I was going to return with a blog on the use of Artificial Intelligence by the Episcopal Church, but then I realized this morning that I could not finish the blog for inclusion in the upcoming Grace Newsletter. AI will be covered in the next newsletter.

So, this morning I was struck by the meaning of what I found in line 64 of Psalm 119, which reads as follows: “The earth O, Lord is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes,” This line makes an important claim that the reality of our Lord is manifest in the world all around us, but do we notice it. Sometimes I do, but not always.

Unfortunately, in this modern world I live in with the internet and social media, I find myself failing to notice and appreciate God’s love. I have to admit that checking my email and text messages does not allow me to slow down and notice the presence of God all around us in the blue sky, budding trees and flowers, the chirping of birds, and yes, you my fellow parishioners.

You might remember my blog where I experienced the presence of God when I lived in California. I can’t go back to the Sierra Nevada Mountains again, even though I am dying to go. The point of Psalm 119:64, is that the ever presence of God is in all things and people. For me that Bridal Wreath waterfall was God’s love pouring out on earth.

A mini-version of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is all around my house, but my yards are in shamble from two years of neglect because of my illnesses. My birdhouse, which is built as a replica of a church, is laying on the ground hidden by weeds, My bird feeder is empty, and my water fountain is dry and full of dirt and leaves. My flower beds are bare and filled with leaves.

I still see God’s presence in my yard, but barely, and He is telling me, or yelling at me, to go out to Lowes Garden Center this weekend and replenish my discipleship so He can teach me His statutes. As I close, I now realize lines 173-176 are also appropriate: “Let your hand be ready to help me [Lord] for . . . I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.”

Jelly Roll is a unique and to some degree a polarizing figure in today’s Christian music world. His
early years were lawless to say the least, with considerable jail time. But the story has a happy ending with his complete transition to a committed Christian. He conquered his alcohol abuse, now has a young family, and travels the world sharing his story, never forgetting to whom the glory belongs.

With Jelly Roll’s gifts of a great voice and simple lyrics, truly we should be inspired by the
unfathomable redemptive powers of our Lord and Savior, even if we disapprove of JR’s early
transgressions. The music offered is one of at least a dozen recent Jelly Roll recordings that are soulful, heartfelt, and can readily bring tears to one’s eyes when considering the depth of pain from which he has been freed.
​
The lyrics are not displayed here as they are shown on the YouTube screen.

​Cut: “Jesus Don’t Let Me Go”
Artist: Jelly Roll

​[London Symphony Orchestra-John Wakefield]
​
3. AlR tenor  ISAIAH 40:4
“Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight and the rough places plain.”

4. CHORUS  ISAIAH 40:5And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
​
5. REClT. bass  HAGAI 2: 6-7
Thus saith the Lord of Hosts-Yet once a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all nations; and the desire of all nations shall come. The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.

6. AlR bass  MALACHI 3:2
But who may abide the day of H is coming? and who shall stand When He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire.

7. CHORUS  MALACHI 3:3
And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

[London Symphony – Sir Colin Davis - Helen Watts]

8. RECIT. alto  ISAIAH 7:14  
“Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name E M M A N U E L, God with us.”

9. AIR alto and CHORUS  ISAIAH 40:9 “O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”  ISAIAH 60:1

10. RECIT, bass  MATTHEW 4: 12-16
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall a rise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee, and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the b rightness of thy rising.

11. AlR ·bass  MATTHEW 4: 12-16The people that walk i n darkness have seen a great light; and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

12. CHORUS  ISAIAH 9:6
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
​
13. ​PASTORAL SYMPHONY

Performed at Westminster Abbey, London, c. 2004 by the Academy of Ancient Music conducted by Christopher Hogwood; vocals by the Choir of Westminster Abbey [Great job by our Anglican cousins!]

