The Falls Church Day School & Split with Episcopal Church/Nigeria?

[Anonymous]

We are interested in the Falls Church Day School for a pre-school, but I am uncertain how they fit in with the Falls Church split from the U.S. Episcopal Diocese and subsequent joining with the diocese in Nigeria.

Does anyone have firsthand knowledge of how the pre-school has been effected, either on the administration level or the general faith philosophy? I am assuming the religious principles they teach wouldn't be effected by the split, but if they are teaching a lack of tolerance for women clergy, gays, or interfaith marriage, I would certainly want to know about that in advance. I am uncertain from their website how closely the preschool's principles follow that of the congregation. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I don't have personal experience with the school, but find the whole thing odd. The church is very evangelical, which goes against everything I know about Episcopalians.

[Anonymous]

I attended a service there about ten years ago at which there was a sermon that clearly promoted a lack of tolerance for gays. They were pushing their members to attend a coming "Promise Keepers" convention.

I don't know about if/how they've evolved since then, or how they feel about your other concerns. I am a straight Episcopalian, and was new to the area. I didn't return to the Falls Church again.

[Anonymous]

The current denomination is pretty intolerant. The preschool does have a very religious bent, so definitely do your homework before considering it for your family.

[Anonymous]

The U.S. Episcopal Church--known at The Falls Church (Episcopal)--lost their facilities in the split (there is an ongoing lawsuit on this). The Nigerian-supported Anglican church has the facilities and would presumably be running the preschool.

I know some very nice people on both sides of this split, but being a very socially liberal person, I don't think I could darken the door of the Anglican Falls Church.

I would strongly recommend talking to current parents, going on a tour, visiting the classrooms. IMHO, even if the classroom instruction isn't super conservative, it is very likely that the parents and families of the children will be. I wouldn't fit in well, and much of what makes a preschool a good fit for the kid is if it is a good fit for the families.