Читать книгу Looking at the Episcopal Church - William Sydnor - Страница 7

There is a need for a simple, not-too-detailed account of the facts about the Episcopal Church. That is what, God willing, this book is intended to be. In another day there were books such as Lefferd M. A. Haughwout, The Ways and Teachings of the Church which filled that need for a number of people. Perhaps this effort to lead inquirers from superficial appearance to meaning to commitment will in some way fill that need in this present time. At the least, it is an effort to provide material to put into the hands of persons who are beginning to discover the Episcopal Church.

Among those inquirers are that restless tribe of noisy future church leaders known as “Confirmation Age Children.” Because it is possible that the material here may, in the wisdom of the rector, form the basis of a course of Confirmation instruction for such youngsters, a leader's guide has been included as an appendix to assist the person responsible for conducting that class. I hope it conveys something of the sense of privilege and excitement that goes with sharing this time with growing young church people.

I am indebted to many people for the insights and information presented here. Those with special expertise of one kind or another include the Rev. Charles P. Price, Professor of Theology, Virginia Theological Seminary, Miss Kristen Leigh Mulvaney whose knowledge of adolescents far surpasses mine, the Rt. Rev. Robert F. Gibson, Jr., retired Bishop of Virginia, who has for years hidden his authoritative knowledge of Church history under a miter, Mrs. Harold C. Kelleran, and the Rev. William L. Dols, rector of Immanuel-on-the-Hill, Alexandria, Virginia, who are walking compendia of creative Christian education procedures. These friends have been generous with their knowledge and gentle with their advice. And I am blessed with a wife who understands firsthand about the demands of writing a book.

William Sydnor

Alexandria, Va.

August 5, 1980