“Rebellious parishioners left the American Episcopal Church”. No, the rebellious Episcopal Church has left the faith recieved, the anglican communion and probably Christianity.

Dave,
Your interpretation of TEC’s moves does not change the fact that the majority of the parishioners of Grace Church and St. Stephen’s Parish have left the Episcopal Church.

It’s provocative language to get readers to read the article. The rest is actually pretty sympathetic and gives pretty solid numbers for AMiA, CANA and other APO. It’s a decent article that all parties could read (the story has enough drama to sell itself), so some hype language in the leader I can easily tolerate for inclusion of “other departures from orthodoxy” clause. This is far better than NYT.

Alan Crippen is also the head of the John Jay Institute, a conservative quasi-educational organization seeking to help train clergy, lawyers and politicians.  Before coming to John Jay, Crippen headed up a similar organization that was part of the Dobson (Focus of the Family) group of organizations.  John Jay receives free rent from Grace.  John Jay could help by spending $8,000 a month to provide the church with the needed funds for maintenance and facilities.  John Jay has been enjoying a free ride at Grace’s expense for a long time.

EmilyH, are you a parishioner at Grace and St. Stephens?  Surely the vestry could have long ago and could still charge JJI rent if they thought the current relationship was parasitic rather than beneficial.  This seems like an issue for that congregation, not outsiders.  I wonder how many Integrity chapters pay rent to their host congregations, hmmm?

Emily,
From what I hear and from what I know, churches all across America in all denominations allow groups like AA, NA, Boy Scouts, etc. to use their parish halls or meeting rooms free of charge.  Why do you want to single out one group and say they need to be the exeption to the free use rule?

My goodness, Emily, you mean Alan Crippen is INVOLVED IN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS???  This does nothing less than move the earth under the conservatives’ feet!  What’s next - will Elizabeth Kaeton turn out to be involved with Integrity?

Now, I understand, you only spend your time ferreting out the shadowy links between conservative organizations - and it’s a good project, exposing the secretive efforts of those who have similar policy views to combine efforts (what can they be thinking?).  But, there is something to Kaeton-Integrity, if only somebody would look.

EmilyH: I seem to remember previous posts where you took a swipe at the “ultra rightwing” John Jay Institute.  Give it a break.  One of the missions of Grace Church is the nurturing of Christian organizations geared to promote the faith which, to be effective, starts with the youth of the nation.  John Jay Institute is in the process of purchasing a wonderful property on North Cascade Avenue, a few blocks from the church, which will be their new headquarters and center for holding youth seminars.  It was a former pair of Victorian mansions fully furnished with greqt old antiques etc.
If, it so happens that the current Grace Church occupants (the CANA group) loses the church property, they just might end up worshipping at the new John Jay Institute complex.  Rent free? I don’t know, but one good turn deserves another, or don’t you think?
Why are you so crabby about JJI, Grace, Don et al?