“Two Churches, One Faith”
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit . . .” I Cor. 12:4
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus,
This profile of Christ Anglican Church, Emporia, Virginia, and Grace Anglican Church, Purdy,
Virginia, the two congregations of a cure parish, is a statement about us; our unity as part of the
Body of Christ; our diversity as two distinct congregations; our potential; our shortcomings; the
challenges we face; and, most importantly, perhaps, what we seek in the new rector whom God
will send us.
In June, 2012, our rector of 18 years will retire. The vestries of Christ and Grace Churches are
committed to the basic principles of the clergy selection process recommended by the Right
Reverend John Guernsey, Bishop of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic of the Anglican Church of
North America. The joint vestries unanimously appointed a Search Committee that is
representative not only of both parishes, but also of the diversity of age, experience, and
perspective within each parish.
From its inception, the search committee has been guided by several fundamental convictions:
1. That our charge is a holy one.
2.
That while we are from two distinct parishes and are individuals with
different gifts, we are nonetheless part of the unified Body of Christ.
3.
That God has a will for our parishes in this matter; our task is to act
faithfully to discern that will and purpose.
4.
That everything we do is, and must be, undergirded by prayer, and by
submission to each other out of reverence for Christ. Towards that end,
we have committed to acting by consensus in all our decisions.
Christ and Grace Churches have a spirit of expectancy. We recognize our potential for, and need
of, continual spiritual growth.
We appreciate your interest in these parishes, and hope you will find this profile helpful as you
prayerfully consider us as a possibility for your ministry.
The Search Committee
Patsy Barnes
Ted Burr
Nancy Ferguson
Britton Flynn
Meade Horne
Website:
Pat Jones
Mildred Long
Bob O’Hara
Janet Runion
Allan Sharrett (Chairman)
www.gracechristanglican.com
Our Search Committee’s
Scripture and Prayer
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is
understanding. Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
“The fear of the Lord is a loving reverence for God that includes submission to His Lordship and
to the commands of His Word.” (NIV Study Bible Notes)
O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of this Search Committee who call upon you:
Patsy
Pat
Ted
Mildred
Nancy
Bob
Britton
Janet
Meade
Allan
May each one of us lay down our personal preferences, agendas, and ideas about who we
need as a rector; but seek you, O Lord, and your vision for our parishes. By your Holy
Spirit direct and govern our search, and may the selected person, led by God, hear and
obey. We pray to have consensus, and that your will be done, through Jesus Christ our
Lord and Savior. Amen.
Our Ecclesiastical Affiliation
For more than a decade, Christ and Grace Churches expressed to the Episcopal Diocese of
Southern Virginia our dismay and dissent at the theological direction in which both the diocese
and the Episcopal Church were drifting. Our voice was largely unheard or ignored. Over a
period of years, we prayerfully considered whether we were called to remain in the Episcopal
Church as “light in the darkness,” or whether we should disaffiliate with it, and align with
another branch in the denomination.
The defining issues for us were the low view of Holy Scripture espoused by both Episcopal
entities, together with deficient and flawed doctrines of the divinity, sacrifice, work, and
resurrection of Jesus. In our opinion, the ordination of V. Eugene Robinson was not the central
issue, but rather a symptom of the disease. To remain a part of such bodies was to be part of the
problem.
In June, 2008, after considerable discernment and discussion, both churches voted,
overwhelmingly, to sever their ties with both the diocese and the Episcopal Church.
Our Godly rector was promptly notified by the diocese that it considered him to have “renounced
his ordination vows,” the parish was declared vacant, and the diocese laid claim to our real and
personal property. Denied any rights of fundamental due process, our rector had no recourse,
though he considered the action illegitimate and without legal or ecclesiastical effect. We
retained legal counsel and asserted our right to all property. The resolution of these competing
claims remains in limbo, pending the resolution of similar claims in northern Virginia. Our
rector is fully recognized as a member of the clergy in our present status.
