PLANO EAST WILL DRAW 2000 ORTHODOX EPISCOPALIANS THIS WEEK

 OVER 2000 ORTHODOX EPISCOPALIANS TO GATHER THIS WEEK AT AAC PLANO EAST MEETING IN VIRGINIA

This Friday and Saturday, January 9-10, 2004, the Virginia and Washington DC Chapters of the American Anglican Council (AAC) will host their Plano-East gathering at the Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbridge, Virginia.  The event, theme A Place to Stand, A Call to Mission, is designed as a follow-up to the AACA Place To Stand: Declaring, Preparing conference that was held in Dallas, Texas in October 2003 (also known as the Plano Conference).Over 2000 people have already registered for the Virginia event and registrations continue to come in at a rapid pace. (Over 2700 Episcopalians attended the Dallas conference.)

The Virginia gathering will feature several of the keynote speakers from the Dallas event, including the Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan, Bishop of Pittsburgh and acting Moderator/Convener of the newly forming Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes. (An organizational meeting for the Network will be held in Plano, Texas on January 19-20, 2004.)

Also speaking in Woodbridge will be the Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall Harman, Canon Theologian of the Diocese of South Carolina, as well as a number of leaders in the local Virginia Episcopal community, including the Rev. John Yates, rector of the Falls Church, the Rev. Canon Martyn Minns, rector of Truro Church, and the Rev. John Guernsey, rector of All Saints Church.  All Saints is serving as the host church for the event.

This conference is about proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and moving forward with the mission of the Church, said the Rev. John Guernsey. It is also another opportunity for orthodox Episcopalians to take a strong and unified stand against the grievous actions of the Episcopal Church.

Registrations have been received from 49 dioceses and 25 states and they keep pouring in, added Fr. Guernsey. The overwhelming response shows that Episcopalians remain deeply troubled by the actions of ECUSA.

The conference has four goals:

-- To declare our faith and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Anglican Communion.

-- To encourage faithful Episcopalians and help us understand and prepare for the emerging realignment of an orthodox and vital Anglicanism in the United States.

-- To prepare and strengthen ourselves and those whom we serve to become a missionary church dedicated to the Great Commission.

-- To inspire the next generations to seek the face of God and to equip them to stand on His Word and share the Good News of Jesus

The conference is free and parallel tracks are offered for youth and children, including babysitting for infants.  More information can be obtained on the conference and on registration by visiting the AAC-Virginia website at http://www.aacvirginia.org.

Media are welcome to attend the Plano-East gathering and should contact Bruce Mason or Claire Whitehill at the AAC office to register

(202-296-5360).  On Friday afternoon, Fr. Guernsey, Canon Minns and others will be available for interviews. Bishop Duncan may also be available.

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EVENT LOCATION:

The Cecil D. Hylton Memorial Chapel

14640 Potomac Mills Road

Woodbridge, VA. 22192

Phone: (703) 590-0076

For directions, visit: www.hyltonchapel.org

EVENT SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2004

4:00 pm - Registration begins

7:00 pm - Gathering Call to Worship

7:30 pm - Welcoming Address: The Rev. John A.M. Guernsey

Festival Eucharist: The Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan, Bishop of Pittsburgh, preacher and celebrant

SATURDAY JANUARY 10, 2004

8:00 am - Late Registration

8:30 am - Gathering Worship, Morning Prayer and Bible Teaching: The Rev. Dr. John W. Yates

9:15 am - Anglican Essentials: The Rev Dr. Kendall Harmon

10:00 am - Panel Discussion: Latest Developments & the Emerging Realignment

The Rev. Canon Martyn Minns, Diane Knippers, The Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall Harmon, Hugo Blankingship, Andrew Pearson

11:30 am - 1:00 pm - Lunch, on your own

1:00 pm - ItAll About Mission: International Mission, Local Mission,

Youth and Young Adult Mission

4:00 pm - Closing Address: The Rev. Canon Martyn Minns

4:30 pm - Adjourn

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The American Anglican Council is a network of individuals, parishes,

specialized ministries and Episcopal Bishops who affirm Biblical authority and mainstream Anglican orthodoxy within the Episcopal Church. For more information on the AAC, please visit http://www.americananglican.org.

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