 |
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
Handle with prayer!
News – ANiC and AEN
Bishops tell all
Peter Lillington interviewed both Bishop Don Harvey and Bishop Ron Ferris while they were in Bedford, Texas for the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) inaugural assembly.
Bishop Don talks about gaining recognition for the ACNA as a province in the Anglican Communion, ANiC’s relationship to the Southern Cone now that we are a diocese in the ACNA, ANiC’s relationship with the Anglican Coalition in Canada (another diocese in ACNA), the perception of too many bishops in ANiC, his retirement, and the number of days he was at home from mid-January to June (10!). His vision is: “My hope is that we would continue to be Biblically faithful, and that we would be part of a family known as the Anglican Communion… to have enough of the Communion that is still Biblically faithful [so we] can be part of the family – which is what we’re praying and striving for, and that looks very promising.”
Bishop Ron discusses his episcopal ministry in BC and the church-plant he is leading in Langley, the importance of jurisdiction vs church growth and proclaiming the Word of God, the role of bishops in the ACNA, the state of affairs in the Communion and recognition of the ACNA. Asked about his vision of the ACNA, he said: “I would hope that we would have a lot of congregations that are multiplying and are using that multiplication to preach the gospel. That would be exciting for me. One of the greatest privileges of my life was signing the document with the Common Cause bishops the other day that formed the new province. So my hope would be for a multiplying Church, gathering people in North America who have been disconnected from the life of the Church. If we capture just a small portion of that vision it will be an exciting decade ahead.”
St Chad’s (Toronto) celebrates its centennial
On June 21, the congregation of St Chad’s (Toronto) celebrated 100 years of ministry, worship and fellowship – as well as a new beginning as part of the Anglican Church in North America. About 55 people attended the celebration service with the Rev Stan Fowler speaking. Following the service, the congregation enjoyed a feast prepared by members and heard messages of congratulations, greeting and encouragement sent by both individuals and churches. See photos of the celebration.
Calendar of events – for your interest and prayer support
July 26, 11am – Church of the Ascension (Langley, BC) – 2nd monthly summer Sunday service
July 22 – Toronto Centre ANiC project meeting
Aug 31 - Sept 3 – St John’s Shaughnessy (Vancouver) – Youth Leadership Conference
News shorts – Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
Reactions to the launch of ACNA
Barbara Gauthier, on the Anglican Mainstream website, has compiled reactions from all sides to the launch of the new province.
The bishop of Peru, the Rt Rev Harold William Godfrey, writes of the Anglican Church in North America, “We wish you God’s blessing in the communion we share as members of the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and in our common mission of proclaiming the Gospel message of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Writing to his congregation, a Nashville pastor, the Rev Thomas McKenzie, provides a balanced report on the highs and lows of the ACNA assembly and the Church’s weaknesses and strengths. He concludes:
“The Anglican Church in North America is a family, and you are part of it. We are weak in many ways, but we have the love of God in Christ and a deep commitment to one another. We have a great future, a future of both suffering and triumph, of Cross and Resurrection. We are one Church, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, with Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. I wouldn’t have us be any other way.”
More from the inaugural provincial assembly
The Assembly website contains a number of interesting items, including:
Chairman of AMiA explains his organization’s dual provincial membership
Writing to members of the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA) – which accounts for nine of the dioceses in the Anglican Church in North America, Bishop Chuck Murphy explains how AMiA will remain under the Anglican Church of Rwanda. He says, “As a founding member of both the Common Cause Partnership and the emerging province, we will continue to fully participate in ACNA. As we have consistently explained, however, we remain a missionary outreach of the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda under the authority of Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini. This allows us to enjoy dual citizenship, a similar relationship to that of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA).”
In a similar statement, Bishop Martyn Minns of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, another ACNA diocese, states, “CANA congregations now have a ‘dual citizenship.’ They are members of the Church in Nigeria and as a result of that relationship, full members of the global Anglican Communion. CANA congregations are also members of the Anglican Church in North America and will participate fully in the life of the new province.”
