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Handle with prayer!
News – ANiC and AEN
ANiC bursts our borders – Welcomes Holy Trinity!
ANiC has a new parish – in Massachusetts!
Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Marlborough, Massachusetts has long had close ties to ANiC moderator, Bishop Donald Harvey. Bishop Don ordained the congregation’s Rector as a deacon in 1995 and as a priest in 1996. Since October 2004 Bishop Don has served as an Episcopal Visitor to this church family, developing an excellent rapport with them. After a brief affiliation with another ACNA diocese, the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA), Holy Trinity has asked to come under Bishop Don’s temporary episcopal oversight, feeling this was a better fit for them as both an evangelical and Anglo-Catholic parish. This arrangement has received full and amicable agreement from all parties – Bishop Don, the parish’s former AMiA bishop, Archbishop Bob Duncan, and the ANiC board of directors.
Effective October 18, Holy Trinity came under Bishop Don’s episcopal oversight on a temporary pastoral basis and in doing so, came under the jurisdiction of ANiC – at least temporarily. The parish has begun a discernment process to determine where they would best fit within the ACNA structure long-term. Bishop Don has licenced Holy Trinity’s rector, the Reverend Michael McKinnon and the associate priest the Reverend Terrence McGillicuddy.
Bishop Don says, “What we are doing here is very similar to what Archbishop Greg Venables and the Southern Cone did for us when we needed it – provide emergency, temporary, pastoral oversight while the people of Holy Trinity seek their way forward. I feel we can do no less.”
Welcome to the ANiC family, Holy Trinity!
AnglicanTV plans to webcast our synod
Kevin Kallsen of AnglicanTV has kindly committed to come to St Catharines to provide live webcasts of our synod sessions and especially of the November 13 consecration service. If you have benefited from the ministry of AnglicanTV or plan to watch synod or the consecration on AnglicanTV, we encourage you to consider making a donation toward Kevin’s expenses while he is in Canada. You can send a donation to ANiC designated for AnglicanTV synod expenses. ANiC will issue receipts for income tax purposes in the New Year. You can donate online or by cheque.
Preparing our hearts by praying for our synod and consecration service
ANiC’s national prayer coordinator, the Rev Garth Hunt has prepared daily mediations and prayers to help us prepare our hearts and uphold in prayer our synod and the consecration service. This document will be sent by email to those on our distribution lists. We are asking parishes to forward the email to members and make paper copies for parishioners without access to email or printers, for pick-up on Sunday. For the month of November, this Synod mediation and prayer guide will replace our usual “1st Friday of the Month Call to Prayer”. The “1st Friday” publication will return in December. You are encouraged, however, to still dedicate the 1st Friday of November (November 6) to prayer and, if possible, gather and pray together with others. The Synod mediations and prayers as well as the November prayer calendar may be helpful for these gatherings.
St Luke’s celebrates new beginning
The Pembroke Daily Observer has a nice “pre” story about St Luke’s open house (October 17) and dedication service (October 18) for their new church home at 307 Julien Street, Pembroke – and an equally good follow-up story! The congregation purchased a large catering hall and, with tremendous volunteer help, transformed it into a church building with a sanctuary and fellowship hall. Bishop Don joined the congregation for their milestone weekend. According to the news article, the church was packed with “well-wishers” for the official opening of what they called “the miracle of Julien Street”. The article quotes the Rev Tim Parent saying, "We at St. Luke's want to give public thanks and praise to God for all He has done for us over the last year, and particularly in leading us to our new location."
Bishop Don Harvey to be honoured by Nashotah House Theological Seminary
One week from today, Bishop Don will receive a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, from Nashotah House, an Episcopal Seminary founded in 1842 in Nashotah, Wisconsin.
Thank you to all who contributed to Air Miles™ for Synod
A big “thank you” to all those who contributed to ANiC’s Air Miles™ program or who gave us Aeroplan™ Points to help fly delegates to synod! We’ve now used all the points and miles we need to purchase tickets and don’t need any more just now. Thanks again!
