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  ANiC Newsletter: May 9, 2008
... pdf version
    

Court orders 3 ANiC parishes to share buildings with diocese
Madame Justice Jane A. Milanetti has ordered three ANiC parishes to share possession and administration of their church properties with the Diocese of Niagara (Ontario) pending a trial over who is legally entitled to exclusive possession. The parishes of St George's (Lowville), St Hilda's (Oakville) and Church of the Good Shepherd (St Catharines) had argued that sharing the church building created untenable conditions for parishioners. "We are saddened and deeply disappointed that the judge ruled in favour of a sharing arrangement," said the Ven Charlie Masters, rector of St George's. The three congregations have traditionally held two or more services each Sunday morning to accommodate their growing congregations. Now, because of the ruling, at least one service per week for each congregation would have to be cancelled. The judge had reserved her decision after the March 20th hearing and the reasons for judgment were delivered on May 5th. The parishes have until Tuesday, May 13 to appeal.
ANiC news release
ACoC's take: www.anglican.ca/news
To read ruling: www.sthildaschurch.ca
Diocese of Niagara's news release: www.niagara.anglican.ca
Hamilton Spectator Article: Diocese refused to talk numbers: www.thespec.com
Blog discussion: www.anglicanessentials.ca


Court reserves decision on St. Mary's, Metchosin, B.C.
Madam Justice Marion Allan reserved her judgment on May 7, 2008, after hearing the application for an interlocutory injunction to allow St. Mary's, Metchosin (Victoria, B.C.) to remain in their church building while issues surrounding ownership are determined. Last February, the congregation of St. Mary's voted 86 percent in favour of leaving the diocese to join the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC).


Diocese of Athabasca "in communion" with ANiC parishes
The Diocese of Athabasca has declared it is "in full communion" with member parishes of the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC). At its Synod last month, the diocese passed three motions in response to the current crisis in the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC). The Synod expressed its dismay that
"bishops of dioceses have resorted to secular courts when parishes within those dioceses have found it necessary to align themselves with the Anglican Network in Canada and the Province of the Southern Cone." In a third resolution, the diocese affirmed and upheld its "foundational theology as expressed by the Solemn Declaration of 1893 as complete and accurate."


ANiC national conference
Below are some exciting tidbits from the Compelled by Christ's Love conference. Details, including daily reports, can be found here. You can also print and mail this form to order a set of DVDs of the conference.


ANiC Clergy receive licences in formal ceremony
29 priests and four deacons received their Anglican Network in Canada clergy licences April 26, in a moving 2+ hour service. After Archbishop Greg commissioned Bishop Don and Bishop Malcolm, the clergy, in an impressive procession, received their licences amid much applause and many hugs. These licences replaced the temporary licences Bishop Don had issued at different times as each of the clergy left the ACC. Also, during the same ceremony, 15 ANiC parishes, lay leadership, and national staff were commissioned.

Bishop Don also announced that appointments mentioned in November were now effective, and added a few:

Bishop Malcolm is Bishop Suffragan
   (also Archdeacon with responsibilities for the Prairies)
The Rev George Sinclair as Vice-Chair
The Venerable Charlie Masters is Archdeacon
The Venerable Trevor Walters is territorial Archdeacon (West)
The Venerable Desiree Stedman is territorial Archdeacon (Central)
TBD - Archdeacon for the Maritimes (when needed)
Cheryl Chang as Chancellor


More Conference in the news:
Anglican Journal: Venables predicts end of Anglican Communion
Church Times
Canadian Press: Dissident Anglicans look to South American, Africa for guidance


Compelled by Christ's Love conference much appreciated
To God be the glory, great things He has done! Once again He brought together the efforts of many dedicated volunteers, the prayer support of members and friends across Canada and the world, and timely, Biblically-based presentations to bless us all. The conference theme was rooted in the mission and heart of God as we explored what it means to be a Biblical church, with Archbishop Greg Venables repeatedly admonishing that now is the time to "get on with it."


J.I. Packer leaves ACC to join Southern Cone
World renowned theologian, J I Packer has left the Anglican Church of Canada. In a letter to Bishop Michael Ingham of the Diocese of New Westminister dated April 21, Dr. Packer. who is a member of the parish of St. John's Shaughnessy, relinquished his licence to minister in the Anglican Church of Canada. Dr Packer was then officially relicenced by Bishop Donald Harvey, under the jurisdiction of the Most Rev Gregory Venables, Primate of the Southern Cone Anglican Province. Weeks before, Ingham accused Dr Packer and 10 other clergy in the diocese of "abandonment of ministry", after their congregations voted to join ANiC. In a joint letter to Ingham, the clergy said that
"in order to uphold our ordination vows," they must relinquish their ACC licenses.

