I confess I never thought I'd run into this low-life again, but here he is, smiling at me!
Back in 2003, my "pilgrimage" had taken me to the St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, in Tonawanda, NY. This I have already related on a couple of posts I shall add at the end.
Here Father Ward met with a dilemma: to split or not to split! Well, actually, becoming a church which accepted a homosexual was not to be considered!
At this point he requested the parishioners to embark in a letter-writing endeavor to see if it would stem the eventual tide. It did not, and, I left shortly afterwards for a different reason, but, just recently, I had occasion to drive by that church, and it is not known by that name any longer, although I cannot remember what it read on the sign.
Following the article are my three letters written at the time.
Activist: 'Pastor to presidents' replaced by gay bishop
Jim Brown - OneNewsNow - 11/12/2008 6:50:00 AM
A conservative Christian activist says it's a sad omen for the Obama administration and the United States that Barack Obama has been seeking guidance from the Episcopal Church's first openly homosexual bishop.
The Times of London reports that the president-elect sought out New Hampshire homosexual bishop Vicki Gene Robinson for advice three times during his presidential campaign. Robinson, whose ordination in the Episcopal Church has caused a deep rift within the Anglican Communion, was reportedly sought out by Obama to discuss what it feels like to be "first."
Robinson notes in their three private conversations, Obama voiced his support for "equal civil rights" for homosexuals and described the election as a "religious experience." Peter 
LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, believes Obama's consultations with Robinson show the true tenor of his upcoming administration.
"It looks like Billy Graham has been replaced by a gay bishop. We're moving to, perhaps, our first anti-Christian president; it's beyond post-Christian. Gene Robinson advocates homosexuality as part of the Christian experience," he explains. "Now Bible-believing Christians cannot accept that. Homosexual practice is sinful, as taught by the scriptures. This man [Obama] pretends to be faithful to Christianity, even as he works very hard to undermine it."
LaBarbera suggests Robinson may possibly replace Jeremiah Wright as one of Obama's main spiritual advisers. Wright was Obama's Chicago pastor for 20 years before disassociating with the controversial preacher during the presidential campaign.
==============================
Helga Hickman538 Memorial Pkwy
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
July 16, 2003
The Rev. Susan Anslow Williams, WNY Chair
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
410 North Main St.
Jamestown, NY 14701
Dear Rev. Williams,
I pray that this finds you in good health and in God's grace.
The depth of commitment to which the responsible, honorable Clerics in our Faith go to see that Christ's flock, which they have promised to guard and guide, through indisputable wholesome example, by word and action, is the very backbone of our survival as a Christian Church, in receiving and understanding the Gospel of Christ, the Holy Scriptures, Salvation Itself!!
For this, we, the Church Members, are eternally grateful to the Holy Spirit Who so illumines the few who are called to this Holy task, such as you, and to whom we are so indebted!! We, here at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Tonawanda, NY, are indeed blessed to have such extremely dedicated and seriously committed clergy.
Thus, this is to respectfully bring to your attention my grave concerns and full opposition to any action which would support same-sex unions, or validate homosexuality in any way whatsoever, within or without the church!!
I am simply indignant that the least consideration has been given this abomination in human behavior, meritorious only of pity and prayer that the individual reconcile himself/herself to the Word of God, the standard by which, and through which, our Faith was founded, and for which many have sacrificed their lives, in many ways, through the centuries, to see fulfilled!
What would the next compromise to be had be? After the admission of GAY AND LESBIAN CLERGY, AS WELL AS CHURCH MEMBERS, NEXT WE WOULD HAVE TO TO OBSERVE THE "RIGHTS" OF, AND PLEASE, THE BI-SEXUALS!!
