Reasons why I love my church

This was published on Sunday in the local paper. It's our local response to George Will's column on the Episcopal church from last week:

To the Editor



In the Sunday, October 19 Post-Journal I read with dismay George Will’s syndicated column, a column I usually enjoy. Mr. Will simplistically and falsely accuses the Episcopal Church of being “’progressive’ politics cloaked – very thinly – in piety.” I would like to reassure readers of the Post-Journal that since 1834 St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown has been and continues to be committed to the historic orthodox Christian faith as expressed in the Apostles and Nicene Creeds. We do provide a bridge between Catholic and Protestant Christianity because we base our authority on Scripture, Tradition and Reason in balance and harmony. We are proud to be a church that wrestles honestly and openly with difficult and sometimes divisive issues. And I personally am very sad that some have left the Episcopal Church over those same issues. Only together can we truly discern the mind of God.



At St. Luke’s we are focused on preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, deepening our faith in Him, and sharing that faith with others. We are committed to living out that faith in service to our community through ministries like the Thrift Shop and Fourth Street Café. Did you know, for instance, that every dollar raised by the Thrift Shop (after expenses) and at the annual Shoppers’ Luncheon in November is given away to local outreach? In addition, members of our church are active in virtually every service organization in our community. We are not a ‘liberal’ church or a ‘conservative’ church, but a diverse church of Republicans and Democrats and Independents, who come together because of our shared faith in Jesus. Don’t take George Will’s opinion, come check us out in person or online at www.stlukesjamestown.org.



Eric Williams

Rector of St. Luke’s Church