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News – ANiC and AEN
ANiC delegates to the provincial assembly to be announced soon
Parishes are currently forwarding nominations for lay and young adult delegates to the ANiC archdeacons. A decision on ANiC’s delegates to the Anglican Church in North America provincial assembly will be made by Friday May 15. Anyone wishing to attend the Provincial Assembly as an observer can register online. For booking travel, Dallas/Fort Worth is the nearest airport and hotels in which ACNA has booked blocks of rooms are posted online along with additional information about the Assembly.
New congregation forming in Montreal
Nearly 80 parishioners from the Anglican Church of Canada parish of St Stephen’s (Montreal) have applied and been accepted as an ANiC “project” – temporarily called the ANiC Atwater Project. This new congregation expects to meet the criteria to be a church plant – in the Westmont area of Montreal – by early June and plan to hold their first regular Sunday service on June 7. Please pray for this forming congregation as they negotiate the logistics of setting up a new church. You can read the story of this group as told by the interim priest of St Stephen’s, the Rev Dean Brady, in the May edition of the Montreal Anglican (starting on page one.)
St John’s Richmond pilots new “Bible in a Day” course – May 30
St John’s Richmond is developing and hosting a one-day seminar called “Bible in a Day”. The Rev Sean Love says, “God has given us this vision as a means of engaging our community. So many people – both outside and even inside the church – understand very little of the Biblical story.” The seminar will take a narrative and theological approach to the storyline of Scripture, offering a clear, coherent – “jargon-free – overview of the Bible designed for adults with little church background.
On May 30, St John’s will hold a "dress-rehearsal" to fine tune the day. Then later in the year, it will be run again with full-scale advertising in the community. “Over time,” Sean says, “we hope to leverage the day by adding new 'tracks' that will explore Biblical themes in a deeper way, developing new Bible teachers, and involving other churches in Richmond.” For more information, see the course brochure.
Women’s conference: “Growing in Intimacy with God” – May 30
St George’s (Lowville) is holding a Women’s Conference with guest speaker Archdeacon Desiree Stedman – and women from all ANiC parishes are invited to join them on Saturday, May 30.
Date: Saturday, May 30
Location: Crieff Hills Conference Centre
Theme: Growing in intimacy with God
For more information: contact Donna Rigo at office@stgeorges.ca
St Chad’s (Toronto) celebrates centennial – June 21
St Chad’s is celebrating 100 years of ministry to generations of Torontonians – children, adults and families. Initially parishioners were new immigrants from Britain, but as Toronto’s population changed, the congregation changed as well. All those in the Toronto area are invited to a service of celebration on June 21 at 11am. The Rev Stan Fowler, academic Dean and Professor of Theology at Heritage Seminary, will preach with a reception to follow in the church hall. St Chad’s meets at 24 Innes Ave. (Caledonia south of Rogers Rd) – with convenient TTC access and parking. For more information, call 416-653-2338 or 905-873-6973.
Christ the King (Victoria) celebrates formal launch with Bishop Don
This past weekend, Bishop Donald Harvey – accompanied by his wife Trudy and ANiC Chancellor Cheryl Chang – helped formally launch Christ the King Anglican Church in Victoria in a joyful celebratory service marked by what Bishop Don says was a “beautiful selection of old and new music under the direction of Dr Sheila Sim”. The Rev Ron Corcoran was inducted as rector, the Rev Rodney May as associate priest and the Rev Dr Michael Pountney and the Rev Glenn Sim both as honourary assistants. The congregation overflowed a meeting space that has already become too small for the growing parish.
Significant interest shown in ANiC’s Toronto project: church plant planned
A significant number of people attended the first information meeting of the Toronto Centre ANiC Project in early May. There was considerable enthusiasm for launching an ANiC church plant by the end of the year and a real leading of the spirit of God. The group will meet regularly through the summer and then more frequently in the fall as they prepare to plant a church. The next meeting is scheduled for June 10 at 7:30pm. For information, contact Claus Lenk by email or by calling (416) 445-0880 ext 102.”
Prayer requested
Please pray for the Rev Keith Stodart, ANiC national membership chairman, who is recovering from a recent mild heart attack.
News shorts – Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
Registration for provincial assembly now open
Registration is now open for the organizing assembly of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), June 22-25, 2009, at St. Vincent's Cathedral in Bedford, Texas. Delegates and observers/guests from ACNA’s 28 constituent dioceses can make arrangements to attend by clicking on the "Register Now for the ACNA Assembly" button on the ACNA website (upper left corner of the home page). "We look forward to celebrating the miracle that is the formation of a biblical, missionary and united Anglican Church in North America with many friends and supporters this June,” said Bishop Robert Duncan, archbishop-designate of the Anglican Church in North America. “Please join us in Bedford for this wonderful moment."
ACNA “thank offering” opportunity
The Anglican Church in North America is inviting ANiC members to join with all the other ACNA dioceses in giving a Thank Offering to express our gratitude to God for the provision of our new province. We encourage everyone to consider this opportunity and contribute generously to help offset the substantial start-up needs of the province.
In order to receive a tax-deductible receipt, please make your cheque payable to the Anglican Network in Canada, noting in the memo portion of the cheque that if is for the “Thank offering for ACNA”. ANiC will issue receipts early in the New Year. Your donations to the ACNA Thank Offering will be used specifically for ACNA purposes here in Canada – such as helping with the cost of hosting the Provincial Council meeting to be held in the Toronto area this December. Further information on making donations to ANiC – either by cheque or by credit card through CanadaHelps – is available on our website. (ANiC’s address is at the bottom of page one of this newsletter.)
ACNA in the news
Church of England Newspaper – May 1 09 – 28 Dioceses to form new US church
News – Canada
Federation announces developments
Anglican Essentials Federation – which plans to announce a change of name soon – is preparing to have a presence at the Anglican Church of Canada General Synod in Halifax next year (2010). Federation leaders will be visiting Halifax soon to lay the groundwork and enlist the help of members of the Federation community in the Maritimes. They request prayer for this work. The Federation is committed to remaining loyal members of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC), standing for the Gospel within an erring church.
Niagara Essentials conference on Youth and the Church – June 6
Niagara Essentials is hosting a conference on June 6. Dr John Bowen will explore why youth leave the church and why they come back. There will be afternoon workshops and a prayer and praise fellowship. A light lunch is included.
Date: June 6 , 10am – 3:30pm
Location: Compass Point Bible Church, 2501 Eaglesfield Drive, Burlington, Ontario
Cost: $25 / person (includes lunch); Attendees are asked to bring a canned food donation
Register: Email day@cogeco.ca, call 1-866-972-2937 or mail This Day Events, PO Box 688, Virgil, Ontario LOS 1TO
Dr Edith Humphrey joins Eastern Orthodox Church
A well-known and respected Canadian Anglican theologian and professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Dr Edith Humphrey has written that she will be received into the Eastern Orthodox Church on June 7. Bishop Don has written Dr Humphrey thanking her personally and on behalf of ANiC for her support and encouragement over the years and wishing her well in this new stage of her spiritual journey.
Father Curry comments on the ACoC’s “listening process” in the same-sex debate
The rector of Christ Church (Windsor, Nova Scotia) has written an insightful piece critiquing the listening process from the historic Anglican position. He makes several points, including:
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The distinction between the Anglican concept of “comprehensiveness” – which is predicated “on the strength and clarity about the foundational and creedal principles that define officially the Anglican approach to theology and ecclesiological unity” – and the secular concept of “inclusiveness” – which paradoxically excludes the God of the Bible. |
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“Questions of doctrine are explicitly outside of the authority of the Synods, locally or nationally… we are already committed to a consensus fidelium expressed and embodied in our foundational documents. On this matter, there is a doctrine of Christian marriage to which we are committed, however much it has been compromised precisely by the overreach of Synodical and Episcopal authorities.” |
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The terms in which the debate has been framed constrain a genuine exchange of views and ensure destructive polarities. |
Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) Council of General Synod report
At their recent meeting, members of the ACoC council of General Synod, finalized a report to the diocese on questions of sexuality. The report says “COGS… reached consensus that this is not the time to ask General Synod to amend the marriage canon to allow for the marriage of same-sex couples." The report recommends further work to distinguish between: “a blessing and a nuptial blessing" and "marriage, the blessing of a civil marriage, and the blessing of a union."
In addition, COGS reports that Archbishop Fred Hiltz lamented, “…his unanswered request to primates involved with the Global Anglicanism Future Conference (GAFCon) that they reveal more about their plans for a conservative province. He also tried in vain to organize a conversation between those affected by the cross-border interventions of the bishop of the Southern Cone...”
In the Canadian media
Anglican Journal – May 1 09 – Cross-Canada youth ministry hurt by economic freefall
Church of England Newspaper – May 1 09 – Canada bishops avoid addressing the gay issue
News shorts – United States
Controversy over Buddhist bishop-elect in Episcopal Church examined
In a thorough examination of the theological implications of electing a Buddhist (the Rev Kevin Thew Forrester) as a bishop of the Diocese of Northern Michigan in the Episcopal Church (TEC), reporter Frank Lockwood quotes Dr J I Packer extensively. While some TEC bishops defend his unorthodox views, Dr Packer says, “This gentleman, apparently, doesn’t believe the creeds. ... The doctrine of redemption through the incarnation and atoning work and resurrection and heavenly reign at present and future return of the second person of the Godhead: That is Christianity. Take that away and you have destroyed the Christian religion. Period. That’s what Christianity is about.”
Legal battles in US
Diocese of San Joaquin – The Church of England Newspaper reports that a California judge has issued a preliminary ruling which indicated that dioceses are “creatures of the national Episcopal Church and may not secede”. The report says that “…the judge’s assumption that as the Episcopal Church is “hierarchical” in a manner akin to the Roman Catholic Church is a disputed material issue of fact, upon which the whole case turns for the diocese.” A decision is expected in several weeks. However, whatever the decision, it will undoubtedly be appealed.
Diocese of Fort Worth – The Episcopal Church and their newly-created puppet diocese in Fort Worth have sued Bishop Jack Iker and the five members of the Board of Trustees of the Diocese of Fort Worth – which voted overwhelmingly last year to leave the Episcopal Church (TEC). This lawsuit comes despite the unreciprocated graciousness of Bishop Iker in turning over parish properties to congregations that chose not to secede with the rest of the diocese. In response to the lawsuit, the Diocese of Fort Worth – which, like ANiC, is under the Primatial oversight of Archbishop Greg Venables (Southern Cone) – filed a motion to dismiss “on grounds that the court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction”. This motion for dismissal is based on the fact the rival diocese was not formed in accordance with the diocese’s constitution and canons and so has no standing in law and the fact that TEC is a voluntary association of dioceses.
St James (Newport Beach) – St James’ , which is in a property dispute with the Episcopal Church, announced plans to “…file a petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court to resolve an important issue of religious freedom: Does the United States Constitution… allow certain religious denominations to disregard the normal rules of property ownership that apply to everyone else?” They argue that religious freedom is suppressed if those who have sacrificed to build their local religious communities are at risk of having their properties taken if a theological dispute should arise between the local congregation and the organization with which they have been affiliated.
TEC rectors support bishops’ statement
56 TEC clergy members have signed a statement supporting the declaration issued earlier by a number of TEC bishops which asserted that TEC is not hierarchical, that the “traditional doctrine and worship and the historic polity of the Church are in grave peril”, and that they (the signing Bishops) “intend to exercise episcopal authority to remain constituent members of the Anglican Communion.”
In the US news
Church of England Newspaper – April 30 09 – US legal battle is postponed again
VirtueOnline – May 1 09 – New North American Anglican Province will pose biggest threat to Anglican unity
World Magazine – May 09 – The ‘blessing’ of abortion
News shorts – International
Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) meeting – Jamaica (May 1-13)
The ACC held its major decision-making sessions last Friday in a cloud of confusion and intrigue. While more detail follows and a full list of resolutions is available from the Anglican Communion News Service, this is a summary of the key results:
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A motion to include a fourth moratorium - on litigation - failed by only one vote. The Primates in Dar es Salaam (2007) requested four moratoria: same-sex blessings, the consecration of persons living a homosexual lifestyle, cross-border intervention, and litigation. For some unexplained reason, the moratorium on litigation was dropped in subsequent references and the recommendations of the Windsor Continuation Group (WCG). |
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Passage of the Covenant has been delayed pending the appointment of “a small working group” by the Archbishop of Canterbury to consider re-drafting section 4 of the Covenant (Ridley-Cambridge Draft) that deals with accountability of provinces who sign on to the Covenant. A resolution to remove section 4 altogether failed by a vote of 47-17. |
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Extension of the “listening process” on the same sex debate until 2011 with the $1.5 million price tag financed by a secular organization committed to reform on health issues. The Primate of Egypt and the Middle East, the Rt Rev Mouneer Anis expressed concern that the process can not be properly engaged with so many orthodox Global South dioceses being effectively gagged by their financial dependence on Western churches. |
ACC refuses to admit Ugandan delegate
The big news at the start of the ACC meeting was the decision to not admit a delegate representing Uganda. Archbishop Henry Orombi, Primate of Uganda, had written the Secretary General of the ACC, Kenneth Kearon, naming the Rev Philip Ashey as the Ugandan clergy delegate. Rev Ashey is a priest of Ruwenzori Diocese in the Church of Uganda who works in the USA. Despite the ACC’s explicit policy that each province is able to appoint its own delegates, Rev Ashey was not admitted. Archbishop Orombi protested to the Archbishop of Canterbury, saying:
The appointment of delegates to the ACC from a Province is purely an internal matter and is not subject to review by any body within the ACC, including the Joint Standing Committee. That the Joint Standing Committee would assume such authority is a gross violation of our constitutional relationships, not to mention a further tearing of our bonds of affection… For the Joint Standing Committee to assume this power is nothing short of an imperialistic and colonial decision that violates the integrity of the Church of Uganda."
