Across the Aisle
1066 Washington Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
Contact:
The Rev. Nancy Chalfant-Walker
Member, Across the Aisle Steering Committee
Telephone: +1 (412) 243-6100 or +1 (412) 716-7364
E-mail: nanojon@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Group Announces Unity Event for Pittsburgh Episcopal Diocese
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — September 3, 2008 — A coalition of
Episcopal clergy and laypeople today invited everyone in the Episcopal
Diocese of Pittsburgh to an event promoting diocesan unity. “A Hopeful Future
for the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh: An Alternative Solution” will
present the case for rejecting proposals that, purportedly, would remove the
diocese from The Episcopal Church. Speakers will explain how continuity of
the diocese as a judicatory of The Episcopal Church will be maintained
irrespective of the outcome of the vote on “realignment” at the October 4
diocesan convention.
“A Hopeful Future” will be presented at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1066
Washington Rd., Mt. Lebanon, Pa., from 1 to 3 pm on Saturday, September 13, 2008. The
program will be of special interest to vestry members, convention deputies,
and Episcopal Church supporters feeling isolated in pro-realignment parishes.
Those interested in attending may obtain additional information by calling
St. Paul’s at (412) 531-7153 or by visiting its Web site at http://stpaulspgh.org.
“A Hopeful Future” is sponsored by Across the Aisle, a coalition that
grew out of conversations among conservatives, moderates, and liberals of the
diocese who believe that withdrawal from The Episcopal Church and
“realignment” with a foreign Anglican province is neither a proper nor a
helpful response to the current controversies within The Episcopal Church.
“The name symbolizes what we are about,” said the Rev. James Simons, rector
of St. Michael’s of the Valley, Ligonier. “We have reached ‘across the aisle’
in peace to those who are committed to Jesus Christ but who have different
interpretations of scripture and events and who wish to remain part of one
church.” Across the Aisle includes Episcopalians from more than 29 churches
of the Pittsburgh diocese.
Across the Aisle has appointed a steering committee of six: The Rev. James
Simons; the Rev. Nancy Chalfant-Walker, rector of St. Stephen’s, Wilkinsburg;
Mr. Charles Jarrett, Chancellor Emeritus of the diocese; Dr. Joan Gundersen,
Church of the Redeemer, Squirrel Hill; and Mr. Thomas Moore and Ms. Mary
Roehrich, both of St. Andrew’s, Highland Park.
Most elected leaders of the Episcopal diocese have supported constitutional
and canonical changes promoted by Bishop Robert Duncan to remove the diocese
from The Episcopal Church. The constitutional changes will be voted on for
the second and final time at the October 4 diocesan convention to be held in
Monroeville.
The Episcopal Church has taken the position that individuals may leave the
church but that parishes and dioceses are integral components that cannot
separate. Those who vote for “realignment” and plan to leave The Episcopal
Church may neither hold office in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh nor
retain control of its assets. If convention approves the proposed measures,
vacated leadership positions will have to be filled by Episcopalians staying
in the church, and core diocesan functions will be performed under new leadership
until the diocese regains control of diocesan assets. “We are making plans to
assure continuity in the administration of the diocese,” said Simons. “It is
with great sadness that we are undertaking these necessary preparations.”
Contact:
The Rev. Nancy Chalfant-Walker
Member, Across the Aisle Steering Committee
Telephone: +1 (412) 741-1281 or +1 (412) 716-7364
E-mail: nanojon@gmail.com
On the Web:
This document:
http://episcopalunity.org/ata/pr2008-09-03.htm
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church:
http://stpaulspgh.org
The Episcopal Church:
http://episcopalchurch.org
Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh:
http://www.pitanglican.org
2008 Diocesan Convention:
http://www.pitanglican.org/Conventions
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