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For more frequent updates, please watch the blog: www.anglicanessentials.ca/wordpress/
{Well, I suppose you already know about that if you are reading this! –ed}
The frenetic pace continues. Thank you for your faithfulness is upholding the leadership, clergy, wardens and parishioners of the Anglican Network in Canada and our parishes.
Praise God
Thanks for praying for Archbishop Greg. He gave a wonderful witness on CBC’s The Current Monday morning. Please pray regularly for him.
Praise God for wonderful services Sunday at ANiC churches – in many cases, in spite of very difficult circumstances.
Psalm 26:12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.
Updates and matters for prayer
Clergy Retreat
A number of clergy and leaders – including Bishop Don – are meeting in a clergy retreat – ending tomorrow. The Rev Terry Wong, chaplain to the Primate of South East Asia, is ministering. Pray that this will be a time of refreshment, encouragement and strengthening for the days ahead.
Psalm 27:11a Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path
Parishes in Ontario
Respectful discussions between the Network and the Diocese of Niagara concluded with no agreement today. Please pray for the court hearing tomorrow – possibly as early as 10am EST. We are asking for a satisfactory interim resolution that will not impede the ministries of the three parishes in the Niagara area that have requested and received episcopal care from Bishop Don.
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
St Hilda’s (Oakville)
St Hilda’s parishioners graciously welcomed the 20-25 diocesan guests to their 9am service with coffee and donuts. None of those attending the 9am service had any connection with St Hilda’s.
Unfortunately, at least one St Hilda’s parishioner who came expecting the regular 8am service left in tears when they found it had been preempted by the diocesan service. When St Hilda’s gathered for their 10:30 am service they had a full house and “Jesus was lifted up and glorified in our midst”. In addition to the St Hilda’s parishioners, two families from the community attended simply to show their support. The people of St Hilda’s sensed the prayers and the support of the wider church and pass on a big “thank you” for praying for them.
Please pray particularly for God to be glorified and for the clergy and parishioners to be sustained and encouraged in the Lord as they learn to know Him even better and experience the power of His resurrection and walk closer in fellowship with Him as they share in His suffering.
Phil 3: 8-10 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…
St George’s Lowville (Milton)
At St George’s, the diocese’s 9am service drew about 140 people – only about two dozen of whom had any ties with the parish, and only about four of whom had attended at all in the past two years. Bishop Bird presided. The diocese had actively recruited people from other parishes to attend. The diocesan service created parking chaos and significant difficulties with managing the use of the facilities – especially when the first service ran longer than expected.
Because of the diocese’s service, St George’s had to combine its regular two services and meet in the gym – with over 200 attending. The service was reported to have been “overflowing with the presence of the Holy Spirit”. Bishop Don received a long heart-felt standing ovation when he arrived with carrying his Bishop’s crook, signifying that he was among his own people. One St George’s person told a reporter that the stark difference between the two services was that one was about the power of the bishop and the other was about the power of God. Another said, “God has just been so wonderful and blessed us so abundantly today. I have never felt the true meaning of Holy Communion more than I did today with my dear brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Psalm 27: 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
Church of the Good Shepherd (St Catharines)
The Rev Gerry Brodie was suspended by the diocese earlier this week. Pray for Gerry and Margaret. The wardens have been called in to see Bishop Bird.
Psalm 27:3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
St Alban’s (Ottawa)
St Alban’s anticipates a meeting upon the bishop’s return next week at which they may receive a response to the parish’s decision. Services continue as usual. Please pray that God would guide and direct the decisions they need to make about the Alpha course beginning in early April… that God would bless and empower their new contemporary service music leader, Joel, as he settles into his role… that the parish leadership have godly wisdom in balancing the demands of defending the parish with planning for future expansion of ministry… and that God will use them in evangelism.
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
St Chad’s (Toronto)
Bishop Colin Johnson and Paul Fehely attended the 11am service. Bishop Johnson read a letter announcing the Rev Barbara Richardson’s suspension and announcing a meeting Monday evening at the church chaired by Bishop Poole to “clarify” the issue raised by St. Chad’s decision to request Bishop Don’s pastoral care. A warden then read Barbara’s letter of resignation and the service continued with Barbara preaching an “excellent Gospel message”. (The Monday meeting did not occur as it conflicted with a weekly disabled boy scouts meeting. However, diocesan officials continue to attempt to take control of the building.)
Thank God for the answers to prayer that St Chad’s has seen this week. Please pray that the people of St Chad’s will be allowed to worship God without hindrance, and that they will know peace in the midst of the storm… that they would have the faith to trust Jesus to still that storm… and that confusion will not be allowed to enter in. May they determine to follow Jesus wherever He leads.
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
British Columbia and New Westminster
All remains quiet on the western front. The clergy at St Mary’s Metchosin in Victoria are still enjoying the 12 day “cooling off” period negotiated by their legal counsel. The clergy in the Lower Mainland of BC (New Westminster) are also “enjoying” relative peace.
St Mary’s Metchosin (Victoria)
A total of 150 attended two services on Sunday at St. Mary in Metchosin and heard the Venerable Sharon Hayton’s sermon,” The Joy of the Lord is our Strength.” Some expressed sadness about the possible loss of property, but the worship was celebrative. The people are rejoicing in Him and continue to trust in the Lord who reigns above all. Please pray with them “without ceasing.”
