We also had witnesses in rebuttal to the case made by TEC attorneys. Our diocesan administrator, Nancy Armstrong, combed through centuries of diocesan records to contrast monies that have come into the diocese from TEC and its various related agencies with monies sent by the diocese to TEC. This was in rebuttal to the one-sided presentations given by witnesses from the National Church (including UTO grants which any woman from our DCW can tell you are from contributions from the pews in congregations around the country and not from some National Church budget). In summary the court learned that for every 81 cents given by The Episcopal Church and its various entities to us in South Carolina and our congregations for ministry; the diocese sent $100 to TEC ($100 to 81 cent ratio), therein undermining the defendants’ one-sided presentation of the “facts”. In fifteen minutes of testimony she undermined hours of tedium and an endless parade of documents from so-called experts for the National Church. When Mr. Runyan called to the stand the renowned professor and historian, Dr. Allen Guelzo, author of some 16 books and a foremost historian of the Civil War era and 18th and 19th centuries of American intellectual history we were treated to a breath-taking tour de force disputing the alleged hierarchical assumptions of the national Episcopal Church. Others in this rebuttal stage of the trial were Fr. Robert Lawrence from Camp St. Christopher, the Rev. Greg Kronz, who chaired the Bishop’s search committee and Chancellor Wade Logan who once again punctuated our case. On the last day, I was called finally to the stand.
But I need to say, and can hardly say it enough, undergirding it all””felt at times in palpable ways””the prayers and intercessions from tens of thousands of the saints within the diocese and around the world upholding us in prayer. Some of these intercessors came to the courtroom to pray while testimonies and cross-examinations were taking place. Others of you prayed from home, perhaps on a lunch break, or while driving to and from your work place. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
My impression is that a major problem for TEC here–besides historical fact and legal principle–is that Bp Lawrence is such a rock: trustworthy, sincere, consistent, informed, grounded.
David Hein – I’m pretty sure that your assessment is correct, and precisely the reason that they wanted to get rid of Bp. Lawrence. God bless him, and give him the rest and refreshment that he needs.
Glad to hear re the palpable effect of prayer. May God bless you all.
#3, I was thinking the same thing. Glad our prayers were felt!
My first introduction to Bishop Lawrence was when he was a priest in the Diocese of Pittsburgh in the early to mid-90s. I saw, then, some of the virtues that Mr. Hein mentions. But what impressed me most was that he was a deeply Spiritual man. By that I mean a man who clearly surrendered himself to the work of the Holy Spirit on a regular basis. This is why, I believe, he is sensitive to the power of the intercession. My God increase his seed in the Episcopate!
Hi Brian,
I have only known +Mark Lawrence since he became our bishop in 2008. I did not know what to make of this Californian who wanted to move all the way across the country to become our bishop. However, I soon realized some of the same things you have. I like the way his wife, Allison, describes him- Steady. Yep that too. He also has an incredible sense of humor and a real compassion for people and their spiritual lives. I quickly realized that only God could have brought him to us!