The New Year 2006

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Schedule for week of January 1st

Reflections on General Convention 2000

Only a month past, General Convention seems already a distant dream (or nightmare). Probably the best thing that can be said about it was that it wasn’t as bad as expected. That doesn’t mean that some dreadful things didn’t happen, but not as many dreadful things as expected came to fruition.

Of course, the Concordat was overwhelmingly passed. No one is terribly surprised. Most things like this are worked out in advance, orchestrated in committees and back rooms and Convention voting is basically a sham. What this means is that Anglicans in the USA may be out of communion with the rest of the churches due to the suspension of the Ordinal. Bishop Krotz assures me that passage of the Concordat will have no effect on us in this parish - he will not “pull anything” on us. We do have to wonder, though, what will happen when he retires. And there is still the concern about the rest of the church. What will be happening in those parishes in which a Lutheran layman is allowed to “celebrate the Holy Communion” is problematic to Catholics.

The resolutions on sexuality were defeated in spite of a last minute attempt to throw up a smoke screen which would have allowed the development of rites to bless any sort of long-term, committed relationships: male-male, female-female, male-female-male, female-female-male-male, human-canine, etc. (Of course, I am stretching the point, but not by much!)

The worst thing that happened was the re-affirmation of a movement to mandate the acceptance of women in holy orders - this despite the fact that this type of coercement was resoundingly condemned and prohibited by the 1998 Lambeth conference. Task forces (or Gestapo forces) will be sent to the three dioceses who continue in the Catholic tradition to make sure that these recalcitrant dioceses “make progress” in implementing the innovation of women in Orders. This should be fun to watch!

While some see the events of the latest Convention as being hopeful, it seems that such groups as the American Anglican Council (AAC) see little sign of change in the direction which ECUSA has taken the past twenty-plus years. This ordinarily positive group issued the following rather negative commentary:

“While we are greatly heartened that the House of Bishops and Deputies prudently decided not to split the Episcopal Church...it is sadly evident to us that two strikingly different churches exist under the same roof. Though we are encouraged that we still reside under one roof, we are ever more painfully aware of the depth of the theological gulf that divides us. One church embraces the culture as its guide and stands at the fringe of Anglicanism. It seeks to legislate sexual license at the expense of marriage and traditional morality and inject new age theology into Church worship and life.”

“The other church, comprised of orthodox and mainstream Anglicans like the AAC, believes in the transforming power of God and the hope of salvation that comes from the Gospel. We stand with the vast majority of Anglicans worldwide in upholding these beliefs.”

St. B’s has long held to the Catholic faith and tradition exemplified in classical Anglicanism. As the battle rages for the soul of the church, we would do well to band together with like-minded parishes. To this end, the center section of this edition of the Messenger contains information on Forward in Faith, a world-wide organization of Anglicans who hold traditional and orthodox views. The issues facing us are complex, but not beyond any member of this parish. Read the statements explaining the purpose of Forward in Faith. You will see that we already subscribe to the articles listed therein. Remember as you read these statements that they apply, not only to the ordination of women, but to the suspension of the Ordinal as well. The issue at stake is the same: straying from the path of orthodoxy as defined by the universal Church - not by ECUSA. Remember too that Forward in Faith is a movement within ECUSA, not in opposition to it. It is a way of working within the structure to bring about needed change.

The information in the agreed statement on Communion may seem a bit daunting at first glance. Basically it says that, while we may have theological differences with a bishop who ordains women (or allows Lutheran ministers to function as priests) if those bishops are otherwise sound theologically it is more in the spirit of Christian charity to remain in communion. Acrimony is to be avoided at all cost.

Officially, our parish has been aligned with Forward in Faith for nearly ten years. In the months to come we need to do some soul-searching and commit ourselves to reaffirm our association with Forward in Faith in witness to those principles of Anglicanism which we hold as a priori to our life as a Church.

Bishop’s Visitation

Bishop Krotz made his canonical visitation on Sunday, July 30th. At that time he preached and confirmed two members of the parish, Don Carlson and Joanne Rust. We congratulate them as they reaffirm their faith in Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior and take on their ministry in Christ’s Holy Catholic Church.

I was very proud of the members of this parish who gave the bishop a warm reception in spite of theological differences. Ours is an example of Christian charity and tolerance that some other parts of the Church could well emulate. Kudos!

A Surprise Gift

Upon returning to the rectory one day I found a surprise on my doorstep - a brand-new Sharp vacuum sweeper. There was a note attached saying that it was for the church. I don’t know who to thank! If you know who the generous, but anonymous, donor is, please tell the rector. If you are the donor - Thank You - from all your brothers and sisters at St. B’s.

Society of Mary

The Society of Mary will host the Mass in honor of the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin - commonly called The Assumption - on that Feast day, August 15. Fr. Barger will be the celebrant of the 6:30 p.m. High Mass.