We cannot become so sophisticated so as to give in and bow down to social pressures, in an effort to do the so-called “politically correct” thing. Society is well on the verge of a downfall of its own making, but we, as Bible-abiding Christians need not subscribe to it! “…if sophistication dilutes our identification with Christ, then we betray the cross of Christ… There is no neutral ground at Calvary.” – Bruce Wilkinson
I am further outraged that one such as the Mr. V. Gene Robinson, canon bishop-elect of the Diocese of New Hampshire, has had the shameless audacity to propose candidacy to the Holy House of Bishops!!
It is indeed blasphemy, sacrilege that he commits, as well as anyone who would in the least even give it a second thought!!!
It is further insulting to, and sinning against the Church Members at large, to have anyone such as he elected to the Holy House of Bishops.
THERE IS NOTHING EVEN THE LEAST BIT REVERENT ABOUT MR. ROBINSON!! HE IS AN OPPORTUNIST WHOSE NAME ELICITS SHAME AND EVIL, NOTHING MORE, AND WHOSE MEMORY WILL FOREVER SULLY THE ANNALS OF THE CHURCH'S HISTORY!!
In entering into Holy Matrimony, Mr. Robinson professed to “reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God, to love, comfort, honor and keep, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, to be faithful to (his bride) for as long as he shall live”!
HAS HE?? NO!!
Were he to have confessed being a homosexual at the time, he
would never have been allowed to don the garb of a man of God!
would never have been allowed to don the garb of a man of God!
In being ordained into the Sacred Priesthood, Mr. Robinson "promised to be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, worship of Christ as this Church has received them."
HAS HE?? NO!!
Further, he "solemnly declare(d) that (he) believe(d) the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation: and (he would) solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church."
HAS HE?? NO!!_
In the same ordination process, he further committed himself:
to the trust and responsibility of such a calling by God, and His Church;
to be guided by the pastoral direction and leadership of his bishop;
to diligently read and study the Holy Scriptures so as to become stronger and a more able minister of Christ; to minister the Word of God and the Sacraments of the New Covenant;
to serve and labor together with all in the Church and build up the family of God;
to do his best to pattern his life, and that of his family or household, in accordance with the teaching of Christ, so that he may be a wholesome example to his people;
to persevere in prayer, both in public and in private, asking for God’s Grace, offering all his labors to God through the mediation of Jesus Christ, and in the sanctification of the Holy Spirit!!
Were he to have observed ALL OF THIS, he would have counseled, prayed, and, in the least, if he did not resign, which would have been the decent thing for him to have done, having repented and/or corrected his ways, he could have contemplated observing HOLY CELIBACY!! “If the Christian life is meant to be lived authentically, then one must expect to suffer, give up, make sacrifices.” (Martin Luther)
If it is that he felt that he had a “calling,” it was to uphold the Word of God, and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, NOT TO PROPAGATE, AND CONVERT PEOPLE TO, HIS OWN OPINIONS!!
HE HAS KEPT NOT ONE SINGLE PROMISE! ! EVER!!
HE HAS LIED, CONTINUALLY, TO EVERYONE IN THE CHURCH!!
HE HAS MADE A MOCKERY AND A TRAVESTY OF ALL THAT IS HELD SACRED, OF THE PRAYER BOOK, OF OUR FAITH, OF THE BIBLE!!
JUST HOW IS IT THAT,IN THE FACE OF SO MANY WELL-KNOWN TRUTHS, CAN HE EVEN REMAIN AS A PRIEST?? HE HAS TO BE DIVESTED OF A CHARGE WHICH IS HOLY AND HONORABLE, AN OFFICE OF WHICH HE HAS PROVEN NOT TO BE DESERVING!!
It is beyond rational thinking, just how is it, that Mr. Robinson, being married, suddenly has the realization that he is gay??!! The answer is more than anything upon which I have any intestinal fortitude to expound, but the details of which it well behooves the Church to obtain!!
He not only left his marriage, (ADULTERY, as defined in the Webster’s Dictionary: voluntary sexual intercourse with someone other than his or her lawful spouse) and his children, but he boldly proclaimed it to the four winds, seeking to cause a rift within the church!
