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Handle with prayer!
News – ANiC and AEN
Three bishops-designate announced for ANiC
Our moderator, Bishop Donald Harvey reported on Sunday the result of a process initiated by our synod last November to identify three faithful leaders to be consecrated as bishops in the Anglican Network in Canada. The three ANiC leaders who will be consecrated at our November 2009 synod are:
For more information, see Bishop Don’s letter to members.
Although Bishop Malcolm Harding is retiring as Suffragan Bishop on June 30, he still hopes to be involved in ministry. If your parish would like to invite Bishop Malcolm to hold a mission this fall or next spring, do contact him – with as much advance notice as possible. Church of the Good Shepherd (St Catharines, ON) is still glowing from the mission Bishop Malcolm led last April which encouraged the parish to become an evangelizing community.
ANiC parishes moving ahead
St George’s (Lowville, ON) – On June 28 at 4pm the Rev Scott Walker will be ordained to the priesthood at the Crossroads Centre, 1295 North Service Rd, Burlington, ON.
St Matthias & St Luke’s (Vancouver, BC) – On June 30 at 8pm, St Matthias and St Luke’s will celebrate its 12th anniversary with a concert of praise and thanksgiving to God led by the church’s praise team and choir, followed by a time of fellowship. If you are in the Lower Mainland, please plan to attend. See the poster for details.
Church of the Ascension (Langley, BC) – The Langley ANiC church plant led by Bishop Ron Ferris in the Langley area, now known as the Church of the Ascension, will hold its first monthly summer service on Sunday, June 28 at 11am. Subsequent services will be on July 26 and August 23. Regular weekly services begin September 13. They meet in the new Langley Events Centre (Playground Entrance), Willoughby Community Centre, Room 1, 7888 200 St, Langley, BC.
St Luke’s (Pembroke, ON) – There were nine confirmed at St Luke's on Pentecost Sunday – four adults and five youth. The church was full and it was a joyous celebration with Bishop Don. The night before, a parish dinner was held to celebrate both the confirmation and Bishop Don's 45th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. With the congregation outgrowing its current facilities, St Luke’s is hoping to purchase a new building. The Rev Tim Parent reports that they have already raised $90,000 towards their target of $120,000 needed for a down payment and for renovations. Praise God for his blessings! See photos from the confirmation and Bishop Don’s 45th anniversary celebration.
Court case concludes
The court case concluded on Thursday, June 11. A decision could be several months away given the volume of written affidavits and other material the judge must review before preparing his judgement. Please continue to uphold Mr Justice Stephen Kelleher in prayer. Also please pray for the ongoing legal situation involving St Aidan’s (Windsor).
Calendar of events – for your interest and prayer support
June 28, 11am – Church of the Ascension (Langley, BC) – first monthly summer Sunday service
June 28, 4pm – St George’s Lowville – ordination of the Rev Scott Walker to the priesthood
June 30 – St Matthias & St Luke’s (Vancouver) concert of praise (All welcome!)
July 22 – Toronto Centre ANiC project meeting
Aug 31 - Sept 3 – St John’s Shaughnessy (Vancouver) – Youth Leadership Conference
ANiC in the news
Canada.com news service – June 23 2009 – Church hopes for stability by joining new group
News shorts – Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
Anglican Church in North America constituted
The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) provincial assembly is underway in Bedford, Texas. On Monday, the delegates approved the constitution of the Anglican Church in North America, officially bringing the new Provincial structure into existence.
Bishop Duncan also announced that:
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the Venerable Charlie Masters, ANiC’s executive archdeacon and national director, will serve as deputy chair of the ACNA Provincial Council until December when the new Provincial Council – composed of one bishop, one clergy and two lay members from each diocese – comes into force. Archbishop-designate Robert Duncan is chair. |
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Mrs Cheryl Chang, ANiC chancellor, is an assistant chancellor of ACNA. Mr Hugo Blankingship is chancellor and Mr Scott Ward is also assistant chancellor. |
ANiC’s Canon David Short was the Bible teacher Tuesday morning, June 23 – speaking on Acts 5:17-42. He drew parallels to what people throughout ACNA are experiencing and emphasizing the freedom of God’s sovereignty, the freedom of the gospel – proclaimed even during a trial – and the freedom of God’s people to be fearless in following Christ.
We have a page on our website dedicated to the Assembly with a number of good links.
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On the Assembly website you’ll find a number of news releases as well as the daily newsletter for attendees – in addition to photos (including a number with people you’ll recognize), video and other documents |
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The AEC blog has Peter Lillington’s live blogs (In addition, the following bloggers and “Anglican media” are here in Bedford: BabyBlue (Mary Ailes), David Virtue and George Conger) |
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Twitter – ACNA Assembly tweets |
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The youth at the ACNA Assembly are hoping to link youth throughout ACNA with a website they’ve created. [Please note corrected website link!] |
George Conger has written a good summary of the Assembly. (Read the whole thing.) He says:
The Anglican Communion’s 39th Province-in-waiting was formed this week, as the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) held its founding convocation at St Vincent’s Cathedral in Bedford, Texas.
