By David W. Virtue in Ft. Worth, Texas
www.virtueonline.org
11/14/2008
Sitting in the packed cathedral of St. Vincent's in the Episcopal Diocese of Ft. Worth, one sees history being made. The final Mass is being sung in a cathedral that will, in the next 24 hours, no longer be a part of The Episcopal Church. Nearby a woman dabs her tear-filled eyes with a handkerchief, sensing this is a moment that will not be repeated. During the 'peace' a man comes up to me and says quite simply, "You are seeing the last Anglo-Catholic Eucharist in this cathedral in The Episcopal Church." His eyes too, are red.
Around the cavernous cathedral there is a sense that history is being made; history that delegates to this 26th Diocesan Convention would rather not be making. Because of the overt theological sins of a denomination that can no longer affirm that Jesus is the only way to the Father, (among other doctrines) this predominantly Anglo-Catholic diocese will tomorrow vote to leave The Episcopal Church. It is a forgone conclusion. No one doubts how the voting will go. The outcome is assured.
Bishop William Godfrey of Peru is the guest preacher. He lights a fire under his hearers by telling them that this is not the end, but the beginning. He exhorts delegates to pursue evangelism. "We need to return to mission, mission begins within an encounter with Jesus Christ. We will want people to meet with Jesus Christ. We need to bring people closer to Jesus and everything else will drop into the place. The sacraments mean nothing if people don't meet with the living Lord Jesus Christ. Mission must be incarnational."
It is a somber moment as the more than 700 Episcopalians present take the Eucharist for the last time as Episcopalians.
The words of the last hymn seem especially poignant. It is not without significance that the hymn contains the following lines, "Grant us courage for the facing of this hour."
At the conclusion of the service, delegates move into the church's gymnasium to begin the formal part of their proceedings.
David Weaver, chairman of the Constitution and Canons committee, hit the convention with a hard word. "Theologically, spiritually and doctrinally The Episcopal Church. It has separated itself from the diocese some time ago. We have not been a constituent member of the TEC for a long time. We will make the secession permanent tomorrow and align with the Province of the Southern Cone, temporarily, as we rapidly move forward in the formation of a North American Anglican province, holding on to one godly, catholic and apostolic faith."
Weaver said it was a time for rejoicing, but also a time of deep sorrow. "Some of our friends have registered opposition to and disagreement with this historic moment. Their actions are based on a misguided institutional loyalty that barely resembles the Christian life. We have tried for 30 years to change the church's direction."
The Episcopal Church worships multiple gods, he said. "Choose you this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. That is the decision that confronts us today."
Evangelism chairman Scott Wilson said, "Evangelism must be our first love. Many have lost their first love...we need to keep this before us. If you don't do God will remove your lamp stand. Our first should be to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ into the world. Who winds up in the kingdom of heaven is what matters."
Also present on this historic occasion is the retired Bishop of Eau Claire, the Rt. Rev William Wantland. He is the assisting bishop in the diocese of Ft. Worth. He has voting privileges.
Altogether there are 108 licensed, but non-canonically resident clergy in the Diocese of Ft. Worth, 79 registered clergy are present including 114 lay delegates. Four lay deputies were voted by acclamation to convention.
Tomorrow's vote requires a two-thirds majority of the delegates and 56 parishes to make it official that they have left the Episcopal Church.
The other dioceses that have left the Episcopal Church are the California-based Diocese of San Joaquin, the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and the Diocese of Quincy, in Illinois.
END
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