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ANiC news
ANiC
and ACNA events calendar
January 18-26 – St John’s, NL mission team ministering with Bishop
Charlie Masters in Guatemala
January 30-31 – Southern Ontario clergy
gathering, near Milton, ON
February 3 – The Revs Melvin
Tai and Len Finn ordained priests, Christ the
King (Toronto)
February 10 – ACNA World Missions Sunday
February 16 – Liveword Women’s Conference,
Vancouver, BC – Theme: “On eagle’s wings”
March 4-6 – ACNA’s 2013 Anglican 1000 church planting summit in Wheaton,
IL
March 11-13 – 2013 ANiC Clergy
Retreat with Canon Phil Ashey at Cedar Springs, Washington
March 13-15 – Leadership Training Institute 2
at Cedar Springs, Washington
April 17-19/20 – ANiC regional
assemblies in both Vancouver and Burlington
May 13-15 – ACNA clergy women’s retreat in
Woodbridge, Virginia
October 2013 – GAFCon 2 planned for Nairobi, Kenya
Announcements from our Moderator
In a New Year’s letter, Bishop
Don Harvey, announced that:
Three of ANiC’s Manitoba congregations – in
Brandon, Dauphin and Kinosota – have been transferred to the eastern area
of our diocese while remaining under Archdeacon Paul Crossland.
All Saints Anglican (Rutland, VT) is now a full parish in ANiC and its mission priest, Father Dwight MacPherson,
is now the rector.
Two clergy in ANiC have been honoured by Bishop Don
with the title of Canon in recognition of their service to ANiC: Canon George Sinclair and Canon Tom Carman.
ANiC regional assemblies, April 17-19/20
Three ANiC assemblies are planned for mid April: ANiC eastern assembly, ANiC western assembly and ANiC Asian and multicultural
(AMMiC) assembly. The theme for all three assemblies, “Him we proclaim…
presenting everyone mature in Christ”, is drawn from Colossians 1:28.
The ANiC eastern assembly will be held April 17-19
in Burlington, ON at Crossroads Centre, 1295 North Service Rd, Burlington with keynote
speaker, Archbishop Tito Zavala, Primate of the Anglican Church of the Southern
Cone (of South America). Clergy day will be on April 17, with the Assembly
beginning that evening.
Both the ANiC western and Asian & multicultural
assemblies will be held April 17-20 at Good Shepherd Church in Vancouver, BC,
189, West 11 Avenue. Keynote speaker(s) Bishop
Abraham Nhial (Aweil, Sudan), Bishop Albert Vun (Sabah, Malaysia), John Coles, Director of
New Wine
Information on all three ANiC assemblies is posted on the ANiC
website – with more to come. Registration will open in several
weeks.
ACNA World Missions Sunday, February 10
Archbishop Bob
Duncan has written ACNA members reminding us that, since the beginning of ACNA, the last Sunday
after Epiphany has been observed as world missions Sunday. This year it is on
February 10. Archbishop Bob writes, “On that day I am asking all ACNA churches
to highlight this call to world mission through prayers, testimonies,
stewardship and education. I would also like to ask your congregations to
collect a special world mission offering…”
Welcoming a new congregation
A forming
congregation ministering to Japanese-speaking Canadians joined ANiC in
December. Church of All
Nations is pastored by the Rev Shihoko Warren, who was ordained to
the priest hood on January 13.
Good Shepherd Calgary will officially launch as an ANiC church plant with Bishop Stephen Leung officiating at a Holy Communion service on February 9 (Saturday) at 1pm. The service will be held at St Maronite Roman Catholic Church, 504 – 30th Ave, NW Calgary. All are welcome.
Following this launch, Good Shepherd, a Cantonese-speaking congregation of 35-40 led by Evangelist Tom Lo, will meet regularly at St Maronite RC Church on Saturdays at 1pm. The group has been meeting for Bible study for two years as an evangelistic outreach ministry. About half of the congregation are seekers. Already one family has been baptized and others are preparing for baptism.
Two upcoming ANiC clergy retreats
Southern Ontario clergy event, January 30-31
An ANiC clergy gathering is planned for Southern Ontario:
Date: January 30, beginning
at 10am and concluding January 31 at 1:30pm
Location: Burlington
area – Faith Mission, 10463 2nd Line, Campbellville/Milton
Cost Early bird rate is
$80 (covers accommodation and meals). After January 25 registration is $99.
