From North Texas Episcopalians

From Katie Sherrod at Desert's Child:

A STATEMENT FROM THE STEERING COMMITTEE NORTH TEXAS EPISCOPALIANS

The Steering Committee North Texas Episcopalians laments the divisive and uncanonical actions taken at the 26th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth today.

Bishop Jack Iker and his adherents, no longer comfortable in the Episcopal Church, tried to remove the entire diocesan structure, including real estate, from the church and align with another Anglican province based in South America. The Constitution and canons of the Episcopal Church do not permit such actions, and we anticipate a lengthy legal engagement to sort out the issues created by this action today.

Though the bishop and his colleagues are departing the Episcopal Church today, many Episcopalians in the diocese will not, and the remaining Episcopal laity, clergy, and congregations will move soon to reorganize the diocese as a fully involved entity of the Episcopal Church in union with its General Convention. We acknowledge the authority of the Most Rev Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop. The Episcopal Church’s work of Christian ministry and evangelization will go forward as Episcopalians worship and work together within the context of the Church’s historical faith, creeds, and Holy Scriptures.

Read the rest at Katie's website and scroll down to read her other posts on the convention in Fort Worth - the Statement from Fort Worth Via Media, how the voting went, Bp. Iker's address.

Those who chose to remain within the Episcopal Church in Fort Worth exhibited great courage.

Let us pray for Fort Worth Via Media:

O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let us pray for those who chose to leave. It's sad, but it's no surprise.