May 19th, 2007
Dear Members of Grace Church:
In March I made the most important religious decision of my life, when I voted with my fellow vestrymen to leave the Episcopal Church and go under the oversight of CANA. For me this was not a change to a new thing but a fulfillment of the promises made for me at Baptism and reaffirmed by me at Confirmation: to persevere in resisting evil and to continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers. After what I had learned and experienced during my three tumultuous months on the vestry, I knew there was no other way. I am asking you to make the same decision at our parish election May 20.
Two issues forced my decision. The first and most obvious is the situation surrounding our rector. When I joined the vestry it was my intent to use the skills developed during a long career in data analysis and police crime analysis to assess the situation as thoroughly and dispassionately as possible. My conscience is clear that I have done this to the best of my ability. I have concluded that this was a set-up engineered by some parishioners who disagreed with Father Armstrong for reasons of their own and a Bishop who disagreed with him on theological grounds and wanted him gone. The mundane workings of a parish that differs from other parishes only in size and vigor were scrutinized, distorted and intentionally misinterpreted to provide a basis to threaten the rector into leaving and intimidate the vestry into acquiescence. A number of parishioners participated in this set-up either intentionally or because they themselves were misled. Some of them carried it to lengths that were probably criminal and most certainly un-Christian. Because of the vestry vote, the matter can now be examined in a fair and objective manner and I am sure the rector will be exonerated. There is something terribly wrong in an institution when normal procedures for handling complaints are circumvented and a campaign is fabricated to defame and depose a faithful priest.
The second issue may be less obvious but is even more insidious. The Episcopal Church is no longer the church into which I was baptized and confirmed. It is an institution riddled with heresy and apostasy and I believe it is sick unto death. Although the plot against our rector may find its way into the Church history books due to its over-the-top mix of malice and expense, it is only one of many similar actions taken against traditional parishes and clergy these days. Under the oversight of CANA we can resume our true mission without interference and once again worship together in the church we love.
Your vote is very, very important. If you cannot vote May 20, you can vote 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. during the following week, or Saturday, May 26, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you have any special concerns about voting you may contact the office. I would be happy to discuss this or other concerns with you as well.
Faithfully,
Emily Kline
Vestry Member
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