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Network leaders at consecrations in Africa
Please remember in prayer three Network leaders who are in Africa for important consecrations. Bishop Donald Harvey, Canon Charlie Masters and Cheryl Chang are representing the Network at the consecrations of newly installed Bishops Bill Atwood and Bill Murdock by the Church of Kenya (in Nairobi, August 30) and Bishop-elect John Guernsey by the Church of Uganda (in Mbarara, September 2).
These consecrations mark the beginning of a coordinated, mutually supportive strategy by Global South Primates with oversight of congregations in North America. A Church of Kenya statement says these new bishops “... will collaborate with others in the Common Cause network, chaired by The Rt. Rev. Duncan (Pittsburgh) to provide orthodox Episcopal care and oversight, strategically uniting a broad conservative coalition that shares historic Anglican faith and practice.” An earlier statement from the Church of Kenya describes the consecrations as “…part of a broader and coordinated plan with other provinces…” That statement went on to say, “Our goal is to collaborate with faithful Anglicans (including those in North America who are related with other provinces). A North American Anglican Coalition can provide a safe haven for those who maintain historic Anglican faith and practice, and offer a way to live and work together in the furtherance of the Gospel.”
Breaking news from Kenya…
Primates, or their representatives, from nine Anglican Provinces – representing a majority of active Anglicans globally – were present for the August 30th consecrations in Kenya of Bishops Atwood and Murdoch – demonstrating the growing collaboration among orthodox Primates in caring for the faithful in North America. Archbishop Drexel Gomez, Primate of the West Indies, preached the homily.
For an excellent account of this historic event – including a mention of Bishop Don in the new bishops’ remarks – see www.standfirminfaith.com
There has been extensive media coverage, including an article in the Times and a front-page story in today’s National Post: www.timesonline.co.uk; www.canada.com
These photos from the consecrations in Nairobi, August 30, are courtesy of Kevin of AnglicanTV.
Photo on left shows Bishop Atwood (left), Archbishop Nzimbi (centre) and Bishop Murdock (right).
Photo on right shows Bishop Bob Duncan (ACN-US) and Bishop Donald Harvey (right)
To see more photos from Nairobi go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/AnglicanTV/2007NairobiKenya
To see raw footage of the consecrations – including glimpses of Bishop Don and Canon Charlie Masters – go to: www.anglican.tv
Excepts from statement by Archbishop Nzimbi, August 29
Anglican missionaries came to our shores in 1844. Since that time we have rejoiced in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the trustworthy testimony of the Holy Scriptures. As we have faced many challenges, the unchanging Word of God has been our standard and a light to us. Our Anglican heritage has been a source of great joy to us.
Now the fabric of the Anglican Communion has been torn by the actions of The Episcopal Church. It is evident, that the conflicts in the Communion affect us all and we have a responsibility to address the areas that we are able to impact.
After extensive consultation in the Global South, with the unanimous consent of the Provincial Synod, and the House of Bishops, the Anglican Church of Kenya will tomorrow, 30 August 2007, consecrate The Revs Bill Atwood and Bill Murdoch.
We have consulted broadly to fulfill our responsibilities to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to seek to pursue the highest level of unity that is possible. The participation in the consecration by 10 Anglican primates (or their representatives) from around the Anglican Communion offer a clear testimony that these consecrations are an appropriate response to the challenges of mission in the complex environment in the world today.
The Most Rev. Benjamin Nzimbi
(Posted on: www.standfirminfaith.com)
Archbishop Akinola’s statement
Since ABp Akinola released his important statement chronicling the crisis in the North American church (www.anglican-nig.org), liberals have been trying to discredit it by questioning its authorship. (See www.churchtimes.co.uk) In response, the Church of Nigeria issued a statement calling the attack insulting and racist and countering the liberal claims. (See: www.anglican-nig.org) Liberal elements have tried to paint ABp Akinola as a ‘puppet’ of ‘radical’ North American orthodox leaders ever since he stepped up to champion the orthodox cause. In questioning the authorship of the document, the liberals are clearly trying to divert attention from the content of the statement. What they fail to mention is that any statement of importance is seldom the work of one individual; few leaders of any stature have the time to write all that goes out under their name; and few, if any, leaders ever allow anything to go out with their name attached prior to thoroughly reviewing and editing the document to fully align with their views.