Below presentation commences at time stamp 52:27: 

Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin or the world. [John Ch. 1, v.29]
23. AIR alto [Isaiah Ch. 53, v. 3]
      He was despised and rejected or men; a man or sorrow and acquainted with grief.
24. CHORUS [Isaiah Ch. 53, v. 4-5]
   Surely He hath borne our griefs, end carried our sorrows! He was wounded for our
   transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him. 
25. CHORUS
    And with His stripes we were healed.
26. CHORUS [Isaiah Ch. 53, v. 6]
    All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.  And the Lord hath
    laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
27. RECIT, tenor [Psalm 22, v. 7]
    All they that see Him, laugh Him to scorn; they shoot out their lips and shake their heads saying
28. CHORUS [Psalm 22, v.8]
    He trusted in God that He would deliver Him; let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him.
29. RECIT (tenor) 
    Thy rebuke hath broken his heart; he is full of heaviness. He looked for some to have pity on him,
     but there was no man, neither found he any to comfort him.” (Psalm 69, v.20)
30. Arioso (tenor)
     Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto his sorrow.” (Lamentations 1, v.12)
31. RECIT (tenor)
     He was cut off out the land of the living: for the transgressions of thy people was he stricken.”
     (Isaiah 53, v.8)
32. Air (tenor)
     But thou didst not leave his soul in hell; nor didst thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.”
     (Psalm 16, v.10)

33. CHORUS [Psalm 24, v. 7-10] – TIME STAMP 1:22:14
     Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall
     come in. Who is the King or Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up
     your heads, O ye gates, end be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come
     in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.
34. RECIT (tenor)
     Unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?”
     (Hebrews 1, v.5)
35. Chorus 
     Let all the angels of God worship him.” (Hebrews 1, v.6)
36. Air (mezzo-soprano)
     Thou art gone up on high; thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men: yea, even
     for thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them.” (Psalm 68, v.18)
37.  CHORUS [Psalm 68, v. 11]
     The Lord gave the word, great was the company of the preachers.
38.    AIR soprano [Romans Ch. 10, v. 15]
      How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of
      good things.

39. CHORUS [Romans Ch. 10, v. 18] – TIME STAMP 1:33:40
       Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world.
40. AIR bass [Psalm 2, v. 1-2]
      Why do the nations so furiously rage together, and why do the people Imagine a vain thing? The
      kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against His
      Anointed.
41. CHORUS [Psalm 2, v. 3]
      Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.
42. RECIT. Tenor [Psalm 2, v. 4]
      He that dwelleth in Heaven shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision.
43. AIR tenor [Psalm 2, v. 9]
      Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
44. CHORUS [Revelation Ch. 19, v. 6; Revelation Ch. 11, v. 15; Revelation Ch. 19, v. 16]
       HALLEUJAH:  for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.  The kingdom of this world is become the
       kingdom of our Lord, and His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.  KING OF KINGS, and
       LORD OF LORDS, HALLELUJAH
45. Air (soprano)
       I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And
      though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19, vv.25–26); “For now is
      Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep.” (I Corinthians 15, v.20)
46. Chorus
     Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all
     die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (I Corinthians 15, vv.21–22)
47. RECIT (bass) – TIME STAMP 1:51:49
     Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in
     the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet:” (I Corinthians 15, vv.51–52)
48. Air (bass)
     The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
     For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
     (1 Corinthians 15, 52–53)
49. Recitative (mezzo-soprano) 
     Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory.
     (1 Corinthians 15, v.54)
50. Duet (mezzo-soprano/tenor)
     O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the 
     strength of sin is the law.” (I Corinthians 15, vv.55–56)
51. Chorus
     But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
     (1 Corinthians 15:57)
52. Air (soprano)
     If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8, v. 31); “Who shall lay anything to the charge
     of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea
     rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.”
     (Romans 8, vv.33–34)
53. Chorus 
     Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood, to receive power,
     and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing, and honour,
     glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”
     (Revelation 5, vv.12–14) “Amen.”​

Pictures from the joyful and festive celebration of our 150th anniversary on Sunday, March 15, 2026 with the Right Reverend Shannon Rogers Duckworth, Twelfth Bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana. One person was confirmed, three were received into the church, and one reaffirmed her faith. If you have any pictures from this day that you would like to contribute to this album, please send them to the church office.

Evangelicals who wanted to stress the Protestant heritage of Anglicanism. Sometimes they were called “high churchmen” because they give a “high” place to the importance of the episcopal form of church government, sacraments, and liturgical worship. Actually high church and low church were evident in the Church of England from the time of Elizabeth I (1553-1603). The Oxford Movement and Anglo-Catholicism renewed this emphasis within the Church of England.

Anglo-Catholicism strives to maintain the theology, practice, and devotion of the ancient and undivided Church (pre-1054). Anglo-Catholics celebrate the seven sacraments with an emphasis on the Eucharistic Sacrifice and baptism. The 39 Articles of religion are viewed as historic documents that need to be read through the lens of the larger catholic tradition. You can read them in our Book of Common Prayer on pages 867-876. Anglo-Catholicism believes it fundamentally shares the same heritage as Roman Catholics. However, becoming a Roman Catholic is not its goal.

