"Caring for the People who Carry the Mission"

As congregations across the Ohio Episcopal Area celebrate Laity Sunday, we have an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary ways God is working through ordinary acts of faithfulness.

Through baptism, we are all called to participate in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Every day, laypeople live out that calling in countless ways. You teach children about God's love, visit those who are lonely, lead ministries, serve your communities, advocate for justice, and extend Christ's welcome to others. You carry your faith into homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods, often touching lives in ways you may never fully realize.

Much of this ministry happens quietly, without recognition or applause. Yet its impact reaches far beyond what any of us can see.

Your ministry matters. Your faithfulness matters. And you matter.

This year's Laity Sunday theme, Together by Grace: Be Grounded in Love, draws from Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:17, that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith as we are "rooted and grounded in love.

"What a beautiful image for those who serve Christ and the church.

Roots provide nourishment, stability, and strength. They sustain growth even when conditions become difficult. In much the same way, our lives of service are sustained by something deeper than our own determination or effort. They are sustained by the love and grace of God.

Faithful service often comes alongside the responsibilities of family, work, and everyday life. Sometimes minstry is joyful and energizing. Other times it can be demanding, discouraging, or exhausting.

Yet the same God who calls us to serve also invites us to be renewed.

Through rest, meaningful relationships, caring for our health, and staying connected to Christ, we nurture the well-being that helps us flourish in life and ministry. And our worth is never measured by how much we accomplish or how much we give.

Long before we answered God's call to serve, we were already loved by God.

As Executive Director of the Office of Leadership Wellness and Renewal, I look forward to listening to your experiences, learning what helps you flourish, and working alongside colleagues to strengthen the support available to those who serve. Together, we can nurture a church culture where clergy and laity are valued, encouraged, and sustained in their calling.

Thank you for the countless ways you make the love of Jesus Christ visible in your congregations and communities. Your faithfulness is a gift to the church and to the world.

As we give thanks for the ministry of laity throughout the Ohio Episcopal Area, may you remain rooted in God's love, renewed by God's grace, and strengthened by the knowledge that you do not carry your calling alone.

Rev. Ed Fashbaugh
Executive Director of Leadership Wellness and Renewal
Ohio Episcopal Area