Truro Celebrates Sixteen Years of Ministry with Martyn and Angela Minns

It was family reunion and time for celebration today at Truro in Fairfax. A surprise summer day in April filled with laugher and tears, joy, hope, and love. A momentous gathering recalling the past and preparing for the future, for Martyn, teaching us to look outside ourselves and walk out the Gospel - for Angela, warm with hospitality, steel resolve, and faithful in prayer. And for Rachel - one of the greatest gifts Truro has ever known.

A Man with Attitude

What's fun about this video is, well, Bob. Watch his performance - you can see how he has fun with the phrasing and just fooling around during the performance. Sometimes he's like a blank wall - and sometimes, like here, he is not. This is a July 2001 performance of his Oscar-winning song Things Have Changed (you can catch a glimpse of his Oscar award at marker 5:45). The Oscar is taped to his amp. If you've seen him in concert in recent years, it's still taped to his amp. Some things really don't change, Bob. Now get back on the bus.

Here are the lyrics:

A worried man with a worried mind
No one in front of me and nothing behind
There's a woman on my lap and she's drinking champagne
Got white skin, got assassin's eyes
I'm looking up into the sapphire tinted skies
I'm well dressed, waiting on the last train

Standing on the gallows with my head in a noose
Any minute now I'm expecting all hell to break loose

People are crazy and times are strange
I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range
I used to care, but things have changed

This place ain't doing me any good
I'm in the wrong town, I should be in Hollywood
Just for a second there I thought I saw something move
Gonna take dancing lessons do the jitterbug rag
Ain't no shortcuts, gonna dress in drag
Only a fool in here would think he's got anything to prove

Lot of water under the bridge, Lot of other stuff too
Don't get up gentlemen, I'm only passing through

People are crazy and times are strange
I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range
I used to care, but things have changed

I've been walking forty miles of bad road
If the bible is right, the world will explode
I've been trying to get as far away from myself as I can
Some things are too hot to touch
The human mind can only stand so much
You can't win with a losing hand

Feel like falling in love with the first woman I meet
Putting her in a wheel barrow and wheeling her down the street

People are crazy and times are strange
I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range
I used to care, but things have changed

I hurt easy, I just don't show it
You can hurt someone and not even know it
The next sixty seconds could be like an eternity
Gonna get low down, gonna fly high
All the truth in the world adds up to one big lie
I'm in love with a woman who don't even appeal to me

Mr. Jinx and Miss Lucy, they jumped in the lake
I'm not that eager to make a mistake

People are crazy and times are strange
I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range
I used to care, but things have changed

B. Dylan 1999

Warner Brothers Releases New Order of the Phoenix Preview

Oh, we can't wait! Click on the headline above for full screen viewing.

From Today's Reading of Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest: "The Retired Sphere of the Leasts"

My Utmost for His Highest - April 19

Title: Is It Not In The Least Likely?

Key Verse: For Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom (1 Kings 2:28).

Joab stood the big test, he remained absolutely loyal and true to David and did not turn after the fascinating and ambitious Absalom, but yet towards the end of his life he turned after the craven Adonijah. Always remain alert to the fact that where one man has gone back is exactly where any one may go back (see 1 Cor. 10:13). You have gone through the big crisis, now be alert over the least things; take into calculation the "retired sphere of the leasts."

We are apt to say - "It is not in the least likely that having been through the supreme crisis, I shall turn now to the things of the world."

Do not forecast where the temptation will come, it is the least likely thing that is the peril. In the aftermath of a great spiritual
transaction the "retired sphere of the leasts" begins to tell; it is not dominant, but remember it is there, and if you are not warned, it will trip you up. You have remained true to God under great and intense trials, now beware of the undercurrent. Do not be morbidly introspective, looking forward with dread, but keep alert; keep your memory bright before God. Unguarded strength is double weakness because that is where the "retired sphere of the leasts" saps. The Bible characters fell on their strong points, never on their weak ones.

"Kept by the power of God" - that is the only safety.

Oswald Chambers

Bob Dylan's Radio Show a Hit: Signs up for a Second Season!

Season Two of Bob Dylan's Award-Winning XM Music Show to Debut in September

WASHINGTON, April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bob Dylan's award-winning XM music show, "Theme Time Radio Hour," will return to XM with all-new episodes in September, it was announced today. The new season will feature the show's signature eclectic mix of songs related to a specific theme, along with entertaining stories about the music and topics of interest. In addition, fans of "Theme Time Radio Hour" can expect to hear contributions from more special guests during the second season, including Ellen Barkin, whose sultry voice has heralded the start of each "Theme Time" episode since its debut last year.

