The Anglican District of Virginia (ADV) held a Constitutional Convention on May 20-21, 2011 at Church of the Epiphany in Herndon, Va. At this event, ADV delegates voted to petition the Anglican Church in North America to become a diocese and adopted new governing documents (Constitutions and Canons). Pending approval of the diocesan petition, the Anglican District of Virginia elected The Rt. Rev. John Guernsey to serve as bishop of the diocese, to be named the Anglican Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic.
Bishop John Guernsey has served in various clergy roles during his years of ordained ministry in Virginia. He served as rector of All Saints’ Church in Dale City, Va., for 29 years before serving as the head of the Diocese of the Holy Spirit in the Anglican Church in North America….
Good move!
What happens to the Diocese of the Holy Spirit, which is also under Bp. John Guernsey? Will he bring those congregations with him as a non-geographical addition to the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic? Will they continue on as their own non-geographical diocese, presumably under another bishop? Or will the Diocese of the Holy Spirit now be dissolved, allowing its churches to transfer to other ACNA jurisdictions?
ADV has a wonderful, Godly bishop in the person of John Guernsey. He temporarily shepherded us in Georgia until we became part of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese. Blessings to him and all under his care!
Excellent.
Another positive ecclesial step for orthodox Anglicans in North America.
My oldest son attends his former parish at All Saint’s Church in Dale City, Virginia feels very spiritually at home there.
[blockquote] “In just a few years, we have grown to over 40 worshipping congregations, are planting churches, and have almost 7,000 people worshipping in our churches each Sunday. My prayer is that this new diocese within the Anglican Church in North America will make the trumpet sound even louder and bring more worshippers together in mission and ministry, continued Oakes.†[/blockquote]
Good to read this.
Does anyone know the answer to Barbara’s question at #2?
The answer to Barbara’s question in #2 is her last option. The Diocese of the Holy Spirit saw itself as a transitional Diocese from the beginning. The process of helping its churches find geographical affiliations has been ongoing.
Thanks for the clarification. What they have chosen is by far the best of the options.
Barbara