We remained affiliated with the Anglican Communion under the episcopal oversight of the
Province of Uganda until 2009, when we became a member of the transitional Diocese of the
Holy Spirit of the Anglican Church in North America, with the Right Reverend John Guernsey
as our Bishop. Effective in June, 2011, we are constituent parishes of the Diocese of the
Mid-Atlantic of the ACNA, and Bishop Guernsey is, to our delight, once again our Bishop.
Our path has been the same since our decision in June, 2008 and is illustrated in this prayer for
our parishes that was adopted by both churches and is included in our weekly services and
bulletins.
Almighty God, we at Christ Church and Grace Church know that
together we face many changes and challenges. Guide us, we pray,
in our thoughts, words, and actions as we proceed down the path you
have chosen for us. Give us wisdom and courage as we seek your will.
May we be guided, by your Word and Holy Spirit, to do what is right in
your sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Christ Anglican Church
Christ Church
Our Congregation
Christ Church’s membership is diverse in age and interest. Our average Sunday attendance is
less than 20 with the majority of our members being over 60. The significant majority attend
Christ Church because of the liturgy and theology of the church. A weekly coffee-hour promotes
fellowship and serves to welcome guests and visitors. Our concern for each other and love of the
Lord is genuine and deep.
Our Worship
Weekly services of worship are held at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday, with the Holy Eucharist
celebrated on the first and third Sundays and Morning Prayer on the second and fourth Sundays.
Occasionally we celebrate a Eucharistic Rite from the Church of Kenya. On fifth Sundays we
have joint services with Grace Church at alternating locations.
There has always been an active lay participation in our church, and Christ Church is blessed
with nine dedicated lay readers, who participate in Sunday worship on a rotating basis, reading
Scripture lessons, and leading the Prayers of the People on Communion Sundays. Lay chalicers
also administer the cup during our celebrations of the Holy Eucharist. Six greeters assist on a
regular basis.
The Altar Guild cares for the altar vesting, cleaning, flower arranging, and delivering flowers to
the sick and shut-ins. There is a monthly schedule of those preparing the altar for our regular
services, but everyone works together as a team for Christmas, Easter, and other special
occasions when needed.
Although our congregation is small, we enjoy singing and making a joyful noise accompanied by
either our organist or a digital hymn book.
We all have a keen desire to hear the Gospel preached with clarity and made relevant
to our lives, which our current rector has fulfilled each Sunday during his 18 years with us.
Christian Education
We do not currently have Adult Christian Education classes on Sundays. Occasionally we offer
Adult Bible Studies during the week and we plan to offer the Alpha Course this fall. Small
men’s and women’s Bible studies, consisting of members from both parishes, meet in the early
morning on weekdays. During Lent, both parishes come together weekly for dinner and a
Lenten program provided by our rector or guest speakers
Outreach
Outreach is very important to the members of Christ Church. In addition to what the women of
Christ Church accomplish each year, the vestry appropriates five percent in its budget for
outreach. Regularly supported ministries include Trinity School for Ministry, Jackson-Feild
Home, Campus Crusade for Christ, and Anglican Relief and Development Fund. Also, ten
percent is tithed to the diocese.
Each year members of Christ Church prepare approximately 25 shoes boxes for the Operation
Christmas Child Project of the Samaritan’s Purse. For the past two years a delegation of
members from both churches have traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, to be a part in the
process of packing shoe boxes at their Processing Center. Since 1993 children in over 130
countries have received shoe boxes.
Also, in the past, members of both churches have taken a mission trip to West Virginia to help
build a community center in a deprived area and to run a week-long Vacation Bible School for
the children in the area. Mission trips were taken to Mississippi to help with reconstruction after
Hurricane Katrina.
We may be a small congregation, but we have made an impact in our community and the world.
