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Handle with prayer!
News – ANiC and AEN
Primate to participate in consecration of ANiC’s bishops
Archbishop Bob Duncan (Anglican Church in North America) has confirmed that he will participate in the consecration of our three bishops on November 13 and as much of the synod as his schedule allows.
Online synod registration available
Registration for ANiC’s fall synod is now open. All are welcome to register and come; you don’t have to be an official delegate. Delegates and observers alike will be blessed by the teaching and worship. You’ll find all the information you need on our website.
If you are not able to attend synod, but plan to come to the consecration service, you are most welcome and there is no charge. While pre-registration for the consecration service is not necessary, it would be extremely helpful to us if you would pre-register, so we can plan appropriately to accommodate all those attending.
Registration – Please register ASAP. Registrations will not be accepted after November 9.
Hotel – Book before September 28 to get the reduced conference rate
Agenda – This preliminary agenda will give you a sense of the schedule.
Air miles™ program reduces travel costs
To date ANiC has collected 1358 Air Miles™ in our “fly a delegate to synod account” – which is enough to get a delegate almost half way to synod – or half a delegate almost all the way to synod! If you’d like to help us reach our goal of 2850 Air Miles, go to our website for information on how you can easily and painless pitch in.
If you have synod or consecration related questions you can email ANiC staff.
Parish logos available
For ANiC parishes that do not yet have and would like a parish logo, we have created logos and provided these to clergy and parishes. These logos combine the ANiC “shield” with the parish name and are designed to mimic the ANiC logo.
Visas denied; Good Shepherd cancels evangelistic meetings
In the providence of God, visas were denied for the third time to Good Shepherd’s guest speakers hoping to come from China to lead a planned September 19-20 Cantonese evangelistic rally. As a result, the meetings were cancelled. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray that God will encourage and strengthen Bishop-elect Stephen and the disappointed parishioners and open a new, even more fruitful door of ministry and outreach to their Chinese-speaking community.
St Alban’s (Ottawa) hosts lecture on how Christians can engage in public life
On September 23, 7pm, Dr John Stackhouse Jr (Regent College, Vancouver) will discuss how Christians can effectively participate in public life, bringing their values and views to bear on questions of the day – “whether as a parent concerned about a local school, a voter concerned about federal politics, or a citizen concerned about the ways Christianity is presented in the media”. Dr Stackhouse is a highly respected author and scholar and is frequently quoted in the media. He was an expert witness for the Vancouver-area ANiC parishes in the recent court hearing. St Alban’s is located at 454 King Edward Ave, Ottawa.
Parish chooses new name
The people of St Mary’s Open Gate Church (Victoria. BC) have changed the parish’s name to The Open Gate Church. When they began their journey with ANiC in February 2008, the parish was known as St Mary’s (Metchosin).
Blackburn Hamlet Community Church moves to new storefront location
Blackburn Hamlet Community Church – an ANiC project – is moving into a rented strip mall storefront location in the centre of their community effective Sunday, September 13. Having undergone considerable renovation, the "grand opening" at 2598 Innes Road, Blackburn Hamlet will be on September 27 at 9:30am. The congregation, which formed in September 2008, under the leadership of the Rev Pat Coulombe and the Rev Karen Bergenstein, has been meeting in a home and building bridges into the Blackburn Hamlet community in Ottawa’s east end through ALPHA, Bible studies, social events and outreach. They ask for prayer for a faithful and bold witness, for additional members, and for community receptiveness.
Kanata Lakes Fellowship
On September 26 at 7:30pm, Kanata Lakes Fellowship will sponsor an outdoor screening of the movie Fireproof on the exterior wall of the Beaverbrook Centre. Pray that many in the community will come, and that hearts and marriages will be touched.
Emmaus Church (Montreal) profiled
In an excellent article in Christian Week, the Rev Dean Brady from ANiC’s newest parish, Emmaus Church (Montreal) talks about the decision by 100 members of his congregation to walk away from their buildings. They continue to financially help the remnant congregation that remained in the Anglican Church of Canada as well as support a ministry to the homeless that continues in their old building. The Rev Brady said, "The fact we've been able to part ways graciously instead of angrily and with recriminations means a great deal to us, and we hope it will provide a model for others to differ with grace… "There is a sense of energy and excitement at Emmaus, because we've taken action that declares God has spoken with clarity and authority to us concerning His purposes for wholeness and holiness.”
