6B
RELIGION/Q^t Cliatlottt
Thursday, February 12, 2004
Bishop: Heresy is preferable to split church
REUGIONJOURNAl. COM
Heresy is better than a
split in the church, an Epis
copal bishop said last week.
“If you must make choice
between heresy and schism,
: always choose heresy,” said
the Rev. Peter J. Lee, bishop
of the Episcopal Diocese of
Virginia. He was quoting
James I. McCord, a 20th-
century Presbyterian educa
tor and leader in the World
Council of Churches.
“For as a heretic, you are
only guilty of a wrong opin
ion. As a schismatic, you
have tom and divided the
bodv of Christ. Choose
. .1C- —CC
added.
Lee spoke to 550, Episco
palians at his diocese’s annu
al convention in Reston, Va.,
a two-day meeting that
ended Jan. 31. The Virginia
Diocese is the largest in the
Episcopal Church, with
, 89,000 members.
“I hear the pain and grief
expressed by those angered
by the election and consecra
tion of Bishop Robinson of
New Hampshire and by my
role in that,” Lee said in his
address to delegates. “And I
hear the pain and disap
pointment of gay and lesbian
members of our diocese who
are frustrated at the lack of
availability to them of rites
of blessing.
“Members of a Christian
community bear one anoth
er’s burdens. Listening to
each other and finding those
areas of mission where we
can unite are important pat
terns of discipleship.
“I appeal also to members
of our diocese who are tempt
ed to separate from our body
because of their anger at
what we have done or disap
pointment at what we have
not done to stay the course
and to learn of Christ’s
desire for our unity through
our engagement with one
another.”
After delegates applauded
him, Lee added, “I hope we
will avoid both heresy and
schism.”
Lee’s comments about
unity were taken as a mild
scolding of Episcopalians
who formed the American
Anglican Council in opposi
tion to the consecration of
the Rev. Gene Robinson as
the denomination’s first
openly homosexual bishop.
The AAC has proved to be
a atrnncr force attracfirur
January conference in Wood-
bridge, Va. The convention
in Reston was able to hold
the diocese together - the
diocese described the meet
ing as “a model for reconcili
ation” — but some delegates
wondered for how long.
Delegates set up a year
long reconciliation commis
sion charged with keeping
the church’s factions talking
despite deep theological dif
ferences over homosexuality.
Although the establish
ment of the commission
deferred difficult decisions
on how to resolve the dio
cese’s simmering crisis, both
sides in the debate over
homosexuality said the con
vention “only postponed an
inevitable split,” according to
The Washington Times.
“The status quo prevailed,”
said the Rev. Martyn Minns,
rector of Truro Episcopal
Church in Fairfax, Va., and a
leader of the conservative
faction who has been active
in forming the AAC.
While the vote “showed a
general desire to move for
ward without dividing,”
resolving the crisis “may
mean structural changes,”
"Sdiviiliol). HciiliiiL’ (ind Dclivcniiu c far ilw mini Mun ivdcliini’ llic lost at any cost"
Emmanuel Tabernacle
Center of Hope
2{W West Woodlawn Rd.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 7322 Charlotte, NC 28241
Sunday School - 9 AM
Sunday Morning Worship - 10 AM
Wednesday Evening: Prayer. Anointing and
Bible Enrichment - 7 PM „ .. r, , a
Saturday Morning Broadcast: Rejoice Radio 1370 pfeSy tiavol
& 1490- 11:30 AM
PRAYER FOR THE SICK /A EVERY SERVICE COME EXPECTING A MIRACLE!
Macedonia Baptist Church
"The Church Where Everybody is Somebody and Christ is All"
Dr. John H. Walkevy Pastor & Minister, Rosie Walker
SUNDAY
Christian Fxlucation School 10:00 a.m.
Worship 7:45 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Youth Church 1st, 2nd, 3rd& 5th....11a.m.
WEDNESDAY
'Hour of Power" .Midday Worship 12 Noon
Institute Study...:..6:30 pm/Worship 7:30 pm
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RADIO MINISTRY: WGSP 1310 AM
M/W/F 12:20 p.m. • Sun. 9:30 a.m.
704-392-8496 Hatteras Ave..* wvv'w.macedoniaofchariotte.org
ZION CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
“loin Us For Senice”
SUNDAY, Morning Worship 9am
WEDNESDAY, Bible Study 7pm
5409 Beatties Fd. Rd., Charlotte, 28216
704-502-2798
Joseph L Dempsey,
Pastor
H*
Jfirsit illt. Hton Paptisit Cliurcl)
1515 Remount Rd. • (Tel.)332-8335 (Fax)372-7548
28208
I Sunday Morning Worship Services... 8:30 - 9:30 - 11:00ani
Sunday School ■. 9:45 - 10*:45am
Singles Ministries (Mon.) 6:30-7:30pm
I Senior Citizens (Mon.) 10:30-4:00pm
Dr. C.V. Oweas
Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:00am - 4:00pm
You are cordially invited to worship with us!
