ECR >> Bishop/Obispo Gray-Reeves

My dear Friends,

As many of you will have heard by now, a majority of the voting members of the convention of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin have chosen to leave The Episcopal Church. While technically only individuals can leave, rather than parishes or dioceses, this historic action reflects the desire of many in that diocese to find a spiritual home other than The Episcopal Church. As I understand it, about 40 parishes are choosing to affiliate with the Province of the Southern Cone, the theological leanings of which they experience greater kinship. I am deeply saddened by their decision to break with Episcopalians with whom they have shared geographical and spiritual union, rejecting our long tradition and history of gathering in ways that challenge us to be one, even when we find it seemingly impossible.

As I understand it, the departing group will align itself with the Province of the Southern Cone, where their Primate, Gregory Venables, has offered dioceses not in agreement with the direction of The Episcopal Church, ‘a home within the Anglican Communion on an emergency basis’. The website for the Diocese of San Joaquin notes:

“Delegates and clergy attending the 48th Annual Convention of the Diocese of San Joaquin voted overwhelmingly in favor of amendments to the diocesan constitution, which removed references to The Episcopal Church, expressed the intention to maintain fellowship with the greater Anglican Communion accepted the invitation to become a diocesan member of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. The vote reaffirmed a first vote at the December 2, 2006 convention in which a more than two-thirds majority voted in favor of the constitutional amendments.”

The extra-canonical actions of this group bring us into uncharted territory emotionally, theologically, structurally, and no doubt in managing the legal matters surrounding property that will surely arise. As well, The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of San Joaquin will continue, with developmental and pastoral needs abounding. We can only imagine the pain of those who have chosen to remain in The Episcopal Church in San Joaquin, and lament the trauma all have experienced over the years it has taken to come to this place.

It is important to note that movements in The Episcopal Church , such as The Anglican Communion Network and those outside TEC, such as Convocations of Anglicans in North America (CANA), are actively supporting such harmful and disruptive actions that will not necessarily result in greater clarity or conversation around our current debates and disagreements. Expect at least a couple more of the 110 dioceses of The Episcopal Church, as well as individual parishes, who have historically struggled over the matters of prayer book, women’s ordination and human sexuality to strategize departures.

While we border this troubled diocese, the future of San Joaquin will be under the direction of Katharine Jefferts Schori, our Presiding Bishop. We will support her as she seeks advice and acts in ways which are in the best interest of The Episcopal Church as a whole, and in extending pastoral care to all involved. Please pray for her, as she surely will need the Wisdom of Solomon.

Please be assured that as we grow into our new relationship, I am committed to creating an environment of love and grace, where room is made for all. As human beings, we are not our opinions, but beloved children of God – everyone of us welcome in the fellowship of Christ. While some of you may find my views too liberal – and some may find them not liberal enough – my prayer for us is that we are united beyond our views of scripture and theology and are bound by the Grace of God gifted to us in Jesus Christ.

Finally, it has been my experience that when we move to another table for fellowship, believing we will not encounter challenges of difference, we are usually surprised to find that, indeed, we do. Individuals who have left The Episcopal Church sometimes return finding the grass was not greener on the other side, and that their spiritual home was still The Episcopal Church - despite disagreements with decisions of General Convention. Indeed, such persons are a witness to the power of unity; for our bonds of love and grace are truly greater than anything we might imagine. As we, brothers and sisters in Christ, go and come within the wider body, may we know that God embraces us all and instructs us to do the same.

Serving Christ with you,
+Bishop Mary