List of Non-Realigning Parishes

This is the partial list of who has so far declared themselves to be staying in the Episcopal Church. Information is still being collected and there will probably be additons before Saturday. This is a significant list as the Diocese has said that congregations have two years to decide. These parishes have decided even before the vote. There'll be more.

http://www.episcopalpgh.org/episcopal-parishes/

Statement from All Souls North Versailles (Pittsburgh)

September 29, 2008


The Rev. David Wilson
President, The Standing Committee
% The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
535 Smithfield Street
900 Oliver Building
Pittsburgh, PA 15222


Dear Father Wilson,

I am honored to inform you that the people of All Souls will not leave the Episcopal Church and realign with anybody. Our parish is small and diverse in its opinions, but it treasures the great Anglican tradition of unity in diversity. The Vestry, Wardens and I speak for the parish when we say that we intend to seek the truth of Christ within the context of the Episcopal Church.


Respectfully,


The Rev. John Fetterman
Priest in Charge

(Posted with permission)

A Statement from All Saints Brighton Heights (Pittsburgh)

All Saints Episcopal Church
3577 McClure Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212


Attn: The Rev. Dr. James Simons

Dear Fr. Simons:

A poll of the members of All Saints Church, Brighton Heights, was taken September 20 and 21. All but one vote was cast against realignment. We therefore wish to state that our church will stay with the Episcopal Church of the USA.

Our vestry was dissolved by Bishop Duncan in 2006. A Bishop’s Committee was designated, but met only once in 2006. We write as the two delegates to the October diocesan convention.

Our intention is to keep our diocesan assessment in an escrow account beginning October 1, 2008 until further notice.

Sincerely yours,

Marcia King

Elva Matous

Cc: Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh

(posted with permission)

A Statement from Holy Cross, Homewood

Holy Cross is on the record as opposing the vote to realign the Diocese of Pittsburgh to the Southern Cone, and if the diocese is realigned, she will continue to serve her mission as a proud member parish of the Episcopal Church. We are a diverse parish with many views pertaining to the recent actions of the Episcopal Church, pro and con. However, the congregants of this parish believe that separating ourselves from the Episcopal Church in order to realign with another Church in the Anglican Communion is wrong.

http://chcpgh.blogspot.com/2008/09/welcome-to-cruce-salis.html

Statement from St. Peter's Brentwood

The following was sent ot me by Philip Wainwright Rector of St. Peter's Brentwood (Diocese of Pittsburgh)

St Peter's Brentwood voted tonight (September 24th 2008) to remain in the Episcopal Church regardless of how the diocese votes on October 4th. 83 ballots were cast; 74 voted to stay, 8 to realign, and there was 1 abstention.

The majority of those who spoke expressed disagreement with the direction in which the national church is going, but said they preferred to stay and work for the reformation of the church.

Vestry Statement from St. Paul's Mt Lebanon

It's a year old but still their position.

September 21, 2007

Where St. Paul’s Vestry Stands
We, the members of the Vestry of St. Paul’s, want to make clear to the parish where we stand regarding The Episcopal Church. Our position has not changed on this matter; however, given recent news reports and communications from various sources, we believe it vital to reiterate that position.

The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is an integral part of The Episcopal Church, not an independent entity that can be removed from it by the actions of any body, person, or persons other than the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Our intention is that St. Paul’s will remain a parish of The Episcopal Church and its Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh.

It is our sincere and prayerful hope that our diocese will reconcile with and remain within The Episcopal Church. However, in response to any attempt by diocesan leaders or Diocesan Convention to remove the diocese from The Episcopal Church, the Vestry of St. Paul’s will work diligently to keep the parish in The Episcopal Church. To do so, we will work with remaining members of Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, with the Presiding Bishop, and with other church leaders to restore our diocese to institutional and spiritual health.

We recognize that faithful members of this parish may hold differing and even seemingly incompatible theological views. Not only are we untroubled by this, but we consider such theological diversity to be one of the greatest strengths of authentic Anglicanism. We honor and value that Anglican tradition at St. Paul’s.

It is our intention that St. Paul’s remain a faithful and loving community in which we worship together and discuss our beliefs and concerns without rancor. We pray that such an example will remind others of the reconciling power of Jesus Christ and will help our entire diocese through the difficult times that lie ahead.

