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Handle with prayer!
News – ANiC and AEN
BC Supreme Court decision
Exactly six months after the start of the court hearing
in the BC Supreme Court in Vancouver, Mr Justice Stephen Kelleher issued his decision and Reasons for Judgment
on November 25 in the case involving four Vancouver-area ANiC churches (St
John’s Shaughnessy, St Matthews (Abbotsford), St Matthias and St Luke’s and
Church of the Good Shepherd) and the Diocese of New Westminster.
You can see
our news release, background information on the trial, the Diocese of New
Westminster’s news release and St John Shaughnessy’s letter to parishioners. In his pastoral
letter to the Diocese of New Westminster, Bishop Michael Ingham invites ANiC parishioners in the Greater
Vancouver area back into the “big tent” of the Anglican Church of Canada so
they can continue to worship in their buildings.
Some
dioceses received the decision gleefully. The Diocese of Niagara’s statement is here.
The
Anglican Church League (Australia) posted an encouraging message of support for the
ANiC Vancouver churches saying, “The Anglican Church League commends the
leadership of the Anglican Network in Canada on its godly response to the
decision of the B.C. Supreme Court. We remain committed to supporting the
faithful men and women of the four congregations… who have suffered over the
past months and now face a measure of uncertainty about the future. Throughout
this ordeal it has been apparent to those who have been watching around the
world that these four congregations are facing persecution for their steadfast
resolve to remain true to the word of God. In this they have shown themselves
to be faithful disciples of Christ and true heirs of the Anglican heritage of
Cranmer, Latimer, Ridley and others. We have been encouraged by their
graciousness amidst extraordinary provocation and by their refusal to surrender
biblical principles for the sake of an illusory peace. With or without their
buildings they are the blessed people of God who by their example are blessing
others”.
Media
coverage of the decision included: CP – Nov 25 2009 -BC Supreme Court rules bishop can’t fire trustees of
break-away parishes [Interestingly, this article was quickly
removed by CP and replaced on Nov 26 with the following article – but not
before the AEC bloggers copied and preserved the original]
CP – Nov 26
2009 – Dissident Anglicans can leave church, but can’t take
churches with them
Vancouver Sun – Nov 25 2009 – Anglican Diocese retains ownership of four disputed church…
News
1130 – Nov 25 2009 – BC Supreme Court: Anglican Diocese to keep ownership of
churches
Canadian Press – Churches don't belong to Anglican dissidents, says B.C.
court ruling National Post – Nov 26 2009 -Dissident Anglican parishes in B.C. have no rights to
property: court
CBC – Nov 26 2009 – Breakaway Anglican parishes told to settle with church
Anglican
Journal – Nov 26 2009 – Court rules church properties remain with diocese… LifeSiteNews
– Nov 27 2009 -Breakaway Traditional Anglicans Can't Keep Churches: B.C.
Judge
A Wall Street Journal article offers some interesting insight into the
historic differences between British/Canadian law and US law in church
disputes.
Motions of synod
The resolutions passed by synod are now posted to the ANiC website. The only
motion which was not overwhelmingly approved dealt with a formula for
allocating funds for church plants. Bishop Don reports that he has already
acted on motions 3, 4, 5 and 6 – writing to the Queen, the Archbishop of
Canterbury, Archbishop Gregory Venables, and ANiC leaders who were unable to
attend due to health concerns, including Dr J I Packer, Canon David Short and
the Rev Howard Hines.
Ordering commemorative photo albums of the consecration
By Friday,
December 4, you will be able to order a beautiful photo album featuring the
historic November 13th consecration service for Bishops Charlie, Stephen and
Trevor. This bound book will feature about 40 pages of quality photos from the
consecration service and synod. By Friday, you will be able to see example
pages on our website, giving you a sense of the quality and appearance of the
book. The book can be ordered in hard cover for $60 or soft
cover for $45. (Prices include shipping.) The deadline for pre-ordering the
books is December 20. We anticipate the books will be printed and
shipped by the end of January.
Prayer requested for
ordination of four new deacons
Bishop Don will ordain four men – Ted Powell, Andrew
Carlson, Michael Bickford and Chris Logan– to
the deaconate at Holy Trinity Anglican Church (Marlborough, Massachusetts) on
December 7. Father Michael McKinnon asks us to pray that these new deacons, “by
the grace of God given through the Laying on of Hands, may serve the Lord and
His Church with the heart of a servant”. Once ordained, these new deacons will
serve at Holy Trinity and her church plants/missions. Ted Powell will serve as
deacon in Marlborough and from time to time in a possible fourth mission to be
launched in early 2010. Andrew Carlson will have primary care for one of Holy
Trinity’s three missions, while Chris Logan will serve as a civilian chaplain
to military personnel in the region. Michael Bickford intends to finish his PhD
and assist Father McKinnon at Holy Trinity. Andrew Carlson, Michael Bickford
and Chris Logan intend to pursue ordination to the priesthood. Please remember
Bishop Don and these four ordinands in your prayers.
reFocus Canada: Preaching
and theology conference for pastors and seminarians
Bishop
Charlie Masters has now joined the “line up” of keynote speakers at the reFocus
conference, one of the best clergy conferences in the country. Conference
information and registration is available on the reFocus
website.
Date: 7-9 April 2010
Location: Willingdon Church, Burnaby, BC
Theme: Suffering for the Gospel
Keynotes: Dr John Piper, the Hon Preston Manning, Dr John
Neufeld, Dr Bruce Ware and Bishop Charlie Masters.
Please
continue to pray for the ACNA summit which ANiC is hosting
Our ANiC staff and bishops
are hosting the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) House of Bishops and
Provincial Council meetings in Toronto, December 9-12. Please pray for ANiC
staff members who are coordinating arrangements and for God’s blessing and
leading in the meetings.
Bishop
Don’s citation
The Rev Darrell Critch
attended the Fall Convocation at Nashotah House Seminary (Wisconsin) at which
Bishop Don was awarded a honourary doctorate and has obtained the citation that
was read. This citation is now posted on our website. It concludes: “For
his exemplary and faithful ministry and his leadership in these times of great
challenges and renewal in the Anglican Communion, Nashotah House is pleased to
confer upon Donald Frederick Harvey, the degree Doctor of Divinity, honoris
causa.”
Parish news
St Hilda’s (Oakville, ON) – The people of
St Hilda’s celebrated their 50th anniversary this past weekend by meeting
in their church building for a special Sunday worship & celebration service
for the first time since May 2008. Church warden, Paula Valentine reports that
the weekend kicked off with an open house on Saturday which featured displays
set up by parishioners to showcase parish life and community outreach over the
years. The congregation was joined by old friends – some travelling quite
a distance – as well as many community visitors who came to join the celebration
and show their support. A coffee house Saturday evening brought together
current and former church youth – many bringing along spouses and
children. The weekend culminated with a festive congregational dinner. Paula
reports, “We look forward with great anticipation to what God has in store
for the next 50 years.” David Jenkins has captured the event in photos.
Church
of the Good Samaritan (St John’s, NL) – 14 parishioners are
headed to Guatemala in April for a missions trip coordinated through the Arms of Jesus
Children’s Mission. They will travel to Parramos, Guatemala
to bring 1400 pounds of donated medical, hygienic and school supplies, as well
as clothing, and other goods to the local mission school. While in Parramos,
the team will build six houses, conduct educational workshops and medical
clinics, and participate in food and clothing distribution. If you would like
to assist the team, you can send your donation, payable to ANIC-Parish of the
Good Samaritan, to the following address:
Parish of the Good Samaritan
58 Ferryland Street West
St. John’s, NL A1E2L7
Attn: Father Darrell Critch
Calendar of
upcoming events – for your interest and prayer support
Dec 7 – Ordination of four deacons at
Holy Trinity, Marlborough, MA
Dec 9-12 – ACNA House of Bishops and
Provincial Council meetings in Toronto
Mar 16 -18 – Annual ANiC clergy retreat
at Cedar Springs (near Abbotsford, BC)
Apr 7-9 – reFocus Canada – a preaching and
theology conference for pastors and seminarians
ANiC in the news
Bishop Trevor Walters – Newly
consecrated Bishop Walters was
featured recently in the Abbotsford News.
Chatham, ON church plant – A recent Chatham Daily News article featured
the embryonic ANiC church plant proposed for Chatham by St Aidan’s Ministries
(Windsor, ON). It says, “Local Anglicans could have another choice in what
church they attend locally, including what interpretation of scriptures they
agree with. The Anglican Network In Canada (ANiC) is exploring the possibility
of establishing new churches in Chatham and Belle River.” The article quotes
ANiC church planter Phil Rutledge as well as a diocesan spokesperson who said
the division in the Huron diocese "simply is a reflection of what's going
on in the Anglican church in North America and, in fact, the Anglican communion
around the world."