Women’s ordination within ACNA
A Christianity Today article discusses differences between the dioceses of ACNA on the matter of women’s ordination and how this difference is being honoured without threatening the unity of the new province. George Conger, explaining why women are allowed to be priests but not bishops: “In the Anglican understanding, a bishop is a bishop of the whole catholic church, meaning that person should be acceptable in all places that the catholic church is… [ACNA] can live with women being at the local level of priest, because a woman priest in New York doesn’t do anything to the people in Fort Worth, Texas, who think it’s contrary to Scripture.”
An interesting Washington Times article, which states that 22 of 28 dioceses in ACNA do not ordain women, explores the views on both sides. The article says, “It's a system known as "dual integrity," dioceses that differ on a question where Scripture can be read both ways agree to respect and live with each other's views.”
Church of Uganda in full communion with Anglican Church in North America
Following its June 23 meeting, the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda, issued a statement saying “ that it warmly supports the creation of the new Province in North America, the Anglican Church in North America, recognizes Bishop Bob Duncan as its new Archbishop, and declares that it is in full communion with the Anglican Church in North America” and transferred ecclesiastical oversight of the “Bishops, clergy and churches in America… to the Anglican Church in North America.” Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi said, “We have been longing to be able to repatriate our clergy and congregations to a Biblical and viable ecclesiastical structure in North America, and that day has now come. To God be the glory.”
The statement also decried the Anglican Consultative Council’s (ACC) recent refusal to seat the Church of Uganda’s duly appointed clergy delegate, Rev Phil Ashey” and “ reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to not receive funds from the Episcopal Church (TEC) and the Anglican Church of Canada, revisionist TEC and Canadian dioceses and parishes, and funding organs associated with them”.
Diocese of Fort Worth prepares for anticipated litigation by the Episcopal Church
Bishop Jack Iker has written his clergy responding to letters sent to them by the Episcopal Church -appointed bishop of the “rump diocese” threatening inhibition – as well as letters to church leaders notifying them of impending legal action. Bishop Iker explains why TEC and its appointed bishop have no jurisdiction and assures his clergy and church leaders that “We are no longer members of PECUSA [The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America] and are not subject to their discipline… We very much regret the fact that this matter is being placed before secular courts. We would much prefer a negotiated settlement among brothers and sisters in Christ who have been separated from one another. However, we are fully prepared to make our case in a court of law and will do so when the time comes… With God’s guidance and grace, we shall defend our churches, our faith, and our property against these unjust claims.” (You can also see the threatening letters at the link above.)
In connection with this, Archbishop Greg Venables has also written the clergy and members of the (real) Diocese of Fort Worth. He says, in part, “It is likely that it will take some time before the institutional structures catch up to the realities of the present day situation in the Communion. Until that time, you can be sure of your dual status with us in the Southern Cone. This is true not only for Bishop Iker, but also all of the priests and deacons who received licenses through him under my authority when your diocese came to us… At the last Primates' Meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, there was clear agreement that you and your bishop are fully members of the Anglican Communion.”
The diocese has also provided its members with a one-page, 10-point “litigation perspective” that is well worth reading.
Archbishop Duncan’s message posted
Anglican Mainstream has posted Archbishop Bob Duncan’s message at his installation as Primate of ACNA in which he spoke from Luke 1:76: “And You my child shall be called the prophet of the most high for you shall go before the Lord to prepare the way for Him.” The Washington Post reporter described the service as a “blow-out” church service with 60 bishops and 323 clergy and 1500 in attendance. The reporter praised the music, saying, “I've rarely been in a service where every single piece of music was beautifully done at top level…”
Anglican Church in North America in the news (a selection)
VirtueOnline – June 28 09 – Is a new Anglican Communion in the making?
