We are the Diocese of Virginia chapter of the American Anglican Council (AAC), which seeks to uphold Biblical orthodoxy in the Episcopal Church and in Anglicanism in North America and worldwide. To learn more about the national AAC, or to join, click on the sidebar. At the AAC national site, you can read our confession of faith, “A Place to Stand.”

We are a network of individuals (both lay and clergy), and congregations in the Diocese of Virginia who have affiliated with the national AAC. We work locally, both to influence others in our Diocese toward orthodoxy, and to help bring about and shape the realignment of Anglicanism in our Diocese, state, and metropolitan areas. We provide information, prayer and practical support.

Affiliated congregations and their designated lay representatives, as well as any AAC clergy, meet monthly to discuss developments, share perspectives, and to plan common mission. These meetings usually take place at Truro Church in Fairfax City. For more information about these meetings, contact Jan Welch at alleluia@starpower.net.
08 Oct 2004

PURPOSE
1. The American Anglican Council of Virginia (AAC-VA) is a network of parishes, ministries, and individuals, within the Diocese of Virginia who affirm biblical authority and classical Anglican faith.
2. In response to God’s grace, we commit ourselves to proclaiming the Good News to every person and to strengthen the unity, work, and witness of the Diocese.
3. We will promote the growth and vitality of parishes and missions as the focal point of the church’s life and ministry.
4. We will encourage people of biblical faith who stand for Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in the midst of the challenges of contemporary culture and misleading religious teaching.
5. We will encourage the recruitment, formation, and deployment of visionary leaders for the church.
6. We pledge commitment to prayer as the source of our strength and confidence for the work to which we have been called.
7. We will make the Great Commission the measure of every aspect of the church’s life.

POLICIES
1. AAC-VA is a chapter of the American Anglican Council and will reflect the policies of the national body in its own policies and activities.
2. AAC-VA will be a voice in the Diocese of Virginia for the classical Anglican message of hope based on the truth of the Christian gospel. The AAC-VA seeks to build unity in the Diocese, relying on the same principles of Christian unity stated in the Chicago-Lambeth quadrilateral, namely (p. 877 BCP):
A. The Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments as the revealed Word of God.
B. The Nicene Creeds as the sufficient statement of Christian faith.
C. The two Sacraments, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord, ministered with unfailing use of Christ’s words of institution and of the elements ordained by Him.
D. The Historic Episcopate locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations ad peoples called of God into the unity of His Church.
3. We will emphasize the Anglican commitment to “hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” the Scriptures, and thereby convey the life-transforming power of the gospel.
4. We express our commitment to and love of the people and bishops of the Diocese
5. We commit ourselves to helping the Diocese fulfill its goal of doubling the number of baptized members by 2020.
6. In the Anglican spirit of using Scripture, tradition, and reason, we will advocate sound views to aid the people of the Diocese in discerning the Lord's will with respect to important contemporary issues.

MEMBERSHIP
All parishes, ministries, and individuals within the Diocese of Virginia who are members of the American Anglican Council are automatically members of the American Anglican Council of Virginia.

ORGANIZATION
1. Leadership Council
A. Membership
• Two voting delegates (lay or clergy) from each affiliated parish and ministry (additional attendees from each parish are always welcome).
• All clergy of affiliated parishes ex officio with voice and vote.
• Individual AAC members not members of affiliated parishes welcome to attend.
• Up to four at-large delegates chosen by the Leadership Council.
B. Officers
Officers of the Executive Committee (see below) shall also serve as officers of the Leadership Council.
C. Meeting Schedule
• Late September/early October -- discussion will include nominees for Diocesan Council offices, development of resolutions, approval of chapter budget for the coming year, and election of the Executive Council.
• January -- This meeting will routinely be held immediately prior to and in conjunction with the Annual Conference; discussion will focus on a review of pre-council materials and developments.
• Late February/March -- discussion will include a response to the actions of diocese council.
• Late April/May -- a retreat meeting to develop chapter program strategy.
• It is also anticipated that special meetings will be scheduled prior to and after General Convention.
2. Executive Committee
A. Shall comprise a chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer chosen by and from the Leadership Council at the late September/early October meeting. There will be two additional members chosen by the Leadership Council. Each member of the executive committee will serve one-year term and will be re-elect able for additional terms.
B. The Executive Committee will meet monthly.
3. Parish Organization
Each affiliated parish is encouraged to establish a working group of parishioners who will focus on AAC initiatives and the life of the Diocese and the national church.
4. Regional Representative
Representatives will be identified in each region of the Diocese, whose primary task will be to greet newly arriving clergy and build connections within the AAC-VA network.
5. Committee Structure
Committees will be formed as required. They will be key working elements of the chapter. Membership will be drawn from the Leadership Council and volunteers from the member parishes. In addition to the Executive Committee, initially there will be five “standing” (or permanent) committees.
A. Planning Committee: Will focus on Diocesan and National issues, particularly Diocesan Councils and General Conventions with a view to developing, in concert with the national AAC, appropriate strategies in preparation for and effective responses as a follow-up to those events. Will keep alert to and develop appropriate responses to new groupings and developments within the Diocese and national church.
B. Program Committee: Will plan, coordinate, and implement chapter programs, especially the annual conference. Will encourage and assist with such programs as the AAC prayer initiative, international visitors, ALPHA, Faith Alive, and the Diocesan effort toward 20/20.
C. Membership Committee: Will keep track of and encourage Parish and individual members and encourage new memberships. Will recruit and assist members to participate in Diocesan and national organizations and activities and to consider becoming candidates for ordination.
D. Communications Committee: Will provide communications among all elements within and without the chapter including overseeing a website. In particular, will use all appropriate means to communicate with parishioners throughout the Diocese.
E. Development Committee: Will develop a stewardship plan and program to assure that the chapter has adequate financial resources.

CHAPTER COORDINATOR
Under the leadership of the Chapter Executive Committee, the salaried coordinator has the following responsibilities (Supporting/coordinating elements in parentheses):
1. Facilitate and provide staff support to the Executive Committee and other committees of the chapter.
2. Assist, coordinate, and provide oversight to ensure projects are properly executed (Program).
3. Work with the national office of the AAC to support national initiatives and strengthen national communications (Executive).
4. Organize meetings of the chapter and ensure that agendas are prepared and that minutes are maintained (Secretary).
5. Manage the office and maintain financial accounts and other administrative records (Treasurer/Development).
6. Promote the work of the chapter within the diocese using all available means including the Virginia Episcopalian, mailings, etc (Communications).
7. Ensure that chapter mailings are produced and distributed in a timely manner (Communications).
8. Encourage parish organizations and recruitment and oversight of all volunteers (Membership).
9. Maintain a current database of all members and affiliated parishes (Membership).
10. Maintain close contact with parish organizations and regional representatives and assure regular communications between them and the executive committee (Membership).

ANNUAL CONFERENCE
1. The principal public event of the Chapter will be an Annual Conference.
2. The Conference will be held each year.
3. The goal of the Conference will be to present a practical aspect of the Great Commission and to strengthen the work and witness of AAC-VA.
4. The Conference will be open to all.
08 Oct 2004