REC General Council Postponed to June 2021

From Reformed Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Ray Sutton:

I write to report the important decision by the General Committee to postpone the 56th General Council planned for the week of June 7, 2020. Our Constitution and Canons stipulate regarding the time and place of the meeting of a General Council: “If in the opinion of the Presiding Bishop there be sufficient reason to change the time or place . . . this may be done by him with the consent in writing of two-thirds of the General Committee” (Article VII, Sec. 2). On March 26, with the unanimous support of the Council of Bishops, I made recommendation to a called meeting of the General Committee, that our General Council be rescheduled for June, 2021, at the same location in Charleston, South Carolina. The General Committee unanimously approved my recommendation. 

The rest of his letter with more factors behind this decision may be found at the REC site.

Coronavirus Closing Overkill? UPDATED

A few months from now, I suspect a large group will look foolish, either those who cancelled everything or those who downplayed the danger of coronavirus.  Yes, maybe both will look foolish.  But I suspect the excessive cancellers will look more foolish.

Take the NCAA Basketball Tourney, popularly known as March Madness, that I was very much looking forward to.  The initial plan to carry on but with only family and necessary staff attending was wise. But to cancel it all? Family, teams, and staff interact anyway.  To cancel the tourney does not protect much more or prevent virus spread much more but it does give yet one more big hit to the economy and national morale.

Even churches are cancelling services, among whom are ACNA’s Church of the Ascension in Pittsburgh.  It is hard for me to criticize efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus, but at times like this, people need and perceive their need of church even more.  I know that as I reduce my social interaction and experience increased stress, I need church more.  I will keep more social distance when I go this Sunday, but I want to go!  And, no, watching church on a screen won’t do.

Contrast Pope Gregory the Great’s response to a plague.  He led a procession into the teeth of it.  That may seem a bit medieval, but closing churches instead seems a bit . . . well, I will leave that to the reader.

Now I will make an exception.  Episcopal Churches and mainline Presbyterian Churches, yes, please do close for the sake of public heath both physical and spiritual.  Thank you.

----

UPDATE: St. Matthias Anglican (REC) of Katy, Texas has suspended its services for this Sunday.

Presiding Bishop Sutton Issues Letter in Response to Hicks Resignation

As noted yesterday, REC Bishop David Hicks plans to resign as the Bishop of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to become Rector of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Butler in the ACNA Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Today, Presiding Bishop Ray Sutton issued a letter addressing this change.  As you may have surmised from my bare bones post yesterday, Hicks’ resignation may prompt some to raise questions concerning Hicks’ and the REC’s commitment on the issue of Holy Orders.  Sutton addresses that head on:

For any concerned on the matter of Holy Orders, however, it may help to know that although the Diocese of Pittsburgh (ACNA) allows for the ordination of women to the diaconate and presbyterate, there are also parishes in the diocese that do not share this belief and practice. St. Peter’s Anglican Church (Butler) is one of those congregations. The Reformed Episcopal Church in all of its dioceses, however, is resolute and clear on its understanding of the Holy Scriptures and the practice of the historic Church as articulated in our Constitution and Canons: only males serve in the three offices of this church (Deacon, Priest and Bishop). Please know that our bishops and clergy continue to pledge our fidelity to and remain unwavering in our convictions to uphold these ancient standards!

And with Hicks remaining an REC bishop until July 31st, that apparently includes him, a conclusion confirmed by private communications.

One may still ask if being opposed to WO in a diocese and under a bishop that supports WO is a tenable position.  Good cases can be made for yea or nay on that question. But I see no reason to think the Diocese of Pittsburgh will be ungracious in that regard.  And even in the unlikely event it becomes so, ACNA parishes are not captives as in The Episcopal Church.

More could be said, but I will leave the subject for now.

Sutton’s letter addresses much more concerning this change. I recommend reading it all.

Bishop David Hicks to Resign, Leave REC to Lead ACNA Diocese of Pittsburgh Parish

In an Easter Monday letter to the Diocese of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (DNMA) of the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC), Bishop David Hicks announced that he will resign as Bishop of said diocese on July 31st to become Rector of St. Peter’s Anglican Church of Butler, PA the next day.  That parish is in the ACNA Diocese of Pittsburgh. 