God, history, and provinces representing the overwhelming majority of the members of the Anglican Communion were on the side of the ACNA, Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan told the 234 delegates drawn from the ACNA’s 28 founding jurisdictions including four former dioceses of the Episcopal Church, representing some 700 congregations and 100,000 Anglicans in the US and Canada.
Delegates attending the June 22-25 convocation formally adopted the ACNA’s Constitution and Canons and were also addressed by Bishop Duncan --- who was elected archbishop on June 21 by a meeting of the ACNA’s House of Bishops --- and California megachurch pastor Rick Warren, and Metropolitan Jonah, the head of the Orthodox Church in America.
Archbishop Duncan lauded the comprehensiveness and unity of the new province, which bridged the traditional theological divide between High and Low churchmen, Anglo-Catholics and Evangelicals, in addition to the modern question of the ordination of women.
The future for the new province was bright, he argued. “We are proud to be part of the great reformation of the Christian church” now taking place as there was “an ever-growing stream of North American Protestantism that has embraced” a foundational view of Scripture, while “at the same time Pentecostals and evangelicals are moving towards Tradition.”
…“Our adversary, the devil, is also interested in what is happening here,” he said, for a “reformed Anglican Church in North America is one of the enemy’s greatest concerns,” and he will “try to draw us into old ways and old fights.”
“It is essential that we stand together” and “move on,” Archbishop Duncan said.
Archbishop Robert Duncan installed as first primate
Tonight Bishop Robert Duncan became Archbishop Duncan – and our new primate. In his sermon, Archbishop Duncan set the goal for the Anglican Church in North America of planting 1000 new churches during his five year term as primate. He also challenged members to study and memorize Scripture. “If you don’t know it, you can’t live it,” he said. You can get a more complete account on the AEC blog of the sermon and very impressive service, held in Christ Church (Plano, TX) – once the largest church in TEC with a massive, impressive campus and a reported congregation of 2000.
ACNA College of Bishops confirms election of 8 bishops-designate
The Anglican Church in North America College of Bishops, meeting June 20-21, prior to the Assembly, confirmed the election of eight bishops for several dioceses. In addition to the three ANiC bishops-designate, the remaining five are:
Three bishops-designate from the dioceses of the Anglican Mission in the Americas
The Rev Dr Todd Hunter, leader of Churches for the Sake of Others
The Rev Canon Doc Loomis, Canon Missioner for AMiA;
The Rev Silas TAK Yin Ng, rector, Richmond Emmanuel (Richmond, BC)
For the Diocese of Western Anglicans
The Rev William Thompson
For the Diocese of Forward in Faith
The Rev William Ilginfritz
Assembly attracts official delegations from nine Anglican Provinces
Official representatives from nine Anglican Provinces have come to the Assembly to express their Provinces support and communion with ACNA:
West Africa: Archbishop Justice Akrofi
Nigeria: Bishop Alfred Nwaizuzu
Uganda: Bishop Evans Kisekka (Representing Archbishop Henry Orombi)
Kenya: Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi
Southern Cone: Primate Greg Venables; Bishops Tito Zavala (Chile) & Frank Lyons (Bolivia)
Jerusalem & the Middle East: Rev Sherif Lemey Gendy (Representing Primate Mouneer Anis)
Myanmar: Bishop Saw Noel Nay Lin, Bishop of Mandalay (Representing Primate Stephen Oo)
South East Asia: Bishop Tak Meng Wong (Representing Archbishop John Chew)
Rwanda: Bishop Chuck Murphy (Representing Archbishop Emanuel Kolini)
In addition, the following Anglican visitors are here:
Bishop John Ellison, Church of Paraguay/Church of England
Ven Norman Russell, Church of England
Rev Canon Dr. Chris Sugden, Church of England
Bishop Santosh Marray, Bishop of Seychelles (Indian Ocean) - representing the Anglican Communion Office and the Archbishop of Canterbury
Bishop Alpha Muhammad, Tanzania
Ecumenical guests include:
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, the Orthodox Church in America
Bishop Walter Grundorf, Anglican Province of America
Rev. Dr. Samuel Nafzger, Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod
Pastor Rick Warren, Saddleback Church
Bishop Kevin Vann, Roman Catholic Bishop of Fort Worth
Bishop Kevin Vann, Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
The Rev Roy Taylor, National Association of Evangelicals
Letters of support for ACNA come in
Written support has come in from:
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Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East – Bishop Mouneer Anis says, “Our prayers are with you, and for the new Province to continue to stand firm in faith as you have always done.” (Hard copy letter) |
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Anglican Province of Southeast Asia – Archbishop John Chew says, “Today you are making a very historic and apostolic stand. Please be assured of our full and deep communion in the Lord.” (Hard copy letter) |
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Church of England Evangelical Council (Archdeacon Michael Lawson & Bishop Wallace Benn) stated “…we are joyful to be in full communion with you all.” |
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Anglican Mainstream (UK) – Canon Dr Chris Sugden and Philip Giddings say, “We rejoice with you at reaching this very significant stage in your development and recognize in you the continuing witness of the Anglican Communion in North America.” |
Anglican Church in North America in the news (a selection)
Vancouver Sun – June 21 2009 – Vancouver Anglicans muster into new orthodox grouping
Fort Worth Star-Telegram – June 23 2009 – Delegates create new Anglican church at convention
Dallas News – June 22 2009 – Anglicans flock to…Ft Worth for first meeting of new religious faction
Washington Times – June 17 2009 – New Anglican church poses dilemma
USA Today – June 22 2009 – US Anglican Church launches, will ban female, gay bishops
National Public Radio – June 21 2009 – Conservatives push for rival US Anglican Church
SPREAD – June 22 2009 – The Anglican Church in North America – Hidden reefs ahead
VirtueOnline – June 22 2009 – Okay ACNA’s the Answer; Now what was the Question?
