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  ANiC Newsletter: 4 March, 2011 ... pdf version
    

Handle with prayer!

News – ANiC and AEN

World Mission Sunday, March 6
Archbishop Bob Duncan has asked ACNA churches to observe March 6 as World Mission Sunday. Bishop Don, in a letter to ANiC clergy and parishes, suggests that this provides all of us with an opportunity to engage in global mission. He suggested that, on March 6, each congregation consider including mission-focused prayers and testimonies in the worship service, as well as taking a special offering for missions, including ARDFC, our global aid organization.


Calling all ANiC youth groups
The youth groupfrom Faith Anglican Church (Embrun, Ontario) would like to connect with other ANiC youth groups. Faith’s youth group leaders, conscious of the challenges young people facedeveloping and living the Christian life, believe that developing friendships and support cross youth groups will help their young people in their walk with the Lord. They say,
“We have eight youth attending regularly – ranging in age from10to 16 years old. We are looking for a youth group that would be interested in participating in an old fashioned “pen pal” exchange. We are hoping that through the writing process the young people will find friendship and support from other teens experiencing the same challenges as themselves.”

If your youth group would be interested in such an exchange, please contact: Cathie atFaith Anglican Church at:youth@faithanglican.ca.


Clergy and spouse event in Ontario
On the morning of April 9, 10am to noon, there will be a “Quiet Morning” with Bishop Don Harvey for ANiC clergy and spouses. This will take place at Inniswood Church, 460 Yonge Street, Barrie. (Easy access from Hwy 400.) A special service marking the launch of Celebration Church will follow that afternoon. Please confirm attendance by email to the Rev Brian McVitty at celebrationchurchbarrie@gmail.com.


Vancouver conference: Challenges & Christian ministry in a permissive age
Bishop Stephen Leung’s Asian Mission in Canada is organizing a conference on March 21-22. The conference – which will be held primarily at Regent College in Vancouver, 21-22 March 2010 – will explore the theme:
Discerning contemporary culture: Challenges and Christian ministry in a permissive age. The excellent line-up of speakers include: Dr Brian Stiller, the Rev Warren Lai, the Rev Ken Shigematsu, the Rev Dr David Pao, Dr Toni Dolfo-Smith, Mr Daniel Komori and Dr James Houston – and more. Registration now before the earlier bird rate expires. Evening sessions at Good Shepherd (Vancouver) are free and open to the public.


Regional church planting conference great success
The Rev Sean Love and Bishop Ron Ferris report that the first Plant and Grow regional church planting conference in Victoria on February 19 drew 40 participants and was very well received. You can listen to the sessions online at the St John’s Richmond website. Please pray for upcoming regional conferences, including one tomorrow (Saturday) in Langley, BC.


Ottawa settlement gets dizzying spin from Diocese of New Westminster
The settlement between the congregations of St George’s and St Alban’s and the Diocese of Ottawa – which was a asset split – was misleadingly characterized by the Diocese of Ottawa in its public statement as involving the sale of St George’s building to the congregation. Now the Diocese of New Westminster has spun that story further saying this agreement
“acknowledged the correctness of the BC Court ruling that Dioceses of the Anglican Church of Canada have ultimate control over the use of parish properties and assets” because “the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) has agreed to purchase St George’s Anglican Church from the Diocese of Ottawa… The nature of the settlement acknowledges the fact that in the Anglican Church of Canada structure the diocese controls parish properties and assets. Priests and laity can leave the diocese but properties remain under the control of diocesan structures.” A more accurate account of the Ottawa settlement is reported in the Christian Week.

Once the congregation has vacated, the Diocese of Ottawa plans to move a drop-in centre, Centre 454, into the St Alban’s building. Neighbours, unhappy about these plans, have been expressing their concerns to the leaders of St Albans. In response, and to correct misconceptions, the leaders of St Alban’s are providing the neighbours with the following clarification:

To our neighbours,

Contrary to some reports, St Alban's Church is not moving Centre 454 into its premises. The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa is moving the Centre in to the building after the current congregation has left.

