Lancaster, NY leaves for EPC

Layman story: Lancaster Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery of Western New York wait for property decision

• Lancaster Church Lancaster, NY (531? members)
• Presbytery of Western New York 66 Churches, 14,000 members
• Presbytery Press Release
• Council Meeting Report

Summary of the news from many sources

• June 15 - Lancaster voted withdraw 243-0
• Rev. Kelly Negus renounced the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
• June 16 - Church filed for a TRO and ownership determination
• Donald Houck Jr., moderator: 'We don't want your property.'
• The parties are officially divorced (Ed: says who?*)
• The only question is, who retains the property?

"* Officially Divorced": The church may says this, the Book of Order may say this, but will PCUSA/Synod say this? The is why this Church (and others) did a preemptive strike and file a lawsuit. National has destroyed all trust between the local church and the denomination.