Our denomination, like many others, has wrestled mightily with issues of moral theology and the interpretation of scripture in recent years. This sad episode is related to that struggle. I, and many others, regret it has come to this point. Our divisions do not honor Christ, who prayed we all be one, and we hope for reconciliation.
Typical of DUSC–this has nothing to do with us. We are doing mission and ministry. Nicholas is a nice enough guy, but he is, like most of the ordained, living in a dilussional lala land.
RE: “However, the local expression of the Episcopal Church in Greenwood County is not divided.”
Yes, that certainly could be true — for a number of conservative Episcopalians left Church of the Resurrection under the former rector, Peter Hawes, back in 2005 and the “new” rector, Nicholas Beasley, gave them no reason to hope for anything better from new leadership.
So yes . . . the “local expression of the Episcopal Church in Greenwood County” divided several years ago.
But honestly, I expect that in reality, Resurrection Greenwood is quite “roiled” by the latest actions of The Episcopal Church, since many of them vacation and enjoy the “lower diocese” and a public letter to the editor seemed like a nice idea.
“…but he is, like most of the ordained, living in a dilussional lala land”.
A very rude thing to say considering that even the founder/author of this blog is PhD-prepared, ordained clergy.
You could always become a Mormon, and then not have to deal with clergy at all.
RE: “A very rude thing to say considering that even the founder/author of this blog is PhD-prepared, ordained clergy.”
Not at all, as I’m confident that David Keller recognizes how very exceptional Kendall Harmon is, otherwise we’d have scores of blogs just like this one from all of those other aware TEC clergy.
I agree that Kendall Harmon is exceptional, as are many clergy in the full-time+ trenches of parish ministry.
“Exceptional” =/ “many” of anything at all. Otherwise, it’s not “exceptional.”
[reference to deleted comments edited by Elf]
What I was referring to in my comment was the exceptional number of priests and bishops in TEC who continue to say what is going on in the heirarchy of TEC does not effect local ministry. [edited] If one believes the persecution of Bp. Lawrence is not an indicator of the worse yet to come, then that one is in lala land.
Considering that “exceptional” can mean unusually excellent or superior, the world would be a very boring and limited place if there were a number cap on that.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/exceptional
#7, thank you for your clarification. I’m not fond either of the “it does not affect local ministry” bent because that’s hogwash. My other personal pet peeve, which I’m sure you’d agree with, is the famous “we’re not going to talk about that; that subject(usually human sexuality or anything else with a traditional viewpoint; Divinity of Christ, etc.) is ‘off-limits'”; as if the teachings of the Church are “off-limits”. Well, I guess they are if some people don’t happen to like them. Too bad, so sad–I doubt I could name one Christian who has never struggled with the teachings of the Church. Ok, just so I’ve got this straight:
1. What is going on in TEC’s hierarchy does not affect local ministry, and
2. We’re not supposed to talk about any of that and it’s all “off-limits”.
To quote Sarah, I guess we should limit all our conversations to “spring flowers and butterflies”, even in the fall. Nice, sunny day today where I am; hope your day is pretty too. Other than that, re: the Church, my lip is zipped. 🙂
RE: “Considering that “exceptional” can mean unusually excellent or superior. . . ”
Yes indeed. “Unusual” is another great synonym for exceptional.
And how wonderful that “unusual” or “exceptional” do not have a limit in this largely populated world.
A number of comments have been deleted – The Elves encourage commenters to remain on topic and to take other conversations onto the T19 Private Messaging system – thanks – Elf