Christ Church will be defending herself in court on August 14th when there will be a hearing for a motion for summary judgment in Savannah. Please pray for this congregation.
“Come, Stand with Us” is the motto of this campaign to raise funds for the defense of Christ Church, Savannah’s claim to its historic property. Although the print is very small on our screens, the appeal is well worth reading, even if you’re not in a position to give or inclined to give anything to the defense fund (though I hope many readers will).
For example, I didn’t realize that not only John Wesley, but also George Whitefield had once been rectors of this important colonial church. Nor was I aware that the first Sunday School in America was organized there. Nor that the great 20th century hymnwriter Bland Tucker+ was the rector there for over 20 years. (There’s more to their distingished past, check it out)
But Christ Church isn’t resting on its laurels and content to celebrate its past glories; it’s making history still. With an ASA of over 350, Christ Church is one of the major churches that’s helping jumpstart the new ACNA in the Southeast. Bravo!
Despite its illustrious history, I think the best days of Christ Church, Savannah are yet to come. I hope they win the court case.
You’re welcome, Suepie (#4). I know that Christ Church initially came under the care of Uganda, but I’m assuming that your parish will be part of the new N. FL/S. GA diocese of the ACNA, right?
Dear David+,
We are part of the 22 congregations in the diocese-in-formation of N.FL/S.GA in the ACNA, http://www.anglicanalliancenf.org/. Soon a new bishop will be elected. This diocese-in-formation has “Anglican Fourth Day”, “Dynamos”, clergy retreats, a Pentecost celebration, Camp Araminta and access to an Anglican School of Ministry in JAX.
On most browsers now, screen zoom can help far more than adjusting text size, increasing the size of all the elements on the page proportionally. Ctrl-+ to zoom in (hold the Ctrl key down and tap the + key once for each step increase in zoom) and Ctrl– to zoom out to a smaller screen magnification.
Might we see any parishes from the Carolinas joining this group? Reading that statement posted here from the Beaufort County, SC, parishes makes you wonder. There are several personal friendships among the clergy….
I’ve read both sides’ memoranda in support of their competing motions for summary judgment, and am happy to opine that Christ Church’s lawyers did much the better job. Among their arguments were the following:
1. At the time of Christ Church’s acceptance of the Canons and Constitution, the accepted legal doctrine was that if a national church departed from the faith and doctrine, a local church could walk away. Although the Supreme Court subesequently overruled that doctrine, those were the rules when Christ Church Savannah (hereinafter “CCSâ€) joined.
2. Unlike some accesions which provided that the new parish accepted the Diocese’s and TEC’s Canons and Constitution “as they may be amended from to time to timeâ€, CCS undertook to abide by them as then constituted and did not sign a blank check.
3. There is one provision of the Diocese of Georgia’s Canons (one which the Diocese’s Memorandum of Law ignored completely) that says that nothing in its Canons should interfere with a local parish’s property rights under circumstances that precisely described CCS.
4. The statute that the Diocese and TEC relied on is wholly inapplicable to CCS for two independent reasons. First, it did not apply to churches that had already been established at the time of enactment, and second, that it only applied to property of a sort which is not at issue in the litigation.
5. There was, and is, nothing in the Canons or Constitution of TEC that forbids disaffiliation.
6. The Supreme Court allowed national, hierarchical churches to provide for property disputes by changing their constituions, but TEC did not change its constitution (which would have required advance notice, and a three year waiting period before taking effect), but by new Canon, without advance notice and with no waiting period, thereby depriving CCS of the opportunity to “vote with its feet.â€
7. The Canon was not adopted in accord with New York law, which governed TEC.
I do hope that the Chancellor of the Diocese of SC, and the chancellors of the larger and more affulent SC parishes will read the briefs and attend the argument. Indeed, it probably would be amiss is some of the orthodox bodies filed amici briefs.
If there is a link on the internet, I don’t know what it is. Friends from Savannah visited our little APA parish in North Carolina and lent me their copies for the afternoon. The lawyer for CCS is with the Ellis, Painter, Ratteree and Adams law firm (http://www.eprb-law.com), (912) 233-9700, and that firm might be able to provide you, and/or any interested chancellors with copies.
Seminarian,
A summary of the Christ Church legal case has just been posted on the Christ Church website, http://www.christchurchsavannah.org under Legal Facts and Update on the front of the website. Thank you for your interest.
Christ Church will be defending herself in court on August 14th when there will be a hearing for a motion for summary judgment in Savannah. Please pray for this congregation.
May God bless them and keep them out of the hands of the accuser.
