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Handle with prayer!
News – ANiC and AEN
Synod 2009 updates
Time is running out to register – If you’re planning to come to synod (Nov 11-13) or the consecration service (Nov 13), Jude asks that you please register by the end of this week. To date, we have almost 250 people registered!
Agenda – An updated synod agenda has been posted to ANiC’s website.
Prayer – Please join with ANiC members and friends across the continent in using the Prayer Preparation for Synod 2009. There are brief meditations and prayers for each day from Nov 1, All Saints Day, through to Nov 13, when our three new bishops will be consecrated.
New book published
The Rev Ron Corcoran has published a book – entitled The Bishop or the King – which recounts how and why he and most of the parishioners of St Matthias (Victoria) ultimately voted to realign out of the Anglican Church of Canada and form Christ the King Anglican Church (ANiC). It examines from a Biblical perspective the fundamental and presenting issues, the choices, and the consequences of the congregation’s prayerful decision.
In a forward, Bishop-elect Trevor Walters writes, “If you are wondering whether you’re involved in a chess game with the Anglican Church of Canada and an inevitable check mate is a few moves or synods away, The Bishop or the King is a must read… Ron has never lost sight of the end purpose of the church and now writes a winning book refocusing us on the purpose of the church, in the light of the present temptation to turn away from scripture… The Bishop or the King is scholarly but readable… thoroughly orthodox, but imbued with grace… [It] is one of the finest synthesis of current literature on same-sex blessings and a detailed chronology of the recent history of Anglicanism as it relates to the current crisis in the church.”
The book comes with a DVD of 14 interviews with people who have wrestled with the issues and ultimately decided to leave the ACoC. For more information, see Christ the King’s website. To order, those in the west can order via the church’s website. Those in Ontario and east can order from the publisher’s website. The Bishop or the King – as well as the Rev Corcoran’s earlier book, Jesus, Remember Me – will be available for purchase at synod.
Parish news
St Chad’s (Toronto) is settling into their new location at 155 Wychwood Avenue (a Presbyterian Church on the corner of St Clair Ave and Wychwood). Sunday was a “moving” day in both senses of the word as Bishop Don and Trudy Harvey joined the group in celebrating the transition. Worship times are now Sunday, 6:30pm and Tuesday, 10am. Pray for God’s blessing on St Chad's, and for an effective witness in their new neighbourhood and new opportunities for growth. See the photos.
St Paul’s project (Stoney Creek, ON) held a “Garage Sale Giveaway” on Thanksgiving weekend to help meet the neighbours. The Gideon’s also handed out Bibles. There was a good turnout and people were amazed that everything was free. Invitations to St Paul’s were handed out that said, “God loves you-no strings attached. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.”
St George’s (Ottawa) – You can see photos of the Rev Paul Donison’s licencing service posted to the ANiC website.
St Luke’s (Pembroke) – See photos of the renovation work on St Luke’s new building.
Praying for Artizo
Canada’s Artizo Institute identifies, trains and equips young men and women committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ and called to ordained ministry though theological training and hands on apprenticeships in several churches, including St Alban’s (Ottawa), St John’s Shaughnessy, St John’s Richmond and Church of the Good Shepherd (Vancouver). Please remember the Artizo Institute in prayer:
Pray that Artizo graduates will have opportunities to apply what they have learned and that they will continue to grow into effective ministers of the Gospel.
Pray that Artizo would continue to be a place where young leaders can receive ministry training and experience.
Pray that new ministry leaders would partner with Artizo to increase the locations where training can occur.
Calendar of upcoming events – for your interest and prayer support
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)
ANiC in the media
The Vatican’s recent announcement resulted in many media opportunities for ANiC leaders and members. In addition to the many newspapers, broadcast outlets and blogs that quoted Bishop Donald Harvey, the Rev Ray David Glenn appeared on CHCH TV Hamilton, Bishop Ron Ferris was interviewed for Radio Canada, the Rev Ron Corcoran spoke to the Times Colonist, the Rev Sharon Hayton and Bill Glasgow spoke to CanWest News, and AEC blogger David Jenkins in the Ottawa Citizen.