Many Anglo-Catholic churches prefer to use what is called the Anglican Missal which restores many parts of the ancient Mass which were edited out of the original Book of Common Prayer. However, the Anglican Missal is declining in use because the most recent BCP, approved in 1979, incorporated many catholic elements back into the Prayerbook.

Outside of America Anglo-Catholics have many different practices. Some use the Anglican Missal or the BCP. Anglican churches in England and Australia conduct a straight Gregorian Mass with a traditional Latin Mass like the Roman Catholics but in English maybe Latin! Contemporary Anglo-Catholics may even use the current addition of the Roman Missal, but adhere to keeping the traditional vestments, gestures and rituals.

Many aspects of liturgy of Anglicanism and the Episcopal church were originated by Anglo-Catholics. For example, Grace Memorial celebrates Communion weekly, but it is my understanding from “cradle Episcopalians” this was not always true. Other Anglo-Catholic practices we have are putting candles on the altar, bowing or genuflecting in the service, using incense, and putting a colored stole on the priest. We practice the invocation of the saints during our services. However,
we don’t take up the Rosary as a daily devotion, but we so include the Angelus in Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer.

This is only a brief introduction to Anglo-Catholicism. If you wish to learn more just Google the topic. Better yet, consult Amazon’s vast library.

Before we get into the biographies of Chase and Gaudet, I want to outline the procedures to become an Episcopal saint. The General Convention of the Episcopal Church, the primary legislative and governing body of The Episcopal Church that meets every three years, adopted guidelines to “commemorate” persons under its procedures for continuing alteration of the calendar in the Episcopal Church which published editions of Lesser Feasts and Fasts. The Church is “the communion of saints” who are “made holy through their mutual participation in the mystery of Christ.” Episcopalians believe that “this communion exists through history, exists now, and endures beyond ‘the grave and gate of death’ into heaven.” We also believe “those still on their earthly pilgrimage continue to have fellowship ‘with those whose work is done.'” The Church commemorates deceased church members with the following traits:

1. The person must have exhibited “heroic faith” mainly through martyrdom by choosing to die rather than give up their Christian faith. The Church has also honored social reformers like William Wilberforce.
2. They must have exhibited love throughout their life.
3. “People worthy of commemoration will have worked for the good of others.” It was interesting to note that “a scandalous life prior to conversion does not disqualify one” from sainthood.
4. The person must have exhibited “rejoicing in the Spirit—whether in the midst of extraordinary trials or in the midst of the ordinary rounds of daily life.” Joyousness must have been “discerned by others only gradually.”
5. The Church must have recognized “service to others for Christ’s sake” through a variety of services in the Church and in the world.
6. To be commemorated one must have “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” This devotion must be “manifested not only in a person’s private life but also in visible company and communion with his or her fellow Christians.”
7. Those who are commemorated must be recognized by Church members on a local or regional level.
8. Commemoration should “normally result from a widespread desire expressed in the region . . . over a reasonable period of time. . . . Generally, this has been two generations of fifty years after death.”

The aforementioned traits are not legal conditions and are only guidelines. Many commemorations remain at the local, diocesan or regional levels. To receive national recognition a proposal to commemorate must be submitted to the Calendar Committee of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music of the General Convention by three or more Church bodies. Rationale for commemoration must include an inspirational 350-word biographical sketch of the person to be
commemorated, which should include some of the person’s own words. The final decision is made by the General Convention. The calendar, including the biographies and propers appointed for each saint, are maintained in Lesser Feasts & Fasts, which is published by Church Publishing following each General Convention.

​With the help of Mother Liz and AI, I was able to find two excellent examples of Episcopal sainthood in the United States.

Chase continued to study for the priesthood while he taught school in Albany, New York.

Chase was assigned missionary duties in New York’s northern and western parts. He evangelized on horseback, baptizing, preaching and meeting the needs of widely scattered Episcopalians and other Protestants. Chase preached to the Mohawks in conjunction with the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. In 1799 Chase served congregations in New York and was finally ordained as a priest on November 10, 1799, in New York City. He continued to teach at a school in Poughkeepsie in order to support his family.

