In Theory

The time for St. James’ congregation to move “to a new church building” was in August 2004, when they switched their allegiance from The Episcopal Church in the USA to the Anglican Church of Uganda. Now, after years of energy and millions of dollars have been spent on “their case,” I think it is good for the highest possible judicial authority in our county, state and nation to decide issues that affect all faith communities with international affiliations, global connections and universal commitments.

Power, authority and money are more central issues here than are biblical interpretation, theology and human sexuality. Like Episcopalians and all other people with faith in God, St. James’ beloved are trying to follow the One who has ultimate power. When such issues are subjected to secular authority, no faithful people wins. The tragedy is that we are so busy battling with one another that we are not doing God’s work. May the time be soon when the people of saints James and Michael can again do God’s work together.

(The Very Rev’d Canon) Peter D. Haynes

Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, Corona del Mar

Though I don’t know much of St. James parish, I suspect their fight is not constitutional rights, theology or property rights. It’s about family — a family that is breaking up. Making it worse is that the breakup is in public so strangers like myself can comment on it. I suspect all the members of their family feel that their sacred beliefs have been abandoned, or betrayed. It’s too late to go back. Words have been spoken and deeds done that are not retractable. But the wounds are too painful and too deadly to discuss so we break up and fight over property, theology, obligations and the family home.

No one wants to leave home. Even if the future holds the promise of a better possibility, we still are reluctant to leave. We are all like Lot’s wife, looking backward even if we know we shouldn’t. Our deepest longings are about home — a place to be ourselves, a place where we are loved and a place of stories that sustain us. Even if our home does not provide this sense of home, we keep longing for the home that does. We keep trying to find our way back home or to find home.