Episcopal & Anglican

"Twentysomethings" and the Episcopal Church

Emily Winsett

April 20, 2004

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the son of God?, reads the electric blue writing on the wall of the youth room in the rectory of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.
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Gene Robinson's Consecration Recalls the Debate on Women's Ordination

Emily Winsett

March 8, 2004

Gene Robinson's consecration as the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States over a year and a half ago, represents the culmination of a 25-year debate on the role of gay and lesbian priests in the church. Fifteen years ago, Barbara Harris became the church's first female bishop. Her election symbolized a milestone in an eight-year battle fought for women's equality in the church, begun at the time of their first ordinations in 1977.
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A Tale of Two Churches

Emily Winsett

February 16, 2004

Mary Ellen Burgess, a member of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Manhattan, sits against the paisley print of a booth in the back of a diner on East 77th Street. As she slowly flips through glossy photographs from her recent trip to South Africa, she stops at each one and explains the image it reflects. Burgess tells the story of a priest who ministers to 18 parishes throughout the North-West Province of South Africa. She describes the modesty of those churches, simple buildings with tin roofs and stone floors. And as she recalls the worship service in one particular parish, the Church of the Transfiguration, her sapphire eyes sparkle with excitement.
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A Unique Calling: Grace Church and the Altar Call

By Emily Winsett

February 9, 2004

Anxiety over turning 50. Overcoming difficulties at work. Battling depression. Fear of an approaching surgery. Strength in dealing with family problems. Or just saying thank you. These are a few of the things congregation members of Grace Episcopal Church in Corona, Queens, may pray about during the "altar call."
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Supreme Sacrament: The Eucharist

Emily Winsett

February 2, 2004

Every Sunday, one hundred or so people flood the small courtyard and entrance hall of tiny Grace Episcopal Church in Corona, Queens. Early arrivals claim seats in the wooden pews inside and wait for service to begin. After all, the unofficial motto of Grace Church, as written in the weekly bulletin, seems to be "Before worship we talk to God. During worship God talks to us. After worship, we talk to each other."
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