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Handle with prayer!
News – ANiC and AEN
Supreme Court of Canada’s refusal to hear appeal taken in stride
St
John's Vancouver, St Matthew's Abbotsford, Church of the Good Shepherd and St
Mathias & St Luke have exhausted all legal avenues to keep their
properties. Please pray for the threeparishes (excluding Good
Shepherd) as they prepare to move to new spaces for worship and to carry out
their ministriesover the coming weeks. Also pray for all four parishes, that there will be no
further litigation or court proceedings, particularly against Trustees
personally, as the congregations leave behind the properties they have paid
for, maintained and improved over many years.
While the June 16th refusal by the
Supreme Court to hear the appeal brought by four Vancouver area parishes was
disappointing, it wasn’t entirely surprising. From the beginning, the parishes
knew that, although legal precedent regarding church splits was on their side,
there was a strong possibility the courts would choose a different
approach. In ANiC’s news release,
Cheryl Chang, Special Counsel to ANiC said, “Clearly, we were hoping for a better result when we sought help from the
courts. However, we always said that, given a choice, we would choose our faith
over our properties, and we have been willing to make that sacrifice if called
upon by the courts to do so.”
Please
pray for the other ANiC parishes that will also be affected by this decision.
(See Diocese of Niagara response below.)
ANiC responses
Bishop Don in his encouraging pastoral letter said:
‘When
the history of our Church is written, the date of June 16th will
receive very special mention. It was on that day, nine years ago that a
relatively few members of the Synod of New Westminster made the fateful
decision that they no longer were able to remain in a church that was showing
itself unfaithful to the Word of God. They felt that as precious as unity was,
it still came secondary to truth and that the time had come to put their strong
faith into action.
‘Little
did they realize when they took such a step, the worldwide ramifications that
would follow. Their brave action not only led to the formation of the Anglican
Communion in New Westminster (ACiNW), but it galvanized other concerned
Anglicans right across North America into action, ultimately giving rise to the
launching of the Anglican Network in Canada and just a little later into our
Province of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). But it all officially
began when some of you made that first historic step.
“And
now, nine years later, on June 16th the Supreme Court of Canada has
decided that it will not entertain our request for an Appeal to address the
injustices we are suffering. While the occasion will be remembered with great
sadness, very quickly, I feel, it will become obvious that God has been in
control throughout, not that we ever doubted it, and that this is yet another
step in our mission to restore the Anglican Church in our land to be faithful
to the Word of God as expressed in Holy Scripture and its historic
formularies.” Read the rest of the letter here.
Prior to the Supreme Court’s
decision, Canon David Short, rector of St John’s Vancouver wrote his
parishioners, saying:
“Regardless of the decision… the
way we respond is a God-given opportunity to bear witness to Christ… We are
still God’s family, and he has placed us in Vancouver to spread his glory… the
words of Romans 12 encourage us to “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation,
be constant in prayer”.
“I thank God for sustaining and
guiding us this far as a family, in partnership with our extended family of St
Matthew’s Abbotsford, the Church of the Good Shepherd, and St Matthias & St
Luke. I do not know of many churches
that have had the privilege of being so purposefully shaped and transformed by
the Holy Spirit in such unusual circumstances; and I am constantly grateful to
be a member of St John’s praying and expecting to see how God will use this for
his own glory.”
Anglican Church of Canada
responses
New Westminster’s Bishop Michael
Ingham wrote his
diocese repeating his usual themes, framing the dispute as entirely
over same-sex blessings, and declaring that the diocese is “respectful of
genuine differences of conviction”. More interesting however, was the reaction of the primate of the
Anglican Church of Canada, Archbishop Fred Hiltz. In his congratulatory
letter to Bishop Ingham, Archbishop Hiltz expressed his pleasure,
relief and gratitude. He told
Bishop Ingham:
“I am especially grateful for the
great care you took in preparing for hearings in court… With integrity and
insight, you represented the Anglican Church of Canada… Our entire church owes
you a great debt of gratitude… You have been the brunt of a lot of slanderous
attacks both professionally and personally, but, you stood your ground and
upheld the decisions of your synod and the spirit in which they were made and
acted upon. You consistently modeled every effort to be as pastorally
accommodating of a variety of theological perspectives in these matters as
possible... My respect for your leadership is deep and my gratitude for the
witness of the diocese to our Lord Jesus Christ and his reign of love, justice
and peace for all is profound.
Earlier in May, at the Diocese of
New Westminster’s synod, a motion directing the bishop to negotiate with the four ANiC parishes to settle the
matters then before the courts was defeated.
The Diocese of Niagara, where
disputes with ANiC churches continue, issued a news
release in which Bishop
Michael Bird, says, “The decision clears the way for us to proceed to a trial
involving the disputed ownership of three parishes in the Diocese of Niagara.” The release concludes, “The Diocese of
Niagara has instructed its legal counsel to move forward expeditiously to bring
this matter to trial.”
Moving
onward and upward
This Sunday, July 10, Saint
Matthew’s (Abbotsford, BC) plans a liturgy of departure followed by a solemn procession to Grace Church’s
facilities where they will make their new home.
Although plans for some or the
churches are not yet finalized, God is graciously providing places for each to
continue its ministries. St John’s Vancouver’s website has a joint
statement reporting on a recent meeting with the diocese to discuss
transition. According to this
statement the diocese does not intend to begin using the building until the
fall. The statement adds, “During the transition, ministry and services [in the building] will
continue to be administered by St John's Vancouver clergy and staff.”
Media coverage included:
Vancouver Sun – June 16 2011
- New West
Anglican Bishop relieved by decision…
Church of England Newspaper
– June 26 2011 – Canadian
Supreme Court denies ANiC appeal
Anglican Journal – June 16 2011 – Canada’s top
court denies appeal to dissident… churches
National Post – June 16 2011
– Breakaway
Anglicans lose last legal avenue to claim ownership…
Abbotsford News – June 24
2011 – Parishioners
prepare to move from St Matthew’s Church…
VirtueOnline – June 22 2011
– Canada:
Liberal Anglican leaders rejoice over… victory…
Anglican Samizdat – July 2
2011 – Why I support
the fight for ANiC church buildings…
Church
of the Messiah (Ottawa) walks
As part of a settlement
negotiated with the Diocese of Ottawa earlier this year, Church of the Messiah
(Ottawa) – formerly known as St Alban’s the Martyr – left their
building on June 26 and processed to their new meeting location just down the
street. The Ottawa Sun, Ottawa
Citizen, National Post and June 27th edition of 24H all covered the congregational march – some
with photos on the front cover of the paper. The church will now meet in the Ottawa Little Theatre.
Fervent prayer requested
Prayer is requested for the wife of an ANiC rector
diagnosed with a large tumour in the abdomen. Ceri (pronounced “Keri”) Hynes,
the wife of the Rev Howard Hynes, rector of St Stephen the Martyr (St John’s,
NL), has had from two past bouts of cancer. Please pray that test results will lead to effective medical
treatment. Pray also for Howard
and their three teenaged children.
Asian
Mission in Canada team returns from Thailand
A team
of ten, including Bishop Stephen Leung, completed a two-week mission trip to
Thailand designed to survey the opportunities for partnership with the Diocese
of Singapore’s Deanery of Thailand in its outreach to Karen refugees. The team
spent the first three days in Singapore getting oriented to the missions and
ministries of the diocese, followed by three days in Bangkok working with
Christ Church. In Bangkok, the
team participated in children’s ministries in slum areas, as well as ministered
to residents of Shalem House, a ministry offering housing to poor people from
remote communities who have come to the city to care for seriously ill
relatives in Bangkok hospitals.
The
final week of the mission trip was spent in the mountainous region along the
Myanmar border where Karen refugees who have fled from the fighting in Myanmar
are concentrated, many living in refugee camps. Karen ministries there include
community nursery schools, elementary and secondary schools, a small Bible
school training current and future Karen church leaders, and boarding houses
for orphans and children whose parents still live in Myanmar. The team was able
to participate in some of these ministries – including conducting
children’s programs, visiting and praying with Christians in their homes,
giving testimonies, and (Bishop Stephen) preaching and teaching in the Bible
school.
Having
seen the pressing ministry needs among the Karen people, Bishop Stephen, ANiC’s
suffragan bishop responsible for ethnic ministries in Canada, is committed to
an ongoing partnership with these church ministries in the border area of
Thailand. This partnership will likely
include financial support and future mission trips. Stay tuned for
opportunities to participate. Some photos from the mission trip are posted on the
ANiC website.
