New Church Life July/Aug 2013 | Page 17

Declarations of Faith and Purpose These Declarations of Faith and Purpose include the ordination of the Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss Jr. into the third degree of the priesthood. This took place June 9 in Glenview, Illinois, with the Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith officiating. The others occurred in the spring – in Japan, at the ordination of the Rev. Jiro Kumazawa, and in South Korea, at the ordination of the Rev. Timothy. (His last name is not used for security concerns.) Both ordinations were conducted by Bishop Keith. The Declarations of Faith and Purpose for the Revs. Christopher Barber and Alan Cowley were part of their ordinations in the Bryn Athyn Cathedral on May 26, conducted by the Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Kline. These ordinations followed their graduation from the Bryn Athyn College Theological School with Master of Divinity degrees the previous day. THE RT. REV. PETER M. BUSS JR. GLENVIEW, ILLINOIS The Lord: We are taught that “the entire body of theology depends on [a just idea of God], the way a chain hangs from its hook.” (True Christian Religion 163) I believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the one God of heaven and earth – that He is at once the infinitely wise and powerful Creator who ensures order throughout His Kingdom, and also an intimately personal Redeemer who knows every detail about each person’s life, and focuses all of His love and wisdom on leading each of us to the greatest level of happiness we can experience. Personally, the Lord is my Guide, my Savior, and the One to Whom I will continue to turn for enlightenment in my use. He is the Source of all blessings that I am privileged to enjoy, and all ability to do what is good. The Word: We are taught that “the Word is the source of all the truths the Church possesses, for the Word is Divine Truth itse