Special Commission Named in Virginia
11/15/2005

The Bishop of Virginia, the Rt. Rev. Peter J. Lee, has created a special committee to facilitate the unity of the diocese in the wake of the divisions caused by the 74th General Convention and to follow up on the work of the diocese’s 2004 reconciliation commission.

A Nov. 11 press release from the diocese stated the purpose of the special committee was “to help churches continuing in conflict over the decisions of the 74th General Convention in 2003 to get on with their mission in as close a union as possible with the diocese.”

Bishop Lee appointed the diocesan chancellor, Russell V. Palmore, Jr., as chair of the committee. The other members of the committee are standing committee president the Rev. Caroline Parkinson, rector of Grace Church, The Plains; the Rev. John Yates, rector of The Falls Church, Falls Church; the Rev. Andrew Merrow, rector, St. Mary’s, Arlington; former diocesan chancellor Hugo Blankingship, a communicant of The Falls Church; and Thomas Yates, former junior warden of Truro Church, Fairfax. The rest