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  ANiC Newsletter: 20 April, 2009 ... pdf version
    

Handle with prayer!

News shorts – Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)

GAFCon Primates recognize ACNA
Primates representing the vast majority of committed Anglicans in the world issued a communiqué, following their meeting in London April 14-16, confirming they recognized the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and urged other Primates and provinces to recognize ACNA as a Province in the global Communion. The Church of Nigeria led the way, in March, by offering official recognition to ACNA. Photos of the meeting are available online – including several of our moderator, Bishop Donald Harvey.  AnglicanTV has posted an interview with Bishop Duncan.

In the communiqué, the seven Primates lamented the state of the communion, saying: “
The recent meeting of Primates in Alexandria served only to demonstrate how deep and intractable the divisions are and to encourage us to sustain the important work of GAFCON”. They also welcomed the latest draft of the Covenant, but said, “While we support the concept of an Anglican Covenant, we understand that its adequacy depends on the willingness to address the crisis that has “torn the fabric” of the Communion.” They conclude: “We remain committed to the Anglican Communion and to being a faithful and creative voice for renewal within it to recapture a focus on Biblical teaching and mission.”

The National Post carried a balanced story with comments from Bishop Duncan and an Episcopal theologian. Writing in the Church Times, Paul Handley quotes Bishop Duncan saying that there are two religions in North American Anglicanism,
“One is classic Christianity. One is actually not Christianity, at least not in the way that classic Protestantism, classic orthodoxy, or classic Catholicism would recognise it.”  Writing for the Guardian, Handley commented on the lack of media interest in the GAFCon primates’ announcement but concluded, “The upshot is that the GAFCON revolution… will continue to progress with or without an audience of journalists. Conservative Christians don't, by and large, worry what other people might think.”

In a Living Church report, George Conger comments that the Primates, in asking other Provinces in the Communion to recognize ACNA are side-stepping the Anglican Consultative Council (an “Instrument of Communion” which meets May 1-13) and challenging
“the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who has sought to confine debate to the structures of the four “instruments of unity”: the ACC, the Primates Meeting, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lambeth Conference.”


News – ANiC and AEN  
 
ANiC welcomes Sudanese church plant
On April 12, Bishop Don welcomed St John's Sudanese Anglican Church into the ANiC family. With 5000 Sudanese in the Greater Vancouver area, many with an orthodox Anglican background, there is clearly a need to plant a Sudanese Anglican church. The Rev Emmanuel Sadarak is pastoring this new congregation which meets at Southside Community Church (Robson Park) in Surrey, BC. The services will be conducted in both Arabic and English. On Saturday, May 23, Bishop Don will be in Vancouver to celebrate with this new parish in a special service. Rejoice with us! And please pray for God’s blessing and protection for this new church.


Bishop Donald Harvey honoured by Aboriginal ANiC members

Bishop Donald Harvey At the end of the early service Easter morning, St Mary’s Open Gate parishioners Randy and Laura Chipps, members of the Beecher Bay First Nations Band, presented Bishop Don with a beautiful blanket. The blanket, entitled “Keep My Fires Burning”, honours North American Indian elders and storytellers who pass on the traditions, wisdom, beliefs and history to successive generations. The Chipps presented the blanket in memory of their father, Chief Gillette Chipps of the Ditidaht Nation, and as a token to appreciation for Bishop Don’s service to God and support of their church community. While Bishop Don was enfolded in the blanket, the Chipps prayed for him. The Ditidaht Nation is known as “The People of the Rock” – and, of course, Bishop Don is from Newfoundland, which is also known as “The Rock”. Also of interest, the Chipps’ ancestors accepted Christ in the 1700s under the ministry of Jesuit Benedictine missionaries.




Bishop Don’s Easter message to ANiC parishes
Although he was celebrating Easter with ANiC congregations in Victoria BC, Bishop Don send Easter greetings to all ANiC congregations. The letter is posted on the ANiC website.


