The rector, vestry and most of the leadership at Church of the Holy Comforter, Broomfield, Colo., have announced their intention to resign from The Episcopal Church, effective Oct. 1.

In addition to the vestry and rector, the Rev. Charles Reeder, the children’s minister, the youth minister and the treasurer will resign “and follow Fr. Reeder’s move within the greater worldwide Anglican Communion Network,” an Aug. 27 press release stated. “Fr. Reeder has not yet determined his future place within the Anglican Communion.”

The departing parish leadership is currently engaged in prayer and fasting “as they look for guidance around the future of the congregation,” the release noted. Of the original parish staff and leadership, only the administrator and two organists plan to remain with The Episcopal Church.

During the past year, the parish has experienced a 42-percent decrease in income as parishioners have begun withholding pledges in protest of the direction of The Episcopal Church, said John E. Bosio, senior warden.

In 1999 Holy Comforter completed a significant building expansion project which more than doubled the existing square footage of the church campus. The parish took out a mortgage to pay for the expansion, Mr. Bosio said. Parish leadership met with the Rt. Rev. Robert O’Neill, Bishop of Colorado, earlier this month and informed him that while it would like to purchase or lease the church property, it would not attempt to obtain it through a battle in court.

“Our vestry and rector felt that litigation would be poor stewardship,” Mr. Bosio said.

The parish was founded in 1958. It currently averages about 200 worshipers on Sunday, according to Mr. Bosio. Broomfield is located about 15 miles northwest of Denver.

When contacted by a reporter for The Living Church, Beckett Stokes, a spokeswoman for the Diocese of Colorado, said the diocese had not issued a formal response to the parish announcement and she did not have specific details about how the diocese intended to prepare for the transition in leadership.

“Our concern at this time is primarily for the members of the parish,” she said. “We expect Holy Comforter to remain a vibrant part of the diocese and want to ensure that the members of that congregation are provided with appropriate leadership after Fr. Reeder’s departure.”

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