Dear sisters and brothers in Christ:

Recently, I received a wonderful letter from one of our rectors, on behalf of one of his parishioners, expressing that “She feels that people like her (heterosexual, long time married, great kids, blessed with money and a willingness to help) are being ignored (not left out – just ignored).

What a wonderful inquiry, to which I am eager to respond.  The church is filled with people like this.  I meet them every week on my visitation, people who find church life enlivening, helpful, inspiring and meaningful.  They are the backbone and heart of any congregation.  They are not on the margins, but are the Body to which the margins aspire.

Is preaching a message of “release to the captives, binding up the brokenhearted, and preaching good news to the poor” an ignoring of those who are quite happy in the life of the Church?  Does it mean that we ignore the needs of the faithful, church-going folks?  Are those already in the ranks of the congregation to feel sidelined by the calls to reach out to the margins?

Let’s be clear:  Although there are those who are obviously at the margins – the homeless, the addicted, etc. –  all of us go to the margins at some point:  when we face divorce, life-threatening illness, incarceration, heartbreak with a child, the death of a family member who is not in good standing with the family, or whatever upsets our natural, “nice” way of being.  all of us, at one time or another, will be at the margins.  And so, first and foremost, the discussion about those at the margins – and whether or not they will be acceptable to the Christian community, and to God– is really not a question about them but a question about us, all of us.  The difference, I think, is that those of us blessed enough to be a part of the Church, the Body of Christ, is that we know the Good News, we’ve heard the comforting words, and we believe that nothing can separate us, not even death, from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  Those on the margins outside the Church have not heard or believed this Good News, and don’t even know that it is the answer to their hunger inside.

This is so at the heart of the Gospel and at the heart of the mission of the Church.  For those who’ve already heard and believed the Good News, there is the call to go and tell that Good News and to serve.  However, those already in the Church need constant support, inspiration, training and direction.  They need to know that their ministries are noticed, acknowledged, appreciated and celebrated. 

It is not easy being a Christian these days.  When you do something for someone out of the kindness of your heart and your faith, you might be hesitant to say anything about being “Christian” because, as recent polls show, the culture equates that with being fundamentalist, judgmental and narrow.  I want to change that!

As your bishop, I want to celebrate, give thanks for, and rejoice in all of you who are faithful disciples of Jesus Christ in this wonderful Diocese of New Hampshire.  You are doing so many acts of mercy, kindness and justice.  You are giving generously, working tirelessly, and acting faithfully.  There is nothing wrong with being white, male, female, wealthy or privileged in any way – except that God (and I, as your bishop) expect you to use your resources, influence and clout, in the service of the Gospel.  I am one of you – privileged in so many ways, and called to use my privilege on behalf of those who have no voice (it’s right there in my ordination vows!).

Some of you are wealthy in skills; we will call on you to help us.  Some of you are wealthy in political connections; we will ask you to make our voice known in high places.  Some of you are wealthy in money; we will ask you to fund the ministry that others can do.  Some of you are wealthy in your prayer life; we will ask you to pray for us and our ministry to one another and to the world.

If you want to talk about how you can help, call me at 1-800-995-1914.

Infinite respect for one another; radical hospitality to the world.  NO ONE is left out of that vision.  All are welcome.  All are needed.  All are called.

Your brother in Christ,
V. Gene Robinson
New Hampshire