St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Midland, Texas - a church I was a member of in the early 80s - has had 90% of its members leave to form their own church.
They objected ECUSA's election of a gay bishop in New Hampshire, approval of same-sex marriage blessings and "refusal to adhere to traditional Christian teachings."
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MyWestTexas.com
The real issue was probably the right to keep the church property but I think the church was right to stand by their rules that only allow members to leave and not entire churches.
It is rather sad to see this sort of thing happen to a place you've worshipped at, played with friends (I was only 8 or 9), went to vacation bible school, sung in the children's choir...
I personally left the Episcopal church a long time ago but I see how these types of decisions effect other Episcopal churches. The rector of St. Nicholas, Rev. Jon Stasney gives the typical reasoning:
"It's not meant to be exclusive; people struggle with chasity as heterosexuals," Stasney said. "Homosexuality is not any worse than adultery and fornication, but you couldn't put an active adulterer, or fornicator or a homosexual in leadership and say it's OK."
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MyWestTexas.com
Yet, for an "inclusive" stance they decide it's so horrible they must leave. What's sick though is that people are now planning a pilgrammage to honor this decision as though they are fighting the good fight.
St. Nicholas leaders report receiving calls and e-mails of support from churches all across Texas and the world, some of which are planning a pilgrimage to Midland for the congregation's last worship service together at the 4000 W. Loop 250 N. location May 29.
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MyWestTexas.com
Well I will say I have this one memory of going to church there. I wasn't feeling very well but my parents said I had to go to church. I made it through Sunday School and had sat through the readings when I started to feel extremely ill. We had just gotten into the sermon when I thought I would be sick. I didn't have a chance to stand up I just puked all over my pink and white dress and had to walk out of the church holding up my skirt full of vomit. Maybe it was a sign.