The theme of the gathering is Building the Team – Advancing the
Gospel. Both Bishop Don Harvey and Bishop Charlie Masters will participate. For
more information see the ANiC
website.
Annual ANiC clergy retreat at Cedar Springs, March
11-13 (Note new dates)
Please note the new dates for ANiC’s annual
clergy retreat at Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Centre, across the
border from Abbotsford, BC. The event has been moved up a day and now begins on
March 11 (Monday) and ends on the 13th. Canon Phil Ashey of the
American Anglican Council will speak on leadership – in fact, the
sessions will constitute part 1 of the Clergy Leadership Training Institute
program.
Online registration is now open here.
More information on the Clergy Leadership Training Institute is available on
the American
Anglican Council website.
Parishes, please consider how you can make it
possible for your clergy to attend one of these retreats. It is an important investment
in them and in their ministry.
Clergy Leadership Training Institute, part 2, March 13-15
Immediately following the March 11-13 clergy retreat and part 1 of the
leadership training, Canon Phil Ashey, Bishop Kevin Allen and Bishop Trevor
Walters will deliver part 2 of the Leadership
Training Institute program – also at Cedar Spring Christian
Retreat Centre in Sumas, Washington. Information and registration will be
available shortly.
Ordination
The Revs Melvin Tai and Len Finn will be ordained to the priesthood by
Bishops Charlie Masters and Stephen Leung on February 3 at 4pm. The ordinations
will take place at Christ The
King, 80 Blythwood Rd, Toronto.
Rector wanted
Grace Anglican Church (Calgary, AB) is seeking a full-time rector. The rector
profile and parish
profile can be found on the church
website. Applications can be sent to Bishop Trevor Walters
before March 1 by email or by mail c/o Church of our Lord, 626 Blanshard St, Victoria, Canada, V8R 3G6.
Questions regarding this position should be emailed
to the church.
ANiC in the news
The ACNA website features an article on ANiC’s Asian
and Multicultural ministries (AMMiC), under Bishop Stephen Leung and links to
the “compelling
six minute video” which provides an overview of the many
congregations forming in Canada to minister to immigrants – including Persian,
Chinese, Sudanese, Filipino and Japanese congregations. Bishop Stephen is
quoted saying, ““God has brought the world to our
doorstep. New immigrants are a mission field we dare not ignore… “Just as Jesus
focused on the marginalized in His ministry, so we seek to serve immigrants in
our communities. May God give us hearts for the “stranger” in our midst and a
growing vision for working together across the ACNA to reach ethnic
communities.” You can learn
more about AMMiC on its website.
The Anglican Planet features an article on ANiC’s recent synod and the election of Bishop Charlie Masters as coadjutor
bishop for ANiC.
Light Magazine has an article discussing churches that meet in movie theatres, including ANiC’s Immanuel Church
(Vancouver) and its rector the Rev Simon Neill. Immanuel, which is located in a
low income neighbourhood, near a “…main gang recruitment area in Vancouver”. Immanuel
members work with Youth for Christ to reach young people in the area and with
other partners to minister to those with substance abuse issues.
Application deadline looming for mission trip to
orphanage in China, July 16-31 July
The application deadline has been extended for the July short-term mission
organized by Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada (AMMiC) until January
15. Only a few spots remain on the team so if you are interested in ministering
to abandoned and disabled children in Sanmenxia, Henan Province, China, please
check out the brochure and video on the AMMiC website.
Time to build
The Time to Build campaign was initiated by ANiC’s
council to place ANiC on a better financial footing as it responds to the
demands of rapid growth and instill a culture of generosity and joyful tithing
within ANiC.
The campaign is lead by the Ven Ron Corcoron,
co-rector at Church of Our
Lord, Victoria, BC, who introduced it at our synod last November. You
can hear his synod message and presentation online:
• Bible
teaching on Matthew 6: “For where your treasure Is, there your heart
will be also”
• Introducing
the Time to Build campaign: “Test me”
Archdeacon Ron is available to visit parishes
across the country. To set up a visit, please work through your Archdeacon. Already he is booked at:
• Christ
Church Oceanside (Nanoose Bay, BC) on January 27
• St Peters
and St Paul’s (Ottawa, ON) on February 9
•
St Luke’s
(Pembroke, ON) on February 10
Back to school…
Courses are beginning again at both Ottawa Theological College and Saint
Matthew’s School of Life and Ministry.
