Stephen Wood, the archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, is facingsexual harassment accusations from a second woman, deepening a crisisthat has engulfed his tenure atop the conservative denomination.

The new allegation, by a woman identified as “Jane Doe 1,” appears in a revised ecclesiastical complaint — known as a “presentment” — submitted to the denomination on Thursday.The statement does not identify the location or time period of the alleged incidents.

“I have a complaint against Archbishop Steve Wood of sexual misconduct, in the form of sexual harassment, to include pressuring me to be in situations I was uncomfortable with, even after I expressed my discomfort, pressuring me to be in a private space with him, one-on-one, to drink alcohol with him, despite me saying it was inappropriate and that I was uncomfortable,” the woman wrote in the presentment. “I do not wish to go into further detail now for fear of being identified….”

“It seems that crisis after crisis is threatening to destroy the Anglican Church in North America. Many of us are nauseated by it all,” wrote Bishop Jacob Worley, who leads a diocese of Anglican churches in the Pacific Northwest. “We are at the very least concerned, if not frightened at what the future may hold. Some of us are concerned with being affiliated with the ACNA.”

Read it all.

Exclusive, Part II. Just after he became the Anglican Church in North America's archbishop, Steve Wood was "obsessive" about a possible presentment that could lead to a trial & his defrocking, accdg to Andrew Gross, the longtime former comms director. https://t.co/G5NVWhjjTA

— Ian Shapira (@ianshapira) November 7, 2025

The Most Rev. Ray Sutton, Dean of the Province of the Anglican Church in North America, has stepped temporarily into the role of ACNA’s archbishop and primate—but a group of chaplains has objected, calling him unfit to lead the denomination.

The ACNA’s Provincial Office announced Sutton’s elevation to acting archbishop on November 3, two weeks after disciplinary charges alleging financial, sexual, and behavioral misconduct against Archbishop Steve Wood were filed. Wood has taken a voluntary and paid leave of absence pending resolution of the charges.

Less than a day after that announcement, a public letter released by a group of chaplains with histories in the ACNA’s chaplaincy jurisdiction decried the decision, claiming that Sutton’s appointment has “further aggravated” the church’s “crisis of credibility” in handling clergy misconduct.

The chaplains’ public letter alleges that Sutton, among other senior ACNA bishops, repeatedly obstructed their previous complaints of misconduct against the Rt. Rev. Derek Jones, the denomination’s former chaplaincy bishop now under inhibition and investigation, over a period of at least four years.

Read it all.

New for @Livng_Church: A group of chaplains with histories in the ACNA’s chaplaincy jurisdiction claim that Bp. Ray Sutton’s appointment to acting archbishop has "further aggravated" the church’s "crisis of credibility" in handling clergy misconduct.https://t.co/XmtBzMctKU

— Arlie Coles (@ArlieColes) November 6, 2025

The presentment was submitted to Wood and to the denomination’s College of Bishops on Oct. 20. Later that morning, The Post, which received an advancecopy, emailed Wood with dozens of questions about the document’s allegations. The next day, he said he didn’t believe the allegations had “any merit” and declined to comment further.

The presentment accuses him of three charges outlined in the denomination’s canons: sexual immorality, violation of ordination vows, and bringing “scandal,” including abusing his ecclesiastical power. If a church Board of Inquiry determines that the presentment warrants an ecclesiastical trial, a guilty verdict could result in sentences ranging from a “Godly admonition” to deposition or defrocking. Wood is the first archbishop in the church’s 16-year history to face a presentment.

Read it all.

Here's our story today on Archbishop Steve Wood, head of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and his voluntary paid leave of absence in the wake of a formal complaint accusing him of sexual misconduct, plagiarizing sermons and demeaning staffers. https://t.co/zCVfrpURDV

— Ian Shapira (@ianshapira) November 4, 2025

It’s time for worship at Church of the Lamb. Dress for the weather because the service is outdoors most of the year.

That also means Basil the rooster crowing during the sermon. Or Joan of Arc, the pastor’s family cat, threading through your legs.

The worship space is an open barn in Penn Laird, a rusty but sturdy 75-year-old sheet-metal structure, where cattle once fed and left a surplus of manure.

It’s an Anglican community, 31 acres, that hums with social activities as well as labor on behalf of Rockingham Abbey, which sustains the property ecologically and markets farm goods and international coffees.

The congregation got its start in Elkton, then moved to Redeemer Classical School in Keezletown, then moved outdoors at Redeemer because of COVID, and finally to the barn in May 2023.

Read it all.

Fun writeup on an Anglican church meeting mostly outdoors in the Shenandoah Valley. https://t.co/88Inkmpu5F

— Jeff Walton (@jeffreyhwalton) October 31, 2025

(Why WaPo and ACNA continue to emphasize these incidents did not occur during Wood’s archbishopric baffles; the issue here is moral and character, not when who did what.)

I have too much experience with this kind of story not to have guiding lines of thinking.

Believe the victims as whistleblowers rarely lie; the accused will deny the allegations; there’s more to the story than is published; often more victims will come forward; the establishment will act to protect and to believe the priest/pastor; local congregations will fracture and fissure and sometimes fall apart; nearly all congregations will believe the pastor/priest and not the accuser/victim; spin will arise that confuses all over what actually happened; the establishment will gather round the priest/pastor and will rig the system against the victims; whistleblowers will suffer blow after blow that re-traumatize; the system will not show compassion and empathy; strategies will develop that favor one side and bias people against the other side; those in power will rig the system so independent investigators can be avoided. I could go on. Read A Church called Tov.

I was more than (happily) surprised with Andrew Gross: “Unfortunately, the problems at the highest levels of the ACNA are deeper, wider and more entrenched than many of its own parishioners realize,” said Andrew Gross, an Anglican priest who was the Anglican Church’s communications director from 2013 until early this year. “The ACNA has never before had to deal with serious allegations of misconduct by the archbishop. This is a crisis without precedent, and how these concerns are handled will determine the future trajectory of the denomination and its credibility.” I was mocked by the establishment for saying much the same when the Stewart Ruch/Church of the Rez story first broke. Gross is right: Not only has ACNA bungled the Ruch story but they are set up to bungle this one too. What they do will determine ACNA’s future.

What can the leaders in ACNA do? Here are some suggestions:

First, begin by believing those who bring forth the allegations. Believe the whistleblowers. I give honor to Claire Buxton for coming forward. I give honor to Rob Sturdy and Hamilton Smith for standing up for justice.

I give honor to Audrey Luhmann, Abbi Nye, and Whitney Harrison. They have relentlessly fought for justice in the Stewart Ruch case and many others. They have faced the system and not been deterred.

Read it all.

Earlier this week, Scot McKnight, the author of 'A Church Called Tov,' delivered the keynote speech! https://t.co/Dop1gNwXC9.

Make a contribution today to support programs that help faith communities in need of financial aid and free services. Visit https://t.co/pgHLOtYggd pic.twitter.com/s4RXuEhwo4

— GRACE (@netgrace_org) December 1, 2023

Dear People of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese, 

As I reflect on the last seven days, I rejoice in all the ways our Lord was glorified in our Synod last weekend. What a wonderful time in worship, fellowship, conversation and learning! The Gospel was preached and God’s people were built up, and for this I give great thanks. Even in the conversations around our disagreements about canonical changes, we were able to listen to one another and Christ’s Body was edified.

Although I wish to elaborate more on Synod, that will need to be saved for the next issue of the Communiqué. On Monday, October 20, the ACNA received a complaint alleging misconduct by Archbishop Steve Wood in his capacity as Bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas and Rector of St. Andrew’s, Mount Pleasant, SC. There have also been several national news stories this week covering these allegations and other heartbreaking allegations of misconduct by leaders in the ACNA. My heart breaks for any child or adult that has been harmed or abused by those in leadership in our Church. Let me reassure you that the Diocesan staff and I remain deeply committed to safeguarding the people of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese. We do not and will not tolerate abuse. 

In light of all this news, I am writing to you directly today to express my love and care for you and, once again, my commitment to protect you as your Bishop, that the Church may continue its work to bring Glory to God as we reach out to a hurting world with the life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since the allegations against our Archbishop came to light, I have been working with the deans, key diocesan staff, and the chair of the Standing Committee to ensure the people of this diocese—each and every one precious in the sight of God—are adequately cared for by us and by our clergy. We will continue assessing the best ways to do that in the Gulf Atlantic Diocese.

Let me assure you, as I did at the Synod, that your diocesan leadership is committed to working to bring the ACNA as a whole to maturity as a Province. I am thankful for those from the Gulf Atlantic Diocese who are leading at the Province level, including the Executive Committee, the Governance Task Force, and provincial Safeguarding efforts. I am confident we are moving in the right direction with changes to our disciplinary canons. It is painful when we must hold accountable leaders we admire or respect, but we must ensure that clergy (especially bishops) “are above reproach” (1 Tim. 2:2). Even though discipline can be uncomfortable and at times painful, we must press on. Too much is at stake. St. Paul’s instructs us in his letter to the Ephesians that “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (4:15–16).

Lament and sadness over these issues is appropriate. We can bring this to the Lord. As Canon Sam Allberry shared last weekend, “God is not overwhelmed by the mess of our lives.” To that end, I am offering a Zoom meeting for clergy next week to express questions, comments, and concerns that you might share with them—and to pray. I would like to then offer a similar forum, perhaps by deanery, for any member of the Diocese to speak with me directly. Please join me in prayer and fasting for our Province as the Lord leads, always remembering, God’s mercy endures forever! (Psalm 136) 

O Almighty God, you pour out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and supplication; Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wandering of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you in spirit and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Collect 5, BCP 2019) 

–The Rt. Rev Alex Farmer is Bishop of the Central Gulf Coast

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

~Psalm 46.1-3

To All the Faithful of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina:
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This past week news has broken about our Anglican Church—about many issues of alleged pastoral neglect by Bishop Ruch of the Upper Midwest Diocese; and, much closer to home, a piece regarding a Presentment (a legal charge) against Archbishop Steve Wood concerning allegations of pastoral abuse of former clergy, unwanted sexual advances towards a lay employee, and other issues, like plagiarism in sermons—in stories published by Ian Shapiro in The Washington Post.

It is important to say two things about the allegations against Archbishop Wood: first, the allegations come from credible sources. They must be taken seriously, and I am confident they will. Second, at
this stage they remain allegations. The Presentment (the charges) must be validated, and, when validated, a Board of Inquiry will be established. If the Board of Inquiry determines there is probable cause to put the accused to trial, two things will happen: the nature of the charges will be made public—with care given to protect anonymity where needed, and then the case will proceed, with discovery, potential motions, and, ultimately, presentation of evidence and argument before the Court for the Trial of a Bishop. The Canons require expeditious handling in accordance with due principles of fairness, due process, and justice. Due to the nature of these proceedings, there will be times that, from our perspective, look like nothing is happening. Please be patient. Finally, like in American civil law, our Canonical Law holds the accused as innocent until proven guilty. And guilt must be established to the standard of clear and convincing evidence.

With these charges, we have entered a season of storms. Storms that seem to threaten the very foundations of our church, and we ask, what in the world is going on? I want to try to give some perspective, to set these events in a context that, as I have prayed, with groaning in my soul too deep for words, through sleepless nights and challenging days, has helped me make some sense of it, and has been helpful to me in my prayers and in my work.

