Diocese of Virginia and ACNA church to coordinate on “school for Peace and Reconciliation”

The Diocese of Virginia released the following statement today, regarding a joint effort between them and the church in Fairfax City, which is affiliated with the ACNA. Discussions between the two groups have been ongoing for several years, and are progressing favorably towards the establishment of an “institute or school for peace and reconciliation.”

In his Pastoral Address to Annual Convention in January, Bishop Shannon S. Johnston spoke of his hopes for the establishment of an Institute or School for Peace and Reconciliation at Truro Church in Fairfax City. He referred to that possibility as an answer to our call “to be peacemakers and bridge-builders in a divided society and world.”

The Institute would be supported by both the Diocese and the congregation at Truro that is part of the “Anglican Church in North America” (ACNA). That congregation has been leasing the church campus from the Diocese. An initial focus of the Institute would be working together on reconciliation among Christians, Muslims and Jews.

The discussions between leaders of the Diocese and the congregation have been progressing well. They are a follow-up to more than two years of discernment — meetings, discussions, prayers and shared meals between members of the Diocese and the ACNA congregation.

Agreement on a plan for moving forward could be reached in the near future. More details will be shared as they become available.

Bishop Johnston’s full address can be found here.

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