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Handle with prayer!
News – ANiC and AEN
Book hotel accommodation now for ANiC synod and conference, November 11-13
If you’d like to attend the ANiC 2009 synod and conference in St Catharines, ON, you can now book your hotel room online. The conference hotel is in world famous Niagara Falls – and some hotel rooms have spectacular views of the falls. ANiC will provide bus transportation between the hotel and the conference venue – in St Catharines. More synod/conference details will be available soon.
Air Miles™ collection program needs your help!
The campaign to collect Air Miles™ to help fly delegates to synod is gaining momentum! We’ve collected 141 Air Miles™ and have received offers from big-hearted members willing to use their Aeroplan points to fly delegates. (For reference, we need 2850 Air Miles™ to fly one person between Vancouver and Toronto return – or the donation of 25,000 Aeroplan points.) If you wish to participate in this endeavor, you can help build ANiC’s Air Miles by presenting our account code when you shop at participating retailers or you can use your Aeroplan points to fly a delegate to synod. Details are available on the ANiC website.
St Matthew’s (Abbotsford, BC) gets new rector
Effective August 1, bishop-elect Trevor Walters has stepped down as rector at St Matthew’s and the Rev Mike Stewart, formerly assistant priest, has taken over the rector’s responsibilities. Bishop-elect Walters will continue with the parish as associate priest.
New project starts in Stoney Creek, Ontario
The Stoney Creek project will gather for lay-led praise and worship, using the Kenyan liturgy, on Sundays at 3pm beginning August 9. Initially, until more permanent facilities are found, meetings will be held in the home of John and Zandra Pennylegion, 82 Donn Ave, Stoney Creek. All are welcome! Please pray for God’s blessing on this new project. Email Jim Carriere for information.
Calendar of events – for your interest and prayer support
Aug 9 – Stoney Creek (ON) project kicks off regular meetings
Aug 26 – Toronto Centre ANiC project meeting
Aug 23 – Church of the Ascension (Langley, BC) – 2nd monthly summer Sunday service
Aug 31 - Sept 3 – St John’s Shaughnessy (Vancouver) – Youth Leadership Conference
Sept 19-20 – Church of the Good Shepherd (Vancouver) Cantonese evangelistic rally
Sept 19 – Ignite the Light Conference (Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.) – Richmond Hill, ON
Oct 3 – Church of the Good Shepherd (Vancouver) celebrates 120th anniversary
Oct 14 – Victoria, BC – Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Christian Leaders Connection event
Note to parishes and projects: Please send your news and newsletter announcements to Marilyn.
News shorts – Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
Investiture of Archbishop Duncan
The AEC blog has posted a short “highlights” video of Archbishop Duncan’s investiture in Plano, Texas on 24 June 2009.
Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) grows by 15 congregations
Bishop Martyn Minns told CANA’s annual council meeting in Herndon, Virginia that the group had grown dramatically adding 15 congregations and 30 clergy this past year to bring their ranks to 179 clergy and 85 congregations in 25 states. CANA is one of the 28 diocese with ANiC in the Anglican Church in North America.
“Mother Church of Georgia” – historic parish of Wesley and Whitefield – in court
On August 14, Christ Church in Savannah, Georgia, a member of Anglican Church of North America, will defend itself in court. The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia and the Episcopal Church have sued Christ Church, trying to seize its funds and buildings. They ask for our prayer support. They will hold a vigil of prayer the evening prior to the court date. Christ Church, known as the “Mother Church of Georgia”, dates back to 1733, prior to the existence of the diocese of TEC. Renown 18th century preachers, John Wesley and George Whitefield, were among its rectors.
News shorts – Canada
Ignite the light conference
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada e-newsletter includes the following event announcement:
“How do you explain the gospel in an environment that lacks a Christian frame of reference and a belief in absolute truth? You can learn ways to intelligently and sensitively defend and express your faith at the Ignite the Light Conference in Richmond Hill, Ont., on Sept.19, presented by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, an EFC affiliate.”
News shorts – United States
Presiding bishop lays down the ground rules for property disputes
Writing to the Episcopal Church (TEC) House of Bishops, Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori said:
“I will continue to uphold two basic principles in the work some of us face in dealing with former Episcopalians who claim rights to church property or assets. Our participation in God's mission as leaders and stewards of The Episcopal Church means that we expect a reasonable and fair financial arrangement in any property settlement, and that we do not make settlements that encourage religious bodies who seek to replace The Episcopal Church.
