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News shorts – ANiC and AEN
Looking to Jesus – in a world of confusion
The Anglican Network in Canada is planning meetings nationwide this Fall to report on recent events – like the Lambeth and Global Anglican Future conferences – and outline what we see happening in Canada and North America and how we are preparing. Looking to Jesus is a fitting theme as we try to make sense of rapidly unfolding and sometimes confusing developments in the Anglican world. These meetings will also provide opportunity for you to ask questions and offer your thoughts. All are welcome. Do plan to come and bring friends. We’d love to see you.
These are the meetings currently booked for the next month:
| Sept 23 (Tues) |
Montreal, PQ |
Sept 30 (Tues) |
Oceanside (Parksville), BC |
| Sept 24 (Wed) |
Ottawa, ON |
Sept 30 (Tues) |
Winnipeg, MB |
| Sept 28 (Sun) |
Brandon, MB |
Oct 2 (Thurs) |
Vancouver, BC |
| Sept 29 (Mon) |
Victoria, BC |
Oct 3 (Fri) |
Abbotsford, BC |
Please check our website for details of times and locations of all meetings. If there is no meeting planned for your area and you believe there are a number of people in the community interested, please contact Jude in the ANiC office by email or by calling 1866-351-2642 (ext 4015).
Bishop Don writes the Primates pointing out irony of concurrent letters
Bishop Don has written to the Primates of the Communion about the hostile action by the Diocese of New Westminster toward ANiC parishes in the Vancouver area. The letter focused on irony – the irony of the hostile letters from Bishop Michael Ingham arriving on the same day as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s letter which presented an upbeat report on the success of the Lambeth Conference. Bishop Don pointed out the contrast between what was said at the Lambeth Conference and the actions of the diocese following immediately on the heels of the conference. Bishop Don also reiterated ANiC’s repeated attempts to engage the Anglican Church of Canada and the various dioceses in negotiation or mediation to avoid litigation.
ANiC parishes seek clarification of status
Four Vancouver-area ANiC parishes will ask the courts to clarify the status of their duly elected trustees and wardens after the Diocese of New Westminster informed St Matthew’s (Abbotsford) and St Matthias and St Luke’s (Vancouver) that it had invoked Canon 15 [see explanation below] and summarily dismissed and replaced trustees and wardens. At issue is the question of whether diocesan canons can over-ride the constitution and bylaws of a parish corporation. ANiC believes the parish corporation bylaws are paramount. Trustees of the Church of the Good Shepherd (Vancouver) and St John’s Shaughnessy (Vancouver), in unity with the other two churches, will be seeking the courts clarification of their responsibilities as well. In their letter to their four congregations, the trustees wrote: “When you elected us as Trustees of your parish, you entrusted us with certain legal and fiduciary responsibilities to support the ministry of the parish and to manage and maintain parish assets so that those ministries could continue and flourish… [W]e have taken steps as a group, on behalf of all four congregations, to ask the courts in BC to clarify who are the valid Trustees of our four parish corporations and what our duties as Trustees are at this time. We have decided to act together as a group to maintain our unity since the issues in dispute – particularly with respect to the trusts surrounding the church properties and assets of the parishes, as well as our duties as Trustees – are the same for us all.”
What is Canon 15?
This New Westminster Diocesan Canon was recently invoked by the Diocese when it purported to remove and replace wardens and trustees in the Vancouver area ANiC parishes. It has been likened to “religious martial law” because it has been used to fire and replace all the wardens, parish council, and volunteers in a congregation, thereby allowing the bishop to take over the parish with his own appointees in these positions - against the wishes of the people in the parish. (This gives new meaning to the corporate term “hostile take-over”!). Canon 15 gives the bishop powers to impose alternative parish structures upon a parish that is “experiencing difficulties or a crisis which in the opinion of the Bishop, affects the orderly management and operation” of the Parish. There is also a clause referring to the Bishop’s “inherent jurisdiction to amend the organizational structure of a Parish, Mission or Missionary District where the Bishop is of the opinion that the same is desirable or necessary”. Unfortunately, that inherent jurisdiction is not defined. The bishop believes Canon 15 gives him sweeping discretionary powers to take control of parishes that are in serious theological dispute with him and who wish to remain in full communion with our orthodox Anglican brothers and sisters throughout the world. There are processes set out in the Canon for implementation of its provisions and failure to follow these processes could be fatal to the imposition of an “Alternative Parish Structure” pursuant to the Canon.
