The Bishop's Note is a short weekly message from Bishop Eric Menees where he speaks about an area of Christian belief or practice in furtherance of our mission statement that "we will call and equip laity and clergy to bring people to, and disciple them in, a saving relationship with Jesus Christ." The Bishop's Note is currently going through the 2019 ACNA Book of Common Prayer. 

Ministry to the Sick

Dear brothers and sisters, I pray that this Bishop’s Note finds you healthy and blessed.  Last week in the Bishop’s Note we examined the Introduction to the Healing Rites. The first of those healing rites is reconciliation. However, having examined this rite last Lent, today I’d like to move on to the Ministry to the Sick. As I write this note, 220,000 of our fellow citizens have lost their lives to a virus known as the coronavirus or COVID-19. While it is always appropriate to speak about ministry to the sick, somehow it seems especially appropriate at this exact time. 

Of course, a central sign of the presence of the Kingdom of God in the first century was the healing that our Lord did, think of blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46), the paralytic (Luke 5:17), or the centurion’s servant (Luke 7:1). 

However, that witness to the presence of the Kingdom of God did not completely end with the Ascension of Jesus, but returned with the power of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Just think of Peter healing the lame man (Acts 3:1), Paul being healed by Ananias (Acts 9:17), or Paul’s healing of Eutychus (Acts 20:10). 

Just as people were healed in the first century people continue to be healed in the twenty first century. Each of these healings were performed by men and women of faith through the laying on of hands in the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

Note that the officiant begins by calling out to the Lord, who offered himself on the cross, to be present in power to heal.  

Then the priest or other appointed person anoints the forehead of the ill person in the name of our Triune God asking him to heal the individual physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Next week we’ll examine the second part of this short and powerful Rite of Healing. 

Blessings, 
Bishop Menees
MINISTRY TO THE SICK
The Officiant begins 

Savior of the world, by your Cross and precious blood you have redeemed us; Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech you, O Lord. 

The Priest (or other authorized person) anoints the sick person’s forehead with the Oil of the Sick by making the sign of the Cross. If appropriate, other parts of the body which suffer from sickness or injury may also be anointed. Others may join in the laying on of hands. The Officiant says 

N., I anoint you with oil and I (or we) lay my (or our) hands upon you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Lord Jesus Christ, heal this your servant, sustain him with your presence, drive away all sickness of body, mind, and spirit, and give to him that victory of life and peace which will enable him to serve you both now and evermore. Amen.

Calendar

October 25
Bishop @ Holy Cross

October 25
Northern & Southern Deanery Pre-Convention Meeting

October 28
East/West Deanery Clericus

November 1
Bishop @ St. John's

November 2-3
Diocesan Convention Rehearsals

November 6
Diocesan Convention

November 8 
Bishop @ Holy Cross

November 9-10 
Diocesan Office Closed

November 10 
Rural Deans Meeting

November 15 
Bishop @ Grace and Jesus our Savior

November 17 
Northern & Central Deanery Clericuses

November 21 
Standing Committee

November 22 
Bishop @ Christ the King

November 25-27 
Diocesan Office Closed

November 26 
Thanksgiving Day

November 29 
Bishop @ Holy Cross
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