| The Official eNewsletter of the Anglican Mission in the Americas
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Welcome to the Anglican Mission's Currents May 2008 Issue
Dear ,
I trust you will be blessed by this edition of Currents.
If you have an upcoming event, news item or story of interest send us an email.Please consider forwarding Currents to an Anglican friend. Thanks!  Cynthia Brust
Director of Communications, Anglican Mission in the Americas
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Looking to the Future...
Anglican Mission leaders representing a cross-section of congregations, age, gender and geography gathered Tuesday, April 29 - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia for a brainstorming session. Eighty-six individuals from 16 states, the District of Columbia and Canada spent a day and a half participating in a series of exercises designed to collaborate, dream and build a sense of consensus about the future of the Anglican Mission. The meeting was facilitated by Tom McGehee of WildWorks, using Results-based Conversations™, a process developed specifically to help groups move through decision making. Tom led two similar sessions for the Anglican Mission in 2001, and priorities and ideas generated in those meetings had a significant impact on the development and expansion of the Anglican Mission.
Tom McGehee facilitates "Results-based Conversations"
at the Atlanta gathering.
The meeting opened with three "trade shows" or presentations designed to set the scene for discussion. Bishop Chuck Murphy spoke on the Anglican Mission's "Mission, Vision and Values; Bishop Thomas Johnston offered highlights of "Things on the Horizon" both in the Anglican Mission and the worldwide Anglican Communion; and Canon Ellis Brust presented an overview of "The Americas in 10 Years," outlining current demographic projections between now and the year 2020.
Bishop Murphy presents the Anglican Mission, Vision, and Values.
In a series of small group discussions, participants considered the impact of the information offered in tradeshows, what the Anglican Mission "does best," and barriers to success. In addition, the groups brainstormed about "what is, what might be, what could be and what should be." Energetic and passionate conversations demonstrated a commitment to continued focus on strengthening leadership development, launching new networks and maximizing current networks.
Participants also expressed strong interest in best practices and processes for church planting as well as continuing involvement in the Common Cause Partnership. In addition, the demographic projections reported resulted is an emphasis on college ministry and targeting church planting in urban areas.
Recommendations from the Atlanta workshop will be reviewed by a broad spectrum of leadership, from the Council of Bishops to Network leaders and others, as the Anglican Mission moves forward into a new chapter.
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Water and the Word Youth Retreat
What do a water park and the Bible have in common? For young students living in the Chicago suburbs during blustery winters, the two elements equal refreshment for thirsty souls.
In April, forty seven junior-high and senior-high school students converged at the "water park capital of the world" in Wisconsin Dells, WI to attend a weekend Anglican Mission youth retreat: Our Journey Through Water: Renewing Our Baptismal Vows. Church of the Redeemer in Chicago, IL and Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, IL partnered to host the springtime event.
While students built relationships through water play during the day, Keith Hartsell, Youth Pastor for Church of the Resurrection, creatively used the element of water as the focus of his teachings, illustrating its significance in bringing life and death throughout Biblical history, beginning with the story of Noah.
On the last evening together, in a symbolic act of their commitment to Christ, the majority of students renewed their baptismal vows by self-immersion in a hot tub. "We talked about how as Anglicans we renew our own baptismal vows each time we witness a baptism in our congregations," explained Hartsell. "We were accomplishing the same thing in this context."
"Some of my seventh and eighth grade kids had the courage to get up in front of older kids," remarked Ryan Hofacre, Youth Pastor at Church of the Redeemer. "That symbol at their age is meaningful."
It was Johnny Miller's first time to make a public confession of faith. "For me it kind of made everything right-little things fell away and didn't matter because I had a relationship with God. Now I feel like someone is watching over me in a good way," said the formerly unchurched eighth grader who has attended Church of the Resurrection for the past five months.
With summer just around the corner, this story is a great reminder of how fun with friends mixed with the truth of the Gospel can change lives for eternity.
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Welcome Central Florida Churches!
A warm welcome to St. Philip's Anglican Church! The growing congregation in Orlando, Florida, recently affiliated with the Anglican Mission in the Americas.
 "We have an opportunity to be a significant presence in this community," said Rector Paul Jagoe. Currently meeting at Vista Lakes Elementary School in the Southeast sector of the city, Jagoe planted the congregation in a middle class community where new homes are enticing and mortgages stretch many families thin. The church focuses on ministering to families suffering common hardships including divorce and the stresses of single parenting.
 While members reside in many parts of the city, this multi-cultural, trans-generational flock stays connected during the week in small group meetings throughout the area. Sunday morning worship reflects a traditional Rite II service with a blend of strings, cello and keyboard. Since the surrounding community is fifty percent Hispanic, Jagoe has a long-range goal to incorporate Spanish language in their services.
(right & above) Parishioners gather
at their opening celebration luncheon.
Bishop John Miller made a visit to St. Philip's in April for a community event where people had the opportunity to "come and see".
In the last few months, four other congregations in the central Florida area have affiliated with the Anglican Mission! New Affiliates include: Solid Rock Church, Winter Haven; Trinity Church, Orlando; Christ the King, Ocala; and Epiphany Celebration, Mt. Dora. All are under the oversight of Bishop Miller.
