The openness of St. Nicholas is a vivid example of how some Episcopal churches have changed, particularly since the much publicized election of Gene Robinson, an openly gay man in a long-term relationship, as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.<\/p>\n
And yet many suburban Episcopalians say that while they bear no ill will toward gays and lesbians, churches like St. Nicholas have strayed too far from Biblical teaching.<\/p>\n
The division is so great that conservative Episcopalians have formed the new Anglican Church in North America, which will include about 700 parishes in the U.S. and Canada that disagree with mainline Episcopalians on the ordination of gays.<\/p>\n
Hope Anglican Church, which holds services on Sunday evenings at the Congregational Church in Elburn, plans to be part of the new Anglican Church. Its leader, however, denies that the ordination of gays is the main issue.<\/p>\n
“The biggest differences between us and the Episcopal Church is doctrinal teaching,” said the Rev. David Kletzing of Batavia, the church’s pastor. “We believe the Bible is the authority for our lives, and we believe in the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.”<\/p>\n