How about those Episcopalians, huh?
Bishop Mariann Budde isn't a rare breed of super smart, justice seeking, lady leader Christians but one among a whole denomination.
Fun fact: There are more Roman Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago than Episcopalians worldwide. A lot party-ready fun facts may not be real actual true facts, which is allowed now even outside of parties, but I looked the numbers up and its true.
I share this fact because if you’re wondering why you only just heard about these Episcopalians and how neat they are a week or so ago, don’t fret. We’re a small denomination of only 3 million in the U.S., or about 1 percent of the U.S. population. (Compare that to 51 million U.S. Roman Catholics and 62.2 million evangelicals.) But let me tell you: We are mighty. But I’ll get more into Episcos and what makes us neat in a later edition of this shiny, brand new newsletter that I’m thrilled you subscribed to. (I’ll include some links though below for your own perusal.) cWhat is this newsletter that you just subscribed to anyway? It’s a project my friend Stevie convinced me to start. She once told me that I was going to be the one who convinced her to go back to church. It’s not the first time I’ve heard this from a friend. Or the second. Before we go any further, please know this: My project is not meant to get you back to church. Or to church for the first time. It’s not meant to make you do or think or act in any particular way regarding church at all.
I’m much more interested in how much people need to find and make meaning in this life, but how the institutions—like church—that once helped generations of people do that (for better or for worse) are in decline, gone, untrustworthy, harmful, etc.
I am interested in the places and moments and people where something sacred, what I call the divine, is revealed and experienced. And more than anything, I want people to find those places and moments and people and engage with them and be transformed by them. Over and over and over. For me, that’s church. But it might not be that for you, and not only am I OK with that, I’m thrilled to know that you know that about yourself. Because that’s a start for finding what does help you find things sacred and holy in your life.
I have so much more to say about this, but for now, let me just say, Welcome, fellow Seeker.
-Meghan
Links
Good news: You don’t have to wait to learn more about Episcopalians. I’ve got a few interesting links for you!
Pew Research Center, an excellent source of information about religious trends in America published 5 facts about Episcopalians two years ago. One point the article makes: The Episcopal Church is a very white denomination, which means, while now we’ve got a black Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, we’re a denomination with a troubling history of racism that still needs dismantling.
Speaking of Bishop Michael Curry, here’s the full text of his sermon at the royal wedding of Meghan and Harry.
Bishop Jennifer Baserville Borrows is the first black woman to be elected a diocesan bishop (the bishop for a region of Episcopalians) in the Episcopal Church. Several years ago, she wrote about her then-5-year-old son and hoodies that I have never forgotten. I can’t find it, but you can read her recent reflection on dismantling white supremacy and racism.
The Episcopal Church descends from the Church of England, which has a rich tradition of one of my most beloved ways to experience holiness: Choral Evensong. Have a listen to this virtual Evensong in which Stephen Fry (!) reads the first lesson.
Crucible is the word that keeps coming to my mind to describe this moment in our lives, in this nation and its history. An actual crucible is a container in which metals or other substances are subjected to high temperatures, to test or transform them. Crucible is also a word to describe a severe test or trial that we experience—a refining fire, to use an image from Scripture—or one in which different elements interact, leading to our transformation.
—Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde,
June 7, 2020 Sermon