| The Official eNewsletter of the Anglican Mission in the Americas
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Greetings from the Mission Center.
Dear ,
We are working hard to keep you current with the latest Anglican Mission news from around the world. If you haven't already done so, please prayerfully consider attending our annual Winter Conference in January. Your presence at this important event will change lives, including your own.
Why not forward Currents to an Anglican friend? Click the button below. Cynthia Brust
Director of Communications, Anglican Mission in the Americas
If you have an upcoming event, news item or story of interest send us an email.
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Be a part of the fellowship, teaching and excitement in 2009!
We hope you will make plans now to attend Winter Conference 2009, January 28 - 31, in beautiful Greensboro, North Carolina. Join us for a sacred time of connecting with like-hearted faithful from around the world.
X Register Early and Save!
For fast, easy and secure registration online click here. Early-bird Pricing
$165 per person, $295 per couple
$110 per student, $175 per student and spouse
After December 20, 2008
$195 per person, $375 per couple
$150 per student, $255 per student and spouse
To see photos and bios on all the Winter Conference 2009 Plenary
Speakers, click here.
WINTER CONFERENCE DETAILS
Group Registration
The group rate of $145 for single or $275 for double is available until 12/20/08 for groups of 25 or more. Interested? Please contact Patti Angulo for more information.
Room Reservations
Contact the Greensboro Sheraton directly to book your on-site room: 800-242-6556 (toll-free). Ask for the special Anglican Mission Winter Conference group rate available through January 8, 2009.
NEW EVENT! Film Festival
Winter Conference 2009 will kick off with a night of celebration and fun. Under the leadership of Bishop TJ Johnston, the Anglican Mission will host a Film Festival entitled, Spotlight on Local Mission.
Click here for more Film Festival information, guidelines and entry form.
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Important Pre-Conference Events
NOTE: All pre-Winter Conference 2009 events will be held at the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel (site of Winter Conference).
1. Avoiding the Millstone Course...no cost training.
Avoiding the Millstone is the Anglican Mission's Preventative Program for Sexual Misconduct. This training is required of all Anglican Mission staff and all clergy who are associated with the Anglican Mission in the Americas in any capacity. It is strongly recommended that all employees of congregations and adult volunteers who supervise children or youth activities also take the training.
Date & Time:Wednesday, January 28, 1:00 - 4:00 PM Check the box on your online registration form if you plan to attend. Please contact Patti Angulo with any questions regarding registration.
2. One Church, Two Cultures: Uniting through Sister to Sister Partnerships
We are encouraging representatives from each Anglican Mission church to attend this interactive workshop and play a part in fulfilling Archbishop Kolini's vision of heart-to-heart connections between Anglican Mission churches and congregations in Rwanda.
There is no charge for the workshop, and a box lunch will be provided for all registered participants.
Date & Time:Wednesday, January 28, Noon - 4:00 PMContact Sandi Harding to register or call: 678-602-3714.
3. Discovering the World of Church Planting
This workshop, hosted by AIM Church Planting, will help participants discover how to unleash the power of a congregation to plant healthy churches that plant churches - the most effective way to reach the "disconnected."
Date & Time:
Tuesday, January 27, 1:00-5:00 PM
Wednesday, January 28, 8:30 AM - Noon
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Call for Prayer Ministers to Serve at Winter Conference 2009
Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you'. John 15:15
PRAYER TEAM VOLUNTEERS, email Jane Sizemore now.
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Supporting Marriages with
"Ten Great Dates"
IT'S A FACT: married couples in the midst of raising children commonly struggle to put their relationship before the needs of their children. We all know that a healthy relationship between husband and wife is key to a healthy family, yet many couples sometimes find themselves depleted of time and resources to cultivate their own relationship in the midst of life's daily demands.
"There are over 40 couples in our church between the ages of 25 and 50, most of whom are raising young children and struggling to keep their marriage first, " shares the Rev. John Richardson, Rector of St. Peter's Anglican, Birmingham, Alabama. "I began to ask how we can band together as the Body of Christ to ensure healthy marriages resulting in healthy families."
"Ten Great Dates" was born based on an instructional video series John had previously viewed and adapted to a Christian audience. His program format promotes marriage through fellowship, biblically-based teaching and planned dates--including specific ground rules for conversation, like no talking about work or kids.
On September 26, sixteen couples attended the kickoff for Ten Great Dates, which was so successful that 40 showed up for the first "date-night" held in October. The evening began with a social hour in the church courtyard followed by short, relevant teaching by John on topics related to marriage. With free babysitting available, couples were then required to go out on a date alone to discuss pre-arranged topics.
"We had a great time participating in Ten Great Dates," shares Leland and Courtney Murphree, St. Peters' parishioners. "Having an opportunity to spend quality time together away from our busy schedules was invaluable. The guidelines provided by Fr. John gave us a great format to share our time together with an intentional focus on our love and relationship with Christ."
"Learning to Talk," "Resolving Honest Conflict," and "Developing Spiritual Intimacy" are just a few of the topics of discussion for future dates.
"This has turned out to be a great evangelism tool for us," remarks John. "The couples are inviting their friends to come and join in on the fun, and we are watching marriages become Christ-centered and healthy in the process."
