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November 19, 2004
From our Presiding Bishop
DEARLY BELOVED:
I am often asked; does the UECNA belong to Forward-in-Faith or any of the groups within-without the Anglican Communion?
The answer is no!
We are not a part of any group, movement, or organization that is involved in anyway to re-establish, re-align, or re-organize either the Episcopal Church, The Anglican Communion or its member churches. We have no connection with anyone wishing to create new provinces, jurisdictions or re-alignments.
While we do have inner Communions with several organizations (church groups) who do, we do not as a church body accept or consider ourselves bound by agreements entered in by those groups.
Simply put; the UECNA has no desire to return to Egypt again.
A quarter century ago we chose to take the less popular way by deciding to remain faithful to the historic way as is set forth by the Prayer Book of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America 1928 edition. That usage keeps us firmly united, both in spirit and practice. We do not use either the American or English Missals or a cleaned up Rite II, not even the 1662 book is permitted.
You see, we are purists when it comes to worship. Oh sure, we contain a broad spectrum of liturgical practice, Chasubles, smell and bells etc. etc. But we believe the 1928 Prayer Book with its rubrics offers sufficient freedom and direction without using Sarum or an Episcopalized form of Vatican II liturgy.
Our worship reflects the historic orthodox Anglican usage that avoids extremes in churchmanship. We are neither medieval nor Methodist in practice. We believe in having integrity about counting actual numbers of both churches in this body and it's related Missions and Special Ministries. This count includes accuracy in the counting of actual communicant members, clergy and postulants.
We are very aware of who we are! We have never had to go to the courts of the land to tell us who, or what is, the UECNA. We have always practiced fairness in our dealing with the other members of the Continuum Family. We will not willingly start a work within the area that is already churched. We regularly invite people who call and are looking to seek out a church home to attend parishes belonging to other members of the continuum if we cannot provide a church home for them.
To those groups within the the continuum who claim exclusive connection to the Almighty because of certain usages - practices, we would remind them that our founder Archbishop Doren was the first bishop consecrated and that all the orders of the mainline continuum are from the Chambers connection through him.
We believe that Bishops are to be the Chief Shepherds - Pastors - Fathers in God to their flocks and are to be elected by the people they are to serve. They are not "MADE" as a sort of promotion, reward or as an honour for years in rank. Bishops are not to act, nor think like medieval Popes or dictators, nor as modern chairmen of corporate boards.
We see no reason to create nor be a part of any group, committee, movement, conference, synod, or faction that seeks to discuss, comment upon the degeneration of ECUSA, the church of England, the Anglican Communion or its hangers on. We have moved light years beyond all that and have no desire to continually read 'The Order for the Burial of the Dead' over a long ago dead church and communion.
We look to the future with promise knowing that our gracious Lord will keep His promises to all who serve Him faithfully.
"The Soul that to Jesus hath fled for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul though all hell shall endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake."
We invite all who are committed to the cause of Christ to join with us in worship and service.
The official publication of our church has as its mast head this title.
"Publish glad tidings: Tidings of peace,
Tidings of Jesus, Redemption and Release."
For more information about the UECNA please contact:
The Most Reverend Stephen C. Reber, Sr.
614 Pebblestone Ct.
Statesville. NC 28625
Phone (704) 871-0272
Posted by frleo at November 19, 2004 2:48 PM