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  ANiC Newsletter: 11 February, 2013 ... pdf version
    

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ANiC news

ANiC and ACNA events calendar
February 16 – Liveword Women’s Conference, Vancouver, BC – Theme: “On eagle’s wings”
February 17, 2pm – Alan Arnold will be ordained a deacon at Saint Timothy’s (Montreal)
March 3, 3pm – Dave Kemp will be ordained a deacon at Eternal Hope (Carleton Place, ON)
March 4-6 – ACNA’s 2013 Anglican 1000 church planting summit in Wheaton, IL
March 9 – Liveword Women’s Conference at Christ’s Church Oceanside, Nanoose Bay, BC
March 11-13 – 2013 ANiC Clergy Retreat with Canon Phil Ashey at Cedar Springs, Washington
March 13-15 – Leadership Training Institute, Part 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 21-27 – GAFCon 2 planned for Nairobi, Kenya


Marking Ash Wednesday and Lent
In his Lenten pastoral letter, Bishop Don Harvey, our diocesan and moderator, addresses some of the disciplines which promote spiritual growth. He concludes:

“This Lent, I call upon you to do two things. 

“As individuals, allow a deliberate time each day for silence. It is not an easy request in our talkative society, but it is only through this gift that can hear that "still, small voice" that the world, the flesh and the devil is so anxious to drown out. Surely, it is as important to listen to Him as it is to speak to Him.

“As parishes, I am calling on every congregation in our Diocese, to take on some special activity or study, or prayer time, during the Lenten period. It may be something new, or simply intensifying something you already are doing.

“And, since this will be my last Lenten Pastoral to you, I would be touched if someone from each congregation dropped me an email, telling me what you attempted and what was accomplished.”


A children’s Lenten calendar can be downloaded from the ARDFC website together with labels to make an accompanying Mite Box. The calendar is a good way for children to mark Lent while having fun and learning about Brazil, where ARDFC is partnering with the Diocese of Recife to build an education and training centre which will provide life-changing opportunities in a poor community. Learn more from the ARDFC website.


ANiC regional assemblies, April 17-19/20
Preparations for the three regional assemblies in mid-April are coming along. Draft agendas are almost ready to post and online registration will be available by the end of the week. The bishops have begun to write to their clergy, synod delegates and church leaders.

In a joint letter, Bishops Stephen Leung and Trevor Walters outline the highlights of the two assemblies – western and Asian & multicultural – planned to run concurrently with many joint sessions at Good Shepherd Church in Vancouver. Speakers from Asia, Africa and England will address pertinent issues of church growth, personal spiritual discipleship, serving new immigrants and youth ministry. The joint assembly times will include workshops lead by ANiC pastors and church planters, as well as networking times for attendees to gather in smaller groups with those involved in similar ministries in other congregations, allowing time to connect, encourage and learn from each other.

Dr Saimond Ip, the most recent addition to the speak roster, is an e-commerce business leader in Hong Kong who is passionate about youth ministry. In fact, in addition to his job in business, he is responsible for evangelism, pastoring and discipleship of youth in his rapidly growing church – a church he helped plant in 1998. Based on his extensive research and experience in growing a dynamic youth ministry – a ministry which now ministers to 400 youths – he developed and leads a seminary diploma program in pastoral youth ministry. Last year he organized a youth ministry summit that attracted and trained 300 pastors. He is also an author and expert and consultant on overall church growth and development. His PhD is from the University of Cambridge, England.

Information on the eastern assembly will be featured in the next newsletter.


Clergy Leadership Training Institute, part 2, March 13-15

With the March 11-13 clergy retreat providing participants with part 1 of the American Anglican Council’s Leadership Training Institute program, why not continue on with part 2 of the training, - as well as networking, fellowship and renewal – immediately following the retreat, in the same location?

Canon Phil Ashey, Bishop Kevin Allen (Cascadia) and ANiC’s Bishop Trevor Walters will deliver part 2 which will focus on clergy self-care and best practices for clergy in parish settings. Part 2 runs from Wednesday (March 13) afternoon through Friday (March 15) lunch. Clergy from other ACNA dioceses will participate as well. The sessions will also offer a sneak “peek” at the new draft worship services for ACNA.

The fee for the three-day, two-night training session (including lodging and meals) will be $225 for a shared room or $275 for a single. Spouses are welcome; the fee for spouses is $175. To register, please email Canon Harley Crain (Diocese of Cascadia) as soon as possible.


Time to build campaign
The Time to Build campaign, headed by the Ven Ron Corcoron, is currently focusing on finding 2000 people whom God is leading to pledge $20 per month for 20 months. The campaign is designed to place ANiC on a strong financial footing as it responds to the demands of rapid growth by asking ANiC members to participate. If you are committed to seeing God grow His Church through ANiC, please pray about joining the ranks of people committing to this 20/20 Vision. If you wish to pledge or would like to invite Archdeacon Ron to speak to your congregation see the ANiC website for contact information.


Ordinations
On Sunday, February 17, Bishop Charlie Masters will ordain
Alan Arnold as a Deacon at Saint Timothy’s Anglican Bible Church (Montreal). The service will be at 2pm in Lakeside Heights Baptist Church, 275 Braebrooke Avenue in Pointe-Claire, QC. All are welcome to support Alan in this step of faith by your presence and prayer.

On Sunday, March 3 at 3pm,
David Kemp will be ordained as a Deacon at Eternal Hope Anglican Church in Carleton Place, ON. Dave has served that congregation as lay pastor since Eternal Hope’s founding. Those in the Ottawa area are invited to support Dave in this step. Eternal Hope meets at 117 Victoria St, Carleton Place, ON.

Our registrar, Canon Tom Carman, tells us that 169 ordained clergy currently hold ANiC licences.


Bishop Trevor to address Reformed Episcopal synod
ANiC’s Bishop Trevor Walters has been invited by Bishop Charles Dorrington (REC) to address the synod of the other ACNA Canadian diocese: the “Diocese of Western Canada & the Mission District of Cuba of the Reformed Episcopal Church”. The synod is in Courtney, BC, February 22-23.


Bible-in-a-Day course offered in the Vancouver area
The Bible-in-a-day course is coming to three Vancouver-area locations this spring. This is a fantastic opportunity to improve your Bible literacy and gain a “big picture” understanding of God’s work in human history and how historical events fit together. If you are in the Vancouver area, do try to attend. And invite friends and family to do the same.

You’ll find out exactly why the Bible is the most inspired, powerful, and redemptive book ever written; learn how the Old and New Testaments are part of the same story; and get a unique overview of God’s one big overarching story from beginning to end. Miracles included.

Dates and locations are:
Feb 16: Vancouver, 320 East 15th Avenue, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Apr 27: Richmond, The Melville Centre for Dialogue, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
May 6: Downtown Vancouver, Robson Square

For more information on scheduled seminars or to find out how to bring the Bible-in-a-Day course to your congregation, see the website


Photos of recent events
You can see photos of the recent Ontario clergy gathering on the ANiC Facebook page. Photos from the Toronto-area men’s breakfast are posted online as well.


Parish news
St John’s Vancouver (BC) is beginning a 13-week support program on February 28 for people who have experienced the death of a loved one. If you know of someone in the Vancouver area who would benefit from this Grief Care program, please let them know. For more information see the St John’s website.

Saint Matthew’s (Abbotsford, BC) is holding a four-week, Wednesday evening Lent course, entitled, Journey to the Cross. It begins February 27 and explores Christ’s work of atonement. If you live in the area, you, your friends and family are invited to join them in this journey to the cross.

Saint Matthew’s also is beginning a strategic planning process which will prayerfully and intentionally provide direction for the next five years.

Good Shepherd (Calgary) – Bishop Stephen reports that more that 150 people joined the dedication service at which three adults were baptized – a real encouragement to this new Cantonese congregation. Ecumenical guests included Dr Jason Yeung, principal of Canadian Chinese School of Theology at Ambrose Seminary. The presence of the Rev Ruthy Lillington and ten parishioners from Grace Anglican, Calgary was also much appreciated.

Please email parish news to Marilyn or call 1-866-351-2642 ext 4020.


Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) news

Anglican 1000: 1-2-3 Challenge & Summit, March 4-6 in Wheaton, Illinois

In an engaging 45-minute video interview, the Rev Alan Hawkins, Vicar of Anglican 1000 discusses the strategy for achieving the 1000 new church plants goal. He also talks about multi-cultural ministry and young adults’ ministry.

The concept is named
1-2-3 Challenge; “Every congregation is called to plant 1 new congregation in the next 2 years, and there are 3 ways to plant it.” Canon William Beasley addresses “Are 1000 new congregations really possible?” In the article he mentions that ACNA has planted around 230 congregations, with 770 still to plant to meet the goal. With the new 1-2-3 Challenge, he believes those 770 are possible. Read more about the 1-2-3 Challenge here.

The
2013 Anglican 1000 Summit – for clergy, church planters, would-be church planters, failed church planters, laity, youth leaders and pretty much everyone else – is March 4-6 in Wheaton, IL. Register now and get full details on the Anglican 1000 website. A feature of this year’s Summit is LABS – limited enrollment, 3-hour interactive sessions with an expert on a highly focused topic. What a great mentoring opportunity! Learn more about LABS here.

The Rev Dan Alger also offers eight reasons to come to Summit 2013 – including the affordable price, great speakers, excellence in training, relationship-building and more. And in a short video, Archbishop Bob invites everyone to come to the Anglican 1000 Summit to learn more about how we can plant 1000 churches in ACNA.


AnglicanTV Interview with Archbishop Bob Duncan
You will find an AnglicanTV interview with Archbishop Bob Duncan very informative. In the 28-minute interview, he discusses the importance of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCon 2) conference planned for Nairobi, Kenya in October and its relationship to the Anglican Communion. He and interviewer Kevin Kallsen also discuss developments and issues in the ACNA including the theological commission looking at Bible teaching on gender and Holy orders, relationships within the House of Bishops, Archbishop Bob’s recent audience with the pope, and Archbishop of Canterbury Elect Justin Welby.


Archbishop’s Cabinet and Provincial Executive meet
Bishops Don Harvey and Charlie Masters and ANiC board member Claus Lenk were in El Paso, Texas this past week for high level ACNA meetings. The bishops both are members of Archbishop Bob Duncan’s Cabinet and Bishop Don and Claus are part of the Provincial Executive. Reports of these meetings – which Bishop Don called “very successful” – are expected soon. Bishop Don stayed on in El Paso to preside and preach at the Church of St Francis where Bishop Felix Orje, who is currently in Nigeria, serves as rector. Bishop Orje ministered at St John’s (now) Vancouver many years ago.


Archbishop Bob responds to pope’s surprise resignation
Pope Benedict XVI has announced he is resigning effective February 28 because he is too old to carry on. He is the first pontiff in nearly 600 years to step down. In responding, Archbishop Bob Duncan writes, “…The Church throughout the world has been blessed by the theological acuity and pastoral wisdom of this great man of God. Anglicans will particularly miss this pontiff and successor to St. Peter. Benedict XVI has been a great friend to us, particularly to orthodox Anglicans in North America. His warm reception at the Papal Audience just ten weeks ago is a very fresh memory…”

Archbishop Bob goes on to recall the words of the pope in 2003, prior to becoming pope, when he wrote to orthodox Anglicans in North America saying,
“I assure you, Bishop Duncan, of my heartfelt prayers…The lives of these saints show us how in the Church of Christ there is a unity in truth and a communion of grace which transcend the borders of any nation. With all this in mind, I pray in particular that God’s will may be done by all those who seek that unity in truth, the gift of Christ himself....”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, also responded to the news by writing,
“I speak for… Anglicans around the world in giving thanks to God for a priestly life utterly dedicate, in word and deed, in prayer and in costly service, to following Christ…”

A conclave to elect a new pope is anticipated in March. The National Post reports that Cardinal Marc Ouellet, a Canadian, is considered by some to be the favorite to succeed Pope Benedict.


