So, Who is this Mariellen, and Why is She Leading this Charge?

Hello! My name is Mariellen Jacobson. I’m a layperson who worshipped at a large Episcopal church for the last 10 years.

I was attracted to the Anglican tradition and the Episcopal church, having come from an Evangelical background, by its beautiful and profound liturgy and worship (including wonderful music in the classical Western European tradition), great adult education, opportunities for contemplative prayer/worship (primarily a Taizé service), the opportunity to plug in and serve in a huge variety of ways, terrific fellowship (including some great church dinners) with some lively and interesting parishioners, the opportunities for women to teach, preach and lead, and the knowledge that some of the Christian thinkers and writers I most highly respect were Anglicans (my first visit to what became my parish was to hear John Stott speak!).

So why leave all that great stuff? Over the past few years I have grown increasingly aware of an accelerating and, I think, fatal departure from core doctrine on the part of many Episcopal clergy, bishops and other leaders. Many of them deny the uniqueness of Jesus Christ (to them he is only “a way”). The concept of the authority of scripture (which should inspire an effort to really know scripture) seems foreign. It seems that the desire to know God is being supplanted by a desire to “be relevant,” to adapt to the surrounding culture (rather than to transform it). Obviously, this is not true of every Episcopal church and every parishioner, but the decisions and communications of so many of its leaders make it a place that I cannot see myself staying and serving God for the rest of my life. Also, the financial priorities and management decisions of the national church make it increasingly difficult for me to contribute to my local parish. Rather than stay and try to help turn the tide (a strategy to which others might be called), I feel led to help establish an alternative – an orthodox, traditional, egalitarian Anglican church in my neighborhood.

Over the years I served my parish in various leadership roles - as its treasurer for four years, as a musician (choir member, music librarian, French horn player), as a member of the adult education planning team, as a leader of its “parish profile” team (when we were searching for a new rector), as the chef for dinners served at several big fundraising and other events, as a member of its strategic planning committee, etc. I also served the Diocese of Minnesota as a member of its “Bishop’s Commission on Mission Strategy,” as a leader on its “Mission Strategy Network” committee, and as one of the founders and the communications coordinator of its “Lay Leaders’ Network” (the Wardens and Treasurers of many of the diocese’ churches).

I have also served on the Boards and in other volunteer leadership roles of various not-for-profit arts organizations over the years. Professionally, I have held technical (computer and information services) and management roles in several industries; currently I work as a project management and business analysis consultant. I love to find and connect people for the purpose of bringing together the knowledge and skills needed to accomplish a worthy objective. And what more worthy objective is there than to equip the saints and bring others to Christ? This new church will need individuals with gifts in teaching, preaching, youth leadership, music, children’s education, pastoral care, evangelism, liturgy, infant care, eucharistic ministry, missions, art, administration, communications, properties, outreach, serving, … Where can you help?

My “life verse” is Philippians 3:12 “…I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (NIV) I see this mission as the next chapter in my “pressing on” story!