Hicks had served as Chair of the Task Force on Holy Orders, which examined the issue of the ordination of women in ACNA.  At that time, he was (and is) an REC bishop.  The REC does not ordain women to Holy Orders.  The Diocese of Pittsburgh does ordain women.

The letter further states that REC Presiding Bishop Ray Sutton “will be leading the Diocese [DNMA] in the search for a new bishop….”

Do read the letter for yourself.

Front Porch Ministries at Pusey House

At the Reformed Episcopal Church’s past General Council, our Presiding Bishop Ray Sutton encouraged us to do “front porch ministries” – ministries, low pressure events, groups, and just good fun that attracts people through the church doors that normally would not come.  The hope, of course, is that people, once in and making new friends, would feel more comfortable coming to church and that some would end up getting more involved.  (At the same time, one should provide ministries and opportunities to people for the love of God and of them. Invitations to get more involved should be timely and low pressure, not suffocating.)

In my term here, now coming to an end, at Oxford, I’ve seen front porch ministries work very well at Pusey House.  Just one example is their Scriptorium.

Begun earlier this year, the Scriptorium is very simple.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays (now expanding to Wednesdays as well by popular demand), people may come to the Pusey House library for a structured time of study and work.  We begin at 9:25am with a very brief time of prayer and reflection, then for as much of the day as they like until 5:15 or so, students may write or study quietly together at tables or separately elsewhere in the library. There are tea breaks at 11pm and 3pm and a (free) sandwich lunch break at 1pm.

And that is pretty much it. I know that may not sound terribly exciting.  But many like the combination of structure, quiet company, and social breaks in studying.  The numbers coming have grown markedly - which pleases the Librarian.  And some of those end up getting involved in other ways at Pusey House.

We had a notable example of that last night.  David Bennett first came to Pusey House through Scriptorium.  He ended up liking the place so much that he asked if he could do the book release at Pusey House for his book A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus.  To their credit, the House chapter decided to take the risk of controversy and said yes; and the release event last night went very well bringing in around eighty people.  That included some who disagreed with Bennett’s thinking during the Q and A, but all disagreement was civil and respectful and contributed to the discussion.

And that is just one example and far from the only time this term that Pusey House has been darn right crowded.  Movie nights with discussion following have brought in people, including two young women that came back a week later for our Advent service.  Lectures have brought in an interesting variety. And there’s more.  (And it does not hurt that Pusey House is often generous in serving food and sometimes serves a drink or two as well.)

By the way, if you are in or will be in or near Oxford, I recommend getting on the Sacristan’s e-mail list to be informed of events.  For that, e-mail pusey dot sacristan at stx dot ox dot ac dot uk .

So I’ve been impressed beyond expectations during my term at Pusey House.  One reason is the variety of events that the house has going on and all the different people that attracts.  I’ve long loved Pusey House, but now it has become a very busy and often crowded place, even noisy at times.  Good! I suspect the Lord is using that to make His Kingdom just a bit more crowded, too.

The Sanctus with the Benedictus is meet and right.

It is funny how long it can take one, namely me, to notice something both obvious and important.  But at Mass last Sunday at Pusey House I noticed how well the Benedictus fits with the Sanctus even if it was appended about a thousand years ago or more.

I therefore consider it an innovation . . . but a good one.

Perhaps the good fit of the Benedictus eluded me because my parish does not use it.  The Reformed Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer is traditional low church (even as we have become slightly higher church) and follows the 1662 BCP in not having the Benedictus with the Sanctus.  My memory is fuzzy on whether REC parishes are allowed to use the Benedictus, but my parish does not.

Back to this past Sunday’s Mass, the musical setting was Herbert Howells’ Collegium Regale.  That, sung by the very good Pusey House choir, drew my mind well to the holiness of God expressed in the Sanctus.

But then as the Benedictus was sung, I remembered that Christ is our holy King, yet he comes to us “lowly and riding on a donkey” and he comes to us in the Holy Communion.  And I finally but immediately saw what an excellent summation the Sanctus with the Benedictus is of the Eucharist – God is “holy, holy, holy”; yet he graciously and humbly comes to us in the incarnation and in the Holy Communion.

Yes, as wonderful as this is, it should be obvious to the catholic Christian.  But it is no less good for me to see it this past Sunday at Pusey House.

