North Texans Remain Episcopal

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North Texans Remain Episcopal


THE PRIMATE BLESSED A VEGETABLE GARDEN IN DALLAS

Hard on the heels of Rogation Sunday, Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, came to Dallas on April 28, to bless a garden at the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle. Not a garden for flowers--but a vegetable garden.

Rows already visible in the earth will give food for community relief organizations like food banks. In a time of worldwide hunger, shortage, and high prices this is an effort by the congregation of St. Thomas' to make a difference.

The blessings came from traditions more than a thousand years old, thanking God for the gifts that come from the earth and for growth and for new life, asking for the wisdom to use those gifts with reverence and care.

Bishop Katharine and representatives from the Parish walked in procession to the four boundaries of the plot of ground and asked for soil rich and free from pollution, for seasonable weather with gentle rain, and for the well-being of those who work the land and of those who depend on it. The procession of clergy and others, in vestments, with colorful streamers swaying in the breeze, made a memorable image on a beautiful, sunny, and warm spring afternoon.

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed refreshments in a crowded parish hall and heard a brief address from Bishop Katharine, who then answered questions largely related to present controversies in the Episcopal Church and to the possible departure from the Church of much of the Diocese of Fort Worth. The Bishop asked how many present were from our Diocese, and many hands were raised as a loud cheer rose. Two bus loads came from Fort Worth, 20 from Grandbury and 15 from Wichita Falls.

Her words were largely conciliatory, but Bishop Katharine made it clear that while anyone can leave the Episcopal Church, parishes and dioceses are part of the Church and will remain, perhaps in reconstructed form. She also made the point that she would not be the one to decide questions relating to gay and lesbian unions. These could only be resolved by the Church's General Convention, which meets next in 2009.

Whether the Diocese of Fort Worth will eventually accept women as priests or not might well be settled sooner, if the Diocese is reconstituted following the departure of the present bishop. But "Not tomorrow" was Bishop Katharine's only answer on that point.

The event at St. Thomas' was a grand occasion, and Episcopalians left knowing they had been witnesses to their church at its best. - Fr. Alex Moffat



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