By way of background, the Pastor and Wardens of St Albans were personally sued by the Diocese of Ottawa. As part of the negotiated settlement to drop the suit, we will change our name and relinquish the building. The current congregation of St Albans will become Church of the Messiah on July 1st and will continue to worship on Sunday mornings at the Ottawa Little Theatre. On July 1st, the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa will own the building and they will then move Centre 454 into the building. Unfortunately, the lawsuit by the Dioceserequired us to move and we have no say in what the Diocese does with the building once we have left. We are not part of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa.

The proposed move of Centre 454 to the corner of King Edward and Daly raises several issues.

The issue is not whether the Centre should exist, but whether it should be placed in this new location. As an initiative largely funded by the government and partly administered by the Anglican Diocese, Centre 454 and its funding needs should be addressed by the appropriate government bodies. If the Centre has to move due to rent issues, this funding issue needs to be openly addressed before the Centre moves to a new neighbourhood.

The second issue pertains to the original purpose of the building. In its dispute with the congregation of St Alban's, the Diocese of Ottawa maintained its claim to legal ownership. The building, privately owned until 1877, was given in trust to the Incumbent and Wardens to maintain the doctrine and worship of the Church of England. A question may arise as to the terms of the original trust and its purpose and how a drop-in centre fits, but this is something for the Diocese to deal with as our congregation no longer has a say in such matters.

We will continue to be your neighbours and we are committed to the flourishing of the neighbourhood.

We wish the Centre well in its quest for facilities.

The Pastor& Wardens, St Alban's Church (Church of the Messiah), Anglican Network in Canada


You can listen to a short, but very good CBC interview with the Revs George Sinclair (St Alban’s) and Paul Donison (St George’s, now St Peter & St Paul’s).


Diocese of New Westminster asks court to award costs
The Vancouver Sun reports that the Diocese of New Westminster has applied to the BC Court of Appeals, asking to be awarded court costs in its ongoing legal dispute with four Vancouver-area ANiC congregations. The diocese is apparently asking for $100,000 - $125,000, which is a fraction of its actual costs.


Happenings in our parishes
Celebration Church, Barrie, ON – On Saturday, April 9, at 2pm, Bishop Don Harvey will preside over the official launch of this new ANiC parish and the induction of the Rev Brian McVitty as rector and the installation of the Very Rev Peter Williams as honourary assistant. All are welcome! It will be held at: Inniswood Church, 460 Yonge Street, Barrie. (Easy access from Hwy 400.) Please remember this event and this new parish in prayer.

All Saints Anglican Church
(Rutland, VT), a mission of Holy Trinity (Marlborough, MA) reports and Bishop Don Harvey confirmed seven parishioners and the reception of an eighth when he and Archdeacon Michael McKinnon visited on January 23. As a surprise, All Saints presented Bishop Don with a new hand-carved crosier (bishop’s staff) made from Vermont white maple – which Bishop Don designated his “US” crosier. [Corrected item from Feb 20th newsletter]


Have you got our number?
When calling ANiC, most people use our toll-free number, 1-866-351-2642. However, if you are in the following local calling areas, you can also access the ANiC phone network by dialling a local number. By using the local number, you will help ANiC save money. If you live in one of these local calling areas, please make note of the number and try to use it when calling ANiC. Thanks!

