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Divided Rochester Congregation Lives On

Episcopal News Service. June 29, 2004 [062904-2]

Matthew Davies

Parishioners from the Church of the Redeemer in Rochester, New Hampshire, worshipped separately Sunday, June 27, after failing to reach a common ground following a yearlong dispute about Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay priest to be elected bishop in the Episcopal Church.

More than 100 people from throughout the diocese and beyond gathered at Redeemer to offer their support and solidarity with the 14 or so parishioners--past and present--who attended the service and accept Robinson's leadership as their diocesan bishop.

Some of the parishioners, who left the church after walking out of a two-hour-long meeting with Robinson June 23, joined the congregation of Grace Baptist Church in East Rochester for a joint service led by Pastor Bill Powell.

Faith restored

Returning to Church of the Redeemer after several months, Paul Shea spoke about how Robinson's election had restored his faith. "I lapsed from the church for a while and the fact that Gene Robinson became a bishop brought me back," he said. "The diocese chose him through an open and fair election. The fact that he is gay is immaterial."

Robinson's canon to the ordinary Tim Rich, who presided and preached at the Redeemer service, spoke about his sadness of the congregation leaving and how, after much prayer and reflection, he realized that the Church is truly guided by the power of the Holy Spirit. "I am sad that they have left but not angry because I am constantly reminded about the commandment in Galatians to 'Love one another as yourself,'" he said. "The Holy Spirit gives new hope in the midst of despair. The spirit is love and that love is here in Redeemer."

Attending the service, Robinson explained how everyone is eager to put the unpleasantness behind them and move on with the mission and ministry of the parish. "I'm touched by the number of people who have traveled from all over the state to offer their support," he said. "People are ready to take this train out of the station."

Room for everyone

Eight parishioners gathered outside Grace Baptist Church following the service to speak to the media. Jerry DeLamus, Redeemer's former senior warden, said, "We left [Church of the Redeemer] with our faith. We want to do everything within our power to stay in the Episcopal Church but we will not recognize [Robinson's] authority. There is room for everyone."

DeLamus, who said that 45 Episcopalians attended the Baptist service, explained how the dissenting parishioners want to belong to the Diocese of Albany and under the authority of its bishop, Dan Herzog, who is a member of the recently-formed conservative Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes (NACDP). Robinson had offered to invite Herzog to assume pastoral leadership of the parish but the vestry and 36 parishioners declined the offer and voted to leave at the June 23 meeting.

Lisa Ball, former clerk for Redeemer's vestry, said that the entire altercation is based on the authority of scripture. "Jesus Christ will not be compromised," she said. "It's all about the word. God has written it for us in this way. We're not going to follow people who won't follow scripture. Forcing us to accept [a gay bishop] is a violation of our rights."

Robinson said that he hoped the disaffected parishioners would return someday and that he would welcome them back anytime. "We just need to keep preaching the message about God's love," he said.

[thumbnail: Bishop Gene Robinson of N...] [thumbnail: Parishioners and visitors...]