First Message as Vicar

TIMOTHY’S ANGLICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Charleston, SC

The Very Rev. Canon Jeffrey W. Monroe, Vicar

December 5, 2020, Advent 2

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

As 2020 draws to a close and we prepare ourselves for 2021, I want to begin by thanking Fr. Paul for his service to St. Timothy’s and his helpful transition as I assume the role as your Vicar.  A Vicar is a representative of the Bishop Ordinary and as such I will remain in contact with him and keep him appraised of how the transition is going.  He will be visiting us on Passion Sunday, and I look forward to his joining us.

Some of you have gotten to know me from the last several years but now I will also serve as your Pastor.  My formal title comes from my role as the Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of the Northeast, Anglican Church in America-part of the G4 Continuing Church.  I am in essence my Bishop’s primary administrator, reporting directly to him.  That role will continue for me and with the permission of Archbishop Haverland, and under his license to officiate, will serve as your Pastor as well.  I come to you from 11 years as the Pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church in Conway, New Hampshire.  Prior to that I served at St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish, St. Michael’s Parish, Holy Trinity Parish and St. Paul’s Parish where I was first ordained to the Deaconate.

I want to emphasize that Our Lord has given His clergy a primary charge, to serve His flock.  My role is to look after the spiritual health of those entrusted to me.  Above all, will be my pastoral care for all of you.  Please remember, I am not here to lead-I am here to serve.

The Mass will remain essentially the same.  Rule 1 in a new parish, no big changes in worship.  I have my own unique style (as well as that funny Northern accent) but with our good Deacon’s help and that of our other minsters, will do my best to offer worship that brings us meaningfully close to Christ in the celebration of the Eucharist.

One of the challenges for every parish, particularly in the face of COVID, is growth.  More significant, however, is the bringing of the Gospel to a world in which so many have abandoned the faith or have followed a religious path that is inconsistent with Holy Scripture.  I rely on Holy Scripture in all things and am led by the Holy Spirit in all my service to God’s Holy Church.  It is our task as Christians to preach the Gospel, to teach the Gospel and to live the Gospel.   I have found that when we remain committed to that, God brings the faithful to our doors.  Everyone needs to understand that we are to witness to His love in all the lives we touch, make people feel comfortable and welcome them when they come into our Church, especially when they are unfamiliar with our way of worship.  Each of us should let the light of Christ shine brightly in all that we do so we glorify our Lord and Savior.

I am currently becoming familiar with all the various ways of doing things in our parish, as well as faces and names.  I will for the next several months be focused on making sure we follow all the guidelines that have been set forth by our jurisdictions regarding protecting ourselves from the spread of COVID. A slight change in communion, sanitizing stations, social distancing, and a few other things that I hope we will be comfortable with.  If you are uncomfortable in crowds, I will bring the Sacrament to you.

I AM ON CALL 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK if you need Pastoral care, or anything at all!

Beginning in January, I will plan on a short Bible study during coffee hour after the Mass.  Critical to bringing others to Christ is to understand how our relationship with God can grow and prosper.  Our relationship with Our Lord is something we should focus on every day through His Word, through prayer and through worship. Word and Sacrament are the foundations of our belief as Anglicans and in the catholic traditions of our practice.  I will also provide a weekly devotional via email and hope you will all take a copy of Our Daily Bread, a daily devotional left for you in the narthex of the Church.  Take one for someone you may know who is searching for peace in their lives, that only God can give.

Along with the vestry, we will be undertaking a Parish Self-Assessment which can guide us in seeing how we might address being more welcoming to those who come to visit.  I will invite others who wish to participate to join us in this effort.  I would also like to rebuild our Altar Guild and will provide training and support.  Many hands make like work and the tasks each week take only a few minutes and are of great help.

I also hope to expand our presence on social media and to reach out to our veteran’s community (I am an American Legion Chaplain) and the other communities as I come to know them.  We are all an essential part of that effort.  Most newcomers join us when they are invited by someone they know.  Many are searching.  We need to open our arms to them as our Lord opened His arms on the cross for us.

I am looking forward to our journey together and I pray that my service to all of you will be acceptable to our God.  As we prepare for Christmas here at the beginning of the Church Year, let us focus on strengthening our relationship with Jesus Christ and touching the lives of those who are seeking peace in our world that seems to have gone astray.  It is only God we can count on for He never changes.  His love for us never fails, even when we do.  Let the love of Christ shine in your hearts, let the power of the Holy Spirit lift you up and may His blessing and peace be with all of us.

In Him+

Father Jeff+

Cell: (207) 615-7989

Email: Mirage@maine.rr.com