Christ Church Women
The women of Christ Church meet three or four times a year. Fundraising projects are sponsored
each year to help with the needs of our parish and to provide contributions to local, national, and
worldwide organizations such as the Haiti Relief Fund, Jackson-Feild Home, Covington Boys
Home, Uganda Christian University Partners, Scripture Union, World Vision-Appalachia, Poor
Children’s Assistance in Haiti, Chaplain Services-Virginia Churches, Family Violence
Prevention, and Samaritan Helping Hands in an effort to help those in need. In the past few
years we have purchased a sewing machine for a family through Food for the Poor to assist in
providing income for their family. The sick and shut-ins of our parish are remembered through
the Sunshine project. Once or twice a year the women of Christ Church enjoy playing bingo
with the residents at Trinity Woods, an income based adult living facility under the sponsorship
of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, and provide refreshments and prizes. Another main project
at present is the sponsorship of a Native American girl in South Dakota through the Child Fund
International.
Vestry
The vestry of Christ Church is composed of five members, each elected by the congregation to a
three-year term. The officers are Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Registrar, and Treasurer. The
Treasurer need not be, and often is not, a member of the vestry. The vestry meets once a month.
Reports are received from all officers and committees that have them; a monthly treasurer’s
report is required; and general church business and issues are discussed and actions taken as
needed.
History and Physical Properties
Meherrin Parish was created from St. Andrew’s Parish soon after Greensville County was
formed from Brunswick County in 1781. Christ Church, originally named St. John’s, had its
beginnings in 1840. The present building was erected during 1915 with the first service being
conducted on Easter Day, April 23, 1916.
The present brick rectory was completed and occupied on July 29, 1926. The old rectory was
moved to the south side of the grounds to be used by the Bible Class and Sunday School classes.
In the early 1950’s this building was replaced by the present cinder block and brick parish hall.
The central location of this building in the community makes it an asset for many civic activities.
The church building, a rectangular brick structure with a bell tower, stands on a slightly steep,
very broad hill. Several yards off Main Street, its wide open grounds set it off against the sky.
The Meherrin River, which meanders east-west through Emporia, is a two-minute walk from the
church. It was here that the British General Tarleton crossed at Hicks Ford, in pursuit of
Colonial troops who retreated ahead of him, leaving only bread behind; hence the name of a road
further to the south, “Dry Bread Road.” Confederate and Federal troops also fought in the area.
The 15 large stained glass windows, depicting scenes from Jesus’ life, create a gentle light,
giving a sense of stillness and quietude, suitable for worship.
Eleven pews on each side of the center aisle seat approximately 150 worshipers. The choir pews
and electronic organ are located at the rear of the building.
The grounds are well kept, with flowers and shrubs growing the length of the church building, in
front of and beside the parish house, and in the rectory’s garden. There is a parking lot that is
conveniently located to the church, parish house and rectory.
The present parish house was built in the mid-fifties. This building has a large room, which is
used for parish events as well as community activities; a kitchen; and the rector’s study on the
main floor. In the basement there are two restrooms, a large room and several smaller rooms that
could be used for a nursery, classes or storage.
The brick two-story rectory was built in 1926. There is a sunny closed-in porch, which has been
used as a den; a large living room, which opens onto the porch on the east; and a dining room on
the west. A butler’s pantry on the south of the dining room joins the dining room and kitchen. A
small room to the right of the rear entry has served as a study for earlier clergy and has a half
bath. On the second floor are three large bedrooms, a small room, and a bathroom. A full
basement houses the furnace and ample storage space. There is a permanent staircase to the
attic, which also provides storage space.
Grace Anglican Church
Grace Church
Our Congregation
Grace Church is, first and foremost, the people who gather in the Lord’s name as the Body of
Christ on Sunday mornings, and who are dispersed throughout our various communities in both
Virginia and North Carolina during the week. We consider Grace Church spiritually alive,
though we are certainly aware that we are always growing in Christ, and never grown. We are
warm, friendly, and caring; our concern for, and pastoral care of, both each other and the larger
world, is genuine and deep. It is our sense that all in the congregation feel a part of, and needed
in, the parish.
Most of our parishioners are 50 or older. Our official membership is approximately 45 persons,
and average Sunday attendance is 35. While our numbers are small, those who attend are
committed, and stay active and involved.
