The Diocese of Quincy

The Episcopal Church in West Central Illinois Since 1835
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Bishop's Synod Address     133rd Synod 2010      

Letter to the Editor

The Living Church, April 11, 2010:


Your March 14 editorial, “Lent and Lawsuits”, encourages those who separate from the Episcopal Church “convinced that [the] decision to leave is inspired by no less an authority than the Holy Spirit” give serious thought to sacrificing any claims to property.  What a difference that would make in the destructive actions in the Diocese of Quincy that have been triggered by those who fled to the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone.


The first legal action following the attempted hijacking of The Diocese of Quincy from The Episcopal Church was filed by those who left to join the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone.  The same people who, prior to their vote to leave The Episcopal Church, engineered $100,000 in advance payments from diocesan endowment funds to a law firm they hired, took legal action to force the bank custodian of the endowment funds to give them control over the endowments of the Diocese of Quincy.  Now, they protest the response of the Diocese to halt their intent to seize control of these funds.


In the other legal action, the clergy and vestry of a parish that voted 62% in favor of staying in The Episcopal Church maintain that the Synod made it a requirement for a vote of greater than a 66% majority to “stay in The Episcopal Church”.  Legal action was initiated by the Southern Cone leadership (now ACNA) to enable them to utilize the endowment funds of the parish.  Those remaining in The Episcopal Church, who we believe represent the legal and continuing Diocese of Quincy, are defending the parish assets against this action.


These activities are an example of what your editorial refers to as “carnal….sick…hubris- laden sin”.  Even more importantly they are symptomatic of a broken and bloodied Body of Christ that is the result of these tragic actions initiated largely by clergy who do not reside in The Diocese of Quincy. 


I pray that the impact of Holy Week and the meaning of Easter will triumph over the events that have impacted our small corner of the Church. 


The Reverend Canon John Blossom Jr.

Bread of Life

The Diocese of Quincy (The Episcopal Church)

President - Standing Committee

Bishop Makes Chief Staff Appointment

(PEORIA, IL) -- The Rev. Thomas Stone is the newly appointed Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Quincy. The Rt. Rev. John Clark Buchanan, Bishop of the Episcopal Church diocese, made the announcement May 10.

 

“In the Episcopal Church, the Canon to the Ordinary functions in support of the Bishop in his ministry of oversight in the diocese and the wider church,” said Buchanan. “The Canon is much like a chief of staff.”

 

Father Stone will assist the Bishop in a wide range of activities including administrative tasks on a diocesan, provincial, and national level. Duties will also include parish visitations both with and on behalf of the Bishop, congregational support, and clergy placement.

 

The Diocese of Quincy, based in Peoria, covers a wide area of West Central Illinois, anchored by Quincy, Peoria and the Quad Cities and bounded roughly by the Missouri and Iowa state lines and the Illinois River. Established in 1877, the Diocese is the recognized Anglican presence in its geographic area.

 

The new Canon, who resides in Peoria with his wife Penny, said that he is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities presented by this new ministry.

 

“The Canon to the Ordinary serves at the invitation and pleasure of the Bishop for the benefit of the people of the diocese,” said Stone. “ I hope to serve both well.”

 

Fr. Stone will be based at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul,

3601 N. North St., Peoria.

Blossoms Receive Salvation Army Award

Father John and Linda Blossom were named recipients of the Spirit of the Army Award at the Peoria Salvation Army's annual civic luncheon held May 6 at the Holiday Inn City Centre.

John and Linda are the spiritual and music ministries leaders of the Bread of Life. Fr. Blossom was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1973 with a special call as a "bi-vocational" priest, serving God's church while maintaining his occupation in the secular world.

Prior to starting Bread of Life, John was a priest with St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral for 14 years. Linda has served as choir member, Choir Director and music worship leader for several churches and choir organizations. Most recently she served as a contemporary worship leader assisting the music director at St. Paul's.

The Blossoms are very active in the Cursillo community as team leaders, weekend spiritual leaders and with the Diocese of Quincy, where John serves as president of the Standing Committee.

Personally and through their firm, Alliance Benefit Group, the Blossoms are active in many community endeavors, including two years serving as Honorary Chairs for the Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign.