Vestry Letter to the Congregation about the
Action by the 109th Convention of the Diocese of Dallas

October 20, 2004

Dear Ascension Family:

On October 15-16, 2004, at the 109th diocesan convention, The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas* voted to join the Anglican Communion Network (ACN or The Network). The vote automatically counts every parish a member of the Network. A year ago following the vote of the diocese to withhold financial support from Episcopal Church, USA (ECUSA), the vestry of Ascension voted to support the work and mission of the Episcopal Church and to continue to send funds to the national level and maintain Ascension’s connection to ECUSA. For the past year, vestry members have continued to pray, study, and gather with parishioners to discuss the issues presented to the diocese and Episcopalians/Anglicans worldwide.

Through thoughtful deliberation and consideration, the vestry met and discussed what type of response, if any; we should have toward the actions of the Diocese of Dallas to join the ACN (The Network). Upon careful review of our vision statement and our commitment to reach out to all of God's children, we felt we could not ignore the action of convention to join the Network. Members of Ascension, including the vestry, have a variety of reactions to the election, confirmation, and consecration of Gene Robinson. Those reactions include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) a rejection of the consecration based on the biblical injunction against homosexual behavior; (2) absolute, unquestioning support of Bishop Stanton; (3) a belief that New Hampshire has a right to choose their own bishop; and (4) full support of the election, confirmation, and consecration of Gene Robinson.

At our meeting held on October 18, 2004, the vestry decided that being a part of the Network diminishes our vast diversity as the community of Ascension and compromises who we are as a church. The vestry, by majority vote, elected to disaffiliate our parish from the Network, while maintaining our steadfast commitment to our diocese, our bishop, and our denomination. 

We recognize one of the focused attempts of the Network is to preserve communion and fellowship with portions of the Anglican Communion. It is in the spirit of recognizing our diversity and inclusiveness and the dialogue that must continue within our divergent local body that we must place ourselves outside any artificial and extra-ecclesiastical body. We value and honor the contributions and witness of our African brothers and sisters and also affirm our need to maintain our true Anglican connections.  We further uphold that continuing the dialogue between ECUSA and divergent segments of the whole Anglican Communion is a healthier, and ultimately, a more profound and productive approach, than being party to a separated group.   

For over 20 years, Ascension has deliberately embraced all people who enter its doors, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, culture, or background. We live the core values of diversity and inclusion. Diversity is a state; because we are not homogeneous, we are diverse. Inclusion is a way of functioning. It is a way of opening to include those who are different. We pray for all of us at Ascension that we continue to talk and to listen, to acknowledge and accept our differences, and embrace our uniqueness and sameness.  Ultimately, we are a more whole body by embracing our diversity instead of separating ourselves from it. God is present in His people gathered here.

 

 

Sincerely in Christ,
2004 Vestry Members

Kathy Brooks, Jr. Warden
Curt Gadsden
Jim Howell
 Nancy Raine
Todd Rutenbar
Rita Sands
Jane Taber, Sr. Warden
Ralph Vanderpool
Lance Wheeler

*The links in the letter above were added after the letter was published.

 

Below are links that may be helpful.
These have NOT been sanctioned or endorsed by the vestry.

If you would like information on the
Lambeth Commission on Communion
Windsor Report
as a resource
Click here

 

The links below are others engaged in "continuing the dialogue":

 

 



 



Speak Out!
An Initiative for Anglican Laity

Links updated 7/8/2006