The Washington Times – June 24 2009 – Episcopal break called a ‘historic event’
Jacksonville News – July 1 2009 – New group of Anglicans looks to future on First Coast
Church of England – June 24 2009 – New US Province is formed
Anglican Journal- June 29 2009 – New North American Anglican grouping won’t last says gay bishop
EpiscopalLife Online – June 25 2009 – North American Anglican group holds inaugural gathering
Fort Worth Star Telegram – June 24 2009 – New Anglican church will benefit former Episcopalians, Iker says
Pittsburgh Post Gazette – June 32 2009 – Archbishop Duncan shepherds Episcopal spinoff
Pittsburgh Post Gazette – June 32 2009 – Orthodox extend hand to Duncan’s new Anglican Church
Telegraph – June 27 2009 – Anglican meltdown: there are now two Anglican Churches in the US
Anglican Journal – June 27 2009 – Anglican Church in North America wraps up inaugural assembly
Times Online – June 25 2009 – Anglicans in the US: a new Church is born
Associated Press – June 23 2009 – Warren tells breakaway Episcopalians to love all
Reuters – June 24 2009 – Q&A: The Anglican Church in North America
Pew Forum – June 25 2009 – No longer Episcopalians, Anglicans launch own church
Christian Science Monitor – June 25 2009 – Breakaway Episcopalians install a new archbishop
Church of England Newspaper – July 3 2009 – ACNA warned on Islam threat
News shorts – Canada
Federation organizes for General Synod 2010
The Federation is holding a meeting in Halifax on Friday, July 10, 7pm, to start the work of organizing for the Anglican Church of Canada’s general synod in that city next year.
New suffragan bishop for the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior (of BC)
Archbishop Terry Buckle has given consent to the election of the Rev Barbara Andrews as suffragan bishop for the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior (the former Diocese of the Cariboo). The consent had been delayed as clarification was sought on several questions.
Anglican Church of Canada – United Church dialogue report
After six years of conversations, the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada have issued a report entitled, Drawing from the same well: the St Brigid report. The ACoC’s dialogue co-chair says of the process, "Perhaps the most important thing that the dialogue has to say to both the Anglican and United churches is that we have a remarkable amount in common. We also think that our differences are significant, but we don't want our differences to be allowed to overshadow the unity that we do share."
News shorts – United States
Episcopal Church general convention begins
The general convention of the Episcopal Church (TEC) runs July 8-17 in Anaheim, California. The sexuality debate is expected to dominate the session. The Episcopal News Service tells us that, “Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams will make a presentation addressing the world's economic crisis during a panel discussion webcast live July 8 from the Episcopal Church's 76th General Convention, scheduled to take place July 8-17 in Anaheim, California.” We are also told that the Archbishop of Canterbury will meet privately with a group from the TEC House of Bishops to discuss sexuality issues in the church and was set up because Dr Williams “has not had a chance to hear about the broad range of ministry and leadership in which LGBT Episcopalians are involved.”
The American Anglican Council will be active at TEC’s General Convention to support the orthodox who remain in TEC and asks us to pray for their staff and volunteers working at General Convention. Pray that God’s will be done. Also, for those called to pray for TEC’s general convention and those faithfully standing for the truth of God’s Word within TEC, two prayer blogs are focused on this event:
- GC09 Intercessors
- Lent & Beyond
Diocese of South Carolina gives up trying to reform TEC
Bishop Mark Lawrence, the recently elected bishop of the largely orthodox diocese of South Carolina – one of the only dioceses in the Episcopal Church (TEC) experiencing growth – has written his clergy explaining the strategy of the diocese in remaining within TEC. He says, “I see little reward or benefit in expending our resources and energies in unfruitful expeditions trying to stem the tide of revisionism in The Episcopal Church… the creative thrust of the diocese—beyond the gospel imperative to preach the gospel, make disciples, and plant churches as missionary outposts of the Kingdom of God—needs to be elsewhere than in political machinations of the General Convention.”