Ottawa Theological College,
which is associated with Church of the Messiah (Ottawa), is beginning its
winter courses soon, so register now! Courses offered are:
• Preaching the Bible (The Rev George
Sinclair)
• Church history II:
Reformation (Dr Gary Graber)
• Christian doctrine II:
Christology (Dr David Smith)
• New Testament intro:
The Gospels (Dr Dean Brady)
Saint Matthews School of Life and
Ministry begins classes the week of January 13th as well,
offering:
• Dead Sea scrolls and the Christian faith (Dr Peter Flint)
• Catechism II Christian hope: New Identity and calling (the Rev Mike
Stewart)
• Anglican tradition II (Ron Dart)
• Worship in the 21st century: Current issues/perspectives (Dr David
Rushton)
ANiC prayer calendar and 1st Friday of the Month meditation and
prayer guide
The monthly prayer calendar is intended to help you include the needs of
ANiC in your prayers. And the Rev Garth Hunt’s monthly prayer meditation, known
as the “1st Friday of the month call to prayer” provides a thought-provoking
homily followed by items for prayer. Please make use of these resources –
both available each month on ANiC’s prayer ministry webpage.
ARDFC – Recife
The Anglican Relief and Development Fund Canada is
currently raising funds for our partner diocese, the Diocese of Recife, to
build a training centre in a poor community in north-eastern Brazil. Bishop
Bill Atwood, who recently returned from Recife for the consecration of the new
diocesan bishop, offers
insight into the ministries of that diocese:
“....I've had the opportunity to go to Recife many
times. I have been impressed with the breadth of the ministry there, from
ministries of presence and compassion, as well as ministries of evangelism,
discipleship, and worship… On the edge of the slums, the Diocese has
established ministries to care for single mothers and their children, providing
education, health care, drug rehab, and spiritual care. Each year, they advance
their reach deeper and deeper into the slum area where, block by block, Kingdom
transformation is taking place.”
The diocese’s history is similar to ANiC’s. Bishop
Atwood writes: “The ultra-liberal Episcopal Church in Brazil has been
thoroughly co-opted by the theology and practice of TEC. In 2005, the church in
Brazil, while claiming how "inclusive" they were, deposed Bishop
[Robinson] Cavalcanti [of the Diocese of Recife’s] as he stood for the orthodox
faith. When almost all of the clergy supported Bishop Cavalcanti, they too were
deposed without any trial or inquiry.”
Parish and regional news
St John’s Vancouver is hosting an information booth
for ANiC parishes in BC at the Vancouver
Missions Fest, January 25-27. BC ANiC parishioners who plan to be at
Missions Fest are invited to sign-up for a two-hour time slot to help “man” the booth. Thanks to St John’s for
coordinating and sponsoring this initiative!
St Peter & St Paul’s (Ottawa, ON) has a new
website. Check it out!
Please email parish news to Marilyn or call 1-866-351-2642 ext 4020.
Anglican
Church in North America (ACNA) news
ACNA House of Bishops meeting communiqué
The
ACNA House of Bishops met this past week, working through a heavy and intense
agenda. Their communiqué provides insight into their
discussions and fellowship, including:
| • |
Bible
teaching based on Ephesians from Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali |
| • |
Approval
of the proposed six-stage study process for the Theological Task Force on Holy
Orders, which will examine women’s ordination. For more information, see the
communiqué. |
| • |
Using
new draft Prayer Book liturgies developed by another task force. Prayer was
asked for the ongoing work of this task force. |
| • |
Hearing
updates on: the Catechesis Task Force (a first draft of a new Catechism was
presented), Anglican1000 church planting, Anglican Relief and Development Fund
(ARDF), and international relations. |
| • |
Dealing
with the matter of geographically over-lapping dioceses with the goal of
organizing “each region for the long-term sustainability of the movement in
recognizable, godly Anglican Church structures”. ANiC Suffragan Bishop Trevor
Walters chaired the committee presenting this information to the House. |
| • |
Learning
about progress made by the Ecumenical Relations Task Force in forging relations
with Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Messianic Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist,
Presbyterian and other Evangelical denominations. |
| • |
Reconciling
relations between and among the bishops where there was need for restoration. Bishops Thad Barnum, Terrell Glenn and Todd Hunter were welcomed back to full membership in the College. In addition, the College approved the consecrations of three bishops-elect, confirmed the election of Bishop Charlie Masters as ANiC’s coadjutor bishop, and received Bishop Frank Lyons, former Bishop of Bolivia, as Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. |
| • |
Reaffirming
the sanctity of life and the sin of abortion. |
An Anglican Ink article summarizes the communiqué.
Both Bishop David Anderson and Canon Phil Ashey writing in the January 11th American Anglican Council e-newsletter provide more insight in the House
of Bishops’ meeting. And commentators on the weekly Anglican Unscripted news video applaud
the actions and direction of the ACNA House of Bishops in tackling difficult
issues and building a Biblically faithful Church.
Anglican
1000 church planting events
The annual church planting summit, A1K Summit 2013, will be
held March 4-6 at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois. The theme, "The Church: The Pillar and Foundation
of the Truth", will allow exploration of how the systems,
structures, movements, organizations and strategies of church planting should build
upon and communicate the Truth. Speakers include:
• Missiologist Alan Hirsch teaching on apostolic ministry and fostering a
missionary culture
• Darrin Patrick discussing the Acts 29 Church Planting Network and leadership
maturity
• Joel Scandrett exploring catechism in mission and
• Wes Hill as Bible teacher
The summit will also include worship, breakouts, intensive lab
opportunities, and a celebration of all that God is doing in the ACNA. There
will be special gatherings for those involved in Hispanic ministry, youth
ministry and college ministry.
Registration cost is only $99 per person if you
register before January 15.
Regional church planting conferences
In addition, regional church planting conferences
are being planned for later this year. While dates and other details have not
yet been announced, the sites are expected to be: Chicago, Atlanta, New
England, Seattle, Ottawa, Phoenix and Boston.
Anglican1000 challenge
Anglican 1000 is challenging every ACNA
congregation – no matter the size – to rise to the challenge of
planting at least 1 new congregation in the next 2 years. Canon Alan Hawkins,
who leads the Anglican1000 initiative, offers three different church planting
strategies:
Jurisdictional (Diocesan) – In this
model an organization such as a Diocese or Network leverages financial and
people resources to start a new congregation.
Congregational (Mother-Daughter) – In
this model a congregation "hives off" people and resources to start
and new church.
Apprenticing (organic) – Church
plants often pop up in less structured or expected ways and in less traditional
venues like in coffee shops and nursing homes, on college campuses, and in
living rooms and apartment complexes
ACNA Primate peaches at enthronement of Primate of
Uganda
Our Primate, Archbishop Robert Duncan, preached at
the December 16 enthronement and investiture of the new Primate of the Anglican
Church of Uganda, Bishop Stanley Ntagali. Archbishop Bob commented, “I
met Bishop Ntagali before his consecration eight years ago when he visited
Pittsburgh, and our friendship has grown since then… I look forward to years of
shared ministry between our two provinces as we have had under Archbishop
Orombi’s leadership.”
Other ACNA leaders attending the service included Bishops John Guernsey
(Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic), Bill Thompson (Diocese of Western Anglicans),
and Neil Lebhar (Diocese of the Gulf Coast). You can read the Church of
Uganda’s report on the event here.
The ACNA website has more here,
including a link to Archbishop Bob’s sermon. And Canon Chris Sugden reports here.
Archbishop Fred Hiltz tries to head-off recognition
of the ACNA
According to the Anglican Journal,
Archbishop Fred Hiltz of the Anglican Church of Canada, in a meeting with
Archbishop of Canterbury-elect Justin Welby, has expressed his concern about
ACNA being recognized by the Anglican Communion. The article states:
“During his meeting with Welby, Hiltz said he
mentioned ongoing concern about efforts by the Anglican Church in North America
(ACNA) to be recognized by the Church of England. Composed of Anglicans who
have left the Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church in the U.S.,
ACNA describes itself as “an emerging Province in the global Anglican
Communion.”
Hiltz said he requested that if bodies of the Church of England are to meet
with representatives of ACNA, “in fairness, they should also meet with us to
get a better picture.” Welby was “very appreciative” of the place of the
Anglican Church of Canada in the Communion and the contributions it has been
able to make, added Hiltz.”
Anglican Ink provides an excellent
overview of the larger context for Archbishop Hiltz’s concern,
noting that “Were the General Synod of the
Church of England to give formal recognition to the ACNA, it could well
undercut the claims of exclusivity made by Archbishop Hiltz to the Anglican
brand in Canada [in court proceedings].” The article then goes on to discuss
the nebulous concept of membership in the Anglican Communion.
