Erring on the Side of Grace

The main page this week at Anglicans Online tells of some interesting names of Episcopal and Anglican (as we are known in other parts of the world) churches generated from the fact that we are known as King of Peace, Kingsland as it is typical to add the geographic location. These names include:

St George, Freezywater
St Andrew by the Wardrobe
St Francis in the Redwoods
St Clare in the Cove
All Hallows by the Tower
St Giles, Cripplegate
St Matthew, Heart's Delight
Nicholas, Leading Tickles
Holy Innocents, Paradise
But my favorite is Transfiguration, New York City, which is better known as "The Little Church Round the Corner." The reason for the name found in the church's history is that:

It was in 1870 that Joseph Jefferson was rebuffed in arranging for the funeral of his friend, George Holland, an actor. Told that there was a little church around the corner where "they do that sort of thing," Jefferson fervently exclaimed, "God Bless the Little Church Around the Corner" and that famous benediction has echoed down through the years. This brought about a close relationship with the people of the theater which has continued to this day. It also brought about the founding, in 1923, of the Episcopal Actors' Guild, which carries on an active program at its national headquarters in the Guild Hall.

The Episcopal Actors Guild has had notable actors as officers including Basil Rathbone, Tallulah Bankhead, Joan Fontaine, Rex Harrison and Charlton Heston.

Founded in 1848 to "to embrace all races and classes" the church lived up to its name by welcoming those other churches would not welcome, like actors. The church in its earliest days was involved in the abolition of slavery and harboring runaway slaves. They also had bread lines for the unemployed.

I think in all of these ministries, they were the church that would err on the side of grace when other churches were setting clear boundaries. It seems better to make the mistake of being too loving rather than too judgmental. Somehow "The Little Church Around the Corner" sounds like a church that Jesus would like a lot.

peace,
Frank+
The Rev. Frank Logue, Pastor