MR. ROBINSON HAS PROVEN HIMSELF TO BE UNPRINCIPLED, NOT TRUSTWORTHY, WITHOUT CHARACTER OR MORAL FIBER. THE SUCCESSION OF EVENTS IN HIS LIFE ARE LESS THAN A DESIRABLE PATTERN WE’D WISH OUR CHILDREN TO EMULATE! Just what kind of an example is this for our children, for our youth, that the can, without reproach, shack up with anyone!! "Bad morals corrupt badly." And, lest we forget:
“but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!” – Matthew 18:6-7
I make no apologies to anyone for the manner in which I express myself! Neither do I feel the least bit sorry for Mr. Robinson, who has the presumption of being able to re-write the Holy Scriptures, the Prayer Book; whose demonic selfishness is such that daring to cause division, a chasm which will shake the very foundation of the Episcopal Church, upsetting its moral and spiritual stability, is of no consequence to him, so long as he is able to continue to promote his EVIL, PERNICIOUS and INSIDIOUS individual agenda. “Never sympathize with a soul who finds it difficult to get to God, God is not to blame.” (Oswald Chambers) NEITHER ARE WE!!
“Self-interest has no place in a community gathered
to serve the Savior of the universe.”
From beginning to end in the Holy Scriptures, the Old and the New Testament, God exhorts us to Keep His Commandments, and having created Adam and Eve, the first parents, He had them procreate, and He gave us all the Commandment: “Honor thy father and thy mother.”
In the words of G. Campbell Morgan,
“The whole body of Christ is affected by the sin of one member.
“The Church’s life is weaker if one in the fellowship continues in sin. The church’s testimony to those outside is weakened by that fact.
“Thus, we have no right to refuse to exercise the discipline of love in the case of anyone who, to our knowledge, has flagrantly sinned.
“The law which the apostle (Paul) states here is that the leaven [yeast] is to be purged. Leaven communicates itself, spreads its own corrupting force wherever it goes.”
To which Bruce Wilkinson ads,
“Surgery is never pleasant. But when the choice is between difficult, delicate discipline and a body whose strength is sapped by sin,…
Deal with sin promptly…personally…biblically (Matthew 18:15-17).”
Thus it is that the question arises: JUST HOW IS IT THAT A UNION BETWEEN HOMOSEXUALS WOULD FULFILL GOD'S PLAN FOR HUMANITY? Just how would procreation take place? Who is to be the “mother and father”?
Furthermore, it is that our Church, as old as our Nation itself, was founded upon the VERY SAME BELIEFS AND VALUES, and by the very same devout Churchmen of sound Christian Character.
Therefore: JUST HOW IS IT THAT ANYONE PROPOSES TO SANCTIFY ANY SAME-SEX UNION ?? May God help us prevent that it will ever be legalized in this our Christian Nation!!
Matrimony is Holy, Sacred in the eyes of God! Were He to have wished to condone any other kind of relationship, He had the opportunity to so declare throughout the thousands of years in which the Holy Scriptures were revealed to His people through the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ Himself! WHY DID HE NOT?? BECAUSE IT IS, AND WILL FOREVER BE, AN ABOMINATION IN HIS EYES!!
GOD HAS DECLARED MUCH TO THE CONTRARY:
In Genesis 19:5-8, Lot is willing to sacrifice his own daughters, "Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like;" rather than allowing that “the men of Sodom,” “have relations with them,” the two angels, in the form of men, who were visiting Lot. It is as clear as it could be that such terminology is, without a doubt, being applied to signify “have sexual intercourse,” and in the case of Lot's daughters, that they were virgins!!
In Genesis 4:1 – “Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain…”;
In Genesis 4:17 – “And Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch…”;
In Genesis 4:25 – “And Adam had relations with his wife again: and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth…”
Thus, it is ludicrous, as some want to believe, that some fifteen chapters further in the same book of Genesis, it would have come to mean “to be hospitable,” considering, that having become irate at Lot's refusal to allow them to harm the messengers of God, they threatened to "treat (Lot) worse than them."!