Chase traveled to England in October 1823 to raise money for a seminary in Ohio, Raising $30,00, he returned home and persuaded the Episcopal convention in Ohio to authorize Bexley Hall seminary in November 1824. Trustees of the Episcopal Convention of Ohio felt that Chase was too ambitious and held too many positions. The Convention requested him to resign from some of the positions. Not to be told what to do, he instead, on September 9, 1831, resigned his bishopric and other positions.

He then moved to Millersburg, Michigan and bought a farm. Having an unrestful nature, he moved to Gilead, Michigan only to start evangelizing again. When the Diocese of Illinois, which was growing rapidly with Episcopalians, called he accepted their offer to be the Episcopal Bishop of Illinois at Peoria. Finally, in 1843 he became the sixth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

Chase grew in seniority in the Midwest where he founded Jubilee College near present-day Peoria and Kenyon College where he was the president. He finally retired, However, in September 1852 Chase died in a carriage accident. Unfortunately, the Jubilee was a failure, and its buildings were restored and donated the State of Illinois. Today, the buildings are closed but are listed on National Registry of Historic Places. The grounds of Jubilee are a state park open to the public. The Episcopal Church venerated Philander Chase and established his feast date as September 22.

Frances Joseph-Gaudet was also honored as a saint by the Episcopal Church as a lay person. She was born in a cabin at Holmesville, Mississippi in 1851. Her mother was a Native American descendant, and her father was a slave. As a teenager Gaudet went to New Orleans to live with her brother and attend Straight College, which was an all black college from 1886 before merging with Dillard University.

​Married at 17, Frances finally divorced after 10 years from her alcoholic husband. With three young children, she became a seamstress but began to become involved in social work at the turn of the century. Holding prayer meetings for black prisoners, she also wrote and delivered letters for them and found clothing. Frances eventually extended her ministry to white prisoners.

She became dedicated to prisoners and penal reform, and Joseph-Gaudet became a recognized leader by prison officials, city officials, the Governor of Louisiana, and the Prison Reform Association. In 1900, she served as a delegate to the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, an organization which still exists, at its international convention in Edinburgh, Scotland. When she returned to New Orleans, her ministry turned to serving the new juvenile court, for which she had advocated and worked to create. Her ministry began to serve young offenders, especially blacks arrested for minor offenses.

When her home became too small house homeless children, Joseph-Gaudet raised $5000 to purchase a farm on Gentilly Road. In 1902 she founded the Colored Normal and Industrial School on 105 acres. With numerous buildings the facility served as an orphanage as well as a boarding school for children with working mothers. As principal of the school, Gaudet in 1919 donated the
complex to the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. The Diocese renamed the facility in her honor and added the rector from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church as chaplain. She continued to serve as the principal for an additional two years.

On January 11, 2026, the new Frances Joseph-Gaudet mural was unveiled at Historic St. Luke's in New Orleans.

​"This larger-than-life prayer card honors Blessed Frances Joseph-Gaudet and extends a powerful invitation to all who encounter it. It will become an integral part of the street’s daily life, reminding all who pass by of Gaudet’s dedication to community through ministry. 

May we reflect on her enduring example and remember that the work continues. As we learn from her legacy, we are called to co-create a thriving community that supports Black futures in our city, building a place where all can flourish.

Step into the vibrant colors. Experience it in person. Let it spark curiosity, draw you inside, and deepen your commitment to serve and to grow in God’s love." - The Episcopal Diocese of Lousiana

Sean Rowe is the 28th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. He followed Michael Curry in November 2024. Ordained as a priest in 2000, he has served as rector for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Franklin, Pennsylvania, as the 8th Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania, and the Provisional Bishop for both the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem and the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York.

Bishop Rowe received his undergraduate degree from Grove City College. He received the Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and his PhD from Gannon University. He was introduced to the Episcopal Church by the chair of the history department who was an Episcopal priest. Born on February 16, 1975, he is the youngest Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Rowe is married to Carly Rowe and has one daughter. The bishop is not afraid to venture into the political fray of American politics. On the day after the 2024 United States presidential election, Rowe sent a letter to the members of the Episcopal Church, stating “We are Christians who support the dignity, safety, and equality of women and LGBTQ+ people as an expression of our faith.” He added “I pray that President Trump and his administration will do the same.” On July 3, 2025, Rowe wrote in the Religion News Service that “the Episcopal Church must now be an engine of resistance and stop “intermingling” with the American federal government. He advocated for continued resistance against the second Trump administration’s “overreach and recklessness.”​

​Across the pond, Sarah Mullally is the Archbishop of Canterbury, the senior bishop and the principal leader of the Church of England. She is one of the 26 Church of England bishops who sit in the House of Lords of Parliament of the United Kingdom. The archbishop was confirmed on January 28, 2026, and is the first woman to hold the office.

