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  ANiC Newsletter: 29 April, 2009 ... pdf version
    

Handle with prayer!

News – ANiC and AEN

ANiC approved as a diocese in the Anglican Church in North America
The Leadership Council of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) approved 28 dioceses and dioceses-in-formation as constituent members – including ANiC.
“It is a great encouragement to see the fruit of many years’ work,” said Bishop Robert Duncan, archbishop-elect of the Anglican Church in North America. “Today, 23 dioceses and five dioceses-in-formation joined together to reconstitute an orthodox, biblical, missionary and united church in North America.” See the full news release.

In the Anglican Journal story, Bishop Don Harvey is quoted saying,
“ANiC will consider…[the ACNA] as the province to which we now belong…. For a period of time, I would imagine we’ll have two lines of authority, our prime authority would be the Anglican Church of North America, but I would still be a member of the house of bishops of the Southern Cone (of America) in an honorary capacity until such time as we feel we can cut the cord as it were.” The same story quotes Archbishop Hiltz downplaying the news: “They haven’t followed the normal processes through the Anglican Consultative Council [ACC], the only body in the whole Anglican Communion that can create a province… My sense is that it is not likely to get a whole pile of attention… [at the ACC meeting in May] because they simply haven’t followed the due processes that the ACC has in place for creating a province.”


New Toronto ANiC congregation forming
A number of people are joining together to launch a congregation in Toronto this fall. The discernment process will involve several months of regular meetings with prayer and Bible study. The first get-together is Wednesday, May 6th. If you are interested in becoming involved – or just curious – please call Claus Lenk at 416-445-0880 Ext 102 or contact him by email.


Langley congregation off to encouraging start
Bishop Ron Ferris reports that 50 people from 25 households have already expressed interest in the Langley ANiC congregation – and about ½ of these already consider themselves parishioners. Officers have been chosen and a name is in the works. Bible studies will be held the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month beginning in May, with worship services on the 4th Sunday of the month beginning in June. September 13th will mark the start of regular weekly Sunday services.


Your support is requested
Canon David Short (St John’s Shaughnessy) is asking ANiC members and friends to sign a petition supporting Biblically-faithful Christians in the Church of Scotland in their upcoming synod. Similar to the situation in Canada, the presenting issue revolves around taking a stand for Biblical morality. To sign the petition, please go to the Fellowship of Confessing Church website. (The link to the petition is at the bottom of the page.) For additional background information, please see a letter from the Rev Dr William Phillips.


Letter from a parishioner to her former ACoC bishop explaining why she left
When Sara Plumpton, a former St Matthias delegate to the Diocese of BC synod, decided to join the congregation in forming Christ the King Anglican Church (under ANiC), she felt a explanation was in order. So she wrote an open letter to her former diocesan leadership. In part, Sara’s wrote:

“I believe the Diocese of British Columbia has not dealt with the cause of division in this diocese. This avoidance has caused the Diocese to look like it cares more for buildings than it does for its people… Rather than deal with the theological concerns of conservative Anglicans, the Diocese is more than willing to allow conservatives to “vote with their feet.”…The ACoC leadership claims that they hold buildings in trust. I believe it no longer holds the Gospel in trust… The ACoC leadership has failed in a most fundamental way: they have ceased to uphold the Gospel.

“I resign my position as Lay Synod Representative of the Parish of St. Matthias. I have severed my ties to the institution known as the Anglican Church of Canada because I believe that those in authority are not defending and upholding the Gospel against erroneous teaching. Consequently, I cannot in all conscience support an institution, which is leading people astray under the illusion that all theological innovation is acceptable under the via media of Anglicanism.



Faith Today interview with Executive Archdeacon Charlie Masters

If you didn’t see the extensive and wide-ranging interview with the Ven Charlie Masters in Faith Today, you can now read it online at Christianity.ca


News shorts – Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)

Speakers announced for ACNA provincial assembly in June
Three high-profile Christian leaders – from a diversity of backgrounds – will speak at the Anglican Church in North America provincial assembly, slated for June 22-25 at St Vincent’s Cathedral in Bedford, Texas. Full details are posted to the ANiC website. The three confirmed speakers are:
Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life and pastor of Saddleback Church
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, the Archbishop of Washington and New York and Metropolitan of All America and Canada for the Orthodox Church in America
The Rev Dr Todd Hunter, Director of West Coast church planting for the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA) and adjunct professor at several seminaries.


ACNA finalized draft constitution and canons
The ACNA Leadership Council, in addition to accepting 28 dioceses as constituent members, finalized a draft constitution and a comprehensive set of canons (Church bylaws) for ratification by the provincial assembly. These will be presented to the June 22-25 inaugural assembly of the ACNA to be held in St Vincent’s Cathedral, Bedford, Texas.


