Statement from the Rector and Wardens

in response to recent news items, June 29, 2006.

Many parishioners will have seen The Washington Times article of June 29, 2006 about Episcopal churches in Northern Virginia. While it’s true that Truro’s rector, Martyn Minns, has been elected a bishop by the Church of Nigeria, The Falls Church and Truro assure us that they have not announced their departure from the Diocese of Virginia or the Episcopal Church. Both churches, in fact, intend engaging their congregations in a “Forty Days of Discernment” process in the fall before making any final announcements as to their future plans.

The Vestry and leadership of Church of the Apostles is carefully monitoring everything that is happening in the Diocese of Virginia, The Episcopal Church, and the wider Anglican Communion. We have long been at the table with Truro Church, The Falls Church, and many other area parishes to discuss our common concerns as Anglican churches in Virginia.

At the same time, Church of the Apostles as a congregation will have to discern its own calling. At our congregational meeting Sunday evening, July 2, the Rector and Vestry will ask our congregation to consider joining Truro, The Falls Church, and a number of other congregations in Forty Days of Discernment. Every member who is concerned about the future of Church of the Apostles should come to the Parish Meeting Sunday on July 2 to learn more and to participate in the discernment process.