Distinguishing between the so-called “external strategy” of the Anglican Church in North America, and the “internal strategy” of those working to reform the church from within, he says, “We in South Carolina are then said to be carrying out such an agenda—battling for orthodoxy, seeking to win back the day in The Episcopal Church in some maneuvering of ecclesiastical politics. While some within the Church may indeed be doing this, it is certainly not my intent. The stakes at present are much higher than what is happening in Episcopalianism or the continuing Anglican bodies in North America. If we could be said to be carrying out an “Inside Strategy” it is not towards TEC: it is toward the Anglican Communion. Put simply, we remain inside the structures of the Communion to help shape the emerging Anglicanism of the 21st Century so long as we are able… our “Inside Strategy” is not to tilt at windmills in Quixotic fashion thinking we can turn back the clock to some prior age; it is to help shape the future that is emerging in global Anglicanism from within the Communion.”
US Declaration of Independence rewritten
A S Haley, the orthodox Anglican legal expert who writes under the name Anglican Curmudgeon has (“ever so slightly”) rewritten the US Declaration of Independence to make it into a “Declaration of Religious Independence” from the Episcopal Church tyranny – rather than the 18th century British tyranny of King George III. Calling his Declaration “The unanimous Declaration of the Anglican Church of North America”, he dedicates it to “…to those who throughout the Anglican world, whether "in communion" with Canterbury or not, are steadfast in their resistance of the divisive and ruinous campaign in ECUSA and in ACoC to force the Anglican Communion to recognize and acquiesce in the tenet that all lifestyles are created equal, while all men and women are not.”
He adds:
The forces of resistance are now more powerful than before, because they have organized into a single body. (And already those who have thus far not shied from disruption to achieve their ends are gloating that ACNA's "unity in diversity" cannot last.) The result is, for the first time in Anglican history, a genuine threat to the exclusivity of the franchises thus far held by ECUSA and ACoC. The new Province is a fact on the ground, and those who make gibes to the effect of "a Province of what Communion?" would do better to look to their own fading ties. The Church of England… cannot be all things to all Anglicans, it may split apart in the near future. Meanwhile, the stress on all the ties that bind Anglicans will be increased to the breaking point by the 76th General Convention that starts next week.
United States news
Pasadena Star-News – July 3 2009 – Church-state divide looms for Episcopalians on gay marriage
Church of England Newspaper – July 3 2009 – Bishop Iker dismisses legal threat
News shorts – International
Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans launches in Britain
The British launch of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans – a global movement within the Anglican Communion calling for a return to Biblical faithfulness – occurs Monday, July 6 with a mass rally in London called “Be Faithful!”. The Rev Paul Perkin, a vicar from London described the event and the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans this way: “Some are staying in the Church, but failing to stand for Christian truth and practice; others are standing firm for Christian truth and practice, but are not staying. We are standing, and we are staying."
Participants in the event included a long list of Church of England bishops as well as international speakers – including a videotaped message from Dr J I Packer. Live streaming video of the event will be available on the AnglicanTV website – and archived to that website shortly after the event.
Please pray for this important event and for unity among the orthodox Anglicans in Britain. Bishop Don has sent greetings our behalf of ANiC members and assured the Be Faithful! participants of our prayer support. He said, “It is a joy to be part of this great Fellowship [of Confessing Anglicans] and although we are separated by a vast ocean, we are with you in heart and mind as the events unfold.”