Vancouver-area 604-637-5671
Winnipeg 204-285-9899
Montreal 514-317-9895
St John’s, NL 709-757-7140
Toronto / Mississauga 289-288-4138
Kitchener-Waterloo 519-772-7006
Ottawa/Kanata 613-287-5501


Calendar of upcoming events – for your interest and prayer support
March 3-5 – Blackburn Hamlet Church (Ottawa) –
Healing the Whole Person seminar
March 5 – Langley, BC church planting workshop
March 21-22 – Asian Mission inaugural conference, Vancouver, BC
March 25-26 – Rekindling the Fire: Power in the Church Conference
March 25-27 – ACiC renewal mission in Vancouver
March 29-31 – ANiC’s 2011 clergy retreat near Abbotsford, BC
April2– Ottawa, ON church planting workshop
April 6– Burlington, ON church planting workshop
[Note new date]
April 9, 10am-noon – Barrie, ON – Quiet morning for clergy and spouses at Celebration Church
April 9, 2pm – Barrie, ON – Official launch of Celebration Church
April 12-14 – Gospel Coalition conference, Chicago, Illinois
April 30– Montreal, QC church planting workshop
May 28– Moncton, NB church planting workshop [Note new date]
June (TBD) – Marlborough, MA church planting workshop


ANiC in the news
Ottawa Citizen – February 24 2011 – Conservative… parishes formalize split from Ottawa diocese


On the front lines: Church plant and project profile
Many ANiC lay leaders, priests and even a bishop have taken up the Anglican1000 challenge to share the Gospel in new ways and focus on mission and church planting. This exciting and sometimes overwhelming vision has spurred on ANiC church planters – lay and ordained alike – to work hard as they trail blaze, excited to see what the Lord will do. With every newsletter we hope to offer a window into this ministry. This time we profile

St Paul in Stoney Creek, ON
St Paul Anglican Bible Church, Stoney Creek, ON
St Paul is an ANiC project in Stoney Creek, near Hamilton, Ontario. The people of St Paul shared about the ups and downs of their journey in a St George’s (Burlington) newsletter article. The folks at St Paul are boldly and bravely learning as they go. They say they have received good encouragement and instruction from a church planting coach and, this year, they have decided to focus on a weekly Bible study, building up 25 to 50 people to form a strong launch team. They write,
“Most importantly, we have been reminded over and over to listen to the Holy Spirit to hear what it is the Lord has for us to do in our community.”

The people of this project are committed to going out into their community to meet neighbours, form friendships and minister to people
“where they are”. They say, “As we listened to the hearts of those we met and learned of challenges or hurts, we prayed for those individuals and sent them cards letting them know we were praying. These cards have proven to be a real ministry and have opened doors to deeper conversations and relationships.”

Speaking of their door-to-door ministry during the Christmas season, they wrote:
“It was great fun to watch people's faces transform from suspicious to wonder to smiles as they realized we weren't there to sell them anything, and that we'd like to take them out for coffee just to get to know them. ...On our last afternoon of deliveries, we met an older gentleman who said he wouldn't be having a merry Christmas as his wife had had a stroke just the week before. We asked if we could pray for him and his wife to which he was very receptive.”

The people of St Paul’s ask for prayer, that
“more opportunities to meet and talk with our neighbours would be presented, that we would recognize them, and act on them; and especially, that we each would indeed be a friend and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, not push our own agenda.”


News – Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)

Rekindling the Fire: Power in the Church Conference, March 26, Akron, Ohio
“Rekindling the Fire: Power in the Church” conference is set for March 25 - 26 at St Luke's Anglican Church, Akron, Ohio. It will be hosted by Bishops Roger Ames, David Anderson, and David Bena and is intended to reignite ACNA churches with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to rekindle a fresh fire for mission, to help us fall in love with Jesus all over again, and to celebrate our faith together "along the Way. Topics will include:
The Power to Serve: Tools in the Toolbox – Bishop David and MaryAnne Anderson
The Power to Break Free:Generational Healing – Bishop Roger and Gretsie Ames
The Power to Heal:Healing the Whole Person – Bishop David and Mary Ellen Bena


“The Lord is still in charge of His church”
Canon Phil Ashey of the American Anglican Council writes of his experiences visiting church leaders across the US. He tells of the experiences of various congregations as they have responded to losses – such as losing their buildings – by expanding their ministries to the community and focusing more on missions. The report is encouraging and worth reading. He concludes,
“The lesson I take away from these churches is that no matter what primates and the people who manipulate Communion structures do, the Lord is still in charge of His church. Take heart as you read the latest news or face difficulties in your own ministry because that which is from God cannot be stopped by men.”


