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Church dissolved over homosexual issue (Episcopal Church in Rochester NY)
World Net Daily ^ | November 23, 2005

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.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; US: New York
KEYWORDS: bishop; churchclosings; ecusa; episcopal; fallout; gay; homosexual; homosexualagenda; homosexualbishop; robinson; schism
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To: NYer

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.


41 posted on 11/23/2005 7:36:06 AM PST by Ford4000
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To: NYer

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.


42 posted on 11/23/2005 7:42:13 AM PST by lexington minuteman 1775
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To: NYer
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.
And here's Step 1 - "All Saints refuses to hand over keys."

(November 22, 2005) — A delegation from Rochester's Episcopal diocese — including the bishop and an attorney — requested the keys and assets from All Saints Episcopal Church Monday but left empty handed.

"We no longer acknowledge your authority" since the parish was voted out of the diocese on Saturday, said Raymond J. Dague, an attorney representing the Irondequoit church.

The church had been withholding money owed to the diocese as a way to take a stand against the diocese and the Episcopal Church USA, which supported ordaining a gay bishop without the approval of the worldwide church, called the Anglican Communion.
43 posted on 11/23/2005 7:46:13 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: NYer

44 posted on 11/23/2005 8:06:39 AM PST by XR7
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To: NYer

My eyes!!!


45 posted on 11/23/2005 8:10:29 AM PST by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
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To: William Creel

Jesus Christ took a whip to the money changers, because they were defiling his Father's house.


46 posted on 11/23/2005 8:13:17 AM PST by little jeremiah
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To: ClearCase_guy
It is, IMO, a very un-Christian letter. She's had a tough year (deaths in the family (toughest was her dog apparently)) and her opening paragraphs are pretty blunt about how shaky her faith has been lately.

There's the first problem - a woman pastor. Jesus only chose men, not women.

You may want to bookmark this link, for future reference.

COMING HOME NETWORK. The welcome mat is always out.

47 posted on 11/23/2005 8:16:18 AM PST by NYer (“Socialism is the religion people get when they lose their religion")
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To: ahadams2; Condor 63; Fractal Trader; Zero Sum; anselmcantuar; Agrarian; coffeecup; Paridel; ...
Thanks to NYer for the ping. This church was noted earlier in An extinct parish celebrates the Eucharist.

Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.

FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this moderately high-volume ping list (typically 3-9 pings/day).
This list is pinged by sionnsar, Huber and newheart.

Resource for Traditional Anglicans: http://trad-anglican.faithweb.com

Humor: The Anglican Blue (by Huber)

Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15

48 posted on 11/23/2005 8:23:02 AM PST by sionnsar (†trad-anglican.faithweb.com† || (To Libs:) You are failing to celebrate MY diversity! || Iran Azad)
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To: AnAmericanMother
Catholics, take note.

Believe me, we are, and so is Pope Benedict XVI. He will be the Rock Jesus meant for him to be.

49 posted on 11/23/2005 8:23:13 AM PST by SuziQ
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To: NYer; EdReform; backhoe; Yehuda; Clint N. Suhks; saradippity; stage left; Yakboy; ...

Homosexual Agenda Ping.

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.

Freepmail me and DirtyHarryY2K if you want on/off this pinglist.


50 posted on 11/23/2005 8:23:33 AM PST by little jeremiah
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To: bcsco

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.


51 posted on 11/23/2005 8:23:52 AM PST by IndyPatriot
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To: Andyman
Didn't Gene say just a couple of weeks ago that a LOT of Catholics were moving to his church?

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!

52 posted on 11/23/2005 8:35:45 AM PST by NYer (“Socialism is the religion people get when they lose their religion")
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To: NYer
What goes out, with an appointment to Bishop like this, is free speech. You are no longer allowed to quote from Romans 1 and not longer allowed to quote from the Old Testament in this matter. If you do, you are judged a legalist and may be ejected from the congregation.

This is the vile legacy, this brings, the death of free speech and the ability to call sin sin.

53 posted on 11/23/2005 8:38:50 AM PST by sr4402
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To: Recon Dad
Parishioners - 0 / Liberal Gays 1.

For now. Later, when it really matters, it'll be Parishioners - Eternal Life / Liberal Gays - zip.

54 posted on 11/23/2005 8:49:05 AM PST by Ladysmith ((NRA, SAS) Support Zien's PPA/CCW bill in Wisconsin.)
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To: NYer

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.


55 posted on 11/23/2005 10:10:22 AM PST by MillerCreek
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To: NYer

Render unto Ceasar


56 posted on 11/23/2005 10:11:53 AM PST by nickcarraway (I'm Only Alive, Because a Judge Hasn't Ruled I Should Die...)
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To: IndyPatriot
Welcome, and God's blessings. My family has been LCMS since arriving in America (from Germany) in the mid 1800's. Before that they were 'Evangelische'; i.e. German Lutherans. The LCMS church they joined on arrival in Chicago is still active. I visited there a couple years ago. I believe it was founded in 1852. Both sides of my family were members there.

I joined the ELCA in the 70's as it was closer than our LCMS parish. Others in the family have also gravitated to the ELCA at times; a current one is pastor of an ELCA parish near you in Indiana. My wife and I just couldn't take the liberal, antiwar, rhetoric coming from the pulpit on a regular basis, and then added to it; their pro-homosexual agenda. It became to much for us and we found this new home. It was a good and wise decision. Membership at our ELCA parish is hurting. Sunday attendance is less than half that at our new LCMS home.

Our LCMS parish is better at following the liturgy than the ELCA was, but still works out of the bulletin on Sundays more than the hymnal liturgy. We also miss the liturgy and know much of it by heart. But, as you say, 'having Biblically centered parish and clergy makes up for it'.

Good luck in your new 'home' and again, God's blessings on you and your family. Also, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
57 posted on 11/23/2005 10:12:55 AM PST by bcsco
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To: NYer
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.

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.

58 posted on 11/23/2005 10:15:48 AM PST by N3WBI3 (If SCO wants to go fishing they should buy a permit and find a lake like the rest of us..)
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To: NYer
The Rev. Canon Carolyn Lumbard, a spokeswoman for the diocese....
"If you don't pay your taxes, you go to jail," said the Rev. Diana Purcell-Chapman
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.

I think I'm beginning to get the picture about this church.

59 posted on 11/23/2005 10:18:57 AM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: nightdriver
"Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.." (2 Cor. 6:17)

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.

60 posted on 11/23/2005 10:19:20 AM PST by KC Burke (Men of intemperate minds can never be free....)
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