From the comments (thanks, Gerry!):
Tomorrow, Sunday the 25th of May at 10:30 AM Newfoundland Time, the first Service of the new ANiC Parish of “St. Stephen the Martyr” will be held in St. John’s, Nfld. at the Adventist Church, 20 Aldershot Street.
The new Rector is Reverend Howard Hynes (formerly of St. John The Evangelist, Topsail, Nfld. ACoC) and Bishop Don Harvey will be present to conduct the service and licence Reverend Hynes under ANiC. Hallelujah!
From sea to shining sea
Gerry,
Did you take the mitts off? LOL
Fabulous! After a slow week we have extra blessings to be thankful for.
Peace,
Jim
You got it Steve. We are a very happy group here at St. Stephen the Martyr, it has been a long time coming and a long wait but our time has come and ANiC is established firmly on the Rock. We are not large, but we shall grow…..
It is my understanding that Reverend Hynes and Bishop Cy Pitman had a very grace filled time together on the 23rd when Rev. Hynes relinquished (not sure if that is the right word) his licence under the ACoC and that it was a time of reflection and prayer. Now that is how it should be in a situation such as this. Perhaps this is a new chapter being written in the Diocese of Eastern Nfld. & Labrador and a new page for Bishop Cy. I pray that this is so.
What’s happened to the 300 people who left with Fr. Critch from his church? Does anyone know where they are, and who is taking care of them spiritually?
Charles # 4:
If you know any of the key people there, call one of them…..
perhaps one of them will read this blog and ask you to send your email address to one of the blog administrators. I know who to refer you to, but I cannot print their names on this site… sorry
perhaps I should have said from sea to shining see
Hi Gerry,
I am actually on the other side of Canada, in Yukon. I used to go to the same church as Scot Gilbreath of Magic Statistics. I am merely wondering what’s going on there, after the flurry of posts on that topic a few weeks ago. I hope that they are doing something about it!
Way to go St. Stephen the Martyr!
#4- Some people (68 this morning!) have meet regularly on Sunday mornings since May 11th for worship but we have not yet decided our long-term plans. It has been a beautiful time of worship and fellowship and done much to heal my wounds! Please pray as we discern God’s plans for us. There is a meeting this week to talk about just that and we need to find a place to continue our Sunday services ASAP.
Susan: We are supporting you folks in prayer and in any other way we can.
Our thoughts are with all of you.
Our Service this morning was beautiful. The Church of St. Stephen the Martyr is officially the 16th parish in the ANiC and Reverend Howard Hynes is our Pastor/Shepherd. Howard preaches the Gospel and teaches the Gospel.
Prayers for you all from St. Mary the Virgin as you hold your next meeting.
Thanks for sharing that, Susan. As a young Anglican, I have not yet reached the impassivity of some of our more venerable fellows; I admit, I was anxious at the lack of news from your church. I will keep you and St. Mary’s in prayer over the next few weeks. I’m sure God has a great plan for St. Mary’s!
Hey Charles, don’t mistake silence for a lack of curiosity (or anxiety, for that matter). I was hungry for news as well. Keep us posted please, Susan!
Kate, an, um, not so young Anglican, though not quite old enough to be Charles’ mum, I don’t think…
My dear friends in Christ,
It warmed my heart today at St. Stephen The Martyr service
when Bishop Don was once again able to carry his staff in recognition of his authority as Bishop in his dearly beloved province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Despite all the years as a priest and bishop and the many sermons we will never forget, the many lessons taught at Queen’s College, who has the right to forbid him
to be guest preacher at any of our Anglican churches on this island?