The disturbing context for this decision is that the ACC had made the exact opposite decision in sitting a retired bishop as an American delegate for TEC at the ACC meeting in 1999. This was clearly contrary to Article 4d of the Constitution of the ACC, which states, “Bishops and other clerical members shall cease to be members on retirement from ecclesiastical office.” At that time, the ACC said they did not have the right to interfere with the appointment process in a Province.
The decision not to seat Rev Ashey as the Ugandan delegate proved decisive later in the meeting when one critical motion lost by one vote.
In a sobering and enlightening summary of these events, Canon Dr Chris Sugden concludes:
We see here what appears to be a lack of fairness, evenhandedness and consistency applied to the advantage of those who have caused the current problems by departing from the teaching and practice of the Communion in faith and morals and to the disadvantage of those who have adhered to the teaching and practice of the Communion in faith and morals.
See also the Church of England Newspaper report and the Anglican American Council website. The Church of Uganda’s news release and background communications between Archbishop Orombi and ACC leaders are posted to the StandFirm website.
The Covenant faces further delays due to meeting fiasco
Even prior to the ACC addressing the Covenant, the Anglican Journal reports that officials were saying that refusal to sign on to the Covenant – or indeed violating it – won’t affect a Church’s membership in the Communion. “Acceding to the covenant is voluntary, explained Mr Kearon [secretary general of the Anglican Communion], adding that the membership in the Communion of churches will not cease or be altered if their decision-making bodies decide not to sign on to it…“
Prior to the ACC meeting, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali questioned whether the current draft of the Covenant would make any difference given how weak and vague the section – section four – was on disciplining errant Provinces. Bishop Nazir-Ali also questioned whether the Covenant would be ready to be ratified in time to make any difference. The Rev Charles Raven, while agreeing with Bishop Nazir-Ali, speculated that the Covenant process could co-opt and derail the GAFCon movement.
As the ACC meeting progressed, it became apparent that Bishop Nazir-Ali perhaps underestimated the disciplinary provisions of the Covenant – based on the vigor with which TEC and its allies fought to derail the Covenant process and remove any semblance of discipline it contained. TEC also clearly was unhappy with the provision in the Covenant that allows dioceses and entities other than the current provinces to sign on.
In an astonishingly overt exercise in manipulation of ACC processes, TEC and its allies managed to create such confusion in the ACC meetings that they achieved their objective of delaying the Covenant. The Anglican Communion Institute called the session “an embarrassment to Anglicans everywhere and a sad display of procedural confusion… It is beyond question that these procedures were improper, confusing and manipulative. The credibility of the ACC, already questioned by the Communion’s own advisory groups, has suffered lasting damage.”
Numerous reports on this are on the internet, but one of clearest explanations is found in a video discussion between Kevin Kallsen (AnglicanTV) and the Rev George Conger. Also AnglicanTV has posted a video of an “alternative press conference” in which delegates comment on the meeting.
