A Letter from Bishop Chris

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Over the next few months I want to reflect with you on DOMA’s theme for 2026:

Flourishing Together.  

Psalm 92:12-15 reads:

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

It’s crucial that we realize real flourishing is rooted in God.

Psalm 92 reminds us that the wicked may flourish for a moment—but like grass, they fade.

Verses 6-8 tell us:

The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but you, O Lord, are on high forever.

Grass springs up, looks pretty and vibrant for a season, but when drought or winter come, it dies. If we apply this personally it means that worldly success, affluence, power - the very things our culture esteems most - these are not in themselves signs of the “blessed life”. To have these may actually indicate that we are neurotic, highly-driven, perfectionist and power-hungry. Simply put, if we seek our own glory or chase the world’s, the Psalm tells us we are wicked fools.

If we apply this scripture institutionally to our churches, our diocese, and our province - we realize with deep sobriety that growth in numbers, while not unimportant, is not in itself a guarantee we are succeeding in God’s sight. It might mean we are like kudzu which grows fast and broad but also sucks the life and vibrancy from the other plants around it.

Biblical flourishing is measured in humble, Spirit-dependent lives that look like something. Namely, in lives that become increasingly Christ-like and that affect the world through social action because the Kingdom of God always transforms both the individual and world around us. Finally, biblical flourishing occurs in the context of community - shared life and interdependence with the breadth and variety of those called to the Church of Jesus Christ (not just those whom we like or who are like us).

Psalm 92 says, the righteous, are “planted in the house of the Lord.” Real spiritual growth isn’t self-made; it begins with the prevenient grace of our Lord and is nurtured in surrender, powerlessness, prayer, worship, service, Scripture, and the sacraments—all infused by the wonderful Holy Spirit.

As we enter 2026, I ask you to pray that we would flourish together: missionally, relationally, and through clergy and congregational vitality.

Blessings,
+Chris