| 3550 Southwest Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76133 Phone: 817-926-8277 -- Fax: 817-926-8278 Preschool: 817-923-2040 email: st.christophers@att.net |
St. Christopher Episcopal Church
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
To Know Christ and Make Him Known
| This Little Light of Mine - August 2008 |
Dear St. Christopher folk,
As you know, November’s diocesan convention will meet to consider ratifying changes to
the Constitution and Canons which will separate this diocese from The Episcopal Church. I
find myself in the position of having to disagree with this course of action. Why?
First and foremost, I know that Jesus’ prayer that “they all may be one” was not naïve, that it
anticipated the difficulties of remaining one. After all, he chose a tax collector and a Zealot to
travel together with him.
Second, my reading of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church is that it is like
the Constitution of the United States: It does not allow for secession.
Third, and more personally, my youngest daughter will, on occasion, ask me if it would be
okay with me if she became a priest. I find no warrant of scripture that prohibits a woman
being a priest, and I would consider it an honor beyond telling if one day, I could
concelebrate the Eucharist with her.
Finally, I believe that The Episcopal Church is Christ’s church, and I believe that Christ will,
in the words of the collect for the Church, “where it is corrupt, purify it, where it is in error,
direct it, where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it: where it is in
want provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it.”
Yours in Him,
Fr. Bill+
As you know, November’s diocesan convention will meet to consider ratifying changes to
the Constitution and Canons which will separate this diocese from The Episcopal Church. I
find myself in the position of having to disagree with this course of action. Why?
First and foremost, I know that Jesus’ prayer that “they all may be one” was not naïve, that it
anticipated the difficulties of remaining one. After all, he chose a tax collector and a Zealot to
travel together with him.
Second, my reading of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church is that it is like
the Constitution of the United States: It does not allow for secession.
Third, and more personally, my youngest daughter will, on occasion, ask me if it would be
okay with me if she became a priest. I find no warrant of scripture that prohibits a woman
being a priest, and I would consider it an honor beyond telling if one day, I could
concelebrate the Eucharist with her.
Finally, I believe that The Episcopal Church is Christ’s church, and I believe that Christ will,
in the words of the collect for the Church, “where it is corrupt, purify it, where it is in error,
direct it, where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it: where it is in
want provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it.”
Yours in Him,
Fr. Bill+