The ever-astute Anglican Curmudgeon concludes his analysis of this astonishing meeting by saying, “…the Anglican Covenant will now not be referred to the various churches for adoption as a whole, because its final text will not be determined until the Archbishop of Canterbury first appoints a "small task force" to rework Part IV, which will then be brought back to the Joint Standing Committee for any further "necessary changes" (read: emasculation) before being presented to the Churches for adoption. This will guarantee that the Covenant as a whole could not be presented to ECUSA [TEC] until 2012, with any final action having to wait for General Convention 2015 if it is determined that a change is needed to the Constitution or the BCP. (Note that this was precisely the timetable discussed by the Presiding Bishop when she announced last January that it would be "impossible" for the proposed Covenant to be discussed at GC 2009.)
In his reflection on the Covenant debate, Canon Dr Chris Sugden says, “One could be forgiven for thinking that the debate on Friday morning about the covenant was actually about matters of faith. However it was actually about the issues of property and litigation in the United States [and Canada].” He summarizes the convoluted, procedurally questionable tactics used to manipulate the process, saying, “…it became clear that those who did not want there to be a covenant were coming up with amendment after amendment to make it acceptable to them. This turned out to be de facto filibustering... And what is the de facto result? Those facing litigation in the courts over property cannot appeal to an Anglican Communion Covenant which would give them the moral high ground in their cases by showing their continuity with historic Anglicanism; and General Convention can proceed with numerous resolutions which overturn the effective teaching of the Anglican Church with no opportunity for people to argue that this would be against the Covenant that ACC has accepted.”
The Rev Phil Ashey, the delegate from Uganda who was refused a seat in the Council, reflects on the chaos of the ACC meeting and concludes that the failure to advance the Covenant – an urgent priority according to the Archbishop of Canterbury – was a result of a “deficit of leadership”. The Rev Ashey says, “With all due respect, whether his actions were disingenuous or simply inept, the Archbishop of Canterbury cannot lay the blame for today's missed opportunities for healing, reconciliation and the failure to adopt a text for an Anglican Covenant on anyone but himself.”
AnglicanTV recorded the May 9 session in which confusion reigned and the Covenant was stalled.
The Church of England Newspaper provides a summary. The Anglican Communion Institute concludes, “If lawful and proper action on the covenant is not forthcoming from this meeting of the Council, the only appropriate response is for the Churches of the Communion to begin themselves the process of adopting the Ridley Cambridge Text.” Professor Stephen Noll, however, concludes that the “Anglican Communion Covenant is dead” and “Canterbury can no longer be a realistic focus for our Anglican identity.”
In his closing presidential address, the Archbishop of Canterbury offered his own analysis, saying, “Well, thank God, our divisions and our fears are not as deep and as poisonous as those communities in the Holy Land.”
Archbishop Gomez says Communion is close to breaking up
In introducing the Covenant at the ACC meeting this week, Archbishop Drexel Gomez, recently retired Primate of the West Indies and the head of the Covenant Design Group, told ACC delegates that “The Communion is close to the point of breaking up. If we cannot state clearly and simply what holds us together, and speak clearly at this meeting, then I fear there will be clear breaks in the Communion in the period following this meeting.”
Despite the urgent need for a solution to the crisis in the Communion, the draft resolution before the ACC provided a date of December 2014 for provinces to respond on their progress towards adopting the Covenant. However, Archbishop Gomez urged the ACC to commend the Covenant to the provinces for approval, saying the opportunity to put “…something in place that could really hold us together won’t last much longer.” See the Church of England Newspaper report and David Virtue’s article, See also Archbishop Gomez’ address.
Behind the scenes at the Anglican Consultative Council
The Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) is one of the four “instruments of unity” in the global Anglican Communion. The ACC is representative in that its members include laity, clergy and bishops. However, its membership is skewed in that “western” provinces are dramatically over-represented – on a “per capita” basis – compared with Global South provinces, where the majority of Anglicans reside. For example, Nigeria with 18 million active Anglicans has three members on the ACC, while Canada with perhaps less than 600,000 members also has three members.
The American Anglican Council and Anglican Journal provided complete coverage of the event with detailed daily reports.
We are told that, “At the last ACC meeting in 2005, representatives of the Canadian and American churches sat on the sidelines after their churches were censured over the issue of sexuality.” However, delegates of both churches were active participants in this meeting.
We also learn that the controversial Lambeth process of indaba groups was used at the ACC meeting. Unlike Lambeth, however, where bishops were prevented from making decisions, the ACC dealt with critical matters, including the covenant and the Windsor Report. Canon Dr Vinay Samuel expressed concern with the abuse of the indaba process, concluding that, “Indaba is a further example of Anglican establishment colonialism.”
