Fr. Lawrence "Larry" Bausch Writes to his Congregation, Holy Trinity Parish, Ocean Beach

Fr. Lawrence "Larry" Bausch writes to his congregation regarding his commitment to the parish as it looks to likely relocation by end of 2010.

Supplied by request as published in bulletin insert.

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28 July 2010

To our Holy Trinity family,

I want to thank all of you for your support of our parish during
these trying times. We have been, and will continue to be
for at least the remainder of 2010, in a season of change.
Having recognized that our legal claim to our property was
radically undermined by several court decisions in California,
we have accepted the “Settlement Offer” prepared by the
Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. Unless some sort of purchase
arrangement is offered and agreed to, we will relocate at the
end of the year. Also, our staff has changed significantly.
Teres Byrne left her position as Organist/Choir Director and
remains only to rehearse the choir, while we are tapping the
gifts of several organists to play on Sundays (including one
parishioner, two former organists, a regular sub, and one new
to us.) Most recently, our assisting Priest, Fr. Trebbe, and his
wife have left us for Phoenix, where Deann has obtained a good
job and Fr. Trebbe is planning on a coordinated Church plant
in cooperation with a local Anglican parish (we are still in the
same Diocese).

In the face of these and other changes, you may recall that
when you and I made our respective decisions to disassociate
from the Episcopal Church in order to remain within the
historic faith and practice of the Anglican Communion, I
said that I would stay with our parish during this period of
transition. Nearly four years later, my commitment remains
the same. I have every intention of remaining as your Rector
until my retirement. I anticipate this to be anywhere from five
to ten years from now. My health permitting and you desiring,
I will remain at least five years, which should be sufficient
to see us through the next phase of our parish life. As your
Vestry and I discuss our opportunities with others who have
experienced such transitions, we have been truly energized, and
I am looking forward to living into God’s will for us. While the
Episcopal Church seems content to declare its autonomy and
move farther and farther away from historic Anglican faith and
practice, and indeed the consensus of orthodox Christianity,

we are seeing in our new Province (and in many ecumenical
partners) an exciting openness to new ways of “being the
Church” which are rooted in the stable elements of our history.
There is a note on the cover of my Orthodox Study Bible which
articulates our mission well: “Ancient Christianity speaks to
Today’s World”. This promises to be a great adventure in
Christian living for all of us.

Just a few comments about staffing: It is not my intention
during this year to request budgeting for either a new Assisting
Priest or a full-time Organist/Choir Director. Until we know
what our setting will be next year, we will continue our music
ministry as we have been since Easter. As to clergy, the Vestry
has authorized me to invite a supply Priest to preach and assist
at least one Sunday a month for the remainder of 2010. In fact,
we have a new young priest, Fr. David Alenskis, lined up to
preach on August 22 and fill in for me altogether on September
19.

All things considered, I hope that you also will be willing (as
able) to commit to traveling with me on this Exodus. We have
God’s promise that every journey of faithful obedience to His
call will lead us to Himself, and He has assured us that He will
be with us to guide, correct and encourage our every step.

Faithfully yours,