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200th Anniversary Shows Episcopalians Still Struggle with Unity

Episcopal News Service. October 4, 1989 [89165]

PHILADELPHIA, September 24 -- A mixture of black and purple contrasted with the pristine colonial white interior of historic Old Christ Church, site of a festival Eucharist commemorating the 200th birthday of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church. Nearly 200 bishops, donning the traditional color of their office, were joined by their spouses and the congregation to celebrate the Eucharist, an ancient rite of Christian unity, in the very spot that gave birth to the modern-day Episcopal Church.

The bishops were taking time out from a busy agenda that includes the controversial subject of the ordination of women as bishops. In an ironic twist, exactly a year ago to the day, the Diocese of Massachusetts elected the Rev. Barbara C. Harris of Philadelphia as the first woman bishop in the Episcopal Church, touching off protests by some traditionalists in the church.

Yet Sunday's Eucharist brought Bishop Harris -- along with those bishops who supported her consecration and those who do not -- under the same roof of the 235-year-old national historic shrine in Philadelphia's old city.

The stately and dignified service of worship began with a procession that included the Rev. James Trimble, rector of Old Christ Church, the Rt. Rev. Allen Bartlett, bishop of Pennsylvania, the Rt. Rev. Franklin Turner, suffragan bishop of Pennsylvania, and the Most Rev. Edmond L. Browning, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

Trimble ascended the elevated pulpit to greet the bishops, noting that although they had gathered as "shepherds of various flocks," they all proclaim the "one shepherd, Jesus Christ."

Trimble delivered a sermon crafted to include the propers for the day, the historic first meeting of bishops in Philadelphia in 1789, and the current situation. He recounted the story of the prophet Amos, noting that the biblical figure had spoken out boldly in the midst of difficult and trying circumstances. Suggesting that God provides the means to overcome such trials, Trimble said that "great men and women come to the fore," and that their works can enable "a time of greatness."

Trimble reminded the congregation that such a time of greatness occurred "in this very church" 200 years earlier when two bishops came to Old Christ Church to help organize the Episcopal Church.

Trimble recounted: "The (Episcopal) church's leadership was decimated after the American Revolution. Two-thirds of Virginia's rectors left after the war,... and 70,000 Anglicans had left the country" in an atmosphere hostile to people so closely connected to the Church of England. "No other religious body suffered as seriously."

In a subtle reference to modern-day tension among some of the bishops in the Episcopal Church, Trimble noted that the first House of Bishops met amid controversies that could have divided them. "And when they met -- they compromised," said Trimble. "Ever heard of that word?" he asked. The question was greeted with a laughter of recognition.

When the original House of Bishops adjourned, they had settled on the validity of Samuel Seabury's ordination as a bishop (which had been challenged by some Americans) and adopted a Book of Common Prayer. "They came to realize that the mission of the church and its survival was more important than ecclesiology," asserted Trimble.

Trimble, his voice full of conviction, looked into the faces of the assembled and declared: "The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not only about the ordination of women or opposition to it. Let us get on with our mission." He suggested that the church affirm the various ministries of women within it and press forward to the broader challenges of the Gospel.

Confronted by a needy world, the church has spent too much time looking inward to matters that affect its own life at the expenseof the church's mission, said Trimble. "We've been tinkering with the plumbing for so long," he concluded that "There is no more time for tinkering." This was greeted with hearty applause uncharacteristic of Episcopal church services.

"There is a whole world out there," said Trimble. "We have to remember that Scripture says 'God so loved the world,' not 'God so loved the church.' Somehow we must get about God's ministry to the world."

One observer said after the service that the applause and affirmatively nodding heads "reflected the mind of the house. I think the bishops and the larger church are ready to move on to other matters," she said. "I felt movement in the house."

A Cathedral of Color

The creed and the prayers directed the focus of worship to the center front of the church for the Holy Eucharist. Before the congregation, a remarkable display of color enriched the senses and united them in praise. A vibrant and dazzling sunlight transformed the nearly 25-foot, clear, Palladian chancel window into what looked like stained glass. Hues of green from a tree outside danced in among points of intense white light, creating a stunning spectacle that served as a natural backdrop for the Eucharist.

The Presiding Bishop and his assistants, bathed in the noonday light, were vested in crisp, white rochet and bright, cardinal-red chimere, a sleeveless robe worn by Anglican bishops. The bright reds and greens accented by simple candlelight seemed to work together as if composed from a master's palette, transforming the simple colonial church into a cathedral of color.

After the Eucharist, the congregation prayed, their prayers echoing with words the Rev. James Trimble had preached only moments earlier, that God would "send us out to do the work thou has given us to do...."

Outside the national historic shrine, bishops converged onto the courtyard in cool, crisp autumnal air that had dissipated the previous week's humidity and the blustery air, remnants of Hurricane Hugo. Awaiting the bishops was an ironic mix of a colonial-garbed fife and drum corps ready to escort them to lunch and modern television cameras poised to record an interview with the Presiding Bishop.

After lunch in the diocesan house, the bishops boarded buses to tour ministries of the Episcopal Church in the Philadelphia area.

[thumbnail: Gathering in the room of...] [thumbnail: After the Sunday Eucharis...]