As its convention opens today, the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is calm, planning for growth and launching the search for a permanent bishop.
“One of the things we are happy about is that it’s just a normal convention,” said Provisional Bishop Kenneth Price, who has been helping the diocese heal from a 2008 split in which the previous bishop and majority of parishes broke from the Episcopal Church over theological issues.
“I’ve been impressed with the way the people of the diocese have come together. The congregations at this point are intent on building up their churches, not on fighting,” he said.
I assume Bishop Price has evidence to support his assertion that the relationship with the Anglican Diocese is “not bad” and that cooperation between the two dioceses is continuing.
Well income from the diocesan endowments went to [url=http://www.episcopalpgh.org/funds-flowing-to-churches-06-2010/][b]every[/b] parish[/url], Dan. And that, frankly, was more than I expected.
Beyond the lawsuits – regardless of outcome – I hope that those on both sides who agree on theological essentials will be able to cooperate at some level. Many won’t, naturally (again, on both sides).
[url=http://catholicandreformed.blogspot.com]Catholic and Reformed[/url]
Incidentally, I look forward to seeing you at Sewickley in November.
I know the Cathedral is a member of both conventions, but serving as a dual representative is becoming a little surreal. Roll on my wife’s dissertation defense.
I would note with Jeremy that the decision about full distribution of parish earnings in Pool One was very positive–and I would note also that the decision was made without any substantial disagreement among the members of the TEC-diocese governing bodies. Members of both dioceses continue to share governance of Trinity Cathedral, and members of both dioceses, parishes and individuals, continue to work together and to offer financial assistance in support of Shepherd’s Heart Fellowship and Earthen Vessels Outreach. While management of the diocesan property at Donegal has moved to the TEC diocese, clergy of the Anglican diocese continue to be able to reserve the Clergy House for family gatherings. Bishop Ken Price and Archbishop Bob Duncan have known each other for many years, and there have been and continue to be many “official” and “unofficial” conversations between them about overlapping pastoral concerns and matters of mutual interest. Clergy and clergy-spouse friends continue to have lunch and dinner together, to share in prayer circles and Bible studies. Clergy-faculty and students of both dioceses work side by side at TSM. Extended families with members in congregations of both dioceses continue to go to “their” churches on Sunday mornings and then get together at grandma’s for Sunday dinner.
I’m not intending to convey an overly-serene scenario. There are stresses, anxieties, old injuries and some new ones. Some relationships have been strained and broken. No question about it. And I believe there is a need for repentence and mutual forgiveness and renewal in all of us, as we try to make our way forward in faithful life and ministry and witness where we are now. In some places where stresses have been particularly acute, healing will doubtless take a long time. But I believe that Bishop Price may even have understated the relationship by saying “not bad.” Given the history we share, and given the push-and-pull of institutional concerns beyond our particlular time and place, I think we’re doing pretty well. Could do better, of course, always.
Bruce Robison
Thanks Bruce for saying it much better than I did.
And regardless of the above, I do look forward to seeing you in a few hours.