Manitoba photos
Photos of Bishop Malcolm and Bishop Don’s visits to the Manitoba parishes can be seen here – including the infamous presentation of the rubber boot making him a honourary Ukrainian.


Are you still waiting for a tax receipt from ANiC?
The ANiC office mailed receipts some time ago, however, some have been returned “address unknown”. If you think your missing receipt might be among these, please contact the ANiC office at 1-866-351-2642 ext 4013 or email rbales@anglicannetwork.ca.


Announcing: Christ the King  
On Easter Sunday, the parishioners of St Matthias (Victoria) who voted to join ANiC in March celebrated their new beginning with a new name. This vibrant congregation will now be known as Christ the King Anglican Church.  

 
St Timothy’s thanks benefactors
St Timothy’s Anglican Bible Church hosted a potluck lunch on Sunday for members of Bethel Chapel (also located on Montreal’s West Island). St Timothy’s members met frequently in Bethel Chapel’s facility last year as they worked through their discernment process prior to taking a vote to join ANiC in late 2008. In early June, St Timothy’s, Bethel Chapel and a third church are planning a joint community outreach event.


News – Canada

TEC Presiding Bishop invited to speak at Diocese of Rupert’s Land clergy retreat
Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori of the Episcopal Church (USA) is billed as the featured speaker at the June 2-5 Diocese of Rupert’s Land clergy retreat. Rupert’s Land, under Bishop Donald Phillips, includes Winnipeg and is adjacent to the Diocese of Brandon. (Thanks to the AEC blog for alerting us to this news.)

Anglican Church of Canada bishops postpone affirming newly elected bishop
Metropolitan Terry Buckle and the other bishops of the province of British Columbia and the Yukon unanimously decided to not act on the election of a new suffragan bishop for the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior (APCI) – formerly the Diocese of the Cariboo (in central BC). The Rev Barbara Andrews had been elected in early March to the post. However, because the APCI is under the oversight of the province’s metropolitan – as a result of the Diocese of the Cariboo’s dissolution due to bankruptcy in 2001 – the election is not effective until affirmed by the provincial house of bishops. The reason given for the deferral was the desire to clarify the status of the APCI. The bishops said they wanted to
“establish a time line for the reactivation of the diocese of Cariboo; to bring clarity to the issue of length of term of service of the suffragan bishop; and to review the process by which APCI recommends a nominee to assist with episcopal oversight of APCI.”


Diocese of the Arctic ready to begin rebuilding torched cathedral
The Anglican Journal reports that the Diocese of the Arctic hopes to begin construction of St Jude’s Cathedral in Iqaluit in June. The original cathedral was destroyed by arson in November 2005. The diocese is still trying to raise $500,000 of the $3.5 million cost.


Setting the record straight
In a letter to the editor of the Vancouver Sun, Michael Davenport comments on an article in which the Dean Peter Elliot of the Diocese of New Westminster discusses declining attendance and sparsely attended church buildings. Davenport asks,
“…why is the diocese next month suing conservative congregations for all their remaining buildings? If they don't have people to put in the buildings, they would do better to negotiate a gracious transfer of ownership to those who do.”

Responding in kind, Neale Adams of the diocese of New Westminster, said,
“…the Diocese of New Westminster was taken to B.C. Supreme Court by leaders of four dissident congregations last fall. They are the plaintiffs in the case; they did the suing. We regret the court action, for the diocese now has been forced into court to defend itself and keep the assets that faithful Anglicans have built up since 1859.”

ANiC Chancellor Cheryl Chang, in a letter entitled “Setting the Facts Straight”, responded to Adams with the following letter – which has not been published by the Vancouver Sun:

Four congregations applied to court… after the bishop purported to unilaterally replace the elected trustees of 2 parish corporations and told the bank his “trustees” controlled the congregations’ bank accounts. The other 2 parishes knew they were next.

More facts: Since 2002, the bishop locked out the congregation of St. Martin’s, North Vancouver, evicted the congregations of St. Simon’s North Vancouver and St. Andrew’s Pender Harbour (then closed it Dec. 2008), “terminated” the missions of Holy Cross Abbotsford and Emmanuel Richmond, and removed the rector of Christ Church Hope.

Litigation was necessary to protect these 4 churches, which have over 2700 members and an average Sunday attendance of approx. 1400, which Mr. Adams acknowledged are still “all in the Anglican Communion”.

While there is no alternative place big enough for the St. John’s Shaughnessy congregation to go, Mr. Adams was silent about the fact the diocese wants to take over our buildings when they are moving to close a number of churches due to dwindling congregations.



Long-time Canadian Anglican blogger heads to England
Michael Daley, who was among the first North American Anglicans to use the Internet to communicate orthodox Anglican views, has moved from London, Ontario to England to pursue his career. Michael’s current blog is Anglican Comment.


In the Canadian media
Anglican Journal – April 16 09 – Conservative…primates recognize proposed North American entity


News shorts – United States

Virginia Anglican orthodox churches respond to TEC’s continued litigation
In response to news that the Episcopal Church (TEC) Diocese of Virginia is appealing an earlier decision, the Rev Jim Oakes of the Anglican District of Virginia decried the unnecessary legal expense. But he said,
“The legal victories we've had so far in support of our religious freedom have only encouraged us to stand firm in our Anglican faith and work together to deliver the message of Christ… Despite today's appeal, we will continue to move on with our mission to spread the transforming news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our doors are open to everyone, especially those who thirst for transformation and renewal.”


CANA adds more parishes
The Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) announced April 9 the addition of five more churches from five different states. With the addition of these congregations, CANA, which is a missionary initiative of the Church of Nigeria led in the US by Bishop Martyn Minns and a partner with ANiC in the emerging North American orthodox Anglican province, now includes 75 congregations in 21 states.


Episcopal Church launches law suit in Fort Worth
Following the now familiar pattern, the Episcopal Church (TEC) has filed a law suit in a effort to seize control of the assets of the Diocese of Fort Worth which voted in November 2008 to realign with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. A very small minority in the diocese chose to remain in TEC. Bishop Jack Iker of the Diocese of Fort Worth responded calmly and confidently, saying,
“We are neither surprised nor alarmed by the lawsuit brought against the diocese… We are confident that we followed the proper legislative process in amending our Constitution and Canons and are prepared to make our case in court if necessary.”


TEC Presiding Bishop denies the core of the Christian Gospel
George Conger reports, in the Church of England Newspaper, that Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori has, once again, denied that Jesus Christ is the only way to God and to salvation. Speaking in Peoria, Illinois, she said insisting that Jesus is the only way to God is to limit God, adding that God is at work through other faiths, as well. The AEC blog contrasts the Presiding Bishop’s words with the Sunday message from an orthodox Anglican Church of Canada priest.


Former Archbishop of Canterbury predicts conservatives will be “cleaned out”
The Living Church reports that the Most Rev George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, told a conference of the
Anglican Communion Institute and the Communion Partners, that “all signs suggest that over time [orthodox Anglicans] are likely to be cleaned out of TEC.”   The upcoming TEC General Convention in June will tell the tale. He said, “If the General Convention pursues its liberal agenda in authorizing same-sex liturgies and the ordination of homosexual and lesbian bishops and priests, this will confirm the worst fears of many that TEC considers that agenda far more important than the unity of our Communion.”


American Anglican Council pleads with Communion Partners to work together
In an open letter to the bishops and clergy of the Communion Partners, the American Anglican Council, formed to promote traditional Anglican beliefs and defend orthodox Anglicans in the Episcopal Church (TEC), says,
“Despite our differences in strategy, Communion Partners has more in common with the American Anglican Council than the Presiding Bishop and the leadership of TEC. Orthodox Episcopalians face unprecedented challenges at General Convention 2009, just a few months away… we therefore renew our invitation to the leadership of Communion Partners to meet with the leadership of the American Anglican Council and its Episcopal Desk, to work together to ensure a hope and future for orthodox Episcopalians in TEC.”


In the US news
Church of England Newsletter – April 19 09 – Boost for gay marriage campaigners
Church of England Newsletter – April 17 09 – Church files suit against Bishop Iker


News shorts – International

Archbishop Akinola calls on Nigerian leaders to serve selflessly
In his Easter message, Archbishop Peter Akinola boldly confronted greedy, corrupt leaders. Saying there is no resurrection on Easter without death and suffering on Good Friday, he proclaimed,
“Christ gave up all for the benefit of others, but ultimately to his exaltation. By contrast, those in position of leadership today grab it all to the detriment of others, but ultimately to their own ruin… So, as we celebrate this Easter, I call on all Nigerians especially those entrusted with leadership whether in the state, the church, industries, communities, or families, to shun egotism, nepotism and tribalism and embrace altruism. All should learn lesson from Christ who, though he had it all, also gave it all for the sake of others… We should rather deny ourselves some of the perquisites of office and inconvenience ourselves in order to truly serve the people. We must stop enjoying ourselves at the people’s expense. The Easter we celebrate elicits this selfless leadership.”


Archbishop of York writes about Easter joy
Writing in The Times, John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, brings the message of Easter to bear on the troubling times in which we live. He writes:
“A “Happy Easter” is not going to resolve the crises of today. It is joy we need, surprising, transforming joy. The joy that floods and overflows like a dark room that’s suddenly flooded with light. The joy that is found in knowing forgiveness of past wrongs, life in the present and hope for the future. This is Easter joy… At this time of crisis and gloom, let the joy of Easter break through…”


Covenant getting tepid response
George Conger reports that the latest draft of the Anglican Covenant which will be considered by the Anglican Consultative Council (one of the four “instruments of communion”) meeting in Jamaica May 1-13, is not being embraced by liberals or conservatives. He says,
“Initial reactions to the document have been poor. While applauding the diminution of the earlier draft’s disciplinary provisions, liberals have voiced concern over the centralization of authority in entities outside existing provincial structures. Conservatives have been disappointed with the third draft for weakening the disciplinary provisions, pardoning the current crop of ecclesiastical malefactors, and advocating a tepid Anglicanism divorced from Scripture, the Prayer Book and Church history.”


Covenant commended to GAFCon/Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans
Respected theologian the Rev Prof Stephen Noll, after a thorough analysis of the latest Covenant draft, recommends GAFCon provinces sign on expeditiously. He says,
“It is my conclusion that the GAFCON churches should move to the front of the queue and sign on to the Covenant. GAFCON was very clear that it does not plan on leaving the Communion, indeed that it is seeking its reformation. How better than taking initiative and setting the precedent for Covenant membership and direction? Apart from the political reasons cited… I think the Covenant is a good thing in principle and the Ridley Cambridge Draft is the best version we are going to get…”


Three Church of England bishops publicly attacked
The Telegraph reports that Bishops Nazir-Ali (Rochester), Benn (Lewes) and Broadbent (Willesden) have been accused by the liberal Dean of Southwark, Colin Slee, of being outside the Communion. In a document given to parishioners, the Dean said:
“One reason why peace broke out at the Lambeth Conference was that the Puritan fringe stayed away, they boycotted the Conference – and they included the Bishop of Rochester, Lewes and Willesden in the UK. It is my view that any bishop who engaged in the boycott has placed himself outside full communion and his status as a bishop of the Anglican Church must be open to some debate." He further accused Bishop Nazir-Ali of taking early retirement to set up a “sectarian alternative church”.


Muslims attack Christians in Nigeria while Buddhists threaten Sri Lankan Christians
Scott Gilbreath’s blog tells of Muslim militants attacking Christians and burning churches in northern Nigeria during Easter celebrations. 26 were reported injured as three churches burnt.

Scott’s blog also carries a report on Buddhist attacks on churches and Christians in Sri Lanka:
“Buddhist mobs attacked several churches in Sri Lanka last week, threatening to kill a pastor in the southern province of Hambanthota and ransacking a 150-year-old Methodist church building in the capital… The Easter incidents are the latest in a long series of attacks against churches and Christian individuals in recent years, many of them instigated by Buddhist monks who decry the growth of Christianity in the country.”


Bishop Nazir-Ali prescribes strong medicine for Pakistan
Writing in the Telegraph, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali (Rochester) says,
“Throughout its history, Pakistan has been vulnerable to religious extremism. Unless coordinated international action is taken as a matter of urgency, Pakistan may not survive.” Bishop Nazir-Ali who announced he will step down as Bishop of Rochester in September in order to work for Christians in Islamic countries, goes on to detail specific actions that are urgently needed to “save” Pakistan. He concludes: “These threats to Pakistan are now also threats to world order. It is in all of our interests that they are dealt with quickly and comprehensively.”


International news
Church of England Newspaper – Apr 9 09 – Election set for new Bishop of Harare
Church of England Newspaper – Apr 9 09 – Zimbabwe bishops called to meeting
Religious Intelligence – April 16 09 – GAFCon leaders say not enough progress has been made
Anglican Journal – April 15 09 – Anglican consultative Council to meet in Jamaica in early May


Soul food

Worth reading
The Rev John Piper, in his blog “Desiring God”, has written a short but poignant “Conversation with Death on Good Friday” – well worth reading.

If you have an interest in the popular, but controversial, novel
“The Shack”, you should read the thoughtful analysis by Tim Challies in the April Anglican Planet. Challies concludes, “Throughout The Shack there exists a subversive strain that teaches that new and fresh revelation is much more relevant and important than the kind of knowledge we can gain in…Scripture. It teaches that so much of what we think we know about the faith is nothing more than the traditions of men… [The author] redraws much of the Christian faith. The author continually encourages the reader to doubt what he knows of Christianity—to deconstruct what he knows of Christian theology—and to embrace something new. But the faith Young reconstructs is simply not the faith of the Bible.”


Just for laughs  




Please pray...
That God would richly bless the
GAFCon Primates and Provinces that have stood in solidarity with the Anglican Church in North America.

For new
ANiC congregations, church plants and projects. May they know the Lord's leading and experience His blessing on their congregations.

For wisdom as ANiC seeks to find more effective ways of ministering to and encouraging
“Orphaned Anglicans” who have no orthodox Anglican church in their community.

For
congregations involved in court proceedings and disputes. Pray for wisdom, courage and peace for the congregations – and for continued focus on, and blessing upon, ministry in the midst of this turmoil. Pray for the judges and lawyers involved; and for the leadership and parishioners of the dioceses pursuing ANiC parishes in court. Pray particularly:
For the Vancouver legal team preparing for the big, three-week trial commencing May 25. This involves four ANiC parishes and the Diocese of New Westminster.
For our lawyers in the Huron diocese case who are dealing with two actions in respect to St Aidan’s property. One action was initiated in Windsor by St Aidan’s and a later one was initiated by the diocese in London.  Now both are being argued in the London court.
For an equitable decision from the March 11 hearing – involving three ANiC parishes in Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe – regarding the awarding of court costs.
For generous contributions to the Legal Defence Fund as we seek justice and legal protection for ANiC congregations. These funds are needed to continue our work protecting ANiC congregations and to retain the use of the church buildings for vibrant ministries and outreach.

For our
national, provincial and civic leaders as well as for our nation. May God be pleased to grant repentance and cause a revival to sweep our land.

For
persecuted Christians in Nigeria and Sri Lanka and elsewhere.


And now a word from our sponsor
Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.


Psalm 96


I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!


Psalm 108: 3-6


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