A Pastoral Letter on the First Anniversary of Consecration

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we mark the first anniversary of my consecration to the episcopate, I greet you in the name of the Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This past year has been a journey through valleys of shadow and peaks of grace, a testament to the enduring power of faith amidst trials.

We experienced the dissolution of the Diocese of Erie, our separation from the Anglican Free Communion International, a move to Amish country, and my beloved wife's cancer diagnosis. Yet, through it all, we have witnessed God's faithfulness. Our family has stood resolute, our faith strengthened, and we have discovered a renewed sense of purpose.

We have found a welcoming church family and established a local Anglican mission in Middlefield, Ohio. We enter this new season with hope and anticipation, trusting in God's providence and guidance.

This season has imparted three vital lessons:

**Family First:** As the Book of Common Prayer reminds us, the family is the foundation of Christian life. I have learned to prioritize my family above all else, recognizing that our vocation as clergy should never overshadow our God-given responsibility to our loved ones.

**Generosity:** We are called to be good stewards of God's blessings. We have established the Whetstone Family Foundation to provide scholarships to deserving students. Through this, we have discovered the profound joy of giving back and sharing God's abundance.

**Mortality:** Our time on this earth is fleeting. Facing our mortality or that of a loved one reminds us to cherish each moment and live a life of gratitude and purpose. We learn to forgive readily, embrace the present, and celebrate the simple joys that God provides.

I express my heartfelt gratitude to my brothers in The Free Anglican Mission Society — US for their warm welcome and unwavering support. They have placed the well-being of my family and me above all else, demonstrating true Christian love and compassion. I am also grateful for all of you, my dear flock, who have stood by us through thick and thin. Your prayers and encouragement have sustained us throughout this journey.

Let us continue to uphold one another in prayer, seeking God's guidance and strength as we walk together in faith. May this new season be filled with blessings and opportunities to serve the Lord.

May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Remain steadfast in Christ, ✠ Brent