Dear Friends,

I am delighted to report to you that we have received into our Diocese Christ Church in Accokeek, MD, and its rector, the Rev. Brian Vander Wel.
 
Blessedly, Christ Church was able to leave the Episcopal Church under a negotiated settlement with the Diocese of Washington. Christ Church has stood firmly for the Gospel for 25 years (they were in federal court in 2001) and has been under the care of an alternative bishop for much of that time.
 
Through a painfully long process of negotiations, Christ Church has prayed and trusted the Lord and persevered in faith. They have demonstrated a godliness that has been a wonderful witness to everyone involved. A helpful article by Jeff Walton of our Diocese describes this remarkable settlement, which includes sale of the historic church building and property to the congregation.
 
Their agreement was concluded in Holy Week and our Standing Committee acted immediately to receive Christ Church. (The Standing Committee’s action will be ratified by our Synod in November.) It was a joy for me to be with them for their Good Friday Stations of the Cross service to welcome them and to receive their rector as a priest of our Diocese.
 
This photo (below) from Easter Day shows a glimpse of the vitality of Christ Church, whose attendance is usually more than one-third elementary school age children. As Kelly Gheen, the mom who took the photo, put it, “I felt that these pictures serve as a representation of our church as a whole: racing with joy toward the future! Hallelujah!”
 
As many of us know, there are practical and spiritual challenges associated with such a major transition for a church. Please pray for Christ Church—its rector, Vestry and people—as they now join with us in mission to share the transforming love of Jesus Christ in their community and beyond.