From Falls Church-
A swiftly-assembled gathering of more than two dozen among those who've remained faithful as "continuing Episcopalians" for more than three years while breakaway congregants from The Falls Church occupied the historic church in the downtown section of the City of Falls Church celebrated tonight the Virginia Supreme Court decision overturning a lower court ruling supporting the breakaway group's claim to the property.
Hymns were sung, prayers were recited and members of the tight-knit group were invited by the Rev. Michael Pipkin to "tell their stories" of their part in the over three years of maintaining their cohesion in face of an "exile" from their home church. As usual, the group met in the fellowship hall of the Falls Church Presbyterian Church, located across E. Broad Street from The Falls Church.
While the court case remains far from over, the cornerstone of the legal argument made by the breakaway group was declared inapplicable by the Supreme Court. "Continuing Episcopalian" congregants last night expressed hope and optimism that they'll regain access to the property, which has been denied them by the occupying breakaway group, which left the Episcopal denomination in December 2006 and subsequently affiliated with a group called the Council of Anglicans in North America (CANA) led by Nigerian Bishop Akinola.
Tonight's service was attended by loyal F.C. "continuing Episcopalian" members Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner and former Superintendent of Falls Church Schools Dr. Warren Pace and their respective spouses. Founding member of the Falls Church School System Jesse Thackrey is also a member of the group, but was not there tonight.
More here-
http://www.fcnp.com/news/6698-fcs-continuing-episcopalians-gather-to-rejoice-over-supreme-court-ruling.html
No comments:
Post a Comment