The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut announces a new interfaith partnership with the Farmington Valley American Muslim Center, Inc. (FVAMC). The initiative will include interfaith educational programs and the leasing of a building in Avon, a former church on Harris Road.
It is part of a broader diocesan effort of recommitting itself to interfaith initiatives in new ways. The partnership with FVAMC began when leaders of the Episcopal Diocese asked about the needs and resources of the Church and community in the greater Farmington River valley. Episcopal parishes in the local area, including Trinity Episcopal Church in Collinsville and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bristol, immediately joined in the conversations and planning with the FVAMC.“The initiation of this partnership with the Farmington Valley American Muslim Center is an incredible gift to us a Christians, because when we come into conversation with the religious ‘other’ it helps us to speak even more clearly about our own faith in the Triune God,” said the Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut.
Read the rest of the press release here.
The Farmington Patch reports: Christ Episcopal Church closed December of 2012 and the question has remained for the better part of this year what would become of the church property.” On December 12 the Patch reported,
35 members in good standing of the church voted at a special meeting on Nov. 18 to dissolve the parish. Years of declining membership, financial issues and changing demographics were given as the reasons for the closure.
David Paye, Christ Church assistant treasurer, said that in the beginning of 2012, membership totaled 110 people. That number has dropped throughout the year to below 100 people, he said. Griffin said 64 members left in 2010-2011 – many of them with children in search of a church with more young families. At one point in the church’s history, said Karin Hamilton, director of communications for the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, membership was as high as 223 families.
All church property will be held in trust for the Diocese and in turn, for The Episcopal Church….
In its announcement of the partnership the Farmington Valley American Muslim Center stated,
Assalamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you),
We have a home! We are thrilled to inform you that we have reached an agreement with the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut to lease their Avon facility located at 35 Harris Road. A press release from the Diocese has been issued (please see below). We plan on renting the facility for one year with the right of first refusal (our Center would be the first allowed to purchase the property if it’s offered for sale). Terms for occupying the property after one year will be negotiated before the end of the lease. We will let you know when we have a move-in date. All thanks are due to the Almighty God for this wonderful gift.
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Now the real work begins and we will need everyone’s support. May God’s Peace and Blessings be upon you now and always.
Board of Trustees
Farmington Valley American Muslim Center
Salam/Peace