Fremont, California, Presbyterian's schism divides congregation – but they still share sacred spaces

More than 200 Presbyterian congregations nationwide – including nine in Sacramento – have been torn asunder over the Presbyterian Church USA’s new rules and the ordination of its first [noncelibate] gay minister, who is a former Sacramento pastor. The rift has resulted in lawsuits, sold churches, broken friendships and scattered congregations.

In a historic vote in October 2011, 427 Fremont Presbyterian congregants voted to leave the national denomination while 164 voted to stay. At the time, the 128-year-old congregation had about 1,200 members.

The vote prompted a church investigation into the schism to determine which faction was entitled to the church property valued at $9 million.

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Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Religion News & Commentary, Other Churches, Parish Ministry, Presbyterian, Sexuality Debate (Other denominations and faiths), Theology

One comment on “Fremont, California, Presbyterian's schism divides congregation – but they still share sacred spaces

  1. jamesw says:

    A couple of interesting notes about this.
    1. A few years back, a TEC priest resigned her orders over TEC’s embrace of homosexual behavior and joined Fremont Pres.
    2. Note that when they write the following:

    About 50 progressives who support the Presbyterian Church USA’s decision to allow gay clergy prayed in the church’s chapel at 11:15 a.m. Meanwhile, 300 traditionalists who left the Presbyterian Church USA for the more conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church last year joined the 11 a.m. service at the adjacent Community Life Center.

    This article doesn’t mention that Fremont Pres (i.e. the conservatives) also have a 9:00 service, which I think draws as much as their 11:00 service.