“Pragmatically, the latter means property settlements need to include a clause that forbids, for a period of at least five years, the presence of bishops on the property who are not members of this House, unless they are invited by the diocesan bishop for purposes which do not subvert mission and ministry in the name of this Church.
“I understand that other bishops, such as Anglican bishops in good standing (but not any who is involved in provincial border crossing) might be welcomed to preach, preside, confirm, or even ordain, but that diocesan permission cannot encourage anything that purports to set up or participate in another jurisdiction. It is my fervent hope that five years on, we will all be in a much more clearly defined position.
“I continue to pray that those who have departed can gain clarity about their own identity. If and when they engage a positive missional stance that doesn't seek to replace The Episcopal Church, I do believe we can enter into ecumenical agreements that will make some of the foregoing moot.”
Two dioceses nominate candidates for bishop in violation of moratorium
Both the dioceses of Minnesota and Los Angeles have included candidates living in partnered homosexual relationships amongst those nominated for bishop.
United Methodists turn back moves to liberalize sexuality standards
Get Religion reports that, at their general conference, the United Methodists defeated motions to change standards related to sexuality – however there was virtually no media coverage. While the liberal lobby is active in virtually all denominations, news coverage only results when the liberal agenda is advanced. (There are about eight million United Methodists in the US – vs two million Episcopalians.)
As in the Anglican world, it is primarily the growing church in Africa that is stymieing the liberal agenda in the United Methodist Church. “It is only thanks to the African and other international delegates that United Methodism has upheld biblical standards about homosexuality,” Mark Tooley, a Methodist and president of the Institute on Religion & Democracy, warned in April. “Liberals increasingly resent the growing African influence in our church and know they cannot win when the African churches are growing and the U.S. church declines, unless they can at least partially separate the U.S. church from the African churches,” he wrote in lobbying against the amendments.”
In the US media
New York Times – August 2 2009 – Episcopal Church picks gay priests for promotion
USA Today – August 3 2009 – Episcopal dioceses are fast to list gay nominees for bishop
Albert Mohler blog – August 5 2009 – A house divided?
News shorts – International
Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans to launch in South Africa
On September 3, the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans will hold a “Be Faithful” rally/gathering in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans is working for renewal, reformation and mission within the Anglican Communion. It brings together Anglicans from a variety of backgrounds – including Anglo-Catholic, evangelical and charismatic – who are committed to the historic Christian faith as captured in the Jerusalem Declaration and Statement.
Church of England faces push for liberalization of sexuality standards
Ruth Gledhill, religion correspondent for the Times, reports that those advocating liberalized sexual standards within the Church of England are renewing their efforts in the wake of the decisions taken by the Episcopal Church in the US to throw off all pretense of restraint. She says, “The liberal fightback against Anglican conservatives and the Archbishop of Canterbury has begun… Pro-gays in the Church of England… will make a push for the Church of England to approve gay blessings and gay ordinations to the priesthood and episcopate, as The Episcopal Church has done… Early talks are already underway about forging permanent links between liberal parishes in England and the Episcopal Church, rather as the conservatives have linked up through the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans and related bodies. A new TEC outpost in London is one possibility being considered.”
Religious Intelligence also has a story about the “liberal backlash”, saying, “The English liberal groups have put on a united front in allegiance with the Episcopal Church to face the axis of traditionalists seeking to expel them from the Communion.”
Pakistani Christians killed by Muslim extremists
The Archbishop of Canterbury has joined with other Christian leaders in condemning recent attacks on Christians in rural areas of Pakistan. The Anglican Communion News Service carries this report:
“On the night of July 30, 2009 in the village of Korian Toba Tek Singh…some Muslim extremists set on fire about 75 houses of the Christian community and two Churches of the locality were also damaged.’ Two days later… extremists… also attacked a Christian neighbourhood in the town of Gojra, seven miles away from Korian… after a false report surfaced that some Christians had desecrated the Holy Qur’an, burning more than one hundred houses. This has resulted in at least seven people, including two children, being burned to death.