Blog comment of interest
A response from Bishop Don to comments on the blog was posted recently. (See www.anglicanessentials.ca and scroll down the page.) Do you have thoughts you’d like to add? It’s easy to post a comment on the blog.
Anglican Church of Canada seeks legal opinion on Synod decisions
The Anglican Journal reports that, “Conflicting interpretations of the ramifications of General Synod’s recent decisions around same-sex blessings have led the bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada to consult with their chancellors.
“Among the questions that have arisen: What does the approved motion stating that “the blessing of same-sex unions is not in conflict with the doctrine of the Anglican Church of Canada” mean? Can clergy and dioceses now conduct same-sex blessings? …How can clergy be disciplined if General Synod already declared that same-sex blessings are “not in conflict” with the core doctrine of the church? What does the defeat of the motion affirming the authority of dioceses to offer same-sex blessings mean?”
Read the full story: www.anglicanjournal.com
Praying through the month
At the suggestion of a new Network member, we’ve started preparing a monthly Network prayer guide which members will have received by email. We value your comments and suggestions. Please email mjacobson@anglicannetwork.ca with your comments.
Identifying Biblically orthodox churches
Thank you to those who responded to our request for leads on orthodox, biblically-faithful parishes in your communities. To those who included questions or requests for information in your emails, please be patient as we sort through the information. We hope to respond to you soon. If you have a concern, but don’t know how to contact a Network leader, email mjacobson@anglicannetwork.ca. Your email will be forwarded to the most appropriate person so you get a quick response.
Archbishop of Canterbury’s meeting with US House of Bishops
The August 17 Church of England newspaper (available by subscription only) suggests the US Episcopal Church (TEC) House of Bishops hope Dr Williams will give TEC a ‘clean bill of health’ at their meeting in late September. (See article posted in full on the Global South website: www.globalsouthanglican.org)
Are liberals trying to buy influence in Africa?
David Virtue thinks so – and writes an interesting article outlining what he sees as elements of the liberals’ campaign. See: www.virtueonline.org
Parish profiles
The Anglican Network in Canada currently has 16 official parishes – as well as others waiting in the wings. See: www.anglicannetwork.ca. To help you get to know these parishes better, we’ll try to profile one in each edition of the newsletter. By the way, you’ll notice some new photos on the Network and Anglican Essentials websites. Many of these are courtesy of Trinity Anglican Church in Bearbrook, Ontario. If you have good photos from your parish that would be suitable for the websites, please email them to mjacobson@anglicannetwork.ca.
Trinity Anglican Church, Bearbrook, ON
 
Trinity, located south east of Ottawa, is part of a three-point parish served by the Rev Alex Lewanowicz and his wife, Heather. The congregation, numbering more than 60 on any given Sunday and including a significant number of families, fills the small sanctuary. This dynamic, enthusiastic and growing church gathers for worship each Sunday at 8:30 am. See: www.anglicannetwork.ca
God provides a way to let the music play
And now a story to make you smile… The Colorado Gazette reports that when Grace Anglican Church broke from the Episcopal Church to join the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), the large congregation lost its organist in the “divorce”. With Easter just around the corner, the musical prospects weren’t good. But 16-year old Zachary Crippen, with eight years of piano lessons under his belt, stepped into the breach and up to the church organ – an instrument he’d never touched before. After figuring out how to open the instrument, he practiced and practiced and by Easter weekend he was playing the 80-year old organ – once the largest organ west of the Mississippi – for about 1200 worshippers. The high school student has now been hired as the part-time director of music for Grace Church. Zachary is quoted as saying, “I feel called to be where I am right now. This is where I can step in and fill a gap.”
For the full story see: www.gazette.com
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