As we sang during communion “I have no help but thine nor do I need , another arm save thine to lean upon”…I felt the Holy Spirit was indeed there with us, as we take the “not so comfortable” road
to continue our faith journey and to uphold the WORD OF GOD, the Bible. We are a people that have been members of the Anglican Church of Canada since our baptism as babies, but we have seen the path leading us “astray” and in all conscience we are unable to follow. Deep down in our souls we are unable to go against Jesus Christ as he is the Way, the Truth and the Life and the BIBLE has to be sacred and its teachings obeyed, rules have to be followed,
sacraments kept sacred. Once we started to VEER from that, once the Anglican Church of Canada started “changing” our doctrine, it became like a fork in the road A DIVIDED ROAD, and we were forced to make a decision which way to go. It came down to “do we stay on this side of the dividing road and be satisfied that it’s okay, we can take the bible teaching being changed as long as we are immune from the changes in our own little community” .. OR do we stand up for Jesus Christ and the WORD of GOD and keep our Anglican Doctrine as is, and therefore go the other side in faith regardless of the consequences. This we have done. We are so blessed to have had Bishop Don keep us to the straight and narrow.
By the Grace of GOD go we, and praying for unity within the Anglican Communion of the World. Amen.
I’m sure you were concerned too Kate, I was just being facetious. You may be old enough to be my mum, I am only 19! Best, Charles
I know, and I was teasing. Not to worry.
#6 Groan!
How can you pray for unity in the Anglican Communion by setting up a breakaway church in St. John’s?
in answer to Mark. YOu didn’t read or at least you didn’t comprehend what I wrote. We, as anglicans, have the right to freedom of worship thank heavens and as I stated, the road
divided, the ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA did that, they started taking us AWAY from the GOSPEL and the DOCTRINE that we were baptized into. We either had to forget our convictions and our faith and go along with this, turning a blind eye for the sake of beautiful buildings they are holding above our heads, ones that our ancestors built, or go down the other road ALONE and practice the FAITH OF OUR FATHERS, even if it meant worshipping in a basement. The ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA is firing priests who stand up for the gospel, and in this troublesome world, many other priests are clinging to their buildings and losing their souls.
They can have the buildings…the CHURCH is moving on. Anglicanism is alive and well in other countries, it’s CANADA who made all these wrong decisions . iT’S the ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA WHO BROKE AWAY FROM THE GOSPEL AND IN SO DOING BROKE AWAY FROM JESUS CHRIST. This left us all unhappy and not knowing where to turn. We have started a church in St. John’s to STAY THE SAME and follow the gospel and satisfy our souls. It has been a long time coming. We are being FAITHFUL. We are following the
ANGLICAN WAY , there is the ANGLICAN COMMUNION and involves ALL the WORLD, we still are on that path, Thanks be to God.
We will not deny that Jesus Christ is the Truth, the WAY and the LIFE and he is our salvation and THIS, my friend, is THE GOSPEL and that is what all this is about!!! THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST that is being undermined in Canada.
In the garden, Jesus was denied by Peter, we are told that he looked at Peter and big burly PETER WEPT. We are to ask ourselves
“when Jesus turns and looks at us today, what is that look like between us and our SAVIOUR?” WE are standing up for HIM.
Hope that answers your questions Mark. God Bless.
Olive:
Thank you for all of your words about the wonderful service at St. Stephen The Martyr yesterday….it was indeed a glorious day for faithful Anglicans in Newfoundland and Labrador…..AND thank you for picking up with your voice in that beautiful Hymn “I have no help but thine nor do I need , another arm save thine to lean upon” yesterday!
We know that there are a great many in this area of Newfoundland (Avalon) who are questioning all of the things that have happened, who are questioning “What shall I do? Where shall I go?” Well, now there is an alternative which is still fully within the Anglican Communion Worldwide where the Gospel is preached and the truth of the Scriptures is upheld. You are welcome to come out and join us in worshipping the Risen Christ.
We are located at 20 Aldershot Street, St. John’s, NL On Sunday Mornings at 10:30 AM……
iS ThEre SOMetHING wroNG WiTH the CAplOCKs on yoUR CoMPUtEr?
18 Mark
Lift your head up and look aroung. The Anglican Communion encompasses much more than ACoC and TEC. If anything, there is a coming togetjher of the faithful reminants of Anglicanism in North America.
If you believe that the Bible is the word of God, and that the teaching of the church for two thousand years is consistent with scripture and our litergy, then you belong with us.
Both the ACoC and TEC have been censored and asked to repent their teaching on SSB by the worldwide Anglican Communion.