Our Worship
Worship at Grace Church strives to bring into the presence of God our sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving. Sunday mornings tend to be relaxed, but heartfelt. We appreciate each other’s
presence, and enjoy gathering in the name of the Lord. We laugh, cry, or applaud as we feel
moved. Often, there is interplay between clergy and congregation that is easy and friendly.
Dress varies according to the comfort level of individuals, but tends to be informal – though
everyone seems to dress up for Christmas Eve and Easter!
There is no choir – the people are the choir. We like to sing, and loudly. Visitors to Grace
Church often comment on our enthusiastic singing. Our music varies between praise and worship
songs and traditional hymnody, and is generally drawn from three sources – the Hymnal 1982,
the Maranatha! Music Praise Chorus Book, 3rd Edition, and a congregational songbook
composed largely of selections from Mission Praise (1990). We are open to learning more
contemporary songs, and hymns.
Liturgically, Grace Church at present celebrates Holy Eucharist on the first, third, and fifth
Sundays of the month. We generally utilize Rite II, Eucharistic Prayer A from the Episcopal
Book of Common Prayer 1979, but also use Rites IIB, IIC, and occasionally a Eucharistic Rite
from the Church of Kenya. On the second and fourth Sundays, we employ a Family Service
loosely based on Morning Prayer, with less formality, both in liturgy and in preaching. A large
number of congregants participate in all services as lay assistants, reading the lessons, leading
the prayers of the people, and administering the chalice.
We respond liturgically on most of the major feast days of the year. Several occasions remain
special at Grace Church: Maundy Thursday finds us gathered in a circle near the Lord’s Table,
communicating the elements to each other; we begin Easter Sunday with informal worship at
dawn on the banks of the Nottoway River, adjourn to the parish hall for breakfast, then move to
the sanctuary for our formal service; Pentecost finds the entire congregation dressed in red, and
we distribute petunias, and enjoy Pentecost cake after the service; in late July, we celebrate a
joint outdoor service with Christ Church, again on the Nottoway River; and in addition to our
lovely Christmas Eve Eucharist, we have a Christmas morning “come as you are” family service.
Christian Education
Approximately 40% of Sunday worshippers regularly attend the weekly Adult Christian
Education class that meets after Sunday worship, and which has become an important small
group for those participating, though newcomers and less frequent attendees are warmly
welcomed. The class studies one of the lessons appointed in the lectionary for the present week,
seeking both to understand the passage, and to give it contemporary relevance.
A community young adult Bible study, organized and coordinated by younger members of Grace
Church, meets twice monthly in each other’s homes.
A small men’s Bible study and a women’s ecumenical study group each meet in the early
morning on weekdays, working through both thematic studies and selected books of the Bible.
Each has been meeting for greater than 20 years.
In the recent past, our members have supported a community mid-week Bible study held at
Christ Church.
Outreach
We take seriously the dual, but inextricably bound, commands of Jesus to “make disciples of all
nations”, and to meet the material needs of the world in his name, and we attempt to obey both
commands locally, nationally, and globally.
In the Emporia/Greensville area, we have sponsored the ALPHA course twice over the past 13
years, as a community outreach. Each Christmas, we support several children through the Angel
Tree ministry of Prison Fellowship, purchasing and delivering gifts to the children of prisoners,
in the name of their incarcerated parent, and in recognition of the birth of Jesus. We also sponsor
a family at Christmas, purchasing gifts and assisting with funds for food. We give Christmas
gifts to the girls at Jackson-Feild Home, a local provider of residential services for troubled
teenagers. We participate in the Souper Bowl Sunday program each year, raising funds for the
local indigent food kitchen, and several of our members have volunteered there. We recently
devoted a summer work project to the construction of handicapped ramps in the local area. At
Thanksgiving we provide the necessary components for a full dinner for several families in the
community..
At the national level, we provide ongoing financial support for a couple working on staff with
Campus Crusade for Christ, and for Trinity School for Ministry; and have taken mission trips, in
which a large number of parishioners participated, to West Virginia through World Vision, and
twice to the Gulf Coast of Mississippi to assist in cleanup and construction after Hurricane
Katrina.