Another congregation settles with TEC, agreeing to disaffiliate from ANCA
The people of Church of Our Savior (Oatlands, Virginia) have settled with the Episcopal Church, relinquishing claim to the property, leasing back the building, and disaffiliating from ACNA and their current diocese, the Convocation of Anglican Churches in North America (CANA). For an interesting background on the lawsuits in Virginia see an article entitled: “The Episcopal Church wages jihad against eight Virginia churches”.


ACNA member on Anglican Consultative Council’s Evangelism group
The Church of England newspaper reports that the inclusion of Dr Julian Linnell, an ACNA member, on the Anglican Consultative Council’s (ACC) Evangelism and Church Growth Initiative has roused anger from some “liberal” commentators. In response, a spokesman for the ACC said Dr Linnell was included in the group because of his expertise “…as leader of the Anglican Frontier Mission and his significant experience of evangelism to unreached peoples” – not as a representative of ACNA and should not be interpreted as formal recognition of ACNA.


ACNA missionary partnerships forming
In a short American Anglican Council video, Canon Daryl Fenton talks about his work building partnerships with Asian Anglican Churches to address pressing needs and reach people who do not know the Savior. He specifically talks about the work in the provinces of Myanmar and South East Asia and partnerships forming between ACNA parishes and Asian dioceses and deaneries.


More ACNA news
Washington Post – February 20 2011 – …parish in Va. settles property dispute with Episcopalians


News – Canada

Diocese of Ontario elects a new bishop [correction]
The Diocese of Ontario has elected the Rev Canon Michael Oulton to replace Bishop George Bruce on June 11. The Rev Oulton, a Wycliffe graduate and current rector of Christ Church (Belleville), is a trained lawyer who practiced law before going into the ministry.


Canadian bishops travel to Tanzania to dialogue with African bishops
Ten African bishops – from Sudan, Botswana, Malawi, Burundi, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa – and nine western bishops – predominantly Canadians – met in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last week. The six participating Canadian bishops are all from theologically liberal dioceses: Niagara, Ontario, Ottawa, Huron, New Westminster and Toronto. The two staff members supporting the meeting were Canadian – including the Rev Canon Dr Isaac Kawuki Mukasa, who is the ACoC’s “Coordinator for Dialogue”. Three of the four observers at the meeting were from Trinity Church Wall Street – possibly the wealthiest church in Anglicanism – while a fourth was from the Episcopal Church. There was no public comment, however, on the distribution of aid money.

The statement from the meeting can be read on the Anglican Church of Canada website. The ACoC’s statement on the meeting is here and the Anglican Journal story is here.


Why was All Saints closed?
In a letter to the editor, the chair of a now closed Niagara Falls church steering committee, recounts the history of the Diocese of Niagara’s efforts to close down this orthodox, growing congregation in order to realize $480,000 from the sale of the building and the take-over of parish trust funds.


News – United States

Debate rages within TEC over sweeping new power for Presiding Bishop
A new canon slated to take effect this summer in the Episcopal Church provides unprecedented power to the Presiding Bishop to intervene in diocesan affairs – particularly in relation to clergy discipline – even over the protests of the diocesan bishop. The Anglican Communion Institute has posted several articles expressing alarm at this development. Canon expert A S Haley also expressed deep concerns about this method of giving metropolitan powers to the Presiding Bishop.


News – International

Canterbury stands up to government pressure
The Telegraph reports that “the Archbishop of Canterbury has vowed to defend the Church’s traditional stance on marriage against Government moves to introduce homosexual weddings in
churches”.While he has not made the comments publically, he is reported to have told members of parliament at a private meeting that “…the Church of England would not bow to public pressure to allow its buildings to be used to conduct same-sex civil partnerships”.


