From Southern California-
As the Episcopal Church prepares to hold its triennial convention in Anaheim next month, most of the media focus has been on continuing divisions over the role of gays and lesbians in the church.
Delegates are expected to vote whether to develop formal marriage rites or blessings for same-sex couples, and on reversing a 2006 moratorium on the consecration of bishops who are in same-sex relationships.
Yet, in most Episcopal parishes throughout the Inland area, the divisions over homosexuality rarely come up in conversation, priests and parishioners said. Theologically conservative and liberal members worship and volunteer side by side, disagreeing on issues such as gay bishops but united by the combination of a Catholic liturgical tradition and a Protestant belief in letting non-clergy interpret the Bible.
"That's what the Anglican church is all about: Being able to respectfully disagree and still be in communion," said the Rev. David Starr, vicar of St. John's Episcopal Church in San Bernardino.
Although a large majority of Episcopalians have stayed with the church despite the divisions over homosexuality, members of four dioceses and several-dozen parishes voted to leave in the aftermath of the 2003 consecration of openly gay V. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire, a post he still holds. The 2006 moratorium on new gay bishops in same-sex relationships was an attempt to appease conservative Episcopalians and Anglicans in other parts of the world who objected to Robinson's consecration.
Episcopal leaders do not believe entire dioceses can leave the church; some clergy and lay people in the breakaway dioceses and parishes remain in the church. None of the parishes are in the Inland area. Six are in Southern California.
More here-
http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_S_episcopal29.423315f.html
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