The revelation of God in Christ is the great mystery that unites us to Christians around the globe and throughout history. We find meaning in the continuing story told by believers from Jerusalem to Galilee, from Antioch to Alexandria, from Rome to England and Ireland, from Canterbury to here in America. Our principle attitude is to be grateful and our defining activities are service and thanksgiving. More than anything we are glad to share our explorations -- for some "struggles" might be a more accurate term -- with anyone of any religious persuasion, as well as those without any particular religious persuasion. Wherever you are in your life's journey we welcome you and want the Episcopal Center @ UGA to be a safe place for your soul.
Here are some ideas borrowed from Christ Church, Norcross after they adapted them from the Church of the Good Shepherd, Bonita, California. They're ideas about Anglican/Episcopal life that are fairly generally true. We think they represent well what you will find with you come to the Episcopal Center @ UGA.
1. A style of WORSHIP that is rich in image and symbol and is soon familiar.
2. A THEOLOGY that demands our intelligence rather than ignoring it.
3. A CELEBRATION of differences, not just a toleration of them.
4. A TRADITION that takes the Bible seriously yet is not bound by literalism.
5. A COMMUNITY that shares a respect for God rather than enforcing a conformity of opinion.
6. A grounding in the SACRAMENTS as inspired by Jesus and shared in the lives of his followers.
7. A sense of MINISTRY that is rightfully the obligation and privilege of every baptized person.
If you are interested, please let us connect with you.
Why are we . . .
I'll include this citation from The Rt. Rev’d J. Neil Alexander, The Bishop of Atlanta in his book, This Far By Grace, because it describes so well what we experience in this ministry at UGA and more so why we are here.
- “What, then, does it mean to be pragmatic? It means that within the generous capacity of the Episcopal Church, we do not always agree on matters of biblical interpretation or theological definition. It means that we have all gotten here by way of hundreds of different and often quite unique experiences of God’s presence in our lives. It means that those things on which other churches depend to hold themselves together will never be the central feature of our common life. We find our life together driven by our willingness to stand together at the table of God’s gracious hospitality. We gather in public assembly—an inherently political act—to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. We break open the sacred texts of the tradition because we always hear them more fully when we listen together as a gathered community of faith. We stand together in all our diversity and intercede for those we love, and for those we do not even know, convinced that such common prayer really does make a difference. We tell God what God already knows about, things done and left undone, and we take the risk of doing so in one another’s company. We embrace one another with words and gestures of peace, not because we always love one another but because God loves each and every one of us, all the time. We share the simple food of bread and wine, sincerely believing that it is for us the bread of heaven and the cup of salvation. We make our way back into the world, filled with the risen life of Christ, to do the best we can to be faithful servants. Every few days, and at least once a week on Sunday, we gather again at God’s table, and life begins again, as if for the first time.”
V. Gene Robinson Ordained Bishop of New Hampshire
As a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, the center has for several decades served the students, faculty and staff of the University of Georgia. Our chapel is used for worship and meditation during the week. The center is open daily for students to gather for meals, study, prayer, conversation and rest. Programs are scheduled throughout the term, facilitated by the chaplain and students. Social functions and retreats are also planned. Whether you're a new student at UGA, or you've been here awhile, the UGA Episcopal Center welcomes you. Undergraduate and graduate students regularly make up the majority of those who attend services at the UGA Episcopal Center. Our primary worship is Holy Eucharist, the centuries old tradition of reading from the Bible, proclaiming our faith, joining each other in prayer and in the meal of broken bread and shared cup significantly hosted by Jesus of Nazareth.
About the People at Episcopal Center @ UGA:
The Reverend Daniel Brown -- frDann - serves as the Chaplain at the UGA Episcopal Center. You can find out more information on the Chaplain's page.
Our student members do most of the "work" here at the UGA Episcopal Center. We have Sacristans, Acolytes, Ushers, Readers, Musicians, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Student Preachers making worship happen on Sundays and Wednesdays. We have Cooks, Dinner Hosts, Cleaners, Telephone Clerks, Secretaries, Publicity "Hounds," Foyer Group Captains, Bible Study Conveners, Alum-trackers, Gardeners, Greeters, and Opinionators who make the center a fun place to visit and an important place to which to return.
A bunch of our ministry happens in cooperation specifically with Lutherans (ELCA), Presbyterians (PCUSA) and Disciples of Christ on campus. Check our calendar and news sections for info on joint ministry events and look for our banner at campus happenings.
We are also members of the UGA Campus Ministry Association. This council oversees and supports the ministries of all registered faith communities on campus from long-standing organizations such as ours, Wesley Foundation, and Baptist Student Union to more recently formed groups such as The Bulldog Christian Fellowship of the Church of the Nations and Crossroads Fellowship of Campus Crusade for Christ. CMA is always organizing to meet the needs of its members and the students we hope to serve. If any of the information you receive through CMA needs correcting, please let us know.