Prayers for those in New Zealand affected by the earthquake
The Anglican Journal reports that the devastating earthquake that struck Christchurch on the south island of New Zealand on February 22 killed more than 160 people, injured many more, and 200 people remain missing. A number of Anglican church buildings including Christchurch Cathedral were severely damaged. Christians have been in the forefront of ministering to those devastated by the earthquake. Please continue to pray for those in Christchurch.

Our primate Archbishop Bob Duncan sent ACNA members an urgent prayer request on the day of the disaster. He wrote:
“I hope you’ll join me in prayer for Bishop Matthews and the clergy of the Diocese of Christchurch as they attend to the needs of those who are suffering in the aftermath of this tragedy. Please also pray for the families of those who were killed, for those who are missing and injured, for aid workers, military personnel, government officials, and other volunteers who are part of the rescue and relief efforts. We know that the Lord can work in powerful ways, especially in the midst of crisis.

More information can be accessed here:
Church of England Newspaper – February 22 2011 – Christchurch devastated by earthquake
Christian Century – February 25 2011 – …”shattered churches, grieving parishioners”
Globe and Mail – February 24 2011 – NZ quake leaves…bishop with respect for ‘Mother Nature’
Episcopal New Service – February 23 2011 – …Anglicans begin to pick up the pieces


West Indies bishops call for family first values
The Church of England Newspaper reports that the bishops of the West Indies are “
calling upon Caribbean Christians to come out of sinful relationships and immoral practices and adopt an attitude that puts the family first.” In declaring the Year of the Family, Archbishop John Holder said, “we can never over emphasise the critical role the family plays in stabilising and enriching society.”


Around the Communion and the globe
EgyptCompass Direct News reports that the Egyptian army attacked two Coptic Orthodox monasteries on February 28, shooting a monk and six church workers. Several attacks on churches are also reported. The Assyrian International News Agency confirms the attacks.

Pakistan – The only Christian minister in the Pakistani government was murdered March 2 by cloaked Taliban assassins. Shahbaz Bhatti was reportedly killed because of his opposition to Pakistan’s widely criticized “blasphemy law”. This law is frequently used to unjustly persecute Christians and other minorities in Pakistan. Mr Bhatti’s government portfolio was minister responsible for minorities. He was in Canada only weeks ago, seeking Canadian help in dealing with extremism in his country. The Anglican Journal reports that this is the second assassination in less than two months of a politician who opposed the blasphemy laws. In a recent short interview posted to YouTube you can hear Mr Bhatti’s powerful testimony and his declaration that he is ready to die for Christ and for defending the marginalized and persecuted minorities of Pakistan.

Writing in Christian Today
, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali said he is “horrified” by the murder of Mr Bhatti. He writes, “
This is yet another instance of the Talibanisation of the country… Extremists are now operating with impunity in every part of the country. The constant teaching of hate in the text books, in sermons and devotionals in radicalised mosques and madrassas and on the streets is the background to this situation.”

Saying that only the armed forces has the power to combat this extremism, but may not have the will, Bishop Nazir-Ali concludes,
“The way ahead must lie in revising text books, reforming madrassas and regulating mosques so that people are not continually being drip-fed with extremist ideology and the conflict it creates in cities, towns and villages.”

Israel – The Bishop of Jerusalem, The Rt Rev Suheil Dawani, has had his residency permit to live in Jerusalem revoked by the Israeli Interior Ministry. He was reported to have been told last August that his visa would not be renewed because he “acted in concert with the Palestinian Authority by fraudulently selling land owned by Jews to Palestinians… falsely registering Jewish-owned land as land belonging to the church”. Bishop Dawani denies the charges and is appealing the decision in court. Another report reveals that Dawani had been offered an alternative status – a work permit – that would have allowed him to stay in Jerusalem, but he declined.

