MACOMB, IL (Sept. 3, 2009) — Members of St. George’s Church in Macomb who wish to remain Episcopalian will hold a service at 3:30 pm on Sunday, Sept. 13, at Trinity Lutheran Church at 123 S. Campbell in Macomb.
Fr. John Throop, former interim priest of St. George’s, will lead the service. A light supper will follow in the church basement. All are welcome.
After St. George’s parishoners voted 25-15 on March 29 to leave the Episcopal Church (TEC) and join the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA), parishioners who wished to remain with the Episcopal Church reorganized the Episcopal parish in the wake of those departing.
In May, Macomb Episcopalians held a mass celebrated by Diocese of Quincy Provisional Bishop John Buchanan, who urged the group to “live in the sunshine” as they move forward.
This group, identified as St. George’s Protestant Episcopal Church, is lead by a vestry including Tobyn Miracle, senior warden; Katharine Pawelko, junior warden; Janna Haworth, parish clerk; Lynn Thompson, treasurer; and Angela Ferree.
In formulating its mission and ministry goals, members of St. George’s PEC cite the diversity and inclusion of the Episcopal Church and also its acceptance of women priests as important factors in deciding to remain with TEC. The St. George’s group hopes to connect with other individuals and church groups who choose to remain in the Episcopal Church Diocese of Quincy.
St. George’s Episcopal has scheduled an evening prayer service for Sept. 27, and a mass celebrated by the Rev. Judith Dalmasso for Oct. 11. This will be the first time a woman has officiated at an Anglican mass in the parish’s history.
The Diocese is currently involved in a property dispute lawsuit with former church leaders who l eft TEC, taking church property with them. St. George’s Church property, 231 E. Carroll in Macomb, is also in dispute. That suit, originally filed in Adams County, is expected to ultimately determine ownership of all church property in the Diocese. Until the property dispute is settled, St. George’s Episcopal services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, ELCA, which has a communal relationship with TEC.