Forward Now!

8 July 2001

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

IF EVER YOU WANT TO HELP, NOW IS THE TIME!

All of you are aware by now of the persecution of Father Sam Edwards and of the Vestry of Christ Church, Accokeek, by Bishop Pro Tempore Jane Dixon.

On Sunday evening, June 24, papers were served to Father Edwards just as he was preparing to celebrate the Holy Eucharist. Jane filed suit in the US District Court, seeking to bar Father Edwards from officiating at Christ Church, and prohibiting the vestry from barring her from ministering to the congregation and performing episcopal acts there.

This amounts to asking a Federal Court to oust Father Edwards from his parish -- unheard of in all of ECUSA history!

His defense will be expensive! Father Edwards and Christ Church need your help in order to be able to continue to fight this evil.

PLEASE BE GENEROUS. WRITE A CHECK NOW. HELP US DEFEND THE "FAITH ONCE DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS" AS WE NOW BEGIN TO FIGHT AT A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

Faithfully in Our Lord,

The Revíd Dr. David L. Moyer, SSC President, Forward in Faith, North America

STATEMENT OF FULL SUPPORT FOR THE REV'D SAMUEL L. EDWARDS

The President and Council of Forward in Faith, North America, stand together in total support of the Revíd Samuel L. Edwards as the rightful Rector of Christ Church, Accokeek, and for the position he holds, which is none other than the position of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church throughout the ages.

--The integrity of this godly priest is without question.
--The theology of this man of God is sound.
--The spirituality of Father Edwards is faithful and constant. He is a man of deep prayer and of regular daily spiritual discipline.

Father Edwards is an example to us all of who a priest is.

Forward in Faith believes that Father Edwards has been called by God to stand in this place, at this time. He has been thoroughly prepared for this moment for many years. In fact, we believe that he was created by God for this moment, as his very personality will attest: he is strong and sure in his defense of the Gospel, unruffled and calm in the face of this attack.

But he needs the prayers and the support of the Body of Christ in this moment. Please work, pray, and give for the support of the Kingdomî at this time, in Accokeek, Maryland, Diocese of Washington, ECUSA.

PLEASE SIGN BELOW TO EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT OF FATHER EDWARDS, AND THE VESTRY AND PEOPLE OF CHRIST CHURCH, ACCOKEEK

I pledge to stand with Father Samuel Edwards and with the Vestry and people of Christ Church, Accokeek to resist the attempts by Suffragan Bishop Jane Dixon against the rightful call of Fr. Edwards as Rector of the parish.

Name _________________________
Diocese _______________________
send to FiF North America Office / 2905 Lackland Road, Suite D / Fort Worth TX 76116-5769