Those words often close Morning or Evening Prayer- and they are challenge to our sense of scarcity and our fear of failure- and most of us have known both.  The conference was a great experience of expectations and prayers exceeded.   While most of us could think of good friends and colleagues we wish could have joined us, there were more of us than we had any reason to expect.  The presentations provided substantial food for thought and the conversations afterwards- questions and more extensive statements both- were at a level we don't always get in clergy gatherings. 

It was interesting to me to hear each of the three presenters challenge us- to think more clearly about how we read scripture, to recognize that we are either spiritually doing great good or significant harm, and to remember how crucial it is that we nurture a vital, healthy life of the soul within ourselves.  And along with challenge, there was a great sense of renewed and growing friendships among us.  All of us face challenges and bear great responsibility, but none of us are left to fend for ourselves in isolation- the grace of God and the great gift of brother and sister priests are at hand - more than we can ask or imagine. 

 

It was most encouraging to hear Canon Nunn express his own and the Society in the UK's support for the formation of our chapter and for the life of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada.  As we began the rite to establish the Society and induct new members, the greetings of the Archbishop of Canterbury were indeed welcome.  If we found a sense of connection among ourselves, it was good to sense once more the strength of the bonds of affection between the Churches and between those who share a common commitment to the catholic tradition within Anglicanism. 

 

There will be points of divergence- among us and between the Societys- as we face the particular challenge and exercise the particular gifts of each Church.  IT would be easy to create a list of issues or questions that would leave members of the Society divided- and that would only serve to heighten the tensions within the larger Church and between the Churches.   

 

Where we stand is simple- we receive with gratitude the Church in which we serve- as it is.  We look at each other with mutual respect and with a willingness to encourage and support one another.  We cannot imagine a spiritual life, let alone a ministry that is not grounded in the faith expressed in the creeds, or that is not nurtured by disciplined prayer after the patterns of the Prayer Book and that is bereft of the means of grace- the sacraments which "sustain our present hope and anticipate its future fulfillment".  

 

The Society now begins the significant work of establishing local chapters and developing its ethos.  It will, I trust, speak to those who valiantly and determinedly claim the inheritance of the Tractarians, of the Ritualists, the theology of Lux Mundi and the witness of slum priests.  It will recognize in those on different sides of questions, a unity based in the core convictions and the habits of a vital spiritual life.  It will find those who may not think of themselves as "catholic"- but whose ministry and faith carry out the meaning of that word, and bring them in to its fellowship.   

 

The conference was short- an evening and a day- and as the Board began planning for it, there were not patterns or history to guide our expectations.  As the Society moves forward- some will move from the sidelines where they wait to see what unfolds- some will find that it is not what they need or can support.  I should say it will certainly surprise, disappoint, astound, confuse and delight those of us who were in New Haven this week.  I ask you all- to join me in praying daily for the Society, for the clergy it is intended to serve and for the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada- through which we are called to serve and through which we come to know Jesus in companionship with each other. 

 

There will be more than we knew to ask or that our minds can imagine, and for that- and for each of us, Thanks be to God. 

 

I am writing to inquire if there is any interest in the group in doing a brief Holy Land Pilgrimage sometime in Lent. I was thinking that if we can get enough members interested we can plan a special tour just for the SCP.  I was hoping that it could be planned on a Monday to Saturday in early March, that way it wouldn't interfere with most member's Sunday obligations.  Just a thought. Let me know if you are interested.  For more information please contact Fr Kevin Morris. 

 

Call for Publications!

 

We would like to include a members' publications section on theSCP online bookstore.  If you have published something that is not too scandalous we would love to include it in the bookstore!  Of course, if it is scandalous, we'll offer it at a premium.  Forward those titles here...

An Ordination