A
second mission team is currently in China working with disabled orphaned children
in Sanmenxia, a project of International China Concern. You can follow this team by reading their
regular posts on the Good Shepherd
(Vancouver) website.
Ordinations
in BC
Bishop Stephen Leung will ordain the Rev Paul
Seung-Choi Leung to the priesthood and Mr Anson Ann to the (transitional)
diaconate in the Church of God on Saturday, July 23 at 7pm in the Anglican Network Church of the Good
Shepherd, 189 West 11th Ave, Vancouver, BC. Both Paul and Anson will be placed in
curacy at Good Shepherd. Your attendance, prayers and support for Paul and
Anson and their families is much appreciated.
New ANiC clergy ordained
The Rev Dr Michael Dobson and the
Rev Ben Roberts were ordained by Bishop Trevor Walters on June 24 in Richmond,
BC to the diaconate. The Rev
Dobson now serves St Andrew’s (Delta, BC) as part-time minister, effective July
1.
Anglican
Agenda series needs volunteer business manager
The
Ginger Group of theologians who write the Anglican Agenda series of book is looking for someone with proven administrative and marketing skills who will
be able to help them market their books and manage their inventory. The group
now has 21 titles in print and needs help marketing these excellent resource
books. Although not essential, it would be helpful if the volunteer was in the
Vancouver area. Please email the Very Rev Dr Archie Pell or call
604 540-0506.
A
wealth of clergy retreats
Maine, New England, September 22
– 25, ANiC traditional silent clergy retreat – Bishop Don will lead
a three-day retreat for clergy serving ANiC in New England. There are
four spots open to any ANiC other clergy who would like to attend. The retreat
runs from Thursday afternoon, Sept 22 through Sunday morning, Sept 25 and will
be held at a beautiful Franciscan guest house & monastery, 26 Beach Avenue, Kennebunk, Maine. There are sandy beaches (only a .5 mile walk away), walking trails
along the river’s edge, and 60+ acres of land to explore. The Daily Office and
the Holy Eucharist will be offered each day. Cost is still to be
determined (approx. $300). For more information or to sign up, please
email Archdeacon Michael McKinnon or call 508-330-2179.
Ottawa,
October 15-17 – ANiC Clergy gathering with Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali – St Peter & St Paul's Ottawa is hosting a clergy
gathering with featured speaker, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali. This will be a time
of retreat as well as of learning and sharing together.The gathering,
which has Bishop Don's enthusiastic endorsement, begins Sunday evening, October
15 with supper and Evensong and ends at noon on Tuesday, October 17.
However, those who wish to extend their stay may be interested in attending the
Sunday morning service at St Peter & St Paul's with Bishop Michael
preaching, and/or stay for Bishop Michael's Hill Lectures (sponsored by Cardus)
on Tuesday and Wednesday. Also, while we will not be organizing a
complete clergy spouses gathering, we will arrange some opportunities for
accompanying clergy spouses to fellowship together. More information to
come. Please email the
Rev'd Paul Donison if you have questions.
Vancouver,
BC – Fourteen BC clergy met for a retreat June 13-14 in Vancouver withAustralian
Bible teacher Bishop Paul Barnett. See the photo on the ANiC website.
Bishop Don interviewed on
Anglican TV
In a recent, wide-ranging interview
with AnglicanTV, Bishop Don discussed the Supreme Court decision to
not hear the ANiC parishes’ appeal and his role as dean of ACNA among other
topics.
ANiC’s Theologian Emeritus
honoured
A YouTube video shows the
presentation in absentia of the Leslie K Tarr Award to the Rev
Canon Dr James Packer by the Word
Guild of Canada – representing Canadian Christian
writers. Dr Packer, ANiC’s Theologian
Emeritus was honoured for outstanding career achievement.
