GEORGIA: Leadership of oldest church in diocese votes to leave
Episcopal News Service. October 3, 2007 [100307-03]
The vestry of Christ Church in Savannah, Georgia, has voted unanimously to place the congregation under the care of John Guernsey, a former Episcopalian who was consecrated September 2 as a bishop in the Anglican Church of the Province of Uganda.
A news release about the September 30 vestry action says "the vote follows a period of discernment and prayer that stretches back to 2000."
Episcopal Diocese of Georgia Bishop Henry I. Louttit said in a statement that "should some individuals in a parish decide they can no longer be Episcopalians, that in no way changes the fact that Christ Church is and will remain a parish of the Episcopal Church in this diocese and will continue to occupy its present facilities."
Louttit said that the continuing members of Christ Church will meet at St. Paul the Apostle Episcopal Church in Savannah on October 7 for Holy Communion and for a time of fellowship.
"Even though some parishioners of Christ Church have chosen to leave the Episcopal Church, I will work with those who remain to ensure that they will have newly empowered leaders, vestry members and clergy to lead them and carry forward the ministry and mission of the Episcopal Church at Christ Church, Savannah," he said.
"No matter what path any individual or any group may choose, Christ Church in its present facilities will carry on its portion of the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church here in Savannah and in the broader community and world. Should some decide that they can no longer take part in that mission and ministry, we will wish them well. However, we will continue to do God's work at Christ Church, a parish of the Diocese of Georgia in the Episcopal Church."
The bishop concluded by saying that "the doors of the Episcopal Church in this diocese will remain open" for any person departing Christ Church who wants to return in the future.
The vestry's news release contains a letter and the text of the resolution passed by the vestry. The letter invites members of the parish to a meeting on October 14 during which they can "express their agreement or disagreement with this action." The vestry members say that "our church polity does not require the congregation to ratify or affirm this resolution," but implies that a vote will be taken as part of "our on-going promise to engage the congregation at every major milestone of our journey together."
The letter says that the vestry expects "claims to be made" on Christ Church's property, adding that the vestry "is prepared to protect the property of our parish and defend it to the utmost against any action that seeks to take it from us."
In the news release, Christ Church rector Marc Robertson says: "We have had an established mission relationship with Uganda for several years. Bishop Guernsey in Virginia is well known to us, and I welcome the opportunity to serve under his authority."
Guernsey, who also claims to be rector of All Saints Church in Woodbridge, Virginia, was consecrated September 2 by Ugandan Anglican Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi. He reportedly is meant to lead 33 congregations in the U.S. which claim to be under Uganda's authority.
Guernsey was recently among 51 bishops representing several self-identified Anglican organizations who said that they will spend the next 15 months developing "an Anglican union," which they anticipate will be recognized by some Anglican Communion Primates and provinces.
Founded in 1733 with the establishment of the Georgia colony, Christ Church is the oldest continuous Christian congregation in the state. Early rectors include British evangelists John Wesley and George Whitefield, both of whom became associated with the Methodist movement, which later split from Anglicanism.