Recently, Broderick Greer, a student at Virginia Theological Seminary, asked a simple question on Twitter (where he is @HolaBrody) : What drew you to the Episcopal Church? He captured some of the responses on Storify. Sometimes the answers to these simple questions can refocus our attention on important aspects of our life in the church.
So, inspired by Greer, we thought we’d try something similar. So here are two questions to kick around this evening:
What does your parish do well? What do you wish it would do that it doesn’t?
Let’s talk.
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My parish is very, very good at welcoming newcomers into the life of the parish and the life of the Episcopal church more generally. The series of get-togethers, welcoming sessions, and classes helps make a very large place seem manageable, and helps new people find places where their gifts (and they) are needed and valued.
I think we have a ways to go in becoming a church that is friendly and useful to children and teens.
My parish (Holy Comforter in Broomfield, Colorado) started a Farmer's Market on our property 3 years ago and are heading into our 4th season. We attract 600 to 900 visitors a week (parish size is approaching 200), support local farmers, match SNAP benefits to double the purchasing power of shoppers using the benefits so they can purchase healthy food, and send all the proceeds to local social service organizations such as the food bank and Meals on Wheels. One of the vendors also donates unsold fresh produce to the local food bank.
Our parish does an absolutely phenomenal job "being the hands of Christ" in offering mercy and care (especially with regard to hunger) and standing in solidarity with those in need both locally and globally.
I wish we prayed the Daily Office together.