Canon 15 was primarily intended to address a situation where there is a crisis in a parish. In this case, it is clear that it was the imposition of the Canon that has affected the “orderly management and operations of the Parish”, causing bank accounts to be frozen, staff payroll and other bills, including mission payments, to remain unpaid. The Canon was never intended to be used to address the unprecedented circumstances currently occurring in the diocese, the ACoC and the Anglican Communion.
We believe that Canon 15 cannot be used to override the constitution and bylaws of the four parish corporations in the Vancouver area that have recently come under the jurisdiction of ANiC. Nothing in the Canon refers to a parish corporation nor any power to take over such corporations. Can Canon 15 override basic principles of corporate law, particularly with respect to the election of Trustees of the Corporations? This is one of the questions the Trustees of these four congregations will ask the courts to clarify.
St Hilda’s story
Blogger and parishioner David Jenkins has chronicled St Hilda’s journey since joining ANiC.
Are you receiving duplicate newsletter emails?
We are currently changing our distribution systems for Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) communications. If you attend an ANiC church you likely will start to receive ANiC email communication (newsletters, letters from Bishop Don, prayer calendars, etc) directly from your parish. If you find you are receiving duplicate emails, please simply reply to the email from “ANiC communication” with “duplicate” in the subject line. Thanks for your patience!
AEN parish Trinity (Halifax) prepared for new building
By the end of the month, Trinity Anglican Church (Halifax) hopes to move into their new building at: 321 Main Ave, Halifax, NS, B3S 0B5. The service of Consecration is scheduled for Thanksgiving Sunday, October 12. (How appropriate!) You can follow the construction and see the almost completed building here: http://revs-trinity.blogspot.com
Upcoming events
Looking to Jesus - ANiC/AEN meetings across Canada – see website for schedule
St. Chad (Toronto West) is holding a special covenanting service, Call to Holy Living, with Bishop Don on September 14. This is followed by an October 19 community service with Bishop Malcolm. All are welcome! See here for information or call Rev Barbara Richardson, 905-873-8962.
Women’s conference (Vancouver) – St John’s Shaughnessy is hosting a one day LIVEWORD women’s conference, October 18. The conference is designed to edify and strengthen women through solid Bible teaching, encouraging fellowship and great music. With the theme, Songs of the King, the day will focus on discovering the riches in Psalms 22, 23 and 24 which point to our true and eternal King, Jesus. Register by October 14.
New on the ANiC website
More GAFCon reflections - Bishop Don is the latest GAFCon participant to post a personal reflections video on the website. See also Manya Egerton’s short GAFCon photo presentation.
The Michael Coren show – We’ve posted a video of the July 31 program featuring representatives from ANiC Southern Ontario parishes and the Diocese of Niagara discussing the issues splitting the Communion.
Show your support by becoming a member
The GAFCon Primates have invited all who assent to the Jerusalem Declaration to join the Fellowship of Confession Anglicans.
Help wanted!
ANiC is looking for part-time help in the national office at the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario as soon as possible. This could become a full-time position. We need someone with computer skills and some office experience. Bookkeeping experience is a definite asset! If you know someone who might be interested, please let them know about this opportunity. Resumes should be sent to Ron Bales at rbales@anglicannetwork.ca or call 1-866-351-2642 ext 4013.
Is a new province just months away?
In a letter of greeting to the well attended Pacific Coast Common Cause gathering on September 5, Bishop Bob Duncan said:
The Lead Bishops Roundtable (Executive Committee) of the Common Cause Partnership is now meeting every other month for twenty-four hours. As you all know, the Lead Bishops decided to respond to the “open door” provided at GAFCON and have asked that CCP be recognized as the North American Province. I can tell you that our request for provincial status (at least within the GAFCON Movement) was well received at the August meeting of the Primates Council and that the timeframe suggested in reply was a matter of months, not years. Pray for us as we work at this.
A biblical, missionary and united Anglicanism in North America is our vision for the continent as well as for each region. Praise God that He is blessing the vision. Thank you for doing your part. Know that we are doing ours, as well.
News shorts – Canada
Archbishop Hiltz asks for meeting with Archbishop Venables
The Anglican Journal reports that Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) Primate Archbishop Fred Hiltz has requested a high level summit to discuss “cross-border interventions” in the Americas. He has asked the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to facilitate this meeting involving Archbishop Hiltz, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori (the Episcopal Church of the US), Archbishop Gregory Venables (the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone) , and Archbishop Mauricio de Andrade (Brazil). The Journal reports that “Archbishop Williams has said he will do his best to facilitate the request.” Asked what the meeting would accomplish, Archbishop Hiltz reportedly said, “What I would hope is that we could hear one another.”
This very telling Journal story also reports that the ACoC House of Bishops, at their Oct 27-31 meeting, will discuss how to respond Lambeth’s call for a moratorium on the blessing of same-sex unions. It’s worth reading the whole article.
Anglican Communion Institute conference planned
The Anglican Communion Institute is planning a conference in Toronto.
Theme: Anglicanism – A gift in Christ
Speakers: The Rt Rev’d NT Wright, the Rev Dr Jo Bailey Wells, Dr Edith Humphrey, the Rt Rev Josiah Idowu-Fearon, and the Rev. Dr George Sumner
Dates: 25-27 November 2008
Location: St Paul’s Anglican Church, Bloor Street, Toronto
Anglican Church of Canada bishop joins Global South theologians
Bishop Mark Macdonald, ACoC National Indigenous Bishop has joined three theologians in releasing “The Canterbury Declaration of the Global South Anglican Theological Network”. The other three members of this group include: Dr Joseph Galgalo (Kenya and a member of the leadership team of Fulcrum), Dr Michael Poon (Singapore) and Bishop Jubal Neves (Brasil). Their statement says in part:
“We are concerned that the continuing patronising attitude of the West towards the rest of the churches… We believe at this present critical juncture in the history of the Anglican Communion it is important for churches outside the traditional Anglo-American trajectories to offer a distinct and critical theological voice… We commit ourselves to work for the common good of the Communion, with the view that it would rediscover its moorings in the faith and worship of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church of Jesus Christ…”
In the Canadian media
St Catharines Standard – Sept 5 08 – Independent Anglicans: Congregations not in communion with Archbishop of Canterbury
Anglican Journal – Sept 3 2008 – Diocese of New Westminster moves to evict breakaway clergy
Anglican Journal – Sept 2 2008 – Arctic critical of four dioceses
Anglican Journal – Sept 2 2008 – The Anglican Church is going through a reformation
Anglican Journal – Sept 2 2008 – It is impossible to go back, bishops say of moratoria
Anglican Journal – Sept 2 2008 – Canadian church is ‘frustrated’
Anglican Journal – Sept 2 2008 – Proposed covenant receives tentative nod
Anglican Journal – Sept 2 2008 – Bishops issue several statements of solidarity
Anglican Journal – Sept 2 2008 – Theological Reflection: Stepping back from full inclusion – by Walter Deller, Principal, College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, Saskatoon
“…the evangelical side of Anglicanism is leading us more and more toward a form of Christianity which is simply another variant of fundamentalist Islam.”
“It becomes clearer and clear why Queen Elizabeth I gave the authority over the prayer book and the church in emergent Anglicanism to Parliament and deliberately bypassed the bishops in many of her crucial decisions.”
