope is a song in a weary throat.” Like the psalms of lament that turn to praise, Dr. Murray understood that hope is not passive optimism, but an act of holy defiance, a declaration that the struggle for justice is worth enduring. Their life reminds us that we are called not simply to lament the injustices of the world but to act—to sing our own songs of hope in a weary time, to advocate, to organize, to protect, and to uplift.
May we be a church that proclaims hope in a weary time. May we embody the love that never fails.
With faith and resolve,
Julia Ayala Harris
President of the House of Deputies
The Episcopal Church