Book Review: Anglican Ecclesiology and the Gospel by John Fenwick

I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying the fellowship of John Fenwick at church assemblies for about a decade now.  So when I saw he had a new book out in an area I’ve been studying, I was very interested.

The man is the Primus of the Free Church of England and the book is Anglican Ecclesiology and the Gospel.  And it is a thick book of about 500 pages, but easy reading and well written with Fenwick’s wit and erudition shining through.  I advise not reading it too fast, however.  For one thing, I often found many of the footnotes helpful.

The theme of Anglican Ecclesiology, as revealed in the chapter titles, is apostolic ecclesiology as upheld by classical Anglicanism.  Fenwick focuses on the authority of scripture and tradition derived from Christ and the apostles, apostolic ministry with focus on the nature of the threefold ministry, and the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist.

In the process, he brings out of his knowledge things both old and new.  He frequently and well cites the church fathers, Anglican divines, and, of course, the scriptures.  At the same time, he is remarkably up to date, citing the Jerusalem Declaration and the International Anglican Congress of 2015.  He even anticipates the appointment of missionary bishops for England, which indeed occurred after the publication date.  Warning of possible problems of “well-intentioned, but perhaps not well-informed” consecration of bishops from overseas for England, he urges orthodox Anglican constituencies to work together in England.  (I will exercise an excess of caution and leave it to the reader to find out Fenwick’s current opinion after the Lines consecration.)  He also warns against “the planting of Churches that have little substantial Anglican identity, though claiming the name.”  Perhaps ACNA should take that admonition to heart. (pp. 452, 453.)

Fenwick at times focuses on his Free Church of England and on the closely aligned Reformed Episcopal Church.  But virtually all of his observations have applications for other orthodox Anglican jurisdictions and beyond.

Moreover, I think Anglican Ecclesiology would serve as a very readable introductory text on just that subject.  Those teaching or studying ecclesiology would do well to consider it.  I will go further and say it is a must read for those in ACNA, the Free Church of England, or the Reformed Episcopal Church.  And do not let the meaty subject scare you away.  Again, this is very readable.  I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed Bishop Fenwick’s work.

About the New REC Presiding Bishop

As I’ve mentioned, the Reformed Episcopal Church in General Council has chosen a new Presiding Bishop this week, the Most Rev. Royal U. Grote.

For some years Bishop Grote has been the Bishop of my parish.  So most years, we have been privileged to be visited by him.  On occasion, I’ve gotten to host him in my home.

I can testify that he is an easy, adaptable and very sociable guest. I’ve long noticed he is approachable and full of good conversation.  He has told me a fun story or two I dare not repeat here!

He is an engaging teacher who delights in digging out nuggets from scripture and from history.  He is both gentle and straight-spoken.

I have noticed that he seems not to be a great fan of blogs at times, which is understandable.  But that has not kept him from being very affable with this blogger.

I could go on.  But the General Council has chosen well as just about anyone in the Reformed Episcopal Church can testify.  Royal Grote is a good man and an excellent bishop, now Presiding Bishop.

I cannot conclude without commending to you the report to General Council of the outgoing Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Leonard Riches.  It is moving and profound.

BREAKING: Royal Grote elected as REC Presiding Bishop

As expected, the General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church (ACNA) today elected the Rt. Rev. Royal U. Grote, Jr. as Presiding Bishop.

I am pleased though not at all surprised to see this.  I hope to make further comments soon.

Proof that the REC BCP is Inspired by God

Yesterday, the Second Lesson for Evening Prayer administered according to the Book of Common Prayer of the Reformed Episcopal Church was . . .

Romans 1:18-end

‘Nuff said.

REC Membership in ACNA Ratified

I think it worthy of note that the General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC) now meeting in Dallas has unanimously ratified its membership in The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).

The triannual meeting of the REC did so through approving without opposition a new Article XIII of the Constitution of the REC, which article spells out our membership in ACNA.

If one wishes to nitpick, technically the article does not become a part of our Constitution until a “second reading” (second approval) at the next General Council in three years. But for all practical purposes, our membership in ACNA is ratified, and that overwhelmingly. Thanks be to God!

The REC Lectionary during Pre-Lent

One of the strengths of the lectionary in the Reformed Episcopal Church’s BCP is how it handles the weekday readings for Pre-Lent, aka the “gesimas.”

