From here (hat tip to Stand Firm):
7th October, A.D. 2009
A pastoral letter to be read in all the churches on Sunday, October 11th, A.D. 2009 and in Saturday services preceding.
TO ALL THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE:
Beloved in the Lord,
We lost. In human terms we lost. Bishop and Standing Committee, together with Board of Trustees, thought we understood the document that was signed on our behalf in 2005 that ended the first phase of the Calvary lawsuit. But yesterday, the judge found against us on the basis of that document.
The team that has provided extraordinary legal counsel to us, and to others in similar cases across the country, has issued the following statement: “We believe the opinion and order is contrary to applicable law, disregards the agreed assumption of valid withdrawal by the Diocese from TEC, violates the assurances given us that the issue of the ‘true diocese’ was not part of this proceeding and denies us due process of law.” Accordingly we reserve all of our rights to appeal.
We will take a time for further counsel and prayer, seeking God’s guidance on whether to file an appeal. After that, we will, of course, fully comply with the court’s order to facilitate an orderly transfer of DIOCESAN assets to the Episcopal Church Diocese. We have mostly lived without benefit of these assets since January. We have demonstrated that we can live without them. It will be sad not to have the resources left by previous generations to draw on, but God will be faithful. Two hundred and fifty years ago the first Anglicans at Fort Pitt had nothing. One hundred and forty five years ago the Anglicans who first organized our diocese had nothing. God was faithful to them. He will be faithful to us.
The court’s decision has nothing to do with PARISH property, including the funds held in trust for you. The stipulation of 2005 spelled out a mediated process for parishes wishing to leave the “diocese.” Your bishop, your standing committee, your diocesan council and your board of trustees will all work with your parish leadership toward this end. We invite the leadership of the Episcopal Church Diocese into working with us for the good of all congregations, both Episcopal Church and Anglican Church congregations.
The gospel for this Sunday is Mark 10:17-31, the rich young man. In the passage Jesus promises that those who are willing to leave everything to follow him “will receive back a hundredfold.” Jesus is speaking to us and to our situation. Now is the moment we are called to trust Him at His word. I am willing. Your leadership is willing. Are you?
Our future is so bright in the Anglican Church in North America: Converted individuals, in multiplying congregations, fueled by the Holy Spirit. Do not despair. “He who has called you is faithful, and He will do it.” (I Thessalonians 5:24)
On Friday night November 6th I invite as many of you as can to join together, physically or by internet or in spirit, in St. Stephen’s Church in Sewickley (beginning at 6 p.m.) to thank God for his goodness to us, to offer up the immense transition of this last year, and to celebrate the prospect of our life in our new Anglican Province. The best is still ahead. Our God reigns.
Faithfully in Christ,
Bishop of Pittsburgh
Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America
My Archbishop is not perfect, well not yet anyway.
He starts this notice with “We Lost!” It ends with “God Reigns”.
Pittsburg’s apparent loss is our loss as well. “sadness” at this perception is a righteous feeling based on the existance of these resources, miriad gifts bestowed over the generations for the furthering of God’s Kingdom.
We can mourn this loss but we must not grieve.
You see; “We lost” and “God reigns” is an oxy-moron.
May I humbly refer you to prophet Lightfoot’s amazing song
Pride of Man – http://www.lightfoot.ca/prideman.htm
What follows is Gordon Lightfoots song “Pride of Man”. Just to save you all the trouble of going there.
Turn around go back down go back the way you came
Can’t you see the flash of fire ten times brighter than the day
And behold the mighty city broken in the dust again
Oh God the pride of man broken in the dust again
Turn around go back down go back the way you came
Babylon is laid to waste Egypt’s buried in her shame
Their mighty men are beaten down the kings are fallen in the ways
Oh God the pride of man broken in the dust again
Turn around go back down go back the way you came
Terror is on everyside though the leaders are dismayed
Those who put their faith in fire in fire their faith shall be repaid
Oh God the pride of man broken in the dust again
Turn around go back down go back the way you came
Shout a warning to the nations that the sword of god is raised
On Babylon that mighty city rich in treasure wide in fame
It shall cause thy towers to fall and make it be a pyre of flame
Oh God the pride of man broken in the dust again
Thou that dwell on many water rich in treasure wide in fame
Bow unto a god of gold thy pride of might shall be thy shame
Oh God the pride of man broken in the dust again
And only God can lead the people back into the faith again
Thy holy mountain be restored thy mercy on thy people hoard
It looks like this song (which I don’t recall encountering before) might be very loosely based on Revelation 18. It was actaully written by Hamilton Camp – not Gordon Lightfoot – so the reference to Lightfoot as a prophet doesn’t make any sense (not that writing a song like this makes anyone a prophet anyway). It has been covered by a few artists. I’m not a big Lightfoot fan (sorry), but I don’t mind this version:
I wish to correct a serious error in my #1.