Report on the 5th ANiC
Plant & Grow conference held in Moncton, New Brunswick
A report on ANiC’s Plant and Grow
conference held in Moncton is posted to the Anglican1000
website. These conferences –
which are being held across the ANiC – help equip churches and church
planters to grow the church both spiritually and numerically. The report from Moncton quotes the Rev Don
Hamilton, rector of Christ the Redeemer (Moncton) saying “It was an uplifting
and encouraging day with very practical teaching. It left us with the sense that “We can do this!”. Another attendee, Alex Cameron said “It
is exciting to hear about, and actually see, the new wineskin that God is
raising up being filled with new wine.” Together with the other dioceses in ACNA, ANiC is enthusiastically
committed to supporting our Primate’s call to plant 1000 new churches by 2014.
Parish news
St John’s (Surrey, BC) plans
to mark the historic July 9th Independence Day for Southern Sudan
with prayer and celebration. Please join them in praying or the people of Sudan: that God, in mercy,
would bring peace to both Northern and Southern Sudan; that the Sudanese people
would come to know Christ; that there would be forgiveness and
reconciliation. Pray especially
for the Darfur, southern Kordofan and Nuba Mountain areas where fighting
continues.
Church of the Ascension (Langley, BC) will offer internships this fall for university and college
students wanting to explore ministry in an Anglican, evangelical and liturgical
setting.
All Saints (Rutland, VT) has started a Daughters of the King chapter for women in the parish.
St Timothy’s (Montreal, QC) –
Conducted their first Great Garage (Sale) Giveaway 2011. Photos are posted on the church website. Parishioner Lois De Jean reports that
the rain cleared in time for the barbeque following the garage “sale” and more
than 200 people participated.
Calendar of upcoming events
– for your interest and prayer support
July 1
- 15 – ANiC’s has a short-term
mission team in China, working with disabled children
July
10 – Saint
Matthew’s processes down the street to their new “home” at Grace
Church
July
22-24 – St Matthias
& St Luke’s church camp with Bishop Don
July
23, 7pm – Ordination at Good Shepherd Vancouver of the Rev Paul Leung and
Mr Anson Ann
Aug
5-6 – ACNA Grand
Ultreya, Sewickley, PA
Sept
12-14 – Simeon
Fellowship annual gathering in Dallas, TX (of ACNA clergy &
church planters)
Sept 22-25 – A traditional
silent retreat is planned for ANiC’s clergy in New England
Oct
15-17 – A clergy retreat with Bishop Nazir-Ali will be held at St Peter
& St Paul’s (Ottawa)
Nov 2
– ANiC Clergy Day & laity spiritual life conference – both in
Victoria, BC
Nov
3-4 – ANiC synod,
Victoria, BC
Nov
10-11 – Liturgy &
the Arts conference, Durham, NC
Mar
6-8 – Anglican 1000’s 2012 Church
Planting Summit in Plano, TX.
On the front lines:Growing
and planting churches
Parish profile: Grace Anglican Church, Calgary, AB
ANiC’s
first parish in Calgary now has a name. Initially known simply as the ANiC Calgary Project, the congregation of
about 76 families is now officially Grace
Anglican Church (Calgary, AB). On June 19, Bishop Don joined the people of Grace Anglican to
celebrate their new name and give official ANiC licences to the priests –
the Rev Jonathan Gibson, rector, and the Rev Ruthy Lillington. (Photos are on the ANiC
website and the AEC blog.)
The Rev Gibson reports that the
journey has been a long one. About five years ago he and the people in his
parish, St Augustine’s in the Diocese of Calgary, began to voice their concerns
about the direction taken by the Anglican Church of Canada. Two years ago the
vestry started developing a discernment process, and when General Synod 2010
did nothing to reverse the trend, the church proceeded with their discernment. The
result was that, by decision day, April 10, 80 per cent were convinced that God
was calling them personally to realign with ANiC and the Anglican Church in
North America (ACNA). Their last
Sunday at their former building was Easter Sunday.
One of the great blessings of the
transition, says the Rev Gibson, has been the warm welcome they’ve received
from the New Life Pentecostal Church which is gladly sharing its facilities –
located just a stone’s throw from the old building – with Grace. He adds
that he is “so grateful for how people have adapted to the change of locale and
worship times. Although the sense
of loss has been real it is secondary to the sense of peace in being a part of
ANiC and ACNA.” On a personal
level, the Rev Gibson says that he recently watched ACNA’s Archbishop Bob
Duncan’s “state of the
church address”, and so appreciates being part of a much larger North
American – and global – movement.
