Good Ideas in Episcopal Churches

A collection of maybe useful practices to deepen faith, communicate ideas, improve operations, and invite people into the Episcopal Church.

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The challenge from the Acts8 BLOGFORCE for this week was a top ten list of signs of resurrection within the Episcopal Church. Here’s my list, although some of them are ecumenical, and they’re not in any particular order. I am aware of the irony that Buffer will post this on Good Friday, but then,...

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Not quite Episcopalian (but ELCA, so close enough), but this is an outstanding pledge campaign video. Positive and fun.

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Not an Episcopal Church, but Irvington UMC in Indianapolis is proclaiming a positive message even as some conservative congregations in metro Indy disassociate from the Boy Scouts.

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As soon as I walked in the door for the 11:15 service at St. Paul's Seattle, I knew I was somewhere special. Why on earth was the Paschal candle lit and sitting next to the baptismal font? It was Pentecost 11, not one of the days for renewal of baptismal vows. Did this mean we were actually having a baptism? As it happens, the baptism happened at the 9am service, so I missed it, but it was awesome to be in a place that a) was baptizing new members, and b) didn't feel the need to wait around for one of the days listed in the prayer book as "especially appropriate" for the event (though the rector observed that she does generally prefer to use those dates, but makes accommodations for family travel and the like). St. Paul's is a growing place. Apparently there was another baptism today. I wrote more about it and some other growing Episcopal churches here.

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Why millennials don’t go to church, in LOLCat form.  

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Clever Facebook theology from Holy Family Episcopal Church in Fishers, IN.

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Loaner umbrellas for inclement weather at St. Paul's Indianapolis.

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The trouble with the supplemental hymnals is that the quality is wildly variable. A solution is to take the good ones your parish likes and publish them in a slender volume that fits in the pew rack behind good old 1982, as Christ Church in Pittsford, NY has done.

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Letting the retired priest preach occasionally can yield remarkable results. It may be almost Pentecost but this Lenten sermon is good for all seasons.

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Deanery meetings, where clergy and lay people from a group of geographically close churches gather to share information and ideas, and prepare for diocesan convention, can be a dull, but necessary, affair. Trinity Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, excels at hospitality and has pizza delivered to liven things up. And as it happens, this meeting wasn't boring at all.

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In an effort to create more direct access between the people of the diocese and diocesan leadership, the Executive Council of the Diocese of Indianapolis went on the road for a series of listening sessions. Here's how the one on May 2 went.

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Stewardship wall of fame at St. James Cathedral, Chicago. This could be a tough approach culturally in a lot of parishes, but it's an interesting idea.

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The welcome table setup at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Scottsdale.

Not everyone wears a nametag at this Arizona church plant, but lots of people do. People are intentional about greeting newcomers both before and after the service.

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Icons in Transformation, by Ludmila Pawlowska

Photographed at the Episcopal Church of All Saints, Indianapolis.

All Saints hosted a 2-month exhibit of art inspired by Orthodox icons in early 2013. Learn more at Arts at All Saints.

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What's up with Holy Week? This, that's what.

Video produced to promote Holy Week services at the Episcopal Church of All Saints, Indianapolis.