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  ANiC Newsletter: September 22, 2007
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Bishop Don announces November meeting for Network members
In his most recent letter to members, Bishop Donald Harvey recounted his trip to Africa to participate in the historic consecrations of three American bishops – who will oversee congregations in the U.S. – and two Africa bishops. The number of Primates who laid hands upon and then signed the consecration certificates of these godly bishops was unprecedented. Out of the 52 million Anglicans in church on a typical Sunday, 40 million were represented by the attending Primates or their representative.

Bishop Don also elaborated on Network plans for a national meeting of members in November, saying, “In my last letter to you, I mentioned that we are planning an event for Network members. We now have a date and a location. We will meet November 22-23 at Crossroads Christian Centre in Burlington, Ontario – just west of Toronto and east of Hamilton. There will be some weighty matters for us to discuss and consider. With the September 30th deadline fast approaching, we anticipate that the Primates will offer specific options to faithful Canadian Anglicans for the provision of pastoral care. In addition, we are planning training sessions that will help parishes in their ministry. Registration details will follow shortly.” See the full letter at: www.anglicannetwork.ca


Please pray for Common Cause Council of Bishops meeting, Sept 25-28
Please remember to pray for the “Common Cause” bishops gathering in Pittsburgh this week. Over 50 bishops are expected – including our own Bishop Donald Harvey – at this first-ever Common Cause Council of Bishops meeting in Pittsburgh. The focus will be on forging greater unity among orthodox Anglicans.


Same-sex blessing motion to go to Ottawa synod
On October 12-13, the Diocese of Ottawa synod will consider this motion: "Be it resolved that this synod requests that the bishop grant permission for clergy, whose conscience permits, to bless duly solemnized and registered civil marriages between same-sex couples, where one party is baptized; and that he authorizes an appropriate rite and guidelines for its use in supportive parishes." If the motion passes, the new bishop, John Chapman, will have to render a decision. This will be the first diocese to consider the matter since General Synod in June. See: www.anglicanjournal.com


Edmonton parish votes to authorize same sex blessings
At an extraordinary general meeting of St. George's Anglican Church in Edmonton, members voted overwhelmingly to authorize the blessing of committed same-sex unions – provided the bishop agrees. Retiring bishop Victoria Matthews has made it clear, however, that such blessing won't happen during her tenure. www.canada.com


TEC House of Bishops meets with the Archbishop of Canterbury
Little good news is emerging from the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops meeting in New Orleans. However, addressing the House of Bishops, September 21,
Archbishop Mouneer Anis (Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East) delivered a clear, powerful and pointed address – well worth reading. He called on the bishops to respond clearly to the Primates’ requests in the Dar es Salaam communiqué and told them that he and many others “…feel that you have already walked apart at least theologically from the standard teaching of the Communion.” www.anglican-mainstream.net

Reports from the closed meetings paint a picture of intransigence and highly charged, emotional sessions. A number of conservative bishops left the sessions after Dr Williams left – as they had earlier committed. www.virtueonline.org

Jonathan Petre reports that any document coming out of the meeting (likely on September 25) will be anything but clear, saying, “…the Daily Telegraph has seen a draft document drawn up by a senior bishop who urges his colleagues to adopt a far less clear position that will be open to a wide range of interpretations, allowing liberal American bishops considerable leeway.” This document “…could well form the basis of the House of Bishops' final statement next week.” See: www.telegraph.co

Dr Williams, in his public comments, has downplayed the importance of the September 30th date given the TEC. He said: “Despite what has been claimed, there is no "ultimatum" involved. The Primates asked for a response by September 30 simply because we were aware that this was the meeting of the House likely to be formulating such a response. The ACC and Primates Joint Standing Committee will be reading and digesting what the bishops have to say, and will let me know their thoughts on it early next week. After this I shall be sharing what they say, along with my own assessments, with the Primates and others, inviting their advice in the next couple of weeks. I hope these days will result in a constructive and fresh way forward for all of us. See: www.anglicanjournal.com


Orthodox bishops say “thanks, but no thanks”
Orthodox bishops rejected Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's announced plan to offer "delegated episcopal pastoral oversight" to estranged dioceses. Six US dioceses had earlier appealed to the Communion for “alternate Primatial oversight”. Recently, several of these dioceses announced plans to bring resolutions to their synods allowing the diocese to break with the Episcopal Church (TEC). TEC’s offer falls far short of what the dioceses had requested. What TEC is offering would keep the dioceses entirely under the spiritual authority of the Presiding Bishop. What they had requested was the spiritual oversight of an orthodox Primate. See: www.virtueonline.org


Follow the money
The 2.2 million-member Episcopal Church (TEC) comprises only a tiny part of the world's 77 million Anglicans. But the wealthy U.S. denomination finances at least one-third of the communion's budget. In addition, TEC, finances aid and development programs in developing countries. See: www.nytimes.com


Archbishop of Canterbury holding secretive service for gay clergy
Ruth Gledhill, religion correspondent of The Times reports that Dr Williams plans to hold a closed communion service for gay clergy and their partners at St Peter’s Eaton Square in London on November 29. She says he will give an address titled “Present realities and future possibilities for lesbians and gay men in the Church”. A Church of England spokesman said: “It should come as no surprise that the Archbishop is meeting pastorally with clergy and others affected by the current debates in the Church.” See: www.timesonline.co


Petition to pressure Anglican Communion to affirm sanctity of life
Anglicans for Life (www.AnglicansforLife.org) has launched a petition asking archbishops and bishops of the Anglican Communion to proclaim that the Anglican Church affirms the sacredness of every life, born and unborn, during the June 2008 Lambeth Conference. The organization would like language included in the Anglican Covenant, currently being formulated, that supports the dignity of life, and takes a stand on abortion and euthanasia. The goal is to collect 100,000 names on the petition. You can sign online at: www.anglicansforlife.org


Parish profile: St Hilda's Anglican Church
Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8b
St Hilda’s is an energetic congregation of about 100 in Oakville, Ontario. The Rev Canon Paul and Joanne Charbonneau pastor this loving parish that demonstrates the free grace of God by giving freely. They love to put on no-charge events for the community. Car washes, bazaars, drop-in lunches for high school students, conferences – everything is free. Community members don’t know what to make of St Hilda’s – but they’re interested! Learn more about St Hilda’s at: http://sthildaschurch.ca


Please stay in touch…
We value our members and want to stay in touch. Please feel free to contact us anytime.
Also, let us know if you plan to move or change your email address so we can update our records and ensure you continue to stay informed about developments in your Church and your Communion.


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