Reflections on our Move to the Church of the Advocate

Mary and George Esser

“There is no question that, for both of us, the Chapel of the Cross has been a major influence in our lives. We have each been active here for more than half our years.” So we wrote to Stephen Elkins-Williams in July, in a letter setting forth our reluctant but firm decision to join the new Orange County Mission. Why did we arrive at that decision and what has been our experience in the weeks since September?

In that letter we continued, “In short [the Chapel of the Cross] is a wonderful parish, so strong and meaningful that we have long wanted to see its benefits extended to hundreds of other families newly established in this exploding community.” We have been frustrated for two decades that first one, then other, problems kept previous efforts to establish a new mission in a planning stage.

We also believe that new missions benefit from the participation of members of strong sponsoring parishes. After prayerful consideration, we looked at one another and said, “Why not the Essers?” At our age our activity in a new mission may be limited, but we have experience in the church in Orange County which may be useful, and we want to help make the idea work.

After three months we are elated with our decision. In that time the size of the congregation has doubled. That increase reflects a healthy diversity in age, gender, background and experiences, reasons for seeking a change, and in membership -- in other denominations as well as the Episcopal Church. We feel the continuing growth of a loving, caring community. That could not have happened save for the preparation, organization, and leadership of Lisa Fischbeck, the vicar, who has been active in the church in Orange County for 20 years or more.

We have been excited by experimental liturgies which, while rooted deeply in the Prayer Book, draw with imagination for prayers and other materials from sources specifically authorized by the General Convention. We have been deeply pleased by the extensive and volunteer participation in preparing for and conducting the services by persons of all ages, backgrounds, and experience. We have been impressed with the quality of music coming from eager but untrained voices, accompanied by a piano, which undertake without hesitation an astonishing variety of hymns. We have been energized by good sermons.

There is hope, and enthusiasm, and commitment in abundance at the Advocate. There are also problems. The first is in the hands of the Advocate congregation. We want to be self-sustaining for current expenses just as quickly as possible. In order to do so, we must triple the number of current pledges and maintain the present average level of giving for each pledge. Once that goal is met, we can turn to the tougher issues.

Other challenges require the continued help of our sponsoring parishes. We do not yet own land such as the Church of the Holy Family received from the Chapel of the Cross over 50 years ago. We need a house or structure large enough in the immediate future for offices and space for counseling, teaching, and group meetings. Then, and only then, can we begin to plan for a church building. To meet all these needs in a community where land and building costs are so high will require advice and help from members of the three sponsoring parishes.

Members of the Advocate have dreams to share with members of the three sponsoring parishes. Together we can fashion a vision of what we hope to achieve. And together we must find ways to realize that vision so that a fourth strong parish emerges to preach the Gospel in this county.