The church split from the Christ Church in Hamilton, said curate Brian Barry this week, although he more gracefully referred to it as a “planting.”
“Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church is a new missionary church plant birthed out of Christ Church (Episcopal) of Hamilton-Wenham, of which I was rector for 12 years,” wrote Rector Jurgen Liias on the new church’s Web site, www.ctr-anglican.org.
“If you seek a spiritual home for you and your family, if you seek to give your life away in joyful service to others in the name of Jesus Christ, come join us as we build God’s house,” Rector Liias continues.
Curate Barry explained that the church is a member parish of the Anglican Church in North America, which was formed earlier this year.
The location would place this congregation near the Gordon College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary campi (or is it campuses?). Does anyone know of any current involvement of by any faculty members of those institutions?
Historically there have been close ties between Gordon-Conwell and Christ Church Hamilton-Wenham. Some faculty have been parish members, and some of the clergy (current and former) have studied at G-C.
I don’t know how many (if any) Gordon-associated folks are transferring to the new ACNA-affiliated parish. I do know that the man assigned as priest-in-charge of Christ Church (which is remaining in TEC) is a G-C graduate (Patrick Gray).
May the Lord pour out His blessings upon Christ the Redeemer, putting a hedge of protection around them to protect them from all assaults of darkness. May His light so shine through the faith, love, and work of His people.
Ron (#1) Christ Church has long influenced and been influenced by nearby Gordon College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. At this time there are perhaps half a dozen GC and GCTS faculty (my unscientific guess) remaining at Christ Church Episcopal. A larger number have gone to CTR, which will hold its first public worship service this Sunday. My husband and I will be at CTR but are grateful for our years at Christ Church–we landed there 8 years ago as “recovering Calvinists.”
So far it is one of the more amicable church splits. But please pray for us.
Is anyone keeping up with the number of new parishes in ACNA?
The TEC Chart for Christ church raises a few questins. Why did members fall from 1,600 in 2006 to 750 in 2007? That is one big decline. One would think that the split took place in 2007 rather than in 2009. And also, ASA remained steady and Plate & Pledge showed a very healthy increase. A most confusing set of stats. Statmann
Statmann: Usually when there is a massive decrease in membership but no decline in ASA it means that the rector “cleaned house” on nominal members that never showed up. I know of clergy who arrive at new parishes and can’t for the life of them figure out where all the “members” are to justify the membership numbers. A good rector will count the real members and adjust the numbers, but this usually results in a huge decrease for one year, but much more honest and accurate statistics thereafter.
jamesw: Sorry, but Rev Lilas has been rector for 12 years. So he cleans out dead wood after10 years and two years before he jumps ship. Makes no sense. But that’s what I said before: confusing stats. Statmann