Why I am an…Episcopagan

Last updated on: April 8, 2013 at 7:22 pm by Women of Spirit and Faith

Why I am an…Episcopagan 2013-04-08T19:22:35+00:00 Women of Spirit and Faith

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I have always loved being in nature and when six years old would sneak out of my home at night and visit my sacred pond in the woods that was my sanctuary. I talked to God starting at age three and have not stopped. When I was eight years old I was baptized in the Episcopal Church that has nurtured me with ancient and modern rituals, music, prayers and the lack of “should nots.” When I was taking confirmation classes at the age of twelve I asked the priest if Jesus really was the son of God. Because I had an intimate relationship with God I didn’t understand why Jesus. The priest answered my question by saying he wanted me to think about it and answer it for myself. To be given this responsibility to answer the most important theological Christian question for myself and not be told what to think was a powerful experience that confirmed my wanting to be an Episcopalian.

Being an Episcopagan where I embrace God in all creation expands my dream of the Divine as both feminine and masculine. When enough people of faith believe in an inclusive God and embrace the Divine Feminine, we will stop the destruction of nature and violence against women.

Being an Episcopagan in relationship with Episcopal Native Americans has expanded my thinking and deepened my spirituality. I have and continue to learn how to be a spiritual person living in right relationships with four-leggeds, winged, scaled, leafed. I have learned to see water, earth, air and fire as holy. Pagan means the people of the land. My birth name is Ann Landaas that means the land. Loving nature defines and shapes my very being as a nature spirit in a human body.

It is only we two-leggeds who are separated from nature and out of balance with the Divine by identifying God as only male. Indigenous people of the Anglican Church gift us with inclusive language and ancient rituals that honors all creation. I can take the best from the amazing diversity in the Anglican worldwide church to nurture me; Divine Feminine of Sophia, Celtic traditions of non-hierarchical structures and mysticism, Indigenous cultures and language. The Anglican New Zealand prayer book that blends together the English and Maori culture and religions is filled with melodic prayers that unit our souls to God. This is one of the prayers and very powerful because it is an alternative to the Lord’s Prayer, Our Father.

Eternal Spirit,

Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

Source of all that is and that shall be,

Father and Mother of us all,

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In the times of temptation and test, strengthen us.

From trails too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For your reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever. Amen

This prayer and Earth-centered prayers speak to my soul. Inclusive language nurtures and transforms. I find it hard to attend church services that use God the Father language. I am an Episcopagan in search of sacred places for worshipping where we as the people, the two-leggeds, see ourselves as One with all creation and rejoice in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever.

Namaste!!!

Ann Smith is Co-Founder and Director of Circle Connections

Why I am a...

Previous Post

April 3, 2013

Why I am a…Religious Scientist

Next Post

April 12, 2013 Why I am a...Seeker of The Sacred Spirit

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 28-day meditation challenge A new world Alchemy: Occupy Your Sacred Self Ancestors and Spiritual Evolution Consciousness Ending violence against women Holiday season: quiet time or chaos? How has She blessed you in 2011? inter-being. Interfaith Invitation to blog: What does a world transformed by the Divine Feminine look like? Sounds like? Taste like? Smell like? Living the Divine Feminine Mother Work Mothers and mothering On Feminine Ground Owning Our Wisdom Parliament of Worlds Religions Personal rituals or practices that keep you in touch with the Divine Feminine Reclaiming the heart of our humanity Reflections on WSF retreat Sacred Love Stepping Stones on the Spiritual Path The next generation Tugging at your heart Uncategorized Videos: women of spirit and faith What are you longing for? What are you noticing? What are your dreams/intuitions telling you? What gets stirred up in you when you hear the words "War on Women"? What happens when women lead? What is "the Divine Feminine"? What is the Devine Fem calling you to do? What wants to Emerge? When we act as the Divine Feminine... Who inspires you? Why I am a... Women of Spirit and Faith

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 July 2015 May 2015 April 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz