New church hopes to build relations with other congregation

<p>It’s enough to give the general public a theological headache.</p><p>While the congregation that renamed itself St. John’s Anglican Church on Dec. 17 continues to meet at 40 Fifth St., another congregation bearing the church’s former name, St. John’s Episcopal Church, has splintered off and is meeting in members’ homes.</p><p>Actual ownership of the Fifth Street property is being disputed, and may have to be determined in the courts. And contrary to the understanding of the leadership of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, the rector of St. John’s Anglican Church, the Rev. David Miller, claims that he did not renounce his ordination and orders in the Episcopal Church, although he requested temporary shelter for his congregation within the Diocese of Argentina.</p><p>Despite the confusion and disagreements, the man who formed the new St. John’s Episcopal Church congregation hopes that common ground can be found.</p><p>“I hope that we will be able to have cordial relations with the Anglican congregation,” said the Rev. Norman Cram, the rector of St. John’s from 1995 to 1999, who formed the new congregation under the auspices of the Episcopal Church Diocese of Northern California. “Within a family, there always are dissenting opinions, and I hope we can continue our friendships.</p><p>“I would celebrate the possibility of our congregation working out something with the Anglican congregation so that we can share the space on Fifth Street. But it’s above my rank to say if this is possible.”</p><p>On Dec. 17, the vast majority of the 230 members of St. John’s Episcopal Church voted to sever its 150-year relationship with the Episcopal Church and the local diocese due to moral differences, primarily whether or not gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve in positions of church leadership. The vote was triggered by liberal positions taken by the diocese on such matters.</p><p>“So, we want to offer a traditional Episcopal church option in this community,” Cram said. “This means following baptismal vows in the Book of Common Prayer to respect the dignity of every human being and to see Christ in all people.</p><p>“This means including people of the homosexual persuasion in positions of church leadership. It is inconsistent to say, ‘I respect your dignity’ to them, but also say ‘You can’t become a bishop or a priest.’”</p><p>Cram, 70, now meets with eight to 12 people in family homes every Sunday, and expects more to join.</p><p>“We’re a very committed group,” he said. “We stand for understanding that God creates people differently, and we celebrate diversity. We celebrate a Christ who stretches out his arms and accepts people unconditionally, because the body of our Church is inclusive, not exclusive.</p><p>“The Anglican Church voted to exclude women from vestry or governing body positions. We don’t exclude women from anything.”</p><p>Although Cram hopes that an agreement with St. John’s Anglican Church can be reached, possible sites are being explor-ed for his new congregation.</p><p>“We are discussing alternatives, and have been negotiating with a local congregation in Petaluma to borrow its sanctuary,” he said.</p><p>The congregation will hold its first public service at 7 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 8, at Prince Park in Petaluma.</p><p>Cram, who lives with his wife, Deirdre, in Sonoma, can be reached at 364-7106.</p><p>(Contact Dan Johnson at dan.johnson@arguscourier.com)</p>