AMESBURY, MASS: Anglicans Found New Atlanta Area Diocese

From VirtueOnline:

June 9, 2010

The Provincial Council of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) unanimously recognized the Anglican Diocese of the South at its meeting in Amesbury, Massachusetts.

More than 1,500 Anglicans from 20 churches in four states (AL, GA, NC, TN) have joined together to form the new regional diocese.

Following the Provincial Council's meeting, the ACNA's College of Bishops elected the Rev. Dr. Foley Beach as the first bishop of the new diocese.

Bishop-elect Beach, who had been nominated by the diocese's inaugural Synod, is the Rector of Holy Cross Anglican Church in Loganville, GA. He is expected to be consecrated this Fall.

"I am looking forward to working together with the clergy and the people of the Anglican Diocese of the South in sharing the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those in our communities who don't know him," said Bishop-elect Beach. "Our purpose as a diocese is not to become a bureaucracy, but to become an agent for empowering congregations to share the Gospel through discipleship, teaching, and starting new congregations."

The churches who are members and partners of the Anglican Diocese of the South are all within a four hour driving distance from Atlanta. (see list below)

"At the ACNA's inaugural assembly last summer, we set a goal of planting 1,000 churches in North America within the next five years," said ACNA Archbishop Bob Duncan. "I am thankful that the new Diocese of the South is committed to participating in that great work."

For more information on the Anglican Diocese of the South, contact Bishop-elect the Rev. Dr. Foley Beach, or to find a parish near you, go to www.adots.org.

"The Anglican Church in North America has 812 congregations in 20 dioceses. More than 200 other congregations are ministry partners with the Anglican Church, including the congregations of The Anglican Mission. The Anglican Church represents more than 100,000 Christians in North America. For more information about the Anglican Church, please visit http://www.anglicanchurch.net."

Anglican Diocese of the South Member and Partner Parishes

Christ Anglican Church, Birmingham, AL

St. Joseph's Anglican Church, Birmingham, AL

The Church of the Advent, Atlanta, GA

All Saints Anglican Church, Peachtree City, GA

Christ Church of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

Christ Anglican Church, Marietta, GA

Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, Flowery Branch, GA

Holy Cross Anglican Church, Loganville, GA

St. Peter's Anglican Church, Roswell, GA

Church of the Resurrection Anglican Communion, Riverdale, GA

Church of the Trinity of North Atlanta, Hiram, GA

Light of Christ Anglican Church, Marietta, GA

New Life in Christ Anglican Fellowship, Newnan, GA

Trinity Anglican Church, Douglasville, GA

All Saints Anglican Church, Atlanta, GA

St. Patrick's Anglican Church, Smyrna, TN

Hamilton Anglican Fellowship, Chattanooga, TN

Christ the King, Winchester, TN

Christ Anglican Church, Highlands, NC

Holy Trinity Anglican Church, North Augusta, GA END

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