Chronicles of Canterbury
the
Chronicles of Canterbury Febuary 2017
From the Rector
Bishop Election Coming in March
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n the first two centuries of the Church, based on what we find in the New Testament and in the earliest writings of the Church fathers, two orders emerge with primary pastoral leadership responsibility: overseers and elders. While the distinctions between overseer and elder were not totally delineated until the second century, suffice it to say overseers and elders were the two classes of ordained people who since apostolic times were identified to lead as shepherds of the flock. The third order, which is just as ancient and apostolic, is the order of deacons, but deacons were never intended to have pastoral leadership over churches or dioceses. The word deacon comes from the Greek word diaconos, which means servant.
sense, our use of the word “priest” or “priesthood” refers to something which alone belongs to Jesus Christ, and the whole baptized people of God who are His Body. The second meaning, stemming from the biblical word presbyter, is that of the elder of the Christian community – an office of explicit leadership authority within the community. It just so happens that the Greek word “presbyter” forms the origin for the English word “priest.” As such, in our tradition, the ordained people (like me) we call “priest” are more precisely called “presbyters.” We presbyters are the leading elders within the church. And in fact, on my ordination certificate, it specifically says that I am a presbyter.
The words “priest” and “priesthood” can be misleading, for they have many meanings. The one meaning, stemming from the biblical words sacerdos or hieros, is that of the Hebrew temple priesthood, in which the priest is the sacrificing agent making atonement between God and humankind. In this
The biblical overseers, appointed by the apostles to be their direct successors, are what we now call bishops – from the Greek word episcopos. Because the structure of our branch of the church is overseen by bishops, when we were founded we took the name Episcopal See RECTOR on page 3
From the New Senior Warden
what’s inside 2 Journey To Jerusalem 5 Be a Missioner 6 Belize Mission 7 Young Adult Ministry 8 Thomas Cranmer 9 OWLS 10 Briefly 11 Lifelong Disciple
Vestry 2017: Serving God, Serving Others
“E
ach one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” I Peter 4:10 I have had the privilege and the honor to attend the past three St. Michael’s Vestry retreats in the peaceful and quiet surroundings of Whispering Pines, NC. This is a cherished time of connection among our Vestry — a time of self-reflection, group reflection and church reflection — a time when members and clergy come to understand one another through devotion, discussion, shared meals and experiences. Our Vestry is unique in the fact that we intentionally carve out this time for fellowship. The bonds formed during the Vestry retreat lay the foundation for connecting us with each other and for sustaining us in the year to come
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Of course, we addressed the business of St. Michael’s at the retreat. including the fact that we have almost doubled in size in the past 12 years/ We have the third largest congregation in the Diocese of North Carolina, and our average 2016 Sunday church attendance was 608. St. Michael’s has experienced tremendous growth in the past 12 years, and we are so fortunate and grateful for that, especially at a time when many churches are faced with attendance, growth, and financial challenges. These are all admirable numbers to think about, but the true purpose of the retreat is to form relationships and trusts that connect us to each other, to St. Michael’s and ultimately to Christ. It is imperative that we form these bonds so we all truly understand each other as we serve and lead St. Michael’s together in the year ahead. Our Vestry remains healthy and
See WARDEN on page 4