Dear Parish Family,
I am excited to announce that this
coming year at St. Peter's (beginning September 9th) we will be launching
"A Year of Anglican Identity". Each week our parish will commence studying a basic,
essential aspect of Anglican & Episcopal Christianity such as history, sacraments,
incarnation, mission, etc.
Background. In his book, A People Called Episcopalians, the Rev. Dr. John H. Westerhoff
explains how Christian denominations have, in the last hundred years, minimized
their diversity for the sake of unity, advertising instead their various
programs and services to attract members. As a result, churches have ended up
competing with one another (“We at Frist Methodist have the best preaching.” “We
at St. Swithan’s Episcopal have the best children’s programs.”), denying their
roots (“We all worship the same God so there’s no difference between
Presbyterians and Baptists.”), and confusing their adherents about why some
things are accepted and others rejected (“How come we don’t sing the way my
last church, the Pentecostal Temple of Holiness, does?”).
You may have noticed, that a number of
your staff (past and present) are also converts to the Episcopal Church. One
was a Roman Catholic Jesuit and a couple were Evangelicals. This is not unusual
for the Episcopal Church. Why? Because there is something that is very
attractive about Anglican Christianity! And many, including myself, think one
of The Episcopal Church’s challenges is being clear on what it is and why it is
unique and wonderful.
And that is precisely what we’re aiming
for this year. Exploring not only Christianity, but the Anglican approach to
Christianity – why it’s unique and why it’s wonderful! We’re going to learn to
be a bit more of who we truly are!
What this "Year
of Anglican Identity" means: From September 2012 to June 2013, we
will be examining core concepts of Anglican Christianity. The Revised Common Lectionary
(RCL) will NOT be the emphasis in our ministries. (We will still follow the
general seasons of Advent, Christmas, and following). Instead, a list of
foundational topics has been selected for each week. These topics are very
similar to what would be found in a baptismal catechesis, confirmation classes,
and new member courses. Scriptures will be selected to illuminate these
topics.
About Sunday Worship:
A truncated form of
the Eucharist will be used to allow us to spend more time on catechetical style
preaching, teaching, and activities. Full RCL (Revised Common Lectionary)
readings, though not read aloud, will be included in the Sunday bulletins. The
length of the service will remain the same. High Holy Days, such as Christmas
and Easter, have been excluded from the topical approach and will proceed as usual.
The Rest of the Week:
Throughout the rest of
each week, formation, education, and discussion topics will correspond to the
topic of each week. Thus, as an example, on the week that we begin talking
about the Eucharist, Bible Study on Wednesday might look at the Biblical roots
of the Eucharist, Theology Pub on Thursday might discuss who should and
shouldn’t come to the Eucharist, and Coffee Connections on Sunday might talk
about how the Eucharist changes our daily lives. Every week we will have the opportunity
to delve further in one aspect of our faith.
I invite you to take
time out to participate in the many offerings we have available. Invite friends
and others who might be curious. Most of all, I hope you will find a new or
refreshed connection with God and with your sisters and brothers in Christ.
In Christ,
Father James+
