We, the clergy listed below, are requesting the Executive Council to take no action that would give the appearance of endorsing the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes. We feel this decision needs to be made by the delegates to the Diocesan Convention. Any action taken at this time by the Executive Council to either affirm or reject Bishop Stanton’s affiliation with the Network will pre-empt the process by which the Convention delegates, both lay and clergy, can adequately study and pray about this matter.

We do not in any way intend for this letter to question Bishop Stanton’s choice to participate in this Network. We do feel, however, that there is a grave danger of polarizing the Diocese of Dallas before each parish, mission and member of the clergy has had an opportunity to thoroughly study the organizational and theological charters of the Network. We also fear there is grave danger of causing dissension within the parishes and missions of our Diocese over the premature decision to affiliate with this Network, or even to give the appearance of affiliating, before the entire body of our Diocesan Convention has an opportunity to consider this matter. Finally, many of us have specific concerns about the Network that we would like to share with you all.

We hope that plans are being made to encourage the early, thorough and responsible study of the organizational and theological charters of the Network of Anglican Parishes and Dioceses throughout the Diocese of Dallas. Regional opportunities for such study and discussion were spoken of at the clergy meeting last month. We would like to know of the plans for these study opportunities in order to disseminate information to the delegates in our parishes.

Respectfully submitted,

The Rev. Chuck Treadwell, St. Peter’s McKinney
The Rev. Virginia Holleman, St. Peter’s McKinney
The Rev. Stephen Waller, St. Thomas the Apostle
The Rev. Dru Ferguson, St. Paul
The Rev. Joy Daley, Transfiguration
The Rev. Ernie McAfee, St. Barnabas Garland
The Rev. Paul Strickland, Episcopal School of Dallas
The Rev. Christianne McKee, St. Thomas the Apostle
The Rev. J. D. Godwin, Transfiguration
The Rev. Wylie Miller, St. Christopher’s
The Rev. Trudie Smither, St. Christopher’s
The Rev. Donald Johnson, St. Barnabas, Denton
The Rev. Barbara Sajna, Transfiguration
The Rev. Sharon Turner
The Rev. Doug Neel, Holy Trinity by the Lake
The Rev. Ray Ball, All Saints
The Rev. Gerry Sevick, St. Anne’s, Desoto