Local Episcopalians decry liberal influences

The Nashville Tennessean | Monday, 11/03/03 | Brian Lewis

[Martin Tell]

More than 200 local Episcopalians gathered at the Church of the Advent on Franklin Pike Saturday night for a special vigil and prayer service on the eve of the consecration of the first openly gay Anglican bishop.

The service began in the church's parking lot with prayers sung by candlelight and a processional around the church.

The Rev. Joel Morsch of the Church of the Resurrection in Franklin preached a sermon about the authority of Scripture and how he believes it is being misused and ignored by religious liberals. The liberal wing of the church supported elevating Gene Robinson, a gay man, to bishop of New Hampshire. Robinson's consecration took place yesterday.

''The real teaching of Jesus found in the Bible is not just love and grace,'' Morsch said. ''It is much, much more, and repentance is key. Jesus clearly taught that Holy Scripture is inspired by God. He regarded it as truth — historically reliable, authoritative for living and an all-sufficient rule of faith.''

Morsch's sermon was met with brief, vigorous applause at the prayer service, which was organized by the Tennessee Anglican Council. More than a dozen priests and Bishop Bertram Herlong attended the service. For more information about the group, go to www.tnanglicancouncil.org.

[Martin Tell]

Brian Lewis does not mention that Reverand Morsch never mentioned Robinson or homosexuality. It was all about the authority of Holy Scripture.

It was a wonderful homily and I will post it if I can lay my hands on a copy.

I think there were a lot more than 200 people there, but I am not good at estimating crowds (probably better than the mainstream media, however).

Lewis also does not make it clear that Bishop Herlong was only "participating." He did not read or vest; he sat in a pew across from me.

[Martin Tell]

ping to you (for a change)

[Martin Tell]

Oops. Forgot the URL, http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/03/10/41811121.shtml?Element_ID=41811121

I'm relatively new to this posting thing, though I have lurked for over five years.

[secret garden]

How many different churches would you estimate were represented at the candlelight vigil?
I agree that he made it sound as though Bp. Herlong played a role in the service.

[Martin Tell]

I know folks were there from Advent, St Bart's, Resurrection and St. Andrew's (about ten of us). I thought I heard someone say they were from St. George's. Probably many more parishes represented - lots of clergy. Canon Dedman was there.

There is probably more info at the Tennessee Anglican site. I will look there.

Channel 2 has a video posted; there's a link at http://www.wkrn.com/Global/category.asp?C=11865&nav=1ugO

If you look closely, you can see my head from behind.

[ahadams2]

Ping.

[Amadeo]

We had people from all over the state join us Saturday night. I saw people I haven't seen in many years. It was a great evening at Advent. We hold about 300 and the place was packed. Do you have a copy of the video? I have tried to access the Ch 2 video from their web site but it used a codec I don't seem to have. I would like to show the video to some of the people who were in it.

The road forward is going to be difficult. We have three main choices: to leave, to accept the situation, or to fight. We are going to stay and fight.

Amadeo

P.S. Is SecretGarden a Nashvillian too?

[LiteKeeper]

SPOTREP - ECUSA - ORTHODOX