Happy Independence Day! The 4th of July is often filled with parades and other grand celebrations of the birth of our nation. Hopefully, this day also affords you some time to spend with family and friends in an unhurried way. As we prepared this week, I considered the role this celebration has played in the history of our church as well.
The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. In every other nation, our church is known as the Anglican Church. ‘Anglican’ means ‘of England’, which is why it was changed in America in the wake of the birth of our nation when being associated with England was unfavorable. ‘Episcopal’ means ‘governed by a bishop’ and describes who we are as a church. More recently, churches that have left the Episcopal Church have adopted the name Anglican, although these are not part of the same worldwide communion as we are.
So, even as we celebrate our independence as a nation, we do well to remember the value of connection. Our connection to God through our church guides us as we live our lives. And the connection of our church to the Diocese, national church, and the Anglican Communion can help ensure that the Gospel isn’t swayed by where we are but serves rather as a global understanding of God that binds us together.
Blessings,
Comments