The Vestry of St. Paul’s

http://www.stpaulspgh.org/category/where-we-stand/

Vestry statement from Redeemer, Squirrel Hill (Diocese of Pittsburgh)

(Note: This was just sent to me today)

August 8, 2008

Dear Bishop Duncan,

At the August 3 vestry meeting of the Church of the Redeemer, Squirrel Hill, the vestry, wardens and rector unanimously reaffirmed the statement originally endorsed unanimously by all parishioners attending our January 25, 2004 annual parish meeting.

"We, the members of the Church of the Redeemer, hold diverse views on many subjects. However, we also hold each other in love as brothers and sisters in Christ despite these differences. We are committed to staying in the Episcopal Church of the United States of America and worshipping at the Lord's Table together."

In implementation of this statement on August 3, 2008, the vestry unanimously passed this resolution:
Resolved that the Church of the Redeemer will continue to be in union with The Episcopal Church and General Convention no matter what resolutions or amendments are purported to have passed at the 2008 annual diocesan convention, and that we will work to ensure the continuation of the Episcopal Diocese in Pittsburgh in union with the General Convention of The Episcopal Church.

Sincerely,

The Rector, Vestry and Wardens of the Church of Redeemer, Squirrel Hill

A Statement from the Leadership of St. Michael's of the Valley Episcopal Church Ligonier

A Statement from the Vestry of St. Michael's of the Valley Episcopal Church
Ligonier, PA

The Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of St. Michael's of the Valley Episcopal Church in Ligonier Pennsylvania, are aware that at the upcoming 143rd annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, resolutions will be considered that will attempt to remove the Diocese from the The Episcopal Church of America and realign it with the Province of the Southern Cone.

We do not support passage of these resolutions and wish to affirm that if they should pass that we will continue to consider ourselves to be a part of the Episcopal Church of America in accordance with our by-laws.

We also wish to affirm our commitment to Christian orthodoxy as contained in the Book of Common Prayer, the Apostle's and Nicene Creed and the thirty-nine articles. As leadership of the parish we reject any teaching or doctrine contrary to this historic faith that may be proclaimed by any national leader or the leadership of other parishes and dioceses. We will continue the Gospel ministry we have been engaged in for nearly sixty years, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Feast of St. Matthew
22 September 2008

Note: passed by the vestry with two votes in the negative

Vestry Resolution From St. Andrews Highland Park

Background:

The Vestry of St. Andrew’s Church, Highland Park, has reflected prayerfully on the situation that may emerge in our diocese and wider church, should deputies to our October, 2008, Diocesan Convention approve constitutional and canonical actions to attempt a “realignment” of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh with a Province of the Anglican Communion other than The Episcopal Church, U.S.A.

We were pleased to have our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Robert W. Duncan, and our Canon Missioner, the Rev. Canon Mary Maggard Hays, join with us in friendship at a Vestry meeting this past April to share the perspectives of our diocesan leadership team, and we were privileged at the beginning of June to host a larger forum and panel discussion, including our Assistant Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Henry Scriven, and others, where a variety of views on the question of “realignment” were thoughtfully shared in an atmosphere of affection and mutual respect. We have hosted and participated in numerous parish adult education gatherings and conversations addressing the many issues and concerns that cluster around the “realignment” proposal.

St. Andrew’s is a broad parish family, and members of our congregation hold a wide range of theological views and expressions of our Christian faith. We are neither a “conservative” parish nor a “progressive” parish, but we live together as a community with views across the whole spectrum of opinion and belief. We believe we are called as a parish family to love one another, to worship our Lord Jesus Christ together, and to serve the world in his name--even as we may disagree about some important matters.

Formal Actions:
1. With profound regret and great sadness over the many disruptions and dislocations that may lie ahead for our diocese, the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in accordance with our Parish Charter (1837) and our Bylaws (2000, sections 2.2, 5.2, and 15.1), affirm that St. Andrew’s Church is now and will continue to be a parish of The Episcopal Church, U.S.A., ordered in conformity with and under the authority of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, as defined by the General Convention of The Episcopal Church.

2. The Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, express our hope and prayer that our diocesan convention will refrain from taking actions attempting to change the constitutional identity of our diocese within The Episcopal Church.

3. The Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, now direct the Rector and Officers of St. Andrew’s Church to assure, following any actions of our Diocesan Convention on October 4, 2008, that in all matters of canonical, legal, and fiduciary concern St. Andrew’s will continue to act in conformity with our identity and duties as set forth in the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church.