He said that a trigger for the congregation’s decision to join ANiC was the diocese’s antagonism to a program run by the congregation, Living Waters – which helps people find healing for every form of sexual and relational brokenness. He added that, "About a half of our members have been through Living Waters. We at Emmaus really have a sense of our own brokenness and a sense that homosexual Christians are just a subset of the rest of us. We are all less than what God has called us to be. We are all sexually broken people who invite you to journey with us towards wholeness."
St Hilda’s celebration planned
St Hilda’s (Oakville, ON) will celebrate its 50th birthday on November 15 - the Sunday closest to St Hilda's day.
Opportunities for ANiC clergy refreshment and training
ANiC is, once again, planning a clergy retreat at Cedar Springs Conference Center (near Vancouver) on March 2-4, 2010. Clergy are encouraged to attend and parishes are encouraged to help them attend! Watch for more details.
In addition, there are a number of clergy conferences that will offer exceptional teaching and encouragement including:
October 5-7 at Willingdon Church in Burnaby, BC – A 2-day seminar on expositional preaching. Cost is only $89.
October 14-16 at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, near Chicago, Illinois – A conference featuring speakers such as the Rev Dr Phillip Jensen (Sydney), D A Carson and Mark Dever.
October 19 -22 clergy (and spouse) retreat on personal holiness hosted by several ACNA bishops at Ridgecrest, North Carolina.
April 7-9, 2010 at Willingdon Church in Burnaby, BC there is a conference entitled “Suffering for the Gospel” with Dr John Piper, Dr Bruce Ware, Dr John Neufeld – and Canon David Short (among other teachers).
Even if you are unable to attend, many conferences post teaching sessions online after the event.
Calendar of events – for your interest and prayer support
Sept 19 – Ignite the Light Conference (Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.) – Richmond Hill, ON
Sept 23 – St Alban’s (Ottawa) hosts lecture by Dr John Stackhouse
Sept 27 – Blackburn Hamlet Community Church celebrates grand opening of new location
Sept 27 – Church of the Ascension (Langley) begins weekly services
Sept 27 – St Aidan’s Windsor celebrates 1st anniversary as an ANiC parish
Oct 3 – Church of the Good Shepherd (Vancouver) celebrates 120th anniversary
Oct 14 – Victoria, BC – Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Christian Leaders Connection event
Oct 17 – St Luke’s (Pembroke) open house to celebrate and dedicate new building
Nov 8 – International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Nov 11-13 – ANiC synod and conference, St Catharines, ON
Nov 13 – Consecration of three ANiC bishops, St Catharines, ON
Nov 15 – St Hilda’s (Oakville, ON) celebrating 50th anniversary
News shorts – Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans planning launch in North America
The American Anglican Council (AAC) has announced the launch of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans in North America – aimed primarily at what we in ANiC call “Orphan Anglicans” – those who do not have an ACNA church near them. David Virtue reports that, AAC chaplain the Rev Phillip Ashey is urging Anglican Orphans to apply online to FCA, saying, "I am pleased to announce the formation of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans - North America as a ministry partner of ACNA to which you can apply immediately.” Already the Fellowship of Confessing Anglican (FCA), which was first announced at the Global Anglican Future conference (GAFCon) in Jerusalem last year, has launched in England and South Africa.
ACNA women’s organization formed
Canadian Anglican women are invited to join the Order of the Daughters of the Holy Cross which has just formed. The group now has a bishop-chaplain, executive, bylaws, handbook and a candidate study manual. It will now officially apply to the ACNA Council for status as an Order within ACNA. The group’s bylaws provide information on membership and the formation of local chapters. A news release announcing the inauguration of this new organization says, “The vision of The Order of the Daughters of the Holy Cross is to gather Anglican women and girls into a nurturing and empowering community called to be servants of Jesus as He unites and builds up His Body, the Church.” For more information and application forms, see the website.
Anglican Planet offers advice to ACNA
In an editorial in its September 2009 print edition (that appears not to be posted to its website), Anglican Planet editors, the Rev David Harris and the Rev Peter Molloy, offer ACNA – and specifically its new bishops – advice intended to ground “ACNA’s ecclesial life in Holy Scripture”.
