OCEANSIDE, CA: St. Anne's Church Unanimously Uphold Decision to Sever Ties with ECUSA
Contact: Joan Gast
Oceanside, Calif. - February 7, 2005 - The members of St. Anne's Church, Oceanside, last night unanimously affirmed their decision to no longer be affiliated with the Episcopal Church USA or the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.
At a parish meeting with a record turnout of voting members, the members unanimously voted by 117-0 to amend St. Anne's articles of incorporation to delete all references to the Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. This overwhelming decision by parish members had already been unanimously approved by the church's board of directors (vestry) last week.
St. Anne's Church is an independent California non-profit religious corporation, with a church body of about 270 people and 156 voting members. On January 28 and 29, 2006, the St. Anne's vestry and members overwhelmingly decided to align with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, Diocese of Bolivia, under the oversight of the Rt. Rev. Frank Lyons.
St. Anne's has remained steadfast and loyal in their commitment to the Holy Scripture, the historic teachings of Christianity and the Anglican Communion for over 100 years. The amendments to the articles of the incorporation included the following purpose: "To be a church aligned with and in ecclesiastical fellowship with a bishop of a Province of the worldwide Anglican Communion that holds to and propounds the historic Faith of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, the Faith once delivered to the Saints, which is based on the Gospel of the centrality and uniqueness of the Person of Jesus Christ and the authority of Holy Scripture as containing all things necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ."
"Our desire remains the same," said Rev. Tony Baron, St. Anne's Rector, "and that is to walk humbly and prayerfully before our Lord desiring more intimacy with Him so that we can be faithful disciples making other disciples for Jesus." Alex Hamlow, the newly appointed senior warden and Connie Fowle, the outgoing senior warden, both agreed that the unanimous vote affirmed St. Anne's submission to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to stand firm for our faith.
St. Anne's Church will continue to worship at its present location and facilities in Oceanside.
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