Shepherd’s Fold Church
5101 Nations Fort Road-Chartollt,8028217.(704)583-1436,
lj™« The Only Soul bri, Otmship
You re Lislenino to? j.30 j
Dyrnnk Bible Study
WMi.m.
Poweriut Morning Worship
11:00 a.m.
tnstsad at IsteniAQ to scmecre
elM'R sAti it's time yott
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W.O.W. WordOo WfUnfsUirr
7:11 pn.
■ Hot Oof Suiper'
^The Vision Is Clear, The
Journey Bos
Senior & founding Pastor
C. David Sta^ouse &
Ursl Lady Hence
Minus said.
Since Robinson was elected
and consecrated, 24 parishes
in Virginia have partially or
totally cut off funding to the
diocese. The diocese’s 2004
budget shows a $900,000
drop in income from 2003.
Some Virginia delegates
have called the withholding
blackmail, while others said
the parishes’ decisions were
made in good conscience.
The delegates set up a task
force to study new rules for
financial giving by churches
to the diocese, and referred
for further study a proposal
to let parishes designate-how
spent.
Lee’s vote for Robinson’s
consecration resulted in
fierce protests from several
congregations in his diocese,
which stretches from North
ern Virginia to Richmond.
He has received calls and let
ters from churchgoers ask
ing him to resign, and some
parishes have said Lee, who
has led the diocese for 20
years, is not welcome to visit.
He has taken a conciliatory
approach, allowing the two
other bishops who report to
him to visit congregations
where he is not welcome
rather than insisting that
the parishes receive him.
Lee stressed that unity is
paramount.
“I remind you that Christ
ian communities often con
sist of solidarities not of our
choosing. Our faith teaches
that people with whom we
differ often have important
truths to teach us,” he said.
At a news conference, Lee
vviumg to consider omer pos
sibilities,” such as allowing a
theologically orthodox bish
op to enter his diocese to
minister to several-thousand
conservatives who fill his
largest parishes, a key
demand by the AAC.
However, he added that
that could happen only with
his permission.
Obituaries
A.L. Jinwright Funeral Service
Georgia E. Hart of 628 Noles Drive,
died Jan. 29 at age 65. Funeral was held
Feb. 10 at Mt. Sinai Baptist church,
Mount Holly, N.C.
Ethel (Chisholm) Macon, 83, of 101 N.
Gregg Street, died Feb. 3. Funeral was
held Feb. 6 at A.L. Jinwright Funeral
Service Chapel.
Odell Mackin, 62, of 1317 Moretz
Avenue, died Jan. 30. Funeral was held Feb. 6 at
A.L. Jinwright Funeral Service Chapel.
“The Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord” - Exodus 20:10
Northeast SDA Church
827 Tom Hunter Rd. • RO. Box 560647
Charlotte, NC 28256
(704)394-5615 Office • (704)596-9767 Fax
Frank L. Harrell, Sr. - Pastor
Sabbath School 9:15a.m.
Sabbath Service 11:00a.m.
Wed. Prayer Service 7:00p.m.
Silver Moun'
itl’aptist
Church
"Continuing th? tegaeg - S(j ful/illing the Vi»ion'
Come And Worship With UsI
Morning Worship Service 9:45ain Children’s Church
Sunday School 8:45am Wed. Night Bible Study 7:00pm
501 W. Arrowood Road - Charlotte NC 28217
(7041 522-1528 • (704) 527-2499 - fax
www.sllvermount.org
email: smbc501@bellsouth.net
Dr, Lincoln C. Lee, Pastor
Greater Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church
'The Chimii with Ok Communily at Heart"
531 Campus Street • Charfotte, NC28216
(7(»)375-3900 ■ Fax372-0614
Worship Services: SAM if HAM
Sunday School: 9:30AM
Bible Study: Wed. 10:30AM ir 7PM
Daycare & Afterschool Available
B-mail: gamez53Wbellsouth.net
The Reverend Calvin L Miller - Pastor
Reverend Karen Roberts Miller - Spouse
tuke
"/V iHeU, exi4.td-
to eruf&e. dw^ted
www.stlukembc.org
Missionary Btuptist Church
Sunday Worship Services ^:00am • lliOOam • 6:S0pm
Sunday SchooL 9:45am
Wednesday......^ .Noon Day Worship Study..12H)0
Evening Worship Study......... 7:00pm
JReu. Clifford Matthews, Jr., Pastor * 375-9650
1600 Norris Ave. • Charlotte, NC 28206 • FAX: 375-8397
SIMPSON-GILLESPir
UNITED METHODIST CHURCE
.TOIN US FOR SERVICE
Sunday School, 9: 30am • Sunday Worship, 11am
Thursday; Bible Study, 7pm
Saturday: “ Contemporary Worship,” 6pm..."Wear Your Jeans”
-Dr. Andrew Brown, Pastor -
3545 Beatties Ford Rd., CharloUe, NC 28216 ■ 704-399-2717
“We can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Us"
Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church
"A Church Putting Love Into Action "
700 SUGAR CREEK ROAD, WEST
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA 28213
Sunday Church School 9:30a.m.
Worship Service 11:00a.m. and 6:00p.m.
Baptist Training Union 5:00p.m.
\ V fflr
Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesdays 7:30pm
AV
Office (704)596-7935 • Fax (704)596-1204
Residence (704)597-1249
“I would be the inviting
bishop,” he said. “I do not
support the idea that a bish
op can unilaterally come in
and replace the duly conse
crated bishop of Virginia.”
lives in her own place
with her own stuff.
CTZcccCe- helps to make it possible.
“Margaret is 85 and sharp as a tack. But her health makes it
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■ Della Reese. Entertainment Legend.
Faith in Action Believer.
"Come Let Us Worship Together”
The Friendliest Church in the City of Charlotte”
Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
517 Baldwin Ave. • Charlotte, NC 28204
(704)376-1201 Office • (704)376-3344 Fax
Rev. JA. Cuthbertson - Pastor
Sunday School 9:30a.m,
Praise & Worship 10:45am
Worship Service 11:00am
Wednesday Bible Study 7:00pm
Wednesday Prayer Service,. 8:00pm
PARKWOOD INSTITUTIONAL
—Tss:.—
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr., Pastor
" ”3.
802 Tom Hunter Road • Charlotte, NC 28213
(Ph) 704-921-4915 (Fax) 704-921-4917
Radio Broadcast: Sat. SAM WGIV 1600AM
Sunday Worship: SAM and 1 lAM
Sunday Breakfast; 8:45AM
Sunday Church School: 9:45AM
Bible Study: Wed. 12 Noon and Thur. 6:30PM
“The Church Where Everybody is Somebody Rev. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr.
and Christ is Lord of All. ”
TR.NNSPORTATION AVAILABLE
Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church
Rev. Dr. Waller V. Howard, Jr. Pastor
o ^
201 Grandin Rd - Charlotte, NC 28208
Phone: 704-376 4345 • Fax 704-3764350
Morning Worship Services - 7:45am & 11am
Sunday School - 9:3()am - I0:30am ■
Intercessory Prayer - Friday - 7:(X)pm ■
Wed. Bible Study 11:45am • 1:00pm & 7:00pm - 8:00pm
A.C.E. Fellowship: Sun. 6:00 pm
Combined Worship - 1st Sunday @ 10:00am
Dr. Walter V. Howard, Jr.
http:www.gbamec.org
Pastor & Mrs. Howard
REEDER MEMORIAL
BAPTIST CHURCH
Come and share "The Journey" with us,
Sunday Morning Worship - 8 am and 10:45 am
Sunday School -9:30 am
Tuesday Bible Study-7:30 pm :
A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY MAKING CONNECTIONS
WITH YOUR FUTURE
3725 Beatties Ford Rd.* 704-398-2914
MOUNT CARMEL BAIHJST CHURCH
“Pastor and People Prevailing Together”
Mission Statement: “Celebrating Christ to reach, teach and equip
people for the service of Christ”
Sunday Wordiip at 8:(X)AJVL, 9:30 A.M. and 11:30 AJVl
Sunday Schorf Ministry at 9:30 AJVL
Children (4-11 yrs.), Youth (12-17 yrs.) & Nursery: 11:30 AJVL
Small Groups and Married Coujrfe’s: 9 JO AJVL
Wednesday: Praise Wordiip & Bible Study, 7 PJVL
Youth and Children’s Ministiv
3201 Tuckaseegee Road. Charlotte, NC 28208-3357
Rev. Dr. Casey R. Office: 704-394-3525 Fax:704-^94-8836
Kimbrough, I Website: www.mcbc-nc.org.
The Reverend Dr. Casey R. Kimbrough, I. Senior Pastor
St. Paul Baptist Church
Our Purpose: “To convince the unconvinced
to be convinced and make disciples”
Sunday Worship at 7:30 A.M. and 10:30 A.M.
Sunday Morning Breakfa-sl 8:45 A.M.
Sunday School at 9:25 A.M. -10:25 A.M.
Radio Broadcast Sunday 11:00 A.M. (1370 A.M. Dial)
Bible Study Wed. 12 Noon - 6:45 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Youth Church 2nd & 3rd Sunday 10:30 A.M.
1401 North Allen Street. Charlotte, NC 28205
Office: 704-334-5309
(jregCHy K Moss Sr.
Pastor