Northern California Diocese, Church Reach Settlement

From The Living Church:

Posted on: May 21, 2009

The Diocese of Northern California announced May 20 that a settlement agreement has been reached with a group of former Episcopalians who left the church to form St. John’s Anglican Church, Petaluma, Calif.

The Anglican congregation has been worshiping at the church building where Episcopal services were held prior to a parish vote in December 2006. Those members who wanted to remain Episcopalian began meeting on Sunday evening as the guests of Elim Lutheran Church in Petaluma. The agreement calls for the Episcopal congregation to take possession of the church property on July 1, according to the diocesan announcement.

“Under the agreement, property will be returned to St. John’s Episcopal Church,” the diocesan statement reported. “The agreement follows peaceful and respectful settlement discussions.”

The Rev. David Miller, rector of St. John’s Anglican Church, confirmed that an agreement with the diocese had been reached, but said the parish leadership would not be making any announcement for at least another week.