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Elected: Two New Bishops to the Anglican Church of Rwanda
The Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda's House of Bishops has unanimously elected the Rev. Nathan Gasatura and the Rev. Augustin Ahimana to serve as bishops. The four-day meeting of bishops was held in mid-October in the Byumba Diocese and was chaired by Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini, Primate of the Province of Rwanda.
In his message to the press, Archbishop Kolini expressed gratitude and assured the nation that the Anglican Church of Rwanda is committed to evangelism and church planting.
Bishop-elect Gasatura (picture, center) currently works for World Vision Rwanda and is a former president of the National Council for Controlling HIV/Aids. He was elected bishop of the Butare Diocese, replacing Bishop Venuste Mutiganda who is taking sabbatical leave in France. Bishop-elect Ahimana, who serves as administrator of the Kigali Anglican Theological College, was elected Bishop of the Kivu Diocese, a newly created diocese which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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| Immanuel Anglican's Family Fall Festival Draws 300
Immanuel Anglican Church (IAC) in Destin, FL held their annual Family Fall Festival, Sunday, October 26 on the church property, complete with face painting, pony rides, games and free food. Advertised through radio announcements, newspaper ads and prominent signage, efforts drew close to 300 people of all ages.
Motivated by the church Mission Statement, "It's About God, It's About Others, It's About Us," the Family Fall Festival partnered with the IAC Youth Ministry to host a fish fry benefiting a future mission trip to Jamaica, drawing record numbers of attendees.
A popular highlight, the "ark race" relay competition between various ministries at Immanuel, promoted joyous laughter as bystanders witnessed ministry leaders pushing wheel barrows and wagons adorned with painted cardboard arks through obstacle courses. Teams representing the fastest and most creative ark received awards for their efforts.
"This is a way for us to reach out to the local community, introduce ourselves and answer any questions about who we are as an Anglican Mission congregation," declares Bridget Carnley, one of three coordinators for the festival. "We find that some come back and visit us on Sunday because they are more comfortable and familiar with Immanuel after participating in the fun."
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Leadership Development Announces Liturgics Class
The Department of Leadership Development has asked the Anglican School of Ministry-Little Rock (ASM-LR) to present a seminary-level course in liturgics on Monday and Tuesday prior to Winter Conference at the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel.
The two-day seminar (SEM 602 Liturgics) will provide instruction in the fundamentals of conducting services in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer and follows a "hear, see, do" format, affording students hands-on experience. The class requires substantial pre-course reading and post-course reflection and summarization; it also fulfills two semester credit hours!
DATE & TIME
Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
COST
Application Fee: $25
Course Tuition: $100
Payment is due upon enrollment.
Books and accommodation expenses are extra.
PLEASE NOTE: Those enrolling in this seminar must apply for admission in one of the school's certificate or diploma programs or as a special student. Upon enrollment, students will be provided with a detailed course syllabus and reading list.
Click here for additional information from the ASM-LR website.
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Church of the Holy Spirit Hosts Group Life Conference
Have you ever been part of a small group, gathered in a circle for the purpose of growing in discipleship and partnering with community life, and no one wants to talk? Or perhaps you have been part of a successful group, but fellowship is growing stale. Now Willow Creek's Annual Group Life Conference offers proven and innovative tools to help your small groups reach their full potential.
For the first time, Willow Creek Association partnered with Church Communication Network (CCN) to broadcast portions of this year's conference via satellite, making the conference financially feasible for many that cannot afford to travel to Chicago.
"We were a host site for the October 17-18 simulcast because it goes along with our vision to make disciples that make disciples," explains the Rev. Quigg Lawrence, Rector of Church of the Holy Spirit, in Roanoke, Virginia. "Everyone says that they want to do that, but very few of us know how. Willow Creek (www.willowcreek.com) has a lot of incredible things going on in the areas of small groups, community life and serving the poor."
 At the heart of every growing congregation, there are small groups regularly gathering. "The process of discipling keeps coming back to small groups," continues Quigg. "Anytime a congregation grows past 150 members, it becomes hard to know everyone. I don't want people to leave because they aren't growing, making friends and connecting."
Church of the Holy Spirit members participate in the live Group Life broadcast.
Pepse Garcia, small group leader at Church of the Holy Spirit reported: "It was definitely worth my time. The conference speakers were humorous and engaging, and I walked away with lots of new ideas to keep my group fresh."
Before attending the Group Life Conference, Leslie Swanson, Hospitality Coordinator for the Women's Council at Church of the Holy Spirit, was not involved in a small group. It was a talk on "refrigerator rights" that touched her heart and changed her mind.
"One of the speakers asked us who would be comfortable enough to come into our house and go through our refrigerator, communicating that the 10 or 12 that have refrigerator rights in our life are our small group, our support system," explains Leslie. "It made me realize that God wants us to be caring for each other in the context of a small group and that I have been disobedient in not joining one."
Church of the Holy Spirit offset the $4,000 expense to show the conference by charging $40 per person and making it available to other churches in the community.
