Posted on 04/29/2008 7:40:33 PM PDT by Huber
"Coming here to bless a garden, especially at this time in the history of humanity, when we're focused on how the church can be a more proactive voice in caring for the rest of creation, is an important message," she said before the service.
Bishop Jefferts Schori, 54, leads a church that is at odds with much of the Anglican Communion and faces revolt internally.
The Episcopal Church has seen conservative congregations – and one California diocese – depart over what they say is its liberal drift, particularly the acceptance of openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson.
"We're struggling over the appropriate place of gay and lesbian Christians in the church," Bishop Jefferts Schori said, adding that previous eras had seen conflict over integration and the ordination of women priests. "This is simply the issue God has presented us with in this age."
But Bishop Jefferts Schori also said the fallout for the Episcopal Church, with 7,700 congregations in the United States and elsewhere, has been exaggerated.
"We know of about 55 or 60 [congregations] which have had a majority of members decide to leave the Episcopal Church. That's well under 1 percent," she said.
The Diocese of Dallas itself has had departures, including what had been one of the Episcopal Church's larger congregations – Christ Church in Plano.
The highly conservative Diocese of Fort Worth has taken steps to leave.
The blessing service Monday near Dallas Love Field, attended by about 400, was to some degree a rally for the Episcopal Church and Bishop Jefferts Schori.
"Everyone at St. Thomas the Apostle is standing taller and feeling prouder because she's [here] with us," said Harry Anderson, head of the vestry for a congregation that has long taken progressive stands on race, women's rights and gay rights.
Two buses came from Fort Worth, and many of the visitors wore stickers saying, "Fort Worth Episcopalians Honor Katharine."
"We want to make it clear that the Diocese of Forth Worth is not monolithic," said Katie Sherrod, adding that she considers Bishop Jefferts Schori "fabulous."
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Maybe the agonizing slowness of response is a good thing. Best not to act rashly in matters as important as this. I don’t think so, but, I’ve been wrong before.
Christ is risen!
....”We’re struggling over the appropriate place of gay and lesbian Christians in the church,” Bishop Jefferts Schori said, adding that previous eras had seen conflict over integration and the ordination of women priests. “This is simply the issue God has presented us with in this age.”....
No, Katharine, it’s not all about homosexuality. You made the mission of your church body the UN Millennium Goals, not the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That’s apostasy.
And you—as well as other ECUSA mis-leaders like Spong and Swing—express many other heretical howlers, besides your support for the “gay” agenda.
Why don’t you just declare spiritual bankruptcy, rather than trying to fool the world that you are “prophetic” or a “civil rights leader”?
In the Prayers of the People, she is not mentioned.
When I read the prayers of the people I generally make sure to include her. Seems to me she needs our prayers more than most.
"ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live, ..." (1928 BCP, Order for Evening Prayer)Amen.
Pray for them. You never know when a Saul may become a Paul.
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