One Senior Warden Speaks from the Heart

Posted by Kendall Harmon

From here:

The Standing Committee [of Alabama] and Bishop Parsley hosted a Diocesan Forum on "Communion Matters: A Study Document for the Episcopal Church", at All Saints' Church in Homewood, on July 24th, 2007. Here are the comments offered by Mr. George Elliott, our Senior Warden:

"Bishop Parsley, Mr. President, I am George Elliott, Senior Warden of the Cathedral Church of the Advent. I am joined by our Junior Warden and the members of the Vestry who stand here with me. I speak on behalf of this Vestry and have good reason to believe that I also speak for at least 70% of our 3,800+ member parish. As a friend in Christ, I am here to speak to you in love and with all due respect about the document, 'Communion Matters'.

"We at the Advent are disappointed with the document because it does not lead us even to consider repentance and compliance with the clear advice and requests of the Primates; actually, it leads us down the path of attempting to justify the current direction of the Episcopal Church. We do not believe this is the course that God intends for us as Christians to follow. We humbly and respectfully implore the leadership of the Diocese of Alabama to stand up and do the right thing. Tell the leaders of the Episcopal Church to turn back from their current direction and comply with the recent demands of the Primates of the Anglican Communion.

"Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you."



Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Anglican Covenant • Anglican Identity • Anglican Primates • Primates Mtg Dar es Salaam, Feb 2007 • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Parishes

20 Comments
Posted July 28, 2007 at 2:21 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Henry wrote:

Awsome statement and right on the mark.  I would sure like to know +Parsley’s response!!!

July 28, 2:48 pm | [comment link]
2. AnglicanFirst wrote:

Wow!
But ECUSA’s leadership keeps telling us that only a small percentage of Episcopalians disagree with that leadership’s stance and it’s actions/inactions.  That all is well.

July 28, 3:12 pm | [comment link]
3. physician without health wrote:

I was there, and am part of the 70% at Advent.  I heartily endorse my Senior Warden’s comments.  Parsley’s response at the end was rather weak, giving the usual misinterpretation of the OT dietary laws to justify the current “diversity” within ECUSA on essential matters of doctrine.  The moderator of the event was a man dressed in clerical garb yet at the same time openly hostile to the group of us who are orthodox; the sight was quite chilling.  Yet, I am grateful to have had the opportunuty to witness and be heard.

July 28, 3:29 pm | [comment link]
4. TonyinCNY wrote:

Ah, the great shellfish argument.  Is the bp. not familiar with our Lord’s words in the Gospel of Mark or Peter’s vision in Acts?  The citation of the shellfish argument needs to be followed up with the citation of the NT witness on this.

July 28, 4:17 pm | [comment link]
5. Henry wrote:

PWHW—thank you for your witness, especially with the open hostility present in that gathering.  Would that we all were willing to do such!

July 28, 4:31 pm | [comment link]
6. APB wrote:

Remember, +Henry used to be the next Presiding Bishop of TEC!*  This may explain why he is a bit dyspeptic on the issue. 


*Apologies for stealing this line, with modifications, from Al Gore.

July 28, 4:39 pm | [comment link]
7. Mark Johnson wrote:

The Advent has always been quite separate from the rest of the diocese.

July 28, 5:11 pm | [comment link]
8. Jim the Puritan wrote:

The shellfish argument is specifically rebutted by Acts 15.  The same passage emphasizes that Christians are not to engage in sexual immorality.

Another passage missing from the ECUSA abridged version of God’s Word.

July 28, 6:47 pm | [comment link]
9. Larry Morse wrote:

Wow. It can’t be much clearer than this, can it? Is he a voice for any group outside his immediate congregation?  Larry

July 28, 6:48 pm | [comment link]
10. Larry Morse wrote:

Isn’t it hilarious that there is a bishop named Parsley? This is right out of a novel. LM

July 28, 6:50 pm | [comment link]
11. pcnelson wrote:

Isn’t there a Mark Johnson from camp?  Sadly, he is quite right about the rest of the diocese.  Parsley is quite revered for his lack of a backbone.  A firm believer in “schism is worse than heresy”.  We planned to attend the meeting (from a northern Parish), but realized our time could be better spent pulling weeds in the garden.  After 3 conventions the voices of reason are almost all gone.

July 28, 7:03 pm | [comment link]
12. libraryjim wrote:

All right! Another “Elliott” who stands for Truth!  You tell ‘em, George!

Peace
Jim Elliott
(no relation to the above, AFAIK)

July 28, 7:58 pm | [comment link]
13. talithajd wrote:

One thing that was great about the meeting was finding out that we at the Advent are not alone in DioAla.  People from other parishes stood up with us and applauded for orthodox speakers.  It was great for them find out they are part of a community while they feel isolated in their more liberal parishes.  We need to find out how we can support each other better!

July 28, 9:26 pm | [comment link]
14. William#2 wrote:

Ok, Parsley blew the guy off as he was uttering the words.  What next?

July 29, 7:42 pm | [comment link]
15. Patriarch wrote:

Do the ad hominem attacks do anything to advance the truth? #6, #10, and #11 are all below the belt, as far as any argument is concerned. Perhaps blogs bring out the worst in us, but attacking the name “Parsley” is absurd. I knew his father, who introduced himself as “JLV”, ” just like the vegetable. He was a superb priest, as is Bishop Parsley …

July 29, 9:02 pm | [comment link]
16. pcnelson wrote:

William#2, nothing.  Nothing will happen at the leadership level in the diocese of AL until someone does it for them.  Parsley had his latest chance as leader of the group to put some substance in the report.  It didnt happen.  Even a “minority opinion” would have shown he wasn’t just a politician.  Superb priest, no.  Superb politician, maybe.

July 29, 9:44 pm | [comment link]
17. physician without health wrote:

Bishop Parsley’s theology and teaching are weak.  I am very grateful, though, that he has not inhibited our clergy and lets us at Advent continue in the Gospel.

July 29, 10:12 pm | [comment link]
18. Larry Morse wrote:

#15 Tut tut, relax. The name Parsley IS funny, even if the owner were a Pizza cook. And ad hominem attack? Please.  Larry

July 29, 10:21 pm | [comment link]
19. pcnelson wrote:

PWH, and wouldn’t it be an odd world if the laity and clergy had the same theology?  Or at least close to the same?

July 30, 1:49 pm | [comment link]
20. reine4 wrote:

I tend to agree with #15.  Sarcasm doesn’t really serve any useful purpose—especially, when it can be so easily spread.  Even the people with whom we disagree have feelings.  There is a four-letter word out there we all need to use more—-“pray.”  Pray about all of it and for everyone whether Anglican, Episcopalian, revisionist, orthodox or whatever designation is used.  Sorry, to be “preachy,” but what else can we really do that will help the most?

July 30, 2:55 pm | [comment link]
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