December 13, 2015
3
Advent/Gaudete
Dear Members and
Friends of St. Stephen’s,
This afternoon, the
congregation of St. Stephen’s met following our regular service of Holy
Eucharist to discuss Bishop Michael Smith’s offer of Delegated Episcopal
Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) for St. Stephen’s. The meeting, much like our process
of discernment, began and ended with prayer. Following the meeting and, after
hearing feedback from our congregation, our Vestry met to vote on Bishop
Smith’s offer. The vote was unanimous in favor of Bishop Smith’s offer of DEPO.
With our acceptance
of this offer, Bishop Carol Gallagher will share her ministry and Episcopal
oversight of our congregation, beginning January 1, 2016.
What does this mean
for us as a congregation?
+ This was a vitally
important decision on our part. It means that we, as a congregation, will
continue to live out the ministry we
feel we have been called to do as a congregation. We see this as an extension
of a ministry based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Baptismal Covenant of
respecting the worth and dignity of all people, as we see it and have discerned
it for ourselves.
+ After January 1,
Bishop Carol Gallagher will now have direct Episcopal oversight of our
congregation. She will visit our congregation on an annual basis.
+ We will now be
allowed to recognize and celebrate marriage rites for all people, without
distinction.
+ All of our members
will be able to pursue their ministries without hindrance.
+ With this vote, we
are NOT “breaking away” from the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota. In fact, we
will remain a contributing and active presence in the Diocese of North Dakota.
The Diocese will continue in our collective and personal prayers, as we will in
the prayer cycle of the Diocese.
+ We will continue to
have a personal relationship with Bishop Smith, and we will continue to invite
him to share in the life and joys of our congregation.
Your prayers are
requested for our congregation of St. Stephen’s as we move forward together. I
also ask your prayers for Bishop Carol Gallagher, for Bishop Smith and the
Diocese of North Dakota, as well as your continued prayers for the Episcopal
Church. I also ask for your continued prayers for me and for the Vestry of St.
Stephen’s.
Fr. Jamie Parsley and
the Wardens and Vestry of St. Stephen’s
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