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LOS ANGELES: Two Orthodox Parishes flee Diocese and ECUSA for Uganda

TWO ORTHODOX PARISHES FLEE LA DIOCESE AND ECUSA FOR UGANDA

By David W. Virtue

Two large, wealthy, orthodox parishes in the Diocese of Los Angeles; St. James Church Newport Beach and All Saints’ Church, Long Beach, have announced that they will leave the diocese and the Episcopal Church USA and come under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Province of Uganda.

According to a joint press release issued by both churches they will remain members of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Both St. James and All Saints' want to remain loyal to the historic teachings of the Christian Faith, observed by the mainstream of the Anglican Communion but their members believe the Episcopal Church USA has chosen a path that no longer reflects this steadfast faith, said the release.

All Saints’ Church, a biblically orthodox church since 1926, affirms its membership in the Anglican Communion and has formally come under the jurisdictional oversight of the Anglican Province of Uganda in the Diocese of Luweero, thus retaining its membership in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

“Holy Scripture remains a constant in our lives,” said Senior Warden David Thornburg. “It holds authority over us and inspiration for us. As we watch the Episcopal Church USA move away from this authority, we remain convinced of its truth. Therefore, our prayerful decision is to continue in that scriptural authority with the vast majority of our fellow Anglicans around the world.”

The decision to leave the ECUSA after 80 years was unanimous with the members of All Saints’ steadfastly wishing to remain loyal in their commitment to the Holy Scripture, the historic teachings of Christianity and the Anglican Communion. They believe the Episcopal Church USA has chosen a path that no longer reflects their membership’s steadfast faith.

“This has not been an easy decision for us,” said the Rev. Thompson, rector of All Saints’ Church for 29 years. “We have struggled with this for a number of years. It is with great regret we have realized that if we are going to be able to focus our attention on the call that our Lord has placed upon us, we must move beyond this distraction so that we can focus all of our energies on being faithful to God.

“The vestry and members of All Saints’ realize we now must move beyond this issue, so that we can concentrate on our core mission: To know Christ and to make Him known to others,” concluded Rev. Thompson.

All Saints’ will continue to hold worship services in the same location where it was incorporated in 1926 and carry on with its usual programs and activities. All Saints’ is a self-supported, growing church with more than 450 members.

St. James Church in Newport Beach, a biblically orthodox church since 1949, also left the diocese and the Episcopal Church and affiliated with the Uganda Province affirming
its right to stay in the Anglican Communion.

Members of St. James have remained steadfast and loyal in their commitment to the Holy Scripture, the historic teachings of Christianity and the Anglican Communion for 55 years. They believe the Episcopal Church USA has chosen a path that no longer reflects the membership’s steadfast faith.

“St. James is a biblically orthodox church that accepts Jesus Christ as the One and Only Lord and Savior, and acknowledges the authority of the Holy Scripture as the Word of God,” said Senior Warden Jim Dale. “Our devotion is to God, not a particular institution. When an institution no longer represents our understanding of God’s Word and His Will, we must have the courage and faith to stand by our convictions.”

The members and vestry of St. James made their decision with the support of The Rev. Praveen Bunyan, reflecting the desire of the church to stand firm on its religious convictions.

“We at St. James have prayed and struggled with this decision for many years,” said Rev. Bunyan, the rector of St. James Church. “It is after much deliberation that we came to this conclusion, but it is our only recourse if we are to stay true to the historic faith and teachings of the church.

“St. James worked very hard for many years to reconcile our differences with the Episcopal Church USA and the Diocese of Los Angeles, both in our own hearts and through extensive dialogue. However, that effort has brought no comfort to ease our pain.

“The members of St. James wish to move beyond this issue, so we can concentrate on our core mission: To glorify God, uphold the Holy Scripture, raise our children to love and serve Jesus Christ and share the Gospel with the world,” concluded Rev. Bunyan.

St. James will continue to hold worship services in the same location where it was incorporated in 1949 and carry on with its usual programs and activities. St. James is a self-supported, growing church with more than 1,200 members.

The worldwide Anglican Communion has churches in 164 countries with about 77 million members. The Episcopal Church USA represents 2.5 million members both here and abroad, which is only three percent of the Anglican Communion.

The Anglican Province of Uganda represents eight million Anglicans, more than three times the membership in the entire Episcopal Church USA. St. James has a close and longstanding relationship with the Province of Uganda and the Diocese of Luweero, where many of its missionaries have served.

Reached at The Diocese of Los Angeles, Janet Kawamoto, Media Director said bishop Jon Bruno had not seen the letters from the two parishes and had "no comment" to make at this time.

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