ACNA news items in brief
Archbishop Bob Duncan, accompanied by other ACNA
leaders, met briefly with Pope Benedict XVI at the end of November. According
to the ACNA website,
“At the conclusion of the [public] audience, Archbishop Duncan and Bishop
Sutton were afforded the opportunity to bring greetings to His Holiness on
behalf of the Anglican Church in North America and the Global Fellowship of
Confessing Anglicans.” According to the Church of
England Newspaper, the public session was followed by a private
meeting and included GAFCon chairman Archbishop Eliud Wabukala of Kenya. Canon
Phil Ashey, in a December 12th editorial, discusses ecumenical relations with the Roman Catholics
and others.
The ACNA website features an interesting and
encouraging article about two young church planters in California “on the Canterbury Trail”.
ACNA congregations are popping up all over, even in
old converted factories, as you’ll read in this ACNA
article.
An ACNA parish in Torrence, California is
spearheading a health outreach in its community and is involving a
rapidly growing network in local churches. The free mobile clinics treat
patients who are homeless, unemployed or lack health insurance. Local health
care professions volunteer their time to offer medical, dental and eye care
– carrying on Christ’s healing ministry and opening doors for the Good
News.
Anglican
Communion news
Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCon) 2013
According to the Anglican
Unscripted journalists, GAFCon 2 is now expected to be held in
Nairobi, Kenya – not in Cyprus or Athens as had been speculated. The
chairman of the GAFCon Primates Council, Archbishop Eliud Wabukala (Kenya) confirmed
this report in his New Year’s Day message, saying, the gathering of
Anglican leaders from across the globe “…will be a strategic moment in the
reshaping of the Anglican Communion to fulfil our vision for global mission...”
The Rt Rev Bill Atwood says that moving the
conference to Nairobi was motivated by both “…symbolic and logistical concerns.
The Greek economic crisis coupled with visa restrictions for many African and
Asian participants and high costs had caused the primates to take a second look
at Athens.” In addition, “… there has been a strong sentiment that the GAFCON
movement needs to reflect the shift of the Anglican centre of gravity to Africa.”
Mere Anglicanism conference, January 24-26,
Charleston, South Carolina
The annual Mere
Anglicanism conference is slated for January 24 in Charleston, South
Carolina. Speakers include Bishop Paul Barnett, historian and New Testament
scholar; Eric Metaxas an author who has written best-selling biographies on
William Wilberforce and Dietrich Bonheoffer; Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, retired
Bishop of Rochester and current director of the Oxford Centre for Training,
Research, Advocacy and Dialogue; Dr Allen Ross a professor of Old Testament and
Hebrew; and the Rev Dr David Wenham, a theologian and author on the New
Testament.
Queen calls us to give Christ our hearts
Queen Elizabeth II, who is the titular head of the
Church of England, once again included a clear Gospel message in her Christmas TV
broadcast:
“This is the time of year when we remember that
God sent his only son 'to serve, not to be served'. He restored love and
service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ.
It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will
continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service
of others.
The carol, In The Bleak Midwinter,
ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God
gave himself to us in humble service: "What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my
part". The carol gives the answer "Yet what I can I give him - give
my heart".
Communion news in brief
The Church of England Newspaper published a summary of
Anglican news this past year.
Other
news in brief
Canada
The Times Colonist
reports that “Bishop James Cowan of the Anglican Church of Canada’s Diocese
of British Columbia… announced the creation of guidelines and a rite to be used
in the blessing of same-sex unions. The guidelines and rites took effect Jan
1.” However, some say the Bishop’s decision doesn’t go far enough. Bishop Cowan’s letter is posted here.
The Anglican Journal
notes that the 2010 diocesan synod requested same-sex blessing. It
adds that 11 Anglican Church of Canada dioceses now offer same-sex blessings.
The full list of dioceses is: BC, New Westminster, Ottawa, Huron, Niagara,
Toronto, Montreal, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island,
Edmonton, Rupert’s Land, and Quebec. As well, the
Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior synod has asked its bishop to allow
these blessings. An earlier Church of
England Newspaper article discusses the authorization of same-sex
blessings in the Diocese of Quebec, Rupert’s Land and Edmonton.
The Anglican
Planet informs us that SOMA Canada (Sharing of Ministries Abroad)
has closed shop. SOMA, an Anglican mission agency, focused on “promoting
short-term cross-cultural missions”.