Globally, we regularly support indigenous missionaries with New Life Moldova in their
evangelistic work at universities in their country, and will this December assist for the third time
in packing boxes at the distribution center in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the international
Christmas Child ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.
Additionally, the Grace Church Women provide hands-on and financial assistance for a number
of projects, which are detailed below.
Grace Church Women
The GCW meets periodically, primarily to plan and conduct fundraising projects that support a
wide variety of outreach programs. This outreach includes Family Violence Prevention,
Jackson-Feild Home, seasonal love offerings to elderly shut-ins, sponsoring three families at
Thanksgiving, contributions to a Christmas Sharing Foundation, financially assisting a couple in
the Church Army, missionaries with the Madagascar Bible Translation Project, the local soup
kitchen, phone cards for soldiers, and meeting various emergency needs that periodically arise in
the community. Additionally, the GCW organizes Easter hymning and Christmas caroling at
three retirement and nursing homes, and has recently begun an annual women’s retreat.
Vestry
The vestry consists of seven members, elected for staggered three year terms. The monthly
meetings open with a devotional Bible study and prayer. The focus of the vestry is on a sincere
desire to seek and implement God’s will for our parish. The vestry operates on the basis of
consensus. For years, it has committed five percent of Grace Church’s gross receipts to
outreach, and ten percent to the work of the diocese. These funds are over and above virtually all
of the projects detailed elsewhere in this profile.
History and Physical Properties
Grace Church was organized in 1837 by Margaret Wyatt of “Walnut Grove” plantation. After
her confirmation, she prepared an old barn as the church building, and parsons periodically came
from Richmond and Petersburg. The building was moved to its present site in 1850. In 1952,
parishioners added five new rooms to the rear of the sanctuary, using lumber cut from the church
property. A new parish hall was constructed in 1975.
The white wooden church building, 12 miles from Emporia, is nestled on four acres of oaks,
maples, and well-groomed lawns, in the woods and farmland of Purdy, an area with a population
of about 200. The sanctuary seats approximately 85-100. The detached parish hall, with a large
modern kitchen, is used for suppers, meetings, and the adult Christian Education class. A 1.5
acre cemetery lies on three sides of the church building.
Some Grace Church families have been worshipping in this sanctuary building for generations;
others are more recent attendees. All are welcome, and the search committee reflects this
diversity.
Joint Needs and Concerns
Four issues have emerged as primary concerns for both Christ and Grace Churches:
1) The graying of our congregations are of particular concern to us. As our children have
grown, most have moved from the area, and new young families have not replaced them.
While we are most grateful for the young families that regularly attend, we are acutely
aware that we must attract a younger generation of persons if we are to continue to be a
Christian presence in the community. We must, indeed, attract people from every age
group. We firmly believe that God is working wonderful things in our parishes, and we
are anxious to share what we have to offer with a wider community, and to do so for
generations to come.
2) An informed theology of stewardship is lacking at present. Our present rector, from
England, has followed a British model, and it lays little emphasis on this aspect of
Christian life and practice. While we understand this, the result has been that stewardship
has been largely overlooked, and needs to be strengthened. While our people
individually commit their time, talents, and treasure to the work of the church, we lack a
sound theological understanding of stewardship.
3) The future of our property remains in limbo, as the litigation that may resolve this issue
is ongoing. A person considering a call as our rector must understand that this may be a
matter largely out of our immediate control, that we may, indeed, lose our church
buildings, and that Christ Church may be evicted from its rectory, where our clergy have
traditionally lived. We know, and are committed to the truth that, the church is the
people, and not the physical structure; and we emphatically believe the Lord will call us
to continue as a Christian fellowship, regardless of who owns the property. However, the
loss of the church buildings, if it comes to pass, will involve unique challenges, both to us
and to the rector God will call to us.
4) The future of our yoked parishes likewise is a concern to both churches. At present,
neither cure parish is financially independent – each depends on the fiscal contribution of
the other, and the future of the two churches is intertwined. A possible solution would be
merger of the two – but this will involve the resolution of sensitive and difficult issues.
