Secession leaves a fractured flock in Springs

Episcopal Church breakaways claim historic church

Julie Poppen, Rocky Mountain News

Monday, May 28, 2007

COLORADO SPRINGS - There were plenty of empty pews, but those attending one of the services at Grace Church and St. Stephen's Parish Sunday expressed no regrets about breaking away from the Episcopal Church and joining a conservative Anglican network.

They say the governing board's decision to make the break and support beleaguered rector Don Armstrong are purely scriptural. They don't believe homosexuals should be ordained as priests, and some described Armstrong as a modern-day prophet.

Not far away, at First Christian Church, pews were nearly filled for the only service of the day for the other Grace Episcopal Church and St. Stephen's Parish. The one that remains in the Episcopal fold.

Those parishioners say they are in exile while the "occupiers" remain in their beloved 135-year- old church on North Tejon Street. They have no desire to leave the Episcopal Church and say the charges of financial mismanagement plaguing Armstrong are clouding the issue of separation.

There is still much confusion in this fractured religious community, once considered among the largest and most influential Episcopal churches in Colorado. Some parishioners are attending the services of both sides until they can better sort out their allegiances.

The historic church building itself is caught in the war of ideas. Currently, the fate of the $17 million architectural gem is in the hands of the courts.

Armstrong says the facility predates the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. The Episcopal side says that's not true and that the church is rightfully theirs.

Further complicating matters is the fact that Armstrong, the church's leader for 20 years, is being investigated by the diocese for allegedly misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars in parish funds.

Armstrong denies the charge and says his conservative beliefs have made him the victim of a costly witch hunt staged by the diocese and Bishop Rob O'Neill.

Both groups pledged to survive and thrive.

Armstrong opened services Sunday by noting the results of vote tallies showing that 93 percent of 370 voting members - out of 822 eligible voters - approved of the plan to leave the Episcopal Church. Saturday's vote capped the uncertainty that began March 26 when Armstrong and a majority of the church's governing board declared they were each individually leaving the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Colorado.

But Armstrong's critics point out that more than half of church members didn't cast a ballot.

Furthermore, the diocese calls the vote "illegitimate," taking the position that individuals can leave the church but not whole parishes.

Armstrong told parishioners that the feast of the Pentecost was the perfect time to celebrate "the rebirth of Grace Church."

"We are no longer a part of a corrupt and apostate Episcopal Church," he said from the pulpit.

He also suggested that the church's reduced size and "battle weariness" would leave room for others who are drawn to its mission under the Convocation of Anglicans in North America.

Church member Bettina Rogers, who splits her time between Colorado and California, said she supported the break-off, especially after the Episcopal Church endorsed its first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, in New Hampshire.

"I'm basically a conservative, even though I'm from California," Rogers said.

At First Christian, the sermon was traditional. Only brief comments were made by clergy about hearts made heavy about the separation. But church leaders told parishioners they haven't missed a beat in keeping their Episcopal parish alive.

At a coffee following the service, church leaders passed out financial statements to demonstrate the church's viability and accountability.

"There is a whole new spirit here," said Clelia deMoraes. "A spirit of love and compassion. It's not so wrapped up in politics."

Those who support leaving the Episcopal Church

• Timothy Tech, 44:

"There are still going to be challenges. But this is a reaffirmation of what we want in our church. What we believe in."

• Jim Cunningham, 70:

"Theology was the issue - the fact that we want it to be a scriptural church. Once the other issues are resolved, our friends will be back - we're praying for that."

• Jeannette Bruce, 69:

"It's a completely different church from when I was young, from when my children were young. It seems the bishop is a politician instead of a Christian leader. We're interested in praising the Lord and following his teachings. What is the point of going to church?"

Those opposed to leaving the Episcopal Church

• Clelia deMoraes, leader of the group of Episcopalians meeting at First Christian Church:

"We have conservatives, liberals and moderates worshipping here. People who want to worship."

• Connie Joiner, a member of Grace Episcopal Church and St. Stephen's Parish since 1979:

"It was a real tragedy. It was a very good church, a beautiful church. It's a shame this has all happened. Nine people in the vestry decided where that part of the church was going. I don't think any of us had any input. A lot of (Armstrong's) personal issues entered into it. These people here still care about the people over there. I think this group is a very cohesive, very loving and caring group. I think this church has held together very well. It would be wonderful to get back into what we consider our church."

• Tamara Teske Lenz, 49:

"So many people are under (the Rev. Don Armstrong's) spell. Don't drink the Kool-Aid. It's sad to me, but I'd rather be with these people."

poppenj@RockyMountainNews.com