On Sunday, September 10, I will begin a new special Sunday forum series in the Parish Hall. If you are new to the parish, you may wonder just where “all this” came from, with the liturgy, the vestments, the names and words, and the way that prayers are shaped. You may find yourself translating from a previous denomination to the way our life is embodied here at Grace. Perhaps our common prayer, the music, the liturgy, the art, and the prayers all speak to your soul. Even if you have been at Grace for years, you may have never actually explored the dynamics of our deeper Anglican ethos or identity. You may only know how we do things at one particular parish, and this could be a time for you to explore your own practice of faith more deeply. How might we all—whether newer or long-time Episcopalians—benefit from a deeper engagement of how the Tradition speaks to our life today?
Given the tensions we face in the world today, I believe we have a powerful opportunity to engage more intentionally in such a reflection of our Christian practice within the centuries-old Anglican pattern of life and worship that continues to shape our lives. We may wonder why poetry is so important to the Anglican tradition, and then we may realize that only by nurturing our spiritual imaginations can we really dare to step into a more just and whole way of living in the world. We may experience our souls lifted by beautiful music and art, and then we find ourselves empowered later in the week when we face a difficult circumstance or choice—or when we find ourselves speaking out against injustice in the world. We may find the courage to name our fears and concerns about raising our children, and we may find ourselves enriched by the reminder that a daily practice of prayer is key to what it means to “be an Episcopalian.” You may find it deeply meaningful that we can be honest about our struggles and grief, even within prayers, and feel supported as we name the challenges of our lives with a deep trust of the Spirit’s presence.
No matter how long you have been here, I encourage you to share in this fall’s Forum. Our conversations will all be structured from a special website that includes videos, prayers, poetry, and other resources that you can continue to draw on during the week. If you miss a Sunday, you will be able to stay connected. You can go ahead and access the website here, and I will guide us through the conversations each week (and I bet we add things along the way).
I’m excited to explore this with you all, and I’m grateful for how, as our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry describes it, the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement truly can support our souls as it encourages us to live more fully in the world.
Blessings,
Stuart
The class will meet on Sundays at 9:30 AM in the Parish Hall, beginning September 10.