What Makes Christ Church Accokeek A Family?

1. Our Common Purpose (Why we exist as a church)

Christ Church Purpose Statement: "...to be a church family leading people to new life and growing discipleship in Jesus Christ."

The Great Commandment: "Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart...soul...and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.'" Matt. 22:36-40

The Great Commission: "Jesus said, 'Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.'" Matt. 28:19-20

2. Our Common Faith (What we believe)

We are affiliated with the American Anglican Council. We affirm the AAC Mission Statement, A Place to Stand… A Call to Mission
The mission of the Church is, according to Jesus' Great Commission, to
"go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything
that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). In a fresh commitment to
that mission, we join together in common confession of the Gospel and in a
radical commitment to support one another in accordance with classical
Anglican orthodoxy. PREFACE to the AAC mission statement (See AAC
Mission Statement)

3. Our Common Worship (How we praise God)

Traditional (Rite I) and Contemporary (Rite II) worship services, from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. "Blended" music, both traditional and contemporary at the 9:30 AM service.

4. Our Common Strategy (How we fulfill our purpose)
Partnership between Rector and Vestry… to be a church family

Worship
Weekly Eucharist
Regional Worship Events*

Membership
Newcomers' Membership Course*
Vacation Bible School*
Sunday School
Communication Ministry (Newsletter, Back Table Handouts,
Bulletin Boards, Tract Rack, Web Site)

Maturity
Alpha Course
Adult Forum
Occasional Meetings ( such as the Women's Reading Group, Men's Breakfast)
Pastoral Care Network*

Ministry
[discerning spiritual gifts]

Mission
Workplace Ministry
Community Service
Community Events (such as the Oyster & Ham Dinner, Pancake Supper)
Camp Accokeek
Facilities Use
Righteous Corner Child Care*
Alcoholics Anonymous
Cemetery

*new activities, now in process of organization

5. Our Common Structure (How we work together)

Christ Church Accokeek and the Anglican Communion

The International and National Structure
All churches in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury
One church in each country
Each national church led by an Archbishop or a Presiding Bishop and made up of Dioceses (geographically divided)
Each Diocese made up of a Bishop and the Parishes
Fraternal relationships predominate

The Parish Structure
Partnership between Rector and Vestry
Rector has authority over spiritual (worship) matters
Vestry has authority over temporal (financial, property) matters
Rector, chosen by Vestry, serves the parish on the basis of a three-year, renewable contact; staff chosen by Rector. New Rector to be called without an interim. (See Parish Bylaws)

Some Anglican Values
Structured and Flexible
Biblical and Sacramental
Book of Common Prayer Tradition

Some Evangelical Values
Authority of Scripture
The uniqueness of Christ
Necessity of an individual commitment to Jesus Christ
Importance of spreading the good news of Christ to the world

March 2004