From a diocesan press release:
DALLAS, TX (April 19, 2007) — The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas announces that priest and lay leaders of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection on Ferguson Road, Dallas, have decided to leave the Episcopal Church. Bishop James Stanton said, “Any separation of brothers and sisters in Christ is painful in its own right. I am saddened that the leadership of Resurrection has chosen to walk apart from the diocese; however, the ministry of Church of the Resurrection will continue.”
The majority of the congregation, which currently has approximately 160 people attending Sunday services, has voted to follow the Rev. Donald R. McLane and form a non-Episcopal congregation elsewhere in the area. They will vacate the buildings by May 31. In a final meeting with the bishop and Standing Committee, Fr. McLane said that he felt it was necessary to leave the Episcopal Church but added he “had no quarrel with Bishop Stanton.” He and his fellow congregants will affiliate with the Anglican Mission in America.
The Church of the Resurrection has played an important role in the Diocese of Dallas for the past 40 years. It was a leading parish nationally in the charismatic renewal movement in the Episcopal Church in the 1970s and 1980s. At one point, Resurrection had an attendance of over 1500 persons on Sundays. In the past decade, the parish has suffered substantial declines in attendance, membership, and finances.
Bishop Stanton has appointed the Rev. Canon Victoria Heard, a member of the staff of the diocese in charge of church planting, as priest-in-charge of Resurrection. Canon Heard will provide services and pastoral care to the remaining congregants and direct the process of recasting the ministry of Church of the Resurrection toward the future.
Canon Heard said, “The area is changing and we see great mission opportunity in this multi-cultural community. I look forward to working and worshipping with those who remain in Church of the Resurrection to shape a strong and vibrant future.”
Bishop Stanton reminded Fr. McLane, the Senior Warden, and the Standing Committee of the original vision of Resurrection, “To reach the community, the city, and the nations beyond.” The diocese will continue that vision and start a Spanish-speaking service later this year at the church. The Church of the Resurrection remains an ongoing Episcopal presence to the East Dallas area.
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