St Chad’s new address – a clarification
Apparently there was some confusion about St Chad’s new home. Effective October 26, the people of St Chad’s will worship at 155 Wychwood Ave, Toronto. This is a Presbyterian Church building on the north-east corner at the intersection of St Clair Ave and Wychwood Ave (two blocks east of Christie St). Services will be at 6:30pm on Sundays and 10 am on Tuesdays.
Correction: Installation service
The last newsletter inadvertently omitted the date of (soon-to-be) Bishop Trevor Walter’s installation at St Matthew’s. That momentous event is scheduled for November 22 at 3pm.
St Hilda’s postpones art show
Due to scheduling conflicts, St Hilda’s has had to postpone its art show fundraiser – originally scheduled for Nov 28 – until the New Year. Watch for more information!
Calendar of upcoming events – for your interest and prayer support
Oct 21, 7:30pm –Toronto Centre project – 12 Upjohn Rd, Unit 9, Toronto, ON
Oct 30-Nov 1 – Christ’s Church (Oceanside) hosts prayer seminar with the Rev Garth Hunt
Nov 7 – Christ Church Jerusalem speakers – Church of Our Lord 626 Blanshard St, Victoria
Nov 8 – Christ Church Jerusalem speakers – Open Gate Church, 1289 Parkdale Dr, Victoria
Nov 8 – International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Nov 9 – Christ Church Jerusalem speakers – St John’s Shaughnessy, 1490 Nanton, Vancouver
Nov 10 – Christ Church Jerusalem speakers – St Simon’s, 2630 Walpole Cres, N Vancouver
Nov 10 – Halifax, NS - Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Christian Leaders Connection event
Nov 11-13 – ANiC synod and conference, St Catharines, ON
Nov 12 – Moncton, NB - Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Christian Leaders Connection event
Nov 13 – Consecration of three ANiC bishops, St Catharines, ON
Nov 15, 4pm – Installation of newly consecrated Bishop Charlie Masters at St George’s Lowville
Nov 15, 10:30am – St Hilda’s (Oakville, ON) marks 50th anniversary with special service
Nov 21, 2pm – Installation of Bishop Stephen Leung at Good Shepherd, Vancouver
Nov 22, 3pm – Installation of Bishop Trevor Walters at St Matthew’s Abbotsford
Mar 16 -18 – Annual ANiC clergy retreat at Cedar Springs (near Abbotsford, BC)
News shorts – Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
Our condolences to Archbishop Bob Duncan and family
Mr Robert Duncan, father of the Most Rev Robert Duncan, died suddenly October 15. Please keep his wife Mary, Archbishop Duncan, and the other family members in your prayers during this time of loss. Bishop Don has sent a letter of condolence to Archbishop Duncan on behalf of ANiC.
Saskatchewan church joins CANA
The Convocation of the Anglicans in North America (CANA), a diocese in the Anglican Church in North America has welcomed a Saskatchewan church – the first from outside the US In that diocese. Redeemer Anglican Church in Regina is lead by rector, Rev Canon Olukayode Adebogun. With clergy and many parishioners having Nigerian roots, the association with CANA – which has special ties to the Church of Nigeria – seems to be a good fit.
Ecumenicism advanced – Anglican and Orthodox seminaries sign covenant
Nashotah House – a traditional Anglican seminary – and St Vladimir’s – an Orthodox Church of America seminary – have signed a historic covenant, pledging to work towards unity. Archbishop Duncan, speaking at the event, noted that significant, but not insurmountable, differences need to be overcome.
Church of England Evangelical Council urges recognition of ACNA as a province
At a recent meeting of the Church of England Evangelical Council, a resolution was passed urging “…the formal recognition of ACNA as a constituent Province of the Anglican Communion.”
News shorts – Canada
New metropolitan elected for the ecclesiastical province of Ontario
Newly elected Archbishop Colin Johnson (Diocese of Toronto) was installed to lead the Province of Ontario – one of four provinces within the Anglican Church of Canada. The Anglican Journal states, “In his new role, Archbishop-elect Johnson said he will continue to focus on advocacy, calling on the civil provincial government to reduce poverty and attend to the needs of those who are marginalized.”
Ecumenicism Anglican Church of Canada style
The AEC blog points out that the Church of the Transfiguration in the Diocese of Toronto held an ecumenical service of Sung Evensong last Sunday which included the preaching of an imam, a prayer by a rabbi, and a blessing by a retired ACoC bishop.