News shorts – USA and North America
Diocese of Fort Worth embarks on 40 days of prayerful discernment
Bishop Jack Iker has written all clergy and diocesan leaders proposing 40 days of discernment leading up to the diocese’s pivotal convention (synod) in November at which it consideration will be given to realigning with the Province of the Southern Cone. He has asked that they use the materials on the 40 Days of Discernment website. Meanwhile, those in the diocese loyal to the Episcopal Church (TEC) are plotting how they can depose +Iker and take the alter furnishings.
Anglican Province of America Diocese wants to join Common Cause
The Anglican Province of America (APA) Diocese of the West wants to leave APA and join the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC). The Diocese of the West, under Bishop Richard Boyce, has stated its desire to transfer to the REC so its member parishes can remain within the Common Cause fold. The APA – a continuing church formed in the early 1990s and consisting primarily of Anglicans who left TEC in the late 60s and 70s – recently decided not to continue as a Common Cause Partner. APA feared their stand opposed to women’s ordination could be in jeopardy within Common Cause, even though other Common Cause Partners share that position.
TEC bishops in California work to oppose marriage amendment
LIfeSiteNews reports that Bishop Marc Andrus and the other TEC bishops in California are actively opposing the marriage amendment that is being promoted by a huge inter-faith to preserve the legal definition marriage as between a man and a woman.
In the media – US
Pittsburgh Tribune Review – Sept 6 08 – Episcopal Diocese near vote on split
News shorts – International
Fulcrum responds to Lambeth and GAFCon
Fulcrum has posted a critique of both Lambeth and GAFCon, questioning “whether some bishops, who are not willing to work with the Windsor Report and the Anglican Covenant, should have been present [at Lambeth], “the substantial authority that the [GAFCon] Primates Council claims for itself...” and “whether an FCA province in North America is needed now that the Pastoral Forum is being set up.” The group uncritically places all its hope in the “Pastoral Forum” proposed by the Windsor Continuation Group at Lambeth.
Fulcrum is by and for “centrist” Anglicans that embrace “…an historic orthodoxy that is generous in spirit, confident in the contribution evangelicals can make to Anglicanism, and welcoming of the diversity of traditions within the Church of England”
Christian persecution grows
Persecution and violence in India’s Orissa is increasing according to reports. The murders of 15 Christians are confirmed and many more are feared dead. In addition, eight churches and hundreds of homes have been burned by rampaging Hindu mobs. See also this news video. Sept 7 has been declared a day of prayer and fasting for Christians in India facing persecution.
In the international media and blogs
The Times – Sept 2 2008 – New fears of schism in Anglican Church
The Times – Sept 2 2008 – Gay priest Dr Jeffrey John could become a bishop in Wales
Telegraph – Sept 2 2008 – If Dean Jeffrey John becomes a bishop, the floodgates will open
VirtueOnLine – Sept 2 2008 – The Anglican Communion: The end is the beginning
VirtueOnLine – Sept 3 2008 – Springfield Bishop Reflects on GAFCon and Lambeth (by +Beckwith)
Religious Intelligence – Sept 6 08 – Gafcon leaders say Communion can never be the same again
Religious Intelligence – Sept 9 08 – Lambeth cease-fire ‘collapses’ [Regarding the Diocese of New Westminster’s attack on ANiC Vancouver-area parishes]
Soul food
Just for laughs
Ten things you may never hear at church
1. Hey! It’s MY turn to sit in the front pew!
2. I was so enthralled that I never noticed your sermon went 25 minutes over time.
3. Personally, I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.
4. I’ve decided to give our church the $500 a month I used to send to TV evangelists.
5. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the Junior High Sunday School class.
6. Forget the denominational minimum salary. Let’s pay our pastor so he can live like we do.
7. I love it when we sing hymns I’ve never heard before!
8. Since we’re all here, let’s start the worship service early!
9. Pastor, we’d like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas.
10. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual stewardship campaign!