Even prior to the event, there was considerable reaction. The Rev Dr Andrew Goddard of Fulcrum explains why he will attend the launch of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA) but not join it. He says, “FCA presents itself as a broad coalition of charismatic, evangelical and Anglo-Catholic Anglicans committed to orthodoxy and mission. This in some ways echoes the Essentials movement in Canada…”
Goddard asks six questions:
| 1. |
Why launch FCA now in the Church of England? His response is that there is not a “felt need for such a fellowship in the Church of England”. |
| 2. |
What will FCA do in practice and is it schismatic? His concern is that FCA is distancing itself from the Church of England in finding a new identity in the global alliance forming around the Jerusalem Declaration. |
| 3. |
How is FCA being financed and governed? His concern is that FCA leadership will concentrate power and not listen to all segments of its constituency. |
| 4. |
What place is there in the fellowship for women clergy and supporters of women’s ministry at every level of the church? He says, “Although it is claimed that women’s ordination is recognised as a “second-order” issue within FCA, many of those most associated with FCA are committed to “male headship” as clear biblical teaching and are firmly opposed to both women priests and women bishops.” |
| 5. |
Can FCA be fully supportive of those who remain in TEC and ACC? He claims, “FCA’s total and apparently unreserved and unquestioning commitment to the creation of ACNA, the new American province, fuels concerns that it too will ultimately embrace such a path.” |
| 6. |
How can those of us who long for unity and fellowship with those in FCA have these and other questions engaged with constructively by FCA’s leadership? |
Bishop Graham Kings (Sherborne), also of Fulcrum, echoes Goddard’s concerns, but takes the opportunity to criticize ACNA as well. He concludes, “The authentic Anglican way forward is not through the autonomous setting up of rival churches, like ACNA; nor through autonomous blessings of same-sex unions and the consecration of people in such unions, like TEC; nor through inflated claims and opportunist alliances, like FCA UK: it is through the glacial gravity of the Covenant process.”
Andrew Carey, writing in the Church of England Newspaper, responds directly and effectively to the critics on the Fulcrum website. He indicates that FCA has learned from the mistakes made by conservatives in North America where responses in earlier decades were “disorganized and fragmented” and ultimately ineffective in preventing the moral and theological decay in their churches. He says orthodox Anglicans in Britain should support FCA because:
| • |
the Lordship of Jesus Christ in every aspect of faith and life; |
| • |
the supreme authority of the teaching of Holy Scripture as understood within the doctrinal formularies of historical Anglicanism, specifically, the Book of Common Prayer, the Thirty-nine Articles, the Ordinal , and, in Canada, the Solemn Declaration
of 1893; |
| • |
unity in the Faith of the gospel, according to this understanding; |
· “it’s a way of supporting Anglicans in North America who are struggling to remain Anglican in very difficult circumstances.”
· “it’s a direct link to the Global South provinces.”
· “this is hardly a time to be wringing your hands about who you want to mix with. The urgent need is to be organised now, not leave it far too late, as it was in America.”
He concludes, “So why FCA, and why now? In the American Church too little was done by conservatives, much too late. Sniffily holding the FCA at arm’s length, as Fulcrum seems to want to do, is to repeat the mistakes made by Americans.”
The Rev Andrew Symes responds to Bishop Kings and defends the ACNA, saying “Dr Kings sees the problem in America, and by extension in world Anglicanism, as one purely of differences in church polity, rather than matters of spiritual life and death… In such a time of crisis, when the very survival of orthodox Christianity is at stake, making a respectful but principled stand should be applauded not dismissed… Dr Kings has brushed aside the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans as irrelevant without addressing the fundamental crisis of doctrine that caused it to come about.” Addressing Bishop Kings likening of the Covenant process, in which he places all his faith, to a glacier, Rev Symes says, “…when there is a crisis, a house on fire for example, a hose is more useful than a glacier: speed, and something more relevant to the context, is better than putting everything on ice.”
Dr Lisa Severine Nolland says the critics of FCA are ignoring the evidence that all is not well in the Church of England and asks rhetorically who will stand with those who challenge the “insidious slippage” in the church and the nation. Her response: FCA will stand with them.
Bishop Wallace Benn (Lewes) also addressed the critics, saying, “The FCA is not another organization. It is not seeking to create another church. It is a spiritual movement and fellowship for renewal, reformation and mission – uniquely bringing together those whose key shaping and commitment, but not exclusive identity, has been through the Anglo-Catholic, conservative evangelical, and charismatic expressions of Anglicanism. The FCA movement can do this because it is defined by its centre in the Christian faith as currently embraced in the Jerusalem Declaration and Statement… It would be premature to ask a movement to clarify all its terms or meet all the requirements set by others sadly hesitant to identify with it. What matters, as Bishop Bob Duncan told the launch of the Anglican Church in North America, is “to keep the main thing the main thing”. That is what ‘Be Faithful’ will seek to do by the grace and with the help of God.”