News shorts – United States
Presiding Bishop continues to abuse power and bishops
As a courtesy, Bishop Keith Ackerman, retired Bishop of Quincy, informed the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (TEC) that he would be helping temporarily in the Diocese of Bolivia, which is part of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. Her response was to treat this as a “renunciation of ministry”, saying “there is no provision for transferring a bishop to another Province”. A S Haley (aka the Anglican Curmudgeon) comments on this absurdity, saying “the very meaning of being "in Communion with" other Churches is that you recognize [your clergies’] orders, and they recognize yours.” He then notes TEC official documents which list recent transfers of clergy between TEC and other Provinces. You can see the letter here.
In a subsequent post, A S Haley relates Bishop Ackerman’s contention that he at no time requested a transfer to the Southern Cone. Haley is calling on the Presiding Bishop to produce Bishop Ackerman’s letter supposedly renouncing his ministry. He says, “There is the stuff of a presentment here, if it should be clear from the letters that the Presiding Bishop has lied in order to remove a bishop from the Church.” The Living Church adds: “Bishop Ackerman said he is troubled by the Episcopal Church’s apparent inability to transfer bishops peaceably to other provinces of the worldwide Anglican Communion. “It must see itself as highly independent,” he said. “If orders are not universal in the Anglican Communion, they cease to be catholic in the full sense of the word. … The Episcopal Church does not own the ministry of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church.””
Episcopal Church membership decline accelerates
The Rev Steve Wood, of the Diocese of South Carolina and pastor of one of the largest churches in the Episcopal Church (TEC), summarizes TEC’s recently released 2008 numbers – which include:
• a 3% drop in members in one year
• 14% drop in average Sunday attendance (ASA) over five years
• 55% of churches reporting more than 10% declines in the past 5 years
• median national ASA of 69
He says the reason his church is growing while the denomination is declining is Jesus Christ. “We truly believe He is who He said He is and that His written Word is authoritative in all matters of belief and practice. Acknowledging that we are by nature at enmity with God and sinners in need of redemption; we know ourselves to be fully dependent upon His grace and Spirit to receive what we do not possess. And now, possessing Christ and His Spirit, by His power, we seek to conform our individual and corporate life to His image rather than re-creating Him in our image.”
Bishop Nazir-Ali visits the US
On a recent visit to the US, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali (retired Bishop of Rochester) spoke to the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC on “Apostasy, blasphemy, and other Sharia laws in the modern world”. For insight into Islam, see the Institute on Religion and Democracy’s report.
The Living Church reports on Bishop Nazir-Ali’s visit to the Falls Church, a historic Anglican church in Virginia which is now with the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). In his remarks, he refuted Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori’s statement that the idea of individual salvation is a “great Western heresy.” He said personal evangelism is essential since people respond to the gospel individually. Bishop Nazir-Ali also clarified how we can discern the genuine work of the Holy Spirit: ““Almost any innovation these days is justified by the Holy Spirit,” he said, adding that Scripture is specific about the Holy Spirit’s work. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus, reminds us of what Jesus said and brings to mind how God has revealed himself to us.”
TEC dioceses begin to affirm the Anglican Covenant
Unwilling to wait for the Episcopal Church (TEC) governing bodies, some diocesan conventions are independently considering, commending and affirming the Anglican Covenant – a strategy urged by the Communion Partners. This past weekend, the convention of the Diocese of Western Louisiana, led by Bishop Bruce MacPherson, considered and endorsed the Covenant.
The Diocese of South Carolina is to consider affirming the Covenant at its special convention October 24, as well as other resolutions <governing> that would see the diocese withdraw from TEC governing bodies. In a very interesting interview, Bishop Mark Lawrence discusses the import of this special convention with a Charleston Post and Courier reporter, saying “This is a call for us to engage in more intrepid ways the radical trajectory the "National" Church has embraced.”
Report from the legal front
The Washington Post reports that, “The Virginia Supreme Court said today that it would hear an appeal by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia… and the national church, which got clobbered in Fairfax Circuit Court last year. The Circuit Court judge sided with nine conservative Virginia congregations whose members were fed up with the church's position on biblical literalism, gay clergy and gay marriage… One of the lawyers representing the churches that split off said the Supreme Court's decision was expected. "We continue to be confident in our legal position and in the rulings of the Fairfax County Circuit Court," said Scott Ward.”
