[Magdalen] Movement in The Episcopal Church in SC

[Roger Stokes]

On 03/05/2018 18:07, Ginga Wilder wrote:
> Thanks, Eleanor.  We are delighted that this FAQ is now published.  A HUGE
> thing because we were encouraged by the local federal judge not to wait on
> SCOTUS to decline to hear or decide to hear the appeal from the Lawrence
> church.  That is huge....indeed!  The state and federal courts have been
> deciding for TEC and TECSC, but no action has been taken.  The federal
> judge in Charleston said we should simply take control of the properties
> that are ours.  We are not acting in such an aggressive way.

I would have been very surprised if you did as it is not the way you 
have conducted yourselves to date. That has been marked by courtesy and 
restraint without capitulating.

> Good Shepherd, Summerville has continued to grow, especially since our new
> priest-in-charge arrived last July.  He is engaged in the parish, rather
> than just doing Sunday worship.  Not leaving all of that to the laity truly
> makes a difference with the parish's sense of well-being.  Don't get me
> wrong, our laity take our lay ministries seriously.  A joy and a peace is
> present when Good Shepherd gathers that is contagious.  Since the earliest
> days of the split, I noticed that presence in our congregation.  I told the
> Standing Committee when I was a member that I had studied about being the
> body of Christ all of my adult life...and now, I/we are living that out in
> ways we never imagined.  I confess that the schism has been a good thing
> for Episcopalians...a real chance to let that which needed to die, die and
> let new life grow in our midst.  Alleluia.

I remember very early in my ordained ministry the parish I was in had 
five churches in different parts of town. I preached in one of the 
daughter churches, less than 15 minutes walk from the parish church, one 
Sunday when reorganization was being discussed. I said that the Church 
is the people, not the building. Boy, was I taken to task over that 
observation!

> Good Shepherd has not made any decision about buildings, but we will begin
> talking soon at a vestry retreat.  The St. Paul's plant has 5 buildings,
> including two recent constructions that are enormous.  One is a
> multi-purpose building where St. Paul's renewal service is held...seats 450
> people.  Another is a 22,000 sq ft children's ministry building.  Other
> buildings are an 1857 church building, a 1924 community services building
> (original parish hall), and a 1970s office building.  The property is
> surrounded on two sides with a cemetery that dates to the mid 1800s.  This
> is a beautiful property.  Our parish is small - just over 100 members,
> including children -- 45 units.  SO, if we choose to go back into the
> property, great plans will need to be made so that we can afford this
> step.  (This parish dates to 1829 on this site, having been formed from two
> colonial parishes nearer Charleston.
>
> So, we are doing well.  Please  pray that we will choose well and continue
> to flourish as the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Summerville.

Yes, there would be the very real danger that if you took over that 
plant then running it would distract you from the mission you have found 
- ministering God's love and emulating Christ.

Roger