The national controversy over New Hampshire's openly gay Episcopal bishop died down months ago. Here in New Hampshire, many Episcopalians say Bishop Gene Robinson's sexual orientation isn't an issue. Parish priests say some families have left, but new ones have joined. But at the Church of the Redeemer in Rochester, the aftershocks live on. Last month, the parish split in two. New Hampshire Public Radio's Raquel Maria Dillon visited the original parish and the new, off-shoot parish and brought back this report.
Last month, most of the parishioners at Church of the Redeemer refused to recognize Bishop Robinson as leader of the Diocese. The parish and the Diocese could not find a compromise. So more than half of the small congregation walked out and started a new parish of their own – independent of the New Hampshire diocese.
They left behind a core group of loyal parishioners. Last Sunday, the organist was out sick. So Carol Heighes (high-z) was volunteered to lead the hymns – a cappella.
AMBI 92-93 hymn
The priest was on loan for the day from a parish in Manchester. There were only 19 people and one baby in the pews.
AMBI 92-93 hymn
By the second verse, they joined in as best they could, their voices grew stronger, and Heighes sang louder to keep everyone in tune…
AMBI 93 more hymn
After mass, Carol Heighes reflected on the low turnout.
HEIGHES :15 this is a huge space. There's about 20 of us now, if we double that to 40 that would be a wonderful gift. We miss those people who are not with us, trying to be upbeat, remember that we're here to worship the lord.
Paul Shea is a member of the new vestry. He says 20 people on a summer Sunday isn't so bad.
SHEA :16 it was a little light, but it being a hot humid muggy day, I can sorta understand it. When school is out, the church is not out. People somehow get the idea that the end of school is the end of church!
Shea says Bishop Robinson's message of inclusion is already attracting brand new members to Redeemer. But he concedes the task of building a new community is formidable.
SHEA :18 I'm feeling called personally, to go out on the streets maybe in middle of Rochester, and just talk to people. Find out what they're looking for, why ppl in NH are reluctant to go to church. 50% of people in NH do not attend church.
Actually, according polls by the Barna Group, 35% of Northern New Englanders don't attend church on a regular basis.
If any New Hampshire parish was likely to break in two, it was the Church of the Redeemer. For years the parish's internal divisions have mirrored the disagreements between the more liberal and conservative sides of the Episcopal Church nationwide. Kevin Gorham says parishioners disagreed over the 1979 revisions to the Book of Common Prayer, over the ordination of women, and over the role of lay Eucharistic ministers.
GORHAM :12 This parish has had misfortune, that's why I've been on again off again. We've lost a significant part of congregation, lost and rebuilt.
Gorham says the cycle has taken its toll on the parish community.
GORHAM :14 A lot of people still want to fill that big church in there. I don't think that's our mission in this world, to fill 30-40 rows. It's a great structure but may be our ball and chain because it's so big.
Bishop Robinson met with the parish's new leadership last week to discuss their mission and goals. Shea says he encouraged Redeemer parishioners to think broadly about how the parish can best serve the needs of the community.
SHEA :14 one suggestion was why not build an assisted living center, and have a chapel that would hold 100 people or so. Rather than this great large plant we have here.
The Diocese changed Redeemer's status from a full-fledged parish to a mission to help the struggling parish financially. It also means the diocese will play a larger role in hiring the next pastor.
Many parishioners said they're looking forward to starting anew with a new pastor and a new bishop, leaving the parish's history of divisions behind. They all agreed, there are no hard feelings here towards the church members who left, only sadness.
REPORTER :23 do you ever wish that whole controversy had never happened?
SHEA yes, I do. and it was sad to have church family break up and break apart. It has happened, we try to get thru sadness and disappointment. as with any death or split in a family, life still goes on.
Across town, the Redeemers parishioners who left also started anew. They chose a new name – St. Michael's – and borrowed space from a Baptist church. Last weekend, they celebrated the parish's first baptism.
WILSON :?? Shawn Paul, I baptize you in the name of the father, son, holy spirit. Amen! … I'd like to introduce you as newest member of church, Shawn Paul!
FADE APPLAUSE
After the Mass, Sean Matile explained that he wanted to reaffirm his commitment to the church (and he couldn't locate his baptismal records). More importantly, he wanted to give his new community a reason to celebrate.
MATILE :22 whole parish is united with me in reaffirmation of our vows to God. we're standing up for our beliefs, not a numbers game. We're all passionate in what we believe.
St. Michael's joined the Anglican Communion Network – a national group of churches that came together earlier this year to oppose Robinson's consecration. Senior Warden Jerry Delemus says his parish no longer recognizes the authority of the Episcopal Church USA.
DELEMUS :19 They support the consecration of Robinson, which we don't. And when they take an unbiblical stance, not because of Gene as person, but because of unbiblical stance, we can't recognize them as having authority over us. Why we're here celebrating at Baptist church. thank god for Baptists.
Delemus says the decision to leave was based on principle – they couldn't answer to God and to Bishop Robinson at the same time.
DELEMUS :18 gene said to press he had given us 97% of what we wanted but the key point was what we really asked of him was what he would not give us. That was to allow us to fall under an orthodox bishop of our choosing in entirety.
Delemus' wife, Susan says she was glad to be free of what she called the Diocese's "wrong teaching".
SUSAN :25 some of the pastors that they put up on the pulpit for us during our bad time were absolutely blasphemous. How do you say that? You pick one part where it's wrong and the rest is right? I was confused and Satan is the father of confusion so we've been waiting and now it's time to bring people back to Jesus.
Jerry Delemus says St. Michael's isn't small – 30-to-40 members is average for an Episcopal church in the U-S. He says the parish is growing too and hoping to find a more permanent home.
After the schism, St. Michaels and the Church of the Redeemer are hoping to attract new members and planning for future bricks-and-mortar issues. But spiritually, both parishes feel their moral foundations are solid.
For NHPR News, I'm RMD.
AMBI 128 hymn – Church's foundation is Jesus Christ the lord.
