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Lament for a Lost Church. Rector Resigns
The following letter is not untypical of what is becoming the plight and flight of orthodox parish priests as they see the writing on the wall with respect to the Episcopal Church. - VirtueOnline
From Fr. Ian Montgomery to his parish and Bishop Jacobus
February 3, 2008
Dear St. Thomas,
The time has come for a formal announcement of my retirement. I have been putting this off, seeking the right dates as well as, most importantly, seeking God's will for our lives. With all this in mind Polly and I have decided to retire on January 5, 2009.
I had thought that I would be your rector until I was either sixty-five or even sixty-six, when the various pension and social security plans would make the most sense. None-the-less I have decided that I must retire before the next General Convention, which is in 2009. The reason is simple. It is a matter of conscience. Each successive recent General Convention has made more and more egregious decisions that adversely affect my spiritual well being.
I have watched this Church that I love and have served these last thirty plus years move further and further away from our Apostolic, Catholic and Biblical Faith. I have also seen more and more of my friends and colleagues persecuted and prosecuted for being faithful to Christ and to their ordination vows. Just this January the Presiding Bishop and her attorney have initiated charges against two of the godliest bishops of the church and more are being threatened. I should add here that this makes me especially appreciative of our Bishop.
Bishop Jacobus has been a stalwart support for me and is an "oak of righteousness" in this diocese and the larger church. I personally do not believe that the Episcopal Church, as I have known her, will survive its 2009 decisions since it seems clear that the whole revisionist agenda will be adopted. This will be in the face of the rest of the Anglican Communion which has already been torn apart by the decisions of the last General Convention and the current leadership. Since in conscience I may no longer be able to function as a priest in the Episcopal Church I will retire. We will move to Vermont and seek God's will and purpose for the rest of our ministry.
Not only has Bishop Jacobus been immensely supportive, the leadership of St. Thomas is equally supportive, as has been my staff. I am thankful to God for all the wonderful things that we have seen happen here over the last ten plus years. I love you very much and you have blessed my family and me hugely over the last several years. It is a privilege to serve here.
I am proud of what God has done in our midst. The future of St. Thomas is in God's and your hands. I cannot and will not be a part of your process to find a successor. Your vestry and Bishop Jacobus will determine how that will proceed. Please be assured that I will be in constant prayer for you.
What of the next eleven months? I shall be with you and not sitting on my hands! I believe that we are to continue the agenda that God has given us of seeking to be a light for Christ in this community and diocese. We will continue this year's agenda of becoming more effective in evangelism and impacting our local community. I am ever reminded that rectors come and go while the Church continues. You are the Church and you will continue so long as you keep Jesus as the Head of this Church.
May God bless you all,
in Christ Jesus our Savior and Lord,
Fr. Ian Montgomery
---Fr. Ian Montgomery is the rector of St. Thomas Church in Menasha, Wisconsin