1. “If there is to be genuine integrity in ACNA’s stand against same-sex marriages, then the many other issues surrounding it must be seriously examined theologically, and not simply white-washed.” The issues they list which must be “seriously, honestly and faithfully reevaluated in the light of Holy Scripture” are: contraception, divorce and remarriage and the ordination of women. They add, “Similarly, hard work needs to be done to biblically examine the questions surrounding the liturgical life of our parishes… Few would dispute that the revisions of the liturgy since the 1600s… have to some extent compromised the theological and devotional integrity of our Christian development…”
2. “…as ACNA moves forward in mission, it must not betray its Anglican identity… ACNA has a unique opportunity to re-write the missions playbook for Anglicans in a way which is consistent with Anglican understanding.”
3. “…ACNA needs to be a community which worships God for the world, comes before God in prayer on behalf of the world, and seeks to continue in the apostolic witness of caring for the poor, the sick and the widows and orphans within the world.”
They conclude, “…reconciliation with other Anglican brothers and sisters in North America [should] be a constant priority. Members of ACNA have prayerfully discerned that for the time being they must separate from the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church, and that undoubtedly was a difficult decision. Having made it now, the leadership of ACNA needs to take particularly seriously Jesus’ desire that we might someday once again be one in communion together, witnessing to the prior unity that is already ours in Christ despite our institutional divisions. Pray for it, work for it and let us all be careful not to allow any other barriers to develop between us, so that we might see, in this world, Christ glorified among us.”
Report from The Table – an ACNA church plant launching in Victoria, BC
Following a “vision party, a total of 32 adults are mulling the commitment of joining the launch team for The Table in Victoria. The Rev Josh Wilton and the Rev Andy Withrow from the Anglican Coalition in Canada are partnering with ANiC’s Open Gate Church and the Reformed Episcopal’s Church of Our Lord to bring The Table to life. They ask prayer for clear discernment and God’s leading for those considering the commitment of being involved.
Three AMiA bishops consecrated
On September 9, three new bishops were consecrated to serve in the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA): The Rev Dr Todd Hunter, leader of the AMiA’s western Initiative called Churches for the Sake of Others; the Rev Canon Doc Loomis, AMiA’s Canon Missioner; and the Rev Silas Tak Yin Ng, Rector of Richmond Emmanuel Church, in Richmond, BC. Bishop Don and Bishops-elect Charlie Masters and Stephen Leung represented ANiC at the consecration which took place in Pasadena, California. Bishop Ng was installed on Sunday, September 13 in Richmond, BC.
News shorts – Canada
Bishop Stephen Andrews consecrated in Diocese of Algoma
The Anglican Planet reports that Bishop Andrews was consecrated June 29 in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario as the 10th Bishop of Algoma, succeeding Bishop Ron Ferris, who is now a church planter in Langley with ANiC.
New metropolitan of Ecclesiastical Province of Canada
The Anglican Journal reports that the Bishop of Fredericton Claude Miller was elected this past week as Metropolitan of “Canada” – one of the four Provinces in the Anglican Church of Canada.
Christian Leaders Connection seminars – registration deadline approaching
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, of which ANiC is a member, is offering full-day seminars in various locations entitled, “Being evangelical in a complex world”. Topics will include:
• Understanding church and faith trends
• Engaging in a secular Canada
• Talking about church and mission
• Canadian public policy: impacting Christian ministries
Currently scheduled locations are: Victoria & Langley in BC, Halifax & Moncton in the Maritimes and Ancaster in Ontario. Check EFC’s website for dates and registration.
Pray for the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC)
An AEC blog post points us to a page one article in the Diocese of BC newspaper. It admits that their 2007 data collection found “only 9,200 Anglicans on the parish rolls, with an average Sunday attendance of 4,955”, while “[t]he 2008 figures indicate that average worship attendance has fallen to 3,856 – from the 4,955 level in 2007.” Congregational development officer, the Rev Dr Gary Nicolosi, says the “we need to recognize that the problems facing our diocese are systemic, longstanding and embedded in our culture. They will require a process of transformation, meaning a paradigm shift in how we understand the relationship between the church and the world, as well as behavioral change in how we as a church operate – moving toward a missional model that is Jesus-centered and relies on the Holy Spirit…” Later the writer says, “We need to be clear about… what value we have to offer the world.” Pray that the ACoC will indeed, by God’s transforming grace, return to being Jesus-centred so they will have something of value to offer the world.
