Hope
For 2010 we are focusing on the theme of "Hope." The Hope, La Esperanza, of All Saints, Highland Park is manifest in the love and care we have for one another, built around the real presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ here at the church, in the congregation, and in the sacraments we share. People say again and again, "This is such a welcoming church," and we know, in this, that our hope is felt and shared by those around us.
As Christians we are compelled to engage actively with the world as prophets, teachers, leaders, activists, and servants who convey the hope of Christ. Our church gives us various ways in which to serve those around us, which, in turn, feeds our own needy spirits. As Christians from the Anglican /Episcopal tradition we find ourselves strengthened and guided through our common worship, and in receiving the weekly blessing and pardon from God in Christ. At All Saints we are not all in perfect agreement about issues, nor are we perfect people. But we are Christians.
An Anglo-Catholic Tradition
In the nineteenth century a movement arose in Oxford, England, with the aim of bringing back the "Via Positiva" into the life of the church. This represents the old way of worshiping God through admiration and enjoyment of the beautiful things in the world, including the beauty and elegance of the church service. Anglo-Catholic Masses are closer to the traditional Roman Catholic manner, with colorful vestments, sung passages, incense and music. At All Saints we have maintained a liturgical tradition that most people who come from the Roman church find comfortable, without being too "fussy," and without the weight of teachings and barriers that many people wish to leave behind. Inner city Anglo-Catholic parishes like All Saints Highland Park also have a tradition of being dynamic places of activism, and we are continuing that tradition in a variety of ways today.
The Episcopal Church
All Saints is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles , a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion in the United States. Our tradition derives from the Church of England and is both Catholic and Evangelical.
The Anglican Church is, together with the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches, one of the three branches of Catholic Christianity.
The principal worship of our Church is the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Mass and Holy Communion. We believe in Jesus' real presence in the blood and the wine of the sacrament. We believe in baptism, of infants or adults, and honor baptism as the way one becomes a full member of the Body of Christ and is therefore equipped to do Jesus' work of reconciliation and love in the world
The Episcopal church is not a church that emphasizes dogmatic rules and laws as the way of life. While firmly following the commandments, the Creeds and the Bible, we believe each person is blessed with gifts which allow them to interpret how they should live their Christian life. We emphasize worship, personal spirituality, fellowship, and a commitment to doing good works in the world.
We believe that Jesus is Lord and that each member must accept Jesus as Lord, be baptized in the Church and live out the faith of Jesus in the world. All Saints' strives to live that ministry in the Anglican tradition. To that end we Episcopalians are proud of being an "Iinclusive Catholic Church", welcoming members regardless of language, culture, race, sexual orientation or socio-economic status.
