Statement of
                                               Mrs. Barbara K. Sturman
                                                         Senior Warden
                                               Christ Church, Accokeek

                                                       August 29, 2002



       I stand here today with very mixed emotions. I am happy that this press
conference is bringing to a close a very unsettling time in the life of Christ Church
Accokeek.  After considerable negotiations with our new Bishop of Washington, John
Chane, and his assistant, Paul Cooney, we have reached a point where we, both the
Diocese of Washington and Christ Church, Accokeek, can currently exist together, while at the same time acknowledging some serious theological differences.

       All Christ Church Accokeek has ever wanted to do was to uphold the faith carried
down to us by our forefathers for generations, as it has been revealed to us through
Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and much prayer.

       Bishop John Chane has made a promise to us that he respects our devotion to
Christ and the way we practice our faith, and that he will allow us to continue with this
tradition, without interference from the diocese.

       I am very happy to announce that the Vestry of Christ Church, has called as its
Rector, Fr. Stephen Arpee. Both Fr. Arpee and his wife Janet have been working with us for months.  They provide stability, sound biblical theology, and a hometown down to earth family oriented approach, that is very compatible with our parish. In the midst of all the turmoil the diocese has put our small congregation through, Fr. Arpee has actually
married, baptized, and brought new members into this parish. He began a Sunday
evening prayer session for this congregation, the diocese and the world, and has started
a weekly evening bible study in different parishioners' homes. God is truly so good to
those who put their trust in him and through our darkest times, He has always provided.
We are grateful for the ministry of Fr. Apree and his wife and we know they will support
us in continued spiritual growth and commitment to Jesus Christ in our daily lives.

       The sad part of this press conference is that Christ Church Accokeek has to say a
final goodbye to a wonderful Rector and Priest in Fr. Samuel Edwards.  Not only do we
mourn the loss of him and his family, but also we mourn for the Episcopal Church to have
lost such a great and godly man. Fr. Edwards is a great scholar, a wonderful teacher of
Scripture, and a devout Christian. His presence, and that of his lovely family, will be
greatly missed.  Our love and prayers go with them.

       We at Christ Church Accokeek, would also like to take this opportunity to express
our deepest thanks for all the support we have received literally from across the
continent and around the globe.  Through the grace of God you have supplied us with
continual prayer, unending words of encouragement and generous financial support.  We
have been so touched by so many who have traveled long distances to join us on
Sundays to worship with us.  May God Bless you all.

       The Vestry would especially like to thank Fr. Charles Nalls for his legal expertise and
the monumental efforts he has made on our behalf.  We will be forever indebted to him.

       And finally, I would like to thank Bishop Chane for his willingness to take the time to
try to understand Christ Church Accokeek and the people’s lives that have been ripped
apart by the ordeal of the past year. Now we can begin to move forward with love and
trust. Hopefully, many relationships will be restored as together we learn anew the
meaning of Jesus' forgiveness. Some relationships may never be mended, and others only
partially, but we will do all that we can to seek reconciliation in our life together. If I
have learned nothing else, I have learned that anything is possible through faith in our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And we at Christ Church Accokeek continue to follow Him.
 
END