ACNA in the news
You can read an inspiring article about a young church plant, St Paul’s City Church in Murrieta, CA, which is committed to breaking down cultural barriers and reaching their multi-ethnic city.


And you can read about 15 ACNA bishops joining as many as ½ million marchers, by some estimates, who packed Washington DC in support of pro-life and in opposition to abortion. Living Church report includes the following quotes:
Archbishop Bob Duncan:
“We’d all like to see the culture of death turn into a culture of life, wouldn’t we? I’d very much like to see the mass killing of babies brought to an end. We’ll do what we have to do, and speak as we have to speak.”

Bishop Steve Breedlove:
“It’s unbelievable how many people are here. I want to catalyze our churches to be involved. I have a determination to rally our church around this.”


Other news in brief

Canada
Trinity Western University in Langley, BC has to defend – once again – its Christian identity as reflected in its mandatory student pledge to adhere to Christian morality. The school plan to open a law school is being opposed by Canadian Council of Law Deans which claims that the pledge discriminates against those who wish to engage in a homosexual lifestyle. LifeSiteNews notes that
“In 2001, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the BC College of Teachers could not refuse to approve TWU’s application for accreditation of its teacher education program based on its disagreement with the “Community Standards”.”


United States
A South Carolina court now has made permanent a temporary restraining order which forbade any person or entity from claiming to be or using the name, symbols and seal of the diocese of South Carolina apart from Bishop Mark Lawrence and the officers of the diocese. The diocese left the US Episcopal Church (TEC) last fall, but TEC, following its standard practice, created confusion by organizing another entity and then claiming this new entity was the historic diocese. According to Anglican Ink, attorneys for TEC did not contest the order, which will stand until the litigation between the diocese and TEC is concluded.

The American Anglican Council has called upon Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to apologize for her defamatory characterization of Bishop Mark Lawrence and his Diocese of South Carolina in her speech to TEC-loyalists in South Carolina on January 26. In her speech, she called Bishop Lawrence a local tyrant and likened his – and his diocese’s – mindset to that of school shooters and terrorists. You can see her full text here.


England
According to the St Paul’s Cathedral (London, England) website, Justin Welby legally assumed the title of Archbishop of Canterbury on February 4 in a ceremony at St Paul’s. The Church Times states that “From this point, he is officially Archbishop, though his public ministry will not begin until after his enthronement in Canterbury Cathedral on 21 March.” His full title is now: The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan.


The House of Bishops of the Church of England remains consumed by the failure of the proposed women bishop’s legislation. At the conclusion of its most recent meeting the bishops issued a statement saying:
“The House of Bishops of the Church of England has today expressed its encouragement and support for new robust processes and steps in bringing forward to General Synod the necessary legislation to consecrate women to the episcopate.
“At a special meeting at Lambeth Palace today, the House reviewed the progress to develop proposals to enable women to become bishops at the earliest possible date. The meeting also considered changes to future meetings so as to ensure that eight senior women clergy will be participants in all meetings of the House and its standing committee...”


The Telegraph reports that Canon David Porter, the director of the International Centre for Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral has been called into lead a team attempting to mediate a solution to the crisis. Canon Porter honed his negotiating skills in Northern Ireland working behind the scenes with both the IRA and loyalist paramilitary groups to pave the way for peace talks. The newspaper says that the House of Bishops has fast-tracked the process and
“…have set themselves a deadline of May 21 to try reach the outline of a deal to be put before the Synod in July”.


Syria
The National Review reports that
“Under the cover of war and chaos, this group [Christians], which alone lacks militias of its own, is easy prey for Islamists and criminals, alike. These assaults are driving out the Christians en masse. This 2,000-year-old community, numbering around 2 million, is the largest church in the Middle East after Egypt’s Copts, and it now faces extinction… Christian Assyrians are fleeing… from threats, kidnappings, rapes and murders. Behind the daily reporting about bombs there is an ethno-religious cleansing taking place, and soon Syria… [will] be emptied of its Christians.” 