Dr Nicolosi then goes on to hint that there will be significant consolidation of congregations and “[w]e will need to allocate strategically our diocesan resources even if this means letting go of our sacred cows, including our buildings”. The article then goes on to tell of a series of clergy days to discuss the problems of too many underutilized buildings and too few tithing parishioners. Ironically, most of these meetings will be held in St Mary’s Metchosin, the building once used by The Open Gate Church (ANiC) <http://anglicannetwork.ca/the_open_gate_church_vi.htm> – that is until the bishop changed the locks and the diocese used the courts to oust the self-sustaining and vibrant congregation pending a trial decision in relation to ownership of the property.
News shorts – United States
TEC Communion Partner bishop faces organized internal opposition diocese
Bishop William Love (Albany), one of the Communion Partners who recently visited the Archbishop of Canterbury to discuss how to respond to the decisions by the Episcopal Church (TEC) to openly violate the Communion-imposed moratoria, is running into active, organized opposition within his diocese. “Albany Via Media”, a liberal lobby group, is organizing to actively oppose and confront Bishop Love at each of his seven scheduled meeting in the diocese at which he plans to discuss the situation in TEC.
Can TEC dioceses sign the Covenant and when?
The Anglican Communion Institute has issued another paper dealing, this time, with the questions of whether TEC dioceses are able to sign on to the Covenant and, if so, when. They conclude that, “TEC dioceses will have the ability to sign the Covenant whenever it is sent to TEC” – likely at the end of the year. They continue, “…the Covenant is an agreement among churches… no Instrument “owns” or controls the Covenant. Any Instrument or any member church could request others to sign the Covenant at any time. It would become effective for the signatories as soon as any two churches sign on.” The paper then goes on to consider the power and credibility of the Instruments of Communion – especially the Anglican Consultative Council – and safeguards that need to be written into the Covenant to ensure provinces that, by their action, have already effectively rejected the Covenant, are excluded from signing.
AS Haley (aka the Anglican Curmudgeon) applies his legal mind to the question of TEC dioceses signing the Covenant and explains why there is absolutely nothing – in terms of law or established church polity – standing in the way of these dioceses signing the Covenant. In fact, he says, by TEC’s unique polity, commitment to the Covenant can ONLY be made at the diocesan level, so “Dioceses should get on with the process of taking up the Covenant in their own conventions.”
Court decision in Fort Worth grants (ACNA) Diocese of Fort Worth partial relief
Although the court case continues, the judge has ruled that the decision and action taken by the Diocese of Fort Worth under Bishop Jack Iker to realign out of the Episcopal Church (TEC) was legitimate. A S Haley systematically outlines TEC’s litigation strategies against departing dioceses.
One of the largest Episcopal churches contemplates leaving TEC
StandFirm reports that “St. Andrew's in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, one of the largest Episcopal Churches in the country, has announced it is entering a 40-day discernment period after which it will make a decision on leaving the Episcopal Church. Rector Steve Wood… notes that the letter mailed to parishioners today was signed by every one of the church's senior wardens going back to 1989.”
In the news - US
Associated Press – Sept 9 2009 – Breakaway Episcopalians look to US high court
Living Church – Sept 15 2009 – SE Florida Bishop authorizes same-sex blessings
News shorts – International
Nigeria elects new Primate to succeed Archbishop Akinola
Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, Archbishop of Bendel Province and Bishop of Asaba, was elected on September 15 to the position of Archbishop of All Nigeria. He will be enthroned next year when Archbishop Peter Akinola retires. Archbishop Okoh also served in the Nigeria Army for many years as a Lieutenant Colonel. The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans general secretary, Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen (Sydney, Australia) greeted the news enthusiastically saying, “Nicholas Okoh was present at the foundation of GAFCON and has played a leading part in the movement. Archbishop Okoh has made a significant contribution as the Chairman of the Theological Resource group. He is an able and committed Christian leader and we warmly welcome his appointment.”
Southern Africa bishops issue statement on human sexuality
A statement released by the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa says that, while they “do not believe sexual orientation is a barrier to leadership within the church” they hold “….that Christian marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman, we hold that clergy unable to commit to another in Christian marriage partnership are called to a life of celibacy.”
