BROOMFIELD, COLORADO ”“ August 27, 2007”“ The Church of the Holy Comforter today announced the resignation of its leader, The Reverend Dr. Charles Reeder and his departure from The Episcopal Church effective October 1, 2007. Holy Comforter also announces that Vestry, the Children’s Minister, Youth Minister and Treasurer will resign and follow Father Reeder’s move within the greater worldwide Anglican Communion Network (ACN).
“We are saddened by the current state of The Episcopal Church in the US which we believe has strayed from the orthodox, scriptural beliefs of the worldwide Anglican Communion,” said Reeder. “Many church members have demonstrated their dissatisfaction with the Episcopal Church’s actions and words through the withholding of contributions. This has led us to examine the best possible future for Holy Comforter and our desire to remain part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.”
Near term, Reeder, Vestry, the core ministry team and members of Holy Comforter continue in a period of prayer and fasting as they look for guidance around the future of the congregation. Reeder has not yet determined his future place within the Anglican Communion.
About The Church of the Holy Comforter
Located in Broomfield, Colorado, Holy Comforter is a traditional, biblically-based community which provides spiritual leadership and outreach locally and globally. The church, founded in 1958, believes the Scripture is the foundation and authority for The Episcopal Church USA and the greater Anglican Communion of which it is a member. For more information, visit www.holycomforterchurch.net
The bleeding is not going to stop.
TEC needs emergency Intensive Care but has shunned the Doctor.
[url=http://12.0.101.92/reports/PR_ChartsDemo/exports/ParishRPT_827200714824PM.pdf]Interesting chart[/url]
Would be fascinating to know more of this parish’s history
Thanks for the chart, Karen. This parish is no insignificant dot on TEC’s map. One does not have to be a prophet to surmise in which direction the chart will be heading now.
Wonder why they would do this now? We are less than six weeks from some hint at where this is all going.
What? Only 200 worshippers? Too small a number, too insignificant for TEC to even take notice. Figured I would just get a jump on the national church attitude and reaction. Ooops — almost forgot — individuals can leave TEC, parishes cannot. Did I get them all?
DaveG, you forgot, “We have a sacred duty to future Episcopalians …” (while announcing the lawsuit seeking custody of the property and the college funds of all the vestry members’ kids) and, “We’ll leave the light on for them” (cause they’re all coming back any day now).
Be careful, Phil. “We’ll leave the lights on” may be trademark protected by Motel Six whose occupancy rates are probably way higher than the pews at TEC and whose theology is more Biblically oriented. At least they have Bibles in the drawers..
Chips, most of us have given up any hope for anything significant to happen on September 30. All that remains is to watch what kind of show they put on.
Br_er Rabbit
I certainly agree with your statement – but I think the orhtodox should do a coordinated effort and leave en masse- I just wondered why today and not 40 days hence.
The problem, Chips, is that it is always 40 days. WR, Dromantine, DES, only GC can act, the dog ate my homework — on and on and on. I have no faith the ABC will do anything except organize the singing of Kumbaya around the Lambeth campfire. And every time the Primates give TEC more time to comply/respond/repent, more of the faithful fall away. Choose this day , indeed! How about choose this century?
chips….nothing will happen in 40 days.
It’s over. If you are still in TEC waiting for “something to work out” then you are victim to the old wear ’em down till they forget plan.
#10. Dave, It is not the ABC who will be taking actions in 40 days.
— Stan
Aren’t they going to try to take the property with them?
I understand that Stan but each time we get to a deadline, the ABC orchestrates setting a new deadline and the primates go along out of respect for the “first among equals.” I have no faith the same thing won’t happen again but pray to be favorably surprised.
Folks, its over–waiting is avoidance. They have done the right thing.
But what is in the water in Colorado? Doesn’t Colorado have more AMiA parishes than anyother diocese in TEC?
But what is in the water in Colorado? Doesn’t Colorado have more AMiA parishes than anyother diocese in TEC?
Closer to heaven.
I think the significant thing that may happen at the end of September is the Common Cause gathering. That is what I am pinning my hopes on – and I left a decade ago – looking for a place to come back to. I prefer sooner to later – but I would have waited to see what Duncun et al do or dont do before taking the leap.
Common Cause will soon be the replacement Anglican presence recognized by the Communion, all while TEC slips into bitterness, lawsuits, and bankruptcy…
Not deciding is to have decided these days–either leave and stand for something, or stay and go down with the ship…because the ship is sinking little by little, lost parishioner by walking away parishioner.
TEC is simply going to slowly disappear. Certainly Gene Robison and his partner are certainly not going to add a new generation as a result of their marriage
Unfortunately the Gene Robinsons ([i]GR[/i]’s) of the world are indeed adding a new generation: the generation of children left behind in marriages shattered when the [i]GR[/i] decides to follow his “orientation” instead of the commandments of Christ.
In this particular [i]GR[/i]’s case, he was married in 1972 and divorced 14 years later leaving behind two daughters: (names deleted out of respect for privacy).
It would be surprising indeed if the generation spawned by the [i]GR[/i]’s of this world were to choose TEC, the chosen church of their natural [i]GR[/i] fathers.
Rabbit,
In everyone of its major moves the Epsicopal Church has made decisions that drive people away at greater rates than they draw them in–and it is a shame, because we had so much to offer.
Hopefully, after this time of transition, this newly ordered Anglican presence can make that unique contribution to Christian life and witness that TEC has abandoned for its new religion and ethic.
Karen B.
Chuck Reeder used to live down the street from me. He and his wife are genuinely nice and truly spirit filled people. The church has a strong mission orientation and strong ministry not too far from Denver. I met the with the Vesty a few years ago at the Pittsburg ACN conference and they were very solid in their desire to remain Anglican. This is a process that they took a few years to pray about and to search the Lord.
#19 – Br_er Rabbit – Though you would wish it so, Gene Robinson’s children were not shattered by his amicable divorce from his wife. I have met them and heard them speak on his behalf and that is far from the truth. Try to get your facts straight! In fact, see their story in the new documentary film, For the Bible Tells Me So. I’d be willing to bet a kid growing up in a bigotted, right-wing Christian household that holds up orthodoxy as an idol would be far more damaged in the long run!
Lots of divorced people comfort themselves with this kind of thinking that the kids will be just fine–but it is pure fantasy–read all the studies–it just ain’t so…
#22 – Fred – Ok, let me get the facts straight. Divorce is ok because sometimes the kids are not shattered. Divorce is ok because sometimes the separation is amicable. Divorce is ok because even the family you leave behind may even speak up to defend you. Got it.
Now, let’s check on what Jesus has to say.
Oops, forgot. That’s a right-winged bigoted approach. Sorry.