 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
 |
|
|
|
SR. WARDEN REPORT This letter has been a long time coming, because we have been under an enforced silence. I would like to apologize for the lack of information that has been sent out to the congregation concerning the law suit that Jane Dixon brought against this vestry and Fr. Samuel Edwards. In the paragraphs below I am going to attempt to explain where we are currently and how we have gotten there in the last year. The main reason for the lack of information sent out to the parishioners is a confidentiality issue. When you are being sued by someone, it is very important to have information in the case and strategies confidential. Our Lawyer, Chuck Nalls, has been a Godsend and worked a majority of the case pro-bono. He made it very clear to the vestry that we were not to discuss circumstances in the case to anyone until a ruling came out. We were legally bound to keep our mouths shut. I know this has been a frustrating time for the rest of the congregation and I truly appreciate your patience. The vestry has ceased the appeal to the Supreme Court. We are not going to pursue that avenue any longer. With the blessing of our new Bishop John Chane, the vestry has called as its rector Fr. Stephen Arpee. This decision was a result of a series of meetings with Bishop John Chane and his assistant Paul Cooney, that have taken place over the past four months. After Jane Dixon ceased being our Bishop in June, Bishop Chane immediately made it very clear that he would like to work with us and come up with some type of resolution. At the same time Fr. Samuel Edwards announced that for many reasons he could no longer remain in the Episcopal Church. I have to agree that it has been very tempting on many occasions to walk away, but all I can say is that this vestry has searched many options, prepared for battle, stood up for our faith and remained in prayer; and right now the Lord is calling us to remain where we are. Fr. Edwards and his family have joined the Church of The Province of Christ The King. It is an Anglo-Catholic Church. In fact it is a break away from the Episcopal Church back many years ago when the ordination of women was accepted in the Episcopal Church. So the style of worship is basically the same as the Episcopal Church. It is an Anglican Church as is the Episcopal Church. Fr. Edwards is trying to start a congregation in the Southern Maryland area. Right now it is uncertain how far south it will be, St. Mary’s, Calvert, Prince Georges, or Charles. A permanent location has not yet been determined. Our continued prayers go out for him and his family. On Thursday August 29th there was a press conference here at Christ Church with myself, Fr. Stephen Arpee, Paul Cooney and Bishop John Chane all present. Statements were read and released to the public and the press. Copies of all the statements are available in the rear of the church and also on the Internet through both the church web page, http://www.edow.org/christchurchaccokeek/, and the AAC web page. I strongly suggest that you read these documents to help you better understand the course of events and the relationship that we currently have with the Diocese of Washington and our new Bishop. As for us here at Christ Church Accokeek, we have a new Rector and with that comes new life in the Church. Fr. Arpee and his wife Janet both have a strong commitment to Jesus' ministry of reconciliation and expect the Holy Spirit to surprise us all, especially if each of us is looking for ways to heal hurts we've received or may have caused. At the press conference Fr. Arpee described himself as an "Accidental Rector;" and said he had become fond of this congregation, and wanted to get to know us better – so let's invite him into our homes, and get to know him better too. May the Lord’s Blessings be upon us all, Barbara Sturman
|
|
||
|