EVERY WEEK WE PUBLISH a selection of letters we receive in response to something you've read at Anglicans Online. Stop by and have a look at what other AO readers are thinking.

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Your parish needs you

I always enjoy your editorial and make a point of reading it every Monday. I also rarely find myself disagreeing with you. Today, however, I take exception to your comment that not attending church only harmed yourself. Unless you're a member of a mega church where your absence is only noted in the records, you also had an impact on the others at worship. As a parish priest, I am impacted when regulars are not present. But then, we are a small parish and everyone is missed. Perhaps our relationship with our Lord whould be such that we can be renewed in spirit without being concerned over who else is there, but we do find support and encouragement from others who are present.

On the other hand, no one should beat themselves up because they slept in. Our body is surely also sacramental sign of God's grace, and God sometimes tells us through it, that we need the sacred gift of sleep.

Condolences on the death of your friend and blessings on your continued fine work with Anglicans Online

Bob Webster
St. Martin in the Fields
Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA
roblwebster@hotmail.com
2 May 2011

Definitely not for a jumble sale

Like millions around the world, I watched the wedding in Westminster Abbey, and thought that the splendid service showed Anglicans at their best. I have long been bewildered, however, by the various vessels which appear on the high altar and elsewhere on such occasions. Is this meant to symbolize celebration, or does it have a deeper meaning? It could be seen as a rather vulgar display (can this be possible among Anglicans?) of church wealth.

William Bippus
St. Paul's
Marinette, Wisconsin, USA
2 May 2011

Earlier letters

We launched our 'Letters to AO' section on 11 May 2003. All published letters are in our archives.