My Church
25/09/05
It is my church, not the rector's, not the vestry's, but mine. My church involves privilege. It is my church, not because of the work I do for it or the gifts I make to it, but by virtue of my Baptism. I am born into it. I am a member of the family.
It is my church and I have certain rights and responsibilities; such as the right to worship, the right to the sacraments, the right to the services of the clergy. These I do not ask as a favor. I take them for granted. No invitation is needed.
My church imposes responsibility. Since it is my church, I will do my part in worship to create a warm, kindly atmosphere. I will be zealous for my church's reputation and jealous for her honor.
Since it is my church, I will endeavor to be an asset and not a liability, a plus and not a minus quantity. I will endeavor to realize that my church includes parishioners as well as clergy and the strength of the church depends on the loyal and hearty cooperation of all. Every layman is enlisted in service by the very terms of his baptism.
Men love things because they are great and things become great because men love them. We love the church because of what it is and in proportion as we love it, it will become what it ought to be.
Let us love the church.
-- From an old Episcopal tract by The Rt. Rev. George Ashton Oldham, bishop of Albany, circa 1935.
It is my church and I have certain rights and responsibilities; such as the right to worship, the right to the sacraments, the right to the services of the clergy. These I do not ask as a favor. I take them for granted. No invitation is needed.
My church imposes responsibility. Since it is my church, I will do my part in worship to create a warm, kindly atmosphere. I will be zealous for my church's reputation and jealous for her honor.
Since it is my church, I will endeavor to be an asset and not a liability, a plus and not a minus quantity. I will endeavor to realize that my church includes parishioners as well as clergy and the strength of the church depends on the loyal and hearty cooperation of all. Every layman is enlisted in service by the very terms of his baptism.
Men love things because they are great and things become great because men love them. We love the church because of what it is and in proportion as we love it, it will become what it ought to be.
Let us love the church.
-- From an old Episcopal tract by The Rt. Rev. George Ashton Oldham, bishop of Albany, circa 1935.