Remaining Episcopalians – A Day of Discernment
Saturday, May 31, 2008
9:30 a.m - 4:00 p.m.
What does it mean to be an Episcopalian? Now that the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin is joyfully rebuilding, can we draw on our experiences to help others? Can we articulate and find ways to teach the core of what it means to be Episcopalian—in a way that not only helps our own diocese grow and flourish, but strengthens other Episcopal groups?
When Remain Episcopal formed in 2003, its purpose was simple, and included: “to keep the Episcopal Church … united,” and “to promote the historic Anglican tradition of unity within a diversity of opinions and styles of piety.” That is spelled out for us in our bylaws, and has been the heart of our mission from the beginning.
March 29, 2008, marked the rebirth of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin as Bishop Jerry Lamb was seated as bishop. As such, one of our objectives in Remain Episcopal for 2008 has been to turn its activities over to the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. However, organizations in other threatened dioceses have recently asked Remain Episcopal to share its experience and learnings, and to support them in their struggle with similar divisions. It seems we are being called to a new ministry that seeks to celebrate the spirit and beliefs of Episcopalians, fostering our identity as members of the Episcopal Church. While this vision does not yet have form or substance, this may be an opportunity to further serve God and the church. This new ministry is completely consistent with Remain Episcopal’s purpose set in 2003, and is enthusiastically encouraged by Bishop Jerry Lamb.
The Remain Episcopal Executive Committee believes that God is calling us to new ministry for the broader Episcopal Church. But this is a decision for all of us. The purpose of our time together is to discern whether God is calling us to take the next step and to further explore what this vision might look like. As such, we have declared May 31 at Holy Family, Fresno, as a day for discernment and facilitated visioning. We need you—all of you in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin—to take part.
Please complete and return registration by May 26, 2008.
