COLORADO: Bishop moves to reorganize parish after rector, vestry announce resignations
Episcopal News Service. September 10, 2007 [091007-06]
Mary Frances Schjonberg
Episcopal Diocese of Colorado Bishop Robert O'Neill met September 6 with some of the members of the Church of the Holy Comforter in Broomfield following an announcement that the congregation's rector and vestry would resign October 1.
In an August 30 letter to the congregation's members, O'Neill wrote that the announcement of the planned resignations came soon after an August 8 meeting he had with rector Chuck Reeder, the wardens and treasurer. O'Neill said they told him that the congregation faces "significant financial challenges" because 42 percent of pledge income is being withheld by members who are unhappy with the Episcopal Church.
O'Neill wrote that he was told that those members "have no intention of contributing to ministry of The Church of the Holy Comforter so long as it remains a member of The Episcopal Church."
Reeder's last Sunday at Holy Comforter will be September 16, according to diocesan communications director Beckett Stokes. A new priest will take charge of the congregation immediately, she said.
The vestry will continue its service through the end of the month, and diocesan officials are developing a letter of understanding vestry members that will state what actions need to be taken, by whom, and when in order to facilitate a smooth transition, according to Stokes.
"The current vestry has clearly stated that they have no intention of engaging in any property dispute and that they will work amicably with the bishop's office to effect a smooth transition," she said.
O'Neill said at the September 6 meeting that "while I am indeed sorry that some individuals will choose to leave the Church, I trust that they are doing so in good faith and out of a sincere desire to respond more fully to the call of God in their lives."
"I trust also in the good faith and good will of those who choose to remain in the Episcopal Church, and I look forward to working with them to renew the life and ministry of the Church of the Holy Comforter in Broomfield," he said.
O'Neill wrote on August 30 that after learning about the financial situation of the parish earlier that month that he spent the ensuing week working with senior warden John Bosio to develop a plan for the future of the congregations.
"Subsequently your rector and vestry decided to resign," he wrote. "Even so, you should know that this process of assessing the life of the parish and developing a plan for recovery will continue to move forward under the direction of my office."
O'Neill wrote that he is "committed to seeing that the Episcopal Church continues to exercise its ministry in that location in the days and years to come."
"Moreover, your parish leadership has graciously expressed their intent to work with my office to that end without engaging in any disputes over the ownership of property. For their thoughtfulness and good will, I am indeed grateful."
The bishop wrote in his letter that the wardens and vestry "have stated their desire and commitment to cooperate with my office to provide for a smooth transition as we identify the steps that will be necessary to provide The Church of the Holy Comforter with new pastoral leadership and guidance in the days ahead."