ASHEVILLE: FINDING ANGLICAN MISSION IS A HOMECOMING FOR SOME

By Henry Robinson

Citizen-Times Correspondent

Asheville, August 13, 2004

There was worldwide criticism over the founding of the Anglican Mission in America four years ago, but leaders of the movement believed they were being obedient to God's calling, according to the Most Rev. Emmanuel Mbona Kolini, Archbishop of Province of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda and Bishop of Kigali.

"Like John and Peter when they were arrested and brought in front of the Pharisees and high priest, they asked who should we obey, you or God?"

"I think the Archbishop of Southeast Asia Moses Tay and myself had to choose to obey the calling of the Lord or the institution represented by someone — an archbishop or whatever name. It is painful, but at the same time, we have to obey what the Lord is telling us to do," Kolini added. "It happened and history will judge us."

Kolini, who visited the congregation of Asheville's St. Paul's Anglican Mission in America Church Thursday and Friday, said growth of the new church has been tremendous in America, adding that nearly 100 churches have been founded since 2000.

He noted that during a visit to a church in Georgia, the people were rejoicing because they were "free people." He said they are not under any constitution or constraints. They are free to worship the Lord.

When asked about the confirmation of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as the world's first openly homosexual Episcopal bishop, Kolini said, "All that I know is that people are upset. When you reject a part of Scripture, your legitimacy is gone. Our authority comes under obedience of the Scripture, otherwise it is not spiritual."

St. Paul's Anglican Mission formed in January 2002. In Asheville, the first services of St. Paul's Anglican Mission were held in the home of Brian and Sara Lavelle. Attendance now ranges from 65-75 each Sunday.

"My husband is from a Roman Catholic background, and I'm from a Presbyterian background. So when we compromised, we chose a church with a more liturgical form of base," Sara Lavelle said.

"We just wanted more Scriptural teaching from the Scriptures, and teaching what God has laid before us for well over 2,000 years. I was so hungry for that — the kind of teaching I had as a child," Sara Lavelle said.

"I think there's an awful lot of people hungry for truth and are seeking it. And I'm afraid our churches have let the people down," Sara Lavelle said.

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