The second lessons for the daily offices are particularly appropriate. For Morning Prayer, 2nd Corinthians is read straight through (unless there is a break for, today, St. Matthias Day, or for Purification Day, February 2nd), finishing the epistle on the first Saturday in Lent.

2nd Corinthians is probably the deepest, most personal look into the heart of St. Paul. It is an excellent plumb line to evaluate where our hearts are and should be as Christian ministers. (And virtually all Christians should be ministers of some sort.) I therefore find it excellent preparation for Lent as it helps me find attitudes to improve or to repent of as I seek to fulfill my ministry.

For Evening Prayer, the second lessons begin the long march through the Gospel of St. John. This continues through Lent and climaxes during Holy Week, when the second lessons for both daily offices leading into the Triduum are from John chapters 14-17, which reveal so much of the heart of Jesus towards us just before his arrest and crucifixion.

I think these parts of the lectionary an improvement on the 1928 BCP (US). The MP second lessons for Pre-Lent are from Mark 6:7-10:16. For Evening Prayer, the second lessons are from Galatians. Maybe I’m missing something, but I find the REC selections for Pre-Lent more appropriate. Although all scripture is profitable for penitence, of course, I find it difficult to see how Galatians and that section of Mark fit well into preparation for Lent. But I am engaging in liturgical nitpicking as usual. (Writes down an additional item of which to repent.)

For those interested in such things, the REC lectionary “is generally drawn from the altar edition of An Australian Prayer Book 1978,” augmented for Sundays by the 1945 edition of the 1928 BCP (US).

First REC Franciscan!? (Confirmed)

With the caveat that the only direct report of this I can find is a YouTube video, it appears the Reformed Episcopal Church has its first Franciscan, Fr. Greg Mashburn. The video is of his consecration by Bishop Dan Morse. (And although the video and audio is fuzzy, the voice does sound like Bishop Morse’s.)



This is not completely unheard of as there are Franciscans in the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church.

If I find out more, I’ll let you know. There are no reports yet of Bishop Cummins spinning in his grave.

UPDATE: The consecration is now confirmed. See the comments.

MORE: Now that the consecration of the first REC Franciscan is confirmed, I feel free to say I am glad to see this. The Franciscans are a very honorable order. And this event is part of the REC evolving from a sectarian church to a truly catholic church with varying churchmanships and callings.

Although the founders of the REC would probably not be pleased to see this, it lives out well their ecumenical spirit.

ACNA Assembly Random Notes

I’m still a bit sleepy and foggy after a late night last night. It was an excellent service. Even hardened journalists were impressed.

If you see us Reformed Episcopalians puffing out our chests a bit today, it is because our Presiding Bishop, Leonard Riches, was the Senior Bishop Presiding in the service and administered the oaths to ++Robert Duncan.

Metropolitan Jonah of the Orthodox Church in America is a brave and honest man. He made clear yesterday morning that he desired communion between his church and The Anglican Church in North America. But then, in going through barriers to communion, he proceeded to gore the oxen of just about every party among us -- Calvinism (“a condemned heresy”), women’s ordination, bare sanctuaries and empty crosses (“iconoclasm”), reluctance to affirm all 7 Ecumenical Councils, the filioque, Marian excesses, and more. I don’t know if there was a single foot in the tent he did not stomp on. Like I said, brave man. But I and most greatly respect his honesty.

The Dallas area is having the hottest weather of the year so far, above 100 degrees. Even to this South Texan, it has felt like a furnace. Fortunately, a shower cooled Plano – to the 90’s – before the service yesterday evening.

I went to a favorite spot in Plano for dinner before the service and had the good fortune to be invited to join Bishop John David Schofield and friends at their table. He is very relaxing and pleasant company, and I greatly enjoyed my dinner with them.

This assembly has been about much more than church business. I know I’ve been challenged to pick up the pace of my ministry. And I am sure I am not alone.

More “Anglican” Churches Coming Your Way in 2009

Expect to see more “Anglican” churches around in North America in 2009. The new Anglican Church in North America has a missionary mindset. But also, some of the parishes already in the new church will want to change their names to make their identity more clear.

