"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, from California, Pennsylvania, New Mexico,
New York, Illinois, Texas, South Carolina, and Florida, met for three
days of worship and fellowship during which many members talked about
specific concerns in their dioceses. Most of the groups are in the
minority in the leadership of their dioceses, many of which have joined
a newly formed network. Via Media USA has ongoing concerns that the
network's actions may ultimately result in schism within the national
church.

"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.
This meeting has helped us move closer together and has given us a
better working relationship."

The organization of Via Media USA is in its preliminary
stages and all of the represented 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 efforts 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," Griswold wrote.

END