Already two ANiC bishops have
visited – Bishops Trevor and Don. And the congregation is eagerly partnering with New Life in joint
ministries – including a Stampede pancake breakfast next Sunday to which
the community has been invited. While
Grace Anglican plans to take some time to get reestablished and think through
its vision for ministry, the process the congregation went through in selecting
a new name proved energizing and fostered a deeper sense of community.
News – Anglican Church in
North America (ACNA)
Provincial Council and
House of Bishops meetings hear of tremendous growth
Gathering in Long Beach, California, ACNA council members from across
the continent met to oversee the work of our province. Two dioceses were officially admitted to
ACNA – the Diocese of the
Mid-Atlantic and the Diocese of Cascadia. Council also admitted two groups of congregations forming
additional dioceses in the Carolinas and the southwest US. A report on the ACNA website says that “The
newly-admitted Diocese of Cascadia has grown from seven congregations in the
northwest region of the US to 21 congregations in a little over one year.” The Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic is
comprised on 31 congregations and 9 missions from the Anglican District of
Virginia which was part of the Convocation of Anglican Church in America
– also a diocese in ACNA. There are now 22 dioceses in ACNA.
In his “State of the Church” report, our Archbishop Robert
Duncan said that:
“Two years ago we were 706 congregations. The annual parochial and
diocesan reports for 2010 … identify 952 congregations as part of the dioceses
of the Anglican Church in North America and its ministry partners.
Statistically this represents a 34 percent growth in congregations at the end
of the first 18 months of Church life…
“According to the data submitted in the Annual Parochial Reports there
were, in the year 2010, 987 baptisms of adults over thirty, 424 baptisms of
young people aged sixteen to thirty, and 1647 baptisms of children in the ACNA
dioceses... What is so stunning about this data is that the number of
baptisms of those 16 and older is almost equal to the number of children
baptized. What this says is that we are reaching adolescents and adults
who have never known Christ, never been part of a church.”
In an AnglicanTV video interview Archbishop Duncan mentions
that an observer from the Church of the England Faith and Order Commission
attended the provincial council meeting at ACNA’s invitation. Archbishop Ian Ernest (Indian Ocean),
chairman of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa, also attended and
addressed the meeting, encouraging us to “recapture our love and confidence for
God’s Word.” The full text of his address is on the ACNA website.
Bishop Michael
Nazir-Ali tours the US
In a series of
meetings across the US, called the “Hold Fast” tour, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali lectured on the threats of radical Islam and aggressive secularism to our rights to
worship freely and without persecution. Video and audio recordings of Bishop Michael
Nazir-Ali's lecture is now online.
2012 Church
Planting Summit announced
Early bird registration
– with discounted rates – is now open for ACNA’s annual Anglican
1000 Church Planting Summit, March 6-8, 2012 in Plano, TX. This is an opportunity for leaders,
church planters, and anyone interested to come together for a time of
equipping, networking, worship, encouragement, prayer and reports from the
front lines. Featured speakers
include Scot
McKnight, Mike Breen, and David Taylor.
Liturgy and the
Arts conference planned for November in North Carolina
A Liturgy and Arts conference is planned for
November 10-11, 2011 in Durham, NC for church planters, pastors, associate
pastors, worship pastors, artists, liturgists and those interested in the
beauty and power of Anglican liturgy. Featured speakers include Mark Galli, David Taylor, and more.
More details and registration information will be announced soon.
Anglican Fourth Day
Provincial Grand Ultreya, August 5-6
St Stephens' Church in Sewickley, PA will host
the 2011 Provincial Grand Ultreya, August 5 - 6, 2011.You can join
others from around the USA and Canadaas Provincial A4Der's come together
to learn, fellowship, and break bread together at the Lord's Table. The Anglican 4th Day (A4D) movement is an initiative of the Anglican Church in North America and is
dedicated to bring people to Christ, encourage Christian fellowship, and
nurture godly leaders. It is modeled on the well-known Cursillo movement.
Diocese releases
trial modern language Prayer Book
An announcement
from the REC Diocese of the West says a trial modern language Book of Common Prayer 2011 has been made available.
Diocesan Bishop Richard Boyce says, "The prayer book is a tool and
embodies our theology and common life as Christians. There has been a need
among new congregations for a prayer book which uses the 'language of the
people' while keeping the ancient worship of our Christian origins. This does
not replace the 1928
Book of Common Prayer used by most of our congregations or the REC Prayer Book.
However, for many of our parishes, this revised Book of Common Prayer will
assist the starting of additional congregation groups for whom the traditional
language of the 17th century is a challenge." More information is available on the
diocese’s website.
ACNA’s Simeon
Fellowship is holding it annual gathering, September 12-14 in Dallas
The Simeon Fellowship is billed as “a peer to peer fellowship of rectors
to facilitate and encourage Gospel-centered Anglican church planting throughout
North America by emulating the life and ministry of Charles Simeon. It is a brotherhood comprised of men
who are at the forefront of raising up new leaders and catalyzing new works in
their own context.” ANiC clergy are encouraged to investigate this
fellowship to see if it might be an encouragement to them. A gathering for Simeon Fellows is planned for
September 12-14 in Dallas. Hugh Halter is the featured speaker.
Nigerian Primate to visit ACNA parishes in Canada
VirtueOnline
reports that Archbishop Nicholas Okoh will visit two Saskatchewan
churches in mid-July, one in Regina and the other in Moose Jaw. The churches are both members of the
Anglican Church in North America and affiliated with the Province of
Nigeria.
More ACNA news
Anglican Curmudgeon – June
2 2011 – Fort Worth
requests Texas Supreme Court to hear appeal
Church of England Newspaper
– July 1 2011 – ACNA up 34%
in 18 months
News – Canada
Diocese
of Nova Scotia and PEI approves same-sex blessings
The Anglican
Journal reports that the synod of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and
PEI, on May 27th, passed a resolution “giving priests and parishes
the option to bless same-sex unions”. The article says eight dioceses now embrace the
blessing of homosexual relationships. However, the article quotes the Rev
Stephen Ashton, rector of Trinity Anglican Church (Halifax) expressing his deep
disappointment, saying it contravened the teaching of Scripture. A notice on the parish website states
that the Rev Ashton has tendered his resignation,
effective July15.
In a letter on the Christ Church (Windsor, NS) website, the Rev David Curry comments on the
confusion surrounding this motion. He says that constitutionally the synod has “no jurisdiction over
matters affecting the doctrine or worship of the Church”, and no rites were
approved.
“Gracious Restraint” Bishops of
Canada
Six Anglican Church of Canada
bishops have joined together to establish an association of bishops committed
to a policy of “gracious restraint” by observing the moratoria of the Windsor
process The members are Bishops
Stephen Andrews (Algoma), Fraser Lawton (Athabasca), William Anderson
(Caledonia), Andrew Atagotaaluk (Arctic), Michael Hawkins, (Saskatchewan), and
Larry Robertson (Yukon). The full statement is on the
Diocese of Athabasca website.
Anglican Church of Canada issues
report on Covenant for dioceses to study
The
Anglican Church of Canada’s Governance Working Group has issued its report on
the Covenant as requested by General Synod. The report is to be considered by dioceses and parishes in
their evaluation of the Covenant. The Church also issued a
study guide. The Council of General Synod will bring a
recommendation regarding possible adoption of the Covenant to General Synod
2013. The Episcopal Church in the
US also released a
report on the Covenant saying adoption of the Covenant would impact
the autonomy of the Church in the US and impinge on the constitutional
authority of its General Convention, bishops and dioceses.
More Canadian news
Anglican
Journal – June 6 2011 – Discussion on
future of Moosonee continues
The Church of England Newspaper
– June 10 2011 – Canadian
diocese calls it quits
News – United States
More US news
VirtueOnline – June 27 2011
– Five NY
Episcopal bishops support New York’s new marriage law
Church of England Newspaper
– June 17 2011 – Disappearing
data challenge for Presiding Bishop
Church of England Newspaper
– June 29 2011 – Lawsuit
charges US Presiding Bishop knowingly ordained a paedophile
Church of England Newspaper
– July 1 2011 – NY passes gay
marriage law
News – International
Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) launched
On June 22, the Anglican Mission
in England was launched "as a society within the Church of England dedicated to the conversion of
England and biblical church planting." This week’s brief Anglican
Perspectives video points out that this mission society, focused on
the re-evangelization of England, is a gift from the very Global South Anglican
provinces that were initially evangelized by Church of England missionaries. AMiE is a product of the Fellowship of
Confessing Anglican and is supported by the GAFCon primates.
