After the storm -- All Saints Episcopal replaces priest who left church last year

By: GARY WARTH - Staff Writer | Saturday, June 9, 2007 1:32 PM PDT ∞

The Rev. Michael Carr knows his predecessor left abruptly because of a theological dispute. He knows his new church's congregation is small because some church members also left. And he knows he is moving into an area where his denomination has been affected by a nationwide schism.

But all that is in the past. Carr said his focus is on the future.

"We'll be worshipping together, praising God together, and making a joyful noise in the future," said Carr, 50, about his plans at All Saints Episcopal Church in Vista, where he led his first service Sunday.

All Saints has had an interim priest since the Rev. Joe Rees left last July to form an Anglican church. Rees' departure was just one of several incidents in North County that reflected a nationwide crisis within the Episcopal Church.

Churches in Fallbrook, Oceanside, Rancho Penasquitos, San Marcos and Vista were among those affected by a schism that divided the Episcopal denomination between what many describe as liberal versus conservative theologies. Conservative Episcopalians were particularly dismayed at church leadership in recent years when an openly gay minister was ordained as a bishop and a female bishop was chosen as leader of the Episcopal Church of the United States.

Some congregations and clergy, such as Rees, broke away from the Episcopal Church of the United States but remained under the umbrella of the Anglican Communion, a worldwide network of 38 autonomous arms called provisions, that include the Episcopal Church. Break-away churches aligned with Anglican dioceses in other nations to remain within the communion.

Although the schism was nationwide, Carr said he did not see much effect in Port Angeles, Wash., where he had served as a priest for the past 13 years.

"It did not have as dramatic an effect in the Diocese of Olympia," he said. Out of 104 churches, two disagreed with the denomination's direction, he said, "and they were able to keep them in the diocese."

Carr, who was ordained 26 years ago, is no stranger to North County or even to All Saints Church. He and his wife were married in the church in 1980, and she still has family in the area.

"My wife was a member of the church here, so it's a bit of a coming home," he said.

"There's a few more people around now, but that's good," he said about changes in Vista since 1980. "It looks like it's going to be a very good place to be."

While not addressing the division in the church directly, Carr said he wants to be positive and inclusive.

"I'd hate to be known as a church that stands against something," he said. "I'd rather be known as a church that stands for something, and we're looking forward to inviting everybody. I'd like to be inviting to all kinds of people."

Carr said membership at All Saints has declined to about 75 families, but he said he hopes outreach efforts and time will help the congregation grow.

Sunday was an introduction for Carr, but it also was a farewell for some church members who have been meeting at All Saints for about a year.

St. John's Church in Fallbrook last year changed from an Episcopal to an Anglican church. While most of the congregation remained at the church under its new denomination, members who wanted to remain Episcopalian have been meeting at All Saints.

Last Sunday was the last meeting for the congregation, which will begin meeting in a rented space in Fallbrook next Sunday.

Carr said there are signs that the dust is settling after the schism, and churches now can forcus on growth and worship. He recently attended a conference called "The Other Side of the Storm," organized by the San Diego Diocese for area churches affected by the schism.

"We're all part of the Anglican Communion," he said, hopeful that the Episcopal churches will find unity with Anglican churches. "When churches have split and called themselves aligned with the Anglican Church, I kind of wince at that. We are all Anglicans. Our strengths outweigh our differences."

Contact staff writer Gary Warth at (760) 740-5410 or gwarth@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

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