The Reformed Celtic Church

The Reformed Celtic Church

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

 
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The Reformed Celtic Church is a catholic, apostolic and orthodox church, living its faith in the spirit of the ancient Celtic church which flourished in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Northumbria and other countries in the first eleven centuries of the Christian era.
That faith is expressed in the Nicene Creed, the Apostles’ Creed and in that of the first seven ecumenical councils of the undivided Christian church.
Our mission is to proclaim the universal “Good News” of salvation through Jesus Christ’s atonement for the sin of the world and administer His Sacraments from the understanding of the Celtic theologians St. Morgan of Wales and St. John Scotus Eriugena.
We seek to foster the understanding that within everyone is a directly accessible spiritual light that can lead people to equality, simplicity, justice, compassion and peace. We do this through parishes, chapels, prayer groups, and other ministries using Celtic Christian liturgies and spirituality.
While many who are drawn to the Reformed Celtic Church are of Celtic heritage, we are not an “ethnic” church. We are Celtic in spirituality. Our Sacraments and services are open to all; regardless of race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, or sexual preference. Likewise, we are catholic but not Roman; orthodox but not Eastern; evangelical but not Protestant; and charismatic but not Pentecostal.

Commonly Held Principles 
There is that of God in every person. All human beings, regardless of religious beliefs, have the ability of unmediated spiritual communion and relationship with the transcendent Divine that is immanent within.

The central theme of RCC universalism is that spiritual awareness may be achieved by everyone everywhere. It may be experienced through the teachings of all the great religious systems or in the personal and private experiences of an individual seeker who may have no religion at all.

Spiritual awareness is accessible to everyone of any religion or none . . . no faith can claim to have a final revelation or monopoly of truth. We acknowledge that such awareness may be expressed in many different ways. We delight in this diversity.

While being convinced of the validity of our own religious path, we not only accept but also rejoice that others find validity in their own spiritual tradition, whatever it may be. Each of us must find our own path, and each of us can benefit from the search of others.

There are many paths toward a truth that lies beyond the confines of any single religious doctrine. No one faith has a monopoly of the way to truth. Seekers must find their own paths, assisted by the search of others.

Underlying the infinite diversity of life is the unity of one all-pervasive Spirit. We seek unity with all creation, joining with the increased awareness that a peace testimony includes reverence toward all life.
We nurture a spiritual path open to all, providing a spiritual community in which all sincere seekers of Truth can join, whatever their religious beliefs or doubts. Through the sharing of different religious insights and experiences, anamchara (soul friends) can give support to each other's spiritual search. that can be both refreshing and unifying.

The attribute of holding a position confronted by an opposite position which must be respected has great importance in the formation of spiritual character.

While affirming God's witness in the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, we also acknowledge that the Light, the Principle, the Spirit of Love has been made manifest in the teachings of other religions and that there is still much more Light and Love to be revealed in the world.

The Light, the Life, the Truth, the Love of God is revealed directly to every human being, of every race and religion, without the requirement of any intermediary such as church, priest, or sacred book. Each of us has the choice of relying on ourselves or discerning and following the Divine Light within.

Based on the Quaker Universalist Fellowship commonly held principles

CELTIC SPIRITUALITY

1. A deep respect of nature, regarding creation as the fifth Gospel. 2. Quiet care for all living things. 3. The love of learning. 4. A wonder-lust, or migratory nature. 5. Love of silence and solitude. 6. Understanding of time, as a sacred reality. 7. An appreciation of ordinary life, worshipping God through everyday life, and with great joy. 8. The value of family and clan affiliation,and especially spiritual ties of soul friends(anamchara).

In memory of the late +Tanaiste Thomas Faulkenbury

               Founder of the Reformed Celtic Church