Funding the homosexual agenda
The Catholic News Agency has an article on multi-millionaire David Bohnett, founder of Geocities and a homosexual activist. In a speech at a homosexual awards ceremony, Bohnett said, “Among our greatest adversaries who actively work against us are the leaders of the Catholic, Mormon, and evangelical churches who seek to deny equal protection for us and for our children.” Bohnett’s foundation is reported to have given out “…more than $34 million in grants, with $10.8 million going to non-profits that ‘benefit gays and lesbians’.”
In the news - US
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Oct 16 2009 – Rival Episcopal dioceses try to resolve large issues
Anglican Communion Institute – Oct 14 2009 – TEC polity, the civil law and the Anglican Covenant
Associated Press – Oct 19 2009 – Meeting considers future of SC Episcopal diocese
Albert Mohler – Oct 20 2009 – The battle over? – Bishop Spong exits the debate
News shorts – International
Pope Benedict facilitates transfer of Anglicans into the Roman Catholic Church
Pope Benedict has approved a canonical structure to facilitate the movement of Anglicans into the Roman Catholic Church while retaining many distinctive Anglican elements. The Traditional Anglican Community (TAC) which is said to have more than 500,000 members worldwide has been lobbying for this for some time. The Guardian says:
“Reflecting the importance of the initiative, the pope set out the new arrangements in an apostolic constitution, the highest form of pontifical decree, and press conferences were held simultaneously in London and the Vatican to announce it… The archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, informed journalists that he only heard about the apostolic constitution "a couple of weeks ago" and that there was no input from or consultation with Lambeth Palace…
Williams said: "I do not think this constitution will be seen as in any sense a commentary on Anglican problems offered by the Vatican. It is a response to this range of requests and inquiries from a very broad variety of people… it has no negative impact on the relations of the communion as a whole to the Roman Catholic Church as a whole. It is not an act of aggression; it is not a statement of no confidence. It is business as usual."
Benedict's chief theological adviser, the US cardinal William Levada… said the decree had been drawn up "to respond to the numerous requests that have been submitted to the Holy See by groups of Anglican clerics and believers from various parts of the world who wish to enter into full and visible communion" with Rome.
Kendall Harmon provides a succinct analysis, saying it represents an “indictment of the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury… a sweeping judgment on Anglicanism… a judgment that the real story going forward is between Rome and the East…” and “…a sense that [now] only an external action will have any benefit to Anglicanism”. He adds, “They [the Roman Catholic Church] don't see a future of greater Anglican unity, they see one of greater Anglican splintering.”
A S Haley does his usual thorough and illuminating job of synthesis and analysis, as does the “Ugly Vicar”.
Archbishop Bob Duncan (ACNA) responded to the Vatican’s move, saying in part, “We… thank God for the partnership that orthodox Anglicans have long enjoyed with the Roman Catholic Church… While our historic differences over church governance, dogmas regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary and the nature of Holy Orders continue to be points of prayerful dialogue, we look forward to an ever deepening partnership with the Catholic Church throughout the world.”
In his statement, Bishop Jack Iker (Fort Worth), an Anglo-Catholic bishop in the ACNA said, “The virtues of the proposal as I understand it have to do with maintaining certain aspects of the Anglican way of worship, spirituality, and ethos while entering into full communion with the Pope. But of course, not all Anglo-Catholics can accept certain teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, nor do they believe that they must first convert to Rome in order to be truly catholic Christians… Rather than making hasty decisions or quick resolutions, we will continue to work and pray together for the unity of Christ’s holy catholic church throughout the world.”
ANiC’s also responded, saying in part:
This action [on the part of the Roman Catholic Church] recognizes how deeply broken the Anglican Communion has become as a result of the abandonment by some Anglican leaders of historic Christian teaching and discipline. Like the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church in North America – of which ANiC is a part – has also provided a means for those within North America to remain faithful Anglicans.
