The Rev. Geoffrey A. Little, who has served as a church planter in the Diocese of Connecticut for more than 18 years, resigned his orders as an Episcopal priest July 1.
Little and his bishop, the Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, announced his resignation in a joint statement issued June 27.
Little, who served most recently as priest in charge of St. James’ Church in the New Haven neighborhood known as Fair Haven, plans to start a new parish, All Nations Anglican Church, in the same community. It will be affiliated with the Anglican Church of North America.
Little told the New Haven Register that he thinks up to 90 percent of the congregation may follow him to the new parish. Little is not attempting a legal challenge about the diocese’s control of property at St. James’, and the diocese intends to continue providing ministry to members of the parish.
The joint statement by Little and Douglas was both amicable and respectful.
“Geoff’s departure from the Episcopal Church represents a significant loss for the Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, and for our urban ministry in New Haven,” the statement said. “Geoff has been a very faithful and hardworking missionary in the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut for over 18 years. The diocese is less because of his departure.”
Little and his wife, Blanca, told the Register of how some of their parishioners responded to their pending departure, which they’ve been considering for about 18 months.
“Some of our young people actually told us … that they were so relieved because they were so uncomfortable telling others that they were Episcopalian, that it was an embarrassment,” Blanca Little said.
In a letter he prepared to accompany the joint statement, Douglas wrote of his respect for Little.
“While I respect Geoff’s decision and accept his resignation, I am deeply saddened by this turn of events,” he wrote. “Geoff has been a good and faithful priest in the Diocese of Connecticut for close to two decades. His departure will leave us diminished in our witness to the Gospel and service to God’s mission, particularly among Spanish-speaking people in New Haven.
“Geoff is a man of great integrity who has a profound commitment to discipling all people, and a passion for mission. I will miss him as a priest of this diocese.”
3 Comments
Welcome to ACNA, Fr. Little. I'm sure that Christ led your decision and I know God will bless you and those who will be part of your new church. When we left the Episcopal Church we first worshipped in another church at times that was convenient for them. We then rented space in an industrial mall and transformed it into one of the most beautiful and welcoming worship spaces I've ever been in using mostly the labor of church members. This process has made us more of a church family than any other church body I've ever been a part of. Having good and Godly clergy was a very important part of this process, but the continual blessing of our triune God is what sustains us and draws us continually closer to him.
"'Some of our young people actually told us … that they were so relieved because they were so uncomfortable telling others that they were Episcopalian, that it was an embarrassment,' Blanca Little said."
I'm wondering what sort of "Episcopalian" they were uncomfortable being? I'm frankly PROUD to be an Episcopal Christian and think TEC has much to offer the currently polarized world---a willingness to live with ambiguity, even paradox, and the tension that it brings would seem to be attractive, not repulsive, to today's youth. But what do I know?
Some may say TEC has much to offer all who worhip in it. Well I guess then if that be the case there must be some kind of issue that people of belief must be having to see the mass departures that are ocurring throughout the country.
One example, was the Gay Pride Parade in New York. I saw a Episcopal parish was sponsoring a float and on the float were parade participants the behavior and actions of those who particpated was appalling and disrespectful of all who with childern that were in the area.
I think what the youth were saying is what Art Linkletter show use to point out" Kids say the darndest things". Most kids tell the truth and the truth is they are embarssed for the current church and know as most do that the church is a short time away from total collapse because of the actions of the leadership who many are of my age and do not want to hear others tell them to repent and carry forth the truth of God. When the PB in a speech referrenced Mother Jesus that is a good indication of the downward sprial that is going forward in TEC.