Saturday before Aidan Sunday

Yes, I know that in the Church Calendar there's no such thing. It's just my title for this blog entry so it can be dated and named.

Tomorrow, however, we will, as a parish, celebrate bishop and monk Aidan. I have prepared the Irish Stew and it's in the crock pot (yeah, I know--it's the easy way, leave me alone....! :) ). Gotta pick up some Guinness in a bit. (We have some Shiner in the fridge, too.)

We worshiped with our friends Mitch and Elizabeth at their Baptist church last Sunday night. The music and praise and worship, message and fellowship was good. They followed us here for spaghetti, jammin' by Mitch and me (Mitch is a guitarist), and an impromptu Pipe Club (the first of many here).

I was reminded that we are all the Church. Shirley and I, when asked what kind of Christians we are, often say we are "mutts." To me, that's synonymous with catholic. All baptized believers (and those who believe who are on the way to baptism) are part of the one Church. Jesus didn't institute a bunch of denominations--He instituted one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. That's it. Plain and simple. No one branch of the Church has it all right.

Although I will be ordained as a priest in apostolic succession next Summer, I will be a Christian minister first, and an Anglican one second. My call is to serve everyone as best as I can, not just one branch or part of the Church. That calling involves serving those on the edge or outside the Church, whether Christians or not. I'm also praying about how I may have dialogue (as did Thomas Merton) with those in other religions who are seeking God. We must be ready to give an answer, in season and out, and be all things to all men, as the Apostle Paul wrote to us.

I am grieved at recent statements from Pope Benedict and the Archbishop of York. Benedict said we weren't really part of the Church if we weren't part of the Roman Catholic Church. My faith and baptism brought me into the Church, not what part of it I happen to be confirmed in or a member in. The Scriptures and Church Fathers teach us this. The Archbishop of York recently stated to conservative Anglican primates that if they didn't show for Lambeth next year, they were removing themselves from the Anglican Communion and were therefore no longer Anglican. He said Anglicanism is through Canterbury. I beg to differ, Your Grace. The Christian Church was established on English soil in 63 A.D. at Glastonbury, not at Canterbury. The Gospel was spread from there by monks who were faithful to Christ and His Word, not by so-called bishops who believe more in post-modernism than in Christ as Lord and His written Word, the precepts of which are timeless. The English Church is traced back to Glastonbury. All who are true to the Faith once delivered who are of the Anglican tradition trace their roots back to Glastonbury, not Canterbury.

As a monk, it resounds deep within my heart that monks from the first Christian community in Great Britain, Glastonbury, took the Gospel out from there and brought Christ to those who would receive Him.

Praise God for His redemption and deliverance through Christ!

Join us tomorrow for authentic ancient-future Christian worship. The Chapel of St. Francis parish meets here at Mercy House, 5901 NW 62nd St. at MacArthur, Sundays at 10:30 am and Wednesdays at 7 pm for Eucharist. Morning Prayer and Communion is here every weekday morning--Monday and Tuesday at 6 am, Wednesday through Friday at 7 am.

We welcome you in Christ's Name. Come as you are.


br. francis