Reuters
reports that the Vatican has approved a deanery to minister to
disaffected Canadian Anglicans who convert to Roman Catholicism. It is to be headed
by Father Lee Kenyon, who was the priest at the former Anglican Essentials
Network parish of St John the Evangelist in Calgary. The deanery will come
under the “Anglican ordinariate” for North America, which is based in Houston,
Texas and headed by the Rev Jeffrey Steenson, a former US Episcopal Church
(TEC) bishop. Anglican Ink
provides more background.
An Anglican
Planet editorial calls for “flying bishops” – also known as
Provincial Episcopal Visitors – in the Anglican Church of Canada to offer
episcopal oversight to parishes which theologically at odds with their diocesan
bishop. The Rev Peter Malloy focuses on the British model in his editorial and
says, “By establishing flying bishops, the C of E has provided a substantial,
permanent home for parishes and priests who disagree with the majority view,
and has made it possible for unity to exist even in the midst of substantial
disagreement.”
United States
The Diocese of South Carolina continues to dominate
US Anglican news in the months since the Episcopal Church (TEC) Presiding
Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori purportedly deposed the bishop, Bishop Mark
Lawrence, and the diocese disaffiliated from TEC. In a surprisingly
charitable letter Bishop Lawrence refutes the Presiding Bishop Schori’s
claim that he had renounced his ordained ministry. And in a lengthy – but
very interesting – Anglican TV
video interview he discusses the diocese’s disaffiliation and the
resulting fallout with reporter Kevin Kallsen. The Church of
England Newspaper article on the matter is titled “South Carolina
schism descending into farce”. An Anglican Ink
article explores the canonical and factual contortions employed by
TEC to achieve their desired ends.
With TEC organizing a competing body purporting to
be the original diocese, using the diocese’s name and seal, Bishop Lawrence and
diocesan leaders issued a
statement saying, “They are certainly free to gather and meet, but
they are not free to assume our identity… A brief history lesson seems in
order. We [the Diocese of South Carolina] were founded in 1785 (prior to the
founding of the Episcopal Church). We were incorporated in 1973; adopted our
current legal name, “The Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of South
Carolina,” in 1987; and we disassociated from the Episcopal Church in October
of 2012. We did not become a new entity upon our disassociation. A new entity
will need to be created by those who choose to leave the Diocese and
re-associate with the Episcopal Church.”
In a pre-emptive move, the diocese filed suit
against TEC. Anglican Ink
reports the diocese has asked the courts to “…issue an injunction
banning Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and her allies in South
Carolina from using the name or presuming to act on behalf of the diocese and
further asks the court to affirm the legality of the diocese’s secession from
the General Convention of the Episcopal Church of the United States of
America.”
Bishop Mark Lawrence said of the
lawsuit, “Like our colonial forefathers, we are pursuing the freedom
to practice our faith as we see fit, not as it is dictated to us by a
self-proclaimed religious authority who threatens to take our property unless
we relinquish our beliefs.”
Canon lawyer Alan Haley provides an analysis of the legal maneuvering here as well as an article on the Presiding Bishop’s propensity to “flout the canons”. Background to the
lawsuit is on the
diocese website. And another Anglican
Ink article offers helpful background. The Rev Canon Phil Ashey, in
his brief weekly Anglican
Perspective video, called “Canons are made to be broken”, discusses
TEC’s ungodly attacks and appeals to the rest of the Anglican Communion, based
on the admonitions of 2 Timothy 3, to isolate TEC so that others are not
infected by their ungodliness.
The Digital Journal reports that a US Episcopal minister has launched a “gay friendly” Bible – called
the Queen James Bible. The
report explains that “The editors of the Queen James Bible have revised passages
of Scripture which say homosexuality is a sin.”
LifeSiteNews reports that “Homosexual activists have mounted a petition
drive—right on the White House website—urging the Obama
administration to “officially recognize the Roman Catholic Church as a hate
group” for its position on homosexuality.”
In his 2012 “Annual
litigation summary for the Episcopal Church (USA)”, canon lawyer
Alan Haley lists 79 cases initiated by TEC or its dioceses since 2000 –
as well as six cases in which TEC was the defendant – and provides a
status update for each. He estimates that TEC has spent $25 million on
litigation during that time.
Anglican Ink
reports that a tentative settlement has been reached in two cases of
bishops (known as the “Fort Worth 7” and the “Quincy 3”) charged with
misconduct by TEC’s presiding bishop, The charges stemmed from the bishops
having signed court affidavits in two separate legal proceedings challenging
official TEC court arguments on church order. Details have not been made
public. VirtueOnline provides the
background.
