I still (repeating myself) am amazed at God's provision in my prayers for a church home. Such delightful details have been provided for and I look back on how long I prayed so specifically and here I am. The Anglican part is a bit of a surprise, but it fits so well. Nobody in our family on either side is Anglican or an Episcopalian. We're more the Methodist/Baptist/Presbyterian persuasion.
And interestingly enough, the priest talked about the sacraments today in class. I was very pleased to hear that the Anglicans accept baptisms outside the Anglican church, even if performed by one who's not a minister, and the location of the baptism doesn't matter either. The priest was pretty adamant about it. The emphasis is that the baptism is said in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. That's key. The one performing it is just a vessel for the Lord to work. I won't go into sects that don't recognize the Trinity, because really, it goes without saying that those baptisms wouldn't be valid.
Am having to re-learn or adjust some of the things I've been taught in the past. And it's not that I've been taught anything wrong, but it seems that so much legalism creeps in even when we're not watching out for it. That's missing with the Anglicans---at least what I'm seeing so far. And fortunately the confirmation class gives such a thorough teaching on the history, etc. of the church. I keep tripping up on their free usage of the word Catholic, but then again, when you've been brought up like I have---well, the thing is, it's okay to learn that all things outside the fundamental/evangelical protestant church world aren't evil! ;)
My contentment at this church experience runs deep. Never in my life have I felt such a peace and right-ness at being in church.
And they're (or rather, we're) having a fish fry next month (doing happy dance). It just keeps getting better and more Mitford-like every week. :)