“Come, Stand with Us” is the motto of this campaign to raise funds for the defense of Christ Church, Savannah’s claim to its historic property. Although the print is very small on our screens, the appeal is well worth reading, even if you’re not in a position to give or inclined to give anything to the defense fund (though I hope many readers will).
For example, I didn’t realize that not only John Wesley, but also George Whitefield had once been rectors of this important colonial church. Nor was I aware that the first Sunday School in America was organized there. Nor that the great 20th century hymnwriter Bland Tucker+ was the rector there for over 20 years. (There’s more to their distingished past, check it out)
But Christ Church isn’t resting on its laurels and content to celebrate its past glories; it’s making history still. With an ASA of over 350, Christ Church is one of the major churches that’s helping jumpstart the new ACNA in the Southeast. Bravo!
Despite its illustrious history, I think the best days of Christ Church, Savannah are yet to come. I hope they win the court case.
David Handy+
Dear David+,
Use the zoom feature on the toolbar above the document to increase the text size. Wonderful words of encouragement. Thank you!
I’ve been to a few services at this church – highly recommended!
You’re welcome, Suepie (#4). I know that Christ Church initially came under the care of Uganda, but I’m assuming that your parish will be part of the new N. FL/S. GA diocese of the ACNA, right?
David Handy+
Dear David+,
We are part of the 22 congregations in the diocese-in-formation of N.FL/S.GA in the ACNA, http://www.anglicanalliancenf.org/. Soon a new bishop will be elected. This diocese-in-formation has “Anglican Fourth Day”, “Dynamos”, clergy retreats, a Pentecost celebration, Camp Araminta and access to an Anglican School of Ministry in JAX.
On most browsers now, screen zoom can help far more than adjusting text size, increasing the size of all the elements on the page proportionally. Ctrl-+ to zoom in (hold the Ctrl key down and tap the + key once for each step increase in zoom) and Ctrl– to zoom out to a smaller screen magnification.
thanks for that link http://www.anglicanalliancenf.org/
Might we see any parishes from the Carolinas joining this group? Reading that statement posted here from the Beaufort County, SC, parishes makes you wonder. There are several personal friendships among the clergy….
I’ve read both sides’ memoranda in support of their competing motions for summary judgment, and am happy to opine that Christ Church’s lawyers did much the better job. Among their arguments were the following:
1. At the time of Christ Church’s acceptance of the Canons and Constitution, the accepted legal doctrine was that if a national church departed from the faith and doctrine, a local church could walk away. Although the Supreme Court subesequently overruled that doctrine, those were the rules when Christ Church Savannah (hereinafter “CCSâ€) joined.
2. Unlike some accesions which provided that the new parish accepted the Diocese’s and TEC’s Canons and Constitution “as they may be amended from to time to timeâ€, CCS undertook to abide by them as then constituted and did not sign a blank check.
3. There is one provision of the Diocese of Georgia’s Canons (one which the Diocese’s Memorandum of Law ignored completely) that says that nothing in its Canons should interfere with a local parish’s property rights under circumstances that precisely described CCS.
4. The statute that the Diocese and TEC relied on is wholly inapplicable to CCS for two independent reasons. First, it did not apply to churches that had already been established at the time of enactment, and second, that it only applied to property of a sort which is not at issue in the litigation.
5. There was, and is, nothing in the Canons or Constitution of TEC that forbids disaffiliation.
6. The Supreme Court allowed national, hierarchical churches to provide for property disputes by changing their constituions, but TEC did not change its constitution (which would have required advance notice, and a three year waiting period before taking effect), but by new Canon, without advance notice and with no waiting period, thereby depriving CCS of the opportunity to “vote with its feet.â€
7. The Canon was not adopted in accord with New York law, which governed TEC.
I do hope that the Chancellor of the Diocese of SC, and the chancellors of the larger and more affulent SC parishes will read the briefs and attend the argument. Indeed, it probably would be amiss is some of the orthodox bodies filed amici briefs.
Satulan,
is there a link to the filings on the internet? Would like to read the filings.
Seminarian:
If there is a link on the internet, I don’t know what it is. Friends from Savannah visited our little APA parish in North Carolina and lent me their copies for the afternoon. The lawyer for CCS is with the Ellis, Painter, Ratteree and Adams law firm (http://www.eprb-law.com), (912) 233-9700, and that firm might be able to provide you, and/or any interested chancellors with copies.
Seminarian,
A summary of the Christ Church legal case has just been posted on the Christ Church website, http://www.christchurchsavannah.org under Legal Facts and Update on the front of the website. Thank you for your interest.
Seminarian,
The legal brief for Christ Church Savannah is now on the website.
Again, thank you for your interest.