Bayou Presbyterians knock at Supreme Court’s door

The Layman Online Story: Bayou Presbyterians knock at Supreme Court’s door

• Presbytery of South Louisiana
• seeking U.S. Supreme Court intervention
• denominational lawyers from Louisville and New York
• Carrollton Presbyterian Church

Court of Appeals rules in favor of Missouri congregation

The Layman Online Story: Court of Appeals rules in favor of Missouri congregation

• Colonial Presbyterian Church of Kansas City, Mo.
• 1,700-member
• 2010 departure
• valued at just over $15 million
• Heartland Presbytery
• Missouri Court of Appeals (Western District)
• Circuit Court of Jackson County - upheld
• Judge Justine E. Del Muro
• NO trust existed.
• Same ruling Jan 2012, Gashland Presbyterian Church
• Applied the neutral principles

How gracious is the "gracious dismissal process"?

There are currently 3 processes in use:

1. All your churches belong to us (original)
2. Bribe us and we will let you go.("gracious")
3. We wish you well in your new life. (rare)

EPC has grown from 182 to 364 churches in five years

The Layman Online story: EPC has grown from 182 to 364 churches in five years

• Presbyterian Outlook recently reported 800 churches in the discernment or dismissal process
• ECO: 600 estimated
• EPC: 200 estimated
• Changes this next week at GA, may trigger more.

ECO Welcomes Its Newest Covenant Partner Churches

ECO Blog: ECO Welcomes Its Newest Covenant Partner Churches

13 congregations were officially dismissed to join ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Churches over this past weekend. “We extend the warmest of welcomes to all the congregations who joined ECO this weekend,” stated ECO President, Rev. Dr. Dana Allin. “We look forward to the partnership of these founding congregations to shine the beacon for those congregations who are still in the discerning process,” Allin continued.

1. All Villages Presbyterian Church in Port Lucie, FL (East, June 15, 2012)
2. Indian River Presbyterian Church in Fort Pierce, FL (East, June 15, 2012)
3. Kirk of the Keys Presbyterian Church in Marathon, FL (East, June 15, 2012)
4. Memorial Presbyterian Church in West Palm Beach, FL (East, June 15, 2012)
5. First Presbyterian Church of Miami Springs, FL (East, June 15, 2012)
6. First Presbyterian Church of North Palm Beach, FL (East, June 15, 2012)
7. Palm City Presbyterian Church, FL (East, June 15, 2012)
8. First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, CO (West, June 15, 2012)
9. First Presbyterian Church of LaJunta, CO (West, June 15, 2012)
10. First Presbyterian Church of Lamar, CO (West, June 15, 2012)
11. First Presbyterian Church of Monte Vista, CO (West)
12. Kirkwood Memorial Presbyterian Church in Penrose, CO (West, June 15, 2012)
13. United Presbyterian Church in Cañon City, CO (West, June 15, 2012)
14. First Presbyterian Church, Tacoma, WA (West, May 2012)
15. Trinity Presbyterian Church of Satellite Beach, FL(East, June 2012)

U.S. Supreme Court denies Timberridge appeal

The Layman Online Story: U.S. Supreme Court denies Timberridge appeal

Catholic church split?

Darlington church hopeful despite split

This story, is a little hard to understand for me, as a former Roman-Catholic, I was not aware of splits.

Also, this story, shows an internet news story problem. When it is written for a local audience, the writer does not include enough information for non-locals. This church is in Darlington, UK (Northeast England)

Running the numbers -- Dismissals From Tropical Florida And Mississippi presbyteries

The GA Junkie blog: Running the numbers -- Dismissals From Tropical Florida And Mississippi presbyteries

One man's explanation of why He left PCUSA.

Greg Scandlen's American Awakening blog: Leaving

One man's explanation of why He left PCUSA. With a long list of the problem of PCUSA.

Mizoram Presbyterian church snaps US ties over gay stand

The Times of India Story: Mizoram Presbyterian church snaps US ties over gay stand
Layman Story: India Presbyterian Church ends partnership with PCUSA over theological differences

• Presbyterian Church of Mizoram Synod
• cordial relations with PCUSA since 1999
• Aizawal, India (between Bangladesh and Burma)
• the largest church denomination in the Christian-dominated state
• A meeting of the Synod Executive Committee (SEC), the second-highest decision-making body of the Presbyterian Church, made the decision on Friday.

9 Departing churches Presbytery of Charlotte

Denominational divide grows among Charlotte’s Presbyterian churches

• Huntersville Presbyterian
• voted Sunday to dissolve its affiliation with the Presbytery of Charlotte.
• formalized by the Charlotte Presbytery delegates in July.
• Bethlehem Presbyterian in Union County has already left
• “dismissed” May 15 by the Presbytery

Departing churches

1. Bethlehem Presbyterian in Union County (left May 15)
2. Benton Heights Presbyterian in Monroe (has voted to leave)
3. Huntersville Presbyterian (voted Sunday to leave)
4. Albemarle Road Presbyterian of Charlotte
5. Garden Memorial Presbyterian of Charlotte
6. Bethel Presbyterian in Cornelius
7. Siler Presbyterian in Webster’s Chapel.
8. Troy Presbyterian in Montgomery County.
9. Ridgecrest Presbyterian near Locust in Stanly County

Community Church of Howey-in-the-Hills splits into 2 churches

Daily Commercial Story: Local church breaks with denomination over gay ordination

• Community Church of Howey-in-the-Hills
• New Church: Lakes and Hills Covenant Fellowship at the Lakeside Pavilion at Mission Inn
• Central Florida Presbytery
• refused dismissal

Two churches dismissed by Central Florida Presbytery

Orlando Sentinel Story: Two churches dismissed by Central Florida Presbytery

• First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, which voted 1,759 to 185 in January to leave to EPC.
• Trinity Presbyterian Church in Satellite Beach dismissed to ECO
• About 100 members of FPC of Orlando voted to remain with the PC(USA) and form a new church.
• FPC wil provide new church with $900,000.
• Central Florida Presbytery

Santa Barbara approves plan for union presbytery with ECO

The Layman Story: Santa Barbara approves plan for union presbytery with ECO

First Presbyterian, Orlando dismissed to EPC

The Layman Online Story: First Presbyterian, Orlando dismissed to EPC

Santa Barbara Presbytery approves plan for union presbytery: PC(USA) and ECO

Presbyterian Outlook Story: Santa Barbara Presbytery approves plan for union presbytery that would welcome both PC(USA) and ECO congregations

The comments are more interesting than the story.

Updates to old stories

• LA Times Story: West Hollywood parish leaves Presbyterian Church over gay rights West Hollywood, CA
• Sun Sentinel Story (caution paywall) Church to switch denominations - Part of Presbyterian realignment FPC Miramar, FL

Church factions dispute affiliation, property

Lenconnect.com Story: Church factions dispute affiliation, property

• First Presbyterian Church
• TECUMSEH, Mich.
• In October 2010, parishioners voted 150-31 For EPC
• 450 members
• On May 15, the Maumee Valley Presbytery, declared the church “in schism”
• 2010 Stats: 963 Mbr 254 Worship $406,527 Contributions