Iran
After a short sham trial, Iran has convicted Pastor Saeed Abedini – a US citizen – and sentenced him to eight years in one of Iran's most brutal and deadly prisons – merely because he is a Christian. Breakpoint has the full story – and information on how you can help.


Egypt
Anglican Ink reports that President Muhammad Mursi of Egypt declared a “state of emergency” placing the cities which saw violent rioting recently, as well as their surrounding provinces, under martial law. Recent clashes between police and protestors, particularly in Post Said, killed at least 60. Soon afterward, in an effort to stem the anarchy, a meeting was held involving Egypt’s top government and opposition leaders as well as religious leaders, including Presiding Bishop Mouneer. The meeting agreed on a statement which, amongst other things, renounced violence and pledged to respect and protect all Egyptians regardless of their religious or political views. Presiding Bishop Mouneer Anis asks us to pray for Egypt.
In the February 4th edition of the Anglican Unscripted news video, commentator Kevin Kallsen calls us to pray for Egypt, for Bishop Mouneer Anis and the rest of North Africa and the Middle East where God is at work in spite of Islamist activity.


Indian Ocean
Archbishop Ian Ernest is appealing for prayer and financial support to help the Diocese of Seychelles which suffered heavy losses from flooding. The Seychelles is comprised or 115 islands in the Indian Ocean.


Mozambique
The Anglican Communion News Service reports that Mozambique also suffered flooding from the heavy rain storms. 70,000 people are displaced; thousands of homes, public buildings and infrastructure are destroyed; crops have been lost; and at least 36 people have died.


Malawi
Malawi has also been hit by the heavy rains. Bishop Brighton Malasa of the Diocese of Upper Shire, a diocese with which St John’s Vancouver has a close relationship, is appealing for humanitarian aid to help the estimated 33,000 people who have been displaced – and whose futures are in jeopardy – due to the flooding.


Uganda
The Anglican Communion News Service reports that Bishop Zac Niringiye, a retired Ugandan assistant bishop and an anti-corruption activist, was arrested recently for distributing pamphlets calling for an end to high-level corruption.


Kenya
Writing in the American Anglican Council’s weekly global update, Bishop Bill Atwood recounts the fascinating story of the pivotal role played by an Anglican bishop – now archbishop – in subduing the violence that followed Kenya’s last election. With Kenya facing another election, Bishop Atwood asks us to pray for peace in Kenya.


Nigeria
Nigerian media report that an Anglican priest has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. The Rev James Achugbu is reported to have been abducted February 2.


Zimbabwe
Following the restoration of churches properties to their rightful owners, Bishop Chad Gandiya (Harare) says the great need now is for healing and forgiveness.


Columbia
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada asks us to pray for Columbia where Christians are being targeted by illegal militants and guerrilla groups. Recently a pastor and his wife were threatened and then murdered by these groups. The EFC provides good background on the situation in Columbia.


Soul food

Resources
Prayer Book – The Diocese of Sydney (Australia) has launched “Common Prayer: Resources for gospel-shaped gatherings”. The book has been three years in the making. It was designed to authentically reflect the Gospel, while being contemporary and flexible.


Just for laughs
A couple's lawn mower was broken, and the wife kept hinting to her husband that he should get it repaired. But the message never sunk in. She finally thought of a way to make her point.

One day the husband arrived home to find her seated in the grass busily snipping away with a pair of scissors. He watched silently for a short time, and then went into the house.

He returned a few moments later, handed her a toothbrush and said, "When you finish cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the sidewalk."

The doctors say he should be able to walk again, but always have the limp.

www.mikeysFunnies.com


Thought
Bishop Bill Atwood, writing about navigation, radical Islam and secularization, makes the following observation – but read the whole article!
“Nations have the same struggle. As they meet the challenge of how to move forward, there are competing agendas that are vying to be preeminent. This is particularly obvious in North Africa following the Arab Spring, but is also true for the United States where the consequences of decades of rootless decision making are beginning to take a toll. Superficial society has expected the fruit of righteous life without the foundation which produces it”.


And now a word from our sponsor
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.


Lamentations 3:22-26 ESV



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