Westlake Parish is First to Seek DEPO in Ohio
03/01/2006
 

After more than two years of parish-wide discernment, the Church of the Advent in Westlake has become the first congregation in the Diocese of Ohio to receive delegated episcopal pastoral oversight. The vestry, the rector and the Bishop of Ohio have engaged the Rt. Rev. Edward S. Little, II, Bishop of Northern Indiana.

“We want to continue to be a witness to the Episcopal Church,” the rector, the Rev. Joe Maiocco, told The Living Church. At the same time we didn’t want to pretend as though nothing had happened.”

Fr. Maiocco said he and some of the other members at Church of the Advent felt as though the General Convention had departed from apostolic Christianity and were prepared to make a decision about their future in the Episcopal Church soon after the conclusion of the 74th General Convention in August of 2003, but after conversations with leaders in the Anglican Communion Network and the American Anglican Council, the rector and vestry decided to be patient and go through an intentional process of parish-wide discernment.

Over the course of more than two years, Church of the Advent held numerous parish forums, including multiple meetings with the Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr., Bishop of Ohio.

“It was clear that he wanted to remain our bishop,” Fr. Maiocco said, “but he gave us room to make our decision. Afterward he was disappointed, but supportive.”

Last November at a parish meeting, members were given three options prior to a vote: 1) continue to receive pastoral oversight from Bishop Hollingsworth, 2) leave the Episcopal Church and affiliate with the Ohio cluster of Anglican Churches under the oversight of an overseas Anglican bishop, or 3) apply for DEPO and continue as a witness within the diocese. Twenty five parishioners voted to remain with the diocese, 22 preferred to affiliate with the cluster, and 71 opted for DEPO.

The arrangement follows closely the DEPO provisions established by the House of Bishops. The Church of the Advent will continue to be an active member in the life of the Diocese of Ohio and to support it financially. Bishop Little will provide episcopal oversight at the invitation of Bishop Hollingsworth.

Bishop Little and Bishop Hollingsworth have worked together as close colleagues, particularly on matters of reconciliation in the Episcopal Church, according to a statement provided by the Diocese of Ohio. Both bishops have been very supportive of DEPO “as a means of serving the people of their dioceses during this season of theological diversity in the Church,” the statement said. Bishop Little’s first visit will be a congregational forum on May 22. His first visitation is set for July 23.

After General Convention, Fr. Maiocco said attendance at the Church of Advent fell from an average of about 140 to 110. In contrast to other parishes which have suffered splits after wrenching decisions about affiliation with the Episcopal Church only two families have chosen to leave Church of the Advent, since the DEPO decision.

“It was difficult to wait,” Fr. Maiocco said, “but it gave us time to weigh all of our options and come to a degree of consensus. Most of the parish believes that the decision we finally made was a spiritual one rather than a political one.”