Anglican Reformed Catholic Church Holds Historic First Synod in Birmingham

PRESS RELEASE

June 17, 2026

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Anglican Reformed Catholic Church (ARCC) convened its inaugural Synod in Birmingham, Alabama, from June 10–12, marking a milestone in the formation of this new ecclesial body rooted in Classic Anglicanism.

The opening Eucharist on June 10 featured the Consecration of the Venerable Andrew Hayler to the Episcopate. Bishop Hayler was elected in June 2023 by the Special Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy to serve as a Suffragan Bishop. He and his wife, Marissa, currently reside in Japan and will soon return to the United States. Acting under the appointment authority the House of Bishops hold over Suffragan Bishops, Bishop Hayler will provide episcopal care to the Diocese of St. Martin of Tours until an ordinary is either identified or elected.

The Synod also marked a significant transition in episcopal leadership. The Right Reverend Mark Nordstrom was elected and elevated on June 10 to serve as the second Bishop of the Special Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy, succeeding the Right Reverend Derek L. S. Jones, who founded the JAFC in early 2007. The Right Reverend Marshall MacClellan was installed as Coadjutor of the Special Jurisdiction. Until Bishop Nordstrom's election, Bishop Jones had served simultaneously as Bishop of the JAFC and as the Administrative Bishop overseeing the formation of the ARCC.

Ten days before the Synod, Bishop Jones and the ARCC Executive Committee received four churches into the ARCC, forming a new diocese: the Missionary Diocese of St. Simon of Cyrene. "We have been receiving requests from Anglican churches at a rate of about three per month since January but have been careful not to admit anyone until this past week," said Mrs. Samantha Vance, Chairman of the ARCC Executive Committee. ARCC leadership had held applications pending until the Constitution and Canons reached a provisional state. Notably, at least two additional churches, after watching the opening Eucharist online, immediately reached out expressing a desire to join what the ARCC describes as its "restorative" work.

The Reverend Canon Rob Jackson, serving as a U.S. Army Chaplain and as the Canon to the Ordinary for the Special Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy (Anglican Chaplains®), called it a landmark gathering. "This was our best gathering in the nearly nine years I have been with Anglican Chaplains® — everyone was excited, downright ecstatic, about approving our Provisional Canons. It doesn’t surprise anyone that there is such a high level of interest in what the ARCC is doing and what Classic Anglicanism is about."

Several dignitaries attended the Synod as observers and were given voice and, in some cases, full participation in ARCC proceedings — an unusual gesture of welcome. One visiting Archbishop who leads a small continuing communion, and who has been in dialogue with the ARCC since February, entered a formal concordat with the ARCC. A formal announcement will be released soon. The ARCC House of Bishops also responded with their thanks to several Anglican provinces who quietly conveyed their prayers and support. Asked about these conversations, Archdeacon Kenneth Gillespie, Dean of the ARCC, remained measured: "We have been purposeful not to discuss publicly any current dialogues in progress – we’ll not disclose any of the ministry and partnership work the ARCC is currently developing until an appropriate time." The ARCC also remains resolute in its decision not to respond to the plethora of misleading and outright false statements being published in tabloid news and on social media.

In a capstone moment for the Synod, the House of Bishops elected Bishop Jones to serve as the ARCC's first Archbishop. While the “laying on of hands” has already taken place, a formal Installation Service will be scheduled to celebrate this milestone.

POC: Mrs. Sherry Richmond, Director of Communications, Send inquiries to: Communications@TheARCC.org