Church of Wales removes Episcopal visitor for conscientious objectors
Archbishop Barry Morgan has removed the provision for “flying bishops” to provide alternative oversight, pastoral support and sacramental care for clergy and church members whose conscience does not allow them to accept the ordination of women.
Sudan’s Archbishop warns of escalating violence
Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul of the Church of Sudan is pleading with the international community to intervene as the Sudan seems headed for civil war due to arms smuggling, re-armament and incitement of tribal violence. He writes: “Peoples… are being attacked, murdered and displaced by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), rumoured to be supplied by people within Sudan.” He also says there is a deliberate attempt to incite violence and stir-up inter-tribal disputes by arming tribes people with smuggled weapons. The Archbishop appeals to the UN and donor nations to partner with the church in bringing peace, since the church has a greater presence throughout Southern Sudan than does any other organization – including the government.
Bishop reports anti-Christian violence in Pakistan
The Church of England Newsletter conveys a report from Bishop Ijaz Inayat that Christians along with Hindus and Sikhs are fleeing areas of Pakistan that have come under Taliban control due to violence, kidnapping and extortion. In one incident, police joined forces with the Taliban, shooting three Christians.
International news
Church of England Newspaper – Apr 30 09 – Election of new Zimbabwe bishop postponed …
VirtueOnline – May 1 09 – Is it really about hate? Homophobia and the Episcopal Church
Church of England Newspaper – May 1 09 – ‘No bribery’ as new Kenyan primate is elected
Church of England Newspaper – May 1 09 – New Congo Primate elected
Church of England Newspaper – May 1 09 – Militant Threat in Pacific island
The Spectator – May 12 09 – Yet more of the same old, same old
Soul food
Worth reading
A Mother’s Day message from author and ACiC pastor, the Rev Ed Hird (St Simon’s, North Vancouver) encourages women to stand up for their families and communities and be like Deborah (one of the Judges in ancient Israel). He concludes: “This Mother’s Day, my heart-felt prayer would be ‘Wake up, Wake up Deborah! Come into your destiny and calling. Don’t let the fear or ambivalence of others hold you back. Fight for both your family and your community. Stand up for what you know is right and just and fair. Show compassion to the widow and the orphan. Be a Mother of Israel in your local community.”
An interview with Maggie Gallagher of the (US) National Organization for Marriage explores her views on why there is reason for optimism in the fight to protect marriage. Her bottom line is that we must preserve marriage or religious liberty will be lost. These are some of her thoughts:
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“Same-sex marriage is founded on a lie about human nature: 'there is no difference between same-sex and opposite sex unions and you are a bigot if you disagree'.” |
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“The proposition on the table right now is that our faith itself is a form of bigotry. |
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“Despair is gay marriage advocates' prime message point. All warfare, including culture war, is ultimately psychological warfare. You win a war when you convince the other side to give up. |
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“Public opinion hasn't changed much at all. What's changed is the punishment the gay marriage movement is inflicting on dissenters, which is narrowing the circle of people willing to speak. This is a very powerful movement, no question. |
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“Here's the good news: as civilization collapses the opportunities for intelligent and committed people to make a profound difference actually increase. |
Resources
DVDs and CDs of the Sex and the City conference in London (England) can be ordered by emailing Canon Dr Chris Sugden. The cost is £5 per disc.
If your parish is planning a short-term mission trip, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada offers a free guide: Code of best practice in short-term mission.
A 3-minute video on YouTube creatively presents the Gospel.
Honouring your Mother
On your birthday, send a thank-you card to your mom. (From www.mikeysFunnies.com)
Funny – but too true!
Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place. Looking up to heaven he said, "Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place, I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!"
Miraculously, a parking place appeared. Paddy looked up again and said, "Never mind, I found one."(From www.mikeysFunnies.com)
Please pray...
For ANiC’s membership chairman, the Rev Keith Stodart, as he recovers.
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.
That we would share the Good News with those around us who need to be introduced to our Lord and Saviour.
For the Federation as it prepares for the Anglican Church of Canada general synod in 2010.
For the Church of the Sudan as it seeks to promote peace and security in that troubled land.
For the unity of orthodox Anglicans in the Communion.
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
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3: 7-21 (ESV)
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