Archbishop Mullally was born March 26, 1962. She is married with two children. She received her undergraduate degree and master’s degree from London South Bank University. She received her theological education at the South East Institute, her DipTh at the University of Kent, and a master’s at Heythrop College. While she studied for the priesthood, she served as the Chief Nursing Officer for England.

Pope Gregory sent the first archbishop, Augustine of Canterbury, to England in 597. The Archbishops of Canterbury were in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church until the English Reformation when King Henry VIII broke communion with Rome and proclaimed himself the head of the Church of England. In 1533, Thomas Cranmer became the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the most important leaders in the development of Anglicanism. 

Technically, Mullally was appointed by King Charles on the advice of the prime minister of the United Kingdom. She was actually chosen by the Crown Nominations Commission, a Church of England body which advises the prime minister. Since the 20th century, the appointment of archbishops of Canterbury conventionally alternates between Anglo-Catholic and Evangelical Anglicans. Mullally is regarded as a theological liberal or part of the “Central Tradition” within the Church of England rather than representing the traditional Anglo-Catholic or conservative Evangelical factions.

Mullally serves four main roles: Bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury; Metropolitan Archbishop of the Province of Canterbury which covers the southern two-thirds of England; the Senior Primate and chief religious figure of the Church of England; spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion. In these last two roles the archbishop has important ecumenical and interfaith role speaking of behalf of Anglicans in England and worldwide. Unlike Pope Leo XIV Mullally can lead through persuasion only.

If you have a topic that you wish me to cover, send me an email.

In the midst of so many disturbing global events that seem to dominate both the national media and social media, it seems the only viable (and indisputably the superior) tool available to us as Christians is to focus on what we can control within our own community through love, mercy, generosity that is passed on from Jesus Christ to all of those that we encounter.

This cut was written by Mac Powell and performed by Third Day soon after the series of devastating floods, earthquakes, and civil disorder in Haiti. The petition then seems appropriate to us now.​

​Cut: “Arise”
Artist: Third Day
CD/Album: Lead Us Back

The original organizers of the movement were mostly associated with the University of Oxford, hence the name, the Oxford Movement. ​The movement, known as Anglo-Catholicism, called for the reinstatement of some older Christian traditions of faith and their inclusion into the Anglican liturgy and theology. They argued that Anglicanism was one of the three branches (Anglicanism, Roman Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodox) of the “one, holy, catholic and apostolic” Christian Church.

The movement sprang from serious unrest in England and was formally known as Tractarianism, named after a series of publications, called Tracts for the Times written from approximately 1833-1841. The tracts were written to promote the philosophy of the movement. Many in the Church of England, particularly those in high office, were liberal. However, most of the clergy in the parishes were conservative evangelicals being led by John Wesley (1703-1791). The universities of England became the breeding ground for the movement to restore liturgical and devotional customs before the English Reformation. The movement also wanted to restore some traditions from contemporary Roman Catholicism.

Apparently, the movement arose when a secular court overruled an ecclesiastical court decision over a priest with unorthodox views on the efficacy of infant baptism. In response to this ruling, high ranking members of the Church of England, John Keble, Edward Pusey, John Henry Newman, and others published in the Tracts for the Times a series that argued that the Church of England needed to affirm that its authority did not come from the state, but from God. The Tractarians claimed that the Church of England could claim the loyalty of Englishmen because the Church rested on divine authority and the principle of apostolic succession. The tracts had a wide distribution and cost very little and succeeded in drawing attention to its doctrine and overall approach.

The Tractarians advocated the “Branch Theory”: Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism were the three branches of the historic pre-schism Catholic Church. They argued for the inclusions of the traditional aspects of liturgy found in medieval religious practice. In other words, the Tractarians maintained the Church of England had become too “plain.” Newman maintained that the Council of Trent (1545-1563) doctrines, known as the Counter-Reformation, were compatible with the Thirty-Nine Articles of the 1563 Church of England. The council validated the seven sacraments, established the canon of scripture, and addressed the issues on the sale of indulgences, affirmed the Nicene Creed, and revoked many of the abuses that motivated the Protestant Reformation. Newman was basically correct in that the Thirty-Nine Articles, compiled by
Thomas Cranmer and Joseph Ridley, served as a bridge between the Roman Catholic traditions and the Protestant Reformation doctrine.

