Friday, July 8, 2011

Two congregations moving forward after split, lawsuit


From San Diego-

The leaders of two congregations that once made up St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Oceanside said this week that their flocks are looking forward after the split, which saw a majority of parishioners leave the national Episcopal Church in 2006.

Deacon Bob Nelson, the clergy member in charge of the smaller congregation that today meets at the original West Street location, said he has seen membership grow from 18 in September to 50 people today.

A retired city manager, Nelson was appointed by the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego as a temporary administrator and spiritual leader until the church can hire its own priest ---- something Nelson said he expects to happen late next year.

A congregation in the Episcopal Church "usually needs around 135 to 150 members to become financially viable enough to support a part-time priest. And right now, we're at 50," Nelson said. "We're moving in that direction, but we have to be patient, I guess."

Read more:

http://www.nctimes.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/article_5fb1c543-b2a4-564d-8d93-f6c833b0e9d9.html#ixzz1RVpIpFKm

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