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 94.3 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.

HOW THEY VOTED IN VIRGINIA
12/17/2006

The first figure is how they voted on leaving the diocese and The Episcopal Church The second number is how they voted with regard to retaining their church properties

Please note these are preliminary figures and may be subject to correction.

Churches with congregational votes scheduled are:
The Falls Church, Falls Church: 90% and 94%
Truro Church, Fairfax: 92% and 94%
Church of the Apostles, Fairfax: In progress St.
Margaret's, Woodbridge 78% and 84%
All Saints', Woodbridge: In progress
St. Stephen's, Heathsville, 75% and 72%
Church of the Word, Gainesville: In progress
St. Paul's, Haymarket: In progress
Potomac Falls Church, Sterling: 54 out of 59 voted to sever ties. 58 and 1 to retain the property.
Christ our Lord: 95% to leave no property vote. - Oct. 15 vote.
Christ the Redeemer in Centreville, 81 voting - 100% to leave TEC and join TEC

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The Falls Church and Truro Church Vote Overwhelmingly To Sever Ties With The U.S. Episcopal Church and join the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, CANA

FAIRFAX and FALLS CHURCH, Va., Dec. 17 - The Falls Church and Truro Church reported today that both congregations voted overwhelmingly to sever ties with The Episcopal Church in the U.S. and join the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, or CANA.

Of the 1,348 eligible voting members casting ballots at The Falls Church this past week, 1,228, or 90 percent, voted in favor of the first question, or "resolution," on the ballot about whether to sever ties. On the second and final resolution, 1,279 of 1,350 eligible members, or 94 percent, voted in favor of retaining the church's real and personal property.

Of the 1,095 eligible voting members casting ballots at Truro Church, 1,010, or 92 percent voted in favor of severing ties. On the second resolution, 1,034 of 1,095 eligible members, or 94 percent, voted in favor of retaining Truro's real and personal property. Both churches used essentially identical ballots. The specific text of each resolution at The Falls Church follows at the end of this release.

Each of these churches conducted their votes as part of a congregational meeting. They followed steps recommended by a "protocol" for departing congregations unanimously recommended by a Special Committee of the Diocese of Virginia and supported by Bishop Peter Lee.

That protocol calls for a "70% majority of the votes cast" to support separating from the Episcopal Church. It also calls for a second 70% majority vote for departing congregations to be able to leave with their "real and personal property" at a price to be negotiated later.

"This is a new chapter for The Falls Church and other congregations voting thus far and early next year," said the Rev. John Yates, Rector, The Falls Church. "While we look forward to continuing a productive role in the Anglican Communion, we harbor no ill will to our colleagues in the Diocese of Virginia. And we agree, as Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has indicated, that when two groups have irreconcilable differences, the pastoral thing to do is find a gracious way to separate."

"Our churches conducted our congregational votes by following the straight-forward procedures established by the Virginia legislature," said Jim Oakes, Senior Warden of Truro Church. "Our churches have also held congregational votes in line with the protocol established by Bishop Lee's Special Committee. We fully expect to amicably resolve all questions regarding the status of our clergy and our property."

CANA is missionary initiative of the Church of Nigeria and the Anglican District of Virginia. It will provide oversight and a U.S.-based structure for these northern Virginia churches leaving the Diocese of Virginia.

"This has been an extraordinary journey," said Tom Wilson, Senior Warden of The Falls Church. "It was heartening to see so many of our people take part in this process and speak clearly where we stand. We look forward to our future as active members serving Christ in the Anglican Communion."

The churches contemplate officially reporting their votes in accordance with the requirements of Virginia law.

The text for each resolution at The Falls Church was as follows:

Resolution 1: "Resolved, that a division has occurred within the Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church, and the Diocese of Virginia; that The Episcopal Church has departed from the authority of the Holy Scriptures and from historic Christian teaching on the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as the only Lord and Savior of humankind; The Falls Church shall sever its denominational ties with The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Virginia and affiliated with the Anglican District of Virginia, an association of churches under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a branch of the Anglican Communion; and that the Vestry and trustees of The Falls Church are directed to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to carry out these resolutions, effective immediately."

Resolution 2: "Resolved, that if a majority of The Falls Church severs its denomination ties with The Episcopal Church and The Diocese of Virginia, the real and personal property of the Falls Church should be retained by the majority of the Congregation."

Official Parish Release

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