After successful negotiations, St. John\u2019s Anglican Church, in Petaluma, California, entered into a peaceful settlement with mutual releases with the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, The Episcopal Church and St. John\u2019s Episcopal Church, Petaluma on May 14, 2009. St. John\u2019s general counsel Lu T. Nguyen made the following comments about how the parish reached the decision to settle at this time: \u201cWhile St. John\u2019s is fully supportive of the position of St. James\u2019 Anglican Church in Newport Beach, California and their appeal to the United States Supreme Court regarding certain aspects of the California Supreme Court decision in Episcopal Church Cases; and while recognizing their right to further defend themselves; the leadership of St. John\u2019s reached the conviction that continued litigation over the property was not in the best interest of the financial and spiritual health of the congregation. Guided in part by the biblical admonition of 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, they believed the Lord was calling them to settle and focus their ministry calling to their local community.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
In reflecting on all that has transpired since leaving the Episcopal Church the Rev. David Miller,
\nrector of the parish, wrote the following:
\n\u201cThis press release finds the St. John\u2019s church family preparing to enter a whole new stage of our
\nlife together. We stand ready to leave the familiar and historic surroundings of the building at 5th
\nand C, a building that has been the church home to my family since our arrival in Petaluma in
\n1998; and a building that has been home to many of our members for much, much longer. Many
\nmemories and emotions arise as we say goodbye.\u201d\u009d
\nFr. Miller continues, \u201cHowever, as difficult as leaving is, two summary statements stand out as
\ndefining of the spirit in which we move to our new quarters.
\n\u00ef\u0081\u00b6 First is the recognition that this is not about the property but about the Gospel and the
\nWord of God that we have been charged to uphold and defend. We did not leave the
\nEpiscopal Church to keep the property; we left to keep the Faith.
\n\u00ef\u0081\u00b6 Second is the affirmation that the church is not the building; the church is the people.
\nWe are blessed to have a spirit of unity as we move forward.\u201d\u009d
\nSt. John\u2019s Anglican takes the occasion of this press release to say a heart felt thank you to the
\nmany people of Petaluma who have prayed for and encouraged us in so many amazing ways
\nthroughout this process.
\nSt. John’s Anglican Church is pleased to announce that beginning Sunday, July 5, 2009, we will
\nbe holding Sunday services at 8:30am and 10:30am at the Petaluma Community Center at
\nLucchesi Park. We welcome any from the community who do not now have a church home or
\nwould like to support us on this occasion, to come and worship with us.
\nNew worship location:
\nSt. John\u2019s Anglican Church
\nMeeting at: Petaluma Community Center (Lucchesi Park)
\n320 N. McDowell Blvd.
\nPetaluma, CA 94954
\n(707) 283-1111
\nService times: 8:30 a.m. (traditional) and 10:30 a.m. (contemporary)
\nAdministrative office and mailing address: 55 Maria Dr., Ste. 837, Petaluma, CA 94954<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After successful negotiations, St. John\u2019s Anglican Church, in Petaluma, California, entered into a peaceful settlement with mutual releases with the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, The Episcopal Church and St. John\u2019s Episcopal Church, Petaluma on May 14, 2009. St. John\u2019s…<\/span><\/p>\n