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Here, there, and everywhere

I am reminded of one Sunday I was in Richmond, Virginia, and wanted to go to St Paul's Church, downtown, across from the Capitol, the Church where President Jefferson Davis was informed during Morning Prayer services on that April Passion Sunday morning in 1865 that Robert E Lee had been forced to abandon Petersburg. I checked the newspaper for the time of service -- even called the Church that morning (and I got a recording, but it gave the times of the service). Nonetheless, I arrived just after the Peace was passed -- since they were holding their Parich Meeting that day, they had moved the time of the service up an hour. Sometimes, we are our own worst enemy as far as welcoming visitors.

Donald Epley
St Christopher's Episcopal, Portsmouth, VA
Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
9 January 2012

Over the years your page has had some of the best editorials I have read about issues affecting the Anglican Communion. Last week's essay really does call attention to the crisis that can often confront people who try to get to worship, and the parishes they try to attend that do not adequately attend to the public posting and updating of their service schedules.

Thanks for calling this critical item to the attention of at least some who may be able to do something about this sad state of affairs. Sadly, I am afraid, many will never see this or do anything about it. Thanks for commenting on it at any rate!

A retired rector who has run into the same circumstances on several occasions,

The Reverend Dennis Fotinos
Mills River, North Carolina, USA
12 January 2012

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