England
Following the defeat of the legislation allowing women
bishops, the Church of England’s House of Bishops issued a
statement in December, announcing plans to expedite the process to
arrive at new legislation in time for the synod in July 2013.
Another House of Bishops statement,
issued earlier this month, reads: “The House has confirmed that clergy in civil
partnerships, and living in accordance with the teaching of the Church on human
sexuality, can be considered as candidates for the episcopate. There had been a
moratorium on such candidates…”
The response from other Churches in the Communion
has been swift and strong. GAFCon Primates Council chairman, Archbishop Eliud
Wabukala (Kenya), said it was “compromise with the secular preoccupations of the West”, the celibacy proviso
was “clearly unworkable”, and ran count to bishops’ “responsibility to be
examples of godly living”. He added, “It cannot be right that
they are able to enter into legally recognised relationships which
institutionalise and condone behaviour that is completely contrary to the clear
and historic teaching of Scripture, as reaffirmed for Anglicans by the 1998
Lambeth Conference in its Resolution 1.10. The weight of this moral teaching
cannot be supported by a flimsy proviso.” The newly installed Primate of Uganda
Archbishop Stanley Ntagali expressed
similar concerns.
The Nigerian House of Bishops statement said this action was “…one step removed from the moral precipice that we have already witnessed
in The Episcopal Church (USA) and the Anglican Church of Canada… We urge the
House of Bishops to reconsider their decision so as to allow for a full,
prayerful and sober reflection on the call on all clergy, especially bishops,
to live holy lives and not encourage what are, at best, morally ambiguous
partnerships that make it impossible for a bishop to be a wholesome example to
the flock. Especially since the supposed assurances of celibacy, while perhaps
well intentioned, are both unworkable and unenforceable… Sadly we must also
declare that if the Church of England continues in this contrary direction we
must further separate ourselves from it.” The Primate of Nigeria
joined eight other Global South Primates in signing signed an open
letter expressing their concern and saying, “We strongly urge the Church of England to reconsider this divisive
decision.”
In its response,
Anglican Mainstream said: “As made clear in the Ordinal, Bishops of
the Church of England promise both to fashion their own life and that of
their household according to the way of Christ and to be guardians of the
Church's doctrine. Given the ambiguous nature of civil partnerships, it
would not be credible for a person in such a partnership to make such
promises. Most people assume that civil partnerships are sexual
relationships. It is casuistical to claim that they are not... [A] decision
to move from the current position would be a grave departure from the
Church's doctrine and discipline...” Dr Andrew Goddard expressed his
many concerns, including the lack of the normal theological
explanation accompanying this change in policy and the lack of transparency
with which the policy shift was carried out.
A Church of
England article explores more fully the issue and the reactions.
The complex process governing the installation of
Bishop Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury is outlined here.
He will officially assume the role of Archbishop of Canterbury on or shortly after
February 4, when St Paul’s Cathedral hosts the Confirmation of Election
ceremony, and March 21, when his public ministry is inaugurated with a ceremony
at Canterbury Cathedral. During that period, at some as yet undisclosed date, a
commission of senior diocesan bishops chaired by the Archbishop of York “will
confer on him the ‘spiritualities’ of the diocese of Canterbury. At this point,
he becomes the Archbishop of Canterbury…” An update is posted here.
Archbishop Rowan Williams stepped down on December
31 and was named by the Queen to a peerage – Baron of Oystermouth. Anglican Ink provides context on the
peerage.
Scotland
The Christian
Institute reports a former Church of Scotland congregation has had
its property seized by the denomination after it split from the Kirk last June
over the ordination of openly homosexual ministers. St George’s Tron is lead by
the Rev William Phillip.
Nigeria
Islamists continue to kills and terrorize
Christians in north and central Nigeria. International Christian Concern
reports separate incidents – here and here – of villages being attacked during the night, only the homes of
Christians broken into, and Christians killed by having their throats slit. BBC reports six more
Christians shot dead in another village. Boko Haram, a Muslim terrorist group,
intends to irradiate Christianity from the region. And yet, according to a Christian
Post editorial, Boko Haram (BH) is still now designated a terrorist
organization by western nations. A Nigerian delegation to Washington, DC
pleaded for this terrorist designation for Boko Haram and also “…called for
observers in the media and elsewhere to abandon their “distorted” view of BH as
a “secular” organization responding to grievances such as underdevelopment. BH,
the delegation noted, attacks churches but not mosques, aggression not
explainable by poverty.”
