Pastor’s Corner “Part of a Bigger Family”

Whenever our Bishop comes to visit Immanuel, I use that as an opportunity to remind you that we are not an isolated congregation engaged in worship, mission, discernment, and decision-making. We are one of 46 worshiping communities who belong to the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic (DOMA), a community of congregations led by Bishop Chris Warner to “reach North America with the transforming love of Christ.” DOMA is one of 28 dioceses within the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA), which itself is one of over 40 Anglican provinces connecting millions of Anglicans across the globe. We are part of a much, much bigger family!

Bishop Chris will be with us on November 23^rd to teach and celebrate, confirm and receive, and spend time with our Vestry and with me (and consecrate our new baptismal font!). That’s one expression of our participation in this Anglican family.

Another expression of our participation is the upcoming Diocesan Synod, when representatives from DOMA congregations gather to worship, fellowship, grow, and conduct the business of the diocese. This year the Synod convenes November 13-15 in Baltimore, MD, with the theme, “Flourishing Together.” This vision will guide the diocesan priorities for 2026: flourishing together missionally, relationally, and through clergy and congregational vitality. Monika Dew, Andy Oravetz, and Kevin Robertson will be our Lay Delegates, with Danny Cade serving as alternate. Pastor Sallie and I will be Immanuel’s Clergy Delegates. All, however, are invited to attend in person or online, especially Friday’s Service of Holy Eucharist.

Yet one more expression of our participation in this family is by subscribing to The Messenger. Every month our Bishop sends a pastoral message to the Diocese via The Messenger, which also provides articles and news on all that is happening in this local part of the global Anglican Communion. (You can read this month’s edition of The Messenger here.) You can also subscribe to The Provincial, the ACNA’s bi-monthly newsletter.

As Americans, our tendency often is to celebrate our individualism and independence. The Anglican Way of following Jesus, however, provides the ongoing opportunity to celebrate our historic, global communion and interdependence. I encourage you to join in the celebration by engaging in all three of the above expressions.

Your Pastor in Christ,