The Viewpoint, "Face It - We're Congregationalists," by David E. Sumner, was an unpleasant, but possibly accurate view of the church. I see it as a move in the wrong direction.

The first-century churches depended primarily on their own small communities for support and nurture, but their focus was ever outward, looking toward the mission field. Today's parochialism is more of a turn inward, powered by such notions as, "We need to take care of our own first." Such an attitude encourages individualism, with the church simply being an extension of the self. The first priority is the individual unit. This is a workable approach to life, but it is not the approach of the church.

The evidence that the Episcopal Church is not congregational is revealed in our being in full communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury. We are part of a vast Anglican Communion, whose mission field encompasses the globe.

When we offer our worship to God, we break the bonds of time and space, and are united with brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world. We lift up our hearts to the the throne of God, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Having experienced this each time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, it is impossible to see ourselves as congregational.

As we prepare for General Convention and a new Presiding Bishop, it is essential that we strive for unity and resist the temptation to splinter off into individual churches. At this time, we need to be filled with the grace and guidance of Almighty God, who cannot be contained within the confines of an individual congregation.

(The Rev.) Terry L. Martin St. James' Church Paso Robles, Calif.