Years ago, I learned that organizations and institutions go through a series of steps as they grow.
Those steps were described as forming, norming, storming, and performing. I thought of that as I
prayed about the storms in which we find ourselves.

I recall being at Plano, Texas in 2009 when the ACNA was formed. I wish I had seen it then, but looking back I see clearly now. There was a troublesome spirit of pride at work as we Constituted the ACNA. Here was our sin: we were so focused on the evil outside of ourselves, that we couldn’t see the sin within us. I’m thinking of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s famous line from The Gulag Archipelago: “If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”

In our norming, then, we were set to make some serious mistakes. I remember laughing about how the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church ran to the hundreds and hundreds of pages; we didn’t need that, we were righteous, we were mission focused, we were on fire for the Lord! We failed to see that evil lurked within us, each and every one. Our disciplinary Canons were short, not too many details, lots of unanswered questions. Did we think we weren’t going to need expansive Canons to guide us carefully through difficult situations toward just outcomes? While I don’t believe anyone actually thought that consciously, I fear that was the effect of our formative pride: the bad guys were “out there,” not “in here.”

Those flaws in our forming and norming have resulted in the storming that we now face being much more intense than it might have been. I won’t go into details about these storms, I’ll only say that I think their magnitude serves as a judgment on all of us, especially those of us in leadership. In these storms, is God winnowing, sifting, purging? It’s hard for me not to think so; but I also remember that He chastens those He loves. He wants better from us, ultimately, he wants better for us. Those truths aren’t just for the ACNA, they are for all His people.

I hear bandied about that these storms mark the end of the ACNA, that they are a death blow. Are they? I can’t answer that with anymore certainty than anyone else possibly could. But here is what I do know—with certainty: God is calling us to repentance and reform. Not someone out there, us.

Another thing I do know with clear and certain conviction—we are not called to worry about our future. That is not for us, that is in God’s hands. We are not called to make decisions to try to preserve ourselves. We are called to do what is right in this situation, in this moment, in this storm.

I do think, however, that there are real goods in our common life that, focusing on doing what is right, point toward us coming through these storms and into, at long last, a season of performing, or,
in more biblical language, bearing fruit.

All around the ACNA—just like you all around our diocese—are strong, healthy, thriving parishes. Parishes served by good clergy. Our dioceses are led by bishops who love the Lord and are working hard to do what’s right. We’ve made serious missteps in the past, but much has been learned and many changes have been made. Even now, we are making significant changes to our Canons.

In my conversations with my fellow bishops, the need for repentance and change (change being the
mark of true repentance) is a shared commitment. We are working hard to weather these storms as
we remember that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Brothers and sisters, in this storm season, pray. Pray for the victims. They have endured much up to
this point and will endure more as this process unfolds. Matters like this are fraught with difficulty.
Pray for the Archbishop. Pray for the Church. Pray for repentance and change, wisdom and courage,
and the fortitude to do what is right, no matter the cost.

Blessings,

–The Rt. Rev Chip Edgar is Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina

Chip Edgar Elected Bishop Coadjutor of the #Anglican Diocese of #SouthCarolina https://t.co/gsHql69b1g #religion #lowcountrylife #parishministry #bishops pic.twitter.com/p7c6QBsfsM

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) October 16, 2021

“Give your grace to all Bishops, the pastors of your Church, that they may diligently preach your Word, duly administer your Sacraments, and wisely provide godly discipline…”

— Book of Common Prayer 2019

Keep us, O Lord,
in purity of heart and faithfulness to your commands,
that your servants may walk before you
in the perfect way;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Morning Prayer
Monday, 27 October pic.twitter.com/IKOR5RKBYd

— Chris Andrew (@anglicanreader) October 27, 2025

David Cumbie of Church of the Apostles, Houston, called to be new rector of Holy Cross, Sullivan's Island #SouthCarolina https://t.co/0ylo4poNBE #parishministry #lowcountrylife #anglican #religion #faith #transition #leadership #marriage #family #children #texas #acna pic.twitter.com/oAsFYduwBZ

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) October 18, 2023

The allegations against both men have turned a spotlight on a denomination founded 16 years ago by conservatives who separated from the Episcopal Church over its confirmation of an openly gay bishop. Now, the Anglican Church in North America — which considers itself a “province” of a global network of orthodox Anglican churches — faces its own internal crisis over alleged misconduct by top leaders.

The charges against Ruch are outlined in two presentments, formal accusations that specify which church laws or “canons” he allegedly violated. The presentments accuse him of multiple transgressions, including “scandalous” conduct, habitual neglect of duties, disobedience to church canons, and violating the vows he made when he was ordained. Ultimately, the allegations illuminate a dilemma facing houses of worship: Should religious sanctuaries that cater to families exclude people with histories of violence and sexual misconduct or welcome anyone?

One presentment — submitted by a mix of more than 40 lay members and clergy — accuses Ruch of allowing multiple men with troubling incidents in their past to worship or hold staff or other roles, including leadership positions, in the denomination’s Upper Midwest Diocese. The men have been convicted or accused of violent or sexual misconduct, or forced out of a job for inappropriate behavior, the complaint said. Ruch, the presentment charges, “acted with negligence towards the sheep entrusted to his care, creating opportunities for wolves to devour and scatter Christ’s flock.”

Read it all.

