Fort Worth Via Media Statement

Since its inception in 2004, Fort Worth Via Media has worked diligently to keep the people of the Diocese of Fort Worth informed and has looked for ways to encourage and empower them to remain in the Episcopal Church. One of the ways has been to bring in speakers such as Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies, Fr. Tom Woodward, Nancy Key, and Fr. Mark Harris. Our efforts have begun to produce results.

Through heightened awareness from our speaker program, and the urgency created by the first vote of the diocesan convention at its meeting last November to leave the Episcopal Church, groups of concerned laity and clergy have sprung up in different parts of the diocese. These groups are strongly advocating staying in the Episcopal Church

This increased activity of opposition to the policies of the current diocesan leadership has led to the development of an umbrella organization of clergy and laity which has taken the name “Steering Committee North Texas Episcopalians.” The Steering Committee is comprised of members of Fort Worth Via Media, newly formed groups Steadfast Episcopalians, North Texans Remain Episcopal, Remain Episcopal of Granbury, plus additional lay representatives and clergy from various parishes and missions in the diocese.

The primary objectives of this combined group are to remain in the Episcopal Church and to continue the work of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth as a constituent part of the Episcopal Church. This umbrella organization has been officially recognized as a Texas nonprofit corporation by the Secretary of State. Bylaws have been adopted and a Statement of Mission and Beliefs has been developed for release to the public. Identifying additional persons in diocesan parishes and missions who support staying in the Episcopal Church is one of the Steering Committee’s first items of business.

Fort Worth Via Media and the other advocacy groups will continue to do their work and coordinate their activities with the Steering Committee. The bottom line is that we have made a giant leap in having our voices heard! We want to let you know the good news of what is happening. More information will be forthcoming. Attached below is the Statement of Mission and Beliefs which has been adopted.

From your Executive Committee of
Fort Worth Via Media,

George Komechak, President
Ed Adcock, Vice-president
Laura Adcock, Secretary
Margaret Mieuli, Treasurer
Lynne Minor, Via Media USA Representative
John Morgan, Webmaster
Katie Sherrod, At Large

For information on the continuing Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth in communion with the General Convention of TEC, visit the umbrella group to which Fort Worth Via Media belongs, the Steering Committee of North Texas Episcopalians. Click here.

Statement of Mission and Beliefs Steering Committee North Texas Episcopalians

We are committed to the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth as a fully participating, constituent part of the Episcopal Church. Recognizing that the church has need of everyone, we will work to ensure that everyone is welcome and that diversity is celebrated in this diocese. We will look for the image of God in everyone, most particularly with those who differ from us, and we will always seek to reflect in our lives the love and charity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We recognize the Episcopal Church of the United States as the American expression of Anglicanism and will remain members of it.

We affirm the hierarchical structure of the Episcopal Church as critical to its polity. We recognize the bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies as central to our orderly governance. Moreover we honor the ministry of our Presiding Bishop and Primate.

We will work to identify faithful Episcopalians and provide encouragement and pastoral care for those who do not want to leave the Episcopal Church. We invite the laity to help develop our vision and to implement it in a lively partnership with our clergy. We will resist efforts to remove parishes, property or assets from the Episcopal Church.

We treasure the splendid diversity of the Episcopal Church, and we faithfully pledge to hold open a place in it for those with differing points of view. To anyone who feels torn, confused or marginalized, or who has left the church, we invite you to come home. You are needed.

We seek prayerfully to reconcile with any who contemplate leaving the Episcopal Church by inviting them into dialogue, by listening to them with open hearts and minds and by affirming that they too are valued members of this great church.

We pledge ourselves to Christian service, striving to do all such good works as God has prepared for us to walk in, and seeking always to build up the Body of Christ where we live, where we work and where we worship.

The Steering Committee North Texas Episcopalians (Steering Committee)

The Steering Committee represents Episcopalians in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth who in and through the Episcopal Church celebrate and proclaim the gracious love of Jesus Christ for all people. The Steering Committee governing board is composed of clergy and lay representatives of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, including members of Fort Worth Via Media, Steadfast Episcopalians, North Texans Remain Episcopal and Remain Episcopal Granbury.