I found myself staying up late with my fellow attendees each night of the assembly—on the first night, getting pizza with other clergy, ministry leaders, and lay representatives from my diocese; on the rest, spending time with new friends from throughout our province and observing the camaraderie that quickly developed. What hath Kentucky (my home) to do with California, Louisiana, Alabama, or Hawaii? The love of Christ and his Church. The mission carried forward. It’s a beautiful thing.
Finally, the truth of Christ unites us, as does the faith we confess in the creeds each time we gather. As more than one person pointed out, we prioritize a reliance on the truth revealed in Scripture above all else. We stand together in this emphasis, even on issues on which our interpretations disagree. Resting on Scripture, supported by the historic formularies, our constitution, and canons, we have the grounding to stand firm for the faith. We shouldn’t dismiss our differences but should unite around truth.Ultimately, we expressed this unity as the Body of Christ by coming together and receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in our two Eucharist services, one on Wednesday and one on Friday. The opening Eucharist service (in which many of the assembled clergy sweated through our vestments) featured a powerful message by the Rev. Vaughn Roberts of St. Ebbs Church, Oxford. The British clergyman’s presence, along with that of numerous Anglicans from around the globe, reminded us of the unity of orthodox Anglicans worldwide. After the consecration of the Sacrament by Archbishop Beach, we all processed forward to receive Christ: to be united in the one to whom we belong.
It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet so many of you at Provincial Assembly last week! Our editor, Jacob Davis, saw one beautiful aspect that he wanted to reflect on: our unity. https://t.co/ZAxoffSJtY
— Anglican Compass (@AnglicanCompass) July 3, 2024