+Iker Releases Four Parishes

from Stand Firm by Greg Griffith

Via email from the communications office of Fort Worth:

In a hearing Monday, Feb. 2, the Bishop and Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth took action under diocesan Canon 32 to release the property and assets of four parishes from the Corporation of the diocese. The rectors and elected wardens of the four parishes were notified of the hearing and invited to attend. The property of Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Worth, and St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, Southlake, has been transferred into the name of the Rectors and Wardens of those parishes, respectively. The property of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Fort Worth, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Stephenville, will be transferred upon removal of financial encumberances in the form of building loans currently in the name of the Corporation.

As required by Canon 32, the Bishop’s Orders were issued upon determination that the Vestry and Rector in each of the four parishes has expressed an intention to remain in union with the General Convention of The Episcopal Church (USA), and that significant majorities of the congregations are in support of that intention. "It is my order, therefore," the Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker wrote to each, "that the relationship between this diocese" and each of these churches "is hereby dissolved. It is no longer in union with the Convention of this diocese and is released from its obligations as a member congregation." In a cover letter, Bishop Iker concluded, "Please know of my continued prayers and best wishes to you and all the other people at [these churches] in the years ahead." The letters and Bishop’s Orders were delivered by mail this week.