The American Anglican Council (AAC) will launch an extensive legislative and media effort at the Episcopal Church?s General Convention in Denver, July 2-14, 2000.  The AAC is a leading orthodox and mainstream Episcopalian organization working for the reformation and revival of the Episcopal Church. 

 The AAC?s Denver offices will be housed in the Denver Athletic Club (DAC), which is conveniently located next door to the Convention Center.  The DAC will be the site for a wide variety of legislative, non-legislative and media events (a schedule of events will be distributed on Monday, July 3rd).

The AAC will host the popular daily luncheon briefings in the DAC for bishops and deputies, as it did at the 1997 convention.  At these events AAC spokespersons will review the legislative events of the day and offer concise analysis from an orthodox perspective.

The AAC will assist deputies and bishops with a comprehensive legislative agenda.  On the international front, the AAC will encourage the Episcopal Church to take a decisive stand against human rights abuses such as international sex-trafficking and genocide in Sudan.  The AAC will also seek commitment by General Convention to offer relief for AIDS orphans in Africa.

Closer to home, the AAC will embrace a solidly pro-family agenda.  The AAC will aid deputies and bishops opposing actions that would approve same-sex unions or the ordination of non-celibate homosexuals.  We will actively support resolutions that strengthen marriage and the family, preserve the sanctity of life, and encourage teen abstinence.  The AAC will promote the spread of the Gospel and church growth through evangelism and church planting.

?The AAC isn?t simply going to Convention to say ?no,? but also to advance positive, biblical initiatives,? said Diane Knippers, co-chair of the AAC?s Legislative Task Force.  ?While we will resolutely oppose any attempt by the liberal revisionists to further hijack the Episcopal Church, we will promote change through proactive resolutions aimed at building a healthy, Gospel-focused Church.?

For the first time, the AAC will operate a separate media office out of which the AAC?s communications operations will be managed. Reporters wishing to interview AAC-related bishops or deputies are encouraged to contact the Media Office directly (see below).

The media office will publish a daily newsletter, Encompass, to encourage, inform, and challenge Episcopal leaders and deputies.   Additionally, the Media Office will be posting daily news on the AAC website, which can be found at www.americananglican.org.

On Tuesday morning, July 4, the AAC will hold a press conference to announce the launch of a groundbreaking new advertising campaign designed around the theme ?God?s Love Changed Me.?   A media advisory to be issued on Monday, July 3rd, will offer specific details on this major event.     

 ?The AAC has never before launched such a concerted media effort at a General Convention,? said Bruce Mason, AAC Media Officer.  ?Our goal is to promote reform through sharing the truth of God?s transforming love and by being a visible and vocal witness to the leaders of the Episcopal Church.?