From South Carolina-Bishops and lay members of The Episcopal Church province that spans the Southeast gathered in Charleston Wednesday to hear stories of worship communities forming after their home parishes left the national church last fall.
From West Ashley to Summerville to Edisto, those on hand described disputes that festered as their former parishes became more theologically traditional and critical of the national church.
A split culminated when 49 area parishes left the national church to follow Bishop Mark Lawrence, who leads The Diocese of South Carolina, diocesan spokeswoman Joy Hunter said.
Those loyal to the national church felt cast aside, some from lifelong church homes.
“We yearn to worship in our historic church building again,” said Ginga Wilder, a former member of St. Paul’s in Summerville, which aligned with Lawrence. “These are thin spaces where God’s presence is palpable and has been for 150 years.”
She and other former St. Paul’s members eventually shared the Eucharist with the Rt. Rev. Charles vonRosenberg, who later became bishop of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina. He encouraged them to worship together in homes to keep their faith vibrant, which they have done.
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http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130626/PC16/130629476/1009/from-summerville-to-west-ashley-episcopalians-start-over-after-split&source=RSS
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