Rioting closes Church offices
Uganda - At least 13 people were killed in rioting, September 10 and 11, resulting in the temporary closure of the Anglican Church of Uganda’s offices. The rioting seems to be rooted in tribal rivalries. Prayer is requested for peace to be restored.
Primate urges cooperation for the sake of the nation
Madagascar – Archbishop Ian Ernest (Indian Ocean) has stepped into the political standoff between political leaders in Madagascar, calling for an end to the stalemate for the sake of the people. The international community cut aid to the nation following a coup earlier this year.
Bishop Nazir-Ali’s farewell address
At a service marking his retirement as Bishop of Rochester, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali focused on the breakdown of the family and the growing disrespect for human life. He said, “We need to get away from the constant making of moral decisions by opinion poll… We are facing a crisis about affirming the dignity of human purpose… It may be at the earliest stage of life or as we are hearing more and more, at the later stages of life… It is obvious to many people that the weakening of family life is responsible for what we face on our streets, in our classrooms and in homes. It would be irresponsible for a Christian leader not to point this out."
The Telegraph also reports, “Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, praised the bishop for his courage and conviction in confronting controversial subjects and described him as one of the most important leaders in the church. The bishop is stepping down to devote himself to tackling Christian persecution, predominantly in Muslim countries.” Anglican Mainstream reports Lord Carey giving this tribute to Bishop Nazir-Ali, “I hope the people of Rochester Diocese recognize that they have been served by one of the most important leaders in the church”
Archbishop of York: “I am fed up… with bankrupt political correctness…”
In a Daily Mail column, Archbishop John Sentamu says, “I am fed up to the back teeth with the bankrupt political correctness which refuses to recognise the distinctive impact made on this country by the Church of England and other churches… The Church of England alone provides activities outside church worship in the local community for more than half-a-million under-16-year-olds, employing more youth workers than any other organisation. We are not seeking medals for that but rather encouragement and, where needed, State support for projects in the more needy areas. In March this year it was revealed that the Department for Local Government and Communities has given £25,000 to the British Humanist Association to run local campaigns promoting atheism. Meanwhile, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has given them £35,000 of taxpayers’ money to promote secularism in the public services under equality and human rights laws… We must do more. We need to give young people in particular a moral compass, so they can be emboldened to change the world.
Covenant debate: autonomy in communion – or autonomy IN COMMUNION
A S Haley (aka Anglican Curmudgeon) has juxtaposed the arguments currently used by both sides in the debate over the Anglican Covenant. The one side emphasizes “autonomy” and independence, while the other emphasizes “in communion” and interdependence. After an excellent analysis, Haley concludes, “The Anglican Communion has already broken up, only the participants dare not acknowledge the fact yet. The Archbishop of Canterbury does not want to admit defeat, while ECUSA and ACoC do not want to declare victory -- just yet -- because to do so would force all others to take a definitive stance. And the other provinces of the Communion are left to find their own way through the muddle in the meantime. A Communion of Churches preaching opposite doctrine is a mockery -- a self-negating nullity, and not a "communion" at all. The rest of the religious world can see this -- only the current Anglican Communion cannot. The only greater mockery would be to have all 38 of the current provinces sign on to a "Covenant" and declare that they are all still "in Communion" while each continues to go its own way in matters of doctrine.”
Dr Sumner analyzes the Archbishop of Canterbury’s response to TEC
Writing in the Anglican Planet, Dr George Sumner of Wycliffe College (Toronto) summarizes and analyzes the statement issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury shortly after the Episcopal Church (TEC) decided in June to defy Communion moratoria and clear Bible teaching on human sexuality. Like others, Sumner holds great hope for the Anglican Covenant. He concludes:
“Let me close with a word of application to our Canadian situation. We are given a gift of time, an interlude to watch what is transpiring in the American church and its repercussions. There will again be great pressure at June’s General Synod to approve same-sex unions in some form or other. Some leaders may hope that they can now move past this issue, but in a sense Archbishop Williams is describing what “moving past” would look like, if the Canadian church proceeds with the revision. A new conversation needs to commence, especially if a robust covenant does emerge. There is ecclesiological work to be done by all, and posthaste… Does the covenant offer the Anglicans of ACNA a doorway to reconciliation and an end to our sad division?...”
