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ANiC and ACNA events calendar
May 6 – Ontario women's retreat, Celebration Church, Barrie ON (more information to come)
May 7 – Canadian Sanctity of Life Sunday
May 11 – Anglicans for Life Canada joins the March for Life in Ottawa and provincial capitals
May 14 – The Rev Phil Varcoe will be ordained a priest at Resurrection, Brandon
May 15-18 – ANiC clergy and spouse retreat, Malibu, BC
May 18-20 – ACNA Intersection Conference in Costa Mesa, CA on impacting culture
May 26 - June 3 – Mission trip to Cuba to visit ACNA church plants
May 28 – The Rev Gregor Cantz will be ordained a priest at Emmaus, Montreal
June 11, 4pm– The Rev Bob Bailey will be ordained a priest at Saint Matthew's Abbotsford, BC
June 18, 7pm – The Rev Jeremy Graham will be ordained a priest at St John's Vancouver
June 26 – ACNA College of Bishops meeting, Wheaton, IL
June 27 – ACNA Provincial Council, Wheaton, IL
June 28-30 – ACNA Provincial Assembly, Wheaton, IL
Oct 24 – Clergy Day, Ottawa
Oct 25-27 – Synod 2017, Burlington, ON (Theme: Remember Jesus Christ, 2 Timothy 2:8-10)
ANiC news
Holy Week exhortation
In his letter to ANiC this Easter, Bishop Charlie specifically asks us to get serious about our first diocesan priority "Bold Witnesses". Will you – will I – allow the resurrection power of our triumphant LORD overcome our pride and timidity? Will we share the Good News with our friends, family and neighbours? Read his full letter on the ANiC website.
Clergy and ministry opportunities
Church of the Ascension (Langley, BC) is looking for qualified applicants for rector. For information on this "up to full-time" position and to apply, see details on the church website. Questions may be directed to the rector's warden, Tom Grainger, by email or by calling 604-583-1036. Applications are requested by May 24.
St Peter's Fireside (Vancouver, BC) needsa full-time associate pastor. Primary responsibilities include leadership development and discipleship, pastoral care, and some administrative work. Applications are due by May 26. See the church website for details.
St Andrew's Church (Delta, BC) needssomeone to lead music on Sundays for its 9-10:30am service – on a weekly or biweekly basis. More information is posted on the church website.
Additional positions are posted on the ANiC jobs page.
Sanctity of Life Sunday
ANiC parishes are reminded that Sunday, May 7 is Sanctity of Life Sunday in ANiC – always the 1st Sunday in May. This is a great opportunity to share in our parishes why it is biblical to uphold the sanctity of life in both word and action. It's a time of celebration, of prayer, of witness and outreach. To help, Anglicans for Life Canada offers parish resources, including a bulletin insert for May 7.
Will your congregation become a "life affirming" church? Learn more.
March for Life, May 11
Canada's annual National March for Life – as well as the provincial counterparts – will be May 11 this year. The 2017 theme is "Life – We stand on guard for thee!" On that day, all across Canada, the Proclamation of the Sanctity Of Human Life will be seen and heard as thousands March For Life. Will you join with other Anglicans in these events? For specific information see the Anglicans for Life Canada (AFLC) website.
In our nation's capital, May 11 will begin with an Anglican worship service at 10am at St Peter & St Paul's in the heart of Ottawa. If you are able to participate in the Ottawa events, email the Rev Vicky Hedelius, AFLC national director.
Anglicans for Life Canada will also participate in provincial marches.
Victoria, BC – email the Rev Rich Roberts, AFLC ambassador
Edmonton, AB – email Dr Nancy Craig, AFLC ambassador
Halifax, NS – email Mrs Cathy Ashton, AFLC ambassador
Marches will also take place in Regina and Winnipeg. If you are interested in becoming an AFLC ambassador and/or participating in these, please contact Vicky+ at Canada@anglicansforlife.org
We have been complacent much too long. This year, let's publicly and peacefully stand with those who are vulnerable – the unborn, the infirmed, and the elderly – offering Christian love and support in times of crisis, abandonment, need.