“We are encouraged to see the Archbishop of Canterbury working with the Vatican to accommodate these Anglicans,” said the Right Reverend Donald Harvey, moderator of the Anglican Network in Canada. “We urge him to do the same for us by joining with the Anglican Primates who have already officially recognized and endorsed the Anglican Church in North America.”
After hearing the news today, an ANiC priest wrote Bishop Harvey: “As for me and my house, we will remain ever faithful to the authority and primacy of the Holy Scriptures and the Faith and Order of the undivided Catholic Church. I need not become a Roman Catholic to be a Catholic Christian. As an Anglican, I am a Catholic Christian.”
See ANiC’s full statement here. Bishop Don and others in ANiC have been interviewed by a number of journalists on this story, including the National Post and the Toronto Star.
Additional news sources of interest include:
Anglican Communion News Service – Oct 20 2009 – Joint statement by the Archbishop of Westminster and the Archbishop of Canterbury
Times – Oct 21 2009 – Pope’s gambit could see 1000 quit Church of England
Telegraph – Oct 20 2009 – Pope’s decree leaves Archbishop’s hopes in ruins
Globe & Mail – Oct 21 2009 – In reaching out to Anglicans, is Pope a peacemaker or a poacher?
National Post – Oct 21 2009 – Amen to a good offer
National Post – Oct 21 2009 – Swimming the Tiber
Anglican Journal – Oct 21 2009 – Pope announces special provisions to accept former Anglicans in Roman Catholic Church
Church of England evangelicals disagree about Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans
Speaking at a recent gathering of evangelicals in England, the Rev Vaughan Roberts explained why he supports the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA), while the Rev Stephen Kuhrt, a spokesman for Fulcrum, detailed why he believes the FCA is a negative development. The Rev Kuhrt’s main concerns seem to be that FCA will precipitate action in the UK, weaken Church of England structures, expose divisions and polarize debate. The Rev Roberts pro-FCA argument was that such an organization could support “beleaguered orthodox overseas” and in England, resist “a drift from orthodoxy within the Church of England”, retain those ready to give up on the Church of England, and encourage evangelism and church planting.
In critiquing the Fulcrum position, the Rev Charles Raven says “What the FCA has done is not to encourage fragmentation, but to reveal the fragmentation that already exists. Doctrinal discipline is virtually non-existent in the Church of England today… One cannot enter a Church of England parish church with any certainty that orthodox Christianity will… [be] preached….” The Rev Raven says “The Jerusalem Declaration [FCA’s doctrinal statement] recovers the principle of church discipline, which for the Anglican Reformers was a mark of the true church…”
The Rev Raven concludes: “The FCA has brought a much needed theological clarity into a process which had been dominated by an unholy alliance of TEC money and Lambeth hierarchy… Any hope for the long term integrity and mission of the Church of England must lie in partnership with that biblical integrity and vitality which the FCA represents; otherwise the future may well be with TEC.”
The Rev John Richardson, on his blog, “Ugly Vicar”, expressed his deep concern for evangelicalism within the Church of England. Speaking of the meeting at which the above presentations were given he says, “…it became increasingly clear to me —and I suspect to others —that evangelical unity is a façade, and a very poorly-preserved one at that.” The underlying problems, he says, are:
• past personal offenses and hurts;
• fundamental doctrinal divisions;
• the ordination and consecration of women; and
• the urgency of the gospel – “Evangelicals have always agreed it is a good thing when people become Christians. But there no longer seems to be the same agreement that it is a necessary and urgent thing that people should do so in order to be saved from an imminent and impending danger.”
The GAFCon Primates Council has written welcoming the formation of the FCA in the UK. They note the concerns of marginalized evangelicals in the UK and say, “It is evident that your churches are not immune to the crisis and divisions that have so deeply assaulted other parts of the Anglican Communion. We are encouraged by your commitment to work for an internal solution that can address these deep concerns. Steps taken early enough to make provision to address them can preserve good order. We firmly support your efforts to ensure the provision of appropriate oversight, and if this is not forthcoming, to provide it.”
Please pray for healing and restored unity among evangelicals in the Church of England.
Churches of Sudan appeal for implementation of Comprehensive Peace Agreement
Leaders of seven denominations in the Sudan, including Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul Yak of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan, have issued a statement calling attention to the multiple failures of Sudanese government leaders and the international community to fully and honestly implement the provisions of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Plan (CPP). The CPP was to have ended the conflict between the predominantly Muslim northern Sudan and the long-oppressed southern Sudan. After detailing the failures, the statement says, “Consequently there is a widespread lack of confidence by Southerners and other marginalised people in the fairness or true democracy of the upcoming elections and referendum… It is now evident…that the vast majority of the Southern Sudanese people no longer trust any talk of confederation or “attractive unity” and want an independent Southern Sudan at all costs.”
The report also documents orchestrated attacks and ongoing violence across Southern Sudan. It says, “These are not isolated incidents, but a coordinated campaign by enemies of the peace to destabilize the South in the run up to the elections and the referendum. The international community must take heed…The Church is working for the unity and peace of the people as well as the education of those who are to vote in the next two years. We welcome support for this work from any and all governmental, non-governmental and international institutions and pledge to work with efficiency and integrity for the Sudanese people.”
Please pray for the Sudan and the Christian Church there.
African bishops criticize foreign aid with cultural imperialistic strings attached
The Catholic News Service reports that Catholic bishops in Africa are critical of development aid that is “tied to promoting abortion, contraception and cutbacks in social and educational programs”, saying these are a form of cultural imperialism. However, the “most insidious form” of cultural imperialism, they said, is a shift in the standard of morality from one based on the common good to a morality based on the individual good. "…there is a certain ideology coming in which what is good for me is good and what is bad for me is bad and that's introducing an individualism that's taking us completely away from caring for others on the basis of some external standard of moral behavior," said Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban, South Africa. The Catholic bishops also decried "dangerous ideologies" coming from outside Africa that attacked the family and marriage. However, they concluded that “The key to bringing about peace, justice and reconciliation in Africa lies in a conversion of hearts, so that people live as true disciples of Christ… The redemption of suffering in the world "requires a spirituality, and not a strategy”.”
Diocese of Sydney’s endowment fund losses greater than first feared
Suffering a $160 million financial loss, the Diocese of Sydney is having to cut jobs and ministries. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Archbishop Peter Jensen is grief-stricken. In his address to synod, Archbishop Jensen said the loss could be a warning to the diocese not to rely on its wealth. Synod accepted an apology from the board which administered the diocese’s funds.
Church of England bishops spending under the microscope
Church of England expenditures on bureaucracy and bishops were recently released and showed a increase in bishops’ expenses during a time of worldwide recession. For details, see the Times report.
Anglican Covenant
Speaking for the (Episcopal) Diocese of Dallas, the Rev Dr Phillip Turner of the Anglican Communion Institute said the “…Covenant is the only hope we have if we wish on the one hand to preserve a communion that involves more than mutual aid and hospitality; and on the other, in doing so, avoid the creation of an international hierarchy. At this point, I must be utterly clear. From a human point of view our choices are extremely limited. Either we have a covenant with real consequences like the “two track” proposal or the Communion will collapses. Many provinces from the Global South that support a covenant with consequences will simply go their own way and those who have rejected a covenant with consequences will be left with something that is a Communion in name only.’ He added, “The simple fact is that without a strong Section Four that creates credible procedures rather than additional hierarchies, the Anglican Communion will perish as a communion of churches.”
Anglican Communion pilots “micro health insurance” for developing countries
The Anglican Communion News Service announced that the Anglican Health Network is launching a pilot project in Tanzania to test the concept of providing a ‘micro health insurance plan’ for people on very low incomes in Africa. It allows whole communities to pool the financial risks of illness and accident and improve their access to a higher standard of health care. Because low-cost health insurance is a challenging arrangement which relies on minimal administration and efficient inter-relationships with health care providers, this pilot will be structured around diocesan parishes and health facilities.
World hunger
The Anglican Journal reports that more than 1 billion people are undernourished – a historic high – and yet the international community prefers to pour trillions into propping up banks and other financial institutions.
South India recovers from flooding
A bishop in the Anglican Church in South India reports that his diocese is feeding 5000 people per day in flood relief camps, treating the sick, counseling the despairing and providing Bible study and prayer. They are now beginning to work on rehabilitation and rebuilding the communities.