Many of those will be Reformed Episcopal parishes. Our bishops are gently encouraging us to change our parish names to “Anglican” in part because the E-word leads to confusion. Bishop Grote visited my parish yesterday and said as much. I wish I remembered the delicate way he put difficulties with the E-word. :)

And that has been my personal experience. When I say I go to a Reformed Episcopal Church, people are polite and all. But it’s clear they think it’s Episcopalian. So I have a choice to let it lie or right away give an explanation of what we are not. Not a pleasant choice. It’s hard to be winsome given that.

It seems my parish agrees with our bishops’ wisdom though we are proud of our Reformed Episcopal identity. We haven’t decided yet, but I expect we will change our name (or at least our sign) from “Reformed Episcopal” to “Anglican.” We won’t be alone.

REC Passes Anti-Abortion Resolution

Virtually the last act of the Reformed Episcopal Church's General Council last week was the passage of the following resolution:

Forasmuch as the Reformed Episcopal Church has affirmed the teaching of God's Word that abortion is the taking of an unborn human life, and inasmuch as we have recognized the duty of all faithful Christians to work to protect the unborn and restrain the sin of abortion on demand, we hereby move that the General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church direct the clergy and laity of the Reformed Episcopal Church to make a political candidate's position on the Sanctity of Human Life the highest priority in discerning for whom to vote regardless of political party represented or office being sought.

The resolution passed without opposition although there was a quiet abstention or two.

I supported it although I do quibble with one matter. The resolution was sprung on us without notification and without a written version of it in front of us. (It was read to us.) Although I think it an excellent resolution and am proud of the REC for taking this stand, that’s not the way resolutions of this importance should be handled.

BREAKING: REC General Council Approves GAFCON Statement and Jerusalem Declaration

Upon the hearty recommendation of Presiding Bishop Leonard W. Riches, the 52nd General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church has just affirmed the GAFCON Statement and the Jerusalem Declaration by a rising vote. There was no opposition.

Today is a great day.

MORE: In his comments on GAFCON accompanying his recommendation, the Presiding Bishop said with emphasis, “Within a few short weeks it is expected that this new alignment will be represented domestically in the formation and recognition of a new Province of the Anglican Church in North America.”

At REC General Council

Yes, I did make it here to Victoria, B. C. for the 52nd General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church. The weather is spectacular. Sorry I haven’t posted much. I haven’t had much extra time.

We’re meeting at the Church of Our Lord, the oldest original REC church in existence, built in 1875. It is a beautiful, unusual building.

Two people I’m particularly glad to see here: APA Presiding Bishop Walter Grundorf and my favorite Northern Californian Anglican, Fr. Brian Foos. He and his choir will be leading us in choral evensong later today. Bishop Grundorf just gave a brief warm address that debunked some of "exaggerations" of difficulties between the APA and the REC.

My rector has just created a photoblog of his time at (and to) this General Council. Yes, there may be a pic or two of me there.

Well, I better pay attention to the first business meeting now in progress.

The Rest of the Month (and REC General Council)

Good morning. I want to give my forbearing readers a heads-up on the rest of the month for this blog. I will be quite busy, so it is uncertain how much I will blog. So if I don’t post for a few days at a time, don’t be alarmed. But, as always, if sufficiently provoked, I will blog.

But more importantly, the week of October 20th, I will be attending the General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church as a delegate. So I will be sure to make some reports from there. It should be an interesting Council, given this year’s developments with GAFCON and Common Cause, including a Common Cause leaders meeting this past week.

All prayers for the REC and for me would be appreciated. And thanks for putting up with me.

Confirmed: APA Diocese to Join REC

I wanted to be sure I got my facts straight before posting on this. But after talking to reliable sources, I can confirm that Bishop Richard Boyce of the Anglican Province of America has asked the Reformed Episcopal Church to receive him and his Diocese of the West. I can also confirm that unless there is some very unexpected change, the REC will indeed receive him and the willing within his diocese. The REC has not yet issued any public statements, however.

It appears Bishops Boyce’s main reason for switching to the REC is the APA’s reluctance to join Common Cause Partners. There is a large enough element in the APA that don’t want to join Common Cause that they are succeeding in keeping the APA out. Bishop Boyce is clearly fed up with that and wants to join Common Cause.

It’s sad that after making serious moves to increase orthodox Anglican unity, the APA backed away from that direction. This latest development is part of the fruit of not putting adequate weight on Jesus’ desire that we be one.