In order for the North American churches to advance SSB required a decisive repudiatrion of both Scripture and tradition. Those left in the pews have no idea what’s in store. They have cut loose their storm anchors and are being blown about by social conventions and aceding to social norms. Store up your treasures in heaven.
Peace,
Jim
to Mark. Ya, got trouble with my computer. never mind, that is minor. wish you could COME AND SEE our church.
Blessings.
Olive.
mark sometimes behaves like a troll, just fyi.
Mark, perhaps you’d like to help us understand why you are sending from the same computer as Curious Anglican, and with a different email address?
I really don’t much like duplicitous behaviour, so unless you can explain, into comment moderation you go.
I don’t know mark or his history, but what I did notice is that, rather than address the issue, he merely resorted to an irrelevant and personal remark.
Hi!!
For the record I don’t necessarily agree with what mark has to say no matter what computer he is on. He could be at the Library where a number of people access the same computer. Highly unlikely but plausible and possible. Just because he espouses a different opinion than us he shouldn’t be put on moderation. I believe dialogue and debate is healthy as long as it doesn’t get too personal. Olive and Gerry are holding their own so let them play and see where it goes.
That’s my 2 cents worth!!
Autumn, the issue is that he used two different pen names, in an effort to seem to be two different people. That is deceptive, and we want to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Moderation only means that one of the admins checks his posts before they are allowed through to the blog, to make sure that they are all under the same pen name.
Mark (#16), it would be helpful if you could explain more specifically what you mean when you use the word unity. Do you view the unity described in the Bible, and which believers are exhorted to seek, any differently than any other kind of unity? Is unity simply agreement around a common cause, regardless of what that cause may be, or is it agreement with an objective truth as revealed in the Bible? Can you show where the Bible teaches that unity is more important than addressing false teaching?
Kate,
I’m unsure about all this computer technology stuff but if if what Peter says is right that there are 2 different e-mail addresses coming from the same computer couldn’t it be possible that it is 2 different people who, I might add, share the same sentiments. Like I said earlier, it doesn’t really matter to me how many pen names they have as long as they don’t get personal I’m interested in their point of view. It helps me shape mine!!
Kate (#22 and 26), although I have no doubt that it was done in complete innocence, the use of caplocks has a specific connotation for people who spend a lot of time on computer forums. It is viewed as the verbal equivalent of shouting. Mark’s response was rude for this type of blog, but I suspect that is what he had in mind. I have seen very vigorous exchanges concerning caplock use on other forums.
Warren,
I can’t speak for Mark and really wouldn’t want to. I don’t know if unity is more important but I don’t believe it is any less important. I was reading Chapter 4 of Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians the other night and couldn’t help but be struck by verse 3.
Hence the debate within the Anglican Communion now!!
Just my thoughts!!
I have to go to a meeting now.
I’ll check back later.
Well, if Mark expresses a point of view, rather than just trying to get a rise out of people, I’m sure Peter (or I) will let the post through. Do a search on his comments and you will see my point.
Hi Autumn,
This is not the first time we’ve seen this. We have had a number of folks on here who attempt to change their identity, usually to foster disharmony in one form or another. Pale Rider was the last one – he suggested under another name that both PR and Gerry be banned. We called him on it, and nothing more did we hear.
I am more than open to disagreement – see the Blog Rules above if you like – what I don’t like is duplicitousness. Mark has ample opportunity to plead his case if he wishes (the library option is possible, albeit unlikely), but to tell you the truth usually once we catch people attempting to deceive, we never hear another word.
Autumn:
You have to go to a meeting…..you’ll think on it……You still haven’t pondered enough on the scriptures I gave you two weeks ago…. hey, Autumn…..Don’t be like Mark…..just answer questions and do some more pondering.
In Christ Jesus…..
Gerry,
I have pondered the scriptures you gave me 2 weeks ago and am still trying to figure out your point!! As for being like Mark well that’s just your opinion!! I guess it’s all just black and white to some people but I try to look for the deeper meaning. The TRUTH is deep and not just surface. I think I’ll ponder a little longer if that’s okay with you!!
Blessings!!
Quick and thoughtless decisions are rarely good ones. I say, take you’re time, Autumn. I think that well-thought-out decisions result in more lasting commitments.
