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News shorts – ANiC and AEN
More parishes consider votes to join ANiC
A number of parishes are currently considering or preparing for votes on whether or not to join ANiC – in spite of the recent court decisions in Ontario and BC and threats of further hostile action from bishops and dioceses. Please pray for these parishes as they work through their discernment processes. Pray for courage, boldness, a sense of peace, as well as protection. May they know God’s leading and act accordingly.
Donating to ANiC and the legal defence fund
Please clearly designate your gifts – both when donating online or by cheque (using the memo line of the cheque). ANiC gratefully accepts donations for:
• General ANiC ministries (All undesignated donations go to this fund.)
• Specific projects and parish projects
• Legal defence fund
Only money specifically designated for the legal defence fund will be used to support legal costs.
Although ANiC always seeks negotiation or mediation before litigation, the legal defence fund – as its name implied – is used to defend parishes and clergy when faced with hostile actions by their former dioceses. It is needed to protect clergy and congregations and to secure church buildings for ongoing worship and ministry. The fund allows ANiC to secure legal counsel for the parishes and, when necessary, seek clarification and direction from the courts.
Upcoming events
ANiC’s Looking to Jesus cross-Canada gatherings are now underway. These meetings will provide an overview of momentous recent developments in the Anglican world and how ANiC is preparing for this exciting future. Please come and bring friends. Check our website for details of times and locations for meetings. Also, please note newly scheduled meetings in bold font.
| Sept 23 (Tues) |
Montreal, PQ |
Oct 25 (Sat) |
Burlington, ON |
| Sept 24 (Wed) |
Ottawa, ON |
Oct 25 (Sat) |
Calgary, AB |
| Sept 28 (Sun) |
Brandon, MB |
Oct 26 (Sun) |
Medicine Hat, AB |
| Sept 29 (Mon) |
Victoria, BC |
Oct 26 (Sun) |
Toronto, ON |
| Sept 29 (Tues) |
Winnipeg, MB |
Oct 28 (Tues) |
Athabasca, AB |
| Sept 30 (Tues) |
Oceanside (Parksville), BC |
Nov 2 (Sun) |
St John’s, NF |
| Oct 2 (Thurs) |
Vancouver, BC |
Nov 3 (Mon) |
Halifax, NS |
| Oct 3 (Fri) |
Abbotsford, BC |
Nov 4 (Tues) |
Moncton, NB |
| Oct 24 (Fri) |
Windsor, ON |
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Women’s conference (Vancouver) – St John’s Shaughnessy is hosting a one day LIVEWORD women’s conference, October 18, with the theme, Songs of the King. Register by October 14.
St. Chad (Toronto West) is holding a community service on October 19 with Bishop Malcolm. All are welcome! See here for information or call Rev Barbara Richardson, 905-873-8962.
If your parish has an event you’d like announced, please let Marilyn know.
Bishop Don ordains new deacon
The Rev Brian DeVisser was ordained at St Alban’s (Ottawa) on September 21.
Jerusalem Declaration translated
Thanks to Adrienne Jackson and Vina Sweetman the Jerusalem Declaration has been translated into French and is now posted to our website. Earlier, Cezar Guzman (Chile) translated it into Spanish.
Blogger recounts St Hilda’s journey since realigning with ANiC
A St Hilda’s (Oakville, ON) parishioner chronicles the bumpy road the congregation has traveled since voting unanimously to join ANiC – and, most recently, the failure of the Diocese of Niagara to pay a bill related to the “diocesan services” being offered at St Hilda’s church.
Dr J I Packer to be keynote speaker in Virginia synod
The Anglican District of Virginia (ADV) synod will be addressed by Dr J I Packer on September 27. The Anglican District of Virginia is part of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) under the jurisdiction of the Church of Nigeria. ADV is embroiled in a legal battle with its former Episcopal Church diocese.
