Christ Church Midlothian—Getting on with Mission

http://www.anglicanmissioninamerica.org/index.cfm?id=81522FBC-6C90-4F7D-998D3919C0BE3D3E

[Anglican Mission in America] May 20, 2005--Although ‘retired’ for a number of years, the Rev. Joe Gatto has plenty of energy and passion, especially for the work of the Gospel. “They asked me to start a mission congregation in the Episcopal Church, out of my retirement, which I did. We began with just 4 people, but grew to over 150 in three years. Then we tried to join the (Anglican Communion) Network,” reflected the pastor with more than 40 years experience. “It got crazy.”

The Rector of the sponsoring parish refused to allow such an affiliation, and Rev. Gatto resigned, both from the church and from decades of ministry as an Episcopal clergyman. “At that point we wanted to be outside the Episcopal Church USA—in a place where Scripture is accepted as the Word of God. We simply wanted to get on with the mission of the church, and not be sidetracked by all of this ‘stuff’ going on.” Rev. Gatto stated.