Charles Raven, in an article entitled, “On being moderately faithful: Why Fulcrum is wrong about the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans” addresses Fulcrum’s critique and red herrings – stating, for example, that three of the “Be Faithful” speakers are women. He concludes that those in Fulcrum seem compelled criticize because they are wedded to institutional structures and the status quo and refuse to acknowledge the depth of the crisis. He says, “The most unsettled are evangelicals who want to preserve the status quo, because, unlike liberals, they have to continually convince themselves, in the face of ever more inconvenient facts, that the Church understood theologically in terms of classic Anglicanism is more or less the same thing as the institutional Church.”
Bishop Nazir-Ali causes a stir
The headline in the Sunday Telegraph read: “Change and repent, bishop tells gays”. The newspaper interviewed Bishop Nazir-Al to coincide with the London “gay pride” parade and in anticipation of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans rally on Monday. The following is extracted from the Telegraph article:
In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Dr Nazir-Ali said: "We want to uphold the traditional teaching of the Bible. We believe that God has revealed his purpose about how we are made.
"People who depart from this don’t share the same faith. They are acting in a way that is not normative according to what God has revealed in the Bible.
"The Bible’s teaching shows that marriage is between a man and a woman. That is the way to express our sexual nature.
"We welcome homosexuals, we don’t want to exclude people, but we want them to repent and be changed."
The bishop added that it is not just homosexuals who need to repent, but all who have strayed from the Bible’s teaching.
He said: "We want to hold on to the traditional teaching of the Church. We don’t want to be rolled over by culture and trends in the Church. We want a movement for renewal. We need a reformation of the Church and the life of the Communion."
Dr Nazir-Ali, who is resigning from his post in September, said there was a need for the new evangelical movement, called the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, because the Church is already divided.
"We’re two different sorts of religion," he said. "One has a view of God and the Church and Christianity that is completely different from the other."
Derek Munn, the director of public affairs for Stonewall, the homosexual campaign group, criticised Dr Nazir-Ali’s comments.
"It is unfortunate that in 2009, a church leader should continue to promote inequality and intolerance
Church of England declining into irrelevance claims bishop
Bishop Paul Richardson (assisting bishop of Newcastle) has told the Telegraph that “Christian Britain is dead” due to declining church attendance and the inaction of Church of England bishops. The Telegraph reports that regular church attendance in the CoE has declined to about 880,000 – rising to 3 million at Christmas. Bishop Richardson predicts at the current rate of decline, the CoE will only survive 30 years.
Archbishop of Canterbury appoints new commission
The newly appointed Unity, Faith and Order Commission will be headed by Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi, Primate of Burundi and will “promote the deepening of Communion between the Anglican Communion and other Christian Churches and traditions. However, it will also advise the Provinces, the Primates, the Anglican Consultative Council, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, on all questions of ecumenical engagement, as well as on questions of Anglican Faith and Order.”
Around the Communion
The Diocese of Cuba, which has been without an elected bishop since 2003, has again failed to elect a bishop due to a split between “liberal” and “traditional” factions. The Anglican Journal reports that the Cuban Church “…has not elected its own bishop for more than 20 years because of internal divisions within the diocese. [The previous bishop] was appointed by the Metropolitan Council of Cuba – composed of the primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, the U.S. presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church and the primate of the West Indies – which has overseen the church in Cuba since it separated from The Episcopal Church in 1967.” The previous bishop is said to be willing to stay on as interim bishop.