Father Paul Donison (St George’s Ottawa) provided a strong, yet gracious, orthodox Anglican perspective on the Vatican’s recent offer on CBC Radio One Ottawa. He mentioned there are “home-grown” Anglican options for those unable to remain in an increasingly liberal ACoC – such as ANiC and our province, the Anglican Church in North America. He also pointed out the significant doctrinal “sticking points” that would prevent most Anglicans from accepting the Roman Catholic Church’s invitation. You can listen to the CBC archived program on October 22 called: Anglicans on Vatican Invite.
In a letter to the editor , Regina Robinson (Toronto) discusses the Vatican’s offer and concludes, “A more viable alternative for Anglicans is the Anglican Network in Canada; the church formed as a result of the schism between liberals and conservatives with the Anglican Church of Canada.”
Additional media stories mentioning ANiC or ANiC leaders include:
Christian Post – Oct 21 2009 – Anglican leaders welcome Vatican move; Raise questions
FaithWorld (Reuters blog) – Oct 24 2009 – Vatican-Anglican: Where in the details will the devil be hiding?
National Post – Oct 27 2009 – Philadelphia Anglican church could be first to join Catholics
News shorts – Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
ACNA growing
Our Primate, Archbishop Bob Duncan, has challenged ACNA members to plant churches, setting a goal of 1000 new church plants in the next five years. An ACNA news release announces that 39 new congregations were added in the last three months. There are now 742 ACNA congregations.
Diocese of Sydney (Australia) resolves to be in full communion with ACNA
At its recent synod, the Diocese of Sydney passed a resolution welcoming “the creation of the Province of the Anglican Church in North America” and expressed its desire “to be in full communion with the ACNA”.
Diocese of Pittsburgh plans appeal, changes name
The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (ACNA), now known as the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh, will appeal an earlier unfavourable court decision. A news release announcing the decision stated:
“Our decision to appeal is for the purpose of protecting the mission of our fifty-one local congregations. Left uncontested, the award of all diocesan assets to the minority party…would establish a precedent that we believe the minority would use to take steps to seize all the assets of all our local parishes. Indeed, the minority's website proclaims as much. This litigious action, which is supported by the aggressive leadership of the Episcopal Church, is unfair, unreasonable, and unconscionable.
“A further reason for the appeal is to address the question of the legal right of the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh to separate from its former denominational affiliation (The Episcopal Church of the United States). This essential question has never yet had its day in court…
“The appeal announced today will be funded from several significant contributions, the first of which is in hand. An Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh Defense Fund (The Staying Faithful Fund) has been established and is receiving donations. None of the ordinary gifts of our people or assessments of our congregations will be used to support the appeal.”
Judge rules against ACNA congregation in Savannah, Georgia
Christ Church Savannah, the oldest church in Georgia, is appealing a court ruling earlier this week which granted control of the congregation’s property to the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. A S Haley (aka “The Anglican Curmudgeon”) discusses the decision and the legal merits of an appeal.
Bishop Schofield of the ACNA Diocese of San Joaquin to retire
VirtueOnline reports that Bishop John-David Schofield has announced his plan to retire in October 2011. Despite ongoing legal attacks from the Episcopal Church, the diocese is growing, with four new churches welcomed at the recent convention. In addition, a number of churches are reported to be currently applying for membership, including at least six other California-area churches as well as an unspecified number of out of state churches.
ACNA in the news
CBS News video – Catholic Church changes – includes interview with Archbishop Duncan
News shorts – Canada
Diocese of Ottawa begins “experimental” same-sex blessings
In allowing St John the Evangelist (Ottawa) to begin offering same-sex blessings, Bishop John Chapman said in his charge to synod, “I have not chosen to create an entirely new rite as has been offered by at least two dioceses in Canada. My intention is to embrace a liturgical process that will not discriminate between members of the church on the basis of sexual orientation. This will be Ottawa's offering to the ongoing discernment that is happening throughout the Anglican Church of Canada." The Peterborough Examiner reports, “Chapman said liberal Anglicans in the diocese will likely believe the blessing protocol doesn't go far enough, while conservative-minded parishioners might think it goes too far. Chapman believes it's a healthy balance.”