Dr J I Packer – Vancouver Sun
religion reporter Douglas Todd profiles Dr Packer in a recent blog. Todd says,” Unlike many
clergy and theologians today, Packer is not abundantly cautious in sharing his
views with the wider, secular world, which he judges, along with liberal
Christianity, infected by Satan… Packer does not pull his punches. Like it or
not, and many don't (including most mainline Christians and even many
evangelicals), with Packer you know exactly where you stand.” Todd drew his
material from a World Magazine article.
The
Rev Ray David Glenn was interviewed November 30th on 100 Huntley Street about
the consecration of our three new bishops and recent developments within
Anglicanism. You can watch the interview in two parts: Part
1 and Part 2. In addition, the Rev Glenn is
providing “Truth to Go” teaching segments each day in December on 100 Huntley Street in which he traces how the first
Christmas fulfilled God’s covenant promises found throughout Scripture. He also
explores that covenant fulfilment through the eyes of the Christmas “cast”,
including Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Simeon and even King Herod.
News shorts – Canada
Christian Leaders Connection
seminars planned
The Evangelical Fellowship of
Canada – of which ANiC is a member – has scheduled more highly
recommended one-day seminars. These seminars address the theme "Being
Evangelical in a Complex World: Stats, Facts and Trends". New dates
and locations are:
January 19 - Edmonton, AB
January 21 - Calgary, AB
January 25 - Toronto, ON
February 16 - Belleville, ON
March 25
-Winnipeg (Otterburne), MB
March 26/27
-Caronport (Briercrest), SK
April 13 - Ottawa, ON
Diocese of Huron releases
liturgy for blessing same-sex unions
The Diocese of Huron has issued a liturgy and protocols for “the
celebration of a civil marriage with same sex couples”.
The Anglican Journal reports that Bishop James
Cowan (British Columbia) “…has reversed a policy that prohibits clergy in
same-gender relationships from serving in the diocese. As a result, he has been
able to match up a parish looking for clergy, with “a fine, fine priest.” She
had been on leave for eight years because she was in a same-gender
relationship. His rationale was based on the Lambeth moratorium on the
ordination of clergy in same-gender relationships as bishops. He said, “That
wording said to me…[that] Lambeth is acknowledging that there are people in
same-gender relationships who are priests who canonically would be eligible for
election and consecration... The moratoria says we will not elect and
consecrate… But it [still] says that they are there.”
Diocesan finances collapse
According of the Anglican Journal, “the Diocese of Quebec
is “teetering on the verge of extinction” as parish finances continue to
collapse and the number of parishioners dwindles.” The bishop, Bishop
Drainville, told the recent ACoC House of Bishops meeting that he could well be
“the last bishop of Quebec” and that “There will be many other
dioceses that will fail.” He attributed this to churches that were “unfocused,
had difficulty in understanding the call of God,” and clergy who were “unengaged
and felt directionless.” Diocesan demographics reflect the malaise. The
Journal reports, “[Bishop Drainville] noted that a vast majority of Quebec
congregations (50 of 82) virtually have no children, 35 had parishioners with
an average age of 75, and usually had only 8 to 10 people attending Sunday
services.”
ACoC bishop entangled in TEC
canon contortions
Bishop Mark MacDonald, former Bishop of Alaska and now
serving as the Anglican Church of Canada’s (ACoC) National Indigenous Bishop,
was shocked to learn that the Episcopal Church’s (TEC) presiding bishop is
calling on him to renounce his orders in TEC – despite being on loan to
the ACoC under the presiding bishop’s supervision. It seems this latest action
was required in order to support the presiding bishop’s refusal to allow Bishop
Keith Ackerman (retired Bishop of Quincy) to serve in the Diocese of Bolivia.
In removing him as a bishop in TEC, she told Bishop Ackerman, “…as you know
there is no provision for transferring a bishop to another province”. Bishop
Ackerman has since been admitted into the ACNA. The Living Church has the full story.
Canadian Lutherans head down
same path as Anglicans
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada has issued a Study
of Human Sexuality and begun the process of encouraging members to study it
and provide feedback. Critiquing the study, the Rev Dr Peeter
Vanker says, “One of the premises embedded in the study seems to be that
human sexuality is inexorably linked with the issue of social, political as
well as personal justice… The study would therefore have the reader simply
proceed from the premise that the issue of human sexuality, whether in the
social, political or personal realm has to be considered largely in the context
of power and discrimination. Another premise seems to be that the Scriptures
are not a particularly helpful vehicle in a study of human sexuality because
the ancient Scripture writers were unaware of modern social, political and
cultural changes, and especially of the modern notion of sexual orientation. A
further premise is that sexual orientation is genetic… [and] irreversible.”
He says, “The participants should, the study suggests, “agree to disagree”
Critiquing revisionist’s case for same-sex marriage
Writing in the Living Church, Professor Ephraim Radner offers a point by point rebuttal to a recent
article by Episcopal Church Bishop John Chane (Washington, DC) posted on the
Washington Post weblog and titled “A Christian case for same-sex marriage”. Dr
Radner writes, “Bishop Chane’s logic, in making all his (largely unfounded)
points, is that “our evolving understanding of what marriage is leads, of
necessity, to a re-examination of who it is for.” That is, we now believe
marriage is about mutual love, but we didn’t before; we now believe it has
spiritual, not just economic, potential, but we didn’t before; and therefore,
if we can change in this direction, we can apply these insights to same-sex
partnerships. Bishop Chane’s rhetoric of “continual change” masks his
argument’s many weaknesses: the purported changes never really took place as
described, and never moved logically or closely in the direction of same-sex
marriage. His argument and conclusion are false…. Finally, it is important to
point out that the errors in this picture are not merely the mistakes of the
misinformed. They serve a political purpose within Bishop Chane’s church whose
malice cannot be overlooked.”
News shorts
– United States
Massachusetts bishop
approves solemnizing same-sex ‘marriages’
The Boston Globe reports that Bishop Thomas Shaw,
whose diocese covers eastern Massachusetts, has released a letter to diocesan priests and parishes
informing them of his decision to allow the solemnizing of marriages of “all
eligible couples”. He said, "Christian marriage is a sacramental rite that
has evolved in the church” and marriage "must be open to all as a means of
grace and sustenance to our Christian hope." He indicated that homosexual
‘marriages’ like heterosexual marriages are "characterized, just as our
church expects, by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, and the
holy love which enables spouses to see in one another the image of God… It's time
for us to offer to gay and lesbian people the same sacrament of fidelity that
we offer to the heterosexual world.”
US church in the news
Washington
Times – Nov 19 2009 – Lutherans second church to split over gays
Religious
Intelligence – Nov 25 2009 – New lawsuits face Church in USA
Wall Street
Journal – Nov 25 2009 – Church fights for assets, members and legitimacy
News shorts
– International
British politician accuses
Church of making “global warming” its new faith
The Church of England Newspaper reports that, “MEP Roger Helmer stated the “Church
of England seems to have abandoned religious faith entirely and taken up the
new religion of climate alarmism instead.” He added, “Many commentators
have remarked on the similarities between religion and climate alarmism… both
are based more on faith than on evidence. Both warn of dire consequences unless
we have faith and change our way of life.” Mr Helmer cited noted children’s
author and former Anglican priest GP Taylor who said that “many bishops
spend more time preaching about climate change than preaching a gospel of
salvation”.
How many will take up Rome’s
offer?
While many commentators believe the exodus from the Anglican
Communion for the Roman Catholic Church will be
a small trickle, others claim that it will be much more significant. The Times claims the Church of England could face a
loss of one-tenth of its clergy within five years.
News from around the Communion
Sudan – The
Archbishop and bishops of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan are urging us to take up the cause of the
poor and oppressed in the Sudan by bringing the urgent need in the Sudan before
our government. They ask that the previously negotiated Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA) between the warring factions in the government/Muslim
controlled north and the Christian/animist south be enforced so that a free and
fair election and referendum on southern self-determination can be held.
They say, “With
less than five months before National Elections and just over one year to the
referendum on southern self-determination, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
(CPA) is on the brink of collapse… We strongly condemn all [externally
instigated] inter-ethnic violence currently witnessed across much of Southern
Sudan, the ongoing violence against civilians in Darfur, and the violent
attacks on civilians being perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in
the southwest of the country… We strongly condemn the damage being done to
the environment by oil companies in Unity and Upper Nile states. Our waterways
are being polluted and our people displaced by the profit making of others. We
bring this before our government and the international community, and ask and
pray that the resources of our land be fairly utilized in future for the good
of all our people.
We call…attention… to the sever
threat of famine in Southern Sudan at this time, due to the failure of rains in
various parts of the country this year. We appeal to our partners to assist us…
in providing for the physical as well as the spiritual needs of our people...
…It is the
escalation of non-traditional de-stabilising violence, specifically targeting
civilians and the government that will make registration and voting in the
elections and referendum very difficult. The conclusion that is drawn is that
this violence is intended to negatively effect the elections and referendum.