And the messengers of God were there to destroy Sodom, for the evil that there was being perpetrated, from whence derives the word "sodomy," the very subject of this letter!
Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Paul warns, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (by perversion), nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
The Holy Scriptures are full of references made to “husband and wife”; not a single one made to “man and partner,” nor “woman and partner”!!
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9
Is this not our ultimate goal?
Thus, it is, that to love Him is to obey Him!!
There are no choices to be made!!
It is ALL or N O T H I N G ! !
Complete devotion to God’s will and not ours!
It also is that having defiantly made the decision to not counsel, to not repent, but rather to persist in his sinful ways, and bring chaos about the Church and Our Faith, that Mr. Robinson reiterates the fact that he does not believe the Holy Scriptures, the Living Word of God, the very FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH!
Mr. ROBINSON’S WANTON LIFESTYLE AND BELIEFS ARE A MAJOR HINDRANCE
TO THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!!
If it is that he loves his fellow man (no pun intended) and for the sake of keeping peace and unity, Mr. Robinson would do well to quietly resign from holding any office within the Church. He has done enough to call attention upon it and embarrass the members of the Episcopal Church, whose pride and beliefs rest on the Word of God.
Heterosexual Church Members have been excommunicated for lesser grievances!
Heterosexual Priests have been divested of their robes for the appearance of such impropriety, although still no less grievous to the dispensing of their duties, although it were that they confessed and were penitent!
Yet, it is because he is A HOMOSEXUAL, AN OPPORTUNIST CASHING IN ON THE TIMES IN WHICH WE LIVE, that he expects everyone to tippy-toe around his "RIGHTS," while it is that he TRAMPLES all over our Faith and Beliefs!!
I am bewildered by this DOUBLE-STANDARD!!
This is, by far, the very definition of REVERSE DISCRIMINATION!!
Were he a Heterosexual, living openly with a "partner," without the blessing of Holy Matrimony, he not only would not be referred to as "a priest in good standing," but, he would have been divested of his robes, and if not repenting, and correcting his ways, he would have been excommunicated!
And this DOUBLE STANDARD is to be found within the Church!! WE HAVE THE UTMOST OBLIGATION TO SEE THAT THE WORD OF GOD IS FOLLOWED TO THE LETTER!!
“And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” –1 Corinthians 2:4-5
Thus, it would be profane to ever presume that anyone can add, subtract, or change even one word in the Holy Scriptures, THE WORD OF GOD!
“For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” 1 Corinthians 1:19
“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1Corinthians 1:25
"TRUE LIBERTY IS NOT THE POWER OF LIVING AS WE PLEASE, BUT TO LIVE AS WE OUGHT!" - A. W. Pink
Trusting that you will dutifully consider the Will of God, I remain, yours in Jesus Christ,
____________________
Helga Hickman
==============================
Helga Hickman538 Memorial Pkwy
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
July 18, 2003
Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold
815 – Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Dear Bishop Griswold,
I pray that this finds you in good health and in God's grace.
I also ask that you will please bear with me, for the matter about which I am writing must be prefaced with an anecdote.
I have two dogs whom I take for daily walks along the Niagara river leading to the American Falls, and within full view of the beautiful Canadian Horseshoe Falls, another one of God's beautiful creations.
On many occasions, passersby ask me as to their pedigree, and loving both equally, I refer to the one as a pure-bred Labrador, and the other as a 'pure-bred' Mutt!
The incongruity of such an answer is meant in good humor, and all parties have a good laugh, and my dogs wag their tails all the more!
But it was with utter dismay and horror that I have just read the incongruity of your statement, printed in the July/August 2003 edition of Episcopal Life Church Acts, Diocese of Western New York publication, for all to see!
