The Sons of the Holy Cross - which is modeled partially on the existing ACNA order Daughters of the Holy Cross - was recently founded by ANiC members in the Langley / Abbotsford, BC area. This contemplative order for men is focused on a five-fold rule of: study/ meditation, prayer, work (public service), sacraments and friendship. As with the Daughters of the Holy Cross, Bishop Don Harvey is the patron. The organizers welcome inquiries from others, including those interested in perhaps starting new chapters. The intention is to remain grassroots-driven, with loosely connected chapters, no bureaucracy and no fees. Please see the website for details and contact information.

Archbishop Foley Beach, Primate of our Province, speaking at the Anglican Church in North America Council annual meeting in June, reported that "After 6 years as a Province, we have almost a thousand churches, over 111,000 members, over 1700 clergy, 29 dioceses, plus the Jurisdiction for the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy, [and] 51 bishops. We have over 350 missionaries serving in cross-cultural ministry around the world through the Global Anglican Mission Partners, and we have hundreds of parishes engaged in Matthew 25 kinds of ministry to the poor and neglected people in our communities." Read his full report here.

In May, a team from ANiC visited REC churches in Cuba founded by the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC), a sister ACNA diocese. A number of ANiC – and now ACNA – parishes are partnering with these Cuban churches. While in Cuba, the team was able to attend the third synod of the Reformed Episcopal Diocese of Cuba. They write, "All of us agreed it was one of the finest Synods we have experienced… The Cuban church has truly come of age". The team reports that "…the church in Cuba is prevailing against harsh obstacles… Through Moore College extension from Australia, clergy are being educated... Evangelists are being raised up and mission stations are springing up all over Cuba… Clergy are being powerfully led and pastored by Bishop William our Cuban Bishop… Without financial aid clergy would need three jobs to put basics food on the table, leaving no time for the work of ministry and the growth of the church."

There are now 17 church partnerships between Cuban churches and ACNA churches. Would your parish consider sponsoring a Cuban church? For information see the ANiC website – where you'll find photos, a video, Bishop William's charge to synod, and contact information for the Rev Barclay Mayo who coordinates ANiC's work with the REC Cuban churches. Please continue to pray for the Church in Cuba.

Bishop Trevor Walters' recently published book, EAS Syndrome: Healing Burnout in Adults Lacking Parental Affirmation, can be obtained for a 55 per cent discount when quantities of 10 or more are ordered from distributor Midpoint Trade books. For information see the ANiC website.

Bishop Don Harvey, ANiC’s Episcopal Vicar and founding Diocesan Bishop, has accepted an invitation to become the new Provincial Chaplain of the ACNA’s Order of the Daughters of the Holy Cross. His three-year term lasts through 2019. Currently ANiC has only one chapter of the Daughters of the Holy Cross based on Langley BC. Bishop Don would love to see this Order grow during his chaplaincy, with chapters springing up across ANiC.

Paul+, who is rector of ANiC’s St Peter & St Paul’s (Ottawa, ON) as well as diocesan canon for special events and secretary for the ANiC Council, is rector-elect of one of the largest churches in the ACNA, Christ Church (Plano, TX).  His transition timing will depend upon the immigration process. For more information, see Christ Church's website. Paul+ will succeed Canon David Roseberry.

Bishop Trevor Walters is the proud author of a newly published book: EAS Syndrome: Healing Burnout in Adults Lacking Parental Affirmation. [Note: EAS stands for “External Affirmation Syndrome".] The book, which was undertaken in collaboration with a well-known psychiatrist, addresses the question of why so many clergy – and others – burnout in midlife, with an estimated 1500 pastors in the US alone abandoning their ministries each month. Surprisingly, the main cause of burnout is not simply stress but an unmet need for external affirmation – a need rooted in childhood. Lacking affirmation from parents, especially fathers, many of us seek to get affirmation from those we serve, which can lead to burnout. Recognizing this underlying cause allows us take the needed steps to prevent and heal burnout. The book is available at Anglican House Publishers.

A forming congregation has been meeting regularly in Guelph under the pastoral leadership of the Rev Zena Attwood. This ANiC community, St Jude, Guelph, meets Sunday mornings at 10:30am for a Bible study followed by Eucharist. With the Anglican Church of Canada recently closing churches in Guelph, St Jude member D’Arcy Luxton hopes that disenfranchised Anglicans in the area will be encouraged to find a new home in St Jude. A local media article was most supportive of St Jude. Anyone interested in learning more about this forming congregation can email stjudeguelph@gmail.com or call D’Arcy at 519-846-0483.