…Unless international support for
the CPA is urgently stepped up, the Sudan is in very real danger of descending
back into a war which will not harm those people who create it, but which will
again destroy the lives of those voiceless masses for which the Church now
cries.”
Uganda – The
Church of England Newspaper reports that the Church of Uganda has come
under severe pressure because of a legislation proposed by the government of
Uganda that would “toughen” sodomy laws in that country. The report says, “…the
furor in church circles over the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” speaks more to
the rift between the African and Western Anglicans than to the politics of the
proposed legislation. The campaign mounted in the West to defeat the bill will
likely change few minds in Uganda, while the Church of Uganda’s response will
likely [be] seen… as moral cowardice in the face of injustice… The church’s
role in lobbying the government, one senior Ugandan cleric explained, was to
avoid partisan politics but preach the practical lessons of the Bible. Public
political lobbying demanded by activists in the UK is not how the Church of
Uganda operates. “The church will tend to make statements to guide moral
thinking rather than interfere in ‘word-smithing’ proposed legislation,” the
Kampala cleric said.”
LifeSiteNews reports that the
impetus for the Ugandan legislation was the external interference “from
European and American gay activists attempting to do in Uganda what they've
done around the world -homosexualize that society." In particular,
legislators are concerned about “the many male homosexuals coming into the
country and abusing boys who are on the streets." Uganda still
celebrates an annual feast on June 3rd to commemorate 22 Christian
attendants of the king of Uganda who were executed in the 1800s for refusing
the king’s homosexual advances.
India – The
Church of England Newspaper reports that, “The Government of India’s
Maharashtra state has ordered the halt of all sales of Anglican Church property,
pending an investigation into insider dealing and corrupt practices in the
administration of church lands in the Diocese of Bombay…. While Anglican
attention has focused on the 60 US church property lawsuits, the DNA India news
service reports that over 5,000 church property lawsuits are making their way
through the Indian courts.”
Soul food
Issues
related to God’s design for His creation
Euthanasia – If
you want to make your voice heard on the legislation before the House of
Commons, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has provided a sample letter you can adapt and send to
your parliamentarians. The EFC also provides to resources to help you learn more
about the issue.
Just for fun
The little boy wasn't getting good marks in school. One day he
surprised the teacher by tapping her on the shoulder and saying, "I don't
want to scare you, but my daddy says if I don't get better grades, somebody is
going to get a spanking."
Courtesy of www.mikeysFunnies.com
A (non-Anglican) minister was completing a temperance sermon.
With
great emphasis he said, “If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and
pour it into the river.” With even greater emphasis he said, “And if I
had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river.” And
then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he said, “And if I had all the
whiskey in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river.”
Sermon
complete, he sat down.
The hymn-leader slowly stood to his feet and nervously
announced the closing hymn. “Let us close by singing hymn #365, 'Shall We
Gather at the River.”
Please pray...
For our ANiC
projects, church plants, parishes, bishops and rectors.
That
we would share the Good News with those around us who need to meet our
Lord & Saviour.
For the legal cases
| • |
For the four
Vancouver area ANiC parishes and their lawyers who are reviewing the
decision issued by Mr Justice Stephen Kelleher and seeking God’s clear leading.
May God grant clarity and unity as they discern whether or not to appeal the
decision. |
| • |
For the Windsor
case (involving St Aidan’s) which is being dealt with in London, Ontario. |
| • |
For the remaining
issues being negotiated following the arbitration hearing involving St
George’s, St Hilda’s and Good Shepherd (in Southern Ontario), particularly
in light of the Diocese of Niagara’s letter following the New Westminster court
decision. |
| • |
For all 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
risk and responsibility. Pray for a continued focus on, and blessing upon,
their ministry in the midst of this turmoil. |
| • |
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, in particular, need greater financial support at this
time. |
| • |
For the leaders
and parishioners of the dioceses pursuing eviction of and damages against
ANiC congregations and wardens in court. |
| • |
For repentance
and healing, and that those being persecuted will be able to forgive so
there can be hope for future reconciliation. |
| • |
That God will be
glorified in all court proceedings and may people who would not otherwise
attend a church hear the good news and turn to Jesus.
|
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 its dioceses.
For the persecuted
church around the world and Christians who are suffering for their faith.
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
Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day
to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all
the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be
feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord
made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in
his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the
Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and
come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him,
all the earth!
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will
judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea
roar, and all that fills it; let the field
exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the
Lord, for he comes, for he comes to
judge the earth.
He will judge the world in
righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Psalm 96 (ESV)
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