Disgruntled California congregations leaving Episcopal Church
By Lori Arnold

The Diocese of San Joaquin, which includes congregations as far south as Rosamond and Ridgecrest, has opted to split from the Episcopal Church USA over a schism between conservatives and liberals.

The move follows a nationwide pattern that also prompted the denomination’s largest congregation, Christ Church Episcopal in Plano, Texas, to also pull its affiliation with the USA church.

“The mission of Christ Church is to make disciples and teach them to obey the commands of Christ,” the Christ Church Vestry statement read. “The direction of the leadership of the Episcopal Church is different and we regret their departure from biblical truth and the historic faith of the Anglican Communion.”

The defection is not new to Southern California, where several congregations have also disaffiliated, prompting court action on the division of property. Last year, St. James in Newport Beach, All Saints Church in Long Beach and St. David's Church in North Hollywood, were among the first to officially bolt from the denomination. the rest