AMiE intends to work within the
Church of England structures as it seeks to evangelize and plant new churches
in England but will need the Archbishop of Canterbury and senior Anglican
leaders to make room for this new missionary initiative.
The Church Times
reports that, “the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE), already has
three newly ordained clergy waiting to minister in the UK”… The three unnamed
clerics were ordained in Kenya on 11 June by the Archbishop of Kenya, Dr Eliud
Wabukala, who chairs the GAFCON Primates’ Council.” Dr Wabukala has asked Dr Rowan Williams to grant the three clergy
permission to officiate under the Overseas
Clergy Measure. Dr Williams was in
Kenya in late
June, joining Archbishop Wabukala in laying the
foundation stone for the first Anglican University in Kenya.
The Rev Charles Raven writes that AMiE, which is led by a panel of Church of England bishops, is “prepared
to provide alternative episcopal oversight in cases where it is clear that
diocesan bishops are failing in their canonical duty to uphold sound teaching”. The bishops are Michael Nazir Ali, John Ball, Colin Bazley, Wallace Benn and
John Ellison.
Reform, an evangelical Anglican
organization in England welcomed the
news saying, “The formation of the AMiE is the first major practical
step the FCA [Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans] has taken in this country to
help churches which are in impaired or non-existent communion with C of E
bishops and it puts the emphasis positively on mission rather than division.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury issued his
response on July 5 saying this development “prompts concern for a
number of reasons”… it is not at all clear how the proposed panel of bishops
relate to the proper oversight of the diocesan bishops of the Church of England.” He says there have been “…misunderstandings
of the precise requirements of English Canon Law” and that the “issue is one of
episcopal collegiality.” AMiE’s excellent response (of July 6) reiterates efforts to follow due process within the Church of England and the
4½ years of futile meetings with Canterbury bureaucrats prior to the formation
of AMiE to support Biblically-faithful priests and parishes within the existing
structures.
Whither the Anglican Communion… and GAFCon?
In a recent
AnglicanTV interview, Bishop Greg Venables discusses the current
state of the Anglican Communion and GAFCon. While he does not hold out much
hope for the Anglican Communion structures, he believes “Anglicanism has a
great future”. He also says that
the real Communion is not an organizational construct but is the unity
experienced among true followers of Jesus Christ.
Another AnglicanTV video worth watching features veteran Anglican journalists George Conger and Kevin
Kallsen discussing the current state and future prospects of the Anglican
Communion as well as of the Anglican Church in North America.
From around the Communion and the
world
Sudan – On July 9th South Sudan is to
become a separate nation. However, a statement from the
Anglican Church in North America says that “Northern Sudanese
attacks on the southern region of Sudan have erupted as the South prepares to
secede from Africa’s largest country in July.” Please pray for peace in
both Northern Sudan – where the Muslim government seems determined to
drive out or kill Christians – and Southern Sudan.
Zimbabwe – In early June, priests were evicted from their homes and 16 church-goers arrested in the Province of Central
Africa’s Diocese of Harare where the Anglican Church is facing persecution at
the hands of an ex-communicated bishop who is close to infamous Zimbabwe
dictator Robert Mugabe. Since his
excommunication in 2007, Dr Norbert Kunonga has used his influence in
government and with the police to systematically harass clergy and church
members, seizing church property and violently breaking up church services.
England – The Church of England House of Bishops has announced it will review its earlier 2005 pastoral statement on homosexuality and “…has committed itself to a wider look at the Church of England’s
approach to same-sex relationships… in the light of the listening process
launched by the Lambeth Conference in 1998. The Bishops will produce a
consultation document in 2013.”
Egypt – The Anglican
Journal reports that “The security situation in Egypt has "deteriorated
considerably" since former president Hosni Mubarak stepped down on
February 11, leaving a security vacuum and Christians feeling "threatened
more than ever," according to aid workers.”
Uganda – The Church of
England Newspaper reports that the Anti-Homosexuality bill before
the Ugandan parliament that cause such an uproar in the west has failed to
pass. Ugandan church leaders had
also objected to the harshness of the proposed legislation.
Tanzania – The Church of
England Newspaper (CEN) reports that tribal
politics, combined with western meddling, has created division in the Tanzanian
church. The courts have become
involved due to a dispute over the consecration of a bishop and, strangely, a
court has issued an arrest warrant for Archbishop Valentino Mokiwa. The CEN reports that “sources in
Tanzania tell The
Church of England Newspaper the conflict in Mount Kilimanjaro has
more to do with money and the Anglican Communion’s political wars than with
canon law.” In 2006 the
House of Bishops of Tanzania had declared it was in severely impaired communion
with the US Episcopal Church (TEC) and decided to no longer receive financial
aid from TEC. However, some
bishops have not honoured this stance, with some dioceses continuing to receive
aid from TEC. These same bishops
and dioceses are actively seeking to undermine Archbishop Mokiwa who is a
member of the GAFCon Primates Council.
Nigeria – The Church of
England Newspaper reports that “Muslim
militants, including the Boko Haram sect, have burnt over 200 churches and
killed at least 800 people since the April 17 election of a southern Christian,
Goodluck Jonathan, as President of Nigeria.” In mid-April, Ung Karau was attacked by about 300 armed
Muslim militants. The mostly Christian village was burnt to the ground –
including the church and183 homes and businesses – and the water supply
was poisoned.
More international media coverage
Church of England Newspaper
– June 9 2011 – Recife’s
Robinson Cavalcanti to retire
Church of England Newspaper
– June 17 2011 – …synod to
consider Uruguay’s request to secede
Church of England Newspaper
– June 27 2011 – Rebuilding
begins in Japan following… tsunami
Guardian – June 28 2011
– When is
GAFCon going to start listening
Anglican Planet – June 27
2011 – GAFCon plans…
conference: Offices to open in London…
Soul food
Just for fun
An African-American preacher in
Alabama during the Dust Bowl scheduled a special prayer service to pray for
rain. The church was packed out with folks from far and wide.
The preacher stepped into the
pulpit, scanned the assembled congregation, and told everyone, "Y'all can
head on home. This service is
over!"
The people protested, "But
we've not prayed for rain yet!"
"Won't do a lick of
good," the preacher replied. "Ain't none of you brought your
umbrella!"
www.mikeysFunnies.com
Food for thought
A European Union conference was told
recently that Christians around the world are dying for their faith
at a rate of one every five minutes. At this rate, more than 100,000 will die this year.
Please pray...
For
our bishops and clergy and their
families – especially for Ceri Hynes, Howard and their children. Pray
that God would be pleased to grant healing.
For the Rev Paul
Seung-Choi Leung to be ordained to the priesthood and Mr Anson Ann to be
ordained to the (transitional) diaconate on July 23 at Good Shepherd,
Vancouver, BC.
For ANiC projects, church plants and parishes,
and for their proclamation of the Good News to those in their communities who
desperately need new life in Christ
For ANiC
churches still involved in litigation and property disputes with Anglican
Church of Canada dioceses, especially St
Aidan’s (Windsor), which is awaiting a decision in its court case, and St
George’s (Burlington, ON), St Hilda’s (Oakville, ON) and Good Shepherd (St
Catharines, ON).
For
the 4 Vancouver-area ANiC parishes as they arrange for facilities to continue
their ministries.
For
donations to the ANiC legal defense fund which supports
parishes involved in disputes with their former dioceses
For ARDFC’s
new Congo project which is helping war-torn communities become reestablished
and promote peace-making. May God use it to bless Congolese and bring many to Christ
For persecuted Christians especially in
Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Egypt, Pakistan, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, Malaysia, China,
North Korea and other Muslim and Communist lands
For
peace in the both Northern and Southern Sudan.
For
Christians, churches and aid agencies working in Japan and for the victims of
the disaster there
For
the GAFCon Primates & Fellowship of Confessing Anglican leaders as they
plan meetings of Biblically faithful Anglicans in 2012 & 2013. Pray also for the new Anglican Mission
in England.
For
repentance and revival in our hearts
and in our nation, for a hunger for God and His Word
And now a word from our sponsor
Lord, you have searched me and
known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my
tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your
Spirit? Or where shall I flee from
your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are
there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness
shall cover me, and the light about me be night,”even the darkness is not
dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you…
Search me, O God, and know my
heart! Try me and know my
thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm
139:1-12, 23-24
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