#epsicopal

I love Episcopal compline. I find it incredibly meaningful to pray before bed, especially in a group, and it brings me such comfort and joy. Recently, I found a version that is used on Episcopal prayer beads, and decided I wanted to alter it to fit the rosary. I've been trying to pray it nightly for Lent, and I swear I can feel God tuck me in when I do!

The Crucifix:

Make the sign of the cross and pray a "Glory Be", followed by this introductory prayer: Guide us in waking, O Lord, and guard us while sleeping. The Lord almighty grant us a quiet and perfect end.

The Beads Leading to the Medal:

On the next bead, pray the 'Our Father', followed by this prayer, once on each of the 'Hail Mary' Beads: "May God’s love surround us as we sleep and dream." After that, on the 'Glory Be' bead, finish with: "O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us."

The Decades:

Each decade goes as follows: The 'Our Father' is replaced with: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Loving God, I remember a time today when I could not seem to find you. Loving God, I remember a time today where you were very findable." and then finishes with an: "Our Father..." The 10 small 'Hail Mary' beads are replaced with: "Keep me as the apple of your eye,; hide me under the shadow of your wings." And finish on the 'Glory Be' bead with: "O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us."

The Closing:

On the final closing medal, we pray: "Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised. For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace"

Difference between Episcopal and Catholic

The main difference between Episcopal and Catholic individuals is their belief and recognition of the office of papacy. Unlike Catholics, Episcopals scorn the authority of the Pope and belief in direct communication with the God. Apart from this, there are also many other factors that make the two denominations different from each other. We will be looking at these factors in detail below. But…

I am an Episcopalian.  I chose that denomination because I agreed with them on social issues. 

Plus the theology is really open and not very structured which works for me (not likely to be a good fit if you need set beliefs or guidelines).  I don’t like to be confined to what I should and should not believe.  Though, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea by this.  I don’t mean there is no structure AT ALL.  Because, there is to an extent.  Beliefs outlined in the The Nicene Creed and The Apostles Creed is pretty much the core beliefs you must have as a Christian in most denominations (though not all), The Episcopal church is no exception to that.  They have a belief in Baptism and the Eucharist.  But when it comes to individual beliefs outside of these things: it’s up to you.

I remember reading about how Episcopalians come with a wide range of beliefs, and that’s what drew me into the denomination.  Some are very Anglo-Catholic.  They may believe in Purgatory, or not.  Some may be very oriented towards the Saints and Mary, some may not be.  Some may have views on heaven and hell that are different from mainstream Christianity, some may have views that align more with mainstream Christianity. Some may be more protestant leaning, Etc.  And I honestly liked that.  I’m partial to believing in Universal Reconciliation (or Christian Universalism) and found some Episcopalians online who also believed in the same things I do….so I went with it.  

The Kingdom of God doesn’t include poverty, Novemeber 2015

Morsels and Stories: We talked a bit about The Hon Capt Davis, the first rector of St Peter’s and military chaplain.  You can read more about his military career here. Sermon: The widow’s mite is about the widow and her mite, and what the people of God weren’t (and aren’t) hearing in Jesus’ comments. The lessons for today can be found by clicking here.  I worked most closely with Mark 12: 38-44.…

Acts 8 Moment asked Executive Council nominees to The Episcopal Church,  “How will you share your love of Jesus inside and outside the church, and how must the church change in order to be more effective at proclaiming resurrection?”

Here is my response in less than 350 words.

I am inspired by our Baptismal Covenant with its radical call to love that flows into our call to create the Kingdom of God and proclaim resurrection. I share this love and participate in kingdom building through my ongoing efforts to develop ministries that empower women, mobilize my community to against sexual and gender based violence, advocate my city government to include fully inclusive language regarding sex and gender in their nondiscrimination ordnance, and when I look for ways to include the experiences of people of color in my community.  As a proud Episcopalian, I believe I best show Christ’s love by challenging my community to be a more loving and inclusive environment that upholds the dignity of all.  

  Our Baptismal Covenant and belief in resurrection requires our structure to be more egalitarian and open to those whose ministry or identity has often placed them on the margins of our society and of our own church. As we follow Jesus into our neighborhoods our church needs to be overtly intentional about identifying and including stories of creative and vibrant ministries at the frontiers of love. This is where our resurrected church lives.  When I was a member of the Task Force for Reimaging the Episcopal Church (TREC) and a delegate representing The Episcopal Church to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women I heard amazing stories of love in action from those at the margins from Fort Worth to Honduras to Virginia.