Models of disassociation and property settlement

From The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia Press Release, December 2006:

Step 1 - "In October 2004, members of St. Charles’ and St. Stephen’s voted overwhelmingly to disassociate from the Episcopal Church. To remain in the Anglican Communion, St. Charles’ and St. Stephen’s came under the ecclesial oversight of the Diocese of Recife in Brazil. The two congregations are also aligned with the Anglican Communion Network which represents over one thousand congregations in North America. Members of St. Stephen’s who did not agree with that decision chose to continue the ministry of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in the Oak Harbor community and have been holding services in homes."

Step 2 - "The two-day mediation sessions that took place this past July 5-6 [2006] in Seattle were facilitated by the Rt. Rev. Edward S. Little, II, Bishop of Northern Indiana, and Judge Terrence Carroll, retired Washington State Superior Court Judge and a member of the Judicial Dispute Resolution Center in Seattle. Part of the mediation agreement included the acceptance of the terms by the governing bodies of the three churches and the Diocese of Olympia. The final agreed-upon covenant is the result of work that continued in the months since July."

Step 3 - "A covenant agreement between the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia and three congregations will allow St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Oak Harbor, Wash. and St. Charles’ Anglican Church in Poulsbo, Wash. to maintain their ongoing ministries in their current, respective locations. In addition, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church ministry will return to the Oak Harbor facility in a mutually agreed-upon relationship with the Anglican congregation. In effect until June 30, 2014, the agreement means St. Charles’ Anglican Church and St. Stephen’s Anglican Church will continue to use the existing church properties for a 7.5-year period. Additionally, the St. Stephen’s Episcopal congregation will have use of the Oak Harbor church building for Sunday worship and other programs on terms spelled out in the agreement."


The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, example A:

Step 1 - November 9, 2006, Diocese of Virginia, All Saints’ Church Agree on Disposition of Property . . . Today, the Bishop of Virginia, the diocesan Standing Committee, the diocesan Executive Board and the Vestry of All Saints’ Church, Dale City announce that they have reached an agreement on the disposition of real and personal property in the event that the congregation of All Saints’ Church votes to end its affiliation with The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Virginia when it holds a congregational meeting in early December. . . . Though details of the agreement are not public, the general provisions provide for the transfer of title to the consecrated property on Saratoga Lane – the church building where the congregation currently worships -- from trustees for the congregation to the Diocese. The Saratoga Lane property is subject to a mortgage of about $188,000 from the Diocesan Missionary Society which the Diocese has agreed to assume. The Diocese will lease the property to the congregation for five years at $1 rent per year while All Saints’ proceeds with a building program on other property. The congregation will bear responsibility for all costs associated with use of the Saratoga Lane property, including utilities, insurance, routine maintenance and capital repair. In addition, the Diocese has agreed to release its claim to a piece of unimproved, unconsecrated property on Gideon Drive in Dale City which the congregation purchased in 2001 with the expectation of building a new church. The congregation carries about $2.6 million in debt on the property.

Step 2 - December 11, 2006; disaffiliation vote.


The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, example B:

Step 1 - Truro, Falls Church, and several other churches voting to leave the Episcopal Church.

Step 2 - To be determined.