In his address to ANiC's Compelled by Christ's Love conference in Delta, BC, Packer told the 350 faithful, he could no longer align himself with the "poisonous liberalism" of the west. He warned the delegates of impending difficulties.
"God is preparing and toughening us for especially demanding conflict. In our call to mission, I suspect that over the next generations it is going to be exceedingly tough as we face secularism and ethnic religions surge which do not tolerate Christianity. The pressure is on and increasing. God is toughening us for mission."

More here:
ANiC press release
The Vancouver Sun
Top evangelical theologian leaves ACC


Archbishop Greg preaches at St John's Shaughnessy
The God who calls us to perform mission is a great God. We are in the world because the LORD has work for us to do. This was the primary message of Archbishop Greg Venables sermon at St. John's Shaughnessy, April 27. "People still need to hear about Jesus - and if we don't tell them, who will?" Archbishop Greg Venables preached. "To keep quiet would be to be complicit with a message (that) leads people away from eternal security." The audio of both his sermons at St John's can found at the St. John's website.


Another ANiC priest ordained in Ottawa
The Rev. Karen Bergenstein is the 32nd priest to be ordained under ANiC. Bergenstein was ordained in a ceremony last week by Bishop Don at St. Albans in Ottawa. In his message earlier this week, Bishop Don said
"With our leadership now in place and with 15 parishes, 32 priests, four deacons and two bishops, I believe we are now ready, God willing, to "get on with it".


Help Support GAFCon delegates
Bishop Don has written ANiC parishes requesting support for ANiC delegates attending GAFCon. You can help support delegates to GAFCon by sending your cheque, payable to Anglican Network in Canada, to: Claus Lenk, Treasurer, Anglican Network in Canada, Box 1013, Burlington, ON, L7R 4L8. Please note your contribution is for "GAFCon".


Blog discussion reaches record "comments"
A story that broke on April 14 on the Anglican Network blog has received the most hits in the history of the blog. The removal of Rev Darrel Critch by Bishop Pitman (Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland) as rector at St. Mary the Virgin in St. John's, Newfoundland, has garnered a record 252 responses on the blog . . . so far. Rev Critch, who is not a member of ANiC, removed a couple of members of the parish choir after it was discovered that they were living together but not married. Without any prior warning or notice, on April 10, Bp Pitman called an emergency vestry (Parish Council) meeting where he removed Rev Critch. It was later learned (when the votes from an April 6 parish poll were collected and tallied) that 94 per cent of the congregation supported Rev Critch's leadership. Read the full story and contribute to the blog.


News shorts - Canada

ANiC welcomes Dauphin
A newly formed ANiC congregation in Dauphin, Manitoba is looking forward to May 11 and their first service as a "satellite" church. Already meeting mid-week for prayer and Bible study, the new satellite church is connected to Church of Resurrection in Brandon. Bishop Malcolm Harding, will officiate and together with the Rev Larry Winslow provide sacramental ministry. Bp. Malcolm tells us the group of about 20 have outstanding lay leadership and are now working to secure a meeting facility.


News shorts - USA and North America

Southern Cone bishop stands firm and remains diocese
TEC's rival diocese of San Joaquin, California has filed a lawsuit against John-David Schofield, bishop of the original San Joaquin Diocese, charging that he breached his duties when he led parishioners to align themselves with the Province of the Southern Cone. Diocesan members voted in December to secede from TEC. In its lawsuit, the rival diocese demands Schofield vacate his offices and turn over diocesan property and financial accounts within 30 days. Bishop Schofield, who is now a bishop under Archbishop Gregory Venables, says he is standing firm and will not back down, adding he remains the true and legitimate bishop of the diocese even if the TEC has installed a rival bishop. A spokesperson for Schofield's diocese, Rev. Van McCalister says,
"The people of the diocese,… voted to move from the Episcopal Church to the Anglican Province. It wasn't a unilateral decision by the bishop."