Tour of the Holy Land
There are still spaces left in the 15 day Holy Land tour lead by ANiC priest, Sharon Hayton, 26 April – 10 May 2009. The price is hard to beat and the knowledgeable guides are provided by a highly regarded Jerusalem-based Anglican tour ministry. Check it out!
News shorts – Canada
Anglican Church of Canada to hold ecumenical “walk of witness”
On September 25, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada have announced that they will hold a Walk of Witness in Ottawa to mark a discussion at the United Nations that day of Millennium Development Goals.
Diocese of BC announces at its synod that it is closing churches
The Victoria Times Colonist reports that “Shrinking attendance at Island churches is forcing the Anglican Church of Canada to close one Victoria parish and merge eight others in an effort to shore up the diocese's finances.” CFAX radio reported that this “downsizing” did not go nearly as far as a Diocese study had recommended. The synod took place in St Mary’s (Metchosin) facilities. (St Mary’s voted to join ANiC earlier this year, but the congregation was forced out of its building temporarily by an interim court decision.)
The Times Colonist concludes its story: “More than 200 church leaders attended the synod at St. Mary of the Incarnation Anglican Church in Metchosin, a parish that has shrunk from a congregation of 150 to less than 50 as a result of many parishioners' decision to break away from the church in February over the issue of same-sex unions… That argument was a matter of theology and the authority of Scripture, but Cowan says these questions do not affect a church's attendance as much as other factors. "It's more about ministry beyond themselves in the community," he said.”
In the Canadian media
Anglican Journal – Sept 22 08 – Episcopal Church deposes bishop of Pittsburgh
News shorts – USA and North America
Bishop Bob Duncan deposed
So much support is pouring in for Bishop Bob Duncan that the Diocese of Pittsburgh has set up a website to post statements of support from individuals, Communion leaders, Primates and others.
Bishop Duncan was deposed by the Episcopal Church House of Bishops on September 18. David Virtue reports that, by a vote of 87 to 36, the bishops elected to depose the highly regarded orthodox bishop – despite multiple glaring violations of church canons throughout the deposition process. See the letter certifying his deposition signed by the Presiding Bishop.
“The repeated and arbitrary violation of TEC’s own canons by the Presiding Bishop and now endorsed by the House of Bishops, is scandalous,” states Bishop Don. “I have the highest regard for Bishop Bob, as do most leaders and Primates in the Anglican Communion. By this lawless act, denying justice to a godly bishop and global orthodox leader, TEC has shown its true colours for the entire Communion to see.”
Immediately following the house of bishops’ vote, the Diocese of Pittsburgh standing committee issued a statement saying:
We are profoundly disappointed by this action, and view it as yet another tragic rejection of the historic faith of our diocese and the majority consensus of the Anglican Communion. We continue to believe that the House of Bishops has clearly misapplied and misinterpreted the canons…
In light of this unfair and improper action to “depose” our bishop, we now assume our responsibility under the canons to be the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. Bishop Duncan will continue to support the work of our diocese under the terms of his administrative employment agreement and within the bounds of his deposition, providing many of the services that he previously performed for the diocese. Our diocesan convention of October 4 will go forward as planned, at which the canonically required re-alignment vote will be taken.
We understand that Bishop Duncan has been received as a member in good standing of the House of Bishops of the Province of the Southern Cone. We rejoice at this news.
The Standing Committee asks that the clergy and people of Pittsburgh pray for the Duncans, the diocesan staff and the elected leadership of the diocese in the days ahead. We stand firmly on the promise of Holy Scripture found in Romans 8:28. "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
A Diocese of Pittsburgh news release quoted Archbishop Greg Venables as saying:
“As was resolved by resolution made at the Provincial Synod in Valparaiso last November 2007, we are happy to welcome Bishop Duncan into the Province of the Southern Cone as a member of our House of Bishops, effective immediately. Neither the Presiding Bishop nor the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church has any further jurisdiction over his ministry. We pray for all Anglicans in Pittsburgh as they consider their own relationship with The Episcopal Church in the coming weeks.”
