Episcopalians, a question.

[Kimberle]

My Uncle is becoming a Priest and being Ordained in a couple of months. We received an invitation to the ceremony and party. It's very far away, so we won't be going. The question, are we suppose to send a gift? I was thinking of a nice card with a message of congratulations, if I can find one.

My Uncle is in his 50's. This is a "change of life" job.

 

[clarabelle]

Im not an Episcopalian -but I think a card would be great.

 

[ilovejack02]

I would go with a card and maybe even a phone call on the day of the event just to tell him you are thinking about him. I cant imagine what you would give a newly ordained priest as a gift. Im sure he has the new Bible thing covered .

 

[CarolA]

I don't think it's considered a gift giving occasion. It's quite an interesting ceremony too bad you can't go.

 

[Rella Bella]

A card would be fine, if you can't find one that says "Priest" or "Ordination" on it you could use any congratulations card. Just hearing from you will mean a lot.

If you do want to find a special one, try your local Episcopal bookstore or Catholic book store (all city's have them); you should be able to find one in the phone book if you're not sure where there is one near you.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I think it's like someone graduating from grad school -- one wouldn't expect a gift, but they wouldn't be suprised or offended to receive one. A card would be plenty

If you decided to give a gift, I think that a gift on his behalf to a charity would be a good choice. The Episcopal/Anglican church does a lot of wonderful work around the world and maybe you could find a church related project you wanted to donate to?

 

[Deb in IA]

A BCP (Book of Common Prayer) would be nice, if he doesn't already have one.


Or, a donation to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund in his name woudl be very thoughtful and appreciated.

http://www.er-d.org/

 

[CEDmom]

I think a card is fine. If you really want to get something I'd send a donation to the church in his name.

 

[arminnie]

If you really wanted to send a little something - a gift card to a religious book/supply store that carried Episcopalian items would be nice.

A card would be okay, but I think it would be much more meaningful if you wrote him a note telling him how you feel about his achievement.

 

[sk8ingmom]

If you wanted to get him something, you could look for a book. My DIFL is a Catholic deacon and he has a ton of inspirational and short story type books - some religious, some not, that he uses as a starting point for writing homilies (sermons). If your uncle is going to preach every Sunday, he needs to come up with something to say! Anyone who works in a religious book store could help you pick out a good book.

Having said that, if you send a nice card, I doubt anyone would be wondering "Where's the gift?"

 

[shortbun]

If you really wanted to send a little something - a gift card to a religious book/supply store that carried Episcopalian items would be nice.

A card would be okay, but I think it would be much more meaningful if you wrote him a note telling him how you feel about his achievement.

I'm an Episcopalian and I've never seen "Episcopalian items" but there may be some out there. As a group, we are NOT about saying "hey become an Episcopalian" so it might be hard to find items specific to our church. Send a card, call him now to congratulate him. I don't think it's necessary to wait until the day even. I have a couple friends who are ordained. I went to their ordinations but don't remember gifts being an issue. We were just all excited as they are women and at that time, the ordination of women was a big deal. Anyway, your uncle would LOVE a phone call I'm sure. You could skip the card and just call him on the weekend when cell calls are free!!!

 

[fabshelly]

I send him a gift card to Chili's, but that's just me.

 

[Deb in IA]

Or a subscription to "Episcopal Life" newsletter:

http://www.episcopal-life.org/26767_5312_ENG_HTM.htm?menupage=5316

 

[arminnie]

I'm an Episcopalian and I've never seen "Episcopalian items" but there may be some out there.

What I was trying to say (didn't do a very good job) is to pick a store with religious items that don't conflict with Episcopalian doctrine. Some of the "Christian" bookstores are pretty hardcore evangelical and probably wouldn't be his thing.

 

[goofygirl]

A "congrats" card is fine. If you want to add a gift, the online gift shop for the National Cathedral in Washington DC (which is Episcopalian) is a good one for unique religious gifts. nationalcathedral.org



BTW my priest was ordianed "late in life" too at 48. He was a lawyer before the religious life!

Congrats to your uncle!

 

[Jpgirl]

The Book of Common Prayer is a good idea. I got my dh The BCP with the Hymnal attached and had our Bishop sign it. Maybe you could find out who the ordaining bishop is and have him sign it in celebration of the ordination. Make sure you sign it too. I think my dh's ran around a $100 and I ordered it through a Catholic bookstore of all places. Congrats to you uncle.

 

[Kimberle]

Thanks everyone I think I'll try and find a nice card. It would be interesting, but it's over 1000 miles away.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

For something that important, I would.

If you have a shop with Religious items in your area, you might find an appropriate card and gift in there.

I think Family Bookstores is a chain (something like that), that you might find what you are looking for.

 

[fabshelly]

I wasn't kidding about the gift card. My dear friend is an Episcopalian pastor, and they don't make very much money atall.

 

[goofygirl]

I wasn't kidding about the gift card. My dear friend is an Episcopalian pastor, and they don't make very much money atall.

The choice of Chili's just struck me funny!


But good point- priests gotta eat too!