August 27, 2004

I am so proud to be a member of the Episcopal Church.  We are at our finest when we are working together as we did after the hurricane.  A spontaneous sense of concern at the grassroots level in congregations all over the diocese brought people and resources pouring forth.  No theological differences or petty disputes threatened our determination to help those in need.  It is an attitude I hope we can foster in coming months.  Other Episcopalians share this vital interest.  Some churches, including St. Peter's Cathedral and Saint Boniface in our own diocese, are sponsoring a national conference called "Going Forward Together" to be held October 24-26 in Dallas and November 7-9 in Atlanta.  This gathering is to promote health and unity in the Episcopal Church, to celebrate what's good, to raise up the unique gifts of Anglicanism and to prepare for a future focused on building up the Church.  There are wonderful presenters from the centrist part of the Episcopal Church.  Check the website www.goingforwardtogether.org.

Ted Copland, Rector, Saint Boniface, Sarasota