For risks we take for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For our strong faith and vibrant spirituality.
For all sorts and conditions of people who are committed to the Christian life and witness:
- 113 congregations: a few large, some mid-size, and many small,
- 27,600 of God’s people on our rolls and 10,100 Average Sunday Attendance (ASA),
- urban, suburban, and rural,
- diverse congregations with members of European, African, Hispanic/Latino, Korean, Asian-Indian, and Native-American heritage, and other backgrounds,
- straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and intersexed,
- rich, poor, and those in between,
- variously-abled,
- conservative, moderate, and progressive, Republican and Democrat, libertarian and socialist,
- those who dress up for church, those who don’t, and those who can’t.
For our long tradition of liturgical and theological variety and renewal:
- shared experience of the Eucharist in High, Low and Broad Church traditions,
- incense, bells, and elaborate vestments, as well as simple worship practices and innovative ritual,
- Anglo-Catholic, liberation, conservative, liberal protestant and evangelical theology (and for the ways in which they combine and find expression),
- congregations with active healing ministries and who experience and express all the gifts of the Holy Spirit
- traditional, gospel, and contemporary music, and hymns and anthems in Malayalam, Korean, and Spanish,
- those who sing Bach and Mozart; and those who sing Leon Roberts and Bobby McFerrin,
- experimental, inclusive and expansive language liturgies and Rite I,
- the daily offices, and prayer at all times and in all places.
For our life in the Anglican Communion and The Episcopal Church:
- being able, as a diocese, to give 25% of our actual pledge and investment income to the national Church, which is among the highest in percentage giving of all dioceses,
- companion diocese relationships with Hong Kong and Mozambique in the past, and our growing relationship with the Diocese of Panama,
- our strong involvement in Episcopal Relief and Development,
- ongoing participation of lay and clergy of the Diocese in committees, commissions, and boards of The Episcopal Church, including our strong representation on Executive Council,
- alumni of this Diocese who have gone on to serve as bishops elsewhere.
For our diocesan life:
- 141 parochial, 82 non-parochial, and 76 retired clergy, bishops, priests and deacons, no longer all white males, but today also African-American and Afro-Caribbean, Asian and South Asian, Hispanic/Latino, gay and lesbian, female and male,
- insightful, talented, and generous laity, including lay leaders who contribute their skills and time to congregations, the Diocese, Province II and the national Church,
- Conventions which are never dull and disciples who care enough to argue for their positions with great skill,
- gifted musicians: organists, music directors, choirs, soloists, instrumentalists,
- energy, vibrancy and gifts of our children and youth,
- impressive and useful material resources and buildings,
- empowerment in local congregations that sustains people in their daily lives,
- community and self-help groups, arts and service groups who receive hospitality,
- our Cathedral, Trinity and St. Philip’s, that connects us to the earliest days of Anglican worship in North America – and to the present and future,
- our diocesan 50/50 Giving program and commitment to stewardship,
- beginning the work of congregational development,
- the Black Congregations Initiative that is building capacity for ministry in our predominantly black congregations,
- a strong stand on anti-racism training to address institutional racism in Church and society,
- a wide array of diocesan, congregational and interfaith outreach and service programs,
- support of and active participation in ecumenical and interreligious ministry, especially our presence since 1997 in Christian-Muslim dialogue, providing a foundation of trustful relationships that promote understanding, tolerance and commitment to peace and justice,
- Cross Roads Outdoor Ministries, our camp and conference center and a unique joint venture with the Lutheran Church (ELCA),
- the Women’s Commission and its work of advocacy and challenge,
- the Episcopal Church Women, the United Thank Offering, and honoring of women,
- the gift of being part of God’s work in the world seeking to celebrate and proclaim God’s justice and mercy in a world hungry for the Spirit and for action,
- being a healing presence that shows reconciliation can overcome estrangement.