This morning, the Rev. John Riebe of Rector All Saints Episcopal Church talked with us on 17 News At Sunrise.
He talked with us about what could be a major change with the local San Joaquin diocese.
You see, the diocese is deciding whether to secede in an unprecedented protest over gay issues.
The vote is Saturday morning.
That's more than 9,000 members, according to The Christian Science Monitor.
The friction goes back to 2003 when the church consecrated its first openly gay bishop in New Hampshire.
The Christian Science Monitor reports:
"The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, based in Fresno and consisting of nearly 50 churches in 14 counties, would be the first diocese to bolt from the U.S. branch of the 77-million-member global Anglican Communion if Saturday's final vote passes.
The Episcopal Church also says it has control over all property and once a congregation leaves it has to find another place to worship. That contention has been challenged in several court cases, including one in Virginia where property dating back to Colonial times and worth millions of dollars is in dispute.
A spokeswoman for the San Joaquin Diocese said the property issue had yet to be addressed."
Rev. Riebe told us it will be business as usual at All Saints Church if the vote for secession goes through. He said he wouldn't describe the church as split on the issue, but parishioners have different opinions.
Other Episcopalian churches across the country are unhappy with the ordination of women. Riebe says that isn't so much an issue here in Kern County.
So should the church get with the times? Or is it right to stick to traditional values?
