Purpose and Responsibilities
The Episcopal Society of St. Simeon and St. Anna was founded by The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston in 1991 as a way to honor the elders of our community. The first members were inducted at the Diocesan Convention held in Fairbanks that same year. The purpose of the society is to recognize, honor and celebrate the wisdom, experience, maturity and ministry of older persons in the Diocese of Alaska. Members of the Society are called to live by a threefold Rule of Live.
Rule of Life
- To be constant in prayer: Pray daily for the Bishop, Diocese, and its people.
- To be conscientious in ministry: Draw on their wealth of experience and share their wisdom and counsel with the Bishop and others when asked.
- To be compassionate in life: Be a living example of the Christian witness. All persons in the Diocese are encouraged to look to the Society members for images of life that are lived in imitation of Christ; they embody the hope of the gospel for all of us in the Diocese of Alaska.
Membership
At the 46th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska, October 2021, it was decided, The Society of St. Simeon & St. Anna, as a diocesan society, shall no longer induct new members. Local traditions, customs and expression vary greatly between deaneries and so, deaneries are encouraged to develop their own local expression to recognize, honor and celebrate the wisdom, experience, and ministry of our elders.
Action of 46th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska, October 2021 “After much discussion, prayer, and consideration that we give thanks and praise to God, for the faithful members of The Society of St. Simeon & St. Anna and recognize, as resurrection people, that it is time to close this chapter so that a new may begin. The Society of St. Simeon and St. Anna, as a diocesan society, shall not be inducting any new members going forward AND each Deanery is encouraged to develop a local expression to recognize, honor, and celebrate the wisdom, experience, maturity, & ministry of our elders, according to local traditions.” Motion passed
She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
~Luke 2:36-38 (NIV)
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
~Luke 2:25 (NIV)