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The Anglican Free Communion “The Episcopal Free Church” Old Name: The Free Protestant Episcopal Church
Pastoral Letter New Year 2014
Los Angeles, CA - January 08th 2014
The New Year has now evolved following the uplifting holy time of Christmas. This entire season is one of joy and hope.
Still, with the so many tragic events in the world, horrible violence to individuals due to nature or by pathologic persons or groups, and unbelievable living conditions of so many in a number of countries, the purpose and necessity of the church in taking a proactive role to alleviate the misery of the human condition is axiomatic.
In viewing the message and work of Christ the Redeemer the concern for the poor, the marginalized, the lost, the unwanted, and the sick was manifest in a constant fashion in all aspects of His ministry. The Free Church must ever move forward to bring the Kingdom of God to the world.
It is appropriate in the beginning of this New Year to express our profound appreciation to Archbishop Lorite who has performed in an extraordinary manner as President of the Consistory of Bishops to coordinate the administrative deliberations of the church. The governing body of Archbishops have gone far beyond the call of duty to ensure that the Free Church not only be functional but to exhibit an outreach to all humanity regardless of their condition in an ecumenical and worldwide fashion.
On behalf of the entire church please accept my personal thank you for the many achievements that have evolved and the substantial progress made. All of us in the Free Church do have distinctive and specialized ministries in bringing the message of Christ and His redemption to the world. In my position as chaplain at both an oriental medical university and a constituent university of management and science the working with students pursuing higher and professional education in our secular environment has been a challenge but is still highly rewarding. All of our brother Archbishops, Priests, Deacons and laity are serving in unique and sometimes compromised circumstances requiring patience and a love of humanity. Each of us has a mission of outreach, inclusion, and concern for those we serve.
Let us all go forth in the New Year with renewed faith and confidence to ensure the success of the Christian mission.
The Most Rev’d Dr. Edwin Duane Follick DTheol Archbishop Primus