More here:
Actions of bishop called “slightly insane”
Episcopal Church sues "rebel" bishop


News shorts - International

Lambeth: Archbishop of Canterbury wants Lambeth to build relationships
Archbishop Rowan Williams wants the Lambeth Conference to be a time to "encounter God", and not a time "when we are being besieged by problems." Williams told ChristianPost.com that this year's Lambeth should not be a time to make rules, but to build up relationships on "slightly stronger footings" A number of prominent Primates and bishops, including bishops from some of the largest Anglican provinces, will boycott this year's Lambeth conference. Bishops who do attend Lambeth will consider a proposal for a covenant, designed to articulate the common foundations and set out principles that bind the Anglican Communion. It will also articulate how member churches and provinces should manage related disputes. You can check out a video statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury at The Times.


Archbishop Williams visits the Pope
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, held a 20-minute conversation with the Pope earlier this week. "It was a friendly and informal meeting," Williams said, "in which we discussed a number of ecumenical issues. The Archbishop is in Rome to convene the 7th Building Bridges Seminar; a gathering of Christian and Muslim scholars. Prior to the papal meeting, Williams told Vatican radio that the Anglican Communion is going through an "unprecedentedly difficult time."

Read more here


Soul food

Just for laughs
Reverend Billy Graham tells of a time early in his ministry when he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon. Wanting to mail a letter, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy had told him, Dr. Graham thanked him and said, "If you'll come to Church this evening, you can hear me telling everyone how to get to heaven." The boy replied, "I don't think I'll be there... You don't even know your way to the post office."


Food For Thought:
Christians are called to do Emmanuel labour.


Prayer requests
Please join us in expressing our gratefulness to God for His hand of blessing on our ANiC national conference. Also please remember these ongoing prayer requests:
Please uphold the clergy and people of St George's (Lowville), St Hilda's (Oakville) and Church of the Good Shepherd (St Catharine's), as well as the ANiC legal team as they consider their options in light of Monday' negative court ruling.
Also, pray for St Mary's Metchosin (Victoria) as they await a court decision regarding whether they will be allowed to have continued access to their building.
Remember GAFCON - the Global Anglican Futures Conference in Jerusalem beginning June 22. It is a very important event in the life of our Anglican Communion. Because this meeting is specifically for orthodox Anglicans and is about getting on with Biblically-based Gospel ministry, it is a target for opposition. We have been asked to specifically pray for:
  - Unity among bishops and others attending.
  - Safety of those traveling to and from the conference.
  - Wisdom and sustaining grace for the GAFCON leadership team and GAFCON
  organizers.
  - Good weather during the conference.
  - That the LORD will be glorified and His Kingdom advanced as a result of this
  conference.

Thank you for your faithfulness in remembering the Network and our partners before our Father's throne of grace!

Don't forget the Common Cause Partners cycle of prayer.


And now a word from our sponsor
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? Psalm 52:2-3


Editor's note:
Jim Carriere is covering newsletter responsibilities during Marilyn's May vacation


Special Appeal for ANiC Legal Defence Fund
As you have followed recent events, you will know that we have been in court in 2 dioceses to seek protection of clergy and congregations and to preserve their right to remain in their parish buildings while the legal issues as to ownership of the properties is sorted out. In Ontario, we have 2 conflicting legal decisions - one granting exclusive possession to the congregations on an interim basis and one ordering a sharing of the premises with the diocese on a longer term interim basis. We will be applying for leave to appeal this decision.

In B.C., we received an order granting exclusive possession of the church property for St. Mary's Metchosin on a short term interim basis. We were in court on May 7 to seek a longer term interim order and we are awaiting this second decision.
In addition, we have needed lawyers to address issues of clergy suspensions, inhibitions, pensions, severance, and other legal issues relating to protection of staff and parish wardens.

All of these activities are being done for the benefit of all clergy and congregations who have joined or who may wish to consider joining ANiC in the future. If we are successful in our legal defence, it will give many congregations the courage to take the appropriate votes if their circumstances and conscience require it.

All of this legal protection is very expensive. While we have sought alternate dispute resolution with the House of Bishops and Primate for a national approach, this offer has been rejected. Some dioceses have been more aggressive than others, but so far, a few appear unwilling to consider negotiation or amicable discussion.

Please pray about how you can help raise funds toward the Legal Defence Fund. If you have ideas, please let us know by contacting Jude Carriere. Or, you can
send a donation to ANiC, “In Trust for the Legal Defence Fund”, Box 1013 · Burlington · ON · Canada · L7R 4L8 or donate online at: www.canadahelps.org.

Thank you for your prayers and contributions.


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