Church leaders meet with Episcopal bishop
Church wanted to report to new leadership
BY MARIA BARAN
News-Democrat
December 21, 2006

EDWARDSVILLE - Leaders of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church say they are cautiously optimistic about their relationship with their bishop after he reinstated the licenses of most of the Eucharist ministers and is scheduling a date to confirm eight members.

In October, the Edwardsville church had requested leadership under a bishop other than Bishop Peter Beckwith of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield due to an ongoing dispute that culminated with Beckwith in November 2005 refusing to confirm eight members because one is a lesbian.
But a series of meetings held this month may be paving the road for a reconciliation.

Beckwith, who could not be reached for comment, met with the Rev. Virginia Bennett, pastor of St. Andrew's, and six Vestry members Dec. 6 in Springfield. Five days later, he reinstated the licenses after meeting with most of the lay ministers. the rest