ZimbabweThe Zimbabwean reports that, Bishop Chad Gandiya, of the Anglican Church in Harare, has appealed for police protection, alleging that renegade former-bishop Nolbert Kunonga was behind the murder of an 89-year-old female Anglican priest. The Zimbabwe Independent reports that five Anglican bishops in the country have received death threats from followers of Kunonga – a close ally of the country’s long-time dictator, Robert Mugabe, who has been able to use his political clout to enlist police in preventing Anglicans from using their church property.

Central Africa – The Anglican Province of Central Africa has elected the bishop of Northern Zambia, Albert Chama, as its new primate. Archbishop Chama had been the acting dean of the province since Archbishop Bernard Malango resigned four years ago. The province includes Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

LaosCompass Direct News reports that 62 Christians were forced from their village after refusing to renounce their faith and are now living in crude shelters at the edge of the jungle, lacking food and water. Their homes and livestock were confiscated.

Tanzania – The Church of England Newspaper reports that the Primate of Tanzania, Valentino Mokiwa, has accused multi-national mining firms of “despoiling the land and disrupting the culture of Africa” and is urging African governments to “put the needs of their people before tax revenues”. The Archbishop explained that “The use of chemicals in the extraction process has terrible effects on the environment, rivers are ruined, people are dying… but they claim to be working with the community, building clinics and schools… Yes they do build schools and clinics but they are substandard, unlike the ones they build for their own employees.”


Other international headlines
Church of England Newspaper – February 25, 2011 – Middle East approves women priests
Church of England Newspaper – February 25, 2011 – Fears for Christians in North Africa
Church of England Newspaper – February 25, 2011 – ‘Return to tradition’ is watchword for…bishop
Church of England Newspaper – March 4, 2011 – Indian Synod rejects bishops plea for… power


Soul food

Just for fun
Jock, a Scottish painter, was very interested in making a pound where he could. So he often would thin down his paint to make it go a wee bit further and for the most part, he got away it.

Eventually the local Presbyterian Church decided to do a big restoration job. Jack bid on the painting job and got it. And so he set to, with a right good will, erecting the trestles and putting up the planks, and buying the paint and... yes, I am sorry to say, thinning it down with the turpentine.

Well, Jock was up on the scaffolding, painting away, the job nearly done, when suddenly there was a horrendous clap of thunder. The sky opened and the rain poured down, washing the thin paint from all over the church… and knocking Jock fair off the scaffold to land on the lawn.

Now, Jack was no fool. He knew this was a judgment from the Almighty, so he fell on his knees and cried, "Oh, God! Forgive me! What should I do?"
And from the thunder, a mighty Voice spoke, "Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!"


Evolving moral values
LifeSiteNews reports that parliamentarians were told recently in expert testimony by a psychologist that pedophilia is a “sexual orientation” comparable to homosexuality or heterosexuality and that this orientation cannot be changed.

Dr Albert Mohler provides an insightful article exposing three key ideas that shape the modern mind, paving the way for our evolving moral standards to the point of accepting same-sex marriage – and perhaps one day soon, pedophilia – as rational and progressive.

With the traditional understanding of marriage under attack in Britain, Andrew Carey asks in a Church of England Newspaper article,
“How has it happened so quickly? Only a decade ago it could not even have been envisaged that the ground would shift so far.” He concludes, “The Church must argue passionately and compassionately for the ideal of marriage. It is good for the whole of society.”

In another Church of England Newspaper article, the Rev Canon Dr Chris Sugden says the traditional definition of marriage is worth upholding despite the capitulation of governments to antagonistic and intolerant moral agendas.

