Episcopal faith built on foundation of Christ

Re Feb. 25 letter by Ruth Schliessmann, “Episcopal split an aching wound”

In her letter Schliessmann states that “the National Episcopal Church with its liberal doctrine and values no longer affirms the creed on which mainstream Christianity was founded.” She continues to suggest that we “consider belief in a creator God and a resurrected Christ to be outdated, and prefer to focus on working for peace and justice.”

Without attacking her right to state her opinion, I will respectfully and resolutely disagree with her concept of reality as quoted. My wife and I attend an Episcopal Church in Pawleys Island that remains a part of the national church, where the belief in a creator God and a resurrected Christ is celebrated in our mission and our outreach; and is the central focus of our core beliefs.

Ms. Schliessmann suggests that focusing on working for peace and justice is somehow separate from a belief in a creator God and a resurrected Christ; and that somehow one can be accomplished without the other. The church that we attend is all about peace and justice for all of God’s creatures because of a strong and overwhelming belief in a creator God and a resurrected Christ.

Ms. Schliessmann concludes her letter by lamenting that because of the varying perceptions and/or realities of the current happenings surrounding the Episcopal church that there is no longer a place where different views are embraced or tolerated.

I conclude my letter in response to hers by inviting her and others to visit Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church, the one my wife and I call home. We are a diverse and tolerant congregation where all are welcome to work for peace and justice through love and caring for our fellowman; and we do that in celebration of the belief in a creator God and a resurrected Christ.

The writer lives in Pawleys Island.

This story was originally published March 1, 2013 at 9:22 AM with the headline "Episcopal faith built on foundation of Christ."