News

Immanuel Church featured in the media ...

ANiC’s Immanuel Anglican Church and its rector the Rev Simon Neill are featured in the current issue of (BC’s) the Light Magazine. Speaking of Immanuel’s community outreach activities, the Light Magazine writes: “Broadway and Commercial was the main gang recruitment area in Vancouver. Through our Freelife Project, working with Youth for Christ, we hang out with young people in the area, using a bus with video games.” They also work on substance abuse issues with Union Gospel Mission and Partners in Hope.” You can read it all here.

ANiC council meeting highlights ...

Highlights of ANiC’s council meeting at the end of November include:

•	Bishop Don formally designated Bishop Charlie Masters, our newly elected coadjutor, as chair of council and the executive committee of council. In order to take on this new responsibility, Bishop Charlie stepped down from his long-time role as ANiC’s national director. John MacDonald will now assume this position.
•	Gratitude was expressed to Bishop Don for his long-time chairmanship of council and to retiring council members: Michael Bentley, Archdeacon Dan Gifford, the Rev Ray David Glenn and the Rev Mike Stewart.
•	Bishop Charlie appointed Bishop Ron Ferris to head a taskforce to consider the relationship of the various components of all aspects of Church governance.
•	The following were appointed: Treasurer, Michael Bentley; Secretary of Council, the Rev Paul Donison; members of the Executive Committee of Council will be Bishop Charlie, the Rev George Sinclair, Victoria Huyer, Dave Gibbs and Claus Lenk; Chair of Canons and Constitution Committee, Victoria Huyer;Chair the of Audit and Finance Committee, Ed Lewis; Chair of the Legal Committee, Chancellor Mike Donison; Chair of Church Planting, Archdeacon Michael McKinnon. The Nominating Committee Chair will be determined later.
•	Council approved a motion to allow Asian & Multicultural Ministries in Canada (AMMIC) to be incorporated in order to facilitate its ministry.
•	The financial report for the first four months of our current fiscal year – which runs from July through June – was encouraging, showing we are doing slightly better than anticipated.
•	Council is planning to meet in person three more times before next synod.

Asian & Multicultural Ministries in Canada (AMMiC) video ...

Those gathered in Ottawa for ANiC’s synod were treated to an inspiring presentation on AMMiC’s work ministering to immigrants from a variety of different ethnic backgrounds. As these ministries take root, congregations are forming and churches are being planted. AMMiC has set a goal of growing to 1000 members – from visible minorities – within five years.

An excellent 6-minute video shown to synod is now posted on the AMMiC website and YouTube. This would be an excellent video to show your congregation to give parishioners a sense to the multi-cultural breadth of ANiC’s ministry.

New ANiC council members elected ...

On the final day of synod, members elected council members to fill seven vacancies:

•	Two lay members were elected: Claus Lenk (re-elected) and Victoria Huyer
•	Five clergy members were elected: the Rev Darrell Critch (re-elected), Archdeacon Paul Crossland, the Rev Paul Donison, Archdeacon Michael McKinnon, and the Rev George Sinclair (re-elected).

These join three council members whose terms are continuing: David Gibbs, Ed Lewis and Joel Reinhardt. Council is chaired by ANiC’s moderator Bishop Don.

Co-adjutor bishop elected ...

Bishop Charlie Masters was elected as co-adjutor bishop for ANiC on November 14. He will take over from our moderator and diocesan Bishop Don Harvey when he steps down in mid-2014. Bishop Charlie has served as suffragan bishop for eastern Canada and ANiC’s national director.

The Right Rev Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham, appointed Archbishop of Canterbury ...

ANiC welcomes the appointment of Bishop Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury designate. With the rest of the Anglican Communion, we commit to upholding him in prayer, praying God will give him strength, wisdom, discernment, conviction of purpose and grace as he begins this challenge.

GAFCon 2 set for October 2013 ...

GAFCon 2 is now being planned for October 2013, date and location to be announced.

Welcoming new congregations to ANiC ...

Victoria, BC – Living Edge, an outreach ministry to the disadvantaged in Victoria’s Quadra district, has taken the step of becoming an official ANiC Project. This forming church is an offshoot of Church of Our Lord (Victoria). Its name signifies the Gospel message of new life, especially for those living on the margins of society. The name also denotes a fresh sense of excitement and vitality. See the Living Edge website for more.

Edmonton, AB – Bishop Donald Harvey was in Edmonton on October 12 to welcome into ANiC the Rev Robert Gomowed and the congregation of Holy Trinity Filipino Anglican Church. More than 70 attended the launch service. Holy Trinity is ANiC’s first congregation in Edmonton. See more on Holy Trinity.

Winnipeg, MB – On October 14, Bishop Don was in Manitoba to ordain the Rev Denys Scully to the priesthood and install him at St David’s the Faithful, ANiC’s first congregation in the city of Winnipeg. About 70 attended the ordination which was held at Church of the Resurrection (Brandon). Photos are posted on the Church of the Resurrection website. See St David’s website for more.

Bishop Trevor ministers in South Sudan ...

Bishop Trevor Walters, ANiC’s suffragan bishop for western Canada, is joining three others on a mission trip to South Sudan with SOMA USA (Sharing of Ministries Abroad). The team was invited by Bishop Abraham of Aweil Diocese in the Episcopal Church of the Sudan to lead a clergy conference and preach in local churches. The team will also show by their presence that the people there are not forgotten; we support our Christian brothers and sisters in Sudan and South Sudan. Bishop Trevor leaves October 30 and asks prayer for safety as they travel in a country still beset by violence. Also please pray for Christians in both Sudan and South Sudan who continue to suffer so much persecution and hardship.

Diocese appeals court decision not to award costs ...

In a decision released on September 26, Justice H A Rady of the Superior Court of Ontario denied the Diocese of Huron’s bid to exact legal costs from the leadership and parish of ANiC’s St Aidan’s (Windsor, ON). He says: “…I have come to the conclusion that it would be fair and just that the parties bear their own costs.” The Diocese of Huron had been seeking $445,486.37 from the people of St Aidan’s and has now appealed this decision. Your prayer support is appreciated.

Japanese ministry marks first adult baptism ...

The Japanese ministry in Vancouver which was recently launched by ANiC’s Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada (AMMiC) will have its first adult baptism this month with the Rev Shihoko Warren officiating. Monthly services for the Japanese ministry are being planned.

Theological training opportunities ...

Ottawa Theological College, which is affiliated with Church of the Messiah (Ottawa) began offering classes this fall. Of the 13 people registered, half are from other denominations. The mission is to equip workers for confident Gospel ministry; the long-tern goal is for the college to offer a Master of Divinity degree, as well as incorporate a distance learning option. A week-long "Introduction to the Old Testament: Pentateuch" course will run October 22-26, taught by Dr Carluci dos Santos. Some full bursaries are available for ANiC pastors and staff. See the college website <http://ottawatheologicalcollege.ca/> for course information. Contact John to register and to request a billet.

Saint Matthew’s (Abbotsford) School of Life and Ministry began its second term earlier this month, with an intriguing curriculum. Details are on the school’s website: www.smlm.ca

Church merger brings together congregations from two ACNA dioceses ...

On Sunday, October 7, Bishop Donald Harvey will be in Victoria to inaugurate – with much joy and thanksgiving – a new church comprising two previously separate congregations. The Reformed Episcopal Church of Our Lord and ANiC’s Christ the King are joining together and taking on the name of Church of Our Lord (or COOL for short). COOL will be an ANiC congregation with the blessing of Reformed Episcopal Bishop Charles Dorrington. The clergy of COOL were welcomed into ANiC earlier this summer, transferring from the Reformed Episcopal Church Diocese of Western Canada and Alaska.

COOL’s long-time rector the Rev Dr Rod Ellis will serve as co-rector of the new church together with the Ven Ron Corcoran, who has been Christ the King’s rector since its inception. Over the past few weeks, clergy and staff have been busy moving into – and making room for – shared office space in COOL’s historic building.

COOL has a long and venerable history dating back to 1874. Last year, COOL graciously allowed ANiC to use their historic church building for our synod in Victoria.

A big “Welcome” to all those who have joined ANiC through this merger.

Welcoming a growing Victoria church plant and its priests ...

The Table, an innovative church plant in Victoria, BC was welcomed into ANiC recently. The rector and associate priest, the Revs Josh Wilton and Andy Withrow were also given ANiC licences by Bishop Don. The Table was previously associated with the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA), but has worked closely with both ANiC and Reformed Episcopal churches in Victoria.

The Table launched about two years ago and now has ten home groups with about 130 members. The congregation, which usually meets as a larger group every other Sunday afternoon in Church of Our Lord’s facilities, is largely comprised of students, young professionals and young families. Many of these have come to Christ through the ministry of The Table. Because of the youthfulness of its congregation, The Table depends on external donors for more than half of its budget. For more information on this exciting ministry see The Table’s website. (Be sure to watch the videos!)

