UPDATED: 4:30 p.m. ET See below
Monday, The Lead reported the story of The Episcopal Church and the American Bible Society listings of denominations on their ForMinistry site. Today we want to offer our thanks to Ms Autumn Black, who quickly responded to letters and our story (see that letter below the fold).
Today Tobias Haller reports on his blog In a Godward Direction:
I’m very happy to report that an email note was waiting for me this a.m. from Ms. Black at the American Bible Society. She worked with the ABS IT folks and the Episcopal Church now shows up as a “specific denomination” under the general denomination heading “Anglican” at the ForMinistry “Find a Church” utility. She was most cordial, and I think we can now rejoice that the 3,000-some Episcopal parishes listed in the directory now once again show up if someone chooses “Anglican”!
Thank you, Ms. Black
We echo Tobias’ “Thank you.”
UPDATE: Not so fast
See In A Godward Direction for the latest in this drama.
Curiouser and curiouser.
Dear Mr. Gerns,
I pray this update meets you in excellent health and spirits. I wanted to share with you additional information regarding the current discussion regarding the American Bible Society’s ForMinistry.com offerings with regards to churches seeking registration.
All of the listings on ForMinistry.com are user generated. I encourage you to reference the “Specific Denominations” field on the following link: http://www.forministry.com/profile/ChurchSearch.cfm for a listing of the Episcopal denominations currently added by users of the ForMinistry.com service to date:
• African Methodist Episcopal Church
• African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
• Charismatic Episcopal Church
• Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
• Reformed Episcopal Church
• Reformed Episcopal Church of Canada
• Southern Episcopal Church of the U.S.A.
• Traditional Episcopal Church
We welcome you and your colleagues to list your respective denominations as deemed appropriate.
In addition, although this list is user generated, we would be pleased to add “Episcopal” to the “General Denominations” drop down list and welcome any additional denominations that would be appropriate for the “Specific” field as requested.
Because we do so value our long and important collaborations with the Episcopal Church, please feel free to contact my office at (212) 408.1215 if you have any additional concerns or for assistance with your account.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support of the American Bible Society.
Sincerely,
Autumn Black
Director of Public Relations