Next weekend’s local diocesan conventions for Anglicans and Episcopalians will be times for celebrations — and not to look back at the rift that led the Anglicans to break away from the U.S. Episcopal Church. Spiritually, both sides are getting past the split and moving in new directions.
“It’s a lot more celebration; a lot less business,” says the Rev. Bill Gandenberger, a spokesman for the Anglicans.
A spokesman for the Episcopalians, the Rev. Mark Hall, says, “People now are talking and having a good time building for unity and good conversation.”
Both sides previously made up the Fresno-based Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. In December, however, it became the first U.S. diocese to secede from the Episcopal Church since the Civil War over differences about homosexuality and interpretation of the Bible.
Amen. Each faction can just go about their business in the way they wish, following Christ they way they see it. What’s so bad about that? Competition is good, and I bet the increase in disciples will show it; and each side can stop complaining that the other is not doin’ it right.
The article does not mention the lawsuits. It does not mention the freezing of bank accounts. Announced this week, the inhibitions of all the clergy that went to Southern Cone by Lamb. Finally, no mention of the resolution to allow cohabitating clergy.
Maybe the Southern Cone should inhibit and defrock all those who stayed?
Being suspended by a bishop one is not subject to in a church one is not in communion with would not be a source of great distress to me. The property issues and money are all secondary matters and will sort themselves out in time. Yes, it would nice if there was a little more charity all around but you play with the hand your dealt. All things considered this is a divorce that is in the long term interests of both sides.
ICXC NIKA
[url=http://ad-orientem.blogspot.com/]John[/url]
Episcopal
Convention theme: The theme running through all the planning for the convention comes from Isaiah 43:19 — “See, I am doing a new thing!”
Should have seen that one coming…
A workshop on “healing and praying in colors” is planned for the Episcopalians’ convention. Does anyone know what that means?
Bob C:
“Praying in color” is a form of contemplative prayer focused on creating and interpreting drawings. C.f. http://www.prayingincolor.com/