A couple of weeks ago we strolled through the streets of New Bern, North Carolina. We stayed there for the week thanks to Jenn’s parents who graciously allowed our family to spend a week of vacation with them. Since I started finding out what there is to do in New Bern I was looking forward to seeing Christ Episcopal Church. The church was built in 1715 and it still houses an active congregation today. Scattered over the yard of the church are gravestones and vaults of people who were buried in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. The churchyard also has a nice playground in one corner. I enjoyed seeing my children and my nephew play on the structure next to the church and the graves of the ancestors of our faith. Life and death connected in a very real way before my eyes. It would be good for the community of faith to connect theses two more often rather than to shun and ignore death.
Behind the first picture you can see the outdoor chapel on the grounds of the church. Scattered throughout the floor of the outdoor chapel area are small gravestones and large vaults. It is impossible to ignore the reality of death and the hope of our resurrection in that environment.
vacation
Posted by David at 6:51 PM
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3 comments:
I'm probably going to be ordained an Anglican priest within the next year. I'm curious how you got to know this particular church?
By the way, I've been reading and enjoyed the conversations.
Warmly
Ryan
History always provides us with one lesson for sure, to never forget. When we do, we can change in to something that we were never intended to be.
I also left a comment on your previous post as well.
Christ's servant-friend and yours,
Nathan
Ryan,
I tried to find some places that would be interesting to visit on our trip to New Bern and when I found Christ Episcopal Church it was the place I was most interested in visiting. I actually got to see it twice during our trip. There is a sign that said that the church is still in possesion of the original silver Eucharist set and the original Book of Common prayer both brought over by the founding priest.
d
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