For Immediate Release – March 27, 2004

Episcopalians Unite in Atlanta Meeting

ATLANTA –– Episcopalians from 11 dioceses across the United States have joined together to promote unity within the church in this nation.

The new alliance, named Via Media USA, represents laypeople and clergy from grassroots organizations that hold diverse opinions about issues facing the church but are solid in their desire to remain in communion with The Episcopal Church in the United States and the worldwide Anglican Communion. The name, Via Media, means "middle way" and reflects the group’s focus on preserving the church and its traditional openness to differing interpretations of Scripture, tradition, and reason.

"There is room for everyone in the Episcopal Church," said The Rev. Michael Russell, Rector of All Souls’ Episcopal Church in San Diego, CA., and a member of Episcopal Way of San Diego. "We believe that the Christian way is to love, work and worship together – to resolve disputes within the church without tearing it apart."

The 12 groups came from 11 dioceses as far away as New Mexico, New York, Illinois, Texas, South Carolina and Florida, and met in a planning retreat filled with three days of worship and fellowship during which many members talked about specific concerns in their dioceses. Most of the groups arose this year in dioceses which have joined a different network which, some fear, could take actions that could result in schism in the national church.

At the meeting at All Saints’ Church in Atlanta, "We learned about and from each other, drawn together in fellowship," said Dr. Joan Gundersen of Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh. "Some people who were feeling isolated now feel supported."

The Rev. Donald Fishburne, Rector of Saint Michael and All Angels Church, Sanibel, FL, was an observer to the Atlanta meeting from Southwest Florida Via Media Episcopalians – a group of lay people and clergy formed recently to unite theologically diverse persons around mutually shared convictions. "I am encouraged by the gathering in Atlanta, at which we prayerfully worked to maintain the unity of the church, and to move forward in mission and ministry in the name of Jesus Christ," he said. "The work of the Gospel is vital to the people of this nation and world, and I am heartened to gather together with other clergy and lay people who have a heart for the proclamation of the Gospel through the Episcopal Church, beginning with its local congregations."

The organization of Via Media USA is in its preliminary stages and all of the groups will be consulting with their own members in coming weeks about how to move forward. Two observers from The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council attended the meeting and Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold sent a letter that encouraged the group’s effort to promote unity.

"The diverse center is the overwhelming reality of our church and its voice is urgently needed, both within the church and in our fractured and polarized world," Bishop Griswold wrote.

The text of the Mission Statement of Via Media USA follows:

Via Media USA, an alliance of associations of laity and clergy, is committed to promoting and protecting the faith, unity, and vitality of The Episcopal Church as the American expression of Anglican tradition.

Via Media USA: