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The first half of 2006 has been very busy for our small but committed Servant Leadership Team of the Network. In February, Annual General Meetings (or Annual Vestry Meetings as they are called in some parts of the country) were held and many parishes discussed the crisis in the Anglican Communion and the Anglican Church of Canada. We were inundated with requests for information about the Network and we are grateful for the support and the motions to affiliate with the Network that were passed at some of these meetings.
Although we only called for individual memberships when we launched the Network in Toronto last June, many parishes wanted to take a stand as a congregation. Therefore,
we decided in the fall to offer a membership category for parishes wishing to join. Interestingly, this move caused some bishops and other diocesan officials to call into question the ability of a parish to affiliate with the Network. Some people have said you “can't” join the Network, but we have not yet seen any canonical authority upon which such an assertion rests. It would be shocking to presume that like-minded, theologically conservative Anglicans in Canada could be prohibited from meeting together to discuss mutual concerns, or be prohibited from affiliating with one another. There is a very concerted effort in some dioceses to intimidate clergy and parishes and prevent them
from considering membership in the Network. In spite of this, our individual and parish memberships continue to grow and we thank God for the risks that some clergy and congregations have taken in order to stand firm in the faith with us.
First Network Clergy Conference a great success
At the end of February, the Network sponsored our first Clergy Conference in Sumas, Washington at the Cedar Springs Retreat Center. It was an amazing facility for a spirit filled few days with clergy and spouses from across the country. We were led in a bible study of the book of Galatians by Rev. David Short, Rev. George Sinclair, Rev. Charlie Masters and Rev. Trevor Walters. We were also blessed by the prayer team, led by the Metropolitan for B.C and the Yukon, Archbishop Terrence Buckle, who prayed for us before, during and after the conference. We were very encouraged by the sold out crowd who felt very blessed by the experience. Please watch for details about the next Clergy Conference that we are hoping to hold in Central or Eastern Canada this fall.
Servant Team Members travel for Essentials Meetings
In April, David Short traveled to St. John's, Newfoundland to do a mission at St. John the Evangelist church in the beautiful Topsail area of Conception Bay South. David led a bible study on the book of Acts and preached to people from several congregations for three consecutive nights. I was also in Newfoundland at the time, meeting with a number of lay leaders who wished to find out more about Essentials, and particularly, to learn more about the Network. David Short requested a meeting with Bishop Cyrus Pitman (who expressed deep concern about David's mission at a clergy day in the week prior to the visit) but he received no response from the bishop. Despite the bishop's expressed concerns about Essentials, many of those who attended were encouraged and strengthened by David's bible teaching. Please pray for the lay people and Essentials' leaders in St. John's as they learn more about the crisis in the Anglican Communion and discern how they will respond in the days ahead.
From Newfoundland, David went to Calgary to teach again from the book of Acts to a group of Essentials clergy and lay people at St. James Anglican Church in Calgary. Bishop Don traveled to Ottawa and Sumas in February and Brandon in May to speak at Essentials and Network meetings. In
Brandon, Bishop Jim Njegovan attended a full day of the meeting, much to the surprise of many. (In case you were wondering, he did not become a member of Essentials as a result of his attendance, but I would encourage you to pray for him.)
Charlie Masters, as National Director of Essentials, has traveled to many parts of the country to meet with bishops and give them information about Essentials. Generally, he attends the meeting with local representatives from the Network and Federation. Some bishops have been receptive while others have not welcomed a visit. Please pray for more doors to be opened and that the bishops in Canada would be willing to hear the truth about the work of Essentials, and particularly, that Charlie will be given opportunities to correct misinformation about the Network. Charlie and George Sinclair, with Claus Lenk, Essentials treasurer, met with the Primate for the same purpose. Please pray that the meeting will bear fruit.
There have also been two meetings of the Anglican Essentials Canada (AEC) Board in January and April. The next meeting will take place in June.
Panel of Reference Meets to discuss our Application
The Archbishop of Canterbury's Panel of Reference held their second face-to-face meeting in London from May 9-12. Three members of the Network Servant Team, David Short, Stephen Leung, and I, traveled to London to make ourselves available to the Panel members to answer questions and in the hope of expediting our application. The Panel members were concerned about the perception of bias if they met with us, and not the diocesan representatives from New Westminster, since the application currently deals primarily with parishes in New Westminster. We were able to meet with the Chairman of the Panel, retired Primate of Australia, Archbishop Peter Carnley, and the two Panel secretaries. It was a helpful meeting to clear up some mutual concerns and we were assured that the Panel now intended to process our application expeditiously. Two members of the Panel assigned to report on our case are planning a visit to New Westminster as soon as we can firm updates with both sides. Unfortunately, as we entered June, holidays are creating scheduling conflicts and we do not yet have a firm date. This is another area requiring your prayers. We will keep you posted with updates as they come available.
August Essentials and Network Consultations
In August, Essentials is inviting representatives of the Network and Federation from across the country to a Consultation. We are also inviting people from many groups in the ACC that are not formally affiliated with Essentials, but whom are orthodox in their Anglican faith. The purpose of the Consultation is to “consult” with these people to find out how we can find unity and support one another, particularly as we lead up to the Anglican Church of Canada's General Synod in 2007. This will be the most important General Synod since the founding of the Canadian church in 1893. It is critical that those of us who wish to remain faithful to the founding principles of the ACC, and in “full communion with the Church of England throughout the world” (Solemn Declaration 1893) work together for a common purpose leading up to and at GS 2007. All orthodox Anglicans in Canada must not allow our diversity to divide us on the fundamental theological foundations of our faith. This Consultation is intended to promote gracious listening and mutual cooperation. Please pray for those who will attend and for the organizers of this very important gathering as they labour through the summer to ensure a fruitful meeting.
Following the AEC Consultation, the Network is sponsoring a two day Consultation with representatives of all member parishes, as well as various Network leaders from across the country. We will be debriefing on the fallout from ECUSA's General Convention, as well as seeking input on the building of the Ecclesial Structure which will be required if the ACC “walks apart” from the Anglican Communion at GS 2007. In addition, it is intended to be a time of building relationships and providing encouragement and mutual support to our members. This meeting will also require much prayer support.
Network Communications
Next week, we will do a special report on Bishop Don's travels and insights from this year so far. He has been very active and traveling internationally to represent the Network abroad.
While we would like to send more regular reports, we need financial support to assist us with this task. If you know someone who would be willing to support us in this way, please have them contact us at cchang@anglicannetwork.ca This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or send a donation to the address above, payable to “Essentials-for the Network”. In the meantime, please continue to pray, pray, pray.
In His Service,
Cheryl Chang, Executive Director
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