Recently my former temporary American Nemesis Father Tim Schenck noted the American Comedian Robin Williams had authored a list of Ten Reasons to be an Episcopalian, and he decided to build on this. As part of my reconciliation with Father Tim after naming him my temporary Nemesis while Father Scott Gunn was in Canada I have decided to post the lists.
Robin William’s List:
- No snake handling.
- You can believe in dinosaurs.
- Male and female God created them; male and female we ordain them.
- You don’t have to check your brains at the door.
- Pew aerobics.
- Church year is colo[u]r-coded.
- Free wine on Sunday.
- All of the pageantry — none of the guilt.
- You don’t have to know how to swim to get baptized.
- No matter what you believe, there’s bound to be at least one other Episcopalian who agrees with you.
Father Tim’s More Top Ten Reasons to be an Episcopalian:
- The only thing we take literally is “Coffee Hour.”
- All of the sacraments — none of the indulgences.
- Gay and straight God created them; gay and straight we marry them.
- Bouncers don’t check your ID at communion.
- Fire and incense, not fire and brimstone.
- Guilt-free royal watching — because we’re Anglicans.
- Vestments cover a multitude of wardrobe malfunctions.
- No “second collection.”
- Washington National Cathedral? Yeah, that’s ours.
- We’re the only ones God trusts enough to take the summer off.
We here at Maple Anglican (okay, its just me) feel that Robin’s and Father Tim’s list needed to be expanded on especially because it is awesome to be a Canadian and an Anglican.
However, I felt like both lists don’t cover the awesomeness of being a Canadian Anglican. So, without further ado here is my Even More Ten Reasons for being an Anglican… in Canada.
- Don’t want to do Pew Aerobics? Then don’t.
- Think there are seven Sacraments? Two Sacraments? Hey, this place is still for you.
- We’ve agreed to have a mature and considerate discussion about changing our Canons on Gay Marriage. (Let’s hope that attitude lasts)
- Book of Common Prayer? Book of Alternative Services? Occasional Services? We got it all!
- Bishops? We have Archbishops. And Metropolitans Do you Episcopalians? I thought not.
- Ecclesiastical Provinces that actually do something!
- We can be proud in Archbishop Michael Peers apology that began reconciliation with the First Nations people of Canada.
- Excellent relations and cooperation with the Evangelical Lutherans.
- Women in Mitres way before the Church of England.
- The Queen is one of us! (Take that United Church of Canada and Episcopalians!)
Pax