http://anglicanink.com/article/all-saints-pawleys-island-may-go-acna
All Saints Pawleys Island may go ACNA
Parish vote set for November on rector's
proposal to join the ACNA
Article | July 30,
2012 - 4:07pm | By George
Conger
The flagship parish
of the Anglican Mission in America – All Saints Pawleys Island – is set to vote
at a special parish meeting this fall on its rector’s proposal the congregation
join the Anglican Church in North America.
The Rev. Robert L.
Grafe, Jr., rector of the founding parish of the AMiA, told Anglican Ink his
congregation was entering a “season of prayer and discernment.”
He noted that a
“change in affiliation requires an amendment to our by-laws and a parish vote,”
which could take place later this year.
In a 27 July 2012
letter to the congregation, Mr. Grafe wrote that in the wake of the December
split within the AMiA “it became clear that there would be other Anglican
options for affiliation to consider.”
He noted that the
parish leadership believed the best way forward following the news of the break
up of the AMiA was to wait and see what options presented themselves. “I
encouraged us all to avoid taking sides, refrain from demonizing, and to wait
on details to surface regarding the various options. Until we were presented
with some details which we could prayerfully consider, we would be content to
remain both a part of the Anglican Mission and under the oversight of
Archbishop Rwaje.”
Eight months later,
Mr. Grafe has recommended the congregation affiliate with the Anglican Church
in North America. “I believe the Anglican Church of North America is that
faithful place of coming together; a unified Anglican witness in North America
through which we can continue to walk out our new life in Jesus Christ and
serve Him as His Church. I believe All Saints Parish is called to affiliate
with the Anglican Church of North America under the oversight of Archbishop Bob
Duncan, in communion with the GAFCON and Global South Primates. I see this as
the faithful next step.”
All Saints would
retain an “ongoing partnership” with the “developing Society for Mission and
Apostolic Works” led by Bishop Chuck Murphy, Mr. Grafe wrote, adding that he
hoped one day Bishop Murphy’s organization would be “operating with us out of
the ACNA, and until that day occurs I would encourage that we treat her as if
she already is.”
On All Saints Day
(November 1, 2012 ) the congregation will hold a special parish meeting to
consider an amendment to its bylaws that would allow it to affiliate with the
ACNA, he said. In the meantime: “Pray for those with whom you disagree.
Practice forbearance! Participate in the life of the church and refuse to
withdraw,” he said, reminding the congregation not to be “afraid. Jesus is Lord
of His Church and this is a time of coming together.”
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