New Anglican American bishop to visit Christ Church Sunday

Midland Reporter-Telegram
By Jennifer Edwards

The new Anglican bishop for protesting Episcopal churches, including Christ Church Midland, will pay a visit and lead worship Sunday.

On Sept. 2, Anglican Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi of Uganda consecrated the Rev. John Guernsey as bishop over all American Anglican congregations currently under the protection of the Uganda's Anglican Church.

Though he visited the area before his consecration, it will be the first time he's visited Christ Church Midland, he said. While here, he'll also visit Good Shepherd Church in San Angelo and an emerging group in Lubbock.

He'll a lso install The Rev. Tom Talbot as youth minister at Christ Church, The Rev. Jonathan Hartzer, assistant rector, said.

"My purpose is ... to be pastorally supportive of these congregations and missions," said Guernsey, who hails from Falls Church, Va. "I'm coming to Midland to talk about the worth of sharing our faith. That's what I'll be preaching about."

Leadership at Christ Church is looking forward with excitement to the visit.

"We're thrilled that he has found time for us and our other two West Texas Anglican congregations so soon," said the Rev. Tom Finnie, Christ Church rector. "We respect the fact that he is busy and cherish the time he is giving us."

It's evident that as the bishop for the American churches, he will have a growing task ahead of him. Soft-spoken and with a bookish look, the Yale graduate has seen the number of churches allied with Uganda skyrocket before, during and after his consecration.

In June 2007, the Ugandan church reported 26 American congregations. In September, the number had risen to 33. Now, the total is 44, Guernsey said.

There are many other American Anglican churches that have sought shelter and affiliation with other foreign churches, many in Africa and South America. Guernsey estimates that number to be more than 300.

Though it's not the main purpose for his visit -- "This is not a political trip at all," he said -- Guernsey is currently working toward a larger goal.

If all goes well, a new nationwide Anglican church composed of those that broke with the U.S. Episcopal Church will be formed, and all of the dissenting churches allied overseas will be released to the new structure.

"The congregations are eager to put the difficulties and church conflicts behind them," he said.

Guernsey said many of the protesting churches have met and formed a group called "Common Cause" in order to create a United Anglican Church in America. Once that's formed, overseas churches affiliated with the American churches will release their charges.

"We are not going to be permanently under these churches; that's temporary protection for us," he said.

The Web site for the group, www.united-anglicans.org, hosts a timeline of goals that must be met in order to create the new body. However, no dates are yet given and work toward that goal is ongoing.

A major topic of concern is accommodating different beliefs in individual congregations, such as the ordination of women, according to the site. Finding a way to allow churches to follow their consciences is a key concern.

For its part, Christ Church leadership looks forward to moving forward.

"We still believe in the Anglican way of being Christian, which includes a healthy love for Scripture and a traditional emphasis on the sacraments," Finnie said. "The new structure allows us to pursue both without distraction."

------

On the Net:
www.united-anglicans.org includes a timeline and step-by-step plan.

Christ Church Midland:
www.christchurchmidland.org