St. Matthews is a member parish of the Diocese of the Eastern United States
About the Diocese of the Eastern United StatesThis Diocese is... AMERICAN Many of the first colonists were members of the Church of England. They founded parishes in the original thirteen colonies. Many of the Founding Fathers of the United States were Anglicans. After the Revolution, the Church of England (Anglican) parishes formed the Protestant Episcopal Church. Gradually, Anglican churches throughout the world gained local independence but remained a union of churches called the Anglican Communion. For many years these churches were united by a common faith, a common form of church government, and a common worship. In recent years, member churches have tended to stress their independence rather than their unity. Differences in belief and worship have created tensions that unhappily divide Anglicans. This Diocese is an Anglican diocese which seeks to be faithful to the ideals and faith of the first Episcopalians and their descendants.
The word episcopal means of bishops. Our Lord Jesus Christ sent His disciples into the world. They were called Apostles, or sent men. The Apostles added ministers to their ranks to care for the growing Church. These men became known as bishops. Our bishops are descendants of the Apostles and of the first Episcopal bishops in the United States.
There is only one Church. The Church is the visible sign of the called company of baptized believers who are members of the Church, which contains both the living and departed. The Church came to Britain in very early days. The English Church was a national church within the great Western Church. Four hundred years ago the Church of England was affected by the Reformation. At the time of the Reformation, the English Church separated from that part of the Church we now called the Roman Catholic Church. This separation was achieved in a unique way. The Church of England remained a CATHOLIC Church. By reforming itself, it became a Protestant or EVANGELICAL Church. When the American branch of the Church of England became independent, it established a DEMOCRATIC Church. The English Reformers translated the old worship books then being used into English in what is known as the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER. Anglicans are LITURGICAL Christians.
Catholic means the Church established by our Lord Himself, which is always served by clergy who are successors of the Apostles, who administer the Sacraments which our Lord gave to the Church. The faith of the Church is summarized in the Creeds and in the teachings defined by the Early Church.
The word evangelical means of the Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is found in the Holy Bible, God's Word written by inspired people. The Bible is the book of the Church. Anglicans cherish the Scriptures. They are read in public worship. The Prayer Book is Bible-based. Its words echo the teachings, words, and expressions of the Holy Scriptures.
Liturgy means hard work. We show our duty to God and our love for Him in corporate worship. The 1928 American edition of the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER is the official liturgy of this Diocese. It is basically the same form of service used by the first settlers. Many scholars maintain that this book, together with the King James' Version of the Bible (an Anglican translation), has affected the English language and the spiritual life of the English speaking people of the world more than any other published work.
By traditional we mean that we do not allow the current winds of public and societal opinion to alter that Faith which we have received from our forefathers as contained in the Holy Bible, the writings of the Early Church, and the Book of Common Prayer.
The Protestant Episcopal Church was the first Anglican church to restore to the laity the rights and duties they enjoyed in the Early Church. At every level of church life, in the parish and in the diocese, the laity share with the clergy the duty of determining the policies governing the day-to-day life of the church.
While the Church is one, it adapts itself to differing cultures and circumstances. Anglicans believe in the freedom of individual diocese and provinces to respond to the needs of the particular people they serve. Independence does not mean that a parish or diocese or any other level of church government has the right to change the Faith. The Diocese of the Eastern United States was established in 1970 and serves faithful Anglicans east of the Mississippi River. At the present time, there are 28 congregations affiliated with the Diocese. Each congregation owns its own property. Neither the bishops nor the synods of this Church attempt to make political decisions for the people of the Church. Christians are bound to make their political decisions and exercise their rights in the light of the Gospel. THE DIOCESE OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES... SERVES YOU This Diocese is a family of Christians. You are invited to be a part of our family. The Rt. Rev. Walter H. Grundorf Office of the Bishop: |
St. Matthews Anglican Church is a traditional worship Anglican, Epicsopal and Catholic church using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. For more information about St. Matthews Church and how to become a member, you are encouraged to contact the church at 813-663-0334. Or you can write to us at P. O. Box 1173 , Riverview, Florida 33568-1173. |
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