The Oxford Movement was heavily criticized as too “Romanizing.” Its critics charged it with being secretive and collusive. Nevertheless, the movement influenced the theory and practice of Anglicanism and helped spread its doctrine to all the major cities in England. Like other Christian churches, the Church of England was influenced by the liturgical movement in the Roman Catholic Church which sought to promote informed lay participation, reordering church architecture, recovering elements of early Christian liturgy, and clarifying the structure and language of worship. The movement was so widespread that the eucharist gradually became more central to worship in the Anglican churches.

Many Tractarian priests began working in the slums of England partly because bishops refused to provide living wages and partly due to concern for the poor. The ministries of the Tractarians fostered British social policy both locally and nationally. This movement continues today and the Episcopal Church is part of it. A number of bishops joined the Christian Social Union to address issues such as a just wage, renting property, infant mortality and industrial conditions.

The Oxford Movement moved to the United States and influenced the Episcopal Church in Wisconsin where the Nashotah House Theological Seminary was founded in 1842 by three young deacons under the patronage of Missionary Bishop Jackson Kemper, who were followers of the Oxford Movement. Nashotah would become a center for Anglo-Catholic theology and America’s first monastic-style Anglican community.

So how did the Oxford Movement affect Grace Memorial? Vestments, candles, singing with choirs, and the practice of all sacraments were Oxford Movement features. It reintroduced the restoration of devotion by encouraging the use of a Marian devotion like the “Angelus” which had been largely neglected after the Reformation. The Angelus is to be recited at morning, noon, and evening prayer:

As one can see, the Angelus sounds like parts of the Roman Catholic rosary. Since I am the only officiant for Morning and Evening prayer at Grace, I pray the Angelus before each service. I must admit that in the past, one of my fellow officiants refused to use the Angelus because “it was too Catholic.” Knowing the roots of the Angelus from the Oxford Movement, Father Paul Bailey, our previous rector, brought the Angelus from his association with the Society of St. John the Evangelist, which was one of the monastic orders derived from the Oxford Movement. This has been one of the “high church” features at Grace for for over 20 years.

One other liturgical practice from the Oxford Movement was the rare use of burning incense. According to Father Paul, we do not have a thurible to burn incense. So, on a few occasions, Father Paul would put incense in a small bowl and burn it for compline or Choral Evensong as a sign of our prayers ascending to God.

You might ask how did the Oxford Movement affected Hammond. Well, one of the Tractarians, John Henry Newman and many other Anglican priests, left the Church of England to become Roman Catholic. In 1879, Pope Leo XIII appointed him a cardinal. In the 1960s, the New Orleans Archdiocese built a Roman Catholic Center at Southeastern Louisiana University and named the dormitory Cardinal Newman Hall. I doubt if anyone in Hammond knew that Cardinal Newman was a former Anglican priest and a major leader of the Oxford Movement.

The Oxford Movement affected the historical terms of “High Church” versus “Low Church.” This is a highly debated issue within Anglicanism, and I am not going down that “rabbit hole” with this issue of the blog. I will save it for another time.

It was first adopted by the First Council of Nicaea in 325, and it was amended in 381 by the First Council of Constantinople.  In liturgical churches of Western Christianity, like Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, the affirmation of faith is usually said immediately after the sermon on Sunday and major festivals.

It is the only authoritative ecumenical statement of faith accepted by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Church of the East, Anglican Communion and most Protestant Churches.  I find it comforting that Christians the world over are reciting the Nicene Prayer on Sunday.

Many parts of it were the result of refuting many heresy beliefs of certain Christian groups.  In other words, our beliefs are based on a conciliatory document.  For example, the Nicene council rejected Arianism, which disputed the existence of the Holy Trinity.  Scholars and church officials still quibble over certain forms of the creed, and it is not the intent of this blog to go down that “rabbit hole.”  If you are interested in the differences between the First Council of Nicaea (325) and First Council of Constantinople (381), I recommend that you consult the internet and the hundreds of books written on this subject.​