International news
Anglican Journal – Sept 11 2009 – Sexual orientation no barrier to church leadership in Southern Africa
VirtueOnline – Sept 8 2009 – Guardian newspaper spins conservative Anglican beliefs
Church Times – Sept 11 2009 – US Church cannot sign Covenant, say Wright and American critics
Anglican Mainstream – Sept 8 2009 – The need for GAFCon
Religious Intelligence – Sept 7 2009 – Archdeacon Moss appointed Bishop of Guyana
National Post – Sept 15 2009 – Christian… dies in policy custody
Guardian – Sept 15 2009 – Church of England launches radio ad
Religious Intelligence – Sept 15 2009 – Church urged to clarify its views on assisted suicide
Soul food
Ministry nuggets and resources
Outreach – People lose touch with church for a multitude of reasons, but many would be open to coming back if only invited. A number of Australian dioceses are holding Back to Church Sunday on September 13th. Parishioners are encouraged to invite friends and family to come to church with them. This initiative was started in Manchester, England in 2005 and has since spread broadly. Tips and support materials are available on the Back to Church Sunday website.
The Rev Ed Hird points us to an effective video inviting people to church.
Repentance – In a video clip, Mark Driscoll recounts a conversation with Canon Dr J I Packer in which Dr Packer defined heretics as those who do not call people to repent of sin, who accommodate sin, who sanction sin, who tolerate sin, who do not oppose sin. He said Jesus first preached repentance from sin. Anyone who doesn’t call people to repentance does not love them.
Gold mine of resources – The Gospel Coalition website has an incredible wealth of resources for clergy and laity eager to grow in the faith and in ministry. These resources include 1800 free seminar courses, hundreds of audio – and a few video – messages (from past conferences and more) and articles and book recommendations – on virtually every Bible topic imaginable, all “sortable” by speaker/writer or topic or scripture reference. Most are free.
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church – November 8 is the day designated for focused prayer for our brothers and sisters around the world who are persecuted because they are committed to following Jesus Christ. The theme this year is "Persecuted: Not Abandoned," based on 2 Cor 4:7-8. ANiC churches are encouraged to participate. Information is available. Also there is a video and a full resource kit. The video can be downloaded in high resolution for public viewing.
Issues related to God’s design for His creation
Abortion – Writing in Christianity Today, Dinesh D’Souza asks why we get worked up about so many global causes but ignore the peril of unborn babies. Citing Abraham Lincoln’s rebuttal of pro-choice slave owners of his day, he says that the “pro-choice” slogan is meaningless because the legitimacy of a choice depends on what is being chosen. How can choice for one human deny choice for another? D’Souza concludes:
“Why then, in the face of its bad arguments, does the pro-choice movement continue to prevail legally and politically? I think it's because abortion is the debris of the sexual revolution…. If you're going to make an omelet, the Marxist revolutionaries used to say, you have to be ready to break some eggs. And if you're going to have a sexual revolution, you have to be ready to clean up the debris. After 35 years, the debris has become a mountain, and as a society, we are still adding bodies to the heap.. This analysis might help to explain why otherwise compassionate people fight so tenaciously against the most helpless and vulnerable of all living creatures, unborn persons… If I'm on the right track, pro-life arguments are not likely to succeed by simply continuing to stress the humanity of the fetus. The opposition already knows this, as probably do most women who have an abortion. Rather, the pro-life movement must take into account the larger cultural context of the sexual revolution that invisibly but surely sustains the triumphant advocates of abortion. It won't be easy, but somehow the case against abortion must include a case against sexual libertinism. It is time to return to the drawing board.”
A pro-lifer has been shot and killed in Michigan. When apprehended, the killer said he was offended by the pro-life signs displayed by the victim – 63-year old Jim Pouillon.
A powerful new documentary called “Blood Money” exposes the multi-million dollar abortion industry and the traumatic effects on the women involved. The film producers have not yet been able to secure a distributor for the movie and hope that they can generate enough interest and support through their website to convince a distributor that there is a market for the film. Read about it here. See the movie trailer here. Register your support on the website here.
Dr Matt Anderson, a practicing obstetrician/gynecologist, testifies to the hidden emotional damage to women who have had abortions.
