Good Shepherd, Granbury
This morning I was pleased to be invited to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd in Granbury, Texas (which is actually in Acton, just up the road from Granbury proper) and preside at their Sunday morning worship for the second time this summer. It is a beautiful church building and I met many very kind people there.
Sadly, there is apparently a significant contingent of the "Remain Episcopal" organization active in the parish. It seems they are no longer participating in the worship life of their parish. ("Remain Episcopal" is a group of die-hard 815 loyalists who have pledged fidelity to the national denominational structure, no matter what atrocities it might endorse.) These pro-815 folks are now meeting elsewhere on Sundays for a service of Morning Prayer. I am just guessing, but it is likely that the Remain Episcopal group will attempt to set up an entirely separate entity if the diocese of Fort Worth votes to complete our separation from TEC in November. The number of worshippers present at Good Shepherd this morning was about thirty people fewer this morning than when I visited in early July. While a part of this decline in attendance was clearly due to families travelling before the summer ends, I was told that at least some of these absentees were at the alternative "Remain Episcopal" gathering. Very sad.
Just across the street from Good Shepherd is a curious site of historical interest. It is the grave of the widow of Davey Crockett, a hero of the battle of the Alamo. After her husband's death Mrs. Crockett was awarded a land grant by the Republic of Texas that today comprises the entirety of Somervell County. Her grave site, which is a fenced area approximately 20 feet by 20 feet, is actually its own official Texas State Park! Obviously, it is the smallest state park in the Lone Star State, perhaps in the nation!
posted by Texanglican (R.W. Foster+) | 5:05 PM
8 Comments:
Sounds like you had a great day, but it is sad that folks would rather remain Episcopal instead of remaining Christian! On a happy note, our parish, St. Luke's in Mineral Wells, has grown from 20's three years ago to 52 today! And we are remaining Faithful!
Sad indeed that these folks have been made to feel so uncomfortable in their own church that they have chosen to absent themselves from the Lord's table.
What's going on there that their own priest has made them think they are unwelcome?
I don't know the cause of the absenteeism but why blame the priest unless you know that to be the cause? If you have information that indicates that it is the priest then say so. But many reasons can be the cause. Whatever the cause we need to pray for God's guidance in the cure.
Rudy
You are WAY behind on what is happening behind the scenes in the doicese as far as plans for the future of the Episcopal Church. As far as who is Christian and who is not, that depends solely on a person's belief in Jesus as Savior, not on religious affiliation. (Remember, you who are Bishop Iker supporters in this diocese are ALL currently members of the Episcopal Church.) I would not have the audacity to call ANY of you unchristian without at least meeting you first to find out what you believe first-hand.
As for the Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, groups of people wishing to remain in the Episcopal Church are springing up ALL OVER the diocese. (At least 6 groups that I know of). These are groups of people who know they are in the minority at their parishes as far as wanting to stay in the Episcopal Church goes. These groups are quickly organizing so that they can continue in the Episcopal Church after the vote on November 15th. These are people who know they will have NO parish building for worship after November 15th, yet their love for Jesus is so strong that they are willing to lose everything they have previously given to the Church and start again for the sake of the Gospel.
Yes well I am one of those former Good Shepherd attendies. I used to go to "Daily Eucharist". But when I found out about Ft. Worth'd seire to splinter off, well I started going less often. Now I don't go there at all because I don't want to support that agenda with my presence or financial support.
It is quite sad though. I love the Rector there. He is a very warm, caring guy with a great sense of homor. It pains me that I can't go and hear his service. But he isn't the Church, and I am devoted to first to God, Jesus, the church, and then to the local parish.
And since now the Church of England allows for "Episcopa.....
I used to live in Granbury, but never attended Good Shepard preferring instead to drive 50 miles to Fort Worth so that I might attend St. Andrews. I did that because I heard that Good Shepard was very liberal. I am now happy that the liberal wing has decided to depart. God bless the conservatives that have apparently taken back their parish.
I am very sorry to confirm that the current Priest had the opportunity to unite most of the folks who questioned the need to leave the Espicopal Church USA. However, he chose to be very "unpriestly" and mean-spirited to those who thought twice about blindly following him. Most unfortunate. Now it appears that the number of "Remain Episcopal" worshipers has grown to outnumber his supporters.
As a parishioner of this Rector's former church in Memphis, I concur with Anonymous that this Rector is "unpriestly" and "mean-spirited." He does viciously attack those who refuse to blindly follow him. Put your politics aside and realize this man's true nature.
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