And another split occurred and another lifesaving station had to be established to restore the original purpose. History continued to repeat itself so that if you visit that seacoast today, you will find a number of very beautiful life stations along that shore, filled with folks who enjoy them. Now let me tell you this parable was written in 1953. The church since that time has struggled to regain, amidst the beauty of its churches and property and people that we have gathered together, the sense of its original mission. We have struggled and continue to struggle with the notion that it is through the waters of baptism that we become not only disciples but apostles people sent into the world in the name of Christ.
Apostles have a mission.
We are God's beloved Ones. There is no better news in the whole earth. The ways in which every member of the church knows and shares that Good News are the ways in which we engage in God's mission. Over the last year, the Vestry has written a Vision statement for the parish. It has been shared with numerous groups and all have agreed that it is an accurate understanding of who we are.