"When you are in a small group where people really like each other and pray together, it is a powerful thing," exclaims Quigg. "Unless we train people to lead small groups they will be shallow, and we are willing to make the investment to do small groups well!"
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Anglican Awakening: A Miraculous Catch of Fish
 Photos courtesy of Fr. Richard DaltonAKRON, OHIO. October 21-23 the Great Lakes Anglican Network (GLAN) gathered in Akron, Ohio, at St. Luke's Anglican Church for its fourth annual conference. GLAN is a growing family of more than 60 congregations from several Common Cause jurisdictions who have committed to work together in mission, evangelism and church-planting in the Eastern Great Lakes region of the US and Canada. Nine Common Cause bishops, including Anglican Mission Chairman, Bishop Chuck Murphy, joined over 150 clergy and lay leaders for the three-day conference in which each bishop led a teaching on a unique portion of Luke's description of the Miraculous Catch of Fish found in the fifth chapter of his Gospel. "It is a most appropriate teaching for our times, explained Canon Doc Loomis, event organizer and GLAN Co-Chair. "Unable to bring in the enormous catch, the fishermen call to their partners in the other boat for help." In his Wednesday evening address, Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh and Moderator of Common Cause, noted, "Luke's accounting is the very essence of our movement. We are calling to you today, our partners... to join in the harvest." Andy Piercy, leader of the Anglican Mission's Worship Initiative and worship leader at St. Peter's, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, offered powerful worship with the assistance of Ellen Loomis and a worship team of musicians from the region. Representatives from Trinity School for Ministry, Rock the World, South American Missionary Society (SAMS), as well as The Anglican Relief and Development Fund were also present to share information with event participants. Anglican Awakening events have already been hosted in Chicago, Vancouver, and Amesbury, Massachusetts. |
Retreats Around the Mission Reap
A Powerful Harvest
The following stories testify to the powerful ways in which God is moving in the lives of people through the ministries of our Anglican Mission churches as they "take time apart" for retreat. We are sure you will not want to pass up the opportunity to be encouraged as you read the stories in their entirety on the web-site.
1. Ariel: A Ministry of Proclamation Hosts Retreat in Florida
 Ariel-A Ministry of Proclamation-hosted a weekend retreat October 23-25 at Prince of Peace Anglican in Melbourne, Florida. Ministering to almost 175 people from several states, the retreat's theme was Alive in Christ, Living Beyond Yourself taken from Galatians 2:20. The unmistakable presence of the Holy Spirit blessed the worship, teaching and personal prayer ministry throughout the entire weekend bringing renewal and restoration to many.... Read the full original article.
For more information about Ariel ministries or to request a retreat in your area visit their website or click here to email.
2. Men Experience Transformation through Orchard Hills Retreat
 Living up to their name, Orchard Hills Church of the Holy Spirit, Roanoke, Virginia, is witnessing a profound move of the Holy Spirit evidenced in the transformation of the men who gathered recently for retreat weekend in the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee.
"We have been focused on getting men connected with each other in groups of four for the purpose of discipleship, using monthly gatherings and weekend retreats as platforms for them to build relationships with each other," explains the Rev. Scott McLucas, Pastor.
Throughout the year, men's breakfast gatherings and outdoor adventure activities, organized around teachings from the Ransomed Heart material (www.ransomedheart.com) by Author John Eldredge, laid a solid foundation for the weekend getaway.
Read the full original article.
3. Florida Retreat Brings Healing, Hope and Heart Change
 New Leaf Healing Ministries, an outreach of Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin, Florida, held their Freedom in Christ, an Experience of Inner Healing retreat the first weekend in November. The retreat focused on offering help to those walking through valleys, struggling to overcome a besetting sin, or simply seeking more of God for healing and growth toward spiritual maturity. Read the full original article.
For more information about New Leaf Ministries email Hannah Flynn and read about Hannah's upcoming ordination to the diaconate from the Destin Log.
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Winter Conference Hotel
Book your room early and save!
Held in beautiful Greensboro, North Carolina, this year's Winter Conference host hotel is the 1000-room Sheraton Greensboro, the largest hotel and convention center between Washington, DC and Atlanta, Georgia.
Room reservations should be made by contacting the Greensboro Sheraton reservations desk directly at: 866-242-6556 (toll-free)
Be sure to request the special Anglican Mission Winter Conference group rate available through January 8, 2009.
Hotel website
Winter Conference webpage
Online Conference Registration
Greensboro info
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TAKE ACTION
Join in the Fast... Encouraging Words from the Nicene Creed
In response to the Network Leaders' call for Prayer and Fasting for the new province in North America, the Prayer Ministry of the Anglican Mission has developed weekly meditations on the Nicene Creed),Feast on the Creed, along with encouraging quotes on prayer and fasting.
As you choose a way each week to fast for our common life, common mission and the formation of the new Anglican province, may the meditation and words of brothers and sisters in Christ strengthen and encourage you.
"I ...urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." Jude 3
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TAKE ACTION
10 Great Dates at Your Church
To see how St. Peter's Anglican promotes healthy marriages, visit their 10 Great Dates webpage.
To see the materials that inspired Rev. Richardson, visit Marriage Alive.
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