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August 2006
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a
great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us
run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on
Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...
(Hebrews 12:1-2a
NIV)
Dear All Saints' Family,
I talk to many people who
are interested in genealogy, the tracing back to their roots. I made a
feeble effort years ago, and with the recent rediscovery of my
grandparents' immigration papers, their marriage certificate, and other
priceless pieces of information I plan to make the effort again. Equally
important to me are my religious roots. When we were first married,
Janet and I attended non-denominational churches. We learned a great
deal about the Bible and became grounded in the fellowship of other
Christian believers, but something was missing, I missed my roots in the
historic Church with its connections to traditions, sacraments, and 2000
years of apostolic teaching. We began attending an Episcopal Church and
felt that we had come home.
Soon after becoming involved in the Episcopal Church I felt the call to
the priesthood. After years of discernment, study, and preparation I
was ordained a priest on God’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic
Church. The Episcopal Church is rooted in tradition, classical orthodox
theology, centuries of sacramental and liturgical practice that dates
back to the apostles. A number of years ago I was able to trace my
ordination through the succession of bishops dating back to the apostle
John. I truly feel surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, something I
treasure.
One
of our many gifts is our historic heritage of classical theology, our
understanding of Scripture as the ultimate authority in matters of
faith, morals, and life, our polity, sacraments, and threefold ministry
of deacons, priests, and bishops. We are a part of something much
greater than ourselves, a heritage surrounded and upheld by a great
cloud of witnesses. All Saints’ Church was founded and has existed for
135 years as an active, constituent member of the Anglican Communion and
is rooted in the historic faith. At my ordination I vowed to uphold the
doctrines and disciplines of that have held us together throughout
hundreds of years. Unfortunately, recent actions of General Convention
have threatened the Episcopal Church’s association with the greater
Church, and this is a very serious matter. Your vestry is beginning to
take steps to insure that we remain connected to our historic roots.
The
vestry has passed a resolution declaring that we intend to be Windsor
compliant as much as we can as an individual congregation. Included in
the resolution was our desire to remain a constituent member of the
Anglican Communion, and we affirmed our affiliation with like-minded
Episcopalians throughout the United States by agreeing to the Parish
Covenant making us a member of the American Anglican Council. These
steps do not change who we are, who we have been for 135 years, or who
we will be in the future. We remain Episcopalians in the Diocese of
Maryland, and we remain constituent members of the Anglican
Communion. While we do not agree on all issues I pray that we all can
agree to keep the main thing the main thing, that being to lift up the
name of Jesus Christ and continue to serve him and the world around
us. If you have any questions please contact one of the wardens, a
member of the vestry, or myself.
God
bless you all,
Fr. David+
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