Remain Faithful Organization Formed

Source: Remain Faithful Press Release (via email)

Date: May 23, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FORT WORTH – A group of local Episcopalians met Tuesday to form an organization to respond to what they are calling a “proliferation of misinformation” concerning the pending split between the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and The Episcopal Church (TEC) headquartered in New York.
The group, calling themselves “Remain Faithful,” has taken steps to organize as a non-profit corporation with the stated purpose of setting forth the true position of traditional and orthodox Episcopalians in this diocese who believe TEC no longer stands for the historic faith.
“Remain Faithful looks forward to stating clearly the positions of orthodox Episcopalians - and in particular orthodox lay Episcopalians,” said Chad Bates, the group’s chairman. “We stand along side our orthodox clergy in support of our shared beliefs and feel the time has come for an organization led by the laity to uphold our traditional faith in unequivocal terms.
“We welcome all who share our beliefs or who want to learn more about what we stand for,” he said. “Without question, there has been some confusion about what we stand for as orthodox Episcopalians, and we look forward to clarifying our position.”
The group has established a website – www.remainfaithful.org — and Bates said the organization is in the process of preparing a detailed position paper that will be published soon.
Cora Werley, spokesperson for the group, said much of the misinformation being distributed concerns sexuality and women’s ordination.
“There are many within The Episcopal Church membership who have been told that the differences of opinion in our Church are primarily about women’s ordination or the views of a few Bishops,” Werley said. “We know this is not true. There are much more fundamental issues involved, and we look forward to clearly sharing our beliefs and uncovering the issues in a Christ-like manner,” she said.
Bates said that the group is comprised of a broad cross-section of lay people from throughout the Fort Worth- based diocese. “Up to now,” he said, “we have let our clergy do our talking for us. We thank God for their witness in our midst. But at this crucial moment in the history of our diocese, we feel called to make our own faithful witness, united in our belief that Holy Scripture is the revealed word of God and Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life and the source of eternal salvation.”
In addition to Bates, who attends St. Peter & St. Paul Episcopal Church in Arlington, and Werley, a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, the group elected the initial Board of Directors as follows:

* Carl Manning, Good Shepard Episcopal Church- Granbury
* Thom Murrell, St. Vincent’s Episcopal Church- Bedford
*David Weaver, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church- Arlington
* Judy Mayo, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church- Fort Worth
*Fred Keller, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church- Fort Worth
*Tim Howell, All Saint’s Episcopal Church- Fort Worth
*Walter Virden, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church- Arlington
*Rod Barber, Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter-Cleburne
*Pat Salazar, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church- Arlington
*JoAnn Patton, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church- Fort Worth

The steering committee that formed "Remain Faithful" is comprised of Episcopalians who have been members of the Church for over 1000 years, collectively.
Bates shared the group’s mission statement:
“Remain Faithful is a group of orthodox Episcopalians who believe the Bible to be the revealed Word of God which contains all things necessary for salvation as well as wisdom for Godly living. We are comprised of and led by lay Episcopalians. We are committed to speak the truth in love, communicating clearly the position of faithful orthodox Episcopalians upholding the authority of Holy Scripture. We stand firm with the vast majority in the worldwide Anglican Communion in our commitment to serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to support orthodox Christian ideals and beliefs, and to spread the Good News of Jesus' gift of salvation to all.”
More information can be obtained about the organization at the group’s website or by calling Cora Werley at 817-946-3865.

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