Personally, I took nearly a year after I became a Christian before I felt ready to be baptised (June 10th, 2007), and I still haven’t been confirmed. I am not sure I want to be confirmed in the ACC, you see!
Charles,
Thanks for your support!! It’s very affirming!!
Autumn.
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Eph 4:3)
A wonderful book, Ephesians. Bless you for reading and mentioning it.
Paul here is writing to the church at Ephesus, and I think we can assume that he himself is assuming they are all of one accord regarding the basics of the Christian faith. Because elsewhere (later on in the same book, chapter 5, for one) he lets us know in no uncertain terms that, “…among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality…” (5:3a). He tells us to “…Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness…” (11a)
Throughout the epistles, Paul, Peter, and John tell us to have nothing to do with false teachers, destructive heresies or wolves in sheep’s clothing.
I am sure those in the ACC who are in favour of SSB’s also think they are right, but we on this side of the fence MUST separate ourselves from what we see as heresy and the outright departing from God’s truth. One day all of us will have to face our Maker and answer for our decisions and actions. Let us not, on that day, have to answer for compromising on what we know to be the right thing.
John,
I agree with your sentiment!! Thank you for acknowledging the belief and faith of St. Paul when he places unity and guarding against false teaching on the same plane!!
John,
I like the use of the word “we” in your last sentence. Because you are so right in thinking that those in the ACoC believe they are just as correct in what they believe as we are in what we believe. I just hope we don’t back ourselves into a corner!!
John,
I also liked the word “must” which I neglected to mention. Sorry!!
Good Night!!
Autumn (#30), I don’t disagree that unity is important, and that Christians all too often fall short in this area. Philippians 2 has some excellent things to say in this regard as well. The Bible, however, does not teach unity at all cost, and has many other things to say about living the Christian life in community. Even though I don’t currently attend an Anglican church, I feel more united with many of my Anglican brothers and sisters than I do with some of the people in my own church – because our common bond is centred on Christ and the truth of God’s Word.
#36 If you were baptized as an adult, and took the vows yourself, you don’t really need to be confirmed, I don’t think.
“#35 Autumn
Gerry,
I have pondered the scriptures you gave me 2 weeks ago and am still trying to figure out your point!! As for being like Mark well that’s just your opinion!! I guess it’s all just black and white to some people but I try to look for the deeper meaning. The TRUTH is deep and not just surface. I think I’ll ponder a little longer if that’s okay with you!! Blessings!!”
Pondering is good Autumn….the answeres you are searching for are in the Scriptures given. As for Black and White….well, there are very few if any grey areas in the Holy Scriptures Autumn and that is what has confounded the Scholars over the centuries….they feel there must be some gray areas that they can use to try to pick apart. They are much better off sticking their noses into the Gnostic Scriptures like the Gnostic gospel of Thomas…..IF and I say IF the Thomas that wrote that was the same Thomas we refer to as the “doubting” thomas……then the nickname fits him quite perfectly, because he was most confused when that paper was written ……this is the same book that is now being passed around by the ‘liberals’ within the ACoC trying to show the broader road….
like one of my favorite Bishops says…….RUBBISH !
Paul was talking about unity amongst all true Christians. We are not called to unity with revisionism.
Kate,
Good point!!
Gerry,
Just one more question. Are you saying the scriptures are what they are and there can be no interpretation and the surface meaning is it? Just wondering. Blessings!!
The surface meaning isn’t necessarily “it”. On the other hand, you don’t need to be a Phd in Biblical Studies to be able to understand the Bible, either. You do have to read it in context (ie it is a collection of books, with different styles – read letters as letters, history as history, etc). We also have to be careful not to elevate one portion of scripture above another. It’s not a pharicitial (spelling?) literalism being advocated; rather, to allow God to form us through our reading of scripture, rather than trying to form our reading of scripture through who we are and what our culture says we should be.
There are 4 Christians (born again, not just people who go to church occasionally) in the office I work in. None of us attend churches within the same denominations (Anglican, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, non-denominational Chinese). We have little religious history in common, no structural relationships, but I think we would all agree that we have unity and peace between us.