in rereading the Archbishop’s Pastoral Letter I would note that in context with His opening statement “we lost” He immediately identifies that He is speaking in “Human terms”. This changes the complexity of my apparent criticism (which was not my intention in the first place) – it also places His letter (as in most cases) in the highest levels of my humble esteem.
Warren – I’m amazed that you did not pick this up!
You did say “so the reference to Lightfoot as a prophet doesn’t make any sense (not that writing a song like this makes anyone a prophet anyway)
Two things here the first is What does make a prophet?
secondly the song is divided into two portions one is historical the other prophetical. Although there is no counting for taste, I notice your preferred version leaves out the prophectical, (the last five lines)
Stuck (#4), I have a bad habit of often skim reading, so I doubtlessly miss lots of things – so sometimes I also respond without having properly understood. It is one of the weakness of Internet-based communication where, if you don’t respond quickly, the issue quickly goes stale.
If you are using the word prophet in a biblical sense, the Bible has much to say about what constitutes a prophet (easy to find on line I’m sure). One of the moderators of this blog also has a prophetic blog that you might want to peek at (although there hasn’t been much activity recently):
http://theagetocome.wordpress.com/
I didn’t listen to the You Tube video I posted right through to the end (even though I prefer Kathi McDonald’s version, it isn’t a song I intend to add to my collection), so I didn’t notice that the last couple of lines had been omitted. Regardless, I don’t think they meet the biblical standard for prophecy.
One of these days I really must make a comment that actually relates to the original post.
Forevermore, why? That would be boring!
(Joke, folks, just a joke)
Kate, my brain must be working slowly today – I don’t get it. The only place I find the word “forevermore” in this thread is in your comment (#6). I hate to miss jokes.
I was just being silly.
Warren perhaps I am treating the word (prophet) too cavalier..ly? however my feeling is that if I had the courage to stand on a street corner yelling REPENT for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand, I believe that I could justly be called a prophet. Depending on the corner, I might just be called a martyr as well.
PS give Lightfoot’s version a try – you may be surprised!
Stuck (#10), I listened to Lightfoot’s version first and then searched for another. The only song of his I really like is The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Does that make me a bad Canadian? Being a prophet is more about the message and how you receive it rather than where you deliver it. Many prophets were reluctant to speak or felt themselves unworthy or incapable of delivering God’s message. Abraham needed someone to speak for him. Jonah headed in the other direction. Regardless of whether you are a cessationist, prophecy is clearly spoken of in Scripture as a God-given gift.
“Does that make me a bad Canadian” – absolutely – forevermore – Hang em’ from the yardarm I say, it’s the same as a yank sayin “I don’t like apple pie.
“Being a prophet is more about the message” Now we’re getting to it! and the message in “Pride of Man”? ……”turn around, go back down, back the way you came”!!!!
Our ACNA/ANiC has a wonderful opportunity to return us Anglicans to our original place in the Body of Christ. It is my opinion that the emphasis currently being placed on mission has not got it right. I believe that Rick Warren in his speech at the first ACNA assembly spoke about the importance of preparing for the souls that God would send. This resonated as truth to me and is supported with much evidence (Saddleback Church itself).
Because of this and the circumstance of our corruption in the past, I feel strongly that we should practice “Inward Prepatory Mission” with all haste, faith, energy and prayer . Our leaders focused with the Holy Spirit to lead ALL OF US forward in preparation for “OUR” ministry to an increasingly devastating world. Without this preparation which includes “turn around, go back down, back the way we came”, I fear for our abilities. Incidently the song quote does not mean retreat or even re-group but rather RENEWAL in it’s most sacred context.
1.Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Happy Thanksgiving – and boys and girls in spite of my tone, we have more to be thankful for than at any other time in this generation. -Praise God!
Apparently I was still half asleep when I wrote #11. I was thinking Moses and wrote Abraham. I join with #12 in wishing all a happy Thanksgiving and agree that we have much to be thankful for.