N.C. church leaving Episcopal USA ranks

By DAVE MUNDAY
Of The Post and Courier staff

     A 650-member Episcopal church in Morehead City, N.C., is leaving the denomination and joining dissident Rwandan bishop Charles H. Murphy III of Pawleys Island.
     Murphy, rector emeritus of All Saints Episcopal Church of Pawleys Island, recently was consecrated a bishop of The Episcopal Church of the Province of Rwanda to provide an alternative Anglican network for churches who say the Episcopal Church USA has departed from the authority of Scripture.
     St. Andrew's Church of Morehead City told Diocese of East Carolina Bishop Clifton Daniel in a letter dated Sunday that the church is leaving the denomination, changing its name to St. Andrew's Anglican Church, and keeping its property.
     "We believe we have discerned God's call to separate ourselves from the continuing rejection of the faith once delivered to us by the Diocese of East Carolina and the Episcopal Church in the USA," says the letter, which was signed by 12 members of the vestry, or lay leaders of the church.
     The diocese will have to decide whether to contest the property claim, diocese spokesman Scott Nunn said Thursday.
     In most cases, the diocese keeps the property when a congregation pulls out. St. Andrew's claims the vestry owns its property.
     The church has 650 communicant members, Nunn said.
     Daniel responded in a letter dated Tuesday.
     "I am deeply saddened that some at St. Andrew's have removed themselves from the full faith and fellowship of the Episcopal Church, its orthodox faith and historic traditions," Daniel said. "It is my belief, both theological and canonical, that it is possible for a congregation to leave the Episcopal Church, but it is not possible for a congregation to leave union with our Diocese on the vote of the vestry."
     The Rev. C. King Cole, rector at St. Andrew's, has asked the diocese to transfer his papers from the diocese to the province of Rwanda, and Daniel has not yet responded to that request, Nunn said.
     Dave Munday covers religion and other news and can be reached at 937-5720 or dmunday@postandcourier.com.