The news release also said:
The action of the House of Bishops, which was taken in a closed meeting on September 18 in Salt Lake City, Utah, contravenes numerous canons of The Episcopal Church. While Bishop Duncan continues to believe that the "deposition" is unlawful, he will not challenge the "deposition" prior to the end of the diocese’s October 4 convention unless forced to do so by the leadership of The Episcopal Church.
On October 4, diocesan convention deputies will consider the second reading of a constitutional change that would realign the diocese with the Province of the Southern Cone. With the passage of that constitutional change, the diocese will be free to welcome Bishop Duncan back as its bishop. In the meantime, under the diocese’s governing documents, the standing committee will serve as the diocese’s ecclesiastical authority.
Common Cause bishops issued a statement extolling Bishop Duncan’s leadership and ministry. Bishop John Guernsey (Uganda) said, “The House of Bishops has only succeeded in setting him free to continue leading us in the construction of a biblical, missionary and united Anglicanism here in North America.” While Bishop Jack Iker (Fort Worth) said, “In spite of the sham deposition of Bishop Robert Duncan by the House of Bishops, he remains the formidable leader of traditional Episcopalians and loyal Anglicans in North America. Bishop Duncan continues to have the respect of a majority of the primates and bishops of the entire Anglican Communion, including the Archbishop of Canterbury. In an effort to silence him, the House of Bishops has only given him greater creditability as the leader of the realignment movement.”
Prior to the vote, influential US lawyer Mark McCall released a legal paper, Do Bishops Deserve Due Process? It focuses on Bishop Duncan’s situation and is one of several legal papers McCall has written recently on TEC matters. Also immediately prior to the vote, Bishop William Love (Albany) issued a statement protesting the proposed deposition.
One of the best summaries of the deposition is by George Conger. And David Virtue has provided a complete contact list of all bishops who voted for +Bob’s deposition.
Please continue to pray for the leadership and people of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
TEC bishop opposes shelter for the homeless
Bishop John Chane (Washington) is reported to be using the courts to block an emergency shelter for homeless men in Washington DC. Central Union Mission, which has been serving the poor and homeless for 124 years, wants to open the shelter in an old school in collaboration with city council. Bishop Chane’s group opposes the shelter on the basis that it violates laws regarding the separation of church and state. The Washington Post reports that, “According to the lawsuit, the mission hires only people who identify themselves as Christians and asks those who seek food and shelter to participate in an evening religious service.” The Mission is a ministry of The Falls Anglican Church which left TEC and realigned with the Church of Nigeria several years ago.
In the media and on the blogs – US
Catholic Online – Sept 16 08 – Episcopal bishop faces removal for fidelity
VirtueOnline – Sept 17 08 – The historical fiction of the Episcopal Church
NotWorthOfTheName – Sept 17 08 – [TEC] and the Lambeth Quadrilateral
Religious Intelligence – Sept 18 08 – Episcopal Church ‘in the clear’ after Lambeth
VirtueOnline – Sept 18 08 – Salt Lake City, UT: House of Bishops meets
VirtueOnline – Sept 18 08 – House of Bishops Votes to Depose Bishop Duncan…
The Washington Times – Sept 18 08 – Bishop Duncan gets the heave ho
Anglican Communion Institute – Sept 22 08 – Communion Partner Rectors
News shorts – International
Canterbury asked to suspend TEC, recognize Common Cause
The former Primate of the Southern Cone has written the Archbishop of Canterbury asking that he “…take immediate action in suspending the Episcopal Church [TEC] from any further participation in activities of the Anglican Communion and in calling a meeting of the Primates to give formal recognition to a new Province in North America, as desired by the Common Cause Partners Federation.” Bishop Colin Bazley, honorary assistant bishop of Chester, based his request on the TEC’s action in deposing Bishop Bob Duncan.
