Everything We Believe!

Inquirers Class  Week 1

So maybe "Everything " is stretching things just a bit since I probably left something (minor) out.  But to make up for it, I'll include some pictures from our trip to Israel!

Dome of the Rock

This may be the best picture to start with because the 3 major world religions - Christianity, Judaism, and Islam - all come together at this site - the Dome of the Rock.

It is located in the Old City of Jerusalem just behind the gates where Jesus entered the city on Palm Sunday.  I took this picture from the Mount of Olives which overlooks the Garden at Gethsemane.    

Inside The Dome of the Rock is the Foundation Stone where, according to classic Jewish and Islamic teachings, God created the world, Abraham was ready to sacrifice Isaac, and Mohammed began his night journey. The second Jewish Temple stood on this site until 70 AD and the Mosque is actually patterned after the Byzantine Church of the Seat of Mary.  You can't get much more ecumenical!

The Same with Differences

Most of us who believe in God - whether we are Baptist, Catholic, or Episcopalian - Christian, Jewish, or Moslem - probably have a lot more in common than we think.  Our guide in Israel may be the first Episcopal Jew I have ever met.  After 2 weeks together, I know we share a whole lot of the same beliefs.  

Edan - our Jewish Archeologist Guide

Much of our discussion will focus on what we have in common with other world religions and denominations.  Why focus on what separates us?  

The FIRST thing for us to understand is that our religion is CHRISTIANITY.  We are Christians!  We share this in common with 2.2 billion other Christians throughout the world.  And what does it take to be a Christian?

Believe in God:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

That's it!  We say it every Sunday in the Nicene Creed.  And since we are 2.2 Billion finite, limited human beings worshipping an infinite and omnipotent God, then we all have experienced God in many ways - but not all of God.  That's why there are over 33,000 - that's right 33,000+ Christian denominations in the world today.  And the number is growing all the time.

So the 2nd point to remember is - We are Christians who choose to worship in the Episcopal Church!  

Our religion is Christianity. Our Christian denomination is the Episcopal Church, part of the Worldwide Anglican Communion.

Now the 3rd thing I want you to remember is that we believe becoming a Christian is a journey of faith that lasts a lifetime - not a single event.  Children often understand far more about God than I do.  They know that Jesus loves them.  And while they may not tell you its the Holy Spirit, you can see the presence in their faces.  There have been times when someone will say to me that children should not receive communion because they don't understand it.  The thing is - neither do I and I never will fully.  But I believe and so do those kids at the altar rail and we are all experiencing more and more of God and our faith grows.  I hope I never think that I understand God and how God works.  If I do then I would be wrong.

Being Episcopalian

An Episcopalian is pretty much any Christian who chooses to worship in an Episcopal Church.  PLEASE remember, you are an Episcopalian who worships in an Episcopal Church!  It's like fingernails on a chalkboard when someone says to me that they go to the "Episcopalian Church!"  A person is an Episcopalian - everything else is Episcopal.  

Any Christian is always invited to receive communion and fully participate in the life of the parish. 

An ACTIVE COMMUNICANT is an Episcopalian who receives communion at least 3 times a year.  Obviously, the bar is not real high.  

A CONFIRMED COMMUNICANT in good standing is baptized and has also received the Sacrament of Confirmation or been received into the Episcopal Church (more on all that in a future class) and is known to the priest and the treasurer.  Once you have reached this level of active membership in the Episcopal Church, you can vote in the Annual Meeting, serve on the Vestry, serve as a Lay Eucharistic Minister, and attend Diocesan Convention as a voting delegate.  

St. George's Anglican Church in Jerusalem

If you are an Episcopalian then you are also an Anglican.  The Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of the Anglican Communion.  While the Episcopal Church is only the 9th largest denomination in the United States, the Anglican Church is the 3rd largest denomination in the world after the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.  More on this too in a later class.

In week 2, we talked about ALL of the Biblical Story in 45 minutes.  I should have that post up in a day or 2.