Chuck Colson, in his regular Break Point commentary, discusses tactics used to marginalize and dismiss traditional conservative views in the “gay marriage” debate – tactics such as demonization. He concludes
: “So-called gay-marriage is a legitimate moral and political topic for debate – for civil debate, that is. And name-calling, demonization, and intimidation are nothing but attempts to shut off the debate and to shout down the opposition. Democracy isn’t supposed to work that way. Now let me be plain. Should marriage be reserved for one man and one woman? Yes. Is saying so publicly an act of hate? No. Will I and hundreds of thousands of others continue to press the point and to defend traditional marriage? Yes, we will. And as God gives us the strength, we will not be cowed into silence, which is exactly what the other side is trying to do.”…

Commenting
on a breath-taking decision by two British judges that ruled a Christian couple were unfit to be foster parents simply because of their traditional views on homosexuality, The Spectator’s Melanie Phillips, calls the ruling “illiberal and intolerant”. She notes that the judges said
“…there was no place in law for Christian beliefs – that Britain was a ‘largely secular’, multi-cultural country in which the laws of the realm ‘do not include Christianity’.” Her conclusion is that “The atheist inquisition is in full swing. And western liberal society takes another step towards the edge of the cultural cliff – pushed towards the drop by the English judiciary.”


Chronicling the racist agenda of Planned Parent-hood
The website Blood Money presents overwhelming evidence of a racist agenda fueling Planned Parent-hood the foremost abortion provider in the US. In addition to documented historical evidence, they cite the following statistics:
“According to the Guttmacher Institute, black women are 5 times more likely than white women to have an abortion. Since Roe v Wade, 10% of the white race has been wiped out, but 28% of the black race has been wiped out. The black community makes up only 12% of the American population, but they have 36% of all the abortions–so black babies are dying more than 3x as fast! By 2008, close to 14,000,000 black babies have been killed by abortion.”


Of interest
Families with younger children might appreciate the Lenten Cross readings and activities recommended by the
Lent and Beyond prayer blog.

Two articles in the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada’s Church and Faith Trends examine the “renewal movement” within the United Church of Canada – a mainline denomination that led the way in liberalization. The author, Kevin Flatt, concludes:
“The biggest challenge to the continued survival of the renewal movement… will come from the rapid decline of the United Church… If the relatively linear trends of the last two decades are projected forward, it appears that Sunday school enrollment will hit zero about ten years from now, with attendance at Sunday worship drying up about ten years after that… [A]t that time, the question facing Evangelicals and other conservatives who remain committed to the United Church will no longer be how to survive in their denomination, but how to survive and thrive after its collapse.”


Thought
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last – C T Studd


Please pray...
For our
bishops and clergy and their families

For
ANiC projects, church plants and parishes, and for their proclamation of the Good News to those in their communities who desperately need new life in Christ
For Celebration Church (Barrie, ON) and the official launch on April 9
For St Paul Anglican Church (Stoney Creek, ON) and their efforts to connect with people in the community

For the
four Vancouver-area ANiC parishes and their legal counsel as they await the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada on their application for leave to appeal

For other ongoing legal challenges faced by ANiC parishes, including the ongoing litigation involving
St Aidan’s (Windsor) and the ANiC parishes that were formerly in the Diocese of Niagara – and their mounting expenses

For all the
congregations involved in court proceedings and disputes. Pray for a continued focus on, and blessing upon, their ministry in the midst of this turmoil. Pray for peace for the wardens and trustees who are on the front lines and bear the burden of risk and responsibility

For the
leaders and parishioners of the ACoC dioceses pursuing eviction of and legal costs against ANiC congregations and wardens

For donations to the
ANiC legal defense fund which supports parishes in disputes with their former dioceses

For the implementation by the Diocese of Maseno West (Kenya) of the malaria prevention project, sponsored by the
ARDFC. May God use it to bless Kenyans and bring many into relationship with Christ

For
persecuted Christians, especially in Egypt, Pakistan, Iraq, Somalia and other Muslim lands

For the
Sudan and the peaceful implementation of independence for the South.

For the people of
Christchurch, New Zealand. May they turn to God and find comfort and hope

For repentance and revival in
our hearts and in our nation, for a hunger for God and His Word

For all those in positions of leadership and influence in the
Anglican Communion, that they would seek to honour and obey God above all else

For the
GAFCON and Global South Primates of the Anglican Communion as they plan for meetings of orthodox Anglican leaders


And now a word from our sponsor
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.


Psalm 46 ESV


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