In the face of continued attacks from a hardcore minority opposed to women and gays in the churches' ministry, the Episcopal Church (TEC) in the USA has launched a national advertising campaign about its key beliefs and practices.
This sets out TECs convictions related to Christ, the Bible, women's ordination and relationships. These are featured in a national newspaper advertisement and on the Church's website.
Anne Rudig, Director of Communication for the Episcopal Church, explains: "We want to herald and share our welcoming message. We are bringing our identity, our core beliefs, and our heritage to life in a manner that invites all to share."
The ad, which include a broader list of beliefs, can be viewed here: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/adcollaborative.htm
"In the past few weeks, news about various religions has focused more about who's excluded from certain practices than who is included," Rudig said. "We follow Christ and believe that he's very clear that all are welcome. We strive to ‘love our neighbours as ourselves'."
"We are celebrating the fact The Episcopal Church recognises that God doesn't differentiate between the gifts of men or women, lay or ordained," stresses the Rev Canon Dr Charles Robertson, canon to the Presiding Bishop and Primate. "We want people to know who we are and to make their own, informed decisions."
The campaign uses the theme 'The Episcopal Church Welcomes You' with specific examples of the Church's beliefs. Among others, they include the centrality of Christ, a Trinitarian understanding of the nature and work of God, and the crucial role of the Bible and common prayer.
The adverts add that:
• We strive to love our neighbours as ourselves and respect the dignity of every person.
• We welcome men and women, married or celibate, to be ordained as bishops, priests, and deacons.
• We believe in amendment of life, the forgiveness of sin, and life everlasting.
• We affirm that committed relationships are lifelong and monogamous. Episcopalians also recognize that there is grace after divorce and do not deny the sacraments to those who have been divorced.
• We affirm that issues such as birth control are matters of personal informed conscience.
• We celebrate our unity in Christ while honoring our differences, always putting the work of love before uniformity of opinion.
• All are welcome to find a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church.
This is the first in a series of materials, produced in English and Spanish, to support an Episcopal Church evangelism and outreach programme over the coming months. Additional print, radio and collateral materials are being made available to its dioceses and churches.
The Episcopal Church also is focusing on its work to alleviate poverty and combat injustice both in the United States and abroad.
"We want to be bolder and more proactive about letting people know that The Episcopal Church has so much to offer," said Robertson. "Our message continues to be that we welcome you into this adventurous life and reasonable faith in Christ...whoever 'you' may be."
The Episcopal Church has 109 dioceses and three regional areas in 16 nations. It is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Further information:
The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurch.org
IamEpiscopalian: http://www.iamepiscopalian.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/episcopalian
Twitter: http://twitter.com/iamepiscopalian
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/TECtube
Printer-friendly version