In recent weeks, some of our sisters and brothers, mostly from St. Alban's Church in Monroe and St. Jude's Church in Marietta, have decided to leave the Episcopal Church and venture out on their own. I am saddened by this turn of events, because the principal work of the church is to bring everyone into a reconciling relationship with God and with each other. Reconciliation is hard work, and it takes time and effort.

In both parishes, a strong core of people remain, excellent lay leadership is emerging and new commitment and vigor to the work of Christ is abundantly clear. At St. Jude's. the Rev. Frank Baltz is giving clear and effective pastoral leadership, assisted by Ramon Beances, a find Hispanic pastoral leader who will soon be welcomed into the priesthood of our church. At St. Alban's, strong lay leadership is in place, and we are working hard to find a faithful pastor for them as they look forward to calling a new rector. It is clear to me that the Holy Spirit is working mightily in both of these parishes and that God is going to bless their continuing ministry.

Both the groups that have left have placed themselves under the pastoral direction and guidance of the bishop of Bolivia. This is a most unusual development, because in Anglican tradition a diocese is a defined geographic territory under the jurisdiction of its own bishop. Both in the American Episcopal Church and in worldwide Anglicanism, it is well understood that a bishop does not become involved in the internal affairs of another diocese. In Anglican tradition, when a member of the clergy or a parish is at odds with its bishop, all parties are expected to do the hard work of reconciliation for the sake of the ministry of Christ among us. I am saddened that the members who have left have done so without at least making the effort living more deeply into the reconciling work of the Gospel of Jesus. I hope that such reconciling opportunities will be open to us in the future.

I believe that it is also responsible to point out that the leadership core at the heart of both groups are good, faithful people, but who have a history of schismatic behavior. The people who are at the heart of the movement to leave are folks who have left other parishes, and have even left the Episcopal Church before, have come back, and are now leaving again. Schism breeds schism. It always has. I hold in mind the great wisdom of the ancient church: if you have to choose between heresy and schism, choose heresy. For heresy is, in the end, just an opinion. and opinions come and go. Schism tears the fabric of the Body of Christ and is irreparable. For those deeply committed to the body of Christ, breaking fellowship is never a faithful option.

I do not believe that all of the fine people who have decided to stay with us and continue to build our parishes have done so because they are in agreement with me or with the actions of the General Convention on these issues before the church in these days. I am, in fact, quite clear about the fact that many of those who have stayed are quite clearly in disagreement, but have determined that separating themselves from us is not the way to work through those issues that divide us. I honor them for their willingness to work with me, even in times of tension, and I will do everything I can to be as able and faithful a bishop and chief pastor to them and to all. To be in agreement, and to be in fellowship and mutual love, has never been the same thing among faithful members of the Anglican tradition. I do not have to agree with someone in order to be a faithful pastor to them. I am looking forward to deepening my pastoral relationship with the people of St. Alban's and St. Jude's. I believe our mutual commitment to the Lord of the Church is deeper than our differing viewpoints on the issues before us.

This is a wonderful time to be in the church. In the midst of the present uneasiness, it is clear that the Spirit of the Risen Savior is vitally present among us. Every day I continue to be encouraged by the wonderful news of the ministries that are going on around our diocese and throughout the church: faithful Episcopalians finding ever more ways to share the good news Jesus and to demonstrate God's love to us by reaching out to others in Christ's name. At the national level, the Episcopal Church has deployed more foreign missionaries -- deacons and priests, teachers, doctors and nurses -- than we have in decades. And many of these folks are going at the invitation of our sister churches throughout the Anglican Communion, even to those who have been critical of us in recent months. The fabric of the Anglican Communion is much stronger than many seem to realize. It is abundantly clear that God is using us and our common life to invite others into a deeper and more profound relationship with the Risen Christ. God is clearly not finished with us yet.

I am grateful for our partnership in the Gospel of Jesus. To God be the glory!

The Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander
Bishop of Atlanta

This letter by the bishop was published in the current issue of DioLog, the diocese's semi-monthly newsletter.

END