ChristianNewsWire – June 22 2009 – Anglican Church Assembly begins
Christian Post – June 21 2009 – Creation of 2nd Anglican body in North America nears completion
Living Church – June 23 2009 – Evangelist encourages ACNA Assembly
Living Church – June 23 2009 – Bishop Duncan: Break with TEC now complete
Church of England Newspaper – June 19 2009 – ACNA gathers for its formal launch in Texas
Living Church – June 22 2009 – ACNA opens inaugural assembly
Living Church – June 23 2009 – ACNA adds five bishops
Fort Worth Star-Telegram – June 23 2009 – New Anglican alignment hears from famed pastor…
Catholic News Agency – July 24 2009 – Former Episcopalians launch Anglican Church…
Christian Post – June 24 2009 – Rick Warren supports new conservative Anglican body
Dallas News – June 24 2009 – Rick Warren shows support for breakaway Anglicans at Bedford…
Associated Press – June 23 2009 – Megachurch pastor advises breakaway Episcopalians
VirtueOnline – June 22 2009 – ACNA’09: Great reformation… under way, says Bishop Duncan
VirtueOnline – June 23 2009 – Rick Warren wows them. Constitution ratified, ACNA ready to roll
News shorts – Canada
Sunday, June 28 – Day of prayer for government
The National House of Prayer encourages Christians to offer special prayers June 28 for Canada's government. More details at www.nhop.ca.
Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) posts papers on same-sex blessings
Twelve members of the ACoC’s Primates Theological Commission have written papers, as part of the Galilee Report, on questions of human relationships and the blessings of same-sex unions. The Galilee Report was posted in earlier in May.
News shorts – United States
In US news
Episcopal LifeOnline – June 17 2009 – [Diocese of Albany] Convention pledges loyalty to church, but disputes role of general convention
Church of England Newspaper – June 19 2009 – Los Angeles wins court case over property
Church of England Newspaper – June 19 2009 – More bishops deposed in USA
Living Church – June 21 2009 – Bishop of Springfield withdraws from upcoming ACNA Assembly
News shorts – International
In the international media
Church of England Newspaper – June 12 2009 – Anger over Rwandan plan to regulate religions
Church of England Newspaper – June 20 2009 – Questions over pro-gay cast to support ‘Indaba’
Soul food
Just for laughs
Copyright Gospel Communications International, Inc - www.reverendfun.com
Please pray...
For the Rev Scott Walker, Curate of St George's Lowville, who will be ordained to the priesthood on June 28 at 4pm, at the Crossroads Centre, 1295 North Service Road, Burlington – and his wife Michelle and children Hailey (6), Isaiah (3) and Josiah (11 months).
For the Anglican Church in North America, Archbishop Robert Duncan and the 28 dioceses.
For upcoming ANiC parish and project meetings:
Church of the Ascension (Langley, BC) – First Sunday service, June 28
St Matthias & St Luke’s (Vancouver) – June 30 concert of praise
Toronto Centre ANiC project meeting on July 22
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 meet our Lord & Saviour.
For the legal cases
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For Mr Justice Stephen Kelleher as he reviews all the written material and considers his decision in the Vancouver court case. May God grant insight and discernment. |
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For the Windsor case (involving St Aidan’s) which is being dealt with in London |
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For the congregations involved in court proceedings and disputes. Pray for peace particularly for the wardens and trustees who are on the front lines and bear the burden of responsibility. Pray for a continued focus on, and blessing upon, their ministry in the midst of this turmoil. |
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For continued contributions to the Legal Defence Fund so that legal costs can be covered and the churchwardens and trustees are not at personal financial risk. |
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For the leaders and parishioners of the dioceses pursuing eviction of and damages against ANiC congregations and wardens in court. |
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For repentance and healing, and that those being persecuted will be able to forgive so there can be hope for future reconciliation.
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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
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:1-17 (ESV)
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