Affirming all human life – Dr Bruce Clemenger, president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), encourages us to get involved in the calling to affirm the value and dignity of human life and help change prevailing attitudes – and laws – in Canada. He says:
“The pro-life movement in Canada has momentum… I can’t help wondering if the aggressiveness of those who oppose the pro-life movement is due to a fear that the momentum is shifting. Polling certainly indicates that young people are less sympathetic to abortion than their parents… The illogic of the current legal vacuum around unborn children is not sustainable. It is producing moral, medical and legal hypocrisies. In some provinces, a child injured in the womb can sue for damages once born alive; however, for an injury causing death there is no consequence. A “wanted child” is called a baby while still in the womb but an unwanted child is dehumanized in language and treatment, with less protection and recognition than an animal…
“The court never acknowledged a right to abortion nor has it ever said that governments cannot regulate abortion. We live in a legal vacuum and no government since the Mulroney government has been willing or courageous enough to introduce new legislation. In this context, influencing law and public policy takes presence, perseverance and persuasion. Influence must be ongoing, consistent and able to penetrate across time, ideologies and party lines. The EFC and other groups regularly and consistently provide sound resources for MPs and… the courts… Despite resistance, our efforts are persuasive]… A necessary demonstration of our commitment to the sanctity of human life involves caring for the vulnerable people in our midst. Each of us can do something…To preserve and instil a commitment to the sanctity of human life, there must be those who live it out; otherwise our words are like clanging cymbals. The goal of the pro-life movement is to continue to instil in our society a deep commitment for the sanctity of all human life, from conception to natural death, and to ensure our laws reflect that commitment…”
Sexual orientation – A growing body of research indicates there is no “gay gene”. Rather, the brain is “plastic” – a “living and responsive tissue, subject to considerable change at the micro level in response to the things we do, imagine and think repetitively.” Researchers Dr Neil and Briar Whitehead of New Zealand, say, “…change is possible in many behaviors – sexual orientation not excluded… The evidence is that post-natal training and experience are mostly responsible for the microstructure of brains. We predict that some research may eventually show real and replicable differences between homosexual and heterosexual brains, but this is primarily the result of consistent and intense behavior – training, if you like… Neurons which fire together wire together. In human sexuality this means that if something extraneous is often associated with sexual arousal it will tend to become part of it… Even if part of the brain is strongly associated with a particular sexuality it should be possible to change it. Stopping a sexual activity and avoiding stimulation of that brain region, and plunging into some other intense brain activity for months would lead to a diminishing of the intensity of that sexual response.”
Citing another authority, they say, “Doidge’s conclusion about sexuality is that "Human libido is not a hardwired invariable biological urge, but can be curiously fickle, easily altered by our psychology and the history of our sexual encounters." The Whiteheads conclude, “Intensive exercise, training or imagination changes the brain microstructure. We are not victims of our biology or the experiences which shape the detail of our brain. Anatomy is not destiny; change is always possible. The brain is plastic and is in a constant state of change.”
That’s good news for all of us fighting temptations and sinful habits!
Just for fun
Media headlines for the apocalypse
USA Today: We’re dead
The Wall Street Journal: Dow Jones plummets as world ends
Microsoft Systems Journal: Apple loses marketshare
Sports Illustrated: Game over!
Wired: The last new thing
Rolling Stone: The Grateful Dead reunion tour
Readers Digest: Bye
Discover Magazine: How will the extinction of life as we know it affect the way we view the cosmos?
TV Guide: Death and damnation: Nielson ratings soar!
Lady's Home Journal: Lose 10 lbs by judgement day with our new “Armageddon Diet”!
Inc. magazine: 10 ways you can profit from the apocalypse
From: www.mikeysFunnies.com
Please pray...
For those planning and preparing for ANiC’s November 11-13 synod and conference – and consecration of our three new bishops.
For the many ANiC “projects” across the country – such as Blackburn Hamlet and Kanata Lakes – that are building congregations and preparing 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 increased contributions to the Legal Defence Fund so that legal costs can be covered and the churchwardens and trustees are not at personal financial risk. The legal expenses in Ontario are expected to increase substantially as they begin to prepare for trials and the Ontario parishes need much more support. |
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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 Bob Duncan and the other dioceses.
For suffering the people of the East Africa where there is drought and severe famine.
For Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, newly elected to become Primate of All Nigeria next year.
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
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
Jeremiah 23:1-6
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