[Magdalen] Please pray for Ascension, Chicago

[Sally Davies]

One of those moments when I realise how much of a difference there is
between our national cultures.

In South Africa this could not, would not and does not happen. It would be
illegal, for a start. And the culture here is that the Rector is called by
and serves the parish (represented by the Council), not the other way
round.

Unless there was a majority in the Council no such decision could be made,
and any "firing" would have to comply with the law which is very strict on
the conditions under which a person can be fired. You can retrench someone
who's surplus, but then may not replace them because that shows that their
roles are still required.

If change is achieved by damaging people, it's hard to see how good can
come out of it, or any improvement in the natural resistance to change
which in-groups commonly display, including and especially churches.

Still, it's interesting that a Rector would be so confident in either a)
his new initiative to bring members in or b) the sufficiency of his
church's membership, that he would not be concerned about driving long term
members away in a state of anger and disappointment.

The only people to do that kind of thing here are rabid Evangelicals who
are convinced that their latest outreach plan is part of the Purpose Driven
whatever. Unfortunately (from my POV) they are often proved right and their
Angli-Baptist church proceeds to flourish.

Prayers as requested, Scott, and for you as well that you may find a
peaceful path to walk through the turmoil. With all the stress you've been
carrying these past months you don't need stress at church as well.

Sally D





On Saturday, 17 January 2015, Cantor03--- via Magdalen <
magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:

>
>
> In a message dated 1/16/2015 9:21:50 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> jguthrie at pipeline.com <javascript:;> writes:
>
>
> One  would pray for the success of the new direction for the parish, while
> wishing Godspeed to those not part of the new  regime.>>>>
>
> Not at the cost of diminishing what is probably the top Anglocatholic
> liturgy and music in the Midwest.  A specialty parish like  Ascension
> is never going to be the cup of tea for every one in the  neighborhood.
>
> Yes, of course there should be outreach, but there is Evangelical
> outreach in the high drama of the Liturgy and the unexcelled quality
> of the music, too.  I don't see how any Episcopalian would fail  to
> appreciate this aspect of appeal!
>
> Ascension has always been my idea of ideal worship in the highest
> Western Tradition, and I've worshipped there on occasion since
> I was a youngster.  That's through the regime of several  rectors.
> The idea that someone would come in and screw around with a
> legendary worship tradition is very upsetting to me.
>
>
> David Strang.
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