Posted by David Virtue at VirtueOnline on 2010/12/18 13:40:00

DOWNINGTOWN, PA: Former Episcopal priest starts new ministry

By ERIC S. SMITH, Staff Writer
http://dailylocal.com/articles/2010/12/18/news/srv0000010332871.txt?viewmode=fullstory
December 18, 2010

A former Episcopal priest removed from the church after accusations of involvement with druidic activities has resurfaced with his own small, non-denominational congregation.

The Rev. William Melnyk, former rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Downingtown, resigned from the church in late 2004 amid investigations that he and his wife, the Rev. Glyn Ruppe-Melnyk, wrote two druidic ceremonies as suggestions for women's liturgies. The druids were a Celtic sect that predates Christianity.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Bishop Charles E. Bennison declined to suspend the two priests from the church.

Ruppe-Melnyk still serves as the rector of St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Willistown.

Melnyk said recently that Bishop Bennision agreed to reinstate him if Melnyk could agree to not write or speak about Celtic spirituality. Melnyk said he could not agree to those terms and that it became evident earlier this year that his reinstatement was not going to happen.

"So I then thought, here's an opportunity to do church the way I think it ought to be done," Melnyk said.

So in July, Melnyk began St. Brendan of the Ninth Wave, where he practices what he calls Celtic Christianity.

On Sunday, the group plans to hold its first Christmas service at 10 a.m. at the home of a member.

Melnyk said the druids were misunderstood by the church and many politically involved religious groups that were behind the allegations. He said the druids worshiped nature and that at the time when Christianity was being formed, the worship of nature and Christ often blended. He said the church got away from the appreciation of nature and that he disagrees with that approach.

"We're not worshiping the trees or the sun; it's just we can see the presence of God everywhere," Melnyk said. Continued...

Melnyk said he is enjoying the freedom of teaching from the Bible without the doctrine of a specific church. He said one of the most important parts of the Christian faith is the Eucharist, but the story associated with the Eucharist is always centered around the Last Supper. St. Brendan's chooses to change the reading and story during the Eucharist depending upon the time of year.

Melnyk said he will use the Christmas story on Sunday during the Eucharist and talk about the feeding of the baby as well as feeding all of the travelers who gathered for the birth of Christ.

"Why at Christmas should we go back to Good Friday?" Melnyk asked. "The Bible has lots of Eucharist meals, and we just choose to use a different image."

Melnyk said his service will also focus on the winter solstice as well as the Christmas holiday.

St. Brendan's has about 20 members, Melnyk said. He said he harbors no ill feelings toward St. James and is enjoying his new opportunity.

"This is an example of what people can do when they really love the sacramental church but the hierarchy is not something they're able to live with," Melnyk said. "We just found a way to be who we are."

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