(ENS) In addition to telling their stories, all nine parishes and six missions of the convocation displayed photos around the church, portraying aspects of ministry in their varying contexts.
“The experience of being the convocation, with dozens of nationalities represented and several languages spoken, has some lessons to offer other Anglicans, beginning with Episcopalians in the United States, even as we ourselves have so much more to learn,” said Whalon in his pastoral letter, which included reflections on this summer’s 2008 Lambeth Conference of bishops and an overview of the life and mission of the group of churches he leads in Europe.
“What we have learned in the convocation’s life is that not participating in a larger common life of churches leads only to isolation and a false sense of being the only ‘real’ Episcopalians,” he said. “Alternatively, as we have wrestled with the need to harmonize the policies and procedures of our common life, we have seen the need to take time to fully understand the circumstances of each congregation, in their differing contexts, before setting forth common rules of life.”
Don’t these people know they are violating ancient traditions?
It all about feelings.