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A daughter church of the Church of England, the Episcopal Church
has served as a global leader and partner with other Christian communities in
the more than two centuries since our organization following the American Revolution. Our particular way
of structuring and governing ourselves is now being questioned as we approach
our 77th General Convention in Indianapolis
in early July. In four Sunday morning sessions during the Fifty Days of Easter,
we will look at four slices of time in our tradition, and consider how they can
help us better understand our situation today.
April 29 Anglican but
not episcopal! For 170 years
emigrants from the Church of England to America worshipped without
bishops. How did this work? What were the joys and frustrations of “being
church” thousands of miles from home?
What would it have been like on a Sunday morning in the 1700s?
May 6 Bishops by
ballot. Because most patriots were
opposed to English-style bishops, who were lords as well as spiritual leaders,
we came close to not having bishops at all!
We’ll find out how our church constitution was created, and what the new
Episcopal Church in the United
States was like in its earliest years.
May 13 Go forth and
preach the Gospel. In the 1800s the
Episcopal Church became a Missionary Society that continues up to today – a
society of which we are all members. In
addition to looking at the missionary activities of the church, we’ll examine
the church politics and major controversies about worship and belief that
concerned nineteenth century Episcopalians.
May 20 Facing the
Modern World. In the 20th and 21st
centuries, the church was deeply affected by dramatic changes in society,
including the impact of war, racial and cultural conflict, globalization,
science, and relations with other faith traditions. These and changes in understanding about the
roles of gender and sexuality impacted the work and ministry of Church. How can examining how our Episcopalian
predecessors addressed these concerns help position us to face the challenges
of proclaiming the Gospel in a world that “knows Christianity, but not Christ?”
St. Jude’s parishioner and historian Ted Gerbracht will facilitate
the course. The course meets in the Common Room at 9:00 a.m. |
Imagine a church of radical hospitality. A welcoming congregation filled with people from all walks of life and all ages who are seeking meaning and purpose in their lives.