Mark your calendars for September 19-21, 2003: Celebrating 250 years of Anglican and Episcopal witness in Orange County.

In 1752, the General Assembly of the province of North Carolina passed an Act establishing both Orange County and St. Matthew's Parish. Now, 250 years later, it is time to celebrate!

On the weekend of September 19-21, Orange County's Episcopal churches will host an array of scholars, clergy, writers, music, and worship to celebrate and reflect upon the long history of Anglican and Episcopal Church presence in this area. Please plan to join in the festivities. For a complete schedule or to reserve a seat at the Sept. 19 dinner, call St. Matthew's parish at 919-732-9308.

The celebration will begin at St. Matthew's in Hillsborough on September 19, with a celebratory dinner and evening program about the Church and the arts. On Saturday morning, following a colonial-era Morning Prayer Service at the historic St. Mary's Chapel, there will be a presentation and discussion on the colonial church in America and in North Carolina. On Saturday afternoon, the Chapel of the Cross will host a panel discussion of the Church and University life. In the evening, the Church of the Holy Family will host music and panel discussions on the Church and Race through the centuries and today.

The celebration will conclude at the Church of the Holy Family on Sunday evening with a Festival Eucharist and the sending forth of the new Episcopal congregation for the Orange County Mission, whose regular worship will begin the following Sunday.