This issue may not have reached a crisis point at present, but it is a matter that must be
addressed, sooner or later.
What We Seek in a Rector
While we seek many attributes and qualities in a member of the clergy, we realize that no one
person can be expert in evangelism, preaching, pastoral care, and spiritual direction at the same
time. We also realize that no one can bring to this task the required conviction and energy apart
from God’s grace and the empowering of his Spirit. In the final analysis, we seek a person of
faith, rooted in the orthodox understanding of the Christian message.
Having said this, however, we seek several characteristics in a rector, listed below in no
particular order.
A Witness – We seek an individual who has a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, who has
appropriated God’s grace in his own life, and who can, without equivocation, express his love of
the Lord, and live the Gospel in his daily life.
A Minister of the Word – We seek a person submitted to the authority of Scripture, with a
disciplined and comprehensive understanding of the Bible, who embraces an orthodox view of
the faith, as understood in the historic Creeds and in the apostolic teaching of Anglicanism, and
who can preach this understanding and faith clearly, and in such a way as to give the Gospel
relevance in our lives.
A Pastor – Our rector should be able to respond to us at significant points in our lives; to be
willing and able to offer counsel from a Christian perspective to those facing difficulty or
decisions; and be an active, available, and vibrant participant in our congregations.
A Spiritual Guide – We seek a person who is a spiritual leader, who reflects the presence of the
Holy Spirit in his life, who himself follows a spiritual discipline, and who desires and is able to
assist us in our growth in Christ.
Finally, we are of the conviction that ministry is a lay as well as a clergy responsibility, and that
each order must minister to the other if the Body is to be “built up…attaining to the whole
measure of the fullness of Christ.” We cannot grow spiritually as we ought, and do the work
God has set for us, without the guidance of a member of the clergy; and our rector cannot
prepare us for the work of our ministry without our care, concern, prayers, and support.
Two Churches, One Rector
This, then, is Christ and Grace Churches. We are distinct parishes, different in some ways, yet
sharing many common goals.
We seek, above all, God’s will for these two parts of the Body of Christ. May his will be done!
Appendix
The Emporia/Greensville Community
The City of Emporia and the County of Greensville are located in Southeastern Virginia, just
north of the North Carolina border. At the crossroads of Interstate 95 and U.S. 301, the northsouth arteries and U.S. 58, the east-west artery, the area is 65 miles south of Virginia’s state
capitol at Richmond and 80 miles west of Norfolk and the parts of Hampton Roads. The
combined population is approximately 17,573, with 5700 people residing in the city and 11,873
people in the county.
The economy of the area is diverse. Major manufacturing activity is in timber/wood products
and agriculture. Peanuts, corn, soybeans, tobacco and cotton are the primary crops. Sand and
gravel underlie much of the county with granite, clay and titanium currently being mined.
The Greensville County Public School System provides a comprehensive educational program
for both county and city students. (Grades Pre-K – 12) Brunswick Academy, an independent
school located in neighboring Brunswick County (~20 miles west) also provides a program for
grades Pre-K – 12. Higher educational facilities are available in the area and within a one-hour
drive. Southside Virginia Community College has a branch in Emporia which serves as a fully
functioning educational opportunity.
A private/publicly funded recreational organization, the Emporia-Greensville Recreation
Commission, provides facilities and programs for all ages. There are recreational areas with ball
fields, basketball courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, walking trails and bicycle trails. A private
golf course is also available. A family YMCA offers another option for activities, as well as the
Boys and Girls Club.
There are a number of active civic clubs and organizations in the area, including the Rotary Club,
several Ruritan Clubs, Daughters of the American Revolution, and a Quilting Guild. Emporia is
home to several festivals and events that also make it the cultural hub of the region. In addition,
the Meherrin River Arts Council lines up an impressive list of performers and orchestras.
For more detailed information about the Emporia-Greensville area, please refer to the following
websites:
www.emporia-greensvillechamber.com
www.greensvillecountyva.gov
www.ci.emporia.va.us
www.greensville.k12.va.us.