Transfiguration Vestry Letter

Furthermore, Article 1, of the Constitution of the Diocese of Dallas (Revised, October 2001) states: "The Church in this Diocese accedes to the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and recognizes the authority of the General Convention of said Church."

In addition, our clergy, when they were ordained, signed in public view the following Declaration: "I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church."

We the vestry, wishing to honor, uphold and maintain the gift entrusted to us when The Church of the Transfiguration was admitted as a parish in the Diocese of Dallas in 1959, at which time our early members signed the aforementioned Act of Conformity; recognizing the authority of General Convention and the relationship of the Diocese of Dallas with The Episcopal Church, USA, as expressed in Article 1, of the Diocesan Constitution, Revised, October 2001; and in support of our clergy as they seek to honor the solemn declaration they made at the time of their ordinations, do earnestly submit the following resolution:

Be it resolved, that we reaffirm the historic associations of The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Dallas, Texas with The Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and the Diocese of Dallas as long as the Diocese remains consistent with and in communion with The Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Furthermore, we pledge ourselves on behalf of our brothers and sisters in this congregation to do our prayerful and solemn best to maintain this association inviolate.

[N.B. The letter was signed by the entire vestry: Eleven in support. One abstaining.]