Metropolitan JONAH

Into the light, a case of recognition...

Well, my time as the invisible man has apparently come to an end.

Today I received a letter from Bishop Edwin Gulick (the titular Provisional Bishop of the TEC Diocese of Fort Worth) informing me that since I have not responded to his letter of May 26, 2009, he is concluding that I have departed from the discipline of the Episcopal Church. His letter threatens me with inhibition if I do not respond to him in writing by July 2nd.

The last communications that I have received from anyone officially in TEC were the two letters that I received from Katharine Jefferts Schorri back in December telling me that she no longer recognized me as a member of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. Apparently one letter was not enough, I got two.

I still do not recognize her as having the authority to do any such thing. Someone show me the canon that gives her the authority, please.

Since then, those who chose not to realign with the rest of our diocese held a special convention, purporting to be a diocesan convention. I was not invited. I was not notified. Written notification to me or my parish did not happen. I did not attend. I assumed since the PB had de-recognized me, I was now invisible. That "convention," lacking a canonical quorum of 1/3 of the clergy of the diocese entitled to seat, went on to "elect" Bishop Gulick, Provisional Bishop of a "reconstituted" Diocese of Fort Worth. They had a meeting, but it wasn't a convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth accordng to our canons. So I can't recognize him as the Provisional Bishop of anything. I haven't felt the need to inform him of that. He is the diocesan bishop of Kentucky in TEC. period. Full stop.

Apparently Bishop Gulick wrote to most of the clergy of our diocese on May 26, 2009 asking them to clarify their status in the Episcopal Church. He did not write to me, I received no letter, I have been invisible since +KJS de-recognized me back in December.

So now I have a letter, the invisible man has apparently come into the light. But Bishop Gulick, I don't feel the least bit of inhibition in saying - I can't recognize you..... What to do..... What to do......

Saint Michael's Conference Southwest - It's On!

It is that time again. The Saint Michael's Conference Southwest is about to begin - this Sunday in fact. We are in full preparation mode - much has been done, much more remains to be done.

God loves Saint Michael's Conference. How do we know? One of the indicators is that Satan despises Saint Mike's. It does not fail that every year there are challenges, obstacles, crises, etc. in the run-up to the conference. And out of the other side of the week come renewal, virtue, and manifestly changed lives. All of this means that we need all of the protection we can get - we need all of the intercession we can get. Please pray for our conference. Pray for the protection of everyone involved; both those participating, and those who are at home while we are away.

If you are able, we can always use some material support. It costs $335 to scholarship a Michaelite, and there are always kids who need the coverage. On top of that we have some other overhead needs. If you can make a contribution, drop it in the mail to: Saint Michael's Conference Southwest, c/o Church of the Holy Apostles 3900 Longvue Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76126.

The image of St. Michael you see here was rendered by Matthew Alderman of Shrine of the Holy Whapping fame. It was commissioned by Fr. Lee Nelson for our use. It will grace this year's conference t-shirt. Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle.