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November 6, 2006
Confirmations in Branson: Reflections on intercommunion
This past Sunday there were three confirmations at St. Joseph's Angican Church, Branson,MO. Indeed it was a spirit filled experience. Currently, St. Joseph's is sharing space with the Presbyterian Church, called the Stone Chapel on the route toward Branson Landing (the new mall). Characteristic of any of our churches is our beginnings: borrowed churches, funeral homes, strip malls, homes, school buildings until the congregation can afford a place of their own. Where will the faithful go if they, in order to preserve the faith once given to the saints, must let their goods and kindred go. That's where St. Joseph's is. Fr. Jim McTaggart, their dynamic Rector, has a full time job besides growing and caring for this church. The congregation is young and vibrant and full of hope in growing and defending the faith.
Branson is the best place for entertainment. But if you happen to be there on a weekend do not miss the opportunity to be part of the service. St. Joseph's is the only Anglican Church in Branson following the 1928 BCP.
There were visitors from Wyoming attending our 11:15 am service. During the potluck that followed, we introduced ourselves to each other. They were from St. Andrews, Cheyenne WY. The gentleman said, "how come our churches can't get together, when we share the same faith and tradition and use the 1928 BCP for our liturgy." Cheyenne, WY rang a bell. We did have UEC presence there years ago. It is the same church under our supervision back in 1991. Abp. Reber informed me that the ailing pastor had required a deacon to come and substitute, who in turn had substituted the jurisdiction over that period of time. The family was so glad to be there with us.
Why can't the continuing churches get together if they are sharing the same faith and principles? This has been the thirst of many laity that I have visited with. Many agree that the personalities of the clergy is what makes it difficult. If I may add on, there are few others who have added more troubles to their existing predicament. Nevertheless, we will not give up on our efforts to find a common platform for the Anglicans in USA to come together.
Why is it not possible to get along with other conservative ECUSA churches? This is another question sometimes posed to me. The reason is that they still share the ideologies of ECUSA like ordination of woman, and their stand on the value of human life at all its stages, though they may opposed to other ramifications brought forth by ECUSA or TEC.
We parted ways three decades ago. Thirty years has been a long time for all those within the ECUSA camp to realize what was upcoming. Glad that their eyes are opened at at last. But then still they may need to shed some of their baggage, in the interest of purity of faith and tradition.
UECNA is open to dialogue with churches that accept the Affirmation of Louis. In fact we are in communion with the Anglican Catholic Church and also Holy Catholic Church-Anglican Rite, our sister churches that had the same origin pointing to the Denver Consecration, Where Archbishop Albert Chambers ordained Dale Doren, the founder of UECNA and three other bishops, The Late Bishop Mote (ACC), Archbishop Morse of Anglican Province of Christ the King and Bishop Waterson who returned back to Rome. To make it easy for the faithful who may chance upon our churches when they travel, we hope and pray that we may be able to restore communion with like minded churches that are sacramental, orthodox and apostolic, in preserving the faith and morals of the traditional anglican and episcopal churches from where we came.
Posted by frleo at November 6, 2006 9:51 AM
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