Report on violence against Christians
The Anglican Communion News Service has released a report on the continued violence against Christians in India, including 30 deaths. Also, George Conger reports that Iran is in the process of passing a bill that would impose the death penalty on Muslims who convert to another faith.
++Akinola launches anti-corruption campaign & discusses GAFCon
In his opening address to the Church of Nigeria synod, Archbishop Akinola detailed a campaign the church is embarking upon to attack government corruption. He also called on government to take specified steps to address poverty. Regarding GAFCon, which he called a “rescue mission”, Archbishop Akinola said, “the Communion has been in deep trouble.. not only because of the actions of The Episcopal Church, USA TEC and the Anglican Church of Canada but also because the hitherto honoured Instruments of Communion, in recent years have, by design become instruments of disunity, putting the Communion in an unprecedented brokenness and avoidable turmoil’… But that’s not all. We called GAFCon because we refused to ‘succumb to the turmoil in our Communion and simply watch helplessly. We have found ourselves in a world in which Anglican leaders hold on to a form of religion but consistently deny its power. We have a situation in which some members of the Anglican family think they are so superior to all others that they are above the law, they can do whatever they please with impunity. As a Communion we have been unable to exercise discipline’.”
In the international media and blogs
Sydney Morning Herald – Sept 19 2008 – Breakaway Anglican group uses Jensen’s postbox…
The Telegraph – Sept 19 08 – Bishop of Pittsburgh deposed…
Evangelicals Now – Sept 19 08 – Primates form Council and Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans…
Church of England News – Sept 19 08 – Parishes take their bishop to court
Soul food
Just for laughs
“The ceremony just doesn’t seem the same with the holy-water in spray cans!”
From: Sermons and Pulpits
Food for thought
This prayer was offered in Kansas House (Kansas legislature) in Topeka on January 23, 1996 by the Rev Joe Wright, pastor of Central Christian Church in Wichita and guest chaplain for the day.
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today to ask Your Forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ''Woe to those who call evil good,'' but that's exactly what we have done. We have lost our Spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that; we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism; We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism; We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle; We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery; We have neglected the needy and called it self preservation; We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare; We have killed our unborn and called it choice; We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable; We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem; We have abused power and called it political savvy; We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition; We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression; We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of this state and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state of Kansas. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your Will.
I ask in the name of your Son, The Living Savior, Jesus Christ
Getting involved
Do you want to influence our nation for righteousness? Watch this video about how Canadian Christians have an opportunity to do just that right now.
Prayer and Praise
Ceri, Howard and the Hynes family – Ceri, wife of ANiC priest Howard Hynes, has been battling cancer for some time and recently had a serious relapse. A new lesion has appeared in her lung and she also has a bad infection in her leg where she had surgery some months ago. Please remember Ceri and Howard and three teenaged children, as well as parishioners at St Stephen’s in St John’s. Bishop Don asks that we “join in fervent prayer for these members of our ANiC family”. Pray that the Great Physician would be pleased to restore health.
Pray for parishes considering votes to realign with ANiC. Also for a number of groups meeting and looking at possible church plants.
Please pray for the Looking to Jesus meetings across Canada. Pray especially that these gatherings would be used by God for His good purposes.
Pray for clergy and trustees of Vancouver area ANiC parishes – Please continue to pray for peace for parish leaders, for joy for parishioners, and for wisdom for the parishes’ legal council. Pray for good support for the ANiC legal fund to ensure the best possible protection for the clergy, congregations and ministries currently under attack.
Pray for Bishop Bob Duncan, for the leadership and people of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Pray that God will frustrate all evil intentions and honour those taking a stand for godliness. Pray for the upcoming diocesan convention which will be voting on realigning with the Southern Cone.
Continue to pray for Muslims during their holy month of Ramadan (Sept 1-30).
Pray for the many suffering and persecuted Christians around the world.
And now a word from our sponsor
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV)
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