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CHRIST CHURCH PARISHIONERS APPROVE SEPARATION

For further information contact: 

Melodie Woerman                      OR              The Rev. Ronald L. McCrary

Director of Communications                          Rector

Episcopal Diocese of Kansas                        Christ Church

785-235-9255                                              913-648-2271

April 17, 2005

The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas and the rector and vestry of Christ Episcopal Church of Overland Park, Kansas, jointly announce that Christ Church parishioners have approved an agreement to separate from the diocese and the national Episcopal Church.

Voting occurred at special parish meetings April 3, 10 and 17.  The agreement was approved, 873 to 211.

“Although both parties are sad that this separation is going to occur, we both feel that it is the only realistic course given our disagreements,” says the Rev. Ronald L. McCrary, rector.

“The diocese and parish have attempted to conduct the entire process with respect for one another’s beliefs and opinions,” says the Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe, Episcopal Bishop of Kansas. “While these issues have caused great pain for many people, the agreement allows us to move forward on separate paths in our ministries.”

Over time, significant differences arose between Christ Church and the diocese and national church regarding theology, forms of church government and authority of the national church and diocese.

In an attempt to reconcile the differences between the parish and the diocese, Bishop Wolfe initiated a series of discussions in November 2003 involving representatives from both entities. The terms of an agreement to separate were approved unanimously by the Council of Trustees of the diocese and by the Vestry (governing board) of Christ Church during the week of February 27, 2005, subject to confirmation by a vote of the members of the congregation.

The agreement that has now been confirmed by the congregation provides that the parish will be relieved of the authority of the Constitution and Canons (church legal policies) of the national church, the Constitution and Canons of the diocese, and the authority of the Episcopal Bishop of Kansas.  Key elements of the agreement include:

• Christ Church will claim no association with the diocese or the national Episcopal Church.
• The diocese is releasing Christ Episcopal Church from any claims the diocese may have for unpaid financial commitments required by diocesan policy; in property owned or possessed by the parish; and in the Christ Church Endowment Fund.  Christ Episcopal Church is releasing the diocese from any claims it may have against the diocese.
• A new entity, "Christ Church," will assume the current parish's mortgage debt and will purchase its assets with payments over time to the diocese.
• Christ Church will be led by McCrary and its current Vestry and staff; the parish will continue to worship at 91st and Nall and at the Mill Creek location in western Johnson County.
• The Bishop and Standing Committee of the diocese will terminate the authority of some clergy associated with Christ Episcopal Church to act as priests or deacons of the Episcopal Church. 

• The diocese has made provisions for the ongoing pastoral care of Christ Episcopal Church parishioners who desire to continue to be members of the diocese and the Episcopal Church.  Those parishioners have met with the Bishop on multiple occasions since early March.

The legal documents supporting this agreement to separate are expected to be completed and become effective by the end of this month.