Episcopalians are a connected group, joined by theology that binds us together in prayer and in sacrament with Episcopalians and Anglicans across the globe. And more than merely a connection of theology, we’re bound together as the Body of Christ, sisters and brothers within a very specific family. Our connection is real and binding, and I am grateful to be a part of this family and to belong to something so much greater than myself.
To illustrate our connectedness, Episcopalians are members of a parish (Bethesda-by-the-Sea), which is a part of a diocese (Southeast Florida), under the authority of a bishop (The Rt. Rev. Peter Eaton). The diocese is one of the 110 dioceses that comprise The Episcopal Church under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop (The Most Rev. Michael Curry). The Episcopal Church is one of the 38 provinces of the Anglican Communion, which is gathered together by the Archbishop of Canterbury (The Most Rev. and Right Honorable Justin Welby). See how all that works? The questions of authority and ecclesiology are peculiar to particular provinces, but we are all Anglicans, and in our particular branch of Anglicanism, we’re Episcopalians. In short, we are connected; we are family; we are the Body of Christ.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, and our Annual Convention will celebrate this milestone this month. As all things are virtual now, so is the Convention Eucharist this Sunday at 10AM. The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church will preach, and we invite you to begin your Sunday morning an hour early using the link https://www.youtube.com/c/StStephensChurchCoconutGrove for that service. Following that, and as is our custom, Bethesda will stream our 11:00 a.m. service, followed by coffee hour. So, take advantage of this unique Sunday morning and participate in the connectedness of our Episcopal identity and in the gathered Body of Christ.
The Rev. Burl Salmon
Associate for Christian Education, Pastoral Care, and Outreach