Posted on 05/31/2005 2:44:43 PM PDT by MeanWestTexan
Members of St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church and supporters from churches around the city, state and nation began to fill the pews nearly an hour before Sunday's service. By 7 p.m., chairs spilled out into the sanctuary's foyer until there was standing room only. It was the final Sunday many of St. Nicholas' parishioners would gather together in the building they built only four years ago. Nearly 90 percent of the congregation is leaving St. Nicholas' to begin Christ Church Midland (Anglican Communion) after Bishop Wallis Ohl of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas told those who were dissatisfied with the direction of the national Episcopal Church to leave the St. Nicholas church building by June 1. Controversy has been over Biblical teachings and the denomination's election of a gay bishop and stance on same-sex marriage blessings.
(Excerpt) Read more at mywesttexas.com ...
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.
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Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15
Interesting.
I don t know if that's true of other denominations; in ECUSA the Dennis canon was enacted after the departure of whole congregations, property and all, in the late 70s.
The Dennis canon (Title I, Canon 7.4): "All real and personal property held by or for the benefit of any Parish, Mission or Congregation is held in trust for this Church and the Diocese thereof in which such Parish, Mission or Congregation is located. The existence of this trust, however, shall in no way limit the power and authority of the Parish, Mission or Congregation otherwise existing over such property so long as the particular Parish, Mission or Congregation remains a part of, and subject to, this Church and its Constitution and Canons."
Interestingly, the Continuing churches (APCK and probably most others), prohibit the diocese and province from any ownership of a parish's property.
If your Church is a member of the National Council of Churches, it is supporting a Communist Front.
Did your church leadership ever consider the Reformed Episcopal Church? I think they are to EPCUSA what PCA is to PCUSA: an evangelical alternative denomination.
You did right, and set a WONDERFUL example for others. Thank you!
See post 24.
If there are stories next week about the services at both churches, please post them, and ping Sionnsar, who will spread the word..
At least, you were "spared" a farewell message from the AofC. Given his latest pronouncements, you had to feel even more strongly you have all chosen the correct path.
One last item. I have no doubt that you'll be able to buy your property back, in a few years, for about ten cents on the dollar. It's going to be a diocesan money pit, the ECUSA equivalent of the definition of a boat...."a hole in the water surrounded by wood into which one pours $$$." Put some of your in-house attys to work now on planning for the return..
Regards
rudy45 is correct. There are basically two most likely homes for an evangelical Anglican (American) church leaving ECUSA. The REC is one of those (and their coverage includes Texas, too). The other is affiliation with the AMiA, whose coverage also includes Texas. (Both groups are predominantly Eastern/Midwestern. Neither is well represented out here on the West coast.) You can find links to them from the site in my tagline.
(It's "ECUSA" now, used to be "PECUSA.")
It's a bit of a longshot... but then I've heard the story of St. Augustine's (APCK), Chico, CA, that did just that, even though ECUSA would not sell them the building.
Actualy, if ECUSA refuses to sell them the building , and instead sells it to a mini-brewery, or some such..from a PR standpoint it would be petter..show how bitter ECUSA is..
Yes, it can be scary; but it is nothing new at all, through all history. The church remains, the body remains intact, and no matter the firestorms lobbed at and within. Keep the faith!
But I think, not.
I think the ordination of "gays" as Priests was in the works long ago. Therefore, why bandy titles about; equalize them by tearing down what is right and proper - is what I think they were thinking.
The point being, IMHO, when an ordained has decided to not serve; it is time for them to move on to elsewhere, in life. Sabbaticals can be quite restful; but no doubts the liberal Catholics via national/world council of churches decided the Teachers and their Unions should have exclusive rights to the word "sabbatical". (sarcasm on this last bit, but I did notice the lack of the work in usage among clergy RIGHT about the time educrats began using the word massively, and clamoring for taxpayer funds, special health issues, tax deductions, etc.)
bttt
.. Chico. I seem to recall.. ECUSA did cheerily sell the church to those who turned it into a Chinese Restaurant, and then the traditional parish bought it back, but from the Chinese Restaurant owners.
Dear LVM:
It has been my great blessing to be able to attend Mass at RC parishes using the Congregation of St Pius X Latin service. The translation is nearly identical to the English we use in our 1928 BCP service and I so agree with you: there is little more solemn and beautiful than a Latin Mass said by a priest who fully understands the language and the liturgy.
In Christ,
Deacon Paul+
A local (not on the AFB) parish Priest would actually take a poll before Mass......
"Children of God, what is your wish? Latin or English?"
The most hands raised, won.
Latin, hands down - every time.
LVM
There is some truth to this. But the Catholic Church is not nearly as bad as the ECUSA. We have our share of liberal wienies in the clergy and even bishops. But we also have an unimpeachably orthodox guy at the top. B-16 is not gonna put up with a lot of nonsense. I think it would be an awesome trade if we could ship all our liberal wing nuts to the ECUSA and they would point their orthodox Christians over in our direction. In the meantime I wish all of my Christian brothers and sisters in Texas the best.
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