From the Rector

Dear Friends,

In this issue about the recent Annual Convention of our diocese, I want to say something about what it means for us to belong to a diocese, and to a national church, and to a worldwide communion. It is so easy for us to become so focused on our local congregation, that we miss significant dimensions of our communal identity.

We and the other Episcopal congregations in central North Carolina comprise the Diocese of North Carolina. The name originally applied to the whole state, but we retained it when the dioceses of East Carolina and Western North Carolina were formed. Our area covers from Charlotte to Tarboro, with the bishop in Raleigh.

Unlike some Christian denominations, the basic unit in the Episcopal Church is not the local congregation but the diocese. The bishops, who lead and preside over the various dioceses, are seen as successors to the 12 apostles, deriving their authority and oversight ministry from Jesus' first followers. All the dioceses in the United States (over 100) form the Episcopal Church, which is part of a loose union with 27 other national churches (characterized by autonomy and independence) known as the Anglican Communion. The Archbishop of Canterbury, honored as "the first among equals" serves as the symbol of unity and as a spokesman in international and ecumenical affairs.

The implications of this identity are significant. We acknowledge that we are part of something much larger than ourselves, with a common history and ministry and making a claim on our attention and concern and prayer. We treasure a partnership in ministry, working together for the spread of the kingdom of God. We share what God has given us, by both the giving and receiving of human and financial resources to carry out our common ministry.

Our strongest ties, of course, are through the diocese, and the Annual Convention is its most visible expression. Delegates from each congregation and all the clergy gather with the bishop to worship and pray together, to adopt a budget, to discuss and debate issues brought up by resolution, and to elect people to leadership positions. The budget is funded in large part by each congregation's willingness and ability to pay its "diocesan share," which is based on its annual income minus its outreach giving. The Chapel of the Cross has a strong tradition of always accepting its diocesan share, this year $161,999. (We also receive a diocesan grant that funds nearly half of our campus ministry program; this year it will be $61,285.) In turn, each diocese pays a percentage of its budget to the national church to support many missions and ministries, e.g., the work of predominantly black colleges, including St. Augustine's in Raleigh.

By being Episcopalians then, we participate in many ministries near and far that serve the needy and build up the Body of Christ. May our reading about this year's Annual Convention deepen in all of us our sense of our larger identity. May it widen our vision and strengthen our commitment to love God and our neighbor.

- Stephen