The Episcopalian is a series of articles written by Deacon John for our newspaper "VISIONS". They are instructive and interesting and I hope to keep adding to them. They are on several pages and are in no particular order.
| Found on this page, page 5 2/11/01 |
The Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church require that "There shall be a General Convention of this Church…The General Convention shall meet not less than once in each three years.." The most recent convention was held in Denver, Colorado, in July of this year. As always there were a large number of controversial issues – issues relating to human sexuality seeming to top the list. However, there were many other issues that were dealt with which did not receive as much publicity. I have listed below just a few items reported:
a. On a commanding vote in both houses, the 73rd General Convention approved the landmark agreement "Called to Common Mission" (CCM) between the 2.3 million member Episcopal Church and 5.2 million members ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). The accord sets out the conditions for the full interchange of clergy, and the sharing of ministry and sacraments. Since it was already adopted by a 27-vote margin by the ELCA's Church wide Assembly in August 1999, the vote means that CCM goes into effect January 1, 2001. (see page 2)
b. "Jubilee" as the unifying theme of General Convention. From the "MM: Anno Jubilee" banners outside the Colorado Convention Center and inside the worship space, to Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold's meditations at the daily Eucharists, to the debates in the House of Deputies and House of Bishops, Jubilee was the ever-present theme. "During Jubilee," Griswold said, "all creation is to be liberated for the sake of finding proper balance and relationship in union with God and one another. God's liberation unfolds as we cease to hold one another hostage through unyielding bias, prejudice, judgment, suspicion, fears, and forgiveness. ... Jubilee is fundamental to our life as a resurrection community." (see page 4)
c. Issues of worship and ministry occupied the 73rd General Convention legislatively, as deputies and bishops considered a number of resolutions dealing with liturgical practice and vocational polity. The ministry of the laity received particular attention, on its own and in the language of resolutions dealing with other ministries. Active ministry of the baptized has grown in congregations and dioceses, the resolution notes, but rules for licensed lay ministries and other lay involvement are confusing, or lacking, in cases of disagreements and misconduct.
d. The Convention also noted the growing number of vocational deacons and their role in the church, a role that has become subject to debate and discussion. What duties vocational deacons are given differ among dioceses, so an attempt will be made to discern and regulate their role on a national level. After reviewing that role, the ministry development commission will recommend canons to establish norms for their participation at all levels of the church.
e. Noting that "within the United States and throughout the Anglican Communion, there is a great need for servant ministry," A resolution urged the church to stop treating "our young people as clients instead of disciples with their own ministries, their own experiences of Jesus to share." Young people aged 17-30 could represent a new generation of Episcopalians moving "quietly through the Communion teaching, training others to use computers, organizing community centers, helping to build houses," among other services.
Deacon John 8/00
"I believe in ... the communion of saints..."
The Apostles' Creed
The Apostles' Creed is a fundamental element in our Baptismal vows, which we reaffirm each time we are present at a service of Baptism. So what is "the communion of saints" that we profess to believe in? Probably the best place to start is the Catechism:
Q. "at is the communion of saints?
A. The communion of saints is the whole family of God, the living and the
dead, those whom we love and those whom we hurt, bound together in Christ by
sacrament, prayer and praise.
The Catechism is generally the first place I go to find an "official"
answer. The second place I am likely to go is The Oxford Dictionary of the
Christian Church. Here the primary definition is much the same: "The
spiritual union existing between each Christian and Christ, as so between each
and every Christian, whether in Heaven or on earth. Now the Oxford Dictionary
does go on to say that the communion of saints (Communio Sanctorum) is also
understood as the fellowship of Christians on earth only or as the sharing of
holy things (ie., the Sacraments) - but they note the more inclusive definition
is the norm. To avoid any argument, we'll stay with the Catechism in the Book of
Common Prayer.
On November 1st. (right after All Hallowed Eve) we celebrate "All Saints' Day" -- a celebration of all the Christian saints, known and unknown. Now first of all, you and I are the "saints," so this is a feast day for us. I like the idea of "known and unknown." One of the readings specified for All Saints' Day comes to us from the Apocrypha, The Wisdom of Sirach. After talking about how the famous are remembered, the writer goes on to talk about those whose names are no longer remembered but who were people of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten. By the way, the rubrics for the Service of Holy Baptism note that Baptism is "especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints' Day and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord."
Now on November 2ed. , we celebrate "All Souls Day." This day is in commemoration of the souls of the faithful departed. So, "All Saints" on November 1st. - that's all of us and "All Souls" on November 2ed. for the faithful departed.
Deacon John
December 3rd begins the season of Advent and new Church year. In the three year lectionary rotation that we observe, this coming year will be Year C. Now this isn't all that important to remember, but there is one facet of the liturgical year that is worth a moment or two of your time. Each of the three liturgical cycles features one of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark or Luke). The featured Gospel is not used exclusively during the year, frequently we hear readings from the Gospel of John, but it is the most commonly heard Gospel. During Year C,, the Gospel of Luke will be our companion.
Luke was probably written between 50-60 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus (80-85 A.D.). Luke acknowledges that he did not have first had knowledge of the life of Jesus, and begins his Gospel with these words: "In as much as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word."
The Gospel of Luke was probably intended primarily for Gentile Christians,
and comprises the first of a two volume set by the writer: The Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles. It is from the Gospel of Luke that the Christmas story comes to us (Matthew gives us a little of the birth narrative, but not nearly as much as Luke). Everything that you remember about the Christmas story (except the Wise Men) is from Luke.Epiphany is the church season that follows the Twelve Days of Christmas. The Feast of Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles in the person of the three Magi or Kings. The original celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany, and still the focus in the Eastern Church, is the Baptism of Christ. In the West, we celebrate the first Sunday after Epiphany as the Baptism of Christ.
The word "Epiphany" comes to us from the Greek and means "manifestation" - clearly apparent to the sight. In this season we focus on the earthly ministry of Jesus. Jesus in whom God made himself manifest to his people. The liturgical color of the season is green - green as a symbol of life.
The Season of Epiphany starts with the Feast of Epiphany and continues until Lent. Since the Feast of Epiphany is fixed as the 6th of January, and the beginning of Lent is determined by Easter, which is a moveable feast (first Sunday after the first full moon after the 21st of March), the Season of Epiphany varies in length from year to year. In 2001, February 25th is the Last Sunday After Epiphany (Ash Wednesday is February 28th), so there will be eight Sundays in the season of Epiphany.
If you are pressed for an explanation of "Epiphany," just remember it as God's "show and tell." Deacon John