LifeSiteNews
reports that “Nigeria’s House of Representatives recently
unanimously approved a bill banning same-sex unions, despite threats from the
Obama administration and United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron that they
would consider withholding aid if the country didn’t recognize gay rights. The
bill would impose a 14-year prison sentence on anyone who enters a “same-sex
marriage contract or civil union” or aids and abets such an action. Public displays
of affection between homosexuals would result in a ten-year jail sentence. The
bill also bans gay clubs and organizations. “[Same-sex ‘marriage’] is alien to
our society and culture and it must not be imported,” said House majority
leader Mulikat Adeola-Akande. “This practice has no place in our culture,
religion, Nigeria or anywhere in Africa. It is immorality and debasement of our
culture, we condemn it in totality.”
Uruguay
The Church of
England Newspaper reports that the Standing Committee of the
Anglican Consultative Council has refused to allow a request from the
theological more “liberal” Diocese of Uruguay to secede from the theologically
“conservative” Province of the Southern Cone. The provincial house of bishops
refused to ratify the Diocese of Uruguay’s bishop-elect – Archdeacon
Michael Pollesel from the Anglican Church of Canada.
Egypt
Christians in Egypt are facing
increasing pressure and persecution as the country moves in a decidedly
Islamist direction. According to Anglican
Ink, Presiding Bishop Mouneer Anis, Primate for the Anglican
Province of Israel and the Middle East, pleads for our prayer support and
suggests that the high hopes for greater freedom and democracy that produced
the “Arab Spring” in 2011 have been dashed. The National Post
reports that “A campaign of intimidation by Islamists left most
Christians in this southern Egyptian province too afraid to participate in [the
recent] referendum on an Islamist-drafted constitution they deeply oppose,
residents say.”
Iran
Christianity
Today reports that Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani – who, following
intense political pressure, was finally released from prison in Iran after
being sentenced to death for being a Christian – was rearrested on
Christmas Day and then released again January 7. The lawyer who defended Pastor
Yousef – like many other Iranian Christians – remains in prison.
Pakistan
The Anglican
Communion News Service reports that communities in Pakistan that
were flooded in 2010 and 2011 have again been hit by monsoon flooding, with 5
million people affected.
Syria
International
Christian Concern reports that Christians in Syria are being
targeted by rebel forces who are increasingly dominated by Islamists factions.
The body of a newly married Christian taxi driver was recently found beheaded.
Congo
An Anglican university in the Congo
was attacked recently by rebel forces who seemed primarily interested in
stealing money. The New York Times has an informative but discouraging analysis of the renewed civil war in the Congo and the brutality inflicted on the
people.
Soul
food
The family in crisis
Dr Albert Mohler explores the crisis of the family in the west and concludes that it is fundamentally a
theological crisis. How can your church support and build marriages and
families within the congregation? How can you bless your community by providing
support for marriages and families?
A new book, written by R S Harris and jointly
published by Anglican Mainstream and Voice for Justice in the UK, takes a
secular, academic approach to its title question “Is there a case for same-sex
marriage?” It is available on Amazon and more information is online.
Resources
Spiritual warfare – Bishop Bill Atwood has written an excellent
article on spiritual warfare, especially as it relates to the
Anglican Communion.
Pastors’ conference – Regent College (Vancouver) is holding its annual pastors' conference
May 1-4. The theme is “Overflow—Spiritual Rhythms and Practices that Draw
from Christ's Fullness”. The Regent
website says, “We invite you to the Regent College Pastors´
Conference 2012 to be refreshed and to gain new or renewed awareness of rhythms
and practices that can maintain spiritual, emotional, and bodily health for the
pastor, especially when practised in the way of the gospel and grace, in union
with Christ, and by contemplation of Christ.”
Conference
on aging – May 18-19, at Regent College (Vancouver), Dr J I Packer will
join several other speakers including Margaret Somerville, exploring the topic
of aging in light of the Biblical vision of human life. More information can be
found on the Regent
website.
Just for laughs
Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy chocolate, which is
kinda the same thing.
The
preacher came to call the other day. He said at my age I should be thinking of
the hereafter.
I
told him, "Oh, I do it all the time. No matter where I am - in the
bedroom, upstairs, in the kitchen, or down in the basement - I ask
myself, 'Now, what am I here after?'"
www.mikeysFunnies.com
Thought
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on
it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.
~ Max Lucado
And now a word from our sponsor
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your
mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful
to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way
prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you
wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:8-9 ESV
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