Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

On December 13, 2015, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Columbus, Mississippi, put into action their response to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s reminder that the Episcopal Church is part of the Jesus movement. In January, they wrote an Open Letter to Presiding Bishop Curry to tell him, and all of us, about their experience. ECF Vital Practices reached out to St. Paul's to request permission to share this story of their experience: 

Dear Presiding Bishop Curry,

We, at St. Paul’s Columbus, MS, watched the video you released the day after your installation. The one that called us to take to the streets, leave the walls that so often enclose us, and seek our congregation in the world. When we first viewed it, we conversed with excitement as to how the Episcopal Church was going to become evangelical under your leadership as primate of our church. However, a few weeks passed and we found ourselves still worshiping in our pews, carrying on within our church walls. Nothing changed. Apparently evangelism wasn’t really coming to Columbus. The realization that YOU weren’t coming to St. Paul’s to lead us outside the church was a jolt. We concluded that if we truly believed in your message, WE would have to become the agents of evangelism within our community.

So, together, we organized an event called “Southside Evangelism.” Our church is located in “Southside Columbus.” It is a historic, diverse neighborhood bordered by downtown, the Mississippi University for Women, and the Tombigbee Waterway. This neighborhood, our neighborhood, became our aim. Our goal was to simply remind them that we are neighbors, and we would like to get to know them.

In the days leading up to the event we gathered, candied, and packaged pecans. We designed flyers advertising our Lessons & Carols and Christmas services. We strategized our route so that we could visit as many houses as possible. And we began talking about what it means to evangelize. Fear was the predominant word, primarily the fear of the unknown. “What do I say to these people,” “What if they are mean to me,” and “Can I profess my faith in a way that others will understand.” We talked about these feelings. 

On the day of the event, many of us undoubtedly regretted our decision. Our fears had returned, but we showed up anyway. We separated into groups of four to six, a few more than the disciples’ pair, and hesitantly began to knock. With each knock we gained a bit of confidence. Quite early on, we realized there were some in each group with a natural ability for evangelism. Imagine that, we Episcopalians have it in us! Those people quickly assumed a leadership role, teaching others how to fearlessly invite our neighbors to join us for worship. 

Eventually we settled into a groove. With more confidence our focus moved away from ourselves and towards our neighbors. We noticed hesitancy in people opening the door. Giving the pecans was often difficult; most people wanted to know how much they cost. As we told them the pecans were simply a gift from the church, their demeanor changed. First it was confusion, then shock, and finally the most basic Mississippi virtue, hospitality. Once people recognized our evangelism as hospitality, they, in turn, opened their doors. Many invited us in, wanting us to stay for coffee or tea. We offered hospitality and our neighbors reciprocated.

We want to thank you, Presiding Bishop Curry, for this opportunity of evangelism. Your words of encouragement and leadership drew our church out of our comfort zone into a whole new experience. Where, by extending hospitality through evangelism, we received hospitality and so much more. We gained friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters in Christ, and we experienced the joy of invitation. Since that afternoon we have seen those friendly faces around town and yes, even in church. This is our beginning. We now know we can do it; St. Paul’s has and will continue to evangelize. 

Grace and Peace,

The People of St. Paul’s Columbus, Mississippi

If you are moved, inspired, or find courage in the experience of St. Paul’s, you are not alone. Stay tuned for another Vital Post about the impact of both their evangelism and this letter.