From ANCS-This month, a Moravian pastor was installed as rector of a U.S. Episcopal Church for the first time since the two denominations inaugurated a full-communion relationship in 2011.
The Rev. Carl Southerland was formally received on 16 September at St. John's Episcopal Church in Franklin, North Carolina, reports Episcopal News Service (ENS).
"It is an exciting day for the Moravian Church and the Episcopal Church," said Southerland. "My appointment into the Episcopal Church has been a wonderful process ... I've felt so welcome."
Southerland served in various positions with the Moravian Church in North Carolina for 41 years before joining St. John's, including positions as pastor at three churches.
The two denominations formalized communion on 10 February 2011. The official text of the agreement included a statement explaining, "We seek this relationship of full communion so that our mission as Christ's church will be more effectively fulfilled and each of our communions might be more complete because of the spiritual treasures of the other."
David Guthrie, president of the Provincial Elders Conference, Southern Province, Moravian Church in America, and Bishop G. Porter Taylor of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, officiated at Southerland's installment, ENS reports.
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/digest/index.cfm/2012/9/28/Moravian-pastor-to-lead-a-US-Episcopal-church
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