'A new birth, a new start'

In the sole local reverberation of an international rift, members of a West Chicago church left their home of 50 years Sunday and walked to a new one -- carrying their altar and vestments.

The Church of the Resurrection joined a growing group of Episcopal churches worldwide to leave the faith over its acceptance of homosexuality and the ordination of a gay bishop in April.

Resurrection is the only Chicago-area Episcopal church to take such action. The congregation's longtime home is held in trust by the diocese, which is requiring Resurrection to leave. The building sits off Neltnor Boulevard on West Chicago's south side.

After giving his last sermon in the building, Resurrection's leader, the Rev. George Byron Koch, led more than 100 of his members across Route 59 under police escort. Parishioners carried colorful flags, cheered, sang, and walked about a quarter-mile while carrying bibles, a giant cross and instruments. The congregation and church's new name is Resurrection Anglican Church.

Koch said the unusual separation has made him feel sadness and joy.

"It's been a painful but loving separation," he said. "This is a brand new, very bright future for us."

Bryan and Sarah Crose of Wheaton traveled with their peers to the new church.

Both felt the walk was a unifying act.

"As a body, we're moving to a new location," Bryan Crose said. "It's a new birth, a new start and a new stage in the life of this congregation and church."

The new facility, at 450 E. Roosevelt Road, is more than two times larger than the old church.

While most were excited about the move and new beginnings, others were a bit more emotional, Children's Ministry Director Amanda Winquist said.

"I'm ecstatic and happy," she said, "but it seems to be easier for some people than others."

Resurrection's action is an indication of a rift within the Episcopalian church that tore open in 2003, when the openly gay Gene Robinson was elected New Hampshire bishop. Episcopalian leaders have continued to support the inclusion of gays, despite a 2006 report sanctioned by church officials in England mandating a moratorium on the appointment of gay bishops and blessings of same-sex couples.

Since then, several congregations nationwide have had acrimonious divorces from the Episcopalian Church.