Today, our second piece on the Anglican Church in North America. A secret church trial. A bishop, Stewart Ruch, accused of allowing a child sex offender, a man accused of attempted 2nd degree murder into his diocese. Gift link here: https://t.co/dY74zkFCmx

— Ian Shapira (@ianshapira) October 24, 2025

Though the complainants were numerous enough to meet the canonical threshold for making a formal complaint, their charges are in limbo. One complainant, the Rev. Rob Sturdy, told the Post that after the sworn complaint was submitted, the ACNA’s provincial office returned it, asking all 11 complainants to sign again with an additional statement of attestation to their allegations’ truth “under penalties of perjury.”

Sturdy said the complainant group refuses to comply, calling it a “noncanonical requirement” that “attempt[s] to intimidate our signatories with potential legal action.”

An ACNA spokesperson told TLC that Dr. Tiffany Butler, director of safeguarding and canonical affairs, made the demand, calling it “the typical standard for any ‘sworn statement’ and the standard applied to other presentments received under this administration.”

“However, Chancellor Bill Nelson, in consultation with the College of Bishops, has acknowledged that no rigid formulation of the oath is required and, in particular, that it does not need to include the phrase ‘under penalties of perjury.’ Our hope is to have resolution on this matter as quickly as possible,” the spokesperson said.

Read it all.

New for @Livng_Church: ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood is accused of making sexual advances toward a staff member at his South Carolina church, as well as financial impropriety, plagiarism, and bullying.https://t.co/TBBMcDfszU

— Arlie Coles (@ArlieColes) October 24, 2025

“Unfortunately, the problems at the highest levels of the ACNA are deeper, wider and more entrenched than many of its own parishioners realize,” said Andrew Gross, an Anglican priest who was the Anglican Church’s communications director from 2013 until early this year. “The ACNA has never before had to deal with serious allegations of misconduct by the archbishop. This is a crisis without precedent, and how these concerns are handled will determine the future trajectory of the denomination and its credibility.”

A denomination spokeswoman, Kate Harris, said the church could not comment on the accusations against Wood, but she noted that the alleged misconduct predates his tenure as archbishop. She added that once the complaint is “validated as a presentment,” a Board of Inquiry will determine whether it warrants an ecclesiastical trial.

Claire Buxton, 42, the former children’s ministry director at St. Andrew’s who accused Wood of trying to kiss her, said that the alleged advance came after numerous church employees remarked upon Wood’s “excessive praise and fondness” for her.

“I was in shock,” said Buxton, a divorced mother of three sons. Her issues with Wood, she added, are symptomatic of the denomination’s wider problems. “It’s just bizarre to me how far we — the Anglican Church in North America and its leadership — have gotten away from basic morals and principles.”

Read it all.

I’ve been working all year on a series of investigative stories about leaders in the Anglican Church in North America. This morning, the second piece was published —about accusations of alleged sexual misconduct, bullying by archbishop Stephen Wood. https://t.co/4IOYv8Yrvs

— Ian Shapira (@ianshapira) October 23, 2025

From here:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.I write to share with you a statement released today by our GAFCON Chairman on behalf of the GAFCON Primates.It is an important statement. It is an historic statement.The future has arrived. What began with the first GAFCON gathering in Jerusalem in 2008 has now reached fruition. We have reordered the Anglican Communion.I commend to you a prayerful reading of this statement. It is especially notable that its release coincides with the commemoration of Bishops Latimer and Ridley. The flame they lit in England continues to burn brightly throughout our Communion today.There will be more to say in due course. For now, this statement is enough.COLLECT OF THE DAYHugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, Bishops and Martyrs, 1555Almighty God, you gave your servants Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.In the peace and hope of Christ Jesus,Archbp Steve Wood

Dear saints of God in the Diocese of Western Anglicans,

You may recently heard the sad news that Bishop Derek Jones of the Special Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy (SJAFC) was issued a Godly admonition, followed by a special inhibition by Archbishop Wood regarding accusation of misconduct (not related to any sexual misconduct). Bishop Jones then chose to declare himself separated from ACNA.

I was Chair of the ACNA Governance Task Force that in 2014 created the ACNA Canon I.11 that authorizes and empowers, in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of the ACNA, the creation of a Special Jurisdiction for the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy (SJAFC), under the supervision of the Archbishop and College of Bishops. I can attest to the facts stated in the Press release below–which I encourage you to read. I have been in regular communication with the Archbishop about this situation.

Bishop Jones has no authority under the Constitution and Canons of the ACNA to declare that all ACNA Chaplains in the SJAFC are no longer a part of the ACNA. Period.

Read it all.

Bp. Phil Ashey, previous chair of the ACNA's Governance Task Force, offers commentary on Bp. Derek Jones' disaffiliation. "Bishop Jones has no authority under the Constitution & Canons of the ACNA to declare that all ACNA Chaplains in the SJAFC are no longer a part of the ACNA." https://t.co/EhIlO6sSba pic.twitter.com/JwyONiftaA

— Arlie Coles (@ArlieColes) September 26, 2025

This summer, the Office of the Archbishop received credible complaints regarding Bishop Derek Jones, alleging abuse of ecclesiastical power. These complaints did not involve physical or sexual misconduct, nor did they involve any doctrinal concerns.  Nevertheless, they were concerning because abuse of ecclesiastical power violates the trust that is essential for effective ministry.

After prayerful discernment, and in accordance with Title IV of our canons, on September 12, Bishop Ray Sutton, Dean of the Province and Presiding Bishop of the REC, and I met with Bishop Jones to issue a Godly Admonition. This directive required Bishop Jones and his subordinates to cooperate with a formal investigation to determine if any of the complaints against him rose to the level of a presentable offense, a step that is in accordance with the standard disciplinary procedures outlined in Title IV of the ACNA Constitution and Canons. Regrettably, Bishop Jones refused to comply with this directive. On September 21, I issued a temporary inhibition to Bishop Jones that restricted him from ministry for sixty days.

