Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Summer 2012 Issue | Page 35

readers’ page

The Readers’ Page is a new feature in the magazine where Virginia Episcopalians can share their voices.
For each issue, we’ll invite submissions around a central topic. We’ll accept contributions in various forms –
reflections, prayers, poems, pictures. The idea is to share your stories on this page.
For this issue, we asked contributors to respond to one question:

WHY AM I EPISCOPALIAN?
rock higgins, st. andrew’s, richmond

jane roth, st. james’, leesburg

but rather by choice of conscience. I was compelled to become
Episcopalian after a long journey. I was drawn more and more
to a deep resonance with the Episcopal Church’s emphasis on
Grace for all. It was more than just a slogan, “The Episcopal
Church welcomes you.” I had been in churches where some
were not welcome and I could no longer abide with that.

I have always had a strong emphasis on the idea presented
of Grace in Scripture. If it is limited to any person in any way,
it is not Grace. Grace cannot have conditions. The Diocese,
in its repeated and strong choices siding with a theology of
Grace for all, impressed me in profound ways. It was hard to
leave the denomination of my roots, where I had learned to
follow Christ, but it was from that training and learning that my
convictions were formed. And, when the denominational and
church-level choices went against those profound teachings,
the very essence of what I feel to be the Gospel, then
somewhere that celebrated Grace for all needed to be found. I
found that in the Episcopal Church.

I am so glad today to say that I am Episcopalian,
specifically in the Diocese of Virginia, and even more specifically
as a member at St. Andrew’s, Richmond. I consider these all
gifts, wonderful gifts that I have been given along my spiritual
journey. When I share in the Eucharist, and read from the Book
of Common Prayer, I feel a real sense of being connected with
a larger faith, a Church of yesterday, today and tomorrow, and
I know that I have found a faith home where I can help me
explain to my children the convictions I hold so dear, ones that
I hope they will choose for themselves, and why I chose to be a
part. I am proud to say that I am Episcopalian.

the first thought that comes to mind is the signpost on
Cornwall Street in front of St. James’, which reads “The
Episcopal Church Welcomes You.” That sign signifies what
the Episcopal Church means to me. It is all about openness
to all no matter where the individual may be in their faith
journey. There are no questions asked. There is no litmus
test of approvals. Being Episcopalian means none of that
matters. The Episcopal Church is here front and center for
you, whoever you are.

That openness means a great deal to me. I became
an Episcopalian later in life after having distanced myself
from other Protestant faiths years before. My experience
had been where others spoke of openness; it was really in
name only. There was still a distance between if you didn’t
quite fit the mold of being accepted. As a divorced career
professional without children, I found other denominations
not quite sure of where I fit into their world. I wasn’t a couple
and I didn’t have kids, so what would I do?

That led me to sensitivity to others seeking openness,
who have far varying backgrounds and life experiences than
me. What were they feeling?

The Episcopal faith has provided the sanctity of personal
prayer while embracing me in a bedrock steadfastness
of worship. The respect for the traditions of being an
Episcopalian are unwavering; yet, being Episcopalian
means it is also OK to try something new, reach out a little
differently while understanding that if that new initiative
didn’t quite work out as planned, it’s OK. We can build on
what worked or recognize it didn’t, that God had something
else in mind for us.

My faith has become a power in my life, which guides
me when I am not even consciously realizing it. Being
Episcopalian has kept me grounded with my religion in a way
I have never felt before. It lets me be me while giving me
the courage to take a step because I know through my faith
God has my back. I think about my faith and know that being
an Episcopalian is at the core of who I am as a person. My
faith has strengthened my resolve to connect with God in a
deeper and more powerful way.

Why am I Episcopalian? It is my guidepost for the future
while centering me for today.

I am Episcopalian, neither by birth nor marriage,

helen k. spence, st. christopher’s, springfield

The easy and obvious answer is because I was
raised in the Episcopal Church. But, I remain an Episcopalian
for several reasons. I love the liturgy and the ways it helps me
express my faith in God. I love the hymnal – the music, yes, but
the poetry as well. I love being able to have great faith and
many questions, and not feel as though I’m somehow NOT
faithful for asking those questions. And I love the community
of which I am a part – which might happen regardless of the
denomination, but it happens to be Episcopalian … because
the Episcopal Church welcomes me!

When I think about why I am Episcopalian,