Mission trip planned to explore partnerships with Anglican churches in Cuba ...

Clergy and church leaders are invited to apply to accompany Bishop Trevor Walters on a mission trip to Cuba, 1-12 February 2013. Bishop Trevor says, “This trip is open to leaders from ANiC parishes which are open to establishing a financial partnership with a Cuban Anglican church.” There is no cost to the individual; Hungry for Life – a mission agency with a heart for promoting direct relationships between Canadian Christians and those in developing countries – is both organizing and fully sponsoring the trip.

The churches in Cuba have been planted through the efforts of the Reformed Episcopal Church Diocese of Western Canada and Alaska and particularly Bishop Charles and Claudia Dorrington’s faithful ministry. Bishop Charles says, “God has blessed the work in Cuba with tremendous growth and our diocese welcomes the partnership of ANiC churches in sharing with us in both the financial support and spiritual blessing of this ministry.”

Application forms are available here. For more information email Bishop Trevor

New works beginning ...

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Ladysmith on Vancouver Island – The Rev Doug Patstone is beginning to gather a group in the Ladysmith area with the hope that a church plant will result. If you, or someone you know, lives in the area and would like to get involved, please contact Doug at douglas.patstone@gmail.com.

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Edmonton, AB - Edmonton, AB – On October 12, Bishop Don will be meeting with a forming congregation in Edmonton which serves primarily Canadians of Filipino origin. The meeting and fellowship time begins at 5:30pm and will celebrate the licencing of the congregation’s pastor the Rev Robert Gomowed. It will be at the Mac Café & Juice Bar, 16615 – 83 Avenue, Edmonton. The congregation already meets weekly, usually on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, in a variety of locations, but is looking for a church facility to rent.

Training in Bible knowledge and discipleship ...

Ottawa Theological College, which is affiliated with Church of the Messiah, Ottawa and Saint Matthew’s School of Life and Ministry in Abbotsford, BC are offering courses that will appeal to anyone wanting to deepen their Bible knowledge and strengthen their relationship with God.

•	Ottawa Theological College – For those in the Ottawa area, check out the Ottawa Theological College website where you can explore the full curriculum as well as investigate the various certificate, diploma and degree tracks offered.
•	Saint Matthew’s School of Life and Ministry offers a variety of classes as well. In the 2012 fall session, you can take classes which explore the Jewish roots of Christianity, Anglican traditions and Christian literature – among others. Contact St Matthew’s or register online .

Welcome ...

To a new ANiC priest – Bishop Don recently gave an ANiC licence to the Rev Fred Carson of Waterford, ON, a retired priest who transferred into ANiC from the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA).

To Resurrection Anglican Community Church (Kelowna, BC) – After a year of meeting for Bible study on Wednesday evenings, the former Kelowna Project has launched as an ANiC church plant with 10am Sunday services beginning September 16. The newly christened Resurrection Anglican Community Church will meet in a lovely, old heritage church building at 2279 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna. We rejoice with them in what God is doing in BC’s Okanagan Valley and pray for His hand of blessing to be on them as they gather orthodox Anglicans and seek to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who need the Saviour.

Two ANiC priests pass into glory ...

The Rev David Brown – David passed away on July 28 at the age of 86. Although retired from active ministry, he worshipped at ANiC’s The Open Gate (Victoria, BC). He served as a Royal Engineer in WW2 and later as a captain in the Church Army, before being ordained a priest. He made his commitment to Christ in1948 during a Billy Graham mission in London, England. Our condolences to David’s wife Dorothy and their family.

The Rev Jim Bennett – Jim’s funeral was held on August 31 at Marchmont Baptist Church in Orillia, Ontario. Jim, who was 80 years old, had retired from parish ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada’s Diocese of Montreal. He too had served as a Church Army officer and had fought in the Korean War. Jim came to Christ at a Leighton Ford Crusade. Our condolences to Jim’s wife Beth and the family.

We pray that both families will know God’s comfort and His peace during this time of sorrow.

ANiC welcomes 4 new churches and 9 clergy in July 2012 ...

Bishop Don has welcomed a number of clergy into ANiC recently.

Effective July 15, the following clergy, who transferred from the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA), became priests in the Anglican Network in Canada.

•	The Rev Dr David Bowler, Church of Our Lord (a missional community in Comox, BC)
•	The Rev David Hollebone, Church of Our Lord (a missional community in Comox, BC)
•	The Rev Simon Neill, rector, Immanuel Church (Vancouver, BC)
•	The Rev Benjamin Paulus, associate pastor, Immanuel Church (Vancouver, BC)
•	The Rev Ken Bell, St Timothy’s (North Vancouver, BC)

These five join the Reverend Barclay Mayo who transferred early this year, on the Feast of the Ascension.