Ordinations
Bishop Charlie Masters asks the entire diocese to pray for those approaching ordination. In the next months, the following men will be entering into Holy Orders:
The Rev Phil Varcoe will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Charlie on May 14 at Resurrection, Brandon.
The Rev Gregor Cantz will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Charlie on May 28 at Emmaus, Montreal.
The Rev Bob Bailey will be ordained by Bishop Trevor Walters to the priesthood on June 11 at 4pm at Saint Matthew's Abbotsford, BC. Please note corrected date!
The Rev Jeremy Graham will be ordained by Bishop Trevor Walters to the priesthood on June 18 at 7pm at St John's Vancouver. Please note corrected date!
Please make every effort to attend ordinations in your area to bless, encourage and pray for those taking this monumental step.
Welcomes and good-byes…
We warmly welcome to ANiC the Rev Lloyd Lee, his wife Miriam and son Joey. Lloyd+, who was serving in the Church of England at Christ Church Pennington, is rector of Immanuel Vancouver – effective April 1.
Archdeacon Emeritus Bruce Chamberlayne has stepped down as Archdeacon for the BC Interior and Alberta and, joining Archdeacon Emeritus Desiree Stedman and Dean Emeritus Archie Pell. The "emeritus" designation is bestowed by the House of Bishops to honour those who have stepped down from their functions because of retirement. Bishop Charlie says, "We are extremely thankful for the wonderful ministry each offered ANiC and want to express, in this small way, our deep gratitude and continue to honour them by adding this title 'emeritus'."
The House of Bishop is delighted to announce that the Venerable Terry Lamb, rector of Resurrection (Kelowna, BC), has been appointed to take over as Archdeacon for the BC Interior and Alberta, effective April 1. We extend our very best wishes to Archdeacon Terry.
Church building network forming – Should you be involved?
Many ANiC congregations are itching to have their own building. Our House of Bishop has asked Bishop Trevor Walters to give leadership to a network of leaders in these churches. This group is intended to offer mutual encouragement and facilitate the sharing of information, resources, best practices and expertise. Initially the network will meet monthly by conference call and then in person at Synod 2017.
Who should get involved?
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Those heading the building committee in their congregation; |
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Leaders of churches in dire need of a church building in the near future; |
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Those who have experience and can share what they have learnt – especially those who led congregations that, in the past decade, bought, refurbished, renovated or erected a church building; and |
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Those who have expertise in finance, fundraising, construction, and real estate development, who can offer wise counsel. |
If you have something to contribute or are in need of advice, please register for the Church Building Network by emailing Jessica in the ANiC office or calling her at 1-866-351-2642 ext 4015.
Largest Anglican event in North America invites you!
Our province's Assembly 2017 in the Chicago area, June 27-30, features a dynamic lineup of speakers and ministry-specific workshops. There is something for everyone, including workshops for youth, Latino ministry, campus outreach, multi-ethnic ministry, healing prayer, and more. The theme is "Mission on Our Doorstep". While ANiC's official delegation is pretty much set, everyone is invited. You won't regret participating. Information is on the ACNA website.
Speakers include:
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Ed Stetzer, PhD, Billy Graham Distinguished Chair for Church, Mission and Evangelism at Wheaton College, author, pastor, church-planter |
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Archbishop Ben Kwashi (Jos, Nigeria) |
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Louie Giglio, author, pastor, founder of the Passion Movement impacting a generation of youth |
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Lisa Espineli Chinn (author, leadership and ministry coach and former national director of international student ministries of InterVarsity) |
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Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, former bishop of Rochester, now president of the Oxford Centre for Training, Research, Advocacy and Dialogue |
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Dave Ferguson, pastor, author |
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Bishop Tito Zavala, DMin, former Primate of South America |
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Daniel Carroll Rodas, PhD, Old Testament scholar |
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Bishop Miguel Uchoa (Recife) |
You can share this opportunity in your church with downloadable and flyers. Each flyer comes in three types to fit the needs and capabilities of your office: regular, office copier friendly, and professional printing. Click type to download.
Encouraging each other by telling our stories
We are growing a section of the ANiC website dedicated to sharing our testimonies of God's work in our midst. We invite you to add stories of what God is doing in your church or ministry. Please email Marilyn with your articles, videos or story ideas.
CMJ Canada study tour of Israel, November 5-19
Although this Shoresh Study tour is quite full, a couple cancelations mean a few spaces now are available. The tour will take you the length and breadth of Israel, learning about important events in both the Old and New Testaments, studying Scripture in its original context, and understanding in a new way how it applies to our lives today. Check out the itinerary posted on the CMJ website.
ANiC parish and regional news
St Peter & St Paul's (Ottawa, ON) – You can read about and see photos of the Rev Canon Dr Brent Stiller's induction and installation at St Peter & St Paul's written from the perspective of a Roman Catholic journalist.
St Peter's Fireside (Vancouver, BC) is a recipient of a 2017-2018 grant from the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE). This grant is funding a new parish initiative called Prepare & Send. This program is engaging four residents/interns in a one-year course of service and leadership in the parish (missions, arts, children, etc) designed to facilitate discernment for a call to ordained ministry. We celebrate the selection of two men and two woman into the initiative.
St Peter's Fireside, sadly, is losing its associate pastor, the Rev Roger Revell, who, with his wife Cindy, will be relocated to the UK in September where Roger will begin a PhD in Christian doctrine. Roger hopes to also serve in a part-time capacity in the Church of England, ideally supporting some rural parishes.
Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
Matthew 25 Initiative grants available for ministries to the poor and marginalized
ACNA's Matthew 25 Initiative is intended to help churches reach the poor and marginalized in their communities. Learn more about this fund and how your church-based ministry can apply here.
ACNA's success should encourage the orthodox in the Church of England
Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, in his April Gafcon pastoral letter, focuses on the ACNA and evidences of God's blessing, then says: "The restoration we have seen in North America after the devastation unleashed when church leaders substitute their word for God's Word should be a strong encouragement to faithful Anglicans on the other side of the Atlantic, as we see the Church of England and other Provinces moving at varying speeds in the same direction as TEC and the Anglican Church of Canada to institutionalise the rejection of God's Word."
He also mentions that the Gafcon primates will be at the ACNA Provincial Assembly, June 27-30 in Wheaton, IL where more than 1000 are expected to gather around the theme of 'Mission on our Doorstep'. ANiC's Asian and Multicultural Ministries (AMMiC) will be well represented, with Bishop Stephen Leung and his team leading workshops.
International news in brief
GAFCon
Prayer requested - In his April pastoral letter, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh (Nigeria) also asks us to pray for the Gafcon Primates Council as it meets in Lagos April 24 - 28. He writes, "We are called to shoulder heavy burdens and many of us are deeply involved with issues of famine relief, insecurity and governance in our nations as well as the need to contend for the truth of the gospel in the wider Communion. Pray for our fellowship together and that our deliberations may be guided by the Holy Spirit, to the praise and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and the extension of the Kingdom of God."
Unity vs Truth – A June 2016 article by theologian MB Davie is even more relevant today with events in the Church of England. In "Why the Arguments for a Third Way do not Work", Davie dissects and rejects the arguments for accommodation – for a middle/ third way – currently being peddled to those who, on theological grounds, oppose changes in the Church's historic teaching and practices related to human sexuality.
Equipping bishops to stand strong – Gafcon is looking for donors to sponsor training of Anglican Communion bishops which equips newly consecrated bishops "…to be guardians of God's Word and gospel-hearted leaders who will encourage and equip their flocks to share the Good News". Learn more on the Gafcon website.
Anglican Communion news in brief
Archbishop Justin Welby has appointed the former Primate of Burundi, Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi as the new director of the Anglican Centre in Rome where he will represent the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Vatican.
Canada
Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC)
An Anglican Journal article explores the critical need for training newly ordained Indigenous ministers beyond the traditional seminary.
The Toronto Star reports the death of retired ACoC Archbishop Terence Finlay at age 79. In 1992, he famously defrocked a priest who refused to end his same-sex relationship, an action for which he later apologized as he became an advocate for the LGBTQ community in later life. In 2006, he lost his licence to perform marriages after officiating at the wedding of a lesbian couple.
Euthanasia and conscience protection – The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), of which ANiC is a member, has joined with Roman Catholic Bishops in filing legal arguments with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. They are supporting the constitutional challenge brought by a coalition of medical groups of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)'s requirement that doctors provide referrals or conduct procedures that violate their consciences. The case is scheduled to be heard in June, and the decision could be precedent-setting for how professional associations treat conscientious objection.
The EFC also submitted a brief to the Ontario Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs saying that being forced to participate in hastened death violates deeply-held beliefs and asking for conscience protection for health-care workers and facilities to be added to Ontario Bill 84.
United States
A decision has yet to be announced following the US Episcopal Church's (TEC) disciplinary hearing of Bishop Jon Bruno (Los Angeles) who is accused of wrongfully attempting to sell a church building in Newport Beach to a condo developer. This is the former building of ACNA's St James (Costa Mesa) congregation.
TEC Bishop Robert Wright (Atlanta) selected a Muslim woman to preach at the renewal of vows service for his clergy earlier this week.
Peru
Churches in Peru are able to help remote Andean devastating by floods and mud slides in a way governments and aid agencies cannot, says the Diocese of Peru. The torrential rains caused many deaths and tens of thousands to be displacing, and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. The diocese has set up a fundraising commission to "Help us to help others" which is supported by Archbishop Greg Venables (South America). You can donate through ARDF (US).
Recife, Brazil
The Rev Charles Raven discusses the history and progress of the Diocese of Recife and the role the ACNA is playing in revitalizing Anglicanism in Latin America. Like many in the ACNA, the Diocese of Recife left its established church and lost its buildings, but now it is growing to become "a strategic centre for mission extending throughout Central America and the northern part of South America." In the past five years, it has planted 70 new churches. "The pattern of growth is organic, being based on multiplying cell groups which build discipleship into the very fabric of the church's structures."
Recently, the "GAFCON Primates have authorized Bishop Miguel Uchoa [Recife] to provide episcopal oversight throughout central and northern South America for Anglican churches [which] are unable to continue as part of revisionist dioceses. Reflecting this wider mission, the Anglican Diocese of Recife is now in the process of reconstituting itself as the Anglican Church of Brazil."
Bishop Uchoa is part of the leadership of 'Caminemos Juntos' (Let's walk together!), a joint venture between Gafcon-aligned leaders in South America and the ACNA's Greenhouse church planting movement based in Chicago. Caminemos Juntos' will hold its next gathering in Recife, October 5-7.
England
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have launched an investigation into the bullying (borking) of Bishop Phillip North, over his opposition to female ordinations,which caused him to withdraw his acceptance of the nomination as bishop of Sheffield. This incident has put the lie to the 2014 compromise – five guiding principles – that brought in women's ordination. Anglican Unscripted commentators discuss the incident, the failure of the Archbishops to come to Bishop North's defence while the bullying was happening, and whether the underlying issues are resolvable.
Barbara Gauthier provides the full story and explains why the Bishop North debacle demonstrates that Archbishop Welby's much touted "good disagreement" and "mutual flourishing" and "radical inclusion" is nothing but empty rhetoric which is used only to undermine orthodoxy.