Bishop Chapman also referred to the ongoing Indaba project, saying, “…the Diocese of Ottawa, in partnership with three other Canadian Dioceses, has been selected by the Archbishop of Canterbury to engage in a project that he is giving the highest priority. He has, with the assistance of other global Anglican leaders organized a pilot project that will enable a continuation of the ongoing dialogue (Indaba) between dioceses that are in disagreement on critical issues. Our particular project will be discussing human sexuality. We have been paired with the Diocese of Mombasa, Kenya. While we have already shared papers one with the other, in February 2010, at the invitation of Archbishop Williams, we will gather at St. Andrew's House in London to meet face-to-face sharing ideas and continuing the dialogue. This is a marvelous opportunity for us to continue dialogue on difficult issues with our Communion partners in other parts of the world. I will be making a full report to the Diocese in due course.”
He also alluded to the ANiC churches in Ottawa, saying, “It is my conviction that it is our right to utilize these properties for the ministry of this diocese within the Anglican Church of Canada. The pace is slow but the Episcopal Office continues to work toward confirmation of our right of ownership. As many of you know, legal counsel has been retained to assist us in this task.”
Archbishop Hiltz addresses Vatican’s action in opening door to Anglicans
In his response to the Pope’s provision for Anglicans within the Roman Catholic Church, Archbishop Fred Hiltz issued a statement saying this is not a new phenomenon, “Rome has made provisions for individual Anglicans to be received. What is unique about this provision is that it responds to groups of Anglicans who have made special enquiries… From a Canadian perspective I do not foresee a groundswell of response to these provisions. I say this knowing that even among those who have separated themselves from the Anglican Church of Canada, there is an abiding desire to remain in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and to maintain a place within the family of churches we know as the Anglican Communion.”
In the media - Canada
Anglican Journal – Oct 21 2009 – New Vatican announcement takes many Anglicans by surprise
The Church of England Newspaper – Oct 28 2009 – New archbishop for Toronto
News shorts – United States
Diocese of South Carolina convention authorized withdrawal from TEC bodies
The Christian Post reports that, at its convention last weekend, the Diocese of South Carolina voted overwhelmingly to authorize its bishop, Bishop Mark Lawrence, and Standing Committee to begin withdrawing from the Episcopal Church (TEC) governing bodies.
In his address to synod, Bishop Lawrence said, ““When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” …I believe the foundations of The Episcopal Church and this Anglican way of being a Christian are being bit by bit destroyed... Put simply it is a false understanding of the Christian faith that has spread abroad in our Church; a wrong understanding founded upon human speculation rather than divine revelation. This false teaching, that I have called the Gospel of Indiscriminate Inclusivity, has challenged the doctrine of The Trinity, the Uniqueness and Universality of Christ, the Authority of Scripture, our understanding of Baptism, and now, that last refuge of order, our Constitution & Canons. Like an invasive vine… It has invaded and now is systematically dismantling the fundamental teachings of our Church and our Christian heritage. This has happened through the concerted actions of a few and the passivity of a multitude of churchmen and women… But what has happened is that the agenda of this false gospel has taken deep roots within the Church. We may have gone past the point of saving, but I have not yet given up. “
St Andrew’s Church (Mt Pleasant, South Carolina), one of the largest churches in the diocese and in TEC, has already begun 40 days of discernment to determine if it will realign out of TEC and affiliate with the Anglican Church in North America.
