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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA: First Parish Leaves following General Convention
St John's, Marysville, Clergy and Vestry leave Diocese and the ECUSA
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
8/23/2006
BREAKING NEWS...
MARYSVILLE, CA (8/23/2006)--The clergy and eight vestry of St. John's Episcopal Church submitted their resignations to the remaining vestry yesterday, and have rented a storefront in Yuba City where both traditional Anglican and contemporary worship will begin August 27.
Sources told VOL that this is the first parish in northern California to leave the diocese and ECUSA under their new bishop the thrice married Bishop-Elect Barry Beisner.
The Rev. Joy Gartman, parish rector and her husband the Rev. Steve Gartman (non-stipendary) and Deacon Jim Mariner resigned in order to form the new congregation.
Bishop Frank Lyons of Bolivia will be their immediate ecclesiastical authority though there is talk of eventually moving to Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi of Kenya.
"We're not sure exactly what form this will ultimately take. This was not necessarily a happy day; however, it was one that had been in the making for at least three years," said Joy Gartman. "We will meet with Bishop-Elect Barry Beisner shortly and expect 'de-frocking' by the Diocese of Northern California, however, we remain truly Anglican."
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