Message From the Pulpit

Dear Members and friends of All Saints Parish:

“Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Over the past week I have talked with many people who are distressed with what is going on in the Episcopal Church U. S.A. today. Many of these are lay people, and, they are appalled an openly gay priest could be allowed to function as a priest— to say nothing of his being permitted to be a bishop! One evening we were promised a thoroughgoing investigation; the next morning, hocus pocus, he was pronounced clean.

Many people today are hurt and embarrassed. Some feel betrayed, but many of our people at All Saints are saying, "These things have been going on for 25 years — where have you been all this time? More than 25 years ago, All Saints parted company from these folks, because way back, then these very issues were present and these forces were operative. We at All Saints are Episcopalians. We have our own bishops in the apostolic succession; we have our own diocese and our 1928 Book of Common Prayer, but we have long since parted company from those who have permitted Gene Robinson to be a bishop. Let me explain.

Back in 1977, a conference was called in St. Louis, by an organization called The Fellowship of Concerned Churchmen. 'The president of the organization was a layman, Dr. Perry Laukhuff, of Virginia. The next president of this organization was Dr. William White, M.D., of Pensacola, a member of All Saints' Parish. This conference wanted to affirm the authority of Scripture, The 1928 Book of Common Prayer, the male priesthood, and Biblical morality, particularly in its condemnation of sodomy. There was a tremendous response to goals of this conference. Many more people came than were expected. When the leadership of the Episcopal Church U.S.A. ignored all calls for reform, the “Traditional Church Movement” was founded— to continue the Episcopal Church as we had known it before the radical changes. All Saints Parish was founded to continue the order and discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church as it has been known through the centuries.

For me, personally, the course was somewhat different. I was ordained in the Diocese of Washington, D.C., in 1960. From the first, I took an active part in the diocesan youth programs and was leader of the senior high camps for several years, I knew something about selecting leaders who could be trusted in their work with young people. Later, in 1988, I was required to go on a conference with some of the newer clergy in the diocese, male and female. I realized at this conference that I would not allow a young person from my parish to go on a conference with any of the new clergy in that room. I said to Bishop Walker, in his office in Washington, that I was appalled by the manners of the female clergy, but the males were worse. I almost fell out of my chair when the bishop agreed with me. "You are right," he said, "but I want you to know you are looking at the cream of the crop! I turn down four men for every one I accept.” After that meeting with the clergy, some of us in Southern Maryland started to organize a traditional parish. Later I came to All Saints in Pensacola.

All Saints is a traditional, orthodox Episcopal parish. We hold to the authority of Scripture, the male priesthood, and Biblical morality. The 1928 Book of Common Prayer affirms Christ’s “one oblation of Himself, once offered, for the sins of the whole world.” The One Oblation.” I have yet to talk with a Southern Baptist who does not know immediately what I am talking about, “the one oblation.” I have yet to talk with an Episcopalian, in Pensacola or anywhere else, who realizes that their new 1979 Prayer Book opens the door for the medieval doctrines of Transubstantiation and The Treasury of Merit!

More than 25 years ago All Saints parted company from the other Episcopal parishes in Pensacola. Since then we have heard any number of excuses. "They may do that in other dioceses; but not in our diocese!" The fact is that moral leprosy in one part of the body will eventually infect the whole body. “Well, they may do that in our, diocese, but they are not going to do that in our parish!” And when they do, “I will just sit in the back and close my ears.”

If you are getting a little tired of closing your ears to all you are hearing and closing your eyes to all you are seeing, remember: If you are a lifelong Episcopalian, All Saints is the church you grew up in! Isn’t it time you came home to the traditional, orthodox, faithful Episcopal Church? There is a place for you at All Saints.

Yours in our Lord,

Hugh Hall