Bishop Stanton reflects on TEC polity, diocese history and the Anglican Covenant
In his address to diocesan convention published on the Anglican Communion Institute website, Bishop James Stanton references diocesan history to support the contention that dioceses are independent and sovereign within the Episcopal Church (TEC). He begins: “Every Diocese is an independent and sovereign state, held in the unity of the Catholic Church by its Episcopate, according to the rule of St. Cyprian.” With these words, Bishop Alexander Charles Garrett – our first Bishop and, be it noted, once the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church – addressed the organizing Convention of the Diocese of Dallas in 1895. “The Diocese thus becomes the ecclesiastical unit, a full and perfect integer sufficient of itself for all purposes of growth and development… dioceses have the same if not even a greater claim to autonomy than our particular province.” In regard to the Anglican Covenant, he says, the “Anglican Covenant… is simply the attempt in this time of crisis to spell out in frank terms what the ground of our communion, our fellowship, our being related to one another is. The question before this body is really pretty simple: is what you read in the covenant an expression of the faith and commitment you hold?”
In the news - US
Anglican Curmudgeon – Oct 22 2009 – The bandit bishop: Presiding judge, jury and executioner
Living Church – Oct 22 2009 – P.B. explains Bishop Ackerman’s ‘Renunciation’
News shorts – International
Global South Primates respond to Vatican offer
In a statement issued on October 25, the Global South Primates Steering Committee – which includes, Archbishops Akinola (Nigeria), Chew (Southeast Asia), Anis (Jerusalem and the Middle East), Kolini (Rwanda) and Oo (Myanmar) – stated they believe the Anglican Covenant sets out the “…necessary parameters in safeguarding the catholic and apostolic faith and order of the Communion…We urge churches in the Communion to actively work together towards a speedy adoption of the Covenant.” They also used the statement to emphasis the fact that the Communion is global and the centre of gravity has moved to the Global South. They also urged “the Archbishop of Canterbury to work in close collegial consultation with fellow Primates in the Communion, act decisively on already agreed measures in the Primates’ Meetings, and exercise effective leadership in nourishing the flock under our charge, so that none would be left wandering and bereft of spiritual oversight.”
More on the Pope’s invitation to Anglicans
Following the announcement from the Roman Catholic Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury is being urged to reconsider the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans as a solution for keeping ‘Orthodox’ Anglicans within the Anglican Communion. The Revd Paul Perkin, vicar of St Mark’s Church, Battersea Rise in London, and Chairman of FCA (UK and Ireland) said, “There are now apparently two options for Anglicans concerned about the liberal revisionist drift: leave and go to Rome, or stay and work together with Lambeth for an internal solution: a single provision to cover a range of concerns.”
The Sunday Telegraph reports that “the planning behind last week's announcement began in 2006, when the Pope asked the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to consider how they could invite Anglicans into the Roman Catholic fold.” It also quotes a Church of England bishop and clergyman who are seriously considering the Roman Catholic Church’s provision. Although he did not indicate he would be accepting the Pope’s invitation, Bishop John Broadhurst (Fulham), who is chairman of Forward in Faith, an Anglo-Catholic group, is quoted as saying, “Anglicanism has become a joke because it has singularly failed to deal with any of its contentious issues… "There is widespread dissent across the [Anglican] Communion. We are divided in major ways on major issues and the Communion has unravelled.”
George Conger offers a good summary of the response by Anglicans – especially Anglo-Catholics – around the globe. He concludes that a “mass exodus” is unlikely and that, while individuals may take the offer, there is no indication that any diocese or province within the Anglican Communion will do so.
A very interesting article in the New York Times speculates about the Pope’s motivation in extending this invitation to Anglicans at this time, and concludes, “…in making the opening to Anglicanism, Benedict also may have a deeper conflict in mind — not the parochial Western struggle between conservative and liberal believers, but Christianity’s global encounter with a resurgent Islam. Here Catholicism and Anglicanism share two fronts. In Europe, both are weakened players, caught between a secular majority and an expanding Muslim population. In Africa, increasingly the real heart of the Anglican Communion, both are facing an entrenched Islamic presence across a fault line running from Nigeria to Sudan. Where the European encounter is concerned, Pope Benedict has opted for public confrontation. In a controversial 2006 address in Regensburg, Germany, he explicitly challenged Islam’s compatibility with the Western way of reason… By contrast, the Church of England’s leadership has opted for conciliation (some would say appeasement)... There are an awful lot of Anglicans, in England and Africa alike, who would prefer a leader who takes Benedict’s approach to the Islamic challenge. Now they can have one, if they want him. This could be the real significance of last week’s invitation.
