OKLAHOMA CITY: INAUGURAL SERVICE HELD AT ST. JAMES ANGLICAN CHURCH

May 6, 2004

A large part of the congregation from St. James Episcopal Church walked away from the parish property seeking to distance themselves from ECUSA, its movement away from Scripture and Tradition, and the Oklahoma Bishop.

The Bishop of Oklahoma, Robert Moody, voted for the election of Gene Robinson, the option for individual dioceses to initiate same-sex blessings, and currently has as a deacon under his authority in the diocese that is a transgender person (male to female).

Over 100 faithful souls attended the first service held by St. James Anglican Church in South Oklahoma City on May 2nd.

The congregation meets each Sunday at 11:45 a.m. in the chapel at Southern Hills Baptist Church, 8601 South Pennsylvania, in Oklahoma City.

The service was Morning Prayer, Rite II, led by David Haener. Don Gumm and the youth group provided music. After the service, the entire congregation gathered for a group portrait.

The congregation encompasses all age groups, from tiny babies to the ‘80s and above! “This whole endeavor has been a leap of faith by a church family that has been hurting for some time,” said Don Gumm, St. James Anglican’s senior warden. He continued, “But 116 faithful Anglicans gathered for worship and prayers to support each other and the whole Anglican Communion.”

Arrangements are in the works for visiting priests to celebrate the Eucharist on a regular basis, and a plan is being formulated to invite episcopal oversight by an Anglican bishop.

Morning Prayer will be held until clergy can be called to celebrate Eucharist, and services are open to all.

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