The 1988 General Convention directed the Standing Commission to explore the possibilities of dialogue with representatives of the Reformed Episcopal Church, a church originating in controversies within the Episcopal Church in the 19th century. An informal dialogue group was formed, drawn from the Philadelphia-Baltimore area. After meeting for several years to discuss such matters as authority, Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, and ordained ministry, the group recommended a formal dialogue be established. The General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church approved, and the 1994 General Convention approved "a dialogue with the Reformed Episcopal Church, the goals of which will include the basis for a mutual recognition of our ordained ministries". However the Reformed Episcopal Church later decided not to enter into formal dialogue with the Episcopal Church. In 2001 the EIR Office initiated contact with the Reformed Episcopal Church with the goal of re-establishing the dialogue.
Row 1 (left to right): The Most Rev. Walker Grundorf, Presiding Bishop
of the APA; The Rt. Rev. Edward Salmon, ECUSA Diocese of South Carolina;
The Rt. Rev. Leonard Riches, Presiding Bishop of the REC
Row 2: Mr. Frank Warren, APA; The Rev. Dr. Thomas Rightmyer, ECUSA;
Mrs. Diane Knippers, ECUSA; The Rt. Rev. Ray Sutton, REC
Row 3: The Rev. Paul Blankinship, APA; Dr. Thomas Ferguson, ECUSA; The
Rev. Dr. Stephen White, ECUSA; The Rev. Mark Clavier, APA; The Rt. Rev.
Royal Grote, REC; The Rev. Canon David Hicks, REC