Commonweal provides links to Cardinal Kasper address to the Lambeth Conference last year warning of impact of Anglican innovations on Anglican-Catholic relations, as well as to Bishop N T Wright’s response. Bishop Wright responded rather pointedly by saying, “The dogmas [of the Roman Catholic Church] relating to the papacy (1870) and to Mary (1950) remain real obstacles [to unity] for many who find it difficult to recognise them as developments in any sense from scripture and the tenets of the early church… Anglicans will naturally ask by what criteria Rome claims the right to introduce potentially divisive innovations in some areas, while advising Anglicans against developing the practice...”
Contrary to sensationalized reports, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has confirmed that he is not planning to accept the Vatican’s invitation. However, a Pennsylvania parish, Church of the Good Shepherd in Rosemont, is reported to be very interested. The rector, Bishop David Moyer, was consecrated in the Traditional Anglican Communion, however the congregation technically never left the Episcopal Church.
The Roman Catholic Church has released more information on the “Personal Ordinariates” to be established to accommodate former Anglicans.
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It provides for the ordination as Catholic priests of married former Anglican clergy. |
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The seminarians in the Ordinariate are to be prepared alongside other Catholic seminarians, though the Ordinariate may establish a house of formation to address the particular needs of formation in the Anglican patrimony.
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Other media coverage of this issue include:
Times – Oct 21 2009 – Will Michael Nazir-Ali go to Rome?
Anglican Curmudgeon – Oct 21 2009 – Canon Law background of the Pontiff’s proposal
Catholic News Service – October 23 2009 – Meeting of hundreds of Anglican clergy to consider Pope Benedict’s new provision
Church of England – Oct 23 2009 – Commentary on ‘Personal Ordinariates’
Telegraph – Oct 26 2009 – Sex is a stumbling block for Anglicans on the road to Rome
The Independent – Oct 25 2009 – After 500 years, has the Pope outfoxed the Archbishop?
Catholic News Agency – Oct 26 2009 – …bishop says ‘Anglican experiment is over’
Covenant
The Standing Committee of the Church of Ireland General Synod has approved the Ridley Cambridge Draft of the Anglican Covenant – including Section 4 which deals with discipline of erring provinces and which the Anglican Consultative Council sent back to the Churches for further consideration.
The suffering church in Iraq
The Times-Herald, in an interview with Canon Andrew White, vicar of St George’s Anglican Church, reports that “93 members of [Canon White’s] church were killed last year. During the last year, he baptized 13 people – 11 of whom have been killed”. But it also reports that, “There are 700 children in the Sunday school at St. George Anglican Church in Baghdad.”
A related article in a New York Times blog recounts the history of St George’s building – the only Anglican church in Baghdad – and how the 500 Christians who normally attend services on Sunday were miraculously spared in the recent suicide bombing nearby. Although the church windows were blown out, the bookstore and school rooms damaged, and the medical clinic’s equipment destroyed, “The church would have been much more heavily damaged…if a windstorm had not blown a tree down on the road outside the night before. That forced the bomber to use the other side of the road. “It was a miracle.” In a letter, Canon White said “Some people ask us whether [bombings] make us want to give up. We have seen much of what we have worked for destroyed. But the truth is, it is days like today that remind us why our work in Iraq is essential.”
In an interview with the UK’s Christianity Magazine, Canon White made the following comments:
“When the Church of England told me I was too ill to continue working because of my Multiple Sclerosis, I went to Baghdad.”
