It is actually happening because the news came through that Dr. Packard is being reinstated and I am pacing around my kitchen just staring at the wall in total shock. We stuck with this even when it felt like the emails would never stop going unanswered (which was forever) but …
May 21, 2012
Final supporters
May 3, 2012
A Petition to the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston,
And the Hearing Panel,
To Reinstate the Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Packard
As Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd.
We, the undersigned members of The Church of the Good Shepherd (Burke) petition for the immediate reinstatement of the Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Packard. The Bishop's written reasons for Administrative Leave on November 14, 2011 are not "warranted" because there has been a "substantial change of circumstances from the time of the first request" for a Review on December 1, 2011 (IV.7.10).
The Rector does not threaten "the good order, welfare or safety of the Church or any person..." (IV.7.3). The charges are now published and are not "notorious sins" whereby members have been "separated from the body of the faithful" (BCP, 265).
The names of employees alleging complaints, previously cited by the Bishop, were removed from the Statement of Offenses (March 5, 2012). In the modified Statement of Offenses, all allegations related to these employees have been removed.
Furthermore, we believe that the protracted period of Leave is unwarranted because it nearly doubles the 2006 Title IV limitation of 90 days. Despite the original claim that this Leave was not "punitive," the forced separation lays a harmful burden on the Rector and the Congregation while imperiling their pastoral relationship.
We affirm:
1) The new Title IV objective for the Church "to support their members in their life in Christ" (IV.1) Reinstatement of our duly called Rector will further this objective.
2) The Rector's "presumption of innocence" (IV.19.16) to resume his duties,
3) The Gospel's inclusion of all people, especially our Rector during this process into the ministry of reconciliation led by our vestry. (IV.1)
4) The opportunity for our Rector to return because our Priest-in-Charge is on a short-term contract.
Updates
May 10, 2012
I noticed the Bishop has been awfully quiet lately but that does not mean we are stopping because the silence just makes me want to push harder for the Rev. Dr. Packard to come home. It is exhausting trying to get some kind of real answer from these people but I am reading all your stories in the comments and honestly they keep me going when it feels like the walls are closing in.
Reached 100 supporters
May 10, 2012
6 Comments
BRING HIM BACK NOW. The congregation is being ignored and we deserve answers.
The church just isnt the same without him. He was always there for us during the hard times. Bring him back!
I really dont understand the logic here. He helped me thru my surgery recovery and he was always so kind. Just wrong.
This whole thing is a mess. Dr. Packard is a good man and he belongs at Good Shepherd. Fix this!
My family has been at this parish for years and we miss his sermons so much. Why are they doing this to a man who did so much for our community?
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It is actually happening because the news came through that Dr. Packard is being reinstated and I am pacing around my kitchen just staring at the wall in total shock. We stuck with this even when it felt like the emails would never stop going unanswered (which was forever) but …
May 21, 2012
Final supporters
May 3, 2012
A Petition to the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston,
And the Hearing Panel,
To Reinstate the Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Packard
As Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd.
We, the undersigned members of The Church of the Good Shepherd (Burke) petition for the immediate reinstatement of the Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Packard. The Bishop's written reasons for Administrative Leave on November 14, 2011 are not "warranted" because there has been a "substantial change of circumstances from the time of the first request" for a Review on December 1, 2011 (IV.7.10).
The Rector does not threaten "the good order, welfare or safety of the Church or any person..." (IV.7.3). The charges are now published and are not "notorious sins" whereby members have been "separated from the body of the faithful" (BCP, 265).
The names of employees alleging complaints, previously cited by the Bishop, were removed from the Statement of Offenses (March 5, 2012). In the modified Statement of Offenses, all allegations related to these employees have been removed.
Furthermore, we believe that the protracted period of Leave is unwarranted because it nearly doubles the 2006 Title IV limitation of 90 days. Despite the original claim that this Leave was not "punitive," the forced separation lays a harmful burden on the Rector and the Congregation while imperiling their pastoral relationship.
We affirm:
1) The new Title IV objective for the Church "to support their members in their life in Christ" (IV.1) Reinstatement of our duly called Rector will further this objective.
2) The Rector's "presumption of innocence" (IV.19.16) to resume his duties,
3) The Gospel's inclusion of all people, especially our Rector during this process into the ministry of reconciliation led by our vestry. (IV.1)
4) The opportunity for our Rector to return because our Priest-in-Charge is on a short-term contract.
Updates
May 10, 2012
I noticed the Bishop has been awfully quiet lately but that does not mean we are stopping because the silence just makes me want to push harder for the Rev. Dr. Packard to come home. It is exhausting trying to get some kind of real answer from these people but I am reading all your stories in the comments and honestly they keep me going when it feels like the walls are closing in.
Reached 100 supporters
May 10, 2012
6 Comments
Total nonsense. He was the heart of that church.
BRING HIM BACK NOW. The congregation is being ignored and we deserve answers.
The church just isnt the same without him. He was always there for us during the hard times. Bring him back!
I really dont understand the logic here. He helped me thru my surgery recovery and he was always so kind. Just wrong.
This whole thing is a mess. Dr. Packard is a good man and he belongs at Good Shepherd. Fix this!
My family has been at this parish for years and we miss his sermons so much. Why are they doing this to a man who did so much for our community?
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Total nonsense. He was the heart of that church.