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  Highlights of 2008 – a testimony to God’s grace
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29 December, 2008

My dear members and friends of our ANiC family,

This has been a year of historic highlights in the Anglican world as we have seen God move in unexpected ways to reform and restore His church. It is humbling to realize that we in the Anglican Network in Canada are privileged to be in the vanguard of this renewal.

However, we must be vigilant in all we do – as a Church, as parishes and as individuals – that we do not get caught up in “politics”, but remain focused on the mission our Lord gave His Church. Creating an orthodox Anglican Church in North America is worthwhile only if it advances Christ’s Kingdom. Our mission is not to build another organization. Our mission – the mission of Christ’s Church – is to spread the Good News and make disciples who are in love with the Lord – who eagerly study His Word, gladly submit to His will, and resolutely carry on His work.

Highlights of 2008 – a testimony to God’s grace
Our
Compelled by Christ’s Love conference in Delta (BC) in April was tremendous. Our Primate, Archbishop Greg Venables, and many other outstanding and godly speakers ministered to us from the Word. Thirty-three clergy received their official ANiC licences and 15 congregations were commissioned.

Now, only eight months later,
ANiC includes 25 churches with a number of other emerging congregations “waiting in the wings”. Most ANiC congregations were formed by orthodox Anglicans in dioceses that had abandoned established Christian doctrine and practice. While ANiC will always welcome and minister to such Anglicans, increasingly our focus must turn to evangelism – sharing the Joy of Christmas with those who have never heard. Our staff, while small, is dedicated to supporting clergy and congregations and facilitating their pursuit of mission – evangelism, discipleship and showing the love of Christ.

For me, the
Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCon) held in Jerusalem in June was a pinnacle experience – a taste of heaven. The unity in the Spirit was tangible. Although we were from the “four corners” of the earth, we all worshipped the same Lord, believed the same Truth and pursued the same mission. I pray that this same unity will continue to characterize us in our emerging North American province.

As a direct result of GAFCon and the request made by the GAFCon Primates’ Council, the Common Cause Partnership – which includes ANiC – announced earlier this month the creation of the
Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) – which we believe will eventually be recognized as a Province in the global Anglican Communion. Many of us in ANiC have been deeply involved in bringing this new North American church to fruition. One of the most encouraging aspects of this North American Church is how it is bringing unity out of brokenness and division within North American Anglicanism.

ANiC’s Inaugural Synod, held in November was, as promised, radically different from synods most of us experienced in the past. While we conducted the necessary business of synod – passing canons, motions and an interim constitution – our focus was on corporate worship, prayer, teaching from the Word, and encouraging one another with testimonies of how God is working in our parishes and ministries
Who could have imagined just 12 months ago all that transpired this year? After years of seeming inaction and endless talk, to suddenly see things come together so quickly and decisively – well, it almost takes my breath away.

Looking forward to 2009 – in complete dependence on God
Even as we give glory to God for all He has done this past year, we look forward expectantly to what He will do in 2009.

Our primary focus will continue to be parish ministry. Although there is great excitement around the formation of the new North American Church – and many ANiC leaders are deeply involved and working hard in various aspects of its formation – we are very conscious that ACNA, like ANiC, exists to support the ministry of local churches and provide us all with a stable connection to orthodox Anglicans around the world.

Two significant events are planned for the first six months of 2009:
The ANiC Clergy Retreat, March 3 - 5. The keynote speaker is the Canon Dr Chris Sugden, General Secretary of Anglican Mainstream in the UK. Please consider encouraging your clergy to attend.
The Anglican Church in North America is tentatively planning its inaugural “Provincial Assembly” (ie General Synod) for 22-25 June 2009 in Texas.

May God bless you and keep you throughout 2009.

With love and best wishes,

Bishop Don Harvey


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