The following day, September 22, the Executive Committee of the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy (JFAC)sent a letter to the Archbishop announcing its withdrawal from the Province. While this action is deeply disappointing and particularly unsettling for our chaplains, I want to be clear: the Special Jurisdiction itself remains a canonical ministry of the Anglican Church in North America that was created and is sustained by our canons. The JFAC has purportedly withdrawn from the ACNA under Article II.3 of the Constitution, which pertains to dioceses or groups of dioceses organized into distinct jurisdictions.  However, because the Special Jurisdiction is not a diocese, but a canonical ministry established under Title 1, Canon 11, it does not have canonical authority to withdraw from the Province. The Special Jurisdiction, under which the chaplains serve,  continues to exist within the ACNA regardless of  Bishop Jones’s withdrawal or the withdrawal of any entities under his control.

Read it all.

"The Special Jurisdiction itself remains a canonical ministry of the Anglican Church in North America that was created and is sustained by our canons."
Read Abp Wood's full letter to the Province on the JAFC & Bp Jones's inhibition https://t.co/zI4T8IHvMh

— ACNA (@The_ACNA) September 23, 2025

Read it all.

Archbishop Wood inhibits Bishop Derek Jones https://t.co/bionOIAOuc via @Anglican Ink © 2025

— George Conger (@GeorgeConger8) September 22, 2025

Anglicanism was never meant to be robes and chants for their own sake. It was meant to be a way of being the Church: rooted in common prayer, shaped by shared doctrine, and carried forward in mission.

Living with tension has never been easy, but it has often been fruitful. Time has a way of clarifying what is central and what is secondary, and tension has a way of forcing us to depend on grace rather than power. Together, they have preserved us before, and they may preserve us again.

Compromise. Balance. Tension. These aren’t bugs. They’re features.

So perhaps the lesson of history is this: we do not need to settle everything today. We need only hold fast to Christ, to one another, and to the mission set before us.

If we do, time and tension may yet prove to be our strength—the means by which God steadies His Church and carries the gospel to the world.

Read it all.

Each day’s work at The College of Bishops '25 was concluded with Evening Prayer during which personal testimonies were shared. Bishop Eric Menees of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin share his testimony here https://t.co/PZt9eo08Lc or listen here https://t.co/lfcBMvmp7y. pic.twitter.com/uCVceyP6Tg

— ACNA (@The_ACNA) February 3, 2025

One of the most quoted metaphors in the early days of the ACNA was that we were “flying the plane while building it.” Apt—and dangerous. Circumstances in those first months demanded urgency. We “ready–fired–aimed” the Province into existence, united in our goal: the restoration and renewal of biblical Anglicanism in North America.

Another favorite image came from the maritime world. In those tense days, TEC was likened to the Titanic, already struck by the iceberg of modern secular liberalism. The ship of the church was taking on water and would soon sink. Those who could launch lifeboats or lashed together the flotsam and jetsam into makeshift rafts. Out in open water, people could jump from lifeboat to lifeboat while waiting for rescue from our Global South friends—our ecclesial Carpathian.

It was all very compelling.

And then there was Shakespeare’s line from The Tempest: “Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.” Anglo-Catholics, charismatics, and evangelicals agreed to be strange bedfellows—if only for the sake of getting off the runway—to mix our metaphors.

Since “bedfellows” isn’t the most appealing picture—who really wants to sleep together anyway?—we borrowed a gentler idea from Psalm 46:4: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God. One river, three streams. Many clergy and bishops even claimed to be “all three.”

But the reality was more fragile than the slogans. Compromises were stamped with a large “TBD.” Let’s get along for now so we can get going.

Read it all.

I fully agree with @DHRoseberry’s conclusion in today’s article. https://t.co/8EkxYBMktE pic.twitter.com/SQH9G3VAfQ

— Fr. Ron Offringa (@RonOffringa) August 12, 2025

To:  The Clergy of the Diocese

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In recent days, the people of our Diocese and Province have witnessed unsettling developments related to the ecclesiastical trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch.

Given that two of our own diocesan leaders, Bishop David Bryan and Mr. Alan Runyan, have played major roles in this trial and have issued public and seemingly conflicting statements, this turmoil is being experienced particularly acutely within our Diocese. The discomfort we’re feeling is real and personal.

Before we address that discomfort, we offer this brief sketch of the key events that have led us to this place:

•    In 2021, accusations were raised against Bishop Steward Ruch regarding his handling of credible reports of sexual abuse that took place in 2019 by a Lay Catechist of a church within his Diocese, the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. The abuser was convicted in 2022 of multiple counts of child sexual abuse, and he also pled guilty to raping another victim in 2018 and 2020.

•    Two presentments were filed against Bp. Ruch, the first by three fellow bishops in December 2022 and the second by lay and clergy in June 2023. A presentment is a list of charges that are formally brought against a member of the clergy. Bp. Ruch was charged with habitual neglect of duties, causing scandal or offense, violating his ordination vows, and contravention of the canons of the church.

•    A Board of Inquiry convened in accordance with ACNA canons reviewed the presentments in 2023, and in both cases found probable cause to go to trial.

•    After a prolonged delay, the trial began on July 14th of this year with members of our Diocese in key positions: Mr. Alan Runyan serving as the Provincial Prosecutor and Bishop David Bryan serving as the President of the Court for the Trial of a Bishop. 

•    On July 18th, an incident occurred during the trial that led Mr. Runyan to conclude that the trial process had been irreparably tainted and that he must resign from his position as Prosecutor.