- Thanks to Ian’s Messy Desk
Well worth reading
The Rev Dr Michael Pountney, honourary assistant at ACoC parish St Matthias Anglican Church in Victoria and former principal of Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, has written a poignant critique of the Anglican Communion and the Anglican Church of Canada. He asks “…are we now witnessing the fall of Canterbury, the fall of the Anglican Communion, the fall of the Anglican Church of Canada because we — and especially our leaders — have run after false gods?” He goes on, “The false gods of Anglicanism are many also, and in trusting them Anglicanism has fallen.” The false gods he identifies are:
| • |
“First, the false god of table conversation… Where do we ever read in the whole of scripture of ‘bringing people to the table’ as being a genuine ambition of the people of God? …[T]hose endless conversations are unproductive of effect and outcome, and never go anywhere. A Windsor Continuation Group? Let’s talk about it. A Pastoral Forum? Let’s talk more. An Anglican Covenant Design Group? Let’s bring all the voices to the table and t |
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“Two, the false god of indecision… Lambeth 2008 was set up in a way to make decisions impossible… [I]f no decision comes down from on high, then we will be forced to make our own decisions… |
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“Three, the false god of refusal to exercise authority… [A]s with bringing people to the conversation table, there is a pride and a conceit in this refusal to exercise authority… as if this false god is the divine affirmation of self-authenticating faith. All that happens, though, is that in the face of a refusal to exercise authority at the level of Lambeth or anywhere internationally, authority slides down the scales on to the local national church, the local diocese and the local parish, and Anglicanism is invaded by a creeping congregationalism. Each Anglican parish ends up doing its own thing. |
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“Four, the false god of conceit (yet we are so irrelevant). Six hundred robed bishops marching through London to demonstrate in favor of the Millennial Goals is a glorious sight… That this march for poverty should end up in a tea party at Buckingham Palace, that the annual salaries of those bishops probably exceeds the gross national product of a small African country, that the march was not even a March for Jesus, should open our eyes to the awfulness of pretense married to conceit, and their useless offspring, irrelevance. |
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“The false god of unity at any price… [T]hose of us who have had the privilege of travel, of ministry and fellowship across denominational boundaries… have experienced the unitive joy of the Great Church Militant, the unitive joy that comes from genuine fellowship at the foot of the cross, the unity of sacrifice and self-denial and obedience. In stark and terrible contrast is the desperate ambition to keep the Anglican Communion together at any cost… [T]he so-called unity achieved at such a devastating price is no Christian unity at all. It is merely a unity of superficiality, not a unity of substance.” |
Prayer and Praise
Pray during Ramadan – Christians around the world are asked to pray particularly for Muslims during their holy month of Ramadan (Sept 1-30).
Persecuted Christians in Orissa state in eastern India:
| • |
Pray for the rebuilding of houses, churches and mission centers burnt in the violence |
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Pray for the bereaved families who have lost their near & dear ones |
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Pray for the thousands of Christians who live either in the jungle or relief camps |
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Pray that God would minister, console and encourage all and remove their fears |
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Pray for a movement of God in withdrawing the 'Hate Campaigns' against Christians |
| • |
Pray for the peace to be restored immediately in all places and levels |
| • |
Pray for the 51 different IMA member missions that are working in Orissa. Some of the most affected missions are HVM, IEA, IEHC, IGOSA, ICCC, AGSM, RHS, OFU, C&SM, AJI, FMPB, NMS, IMS, IEM, NPMI, NLFI, NF and many others. The churches of all denominations and levels have been affected greatly by this violence. |
Charlie and Judy Masters – Please pray for the Masters who are on a long-over due vacation. May they be refreshed and renewed in body and spirit.
Vancouver area ANiC parishes – Please continue to pray for wisdom for parish leaders and legal council as they discern God’s leading for the churches. Pray for peace and joy for parishioners.
And now a word from our sponsor
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
Jeremiah 29:11-14 ESV
I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
Hold on to instruction; do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
Proverbs 4:11-18 ESV
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