Sometimes the third time may be the charm. This is, after all, is the third time this post has been published in just as many days.
I wasn't sure whether it actually fit into the 'praylium' world of blogging.
A couple of days ago I was at a rather unusual breakfast gathering.
Around the table sat;
My lovely wife and son.
Myself (who, for the sake of this story, will be referred to as the 'ex-episcopal rector')
A rather eccentric man who hails from Texas--the convener of the breakfast
A recently-fired-church organist, her husband, and son
A recently fired Anglican priest and his wife.
The bond? The Anglican priest, myself, and the organist all at different times served the same Episcopal congregation and we were all fired.
Before any accusations of gossip and slander are thrown--the breakfast was really more about laughter and perspective-with an occasional horror story thrown in.
While the organist and priest were much closer to their departure date--myself and my family were years out. I felt bad for them. I couldn't imagine going through what the others at the breakfast table went through--because when I was fired--the Virgin Mary was already leading us back home.
But here is what I want to talk about...
At one point the Anglican priest asked me, "Do you miss it?"
"Nope." I quickly answered, then added. "I do miss celebrating Eucharist and hearing confessions." (Yes Reconciliation is in the Book of Common Prayer--but in my five years I never heard one sacramental confession)
I then went on to talk about how the Episcopal bishop (at that time) wanted me to re-institute the proper celebration of Holy Eucharist at that church on a weekly basis---
"No problem" I thought.
Boy was I wrong.
When I first arrived at the church I found consecrated Hosts stored in a plastic baggie in the aumbry (tabernacle)
For my remaining time we used a ciborium.
I found out at breakfast that when I left that church--the plastic baggie returned.
If that is true--how sad.
That church is still seeking a new rector.
I hope they find what they are looking for.
Now, the reason I finally decided to share the above story is because of an article I read concerning the population of the Episcopal Church in the United States. Episcopal Church Numbers
You can make all the necessary connections.
