When the Anglican District of Virginia began in December 2006, it began with 14 congregations, then grew to 18 congregations, and in March 2008 includes  21 congregations.   The growth has not stopped.  It continues.  While the number of congregations has grown, the number of members has grown as well, but we are seeing new growth take place in the Anglican District of Virginia. 

One of the areas that is growing is the development of Mission Fellowships. A mission fellowship is a small group of people of usually 10 or more people who, in order to remain faithful to their Anglican heritage and orthodox Christian beliefs, have departed from The Episcopal Church and meet together in homes, schools, and other available spaces.  The goal for the mission fellowships is to grow into viable and sustainable Anglican congregations in their communities.  Because of the size of these groups, they cannot afford a full-time clergy person as of yet and are led by lay people. 

Since October, one of the goals of the ADV Church Planting Committee has been to try to have supply clergy at least once a month for Holy Communion for these mission fellowships. ADV has a pool of clergy who travel to the mission fellowships on a monthly basis somewhat similar to the circuit riders of American church history. 

These mission fellowships range in age from just a few months to 4 years.   The Church Planting Committee is appointing a Task Force to work with the mission fellowships in both scheduling of clergy, training and identifying opportunities for growth. 

Where are these mission fellowships one may ask.  Currently there are three mission fellowships within ADV:  The Anglican Mission of Southern Maryland, The Anglican Church of the Valley and the Orange Anglican Fellowship.  

The Anglican Mission of Southern Maryland has been in existence for almost 4 years and meets every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center in California, Maryland for worship.  You can visit the website at www.amosm.info. 

The Orange Anglican Fellowship, in Orange Virginia, currently meets at the home of one of its members but hopes to move to a public worship space soon.

The Anglican Church of the Valley, in Staunton, Virginia,  meets each Sunday morning at 10:00 am for Sunday School and at 11:00 a.m. for worship in the fellowship hall of the Staunton, Virginia Seventh Day Adventist Church.  Its website is http://www.anglicanchurchofthevalley.org/. 

All of the mission fellowships welcome visitors and are looking to grow. If you would like more information on the Anglican District of Virginia mission fellowships, please feel to contact James Guthrie Communications Coordinator for the ADV at 703-273-1300 ext 440.  James serves on the Task Force of the Church Planting Committee for Mission Fellowships.