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Doing Good in Bukonya, Rwanda
Land of a Thousand Hills Specialty Coffee Company plays an integral role in rejuvenating the economy and spirits of residents in the tiny village of Bukonya located in the northern part of Rwanda.
Thanks to the help of Anglican Mission church donations, Rwandan
coffee farmers expect a "perfect" crop this year.
Part of the life-changing difference came from finances generated by Anglican Mission churches and individuals partnering with Thousand Hills. The funding made it possible for ten coffee farmers from the steep slopes of their tiny farms to be trained by Rwanda's most successful bean wash station at the Maraba cooperative in the nation's southern region.
The coffee growers are mentored on the complexities and advantages of creating specialty grade beans. The proper technology, equipment, and training helps transform their product into specialty grade green coffee, allowing them to compete and earn a fair wage.
 In 2006 Bishop John Rucyahana secured a piece of land and since that time Thousand Hills and the PEARL project have joined together to build a wash station for growers living in the area. The PEARL project is an initiative of USAID and Michigan State University.
Trainer and coffee expert David Rubanzangabo tells Thousand Hills that the farmers are "ecstatic", already announcing that their crops will be "perfect" this year.
Blessed with fine volcanic soils, Bukonya is perfect for growing high-end coffee. Above, the new "wash station" under construction.
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Christ Church Breaks Ground
On April 28, 2008, two and one-half years after holding its first public worship service, Christ Church parishioners celebrated a Groundbreaking Ceremony for their new building on 14 acres in Prince Creek, a 2,700 acre master-planned community in Murrells Inlet, SC.
The Rev. David Bryan, Senior Pastor; the Right Rev. Terrell Glenn, Christ Church's bishop; and Mr. Charlie Honeycutt, a church leader, (above) broke ground on the site for the church's new multi-purpose building. Members and friends of the new congregation joined together to sing, pray and consecrate the site to the glory of God.
Conceptual drawing of new Christ Church building.
The 10,000 plus square foot building, designed by Graham Architects of Pawleys Island, SC will provide a large worship and gathering space, children and adult classrooms, as well as offices. D.I. Wilson of Georgetown is the General Contractor for Christ Church on the project located on Prince Creek Parkway. The first phase building is scheduled to be completed by year's end.
Meeting at the Regal Cinemas in the Inlet Square Mall, Christ Church currently averages over 100 people in worship and encourages those attending to participate in Community Life groups to grow as disciples of Christ. Last spring, the congregation completed a capital campaign, "Imagine, God's Vision, Our Future", and raised over $1,000,000 to transform the dream of their first building into reality.
Christ Church members pray to dedicate the land.
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"Barbaric" Men's Retreat
Think setting Christian men free from a "domesticated" faith is an odd topic for a spiritual retreat?Thirty-two men from All Souls Church, Jacksonville, FL embraced the idea. The men gathered April 18-20, 2008 at Camp Lake Swan in Melrose for a "barbaric" spiritual retreat. Borrowing from Erwin McManus' book, The Barbarian Way, the Rev. Canon Ellis E. Brust of the Anglican Mission challenged the group using themes from the book along with Scripture and personal stories to cast a vision for Christian men to be set free from a "domesticated" faith which threatens to inhibit their witness and ministry.  Canon Brust (left) emphasized the need to release the power of the Holy Spirit, making ministry times an integral part of the retreat. The weekend culminated with a call for participants to determine their place either as a "barbarian for Christ" or as supporters of those who chose to accept this radical model for Christian ministry regardless of the cost or sacrifice required. Six participants embraced the call as "barbarians," while others prayed for them to be empowered and anointed in their new beginning.  Adding to the symbolism, each man was given the opportunity to offer a sign of his commitment as Israel did in Joshua 4:20-21 by placing stones in a box. The box of stones will be placed on the Altar of All Souls during each Sunday service for the next year as a symbol of their commitment to serve the Lord and stand for the families of All Souls. | |
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May 2008
Keep Current!
Video Message from
Bishop Chuck Murphy
Fresh updates on the latest developments, plans, and initiatives straight from the Anglican Mission Chairman.
THIS MONTH:
Bishop Murphy highlights a recent brainstorming meeting in Atlanta as we look to future growth of
the Anglican Mission.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Cyclone
Relief Aid for Myanmar
(AP Photo/UNICEF)
The
Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) is accepting donations for
Cyclone Relief in Myanmar, and fund distributions will be coordinated
through Archbishop Stephen Oo and Archbishop John Chew (a member of the
ARDF Board of Trustees).
Credit card donations may be made on the ARDF website.
Checks may be mailed to:
ARDF
P.O. Box 3830
Pittsburgh, PA 15230.
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ST. PHILIP'S
ORLANDO
For More Info
"Grounded in Scripture, Rooted in History, Reaching out to the World."
For more information on St. Philip's Anglican Church,
visit their website.
click here
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GOT COFFEE?
For More Info
Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Company recently donated over 14,400 servings of Rwandan Specialty Coffee at the 2008 Orange Conference in Atlanta, Georgia for 4,500 Christian leaders with a passion to reach the next generation for Christ.
The 730 bags of coffee sold at the event equals over seven years of the average rural wage for one Rwanda specialty coffee farmer and fourteen microfinance starter loans for genocide widows.
Introduce Land of a Thousand Hills coffee to your
congregation with a Ministry Starter Kit. Contact Robert Crow
866-875-4369
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