•    The Court has ordered the trial to resume on August 11th after the appointment of a new Prosecutor, and on July 23rd it issued a Limited Response to the Public Release of the Former Provincial Prosecutor’s Resignation Letter which was signed on behalf of all seven members of the court by Bp. Bryan as the trial court’s President. This response directly contradicts statements made in Mr. Runyan’s resignation letter, as well as corroborating statements made later by Mr. Runyan’s Assistant Prosecutor.

•    On July 25th, the Assistant Prosecutor released a statement bringing further context to Mr. Runyan’s mid-trial resignation and making further claims of inappropriate conduct by Archbishop Steve Wood and members of his staff in the ACNA’s Provincial Office. Her letter also indicates that Bp. Bryan is not the member of the court whose actions led to Mr. Runyan’s resignation.

•    On July 29th, after reviewing some of the facts on the previous day, a Joint Statement from the College of Bishops and Executive Committee was released exonerating the Archbishop and Provincial Office staff. On that same day, Bishop Chip Edgar offered a response to the joint statement, clarifying that neither he nor any of the other bishops serving on the Trial Court or the Tribunal were party to it, and therefore it did not speak unanimously for the College of Bishops. The Joint Statement was later revised to include this fact.

•    A new Prosecutor has been appointed after the initial replacement for Mr. Runyan stepped down due to a conflict of interest. The trial is currently set to resume on August 11th.

•    Further details can be found on the ACNA website. Related material is also posted on Anglican Ink.

The Standing Committee of our Diocese has received numerous letters of concern, as well as requests for explanation and clarification of these events. We are grateful for all those who have reached out to us because it shows genuine care for others and a deep concern for the integrity of our Province. We thank you for sharing your questions, concerns, and feedback.

We recognize several distinct issues that have been raised by these events, including issues of justice, due process, and multiple allegations of misconduct. We note that some of these issues are of particular concern to the churches of our Diocese because of the individuals involved. As we consider these issues, we must also recognize that Bp. Edgar is currently limited in his ability to engage with these matters because he is a member of the Provincial Tribunal which serves as a court of final review for the proceedings against Bp. Ruch.

The issues raised by these events have caused serious alarm and forces each of us to prayerfully consider a proper response. Silence may signal complicity; haste may lead to harm. In this unprecedented moment, we risk either mistake with every decision we make. In our patient, prayerful discernment, we desire to bring clarity to misinformation and to direct what further action may be required by Bp. Edgar or us, if any.

As a council of advice to Bp. Edgar, it is our recommendation that we cautiously seek to navigate a path between these two devastating errors, and with earnest prayer we ask the Lord to guide us, correct us, limit any harm, and magnify any good that may result from our decisions. Lord, have mercy.

To that end, then, we submit to you the following:  

In consultation with the Standing Committee, Bp. Edgar has agreed to temporarily suspend episcopal visits by Bp. David Bryan. We think this temporary action is necessary given the significant contradictions between the statement of the court under Bp. Bryan’s signature and the statements of Mr. Runyan and his Assistant Prosecutor. We hope for the day when he can resume visits to our parishes, but we must patiently wait for the trial to conclude and for the facts of the proceedings to be released. 

With regards to the accusations made against Archbishop Steve Wood and members of his staff, we recognize that we are not the investigative or disciplinary arm of the ACNA. We are, though, the concerned representative body of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, and as such, we request an independent, third party investigation into the Provincial Office’s actions during the course of the trial, to begin no later than 60 days after the conclusion of the trial process. We invite other Dioceses of the ACNA to join us in this petition.

We refrain from making any comment on the trial while the proceedings are underway. We continue to pray God’s will be done, and trust his sovereignty in these and all matters.

To the victims of abuse in ACNA churches, especially those in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest who have endured a long and arduous ecclesial court process, we are pained by our Province’s failure in the swift administration of justice and the broken trust that has resulted. We grieve what you have endured, and pray that the love of Jesus made real to you will overcome the bitter failures of his church.

We remain fully committed to the future of the ACNA, yet we cannot ignore the obvious inadequacies in some of our processes or the questions of integrity regarding some of the people responsible for fairly administering them. We feel the outstretched arm of the Lord against our Province, and at the same time we see the mercy his pierced hands offer us in the repeated refrain of the prophet Isaiah: “For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.” (Isaiah 10:4)

In all of this, we call on the people of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina to lead in acts of mercy and charity, to persist in service to the least and the lost, to be humble in confession of our faults and unsparing in forgiveness for those who seek repentance, in all things striving to build up the body of Christ, the church. Let this be our witness, and may it lead to restoration.

In Christ’s service,
The Standing Committee of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina

The Rev. Jeremy Shelton
The Rev. Mary Ellen Doran
The Rev. Jamie Sosnowski
The Rev. Corey Prescott
The Rev. Bill Clarkson
Mrs. Lindsay Dew
Mrs. Shirley Wiggins
Mr. Robert Kunes
Mr. Ben Dixon
Mr. Terry Jenkins
Mr. Bobby Kilgo

Read it all there if you need the link.

The Anglican Church in North America’s ecclesiastical trial of the Rt. Rev. Stewart Ruch III is on hold until August 11, but a series of public resignations and allegations of procedural misconduct have demanded the attention of its members and governing bodies alike in the interim.

On August 1, the denomination announced the appointment of its newest provincial prosecutor to pursue the case against Bishop Ruch, who is accused of mishandling reports of abusive ministers in his Diocese of the Upper Midwest. Thomas Crapps, of the ACNA’s Gulf Atlantic Diocese, will step into the role—the third to fill it in as many weeks.

His immediate predecessor, the Ven. Job Serebrov, was appointed as prosecutor by Archbishop Steve Wood on July 22. Serebrov resigned nine days later, citing a desire to avoid the appearance of impropriety after anti-abuse advocates in the denomination raised concerns about his connection to an educational institution closely linked with Bishop Ruch’s diocese.

