VESTRY OF ST. JAMES'S ANGLICAN CHURCH, JAMES ISLAND, ASKS RECTOR TO RESIGN
On July 5, 2023, the vestry of St. James's Anglican Church, on James Island, Charleston, asked the rector, the Rev. Toby Larson to resign. Larson started as rector on June 12, 2022. Apparently, Larson refused to leave.
St. James' Anglican is the separatist element that left St. James's Episcopal Church on James Island in the schism. They remained in occupation of the old property until 2022 when the state supreme court ordered the return of St. James's to the Episcopal diocese.
Bishop Chip Edgar, of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, has appointed the Rev. Tim Surrat to serve as priest-in-residence of St. James's Anglican starting on 1 August.
On today, 30 July, the Rev. Jim Lewis, Canon to the Ordinary, read a letter from Edgar to the congregation of St. James's Anglican. One may find today's service on YouTube. Lewis appears at minutes 45-50. Lewis said the vestry's action triggered Canon XXVIII of the ADSC Constitution and Canons. Find this HERE , pages 17-18.
Edgar has placed Larson on paid leave for the duration of the "inquiry process" which may take several weeks. In the end, the bishop will decide whether Larson remains as rector or is terminated.
Kendall Harmon has called the situation "messy and painful" whatever that means. He gave no explanation. If a vestry asks for resignation and the rector refuses, well, we get the idea of an unpleasant tug-of-war.
What we know about this matter now raises far more questions than it answers. All that is being publicly revealed is the list of facts above. We know the vestry voted to terminate Larson. Larson is still officially there and drawing salary. Since he has been rector for only a year (June 12, 2022), the issues must have boiled up quickly to separate the vestry from the rector. The issues causing this "mess" are being concealed in the parish and diocesan office.
What caused the crisis at St. James's? That is the question of the day. I have nothing more to add. If I get more information on this, I will share it with you.
Christians of good will everywhere should wish the best for this congregation. The people of St. James's Anglican made some wrong choices in the past but these were not from malevolent motives. They were trying to do what they thought was the best. I do not question their motives. I think every one should join in prayer that healing comes to a group of Christians now beset by turmoil. As the membership figures for the Anglican diocese show, schism may not produce the rosy outcome the perpetrators led the people to believe.
