The election of an openly-gay man as a bishop within the Episcopal Church is causing debate within congregations throughout the country, but the minister to Episcopal congregations in Fort Dodge and Webster City isn’t sharing his opinion publicly. Reverend Stephen Hall says the church is in a “highlighted position in the media.” Hall says he knew the issue would divide the church, and “it’s a difficult time” according to Hall because Episcopalians are being “stretched to grow and change in ways that maybe (they’re) not ready to do.” Hall says there hasn’t been much reaction within his congregations yet.Hall says there are people in both congregations who think “homosexuality is out.” There are those who believe an openly gay person should not have been confirmed as a church leader. And he says there are some who aren’t that concerned about it. Hall says it’s a “mixed conversation” and he says that’s the genius of the Episcopal Church because it’s members — in his words — “always stay in loving dialogue with one another.”
