A News Release from the Communications Office of The Diocese of Virginia
For release: Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Contact: Patrick Getlein 1-800 346-2373 x 30
Three of the 15 congregations where the majority of members have voted to leave The Episcopal Church have reorganized themselves as continuing Episcopal congregations, and Bishop David Jones recently paid an Episcopal visit to one of them, St. Stephen’s Episcopal, Heathsville on Feb. 17. Visitations also have been scheduled for the other two for later this season: St. Margaret’s Episcopal, Woodbridge on Feb. 24 and The Falls Church Episcopal, Falls Church on April 1.
St. Stephen’s is currently worshipping at Heathsville United Methodist at 39 Courthouse Road in Heathsville. St. Margaret’s meets at 2610 Omisol Road in Woodbridge, a property owned by the Diocese and formerly used by one of the separated mission churches. The Falls Church Episcopal meets at Falls Church Presbyterian on Broad Street.
“It would be universally regarded on our part … that we would like to get back into the historic church as a place of worship,” Falls Church Senior Warden Bill Fetsch told The Virginia Episcopalian recently. About 100 people currently make up the congregation of Falls Church Episcopal.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal is 58 members strong and is led by recently appointed interim rector the Rev. Harold White, retired priest of the Diocese.
“There has been tremendous willingness of clergy to help us and be available to serve our congregation,” said Dr. Alton Tucker, senior warden of the 45-family congregation at St. Margaret’s Episcopal. “St. Margaret’s has never ceased to exist,” he added, “and with our new vestry and other personnel, we are on a new journey.”
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