What will it take for ACNA to be recognized as a province?
While the institutional party line is that the Anglican Consultative Council is the only body able to recognize a new province, Robert Tong offers a different perspective on the Sydney Anglicans website. Drawing on international law, he says:

“One view requires a formal act of recognition as indispensable in establishing the international legal personality of a new state and the competence of its government. Another view is that a state exists as a subject of international law as soon as it exists as a fact. That is as soon as the new state fulfils the conditions of statehood as laid down by international law. But what are the essential ingredients of statehood? Article 1, of the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States1933, indicates that a state is characterised by: a permanent population; a defined territory; effective government; and capacity to enter into foreign relations.

“The GAFCON/FCA Primates’ Council and the Province of Nigeria have declared formal recognition and the Montevideo Convention characteristics have been satisfied in full measure.

“In international politics, recognition or non-recognition of states can have as much to do with the real politik of the situation as it does with satisfying legal principles. The real politik of the Anglican Communion is GAFCON and the Global South. It is time that the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Consultative Council recognised this.”



ACNA cycle of prayer
An ACNA cycle of prayer - through to the end of June – is available.


News – Canada

Bishops determine ANiC members not fit for leadership in Cursillo
Following their recent House of Bishop’s meetings, a message was released which stated that,
“The House, with regret, is of the opinion that clergy and laity who are members of the Anglican Network in Canada (ANIC) should not be given permission to exercise a leadership role in the Cursillo Movement of the Anglican Church of Canada.” The message also dismissively indicates that ANiC members “self identify as being Anglicans”.

The statement also referred to plans to engage African dioceses in sexuality discussions:
“Canon Isaac Kawuki-Mukasa of the Faith Worship and Ministry staff spoke to us about a request to develop a process to engage dioceses and parishes of the Anglican Church of Canada in a study of the Christian perspective of human sexuality through the lens of Scripture, reason, tradition and current scientific understanding. In his presentation Canon Mukasa also informed us of an initiative to link some Canadian dioceses with some African dioceses for discussions and exchange of views around matters of human sexuality.


In the Canadian media
Anglican Journal – April 24 09 – Election of APCI suffragan bishop moved up to June
Anglican Journal – April 23 09 – House of bishops’ “message to the church” covers wide range…


News shorts – United States

15 bishops of the Episcopal Church issue statement questioning church polity
A comprehensive statement released by 15 sitting and retired bishops of the Episcopal Church (TEC) and three Anglican Communion Institute theologians examines the polity of TEC in light of threats that dioceses will be prevented from signing on to the Covenant. They say:
“The traditional doctrine and worship and the historic polity of the Church are in grave peril… The autonomy of our dioceses has long been recognized as an essential feature of the polity of our Church… Any attempt to prevent willing dioceses from signing the covenant would be unconstitutional and thereby void... The Episcopal Church consists of autonomous, but interdependent, dioceses not subject to any metropolitical power or hierarchical control…We intend to exercise our episcopal authority to remain constituent members of the Anglican Communion and will continue to speak out on these issues as necessary.” The Living Church provides a summary of the 21 page document – as does the Church Times.

The release of the bishops’ statement was embroiled in controversy when a liberal blogger acquired and published private email communications amongst the bishops and ACI theologians.


In the US news
Star-Telegram – April 25 09 – In Bedford, the Rev Rick Warren will speak to breakaway Episcopalians
OneNewsNow – April 27 09 – Episcopal Church resembles “peace Corps in ecclesiastical drag’
Living Church – April 17 09 – Flurry of motions in Pittsburgh case
Church of England Newspaper – April 24 09 – ‘Buddhist Bishop’ losing support


News shorts – International

New Archbishop of Kenya elected
With Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi’s term expiring June 30, a new Primate for the Church of Kenya was elected on April 24. Archbishop-elect Elide Wabukala, who holds a doctorate, will be consecrated July 5. See also an Anglican Journal interview with the outgoing Archbishop Nzimbi.


Congo elects new primate
The Anglican Church of the Congo has elected a new Archbishop as well. Bishop Henri Isingoma will succeed Archbishop Fidèle Dirokpa as Primate of the Congo. No date has been set for his consecration.


Tanzanian bishop joins battle to protect albinos
With dozens of albinos murdered annually in Tanzania for occult purposes, Bishop Phillip Baji (Tanga, Tanzania) has taken a stand, denouncing this evil, calling for the end to the discrimination and demanding government crack down on witchdoctors.


Sex and the City conference in London draws protesters
The just-concluded Sex and the City conference held in London, England, drew world-renowned experts – as well as rabid protesters. The experts said men and women can overcome unwanted same-sex attractions if there is strong motivation and if other underlying problems can be addressed. In an interview with VirtueOnline, one of the speakers, Dr Joseph Nicolosi, founder of the US-based therapeutic organisation NARTH, said, contrary to common belief, only about 1.5 to 2 per cent of the population identify themselves as homosexual.

Christian Today quotes Dr Nicolosi:
“We want to convey the message that change is possible. Many people who have same-sex attractions are told you can’t change, it’s biologically predetermined, it’s genetically based, and that’s not true. After 30 or 40 years of trying to find the gay gene it has not been discovered and many people, especially young people, are being told that they don’t have a choice... Basically they are resigning themselves to a gay lifestyle not knowing that there are options for them.”


Fellowship of Confessing Anglican movement pressing forward
In a response to a recent article in the British press, Canon Dr Chris Sugden writes:
“GAFCon fizzling out? I don’t think so.” He talks about the many events – past and planning – in Britain and North America since GAFCon and recounts discussions with African church leaders who spoke of the importance of GAFCon in their province. Archbishop Nzimbi (Kenya) said: “GAFCon has had an impact in my province in that Christians were given hope that we are going to be grounded even more in the Word of God and the teaching of the bible is going to be taken seriously.”


Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) meets May 1-13 in Jamaica
Please pray for the ACC – one of the Communion’s “instruments of unity”. Meeting details – agenda and participants – are available. The draft Covenant will be one of the primary topics. Members from the Anglican Church of Canada are: Bishop-elect Stephen Andrews, Bishop Susan Moxley and Suzanne Lawson. Bishop Bill Godfrey is the member from the Southern Cone.


International news
Religious Intelligence – Apr 23 09 – GAFCON leaders speak out against centralisation
Society & Religion – April 23 09 – How Rwanda’s Christian leaders are saving the American Church


Soul food

Worth reading
Videos of a plethora of godly speakers from a recent pastors’ conference in Chicago, called
Entrusted with the Gospel and based on 2Timothy, are now available online.


Just sad
German toy manufacturer
Playmobil is suing a priest for using Playmobil figures to create scenes from the Bible. You can see the priest’s handiwork here.


Nancy Gall, writing in the National Post under the headline “Ecumenism gone wild”, satirically comments on “ecumenical” Anglican (Episcopalian) priests:
One who claims to be a Muslim;
Another who is a Buddhist and makes a habit of changing the liturgy – recently substituting a passage from the Koran for a Bible reading;
And a third, recently appointed head of a seminary, who claims, “Abortion is a blessing”.
Drawing the analogy between abortion and pagan child sacrifice, Gall concludes: “Liberal Anglicans… have a smug little saying about their Church. Unlike denominations in which adherents actually have to hold a specific set of beliefs… the Anglican Church is the one “where you don’t have to check your brains at the door.” Obviously that’s because someone might eat them.”


Just for laughs
A little girl was sitting on her grandpa's lap as he read her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. She alternated between stroking her own cheek and his.
Finally she spoke up, "Grandpa, did God make you?"
"Yes, sweetheart," he answered, "God made me a long time ago."
"Oh," she paused. "Grandpa, did God make me too?"
"Yes, indeed, honey," he said. "God made you just a little while ago."
Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, "God's getting better at it, isn't he?"
The Sunday School teacher asked, "Now, Johnny, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?"
"No sir," little Johnny replied. "I don't have to. My Mom’s a good cook."


Out of the mouths of babes…
A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little daughter. The little girl saw a map of the country in the magazine and wanted to know what it was. Explaining that it was a map of their country, the father decided to use this teachable moment to get some peace and quiet. He tore out the page and cut it into pieces. Then asked his daughter to go into the other room and put it back together. After only a few minutes, the little girl return with the map correctly fitted and taped together. Surprised, the father asked how she had finished so quickly. 'Oh,' she said, 'on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then the country just came together.'


Please pray...
Praise God for
Ceri Hynes’ significantly improved health. Ceri is wife of the Rev Howard Hynes (St Stephen’s, St John’s, NL).

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.

That we would have a renewed concern for those around us who need to be introduced to our Lord and Saviour.

For the
Church of Kenya and their newly elected Primate, the Rt Rev Elide Wabukala.

For the
Church of the Congo and their Archbishop-elect, the Rt Rev Henri Isingoma.

For the
Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Jamaica May 1-13. Pray that they would seek to glorify God and follow His revealed will.

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.


And now a word from our sponsor
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!


Psalm 111 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 ESV


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