Three priests were also welcomed into ANiC by Bishop Don, transferring from the Reformed Episcopal Church Diocese of Western Canada and Alaska.

•	The Rev Dr Rodney Ellis, rector Church of Our Lord (Victoria, BC)
•	The Rev Richard Montgomery, honorary assistant pastor, Church of our Lord (Victoria, BC)
•	The Rev Peter Umland, assistant pastor, Church of our Lord (Victoria, BC)

A new ANiC project has launched in Sarnia, ON under the leadership of the Rev Robert Roe – who was also welcomed into ANiC by Bishop Don. The congregation held its first service July 22 with 88 people in attendance. Please pray for this congregation as it becomes firmly planted.

Also several churches are transferring to ANiC from the Anglican Coalition in Canada (ACiC). While some church’s paperwork is still in process, two churches have been received recently:

•	St Timothy’s, a parish in North Vancouver, BC
•	Church of Our Lord, a mission in Comox, BC
•	Immanuel Church, a parish in Vancouver, BC

Please welcome and pray for these clergy and congregations as they adjust to our diocese.

Notice of election of co-adjutor bishop for ANiC ...

The nominating committee for the ANiC Episcopal Election, appointed by ANiC’s Council and chaired by Claus Lenk, has issued a notice that ANiC’s synod 2012 will be asked to elect a co-adjutor bishop who will succeed Bishop Don Harvey as moderator when he retires in July 2014. The Nominations Committee is putting forward three candidates: Bishops Ron Ferris, Charles Masters and Trevor Walters. Further nominations must be to Claus by September 14 to be considered by synod. For further information, see the notice of election.

Three ANiC parishes reach settlement with ACoC Diocese of Niagara ...

On May 31, three ANiC parishes – St George’s (Burlington), St Hilda’s (Oakville) and Church of the Good Shepherd (St Catharines) – finalized a negotiated settlement with the Anglican Church of Canada’s (ACoC) Diocese of Niagara. This resolves a five-year legal dispute initiated by the Diocese of Niagara against the three parishes – and even against individual leaders of the parishes – for control of parish properties. For more information on the details of the settlement, see ANiC’s news release.

Bishop Don speaks in England ...

While in London for the GAFCon leaders’ conference, our moderator Bishop Don Harvey will speak at Christ Church Beckenham on the evening of April 27. An email announcement of the meeting states that he will speak on the “encouragements and challenges facing the Anglican Church worldwide and especially of the situation faced in North America (Canada in particular) by orthodox believers in a context comparable to ours [in England].”

Building relationships with Lutheran Church-Canada (LCC) ...

ANiC’s moderator, Bishop Don Harvey was featured in a recent Canadian Lutheran online magazine article. The article featured the growing relationship between ANiC and our Lutheran counterparts. The article noted that:
“Friendly relationships between LCC and ANiC have begun to develop at a grass roots level as well. Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Vancouver, for example, welcomed disaffected Anglican congregation St Matthias and St Luke’s Church to share its facility after the congregation lost its property to the [Anglican Church of Canada]. Bishop Harvey thanked Bethlehem Lutheran for their generosity and hospitality, suggesting that the mutual congeniality between LCC and ANiC “comes from the discovery that our faith is built upon the same basic principles.””

The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) website reports that leaders from both the ACNA and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) met recently to begin an ecumenical relationship. Future meetings are planning to strengthen the relationship and explore opportunities for joint mission and service work through Lutheran and Anglican relief agencies.

ANiC delegates appointed for the ACNA Assembly 2012, June 7-9 ...

ANiC representatives at the 2012 Provincial Assembly in North Carolina in June by the following delegates:
Clergy delegates: the Rev Jonathan Gibson, the Rev Keith Ganzer, the Very Rev Archie Pell and the Ven Michael McKinnon (alternates: the Rev Dwight McPherson, the Rev Dr Joy Vernon and the Rev Tom Carman)
Lay delegates: Claus and Heather Lenk

While these are ANiC’s official delegates, all ANiC members are welcome. Full information on speakers and the agenda is on the ACNA website. A youth gathering for ages 13-22 will run in conjunction with the Assembly as well. You can register online now. If you wish to promote the Assembly in your parish, you can download resources – such as bulletin inserts and bulletin announcements – from the ACNA website. The ACNA says, “Attendees can expect powerful worship that embraces the fullness of Anglican worship and identity and the beauty of our liturgy. Assembly 2012 will feature keynote speaker, Dr Ed Stetzer, and Bible teacher the Rt Rev Rennis Ponniah along with several other wonderful guests.” An interview with keynote speaker Ed Stetzer is posted on the ACNA website.

