Posted on 11/23/2005 6:32:12 AM PST by NYer
A congregation that refused to pay its dues in protest of the Episcopal Church of the USA's ordination of a homosexual bishop has been dissolved by its diocese.
Rochester's Episcopal diocese in New York voted Saturday to shut down All Saints Episcopal Church in Irondequoit, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper.
The church's property and other assets are to be turned over to the trustees of the diocese.
The church refused to pay $16,000 it owed the diocese after the 2003 ordination of Bishop Gene Robinson in New Hampshire – a practicing homosexual – and the denomination's decision to give individual dioceses liberty to bless same-sex unions.
Parishioners gathered in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Rochester to find out the result of the vote.
"Goodbye now and God bless you," said All Saints' leader, the Rev. David Harnish, as he left the room where the vote took place.
Harnish then went to the lobby where a small group from his church had gathered.
"The same bishop who strongly opposes the death penalty has issued an ecclesiastical death sentence," he told the parishioners. "But we are alive and well."
The Rev. Canon Carolyn Lumbard, a spokeswoman for the diocese, told the Rochester paper she had come to know many at All Saints after working with them for four years.
"I know their struggle is their struggle, just like my struggle is my struggle," she said. "I don't understand theirs and they don't understand mine, either."
But she emphasized the congregation still must pay its share of the dues.
Similarly, regardless of what you think about the laws of the U.S., "If you don't pay your taxes, you go to jail," said the Rev. Diana Purcell-Chapman, who says she reluctantly voted in favor of the resolution. "It had to be done."
Rev. Denise Yarbrough of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Penn Yan, N.Y., said, "We didn't kick them out. They chose to go."
Yarbrough, a lesbian, said she and others offered to dialogue with parishioners, but they were refused.
All Saints plans to continue operating and possibly be a home for others in the diocese who disagree with the Episcopal Church of the USA, according to Walck.
"We will be a church and we will be functioning," he said.
Latest word is that the parish is refusing to vacate the building or surrender any assets. No lawsuits have been filed yet but lawyers are involved so it will probably land in court eventually. I wish them well in fighting the diocese- somebody has to be the first to do it.
Well, for what it is worth. The Church is the body of Christ. That means the "people". The Church is not the building. So if being faithful means you lose your building all that you have lost is your building. I think it is far more important for believers to maintian their integrity. These folks could join the World Wide Anglican movement and leave the Episcopal church.
I pray that the Lord will bless this group in their stand. We have six Episcopal churches in the Florida diocese that have left. I suspect the "gay issue" will split this and any other denomination that goes down this road.
My eyes!!!
Jesus Christ took a whip to the money changers, because they were defiling his Father's house.
There's the first problem - a woman pastor. Jesus only chose men, not women.
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Watch out - there are two pics of the gay Gene. Avert your eyes if you're still digesting or eating. Illustration of "clothes DON'T make the man".
I like stories of Episcopalians fighting back. A church really isn't a building, an official hierarchy, special vestments, rituals, traditions, property, the old graveyard, the foundation fund, or anything you can see with the eyes. All these can be taken over and used by imposters.
A group - even a small group - of sincere believers in God, worshipping Him from their hearts, in a manner authorized by scriptures and previous saints, is a church. Even if it's under a tree, in a living room, or in a cave. Or in the privacy of your own soul.
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I also found a home in an LCMS parish. As a former Episcopalian, I miss some of the old liturgy, particularly the '28 book of common prayer. But having Biblically centered parish and clergy makes up for it.
Ironically, our parish ( Holy Cross in Indianapolis ) is one of the fastest growing LCMS parishes in the Synod. Mainly at the expense of the surrounding Episcopal and ELCA congregations.
Indeed he did!!
* * * * *
"I am not here to grind any axes, I am here to do the thing that Christians do, that is to witness to the good of God"
Bishop Gene Robinson
The Bishop of New Hampshire said the Vatican's ban on ordaining gay men was "vile", in a speech in London.
He then insulted Pope Benedict XVI .........
"We are seeing so many Roman Catholics joining the church. Pope Ratzinger may be the best thing that ever happened to the Episcopal Church."
And Vicki Gene Robinson may be one of the best things to happen to the Catholic Church. Let all those with similar proclivities follow him. And good riddance!
This is the vile legacy, this brings, the death of free speech and the ability to call sin sin.
For now. Later, when it really matters, it'll be Parishioners - Eternal Life / Liberal Gays - zip.
Wait a second: the Parish didn't "pay their taxes"? And homosexuals allege they represent the "church" (and "don't understand" the non "tax paying" individuals, so "they should go"?
That isn't Christianity, it's a liberal social club grouped based upon Ceasar.
The people who "left" should thank God they have and I hope they find their way into a Christian church as soon as possible.
Render unto Ceasar
I wish them luck! What an awesome testomony to take the dissolutiuon of your church over the dissolution of the Gospel... If any freepers know of a Church that can take these people in and let them meet in the meantime until they get on their feet it would be nice.
I think I'm beginning to get the picture about this church.
Outstanding scriptural direction, nightdriver. The largest suburban ECUSA church congregation on the Kansas suburban side of Kansas City recently went their own way as well. They negotiated a purchase of their own church from the diocese. After all, money is just money, and that turned out to be what the diocese wanted -- the money or the property. As the congregation was well led and vibrant, it wasn't a big challenge.
Gathered in a school auditorium, a vacant store front or their own church they buy back, these people have a righteous journey they have undertaken. God's blessings to them.
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