In it you state, much to my constraint, regarding Mr. V. Gene Robinson's disgraceful stance, "I hope that a distinction can be made between the consent to the consecration of a bishop who is a priest in good standing partnered with a member of the same sex, ..."
Were he to have been a priest who was partnered with a member of the opposite sex, would you have referred to him as "a priest in good standing"? Would he have been around to even be the subject in any worthwhile statement? I know for a fact that priests have been divested of their robes for having committed adultery, though having confessed, rectified their ways and penitent!!
Church members who would choose to "partner" in such a manner would be excommunicated!! What message are we sending to our youth, which is so difficult to handle as it is, and among whom there is already so much rebellion?
Mr. V. Gene Robinson has not only committed ADULTERY, as defined in the Webster’s Dictionary: voluntary sexual intercourse with someone other than his or her lawful spouse, but has left his marriage, and "shacked up" in what would be a sinful condition even if he weren't homosexual, which makes it all the worse!!
And all the while he profanes the Eucharist, our Faith, the Church!! For all this he is referred to as "a priest in good standing," and by you of all people!!
I am simply appalled that such a statement would have come from one such as you!
Then it is that you claim that Christ has "reconciled all things to himself through the Cross." Wrong again!
Such reconciliation is conditional upon belief in His Word and true repentance. No less!! While on the cross, Christ assured the "good thief" that he would join Him that very day. Because he believed and he repented!
The "bad thief" was not given the same assurance!!
I pray that given the fragility of the times in which we live within the Episcopal Church, you will find a way to state a more assertive position! The Bible-believing, and quite confused, Church members are dependent upon assured guidance as to the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, the very Foundation of the Church, and not the wishy-washy, don't-want-to-step-on-anyone's-toes perambulating which is sadly taking place!
I am enclosing a letter which I have just sent to the Deputy Council Members, and I pray that you will never fail to emphasize that "the gate is narrow, and the way is strait!"
Thanking you for the attention given me, I remain, respectfully yours in Jesus Christ,
_______________________
Helga Hickman
==============================
Helga Hickman
538 Memorial Pkwy
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
July 25, 2003
Rev. V. Gene Robinson
63 Green St.
Concord, NH 03301
Dear Rev. Robinson,
I most sincerely pray that God’s Grace be with you in the coming days. I pray that you will come to realize the enormity of the harm that you, and those who subscribe to your ideals, will be doing to the Church in the world at large, yes, throughout the whole world, should you insist on achieving your goal of becoming a Bishop in the Episcopal Church.
This will be tantamount to laying out a minefield in which countless will be the lives destroyed through the spread of AIDS, as well as souls lost through eternity.
Please, please, do come to the realization that at least for the good of the whole, you may renounce such ambition, abdicate whatever rights you may feel you have, to insure that the Church’s integrity will not be irreparably harmed. Such sacrifice would be admirable!
God has given you and all a free will and likewise a judgement. Please exercise them wisely.
What you do or do not do privately is no one’s business, but it becomes so when it is that you stand in an exemplary position, of that of a model of integrity, restraint, love and abeyance to the Lord our God! Other than a homosexual, you are an adulterer. And it is this with which I have much difficulty placing you where you find yourself to be within the church!
The Episcopal Church is being held up by a chain, which links are at the moment quite fragile, thus it is only as strong as its weakest link, which is the issue of homosexuality.
Please show some dignity and moderation, if not compassion, and withdraw this specter that hovers over our beloved Church! It is the right thing to do!!
In reading the enclosed letters, which I hope you will, please do not think that I am a homophobic. I am not! I do love and respect the few that I know to be homosexuals, though I may not agree with their lifestyles, and fervently pray for them, and try my best to model myself in true Christian fashion, though many, many are my failings.
Please, give a few steps back and look forward in an objective manner when reading the enclosed letters, and I’m certain that you will agree and do the right thing.
Praying for the world and the survival of the Episcopal Church in it, I remain, trusting you to entrust yourself fully to God,
Helga Hickman
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