Dylan's critically-acclaimed weekly show wraps-up its first season today with a special two-hour episode. Devoted to the theme "spring cleaning," the season finale features a diverse list of artists that spans from Memphis Minnie to Tom Waits and Roy Orbison to Igor Stravinsky, among many others.

Following the show's first-anniversary on May 3, XM will air a "Theme Time Radio Hour" marathon during Memorial Day weekend, broadcasting every episode from the first season of Dylan's "Theme Time Radio Hour" back-to-back, beginning May 26 at 6 p.m. ET on The Village (XM 15).

In May 2006, Bob Dylan's "Theme Time Radio Hour," debuted to popular and critical-acclaim exclusively on XM. Rolling Stone calls the show "revelatory ... Dylan's song choices are impressively varied," and the Boston Herald says of Dylan as DJ, "he's informative, funny ... his taste is impeccable." Among the shows myriad accomplishments of the past year, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum added the "baseball" episode of "Theme Time Radio Hour" to its archives in June 2006.

Dylan is one of music's most iconic performers. He has released more than 45 albums containing more than 600 songs that have been covered by more than 2,000 different artists ranging from The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder and Guns N' Roses to Duke Ellington, Garth Brooks, Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine.

His last four albums have been critical and popular successes with 1997's Time Out Of Mind garnering three GRAMMY(R) Awards, including Album Of The Year. In 2001, he won an Academy Award(R) and a Golden Globe(R) for the song "Things Have Changed." In 2004 his best selling memoir, Chronicles Volume 1, spent 19 weeks on The New York Times' Best Sellers List. Last year, Dylan received mass critical praise for his latest studio release "Modern Times," which had its world premiere on XM in August 2006. Certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), "Modern Times" debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and became Dylan's first number one album in 30 years.

"Theme Time Radio Hour" airs Wednesdays at 10 a.m. ET on XM's deep classic rock channel, Deep Tracks (XM 40), with additional encores airing throughout the week on both Deep Tracks and XM's dedicated folk music channel, The Village (XM 15).

BB NOTE: We haven't missed a show! In addition, we've just learned from Dylan's website that he has written the title track for the upcoming film, Lucky You. It's called "Huck's Tune," and the soundtrack can be pre-ordered here.

Gazette "Religion Writer" has a very interesting Blog ...

Check out the guy who has been writing "articles" like this one also blogs here.

Hmm ...

Not exactly working without an agenda, is he?

The original headline for his recent Sunday article was Armstrong denies stealing from Grace. It was later changed to Anglican group cuts ties with Armstrong - and how that happened is probably worth a story in itself.

Perhaps the "stealing" headline was discovered by an editor and realized that was tabloid fodder.

So they went to the "real" story - ACI and the tinfoil hat conspiracies. Someone else has to take the blame for TEC's global crisis. Reminds me a bit of this. Saw the original masterpiece with Ed and Diane Knippers at the National Gallery in London several years ago.

Hmm ...

Sometimes we read this stuff - newspaper articles written by religion writers who also have rather interesting online blogs and we can't help but wonder if we aren't all actually just living in Pepperland:



The more we read this stuff, the more we think it's all Pepperland, a home even the Smugeons would love.

No greater love than this

Romanian-born Liviu Librescu, 76, an engineering science and mathematics professor at Virginia Tech, was killed in the Virginia Tech massacre April 16, 2007. According to Librescu's son, students sent e-mails explaining that the professor risked his life for his students by blocking the doorway of his classroom and allowing students to flee through windows. He was fatally shot.

Librescu, a Holocaust survivor, had an international reputation for his work in aeronautical engineering. The photo (AP) was taken in Bucharest, Romania, in the year 2000, when he was awarded the Doctor Honoris Causa title by the Romanian Polytechnic University, from which he graduated in mechanics and aviation construction in 1953. Librescu was born in the southern Romanian city of Ploiesti, emigrated to Israel in 1978 and later moved to the United States, and received U.S. citizenship.

BB NOTE: No greater love than this. A brilliant college professor giving his life for his students. No greater love than this.

Right-Click on the headline above to see a video interview with Dr. Librescu's son (center of the page). Listen carefully to what he says about his father in his last moments.


Save Me written and sung by Dan O'Neil, a twenty-two year old student at Virginia Tech who lost his life in the tragedy.


Angel sung by Dan O'Neil.

Hear more of Dan O'Neil's music here.

One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and ...

Archbishop of Canterbury and Anglican Primates to meet with TEC House of Bishops

Archbishop to visit US Church

Monday 16th April 2007

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has announced that he intends to visit the United States this autumn in response to the invitation from the House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church.

Speaking in a press conference in Toronto, Dr Williams said he would undertake the visit together with members of the Standing Committee of the Primates and the Anglican Consultative Council:

"I look forward to some sharing of our experiences as pastors as well as discussion of the business of the Communion. These are complicated days for our church internationally and it's all the more important to keep up personal relationships and conversations. ….my aim is to try and keep people around the table for as long as possible on this, to understand one another, and to encourage local churches".

Blacksburg

Day of wrath, that day
Will dissolve the earth in ashes
As David and the Sibyl bear witness.

What dread there will be
When the Judge shall come
To judge all things strictly.

A trumpet, spreading a wondrous sound
Through the graves of all lands,
Will drive mankind before the throne.

Death and Nature shall be astonished
When all creation rises again
To answer to the Judge.

A book, written in, will be brought forth
In which is contained everything that is,
Out of which the world shall be judged.

When therefore the Judge takes His seat
Whatever is hidden will reveal itself.
Nothing will remain unavenged.

What then shall 1 say, wretch that I am,
What advocate entreat to speak for me,
When even the righteous may hardly be secure?

King of awful majesty,
Who freely savest the redeemed,
Save me, O fount of goodness.

Remember, blessed Jesu,
That I am the cause of Thy pilgrimage,
Do not forsake me on that day.

Seeking me Thou didst sit down weary,
Thou didst redeem me, suffering death on the cross.
Let not such toil be in vain.

Just and avenging Judge,
Grant remission
Before the day of reckoning.

I groan like a guilty man.
Guilt reddens my face.
Spare a suppliant, O God.

Thou who didst absolve Mary Magdalene
And didst hearken to the thief,
To me also hast Thou given hope.

My prayers are not worthy,
But Thou in Thy merciful goodness grant
That I burn not in everlasting fire.

Place me among Thy sheep
And separate me from the goats,
Setting me on Thy right hand.

When the accursed have been confounded
And given over to the bitter flames,
Call me with the blessed.

I pray in supplication on my knees.
My heart contrite as the dust,
Safeguard my fate.

Mournful that day
When from the dust shall rise
Guilty man to be judged.
Therefore spare him, O God.
Merciful Jesu,
Lord Grant them rest.

Have we said thank you lately?

Poems for a Rainy Sunday

Elegy

About a year has passed. I've returned to the place of the battle,
to its birds that have learned their unfolding of wings
from a subtle
lift of a surprised eyebrow, or perhaps from a razor blade
- wings, now the shade of early twilight, now of state
bad blood.

Now the place is abuzz with trading
in your ankles's remnants, bronzes
of sunburnt breastplates, dying laughter, bruises,
rumors of fresh reserves, memories of high treason,
laundered banners with imprints of the many
who since have risen.

All's overgrown with people. A ruin's a rather stubborn
architectural style. And the hearts's distinction
from a pitch-black cavern
isn't that great; not great enough to fear
that we may collide again like blind eggs somewhere.

At sunrise, when nobody stares at one's face, I often,
set out on foot to a monument cast in molten
lengthy bad dreams. And it says on the plinth "commander
in chief." But it reads "in grief," or "in brief,"
or "in going under."

I Sit By The Window

I said fate plays a game without a score,
and who needs fish if you've got caviar?
The triumph of the Gothic style would come to pass
and turn you on--no need for coke, or grass.
I sit by the window. Outside, an aspen.
When I loved, I loved deeply. It wasn't often.

I said the forest's only part of a tree.
Who needs the whole girl if you've got her knee?
Sick of the dust raised by the modern era,
the Russian eye would rest on an Estonian spire.
I sit by the window. The dishes are done.
I was happy here. But I won't be again.

I wrote: The bulb looks at the flower in fear,
and love, as an act, lacks a verb; the zer-
o Euclid thought the vanishing point became
wasn't math--it was the nothingness of Time.
I sit by the window. And while I sit
my youth comes back. Sometimes I'd smile. Or spit.

I said that the leaf may destory the bud;
what's fertile falls in fallow soil--a dud;
that on the flat field, the unshadowed plain
nature spills the seeds of trees in vain.
I sit by the window. Hands lock my knees.
My heavy shadow's my squat company.

My song was out of tune, my voice was cracked,
but at least no chorus can ever sing it back.
That talk like this reaps no reward bewilders
no one--no one's legs rest on my sholders.
I sit by the window in the dark. Like an express,
the waves behind the wavelike curtain crash.

A loyal subject of these second-rate years,
I proudly admit that my finest ideas
are second-rate, and may the future take them
as trophies of my struggle against suffocation.
I sit in the dark. And it would be hard to figure out
which is worse; the dark inside, or the darkness out.

Poems by Jospeh Brodsky

More here.

Stop doubting and believe

Bob Dylan sings I Am The Man, Thomas in 2002.

I am the Man Thomas
I am the Man
Look at these nail scars
Here in my hand

They drove me up the hill Thomas
I am the Man
They made me carry the cross Thomas
I am the Man

I am the Man Thomas
I am the Man
Look at these nail scars
Here in my hand

They crowned my head with thorns Thomas
I am the Man
They nailed me to the cross Thomas
I am the Man

I am the Man Thomas
I am the Man
Look at these nail scars
Here in my hand

They pierced me in the side
I am the Man
I died on the cross Thomas
I am the Man

I am the Man Thomas
I am the Man
Look at these nails scars
Here in my hand

They buried me in the tomb Thomas
I am the Man
In three days I rose Thomas
I am the Man

I am the Man Thomas
I am the Man
Look at these nails scars
Here in my hand

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 20:24-31

BB NOTE: We had Youth Sunday at Truro this morning where the youth take over all the worship services. It was very exciting and by the end we'd nearly popped the roof off the building (the fire department actually was called during the service and firefighters in all their regalia were seen in the Undercroft looking for the source of something burning, but didn't find anything - it did sort of add to the atmosphere though - things were definitely on fire). The sermon was awesome, done by Abram, our youth director, and Matt, one of the youth as a conversation on Thomas. It was inspiring and timely. "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Long Distance Dedication to the Friends of Job

Friendly Fire is worse then enemy fire. Who was it who said that the “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends"? Ah yes, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

So we've put up The Clash for our friends in the West, but perhaps prayer would be better. What was it Job prayed? "I know that my Redeemer lives." (Job 19). In sorting out the truth from the fiction, this we know is true. Our Redeemer lives, whatever state we find our skin.

Anglican Centrist: Loren Mead Reflects on TEC Primates

BB NOTE: Fun finding stuff to agree with at Anglican Centrist, his posting today by Loren Mead makes for very good reading - and very much worth pondering as 815 attempts to centralize control of TEC (as it has been doing for quite a while, which anyone who goes to General Convention has been able to observe for years). Something happened that Monday in January (only three months ago now) when the Diocese of Virginia Standing Committee and Executive Board met with the TEC Chancellor, David Booth Beers, just the day after Truro had selected its negotiating team for Bishop Lee's brand new "Property Committee" just as the bishop had asked us to do. Then the next day, that Monday in January, Booth Beers came over for a little chat with Bishop Lee and the Diocese of Virginia leadership and the next thing we know the Virginia Churches clergy are all inhibited and lawsuits have been filed against us all by the Diocese of Virginia, followed by another one by 815 and the Presiding Bishop (guess they needed to "encourage" the Diocese of Virginia). It was all too weird and not like Virginia, a traditionally low-church style diocese (though not always in substance) and not one to take the authoritarian route into the courthouse across the street from Truro.

We recall that we've been told that it was only in the 1940s or 50s when "Processionals" and "Candles on the Lord's Table" were introduced into Truro for the first time and celebrating Eucharist weekly only started in the mid-1980s. Many parishes in Virginia still only celebrate the Lord's Supper (we even whisper the word "Eucharist" now) once a month. Ah, but those were the days when playing guitars or heaven forbid, drums and tambourines were somewhat shocking. Then came the sax and the harp - and the trumpets and the synth and the grand piano (and bought the Finney Pipe Organ too). Oh, for those days. We experimented with all of that stuff, blending our evangelical, catholilc, and pentecostal Christian heritages together in worship and never heard a peep from the bishop. Wonder if he wants a pipe organ? (Just kidding, Alan. Keep breathing.)

This article by Loren Mead provides some fascinating historical insight and not from the usual folks, but from someone who might consider himself a centrist. For years and years the TEC Bobos (building on David Brooks' Bohemian Bourgeois elites) have stilled dissent from the Episcopal centrists by focusing their common disdain toward those uppity conservatives of evangelical or Anglo Catholic variety (of course, doing so also helped still the rough waters between the evangelicals and the Anglo Catholics as well - their historic clashes had provided the forum for the Bobos to take over to begin with, but never mind). Now that the ball is basically in TEC's court alone (and the conservative minority is basically without voice (if you were a conservative and watching what's unfolding in Colorado, would you be inclined to speak out right now? No, didn't think so) - it is indeed "morning" for Episcopal Centrists to be thinking if they want to continue following the BoBos roadmap. This is the roadmap that is tearing the The Episcopal apart at the seams (so much for straining the bond of affection). That Anglican-connection to England is one of those peculiar aspects of upperclass American culture and we do wonder how that will continue past September 30.

This makes for very good reading at Anglican Centrist. Read the whole thing here. Here's an excerpt from the article by Loren Mead:

I come from a diocese that once went 20 years without a bishop, then had a bishop who once went 7 years without conducting a confirmation service. (This was reported by a subsequent bishop of South Carolina, a historian, who somewhat quizzically commented on the lapse as "for reasons that seemed appropriate to him.") We were a diocese that tended to think of cathedrals as vaguely Popish, or, perhaps equally bad, "European." I come from the branch of the Episcopal Church that knows that our constitution was not shaped by the federal Constitution (the way all the confirmation classes insist), but by the form of government the United States had when the Church constitution was produced: "The Articles of Confederation." So our constitution doesn't really have an executive branch (or president); its focus is in legislative authority that is bicameral – with only vestigial executive and afterthought judicial powers, and no provision for a president or for "national" taxation or rules. So we provided for a presiding officer for each of our legislative branches, but the presiding bishop has no authority in any diocese, and can only act in a diocese by the authority of the diocesan bishop.

Read the rest here. Fascinating insight though about the shaping of the Episcopal constitution (which apparently can be now changed at will by 815-centered General Convention) by the Articles of Confederation, not the US Constitution (that would have made a big difference in Virginia). That central-power thing never has taken root (imagine explaining to Virginia Episcopalians that New York - i.e., 815 - is in charge since they are now maintaining that this is a so-called hierarchical church). Imagine explaining to Virginia Episcopalians that TEC has a primate - no wonder Bishop Lee used that phrase "foreign prelates" in his "letter" to the Diocese (which still doesn't seem to be aimed at the Diocese, but rather to the Court House in Fairfax City). But never mind about that either.

Bob Dylan (you know he'd figure in here somewhere) has said that there is no right or left, just up and down and down is very close to the ground. Perhaps the "centrists" will discover that it is not the center they are on, but down on the ground and notice who's footprints all over their backs. The only footprints are those with power - and who might that be?

Again, read the rest here.

Grace & St. Stephen's Senior Warden makes first public statement

BB NOTE: Watching the disaster in North Carolina of the Duke University students wrongfully accused by an over-zealous agenda-driven Durham County District Attorney (and then tried in the media and found guilty), we are reminded that it is not a good idea to make quick judgements (even if the accusations come from what should be a trustworthy source, be it an elected prosecutor or an elected bishop) when accusations are made primarily in the press. We have worked in Washington long enough to see what disasters follow when one is found guilty in the press (only to be acquitted later when no one cares anymore).

This past week a group of former Vestry members of Grace & St. Stephen's in Colorado Springs published a public letter in their local newspaper. It has had quite a wide distribution throughout the internet all over the world.

Today the Senior Warden of Grace & St. Stephen's responds for the first time publicly. Today we will also be hearing for the first time from the rector of Grace/St. Stephen's as he officially responds (going on right now as we speak) for first time to the public accusations made against him. But notice how this is all being played out on the public stage. It is another tragic sign of the crisis and separation inside the Episcopal Church, make no mistake about it.

If this letter from the Senior Warden is any indication, we may have a full blown disaster of FEMA proportions in Colorado. Today is a good day to pray.

Saturday, April 14 2007

Dear Editor of The Gazette,

As senior warden of the vestry of Grace Church and St. Stephen’s I cannot let yesterday’s editorial by 19 current and former members of the Parish go unanswered. In their letter they have publicly questioned the trustworthiness of our priest and, by implication, the integrity of the duly elected members of the vestry, who serve as the governing fiduciary body of the Parish.

Let me first of all invite them and any and all persons of good will who are concerned about the financial matters of Grace Church and St. Stephen’s to a public forum this morning at 9:00 in the nave of the church at 631 N. Tejon Street. At this meeting the vestry will preside over Fr. Donald Armstrong’s formal response to the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado’s presentment. As the principal officer of the Colorado corporation of Grace Church and St. Stephen’s, I can assure all that the vestry eagerly awaits this forum for the truth to lay bare the reality behind all accusations, allegations, and charges for the matters in question.

As to the substantial points made in the letter of the 19 persons:

1. The vestry voted to leave the Episcopal Church on Monday morning, March 26, 2007 in a meeting at 8:00 am. Ironically, this can be confirmed by the Rev. Dr. Michael O’Donnell, the priest in charge of the dissenting congregation now
meeting at Shove Chapel. Fr. O’Donnell sat in supportive attendance of our meeting and immediately thereafter celebrated our decision to leave the Episcopal Church with us over coffee and donuts.

2. The Diocese of Colorado has recently released the presentment against Fr. Armstrong after a year of formulating these allegations. During the course of the year, the Bishop has prevented Fr. Armstrong from making any public response.
Fr. Armstrong has never been accorded the opportunity to respond to allegations before any ecclesiastical review committee or court. The sad reality is that for any justice to prevail in the face of such a contorted ecclesiastical system, Fr. Armstrong has had to leave the Episcopal Church of his ancestors in order to be free to defend himself against the allegations in question. This defense formally begins today in a public forum that will be presided over by the vestry with a congregation assembled to pass their own private judgment on the matter.

3. Regarding the question of scholarships, it was in fact, John Simmons, one of the letter’s 19 signatories and Sr. Warden at the time, who approved the scholarships – based in part on the fact that he had similar arrangements at Colorado College. His wife, Frear, was retained by the parish (at her husband’s suggestion) as an attorney to ensure that the vestry’s actions were legal and that the Parish was in compliance with the specified stipulations of the related trusts.

4. The church has not been “taken” or “raided” by the vestry, nor has anyone been forced to leave the parish. The vestry’s action to leave the Episcopal Church on March 26 was a pre-emptive defensive measure to protect the parish from an expected hostile take-over by the Diocese of Colorado. Our current provisional membership status in the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) allows the congregation to make a real choice in self-determination. In the Parish plebiscite scheduled for Sunday, May 20th the congregation will ratify or veto the vestry’s decision to leave the Episcopal Church. In the meantime, all members in good standing have been invited to fully participate in a 40 day period of discernment and to cast their vote on May 20th. At this time Grace Church and St. Stephen’s will either formally separate from the Episcopal Church or remain in it. Frankly, the Bishop’s effort to establish an alternative dissenting church is premature, divisive, schismatic, and unhelpful to the process we have set up for full participation of our body in this crucial decision making process about the future of the Parish.

5. We disagree with opinion of the 19 and believe that Grace Church and St. Stephen’s as a Colorado non-profit corporation has the lawful right of self-determination. As is publicly known, the Parish has recently entered El Paso County District Court to protect its rights to self-determination and property, both real and personal.

6. Regarding the letter’s reference to a “foreign leader,” I pray that I am not hearing anti-catholic or even racist connotations in its tone. If this is a reference to the Most Reverend Peter Akinola, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, it deeply saddens me. His missionary diocese in America has been recognized as legitimate by the Primates of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Furthermore, a holy man of God who was nominated to be World Magazine’s “Daniel of the Year” (2006) is undeserving of such contempt.

7. In the letter of the 19’s reaffirmation of their Christian faith and affection for Grace Church and St. Stephen’s, I cordially invite them to return to the parish and worship, pray, and study with us, to be reconciled to their priest of twenty-years, and to fully participate in the 40 days of discernment process concerning the future life of the Parish.

Respectfully,

Jon Wroblewski, Sr. Warden
Grace Church and St. Stephen’s