The Institute on Religion and Democracy has published an interesting article explaining the role of the government in creating problems within the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe by engineering the election of a government supporter as the “puppet pseudo-Anglican Archbishop of Harare”. Although this bishop has been deposed by his province – the Anglican Province of Central Africa, he clings to power with government support. In February, the Primates meeting in Egypt issued a statement in which they stated they did not recognize the government supported bishops and called for the full restoration of Anglican property to Anglicans under the authority of newly elected Bishop of Harare, Chad Gandiya.
Sudan – George Conger writes: “Writing in support of the June 18 “Sudan Day of Action” organized by Baroness Cox and the Sudan Action Group, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams has called upon Khartoum government and the former rebels of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement to act swiftly to implement all of the terms of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)… Dr. Williams also urged the international community not to be sidetracked by the “continuing horrors” of Darfur. “We need to recognize that unless the commitments around the CPA are honoured there is no chance of settling the conflict in Darfur,” he said. “I therefore urge a renewal of commitment and a readiness to work for measurable results as soon as possible,” the archbishop said.”
India – A judge in India has ruled that the Anglican Church there must abide by its canons and cannot dismiss a bishop in contravention of those canons.
Southern Cone – The Anglican Province of the Southern Cone is growing “by leaps and bounds” according to the Bishop of Bolivia, Frank Lyons. Bishop Lyons reported to the recent Anglican Church in North America assembly that a March meeting of the House of Bishops of the Southern Cone authorized the creation of nine new auxiliary and suffragan bishops to handle the church growth. Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti of the Diocese of Recife (also in the Southern Cone) told the Assembly that, in the four years since he was deposed by the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil (IECB) and accepted by Archbishop Greg Venables of the Southern Cone, his diocese has doubled in size and nine congregations currently in the IECB are petitioning to be accepted into the Diocese of Recife. Praise the Lord for His blessing on His faithful church. George Conger provides details.
In international news
Telegraph – July 4 2009 – Change and repent, bishop tells gays
Soul food
Worth reading
The Rev Dr Phillip Turner, of the Anglican Communion Institute, discusses the exclusivity of the “progressive’s” agenda, saying the actions of the liberals betray the falsehood of the claim to inclusiveness. He says, “The logic used by progressive Episcopalians to explain and justify TEC’s “inclusive” agenda is in point of fact necessarily “exclusive” of contrary opinion… The standard justification for the inclusive agenda is almost without exception stated in terms of justice... In the minds of progressive Episcopalians, to acquiesce in matters of injustice and to allow ignorance, fear, and prejudice to go unopposed is a betrayal of what to their mind is central to the Gospel message.”
In discussing liberal Episcopalians approach to church politics, he says, “Domestically, progressive Episcopalians seek more centralized authority… Internationally, however, they plead for pluralism in the form of a polycentric communion that allows for wide variations in belief and practice…The plea for pluralism on an international level is but a tactic to protect moves toward centralization and uniformity domestically. Despite the fact that there is a logical contradiction in arguing for increased centralism on the one hand and increased diversity on the other, this strategy was clearly evident at the recent meeting of The Anglican Consultative Council where TEC’s representatives sought to derail the fourth section of the draft covenant that provides for consequences if Provinces act in ways other members of the Communion believe not in accord with Christian belief and practice.”
Think again
If you think you are too small to make a difference, you've never had a mosquito in your bedroom. (From Mikey’s Funnies)
Just for laughs
Copyright Gospel Communications International, Inc - www.reverendfun.com
Please pray...
For the many ANiC “projects” across the country building congregations and setting the framework to launch as church plants
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
| • |
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. |
| • |
For the Windsor case (involving St Aidan’s) which is being dealt with in London. |
| • |
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. |
| • |
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. |
| • |
For the leaders and parishioners of the dioceses pursuing eviction of and damages against ANiC congregations and wardens in court. |
| • |
For repentance and healing, and that those being persecuted will be able to forgive so there can be hope for future reconciliation. |
For the Anglican Church in North America, Archbishop Robert Duncan and the 28 dioceses.
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
Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!
Psalm 112 (ESV)
... back to "Newsletters" main page
|
|
|
 |
