Eyes on Jesus. Hold on to One Another

Posted By: The Rev. John Pollock

The Mission of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Morehead City is “To follow Christ without delay, and to bring others into Christ’s gracious presence.”  Our mission doesn’t call us to sit with Jesus, or attach to ourselves to Jesus, or to give Jesus advise as to where He should go.  Each of these things might be something a faithful Christian might do from time to time.  But our call… our mission is to both follow Jesus, and to bring others into Christ’s presence.

Working and Praying

Posted By: The Ven. Sonny Browne

Deputy Tess Judge serves on the Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance.  She does an excellent job and has gained respect of the committee members and others throughout The Episcopal Church.  We are very proud of her and her work.  She has labored long into the night and risen very early to do this work on a daily basis here in Anaheim.  She and the other committee members will present a budget for The Episcopal Church for the next three years.  Thank you Deputy Judge for your work and diligence!

The Infinity of Welcome

From Deacon David Crabtree of the Diocese of North Carolina and longtime friend of East Carolina Episcopalians (not to mention his work in broadcasting):

Across the front of the gigantic Anaheim Convention Center is a gigantic banner.
I’ve seen the message hundreds of times before yet this time the words lept toward me.
The leaping came because of the size of the words. The size of the words. Not the size of the lettering.
“The Episcopal Church welcomes You.” Only five words. Five words with profound meaning.

We, as Episcopalians have struggled, are struggling and will continue to struggle with exactly who and what we are, where we’ve been and where we’re going and more importantly what are we called to do and how are we answering. These questions and their ultimate diverse answers are welcomed into our magnificent, if sometimes quirky spiritual sanctuary known as the Episcopal Church.

Telling Stories

Posted By: The Rev. Canon Matthew Stockard

This Thursday morning offered all present for The General Convention a time of mission conversation prior to the celebration of The Holy Eucharist, at which The Most Rev’d The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury preached. The conversation was a moment of hearing one another. All deputies, visitors, exhibitors, and bishops are invited to participate in this work, which is one aspect of an extensive ‘Public Narrative’ experience in which ultimately all Episcopalians are invited to participate and to share.

So what is this grand thing? It’s a short time for the disciplined practice of what may be a long lost art. Telling personal stories which provide clear articulation of personal motivations, so that others are invited more deeply into an understanding and potential participation of God’s call to ‘love one another’ and the ways that call is lived out in mission and ministry. That’s a mighty big sentence. Let me try a smaller one. When we share stories that have inspired us to action, we invite others to join us in this work.

E Pluribus Unum

Posted By: Ms. Keri Dixon

Imagine sitting in a warehouse-like room as the sound of over 6,000 voices wash over you in song.  Now imagine the sound of over 6,000 chairs scraping against the concrete floor as over 6,000 people stand up and sit down during worship.  Now, imagine hearing the readings in your native language, and then hearing another reading in one that is foreign to you, but native to the person sitting to your left.  Imagine hearing the Presiding Bishop’s voice echo throughout the cavernous space as she gives her sermon on transplanting the heart.  This is opening eucharist.  A rich mixture of habitual and warm with the foreign and unusual.

Packing for the family reunion

Posted By: Canon Stockard

Some years ago, at a dinner party with a mix of old and new friends, a young gentleman seated directly across from me found himself speaking of his unease with organized religion. “I am a Christian,” he announced, “I just think organized religion is a bit stale – too fraught with institutional difficulties.” A pause came and my new friend looked up, ready for a new topic. “Matt, what do you do?” It didn’t take me a second to reply, “I organize religion.”