Canon Gavin Ashenden former Queen's chaplain has disaffiliated from the Church of England following 35 years of ordained ministry over the CoE's shifting teaching on moral ethics. In speaking on Anglican Unscripted, he says that the "direction the Church of England has taken is terminal. There is no sign it is going to turn around… (or) repent." He said he believes it was no longer possible to continue to work within the CoE with integrity. More information is available on Christian Today, on Premier (in which Gavin+ likes the CoE to a bus driving over a cliff), and on the BBC.
Gavin+ provides his own full explanation on a 27-minute video, in which he primarily on focuses women's ordination.
Cathedrals – The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have set up a working group to examine the governance of cathedrals and the financial and difficulties besetting them. The cathedral in the Diocese of Peterborough, for example, was found to have a substantial operating deficit, with most of it properties mortgaged, no free reserves, and serious levels of debt.
Australia
Australia has been rocked by the government investigation into a long-standing child-sex abuse scandal with the rot extending into the Anglican Church. Bishop Greg Thompson of the Diocese of Newcastle, himself a child-sex abuse victim, has been a relentless champion of victims and a courageous advocate for exposing the culture of "cover-up" and bringing perpetrators to justice. However, he has now had to resign due to the toll on his health, saying, "When I started this journey to right the wrongs of child abuse in the Diocese I didn't expect… to uncover systemic practices that have enabled the horrendous crimes against children… I must place the wellbeing of my family and my health above my job."
Egypt
Days ago, on Palm Sunday, two Islamic State suicide bomb attacks on Christian Orthodox churches – one north of Cairo, and one in Alexandria – killed 45 and injured 129, including Muslim police officers and guards. In a statement detailing the tragedies, Archbishop Mouneer Anis says that "Sadness overshadowed all Palm Sunday celebrations all over Egypt." He asks us to pray for Christians in Egypt. Anglican Unscripted commentators discuss this attack in the context of the Islamization of England.
South Sudan
The civil war has displaced hundreds of thousands – many to refugee camps in neighbouring countries. People are barely surviving with little shelter or food. Many are traumatized, are grieving the loss of loved ones, or have become separated from their families. All need pastoral care. Read a first-hand account from one diocesan bishop who effectively moved to a refugee camp to continue the diocese's ministry.
Resources for ministry
Get inspired! Read what other ACNA churches are doing to bless and minister to their communities. You'll find great ideas here!
Church growth – Regent College (Vancouver) is offering a clergy and lay leaders conference, May 10-13, focused on "neighbourhood exegesis" – learning how to better understand the communities in which we minister so we can better communicate the Gospel.
Resources for Christian Living
The 39 Articles – Canon Phil Ashey continues his series of short videos on the 39 Articles, this time focused on Article XXXVII: Of the Power of the Civil Magistrates addresses the relationship between the church and the state:
Part 1 – Relationship between the Church and the State
Part 2 – The Established Church (eg Church of England)
Part 3 – Civil disobedience
Social media – St George's (Burlington, ON) explains how we all can support our churches' efforts to reach out with social media – especially Facebook.
Helping refugees – The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada website provides ideas for helping refugees beyond sponsorship.
Church planting isn't just for the young – You'll be inspired by this story of a woman who, in her 80s, planted an ACNA church and, at 89, still continues to offer lay leadership.
Women mentoring women – In Titus 2:3, the Apostle Paul calls for older Christian women to invest their time mentoring younger women. A Faith Today article suggests ways this can be done.
Soul food
Just for fun
Sign at a monastery: "In case of fire, break vow of silence."
Sign in a church parking lot: Church parking only. Violators will be baptized.
www.mikeysFunnies.com
Thoughts
"The fear of God is the death of every other fear; like a mighty lion, it chases all other fears before it." ~ C H Spurgeon
And now a Word from our Sponsor
"Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
"And when the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you—for the LORD your God in your midst is a jealous God…
Deuteronomy 6:1-15 (ESV)
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