As
a diocese, what are our strengths? What helps us on our spiritual
journey?
We all agreed that as a diocese we know what it means to be Anglican,
to be Episcopalians. We have a long and honored history. We’ve
been around since Colonial days. We respect traditions that have developed
in this diocese through the centuries.
Our parishes are a strong foundation. Their numbers are many, their ministries are vast, their range of liturgical style is impressive. All this gives each of us the opportunity to find the right parish fit.
All agreed that the variety, the mix, the ethnic and cultural mix that is this diocese is a strength, bringing a vast range of experience to every parish. We all thought that harnessing that diversity, knowing how to make use of it, would enable our variety to be an even greater strength. We never have been—nor would want to be seen—as an all-white church.
The economic growth and vitality of New Jersey makes us strong. We’re not fighting population decline, we don’t have to deal with shrinking numbers in our towns and cities. We don’t just say “we were,” we say “we are.”
Our people are, as a whole, remarkably talented and impressively devoted (Yes! The word we used...) to the church. We’re willing to give and give and give some more. We’ve sometimes let strong differences of opinion separate us about issues, people, or decisions, but we see a great strength in our collective will and desire to move ahead—and we can bring a New Jersey toughness and resilience to accomplish that.
Real
words: What are our strengths as a diocese?
We’ve got great clergy who have stuck with us through our past
problems. They’ve been willing to wait it out.
There’s an openness here about being willing to work together, a willingness to push boundaries.
Within a small geographic area, the small/large, rural/urban, north/south, east/west, white/nonwhite mix is breathtaking.
The opportunity for mission churches is great here.
There’s a conscious determination to get back on track.
The history of this diocese is a strength. We value it, but we need to realize there are some past issues we need to deal with.
We’ve committed to staying together; we’ve been awakened. Look around at the 50 people who are here tonight to talk!
There’s nothing this diocese can’t do. We need to put that in lights!