Posted on 12/17/2006 11:09:28 AM PST by rabscuttle385
The Falls Church and Truro Church in Northern Virginia announced the results of their week-long votes this afternoon: an "overwhelming" number (90% at The Falls Church and 92% at Truro) voted to sever ties to TEC and The Diocese of Virginia AND retain parish property.
Excerpts from VirtueOnline coverage:
"In packed parishes, with standing room only at both services, the two churches were told that they had voted overwhelmingly to leave, with Falls Church parishioners voting 90 percent to leave the denomination and a second vote of 97 percent to retain the church properties. The Rev. John Yates made the announcement at the conclusion of the 9.00am service. There were gasps from the congregation but there was no cheering or clapping."
At the 11.00am service at Truro Church in Fairfax, Va. the Rev. Martyn Minns, who wore a purple sash befitting his new status as a bishop of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, asked his senior warden Jim Oakes to make the announcement from the front of the church. He rose to say that 92.1 percent voted to leave both the diocese and The Episcopal Church. On the second resolution to retain the church properties the church voted overwhelmingly by 94.3 percent. "A new day has begun" cried the senior warden.
The church then rose and sang, "The Church's One Foundation."
"We don't know what tomorrow brings but we have come this far by faith," said Bishop Minns.
Other developments:
* The Falls Church and Truro will now align with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, under the jurisdiction of the Church of Nigeria.
* St. Stephens of Heathsville has also voted to sever ties to TEC and The Diocese of Virginia.
* Other Northern Virginia churches will announce the results of their votes today. (Voting at Church of the Apostles in Fairfax, Virginia concluded at 2:00 pm; results will be announced at a parish meeting at 7:00 pm.)
Media coverage:
The Daily Press (Hampton Roads, Virginia): AP coverage
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