The whole of the Episcopalian faith is steeped in tradition. Our liturgy is from the Book of Common Prayer written in 1549. The beginnings of the Anglican Catholic faith are from the times of Shakespeare, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I of England. The structure of our service and liturgy has changed little since the 1500s.

When I am at St. John's I am surrounded by wonderful memories of family and friends from over the years. This church fits me as comfortably as a well-worn pair of slippers or a favorite old sweater.

Perhaps the tangible is often more worshipped than the intangible.

Recently, my friend, Rev. Charles Brown, invited me to a special service at his church. Charles is the pastor of the Second Baptist Church on Wesley Street in Salem. Two dear friends of mine, Sandy Murphy and Margo Desparrois, were to be among those honored at a special Women's and Men's Day celebration.

What a wonderful spiritual experience it was to have been there. What a happy, joyful, hand-clapping good time it was. If true religion is to be happy, joyous and filled with praise, love and thanksgiving, then this Episcopalian and his two Catholic friends had finally found religion!

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • * Christian Life / Church Life • Liturgy, Music, Worship

1. Irenaeus wrote: “The whole of the Episcopalian faith is steeped in tradition” This writer probably meant to say “Episcopalian tradition.” But soon “Episcopalian faith” will no longer just be a slip of tongue or pen. August 26, 7:01 pm | [comment link]

2. Priest on the Prairie wrote: Another “cradle Episcopalian” who thinks the English Church was created by Henry VIII.  No wonder they can’t get the Scripture thing right ... August 29, 12:52 am | [comment link]

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