Spy Chat: The Episcopal Church in the 21st Century

In November 1780, inside the Chestertown Chapel, a meeting of the Anglican clergy from the parishes of Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties took place at what is now known as Emmanuel Church to discuss the future of their church and faith. One of the results of that meeting, suggested by The Rev’d James Jones Wilmer, Rector of Shrewsbury Parish, was the renaming of the church to the Protestant Episcopal Church, which was later adopted by the American branch of the Anglican Church.

Given this unique history, it seems all too appropriate for the Chestertown Spy to honor this important moment by bringing together the current rectors from some of the same parishes to discuss their church and their faith as the Episcopal Church moves into the 21st  century. While the issues have changed since 1780, the Church nonetheless faces equally important challenges in keeping with the important traditions of the past while acknowledging the needs of an entirely new generation of men and women seeking spiritual guidance and answers.

On Wednesday, November 11th at 7 PM at the Emmanuel Church parish hall, Professor J. David Newell, retired chair of the philosophy and religion department at Washington College, will moderate a discussion with Rev. Daniel Gross, Rector of Emmanuel Church; Rev. Nanese Hawthorne, Rector of St. Luke’s Parish, Queen Anne’s County; Rev. Tom Hughes, Rector of Shrewsbury in Kennedyville; Rev. Allen LaMontagne of St. Paul’s; Rev. Charles Osberger of Old Wye Church, and Rev. Heather Cook of the Diocese of Easton.

Admission is free.