---

April 28, 2024

Dear All,

I’d like to start by congratulating one more time, AJ & Hillary Walilko and Ann Sanders for officially becoming members of The Episcopal Church!  It was a great celebration last week both during the service and at our coffee hour afterwards.

I have a great book published in 2003 by Louie Crew entitled 101 Reasons to be Episcopalian.  The reasons were collected from Episcopalians all over the country and represent the variety of thoughts and theologies folks hold in this big tent of ours.  I thought it would be fun to share a few of these with you today:

From smells and bells to speaking in tongues – we have it all.

Sheena A. Lawrence, Diocese of Atlanta

We have a faith not afraid to reason and reason not ashamed to adore.

The Rev. W. Lee Shaw, Diocese of Utah

The seasons are color coded.

Bungee Bynum, Diocese of Lexington

Anglicans do good deeds to increase understanding of God, not out of fear or to earn admission to heaven.

Robert L. Neal III, Diocese of Chicago

My mind is Protestant and my spirit is liturgical.  Where other than to the Book of Common Prayer can my worship go and still have both be happy?

                                                                        Phyllis Tickle, Diocese of West Tennessee

We have full-bodied worship: bow, kneel, sit, stand, kneel, hug, walk, and sometimes even raise your hands, cry, laugh, sing, shout, whisper, smell, taste, feel, touch, hold, see, and behold and on and on.

The Very Rev. Marilyn J. Engstrom, Diocese of Wyoming

The Episcopal Church is a placed where bishops are people too, and some of them know it.  Many even have spouses to remind them.                       Linda M. Maloney, Diocese of Minnesota

We honor tradition but do not fossilize it.

                                                            Lee Canipe, Diocese of Virginia

In the Episcopal Church doubt is so okay that we name some parishes “St. Thomas.”

Louie Crew, Diocese of Newark

This is the only church that is as lovingly loony as your family.

                                                            Mary L. Lyons, Diocese of Olympia

So what is your reason?  Why are you an Episcopalian?  Why do you stay Episcopalian?  Let me know.  I’ll publish your responses in next week’s congregational note.

Don’t forget to say your prayers.  Remember all who are victims of violence.  Let’s pray for all politicians that they may act with integrity and care.

Blessings to you and yours, Karen+