Why am I Episcopalian?

This is an article I just finished writing for our monthly regional newsletter. I thought I'd share.

Our national church website is running a new feature these days. Entitled “I am Episcopalian,” it is an ever-increasing series of short (90 seconds or less) videos of people from all walks of life sharing their reasons for being members of the church. Anyone can post a video, and anyone can watch the videos posted.

It’s actually a good question to consider. Why am I a member of this church? In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a parable about wheat and weeds growing together, and it surely seems weedy in our church these days! With all the accusations of heresy or schism, shouting and lawsuits and mean-spirited behavior that makes newspaper headlines, the church sometimes seems less an oasis of Christian discipleship and witness and more an angry sea of argument and dissension.

It’s not only on a national level; if we’re honest, we must admit that even local churches are not immune from conflict that is not always handled well. Why continue to wade into that? Why be part of a group that seems to be the focus of so much controversy? Why not move to a less challenging, less weedy field?

I believe there are two parts to the answer to this question. First, of course, is that old truism about the grass seeming greener on the other side of the fence. It’s not hard to look healthy, cohesive and even holy from the outside; but any group made up of actual people will inevitably reflect the faults of those people, as well as their virtues. Of course, this includes the church-- ANY church. I believe that “all things are being brought to perfection” through Jesus Christ, as the old prayer states; but Jesus obviously isn’t done yet!

We Episcopalians may be making the news this week; but every group of believers has their issues and imperfections, sins and struggles that are often not apparent until one really gets to know them-- when relationships begin to develop and people “let their hair down.” If I refuse to stay in any group that turns out to be less than perfect, then I will be disobedient to the God who calls us into relationship with one another-- and I will be an awfully lonely soul.

The other part of the answer, of course, is that it is not all weeds! I can look around, and see so many vibrant gifts in our midst... I cannot begin to name them all, even in our own region.

I see prayerful, Christ-centered worship: in our Book of Common Prayer and the Anglican tradition; but also in Glenda, Cindy, Jeannie, Mary, Jim and so many others who serve at altar, lectern, and sacristy, working to make our liturgy each Sunday a thing of beauty and grace to offer our Lord.

I hear people “making a joyful noise” in song, as well as those who provide accompaniment as we pray: Jo, who has gently and faithfully held down the organ bench at Our Saviour’s for nearly seven decades; Linda, who graces Calvary with her talent; Nancy and Rosemary, who fill in at Calvary, stepping out in faith as they learn their gifts are joyfully welcomed.

I see practical hands who serve in often unseen and unanticipated ways: John and Ray, who see that lawns get mowed and buildings are kept in good repair; Kris, Cliff and Bruce, who spent hours fussing with a new water heater; Joan and Mike, who have turned their hands to any number of projects; Carol, who turns up each week or two with fresh linens. No one asks; these folks (and any number of others!) just pitch in and do what needs to be done.

I see hearts for God’s work in our world: Doris at the food pantry; Chuck at the Boy’s and Girls’ Club; Mitzi with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services; Ruth driving shut-ins to appointments and shopping; Marilyn setting up a fund for an uninsured neighbor.

In other words, I see the Holy Spirit at work. I see wheat.

Of course, you might find that elsewhere, too. However, it is here in the Episcopal Church where I have seen and known it best. This is where I have learned to look for the image and likeness of God in everyone I meet. This is where I have learned to be a better human being than I would otherwise be. This is where I have seen Jesus.

This is why I am Episcopalian.

Episcopal consents, "orthodoxy" and praxis

The election of Fr. Thew Forrester as bishop of Northern Michigan is causing a stir. Now, I imagine that outside the august circles of the Episcopal Church, this has not (yet) been more than a blip on the radar; however, it has become noteworthy inside the Episcopal corner of the Kingdom for several reasons. The unusual (some would say irregular) process used in his election, his extensive use of Buddhist meditation as a spiritual discipline, his use and promotion of liturgical prayers that deviate significantly from the forms and uses of the Book of Common Prayer and alternatives approved by General Convention, not to mention the theology expressed by his sermons and writings, have all resulted in a buzz of reaction.

The reaction hinges on a facet of our ecclesiology: a bishop, while elected by a local diocese, is not only a bishop of that diocese. One is ordained as a bishop of and for the whole church, and recognized as such-- indeed, throughout the whole Anglican Communion (except for those Provinces Not Playing Well With Others; but that is a discussion for another day). Because of this, a bishop's election must be approved by the other dioceses in the Episcopal Church-- a majority of our diocesan bishops and Standing Committees must formally consent to the election before said bishop may be ordained.

Because of concerns about the above list, there are an increasing number of bishops & SCs who are declining to give consent. Among those is my ordaining bishop, +Ed Little, from Northern Indiana. He posted a lengthy and gracious explanation for his decision to withhold consent; you can find it here. Whether or not one agrees, one cannot help but appreciate the manner in which he addresses the issue. "Respecting the dignity of every human being" and "seeking and serving Christ in all persons" are things that Ed does very, very well, and part of why I am proud and grateful to consider him both mentor and friend.

I noticed this morning that some folks on T19 have reacted with their usual sarcastic aplomb. Even a bishop who acts in what they believe is the "proper" manner by withholding consent, is not immune from snarky criticism if his explanation is not sufficiently condemnatory.

Fr. Richard Kew observed that too often "...for those who claim orthodoxy there is little place for generosity or grace. Orthodoxy is not just about believing rightly, it is about doing rightly as a consequence of that belief, but it seems that for some this excludes grace, generosity, or merely civility."

The lack that Fr. Kew notes is the reason I usually do not read comments over there (and will not visit some other so-called "conservative" blogs at all). It is also why comment moderation is enabled on my blog-- and further, why I will not use the "O" word in reference to spewers of the venomous, self-righteous proclamations that often spring forth when discussing anything or anyone they think less than pure by their stringent standards. Orthodox is as orthodox does-- not out some sort of works righteousness, but as the fruit of "a true and lively faith"-- and the doing is not limited to acts of charity, but ideally encompasses all of one's actions and interactions. One can disagree without being disagreeable, and offer faithful opinion without denigration, insult or ad hominem attack.

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Added later: Thankfully, Fr. Kew's comment seems to have been a reality check for the commenters on that particular post. Let those who have ears, continue to hear.

Χριστός Ανέστη!

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Okay, so perhaps Houston didn't think so. But the view from here was a lovely thing.

Season opener a team win for Cubs

Two home runs (including Soriano going yard to start the game!) and a tally mark in the W column does stir up the summer in me.


Hope Springs Eternal by Jeff MacNeely

Priorities

At our Lenten Soup & Study this evening, the conversation at dinner turned to fine dining. One man brought up a very elegant restaurant that he and his wife had once tried. He said it was very nice, but she had been too disturbed by the cost of the meal to really enjoy it.

"I mean really," she said. "We could worm all the horses for that!"

Tali agrees

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