St Matthias', Dallas: News, Events, and Parish Resources



		St Matthias' disassociates itself from the General Convention of the Episcopal Church At its August 2003 meeting, the Vestry of St Matthias' Church voted unanimously to sign a statement of repudiation and disassociation regarding the actions of the 2003 General Convention of the Episcopal Church. In the days ahead, each parishioner will have the chance to add his or her name to the statement. The statement was forged by the American Anglican Council, a network of biblically minded Episcopalians in the United States. St Matthias' statement will be added to a host of others who are appealing to the primates of the Anglican Communion to intervene in this crisis of the Episcopal Church USA. It reads as follows: Statement of Repudiation and Disassociation from the Actions of the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church (PARISH VERSION) Signed by Concerned Parishioners of St Matthias' Church As a faithful Christians, we confess Jesus as the One Lord to whom all authority in heaven and earth has been given by the Father. We affirm that sexuality is God's gift to all human beings. Everyone is welcomed into the Church and is called to a life of chastity, whether in exclusive, faithful marriage between husband and wife or in sexual abstinence as single persons. Yet, we recognize that all fail to live up to God's standards of holiness. We affirm that God forgives all who repent and believe the Gospel, and that He adopts them into His family. This is true, regardless of race, sex, social or economic status, sexual preference, or past behavior. In seeking to uphold the teaching of Holy Scripture and the traditions of the Church regarding sexuality and marriage, we, the undersigned, reject the actions of the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church: Consenting to the election as Bishop of New Hampshire of the Rev. Gene Robinson, a man engaged in sexual activity outside of the bonds of Holy Matrimony, and Recognizing and approving the blessing of same-sex unions. These actions directly contradict Holy Scripture, the traditions of the Church, and our own Constitution. They also imperil our relationship with the worldwide Anglican Communion. The General Convention has rejected the declaration of the bishops at the 1998 Lambeth Conference (Resolution I.10), the counsel of the Primates of the Anglican Communion, and the appeal of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Our grief and anguish concerning these actions is profound. In good conscience we cannot accept this scandalous innovation in the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church. Our Articles of Religion tell us that "councils can err and have erred," and the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church has erred grievously. In Christ, The Rev'd Fr Dwight D Duncan, ssc, Rector The Rev'd Fr David Stangebye Houk, Curate Mr Robert C. Lea, Rector's Warden Mr Herman Cardwell, People's Warden Ms Laura M Mongole, Member of the Vestry Mr Tom Gress, Member of the Vestry Mrs Laura A Stotz, Member of the Vestry Mrs Deborah Nugent, Member of the Vestry Mrs Cynthia Turnbull, Member of the Vestry Mr Edwin Neese, Member of the Vestry Mrs Lori Luckey, Member of the Vestry Individuals who would wish to sign this petition online are invited and encouraged to do so. You will find it at the AAC homepage.
		St Matthias' Church (ANGLICAN) A Parish of the Anglican Communion in the Province of the Southern Cone -- the Diocese of Argentina 3460 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75234 Telephone: 214.358.2585 Email: office@stmatthias-dallas.org \| WHO we are \| WHAT we're about \| WHERE you can find us \| WHEN we gather \| \| News, Events, and Parish Resources \| HOW can I find what I'm looking for on this site? \| \| HOME \|