“One visitor called St George’s “the church of the future”, because every denomination meets in our church. People come because we love the people, they love God, and we also provide for them. We realised it’s not just about worship, it’s also about providing food, clothes and health care. We have three doctors, three dentists, a clinic in the church and a pharmacy. Everything is free, and that’s not the case anywhere else in Iraq. Most of our patients are Muslims and we are delighted about that. We will provide for anybody and everybody… “Even so, it is dangerous to be a Christian in Baghdad. I baptised a whole family in January this year, the following week they were all killed… to be a Christian in Iraq means you take faith seriously from the day you are born.”
News from around the Communion
Church of Sweden – The Church of England Newspaper reports that, “The general synod of the Church of Sweden has authorized same-sex weddings.”
Province of Sudan – The Anglican Communion News Service reports that the Episcopal Church of the Sudan has elected seven new bishops, five for newly created diocese.
Church of England – Women now comprise 15 per cent of vicars in the Church of England.
Soul food
Resources
The Diocese of Sydney has compiled a social Issues resource website, covering a range of topics including sexuality, environmental stewardship and refugees.
British campus ministries have compiled a website devoted to engaging with culture, with a particular focus on apologetics – “the defense and communication of the Christian faith” in culturally appropriate ways. BeThinking.org has a wealth of resources on a variety of topics including, Science and Christianity, Truth and Tolerance, Miracles, Other Religions, Suffering, and much more.
The AEC blog alerts us to an online lecture by Dr John Stackhouse given several weeks ago at St Alban’s (Ottawa). The lecture is entitled: Behaving in Public: Christian Engagement in Public Life.
Issues related to God’s design for His creation
Abortion – LifeSiteNews reports that “An international coalition of pro-life and pro-family groups has re-launched a petition that is expected to gather one million signatures in support of the unborn child and the traditional family.”
Traditional morality – Defenders of traditional family values have an unexpected ally at the UN. Mercatornet reports that Russia has successfully pushed through a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council on “traditional values”. The resolution calls for the UN to convene a workshop next year “for an exchange of views on how a better understand[ing] of [the] traditional values… underpinning international human rights norms and standards can contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms…” Supporters of the resolution, included China and India; while those opposed included the US.
Mercatornet also reports that “…[e]arlier this year President Dmitry Medvedev met with the leaders of Russia's traditional religions and agreed that the history and culture of the country's main religions should be included in the core school curriculum… The dominant concern behind this deal was the spiritual, moral and physical health of the younger generation.”
Easy divorce – Albert Mohler briefly chronicles the moral decline in the west since the advent of “no fault divorce” which he says made impermanence “a mark of marriage in the law and in the culture”. As a result, between 1960 and 1980, the divorce rate in the US more than doubled, “and approximately half of the children born to married parents in the 1970s saw their parents part, compared to only about 11% of those born in the 1950s.” Divorce has had a disproportionate impact on the poor and less educated, creating a “divorce divide”, since while divorce has been declining in recent years among the more highly educated middle and upper classes, it continues to rise among the less educated and poor. Mohler says, “…The effects of the Divorce Revolution fall disproportionately on the poor, the less educated, and the less powerful [and] even more tragically… on their children… the fallout of America's ‘retreat from marriage’ now disproportionately harms the least among us.”
Just for fun
(Copyright Gospel Communications International, Inc - www.reverendfun.com)
Top eight signs you’re too old to go “Trick or Treating”
8. You get winded from knocking on the door.
7. You have to have another kid chew the candy for you.
6. You ask for high fiber candy only.
5. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you lose your balance and fall over.
4. People say, "Great Keith Richards mask!" and you're not wearing a mask.
3. When the door opens you yell, "Trick or..." and can't remember the rest.
2. You have to carefully choose a costume that won't dislodge your hairpiece.
1. You're the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with a walker.
Courtesy of 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.
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 Ontario parishes need greater financial 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 ongoing work of Artizo, for ministry opportunities for its graduates, and for new training centres to open.
For the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (Canada) and those in government who are considering the application for charitable status.
For the Anglican Church in North America and the other dioceses.
For Christians in Iraq. Thank God for their courage and pray for their protection. Pray also for those ministering in Iraq, Afghanistan and other war zones.
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
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:19-27
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