C. Alan Runyan preceded Serebrov as prosecutor, serving through the pretrial and five days of trial proceedings until his surprise resignation on July 19. Runyan alleged that on the final day of the prosecution’s argument, a member of the Court for the Trial of a Bishop questioned one of his witnesses for over an hour using information the court had previously ruled inadmissible, leaving the trial “irreparably tainted.”

Read it all.

The Ven. Job Serebrov, the replacement prosecutor in the trial of ACNA Bp. Stewart Ruch, has resigned. Taking his place will be Mr. Thomas Crapps of Tallahassee, Florida, says the Province. He will be the third person in the role since the trial began. pic.twitter.com/yunbIMtUG1

— Arlie Coles (@ArlieColes) August 1, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Earlier today, Archbishop Wood sent a letter to the whole Province in response to an ongoing disagreement related to an ecclesiastical trial currently before the Court for the Trial of a Bishop. His communication included a statement entitled “A Joint Statement from the College of Bishops and the Executive Committee.”

I want you to know that I was not involved in the development of that statement and tried to object to its release for several reasons:

• First, I would not sign that letter for pastoral reasons. As their bishop, I can attest that both Mr. Alan Runyan and Bishop David Bryan are men of the highest integrity and Christian character. I continue to be confident of both men as exemplars of integrity and Christian character. I pray for them both, as this is without a doubt a time of extreme testing for them. 
• Second, I believe it is inappropriate for the College of Bishops to comment at all on this matter prior to the conclusion of the trial.
• Third, the statement was issued as if it reflected the unanimous voice of the College of Bishops, which it does not. As a member of the Provincial Tribunal—and a potential participant in the case of any appeals from the Trial Court—I, along with the other members of both the Trial Court and the Provincial Tribunal, recused myself from the call during which the statement was discussed. The entire College could not have endorsed that statement.

As difficult as it is, I continue to counsel us all to exercise the spiritual fruit and Christian virtue of patience. Earlier, I wrote to the clergy of the diocese asking that we “wait and see”; in short, I asked for patience. As information continues to fly around at breakneck pace, our anxiety grows. We want to jump in and try to solve things; the desire to forgo patience and “do something” has increased. But as CS Lewis articulated in his wonderful essay, Work and Prayer, prayer is actually significantly more potent than anything we could “do.”

So, if you find yourself wanting to do something, I ask that you continue to pray—for God’s wisdom, clarity, and grace—for all parties involved, even those whom you might not trust, at every level, as we seek to navigate this situation.

In Christ,

–(The Rt. Rev. ) Chip Edgar [The link for this may be found here if needed.]

SC Bishop’s response to Joint Statement Released by ACNA Today https://t.co/tVXwI0xRLK via @Anglican Ink © 2025

— George Conger (@GeorgeConger8) July 29, 2025

In response to recent allegations of inappropriate actions by the Archbishop, the provincial staff and
Chancellor regarding matters before the Court for the Trial of a Bishop, the College of Bishops and
the Executive Committee of the Anglican Church in North America each met on the afternoon of July
28, 2025 to review all available information and documentation regarding the events and behaviors
in question. (Note: Some of the evidence is only available to members of the Court.)

Together, on behalf of the College of Bishops and the Executive Committee of the Anglican Church
in North America, we want to express our deep regret for the confusion and hurt caused by recent
attempts to air concerns of the Court in the public sphere. We are saddened that the parties expressing
concern did not utilize any of the canonical provisions designed to address them. We remain
confident in the Court’s ability to bring these matters to just resolution. Further, we find no evidence
to suggest that the Archbishop or members of his staff acted in any way that violates or compromises
the proceedings that are active before the court.

Read it all.

ACNA joint statement from the College of Bishops and Executive Committee rejecting charges of misconduct against Archbishop Wood and his staff https://t.co/8UFOu1LTvb via @Anglican Ink © 2025

— George Conger (@GeorgeConger8) July 29, 2025

Read it all.

An attorney should not have to throw a tantrum for a court to follow its own orders. I’ve waited patiently for a week to observe how the Archbishop, his staff, and the Court would respond. Unfortunately, I am left alarmingly disappointed.

Even if you disagree with his choice to resign, Mr. Runyan acted with integrity. He immediately communicated with the Archbishop who was the source of his appointment. The Archbishop told Mr. Runyan he would speak with him before saying anything publicly. He did not do so. Instead, the Archbishop sent out a surprise communication to the Province on Sunday evening leaving Mr. Runyan no choice but to properly and promptly notify witnesses, who had given so much of their time, effort, and courage to this process, of his resignation. Simultaneously, the Prosecutor was locked out of his Provincial email account. This precluded him from the ability to send the Court his resignation letter causing him to ask the Archbishop to make that communication for him. Based on what the Court stated, apparently that was not done.

Just as the Archbishop’s letter hit your inboxes Sunday night, I received a notification in my inbox from the COO and ACNA Chancellor that they wanted to meet with me first thing Monday morning.

Given that I know this case, its history, its facts, and its evidence more comprehensively than anyone in the ACNA, I expected the call would be to hear my perspective of what happened and to discuss my willingness to continue to help. Instead, I was invited to consider my termination that day.

It struck me that the two of the people whose actions directly undermined the court process were now the same two wanting to discuss my termination. Oh, the irony! In the real world, the judge would be disciplined for judicial misconduct and those who gave him improper access to a party’s files would be fired and disciplined.

According to the Archbishop’s recent letter to the whole ACNA, rather than being reprimanded or removed, this same chancellor was then tasked with the important job of selecting the new prosecutor.Despite that, the fact of the matter is that there is no way a new prosecutor will understand in
a timely fashion the nuances, details, and context that make up this case. Thus, if this process moves forward according to the Court’s timeline, the Province will not be competently represented.