International news
The Age – Oct 19 2009 – Sydney Anglican Church under scrutiny
Times – Oct 17 2009 – Women clergy could leave Church of England if plans to restrict powers approved
Soul food
Resources
Professor John Stackhouse’s blog offers a four-part series on Why Christianity is believable. He also discusses his recent visit to the University of Ottawa working on campus with a team that is based out of St Alban’s (ANiC) church in Ottawa, praising them for “…trying to reach the people most campus groups don’t: the thoughtful, and perhaps even threatening, inquirer, the smart student or professor who has been asking hard questions of Christianity perhaps for years and hasn’t found even a safe place in which to ask them, let alone a place to encounter satisfying answers to them.”
A young Toronto Baptist pastor writes about his ministry evangelizing the LGBT (lesbian gay bisexual transgender) community in downtown Toronto by meeting them on their turf and developing respectful friendships. He writes, “They like the fact that I am willing to be their friend, even if I don’t condone their beliefs. I think that shows an integrity and respect; they respond to it and are willing to reciprocate. I do all this because I love the LGBT community… Sadly, they are culture that has almost no contact with biblical Christianity in any form. How many drag queens can count a born again Christian amongst their friends? Very few, to our shame. I pray for the day when transvestites can walk through our church doors and be greeted with genuinely warm smiles and Christian love. But before that day is likely to happen, they will need a Christian friend whom they have grown to trust...” It is well worth your time to read the whole thing.
Issues related to God’s design for His creation
Abortion – LifeSiteNews reports that “A new report by “the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute… points to the fact that over a billion abortions have been committed…” Despite a decline in abortions between 1995 and 2003, over 41 million babies were aborted worldwide in 2003 – which works out to more than one abortion per second.
You can hear an inspiring personal testimony about how God turned an unwanted pregnancy into an amazing blessing when a woman resisted intense pressure to abort.
Support for abortion has fallen in the US in the past from 54 to 47 per cent.
Sexual orientation – A large US survey has found that “…adolescent homosexuality/bisexuality both in attraction and behaviour undergoes extraordinary change from year to year. Much of this could be experimentation. The changes are overwhelmingly in the direction of heterosexuality…” Like previous studies, this survey found that among adolescents, heterosexual relationships were dramatically more stable than same-sex relationships.
The National Association for Research and Therapy for Homosexuality (NARTH) is holding its annual convention and training institute November 20-22 in Florida on the theme, “Preventing and treating sexual identity confusion in the lives of children, adolescents and adults”.
Worth reading
Lothar Schwabe, a concerned Lutheran, grieves over what is happening in his denomination and muses about the true nature of the Church.
Too true
It is never wise to let any piece of electronic equipment know that you are in a hurry.
Just for fun
By the time Ted arrived at the football game, the first quarter was almost over.
"Why are you so late?" his friend asked.
"I had to toss a coin to decide between going to church and coming to the game."
"How long could that have taken you?" he asked.
"Well, I had to toss it 14 times."
www.mikeysFunnies.com
Please pray...
For our November 11-13 synod – for preparations, speakers, delegates and guests.
For the three bishops-elect to be consecrated November 13 and for their preparation for ministry.
For the many ANiC projects, church plants and parishes – especially our newest parish Holy Trinity in Marlborough, Massachusetts and St Luke’s as they move into their new building.
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. |
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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 sufficient 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 Relief and Development Fund (Canada) and those in government who are considering the application.
For the Anglican Church in North America and Archbishop Bob Duncan in the loss of his father.
For the Sudan – for a genuine and lasting peace and for God’s grace and protection for the Christians in that desperately poor and ravaged land.
For our national, provincial and civic leaders as well as for our nation of Canada. May God be pleased to grant repentance and cause a revival to sweep our land.
And now a word from our sponsor
“You shall say to them, Thus says the Lord: When men fall, do they not rise again? If one turns away, does he not return?
Why then has this people turned away in perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit; they refuse to return…
Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow, and crane
keep the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the Lord.
“How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie.
The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them?
…They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.
Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the Lord.
When I would gather them, declares the Lord, there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them.”
Jeremiah 8:4-9:13
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