Seems odd that a parish would leave without first talking to the bishop. Incidentally, the math on this is - one congregation left and 63 are staying.
The bishop overseeing the splintered congregation of Saint John's Episcopal Church said Monday he was saddened and shocked upon learning most of its members have left the Episcopal Church.
The pastor of the North Augusta church and a majority of the 90-member congregation cut ties with the national denomination on Sunday in a dispute over church teachings on gay clergy and the authority of scripture.
"It was a complete surprise to me," said Bishop Dorsey F. Henderson of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina.
It is shocking, he said, that the Rev. Rob Hartley would lead a congregation away from the church without first discussing the decision with church leadership.
"I ordained Father Hartley. I saw him through the process of ordination," he said. "I wish we could have talked and prayed about this, but I respect if this is what their conscience requires."
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/01/06/met_506665.shtml