The Diocese held a service with about 20 in attendance in the “Heritage Church”, a historic building connected with St Mary’s.
Psalm 90:1-2 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Church plants
Continue to pray for Faith Anglican Church and the Rev Alex Lewanowicz as they search for an appropriate place to worship. Currently, the 50 or so parishioners are meeting in a home. In Brandon, the Church of the Resurrection is eagerly looking forward to their first Sunday service on March 16. Other groups are considering forming church plants. Pray that each group will know God’s clear leading and have the confidence that He will bring it to pass
Psalm 90: 17 May the favor] of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
ANiC staff
Cheryl, Joyce and the legal team
The legal team has been in over-drive. Pray for continued clarity of thought, wisdom from above, and grace under fire. Pray that they will be careful to walk in His ways and speak His truth, that God will be glorified, and that they be instruments of His peace. Pray also for restored health for members of the team. Pray for unbiased, wise judges – should we end up in court.
Exodus 14: 13a And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today.
Media and communications
Continue to pray for reporters covering these parishes that they would understand the underlying issues. Pray also that the ongoing communications tasks will be accomplished in the face of the constant media requirements. Pray, in particular, that we would find time to get the April conference registration and information material organized and posted to the website as soon as possible.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
SCOTT, PETER, KATE, SOMEONE: Comments on latest blog (Xtra Edition etc.) above…..will not open…..is it my computer or did you forget to open that thread?
Gerry, Thanks for alerting us to that. There was a problem with the post slug, which has now been rectified. Comments are now open on that post.
When we pray for St. Alban’s, could we also pray that they might find a way to pay the diocese the approximately $45,000 outstanding from 2007? At least some of this must be the stipend and benefits of their priest, so even if they have been sending money to other organizations more in line with their way of thinking, it would seem quite right for them to make good on this outstanding debt. That might go at least a little ways in terms of good will for whenever it is they are meeting with the Bishop of the Diocese of Ottawa. Or maybe this obligation doesn’t matter anymore, now that the parish has voted to find a more congenial affiliation elsewhere?
We have paid every penny of our staff salaries. Every penny. It is true that we were late, but as of January and before our vote, all of our own bills were paid. Please get your facts straight.
Please clarify. The diocesan monthly report issued at the end of January said that St. Alban’s was about $45,000 in arrears to the diocese. Can Kate or someone else confirm that all of that amount owing was, in fact, paid to the diocese of Ottawa in January? I know that sometimes the diocesan reports can be out of date by a week or two. If St. Alban’s has paid the $45,000 owing then that is truly wonderful. But I’m worried by Kate’s emphasis on having completely paid staff salaries… what about the diocesan fair share? If you haven’t paid all of that $45,000 reported as owing, then I still think prayers for St. Alban’s should include a prayer to help you find the resources to fulfil this commitment – during 2007 the parish was part of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. The diocesan office is not just a conduit to pay your staff, but a link to a number of other ministries, including financial support for northern rural parishes, community ministries, youth programs etc. Again, fulfilling your whole financial obligation, not just your staff remuneration (and BTW I think rectors are appointed by the Bishop, aren’t they – they’re not really hired by congregations as “staff”) that would be a solid expression of good will for the proposed meeting with the diocesan bishop, don’t you think? It would be good to know whether you’ve met your fair share obligation, as well as the remuneration for your “staff”.
Fair share is not, in fact, fair share. It is an amalgam of “assessment” and “apportionment”, and was instituted in order to force parishes like St. Alban’s to pay both assessment and apportionment (I forget which one was obligatory and which was optional). Up to the start of the so called “fair share”, we had paid the obligatory payments, and withheld the optional ones, in protest of the abandonment of traditional Christian teaching. When those two payments were amalgamated, we withheld the whole payment in protest.
(#3 & #5) As a member of St Alban’s at the time, I fully supported the decision to withhold payment to the Diocese. Had this decision not been made, I (and I suspect several others) would have directed some of my tithe monies elsewhere. I could not stomach the thought of the Lord’s money going to an organization that was hostile to many of my core beliefs. Nor was I willing to see my tithe going towards the promotion of sin. The budget was structured in such a way that, had there been some expression of repentance at the national Synod, monies still would have been paid to the Diocese of Ottawa. We all know the outcome of the Synod and the hardening of positions. People at St Alban’s are generous, and the budget made provision for monies, equivalent to the Diocese tax (I prefer to call it extortion, given the shady way in which it was calculated), to go towards other ministries external to St Alban’s. The congregation was fully aware that the Diocese would try to extract their pound of flesh and that the final result might even be the loss of the building, and I am very proud of them for standing firm.
I’ve been trying to find a financial statement or budget for the Diocese of Ottawa on the web, with very little luck. I believe that the amount that we withheld amounts to less than 1% of the total diocese budget (If I am wrong, I am sure that you will correct me, faithful anglican)
Hey, all, I mentioned this on another thread, but Praying Too, Faithful Anglican and A Priest from the Diocese of Ottawa are all posting from the same IP. Perhaps (s)he would care to amalgamate his/her pen names, so as not to cause undue confusion?