“Gojra has been a major headquarters of the Anglican Church of Pakistan for 150 years… A leading member of the local Christian community in Gojra said, ‘We are in great distress and helpless. We have no protection or resources to help our Christian community. I saw, today, the homes of our church members being destroyed and Christians being shot. Please pray for God’s mercy and protection for us.’ These incidents are the latest in the ongoing series of attacks that Christians in Pakistan have had to endure in recent years…
“Bishop Mano Rumalshah of Peshawar Diocese in Pakistan commented, ‘It is horrible to have to say this - but at least these latest incidents have led to somebody – both in Pakistan and outside the country - hearing our cry. Such episodes occur again and again, and their nature is always very similar: false accusations being made against Christians, and Muslim militants being stirred up by the voices of extremist preachers.’”
Only three per cent of Pakistanis are Christian and these are often poor and among the lower class so are especially vulnerable. See also the Anglican Journal report.
International media
ChristianToday – July 28 2009 – Anglican leader mulls two-track Communion
Church of England Newspaper – August 3 2009 – Former Bishop of Harare given ultimatum
Sunday Monitor (Uganda) – August 4 2009 – Gay leadership causing a schism in the Anglican Church
Church of England Newspaper – August 5 2009 – Malawi ends missionary era with first indigenous bishops
Church of England – July 31 2009 – Archbishop denies schism
Guardian – August 5 2009 – Federation isn’t enough [By Bishop Graham Kings of Fulcrum]
Soul food
Just for laughs
The congregation had outgrown its current facilities and had recently voted to build a larger facility. So, on Sunday the rector began the announcements by saying, “I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that we have enough money to pay for our new building. The bad news is that it’s still out there in your pockets!”
Doctrine understood – from the Gospel Coalition
Don Carson explains the historic doctrine of inerrancy of Scripture in this brief 5 minute video. He touches on the variety of literary genres Scripture uses to convey truth.
Joshua Harris talks about the relationship between God and sexuality in this 2 1/2 minute video. He says that our sexuality has been given to us as a picture of a deep mystery – an incredible truth in that God has called the Church to be at one with Him. It [marriage] is a picture of Christ and the Church.
You can find a wealth of resources on the Gospel Coalition website and over a hundred videos on various topics of importance to Christians posted by the Gospel Coalition on YouTube.
Bishop N T Wright’s views on justification examined and found wanting
The Anglican Church League notes a useful, six-page editorial that summarizes Bishop Wright’s views on Paul, Israel and justification and compares these to positions held by other respected Christian theologians. This editorial, by Gerald Bray in the June 2009 Churchman, says “Bishop Wright’s views on Paul, Israel and justification… have not been widely accepted—indeed, they have been openly opposed by almost everyone engaged in the field, from the most conservative Evangelicals to the most ardent liberals. In response to this, Bishop Wright has gone on digging his heels in ever deeper, and has defended his corner with great determination, despite the fact that his disciples seem to come mainly from the ranks of those who have not studied the subject in any depth.”
One well-known critique of Bishop Wright’s position is John Piper who is quoted in this editorial saying, “My conviction concerning N. T. Wright is ... that his portrayal of the Gospel—and of the doctrine of justification in particular—is so disfigured that it becomes difficult to recognise as Biblically faithful. It may be that in his own mind and heart Wright has a clear and firm grasp on the Gospel of Christ and the Biblical meaning of justification. But in my judgment, what he has written will lead to a kind of preaching that will not announce clearly what makes the lordship of Christ good news for guilty sinners or show those who are overwhelmed with sin how they may stand righteous in the presence of God.”
Please pray...
For those planning and preparing for ANiC’s November 11-13 synod and conference – and consecration of our new bishops – in St Catharines, ON.
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
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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 remaining issues being negotiated following the arbitration hearing involving St George’s, St Hilda’s and Good Shepherd in Southern Ontario. Praise God for the satisfactory settlement of a number of outstanding issues through arbitration. |
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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. |
For the Anglican Church in North America, Archbishop Robert Duncan and the 28 dioceses.
For the orthodox in TEC and the response to TEC by the Primates and Provinces. Pray especially for those predominantly orthodox dioceses which are now considering their future in light of TEC’s decisions.
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
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Colossians 2:6-15
NOTE: Due to vacation and other work priorities, no more newsletters are planned until September. Thanks for your understanding!
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