ANiC’s Facebook page ...

Have you visited ANiC’s Facebook page recently? You can see – and “like” it – here. If you can’t wait for the next newsletter to get ANiC news, consider following us on Facebook for up-to-the minute information. (Our thanks to ANiC’s admin pro Jessica Underdown for initiating this.)

Encouraging Church of England General Synod report on ACNA ...

The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) is welcoming a report to the Church of England (CoE) General Synod signed by the two senior Archbishops, the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and the Archbishop of York John Sentamu. The report was initiated by a General Synod motion on 10 February 2010 which recognized and affirmed the “desire of those who have formed the Anglican Church in North America to remain within the Anglican family”. The report states that clergy within ACNA are viewed in exactly the same way as Anglican clergy from Communion provinces outside the CoE and are equally “interchangeable” in terms of their ministry. It also notes that the ACNA as an institution is in an ongoing process of “open-ended engagement” with the institutions within the Anglican Communion.

In their analysis of this report, on the video news magazine Anglican Unscripted, long-time Anglican journalists Kevin Kallsen and the Rev George Conger speculate that this Church of England report, had it come out a year earlier, would have changed the outcome of the Supreme Court of Canada case which awarded ANiC church properties in the Vancouver area to the Anglican Church of Canada. In their view, it places ACNA on an equal footing with the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada.

In the ACNA’s response, Archbishop Bob Duncan said, “We are encouraged by the desire of the Church of England to continue to embrace the Anglican Church in North America and remain in solidarity with us as we proclaim the Gospel message and truth as revealed in Scripture in the way it has always been understood in Anglican formularies,” said Archbishop Duncan… “As we have demonstrated successfully to the GAFCON primates, the Anglican Church in North America remains committed to our growing relationships with Anglican provinces outside of North America. Our biblical orthodoxy and ministries are strengthening our bond to our Anglican brothers and sisters around the globe. We are gratified that we are already in a relationship of full communion with many Anglican Provinces and look forward to expanding that circle. “In that regard, we appreciate the work of the Faith and Order Commission of the Church of England, whose report and recommendations to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York form the basis of the document now released for General Synod…”

New multicultural ministries launched ...

ANiC’s Asian & Multicultural Ministries in Canada (AMMiC) is launching new ministries among Japanese-Canadians in the Vancouver area, among Iranian-Canadians in North Vancouver, and among Chinese-Canadians in both Calgary and Toronto.

The Japanese ministry is headed by Shihoko Warren who is currently building contacts and starting Bible studies. Church services may begin as early as May. Please pray for Shihoko and this ministry.

The Iranian ministry is a partnership between AMMiC and St John’s Vancouver and involves an existing group meeting for Bible study in North and West Vancouver. Please pray that God will graciously prosper this ministry.

A Calgary Chinese Bible study group that has been meeting for two years is a partnership between AMMiC and Good Shepherd Vancouver. The group comprises about 20-30 members, about half of whom are seekers. Bishop Stephen Leung, rector of Good Shepherd and bishop of AMMiC has arranged for the group to have part-time leadership from Tom Lo, an experienced evangelist and theology student in Calgary, beginning in February. Please pray for God’s blessing so that this group will ultimately form a church plant.

A Toronto Chinese ministry is also in the works.

Please email Ka Man Ng at the AMMiC of call 604 872-1884 if you are interested in being involved or know of someone who would be interested in any of these ministries.

Sojourners Fellowship launched ...

ANiC’s synod received a presentation on a new fellowship within ANiC which will be know as the Sojourners Fellowship The group is intended to encourage, disciple and connect “Anglican orphans” – those who do not have a Biblically faithful Anglican church nearby. The group will rely heavily on the Internet and social media, creating an online church community that will also reach out to seekers.

According to founder, Mark Larratt Smith, “Our purpose is to create a virtual fellowship of faithful Christians living in widely differing circumstances and locations, connected to the Worldwide Anglican Communion through the Anglican Network in Canada and committed to sharing the Gospel, building up the Church, and supporting one another as disciples of Jesus Christ.”

For information, or to get involved, email Mark or call (613)476-6539. The Fellowship also needs help from those with technical – and other – abilities who could help develop this online ministry.