Proceeding with the same tainted court and simply appointing a new prosecutor flies in the face of Mr. Runyan’s prescient warning that “this is not simply something that can be casually overlooked for expediency’s sake.”

Read it all.

ACNA members, I don’t post church news often, but this is serious. If our disciplinary processes are undermined everyone is vulnerable.

I have known Runyan and Thebeau for over 8 yrs. If they are concerned we should be too and do what we can to help.https://t.co/ENOLIjUG9H

— Andrew Gross (@frandrewgross) July 26, 2025

Although it is not our normal practice to speak publicly while proceedings are ongoing,
because the communication from the former Prosecutor was made public, the Court finds it
requires a limited response. This is particularly true when it calls into question the integrity of
the Court and the fairness of the trial in In the Matter of the Rt. Rev. Stewart Ruch, III.
The full seated Court has reviewed the recent publication of the letter by the former
Provincial Prosecutor concerning testimony and internal proceedings of this Court. The letter
includes commentary on confidential deliberations, public criticism of a sitting member of the
Court, and a call for the release of trial records—despite a standing order that the proceedings be
conducted in camera. These actions have contributed to public confusion, diminished trust in the
process, and placed pressure on a tribunal still actively engaged in the work before it.

The full Court has met to review, in detail, the exchange referenced in Mr. Runyan’s
letter. We affirm without hesitation that the questions posed by every member of this Court to the
witness in question were appropriate and fell squarely within our responsibilities. The line of
questioning, in fact, was based upon questions concerning the Province’s own exhibit directed to
his own witness. The former Prosecutor, who was present, invited to redirect the witness, and
given multiple opportunities to speak, raised no objections at any time during the line of
questioning he now complains of to the Archbishop. In fact, the objections he did raise in
response to defense questions were heard and, on multiple occasions, sustained.

Read it all.

Ruch tribunal president rejects resigned prosecutor’s allegations of misconduct https://t.co/hVAUCpXwnz via @Anglican Ink © 2025

— George Conger (@GeorgeConger8) July 23, 2025

Read it all.

Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Last night I wrote to you about a concerning development in the ecclesiastical trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch III. As noted, I received a resignation letter from the provincial prosecutor late yesterday.  While I know that news is unsettling and my first note did not include a full explanation as the situation was still developing, I wanted to be sure you heard this news from me before the Court issued any rulings about its next steps in light of this unprecedented action.  I now want to offer a more thorough explanation.

It is fair to be asking: What happened?

As many of you know, I was elected to serve as your Archbishop just over one year ago. At that time, Bishop Ruch was pending trial, but a date had not yet been set. One of my first priorities as your Archbishop was to seek closure to this painful and unresolved situation. In my letter dated September 23, 2024 I announced the trial date of July 14 and also requested that all actions of the Court be public to improve visibility and transparency in the process. Bishop Foley Beach had appointed Alan Runyan as the Provincial Prosecutor, and I re-affirmed that appointment to avoid any delays in the process.

In the intervening months, both parties worked to prepare for the trial. In early June, the Court issued a statement of its intent to host the trial on a secure internet-based platform, and that it be closed to the public. On June 20, the Court hosted a pre-trial conference to determine the scope of the trial, including what would be included as evidence and how the proceedings would be organized. At this time, it was estimated that the trial would commence on schedule and last approximately 5-10 business days.

Last Monday, the trial commenced as scheduled and the prosecution began its case under the direction of Provincial Prosecutor Alan Runyan. I was not involved in these proceedings. When a trial is underway, neither I nor the provincial office is in communication with the court.

According to the prosecutor, on Friday afternoon as a witness was being interviewed, a line of questioning developed that drew on material that he did not believe was within the scope of the trial agreed upon in the June 20 pre-trial conference. In response to this concern, the prosecutor returned from a court recess and announced his intention to resign. Following this announcement, Bishop Ruch’s team filed a Motion for a Directed Verdict of Not Guilty. The court has not yet ruled on this motion.

I became aware of Alan’s announcement on Friday, however I did not receive a formal resignation letter from him confirming his intention until late yesterday afternoon. I’ve asked our Chancellor, Bill Nelson, to share that letter with you as well as some clarity and context regarding procedural matters.

Read it all.

C. Alan Runyan, the Provincial Prosecutor for the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), resigned effective 18 July 2025, in the midst of the high-profile trial of the Rt. Rev. Stewart Ruch III, bishop of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. 

In a letter addressed to the Most Rev. Stephen D. Wood, Mr. Runyan expressed “great regret and deep spiritual sadness,” citing “irredeemable taint” introduced into the trial process by a member of the ecclesiastical court who, according to Runyan, improperly questioned witnesses and drew on materials not entered into evidence.

In his letter to Archbishop Wood, Runyan detailed that the court member’s actions introduced “unwarranted suspicion of provincial investigative bias” and violated the court’s own previous order to keep focus strictly on the charges against Bishop Ruch, rather than the prior investigative process. He stated that attempts were made to cast doubt on the investigation itself, even though no evidence of impropriety had been presented in the trial record.

The prosecutor stressed that “a trial process that bears within it the seed of impropriety, no matter the outcome, must change,” and called for the full, redacted trial transcript to be made available both to any successor prosecutor and to the broader church for transparency. Runyan concluded by expressing his sorrow at the development and a hope for God’s glorification in the ultimate outcome.

Read it all.

“Archbishop Steve Wood shares his vision for the province in the upcoming years, especially the goal to provide “good ground,” or soil-work, for the seed-work of the diocese and churches.”