"For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death..." Psalm 102: 19-20 KJV
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Message from the AAC
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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The American Anglican Council's offices will be closed tomorrow in observance of Good Friday. This email is an abbreviated version of our weekly email update. We will resume sending the regular weekly email update next Friday, April 13th.
May yours be a blessed Holy Week as we remember our Lord's passion and death and rejoice in his resurrection.
The AAC Staff
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Maundy Thursday meditation
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From Trinity School for Ministry's 2012 Lenten Devotional booklet ...When Jesus had set His cup back on the table and sung a hymn with His friends, He left the upper room for the darkest night of His exile. Since he arrived on earth, our sin - my sin - and His determination to end its reign had deprived Him of the comfort of heaven and the near friendship of His Father. Until His work was finished, there would be no return.... As in His living, so also in His dying, Jesus shared the exile of His people. But even this was put to death in His body, so that we might share His home with Him forever.... |
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Rwandan HOB Addresses AMiA Bishops' Status
| Source: StandFirm blog
April 2, 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ:
Greetings in the precious Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The House of Bishops met together on March 29, 2012, during which time we seriously
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Archbishop Rwaje
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and prayerfully considered how to respond to the desire of those in the Anglican Mission in the Americas who wish to disaffiliate from the Province de l'Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda (PEAR). Those AMiA missionary bishops who resigned on December 5, 2011 have maintained their credentials in the Province of Rwanda up until now. However, in a meeting of delegates from PEAR and AMiA in Johannesburg earlier this month, they asked to be "released" from the PEAR.
According to our Provincial Canons, there are only three ways that we may "release" clergy affiliated with us:
1. By transferring them to another jurisdiction within the Anglican Communion;
2. By their voluntary renunciation of orders;
3. By formal ecclesiastical discipline.
Today we wrote to those AMiA missionary bishops who resigned and asked that if they wish to continue in episcopal ministry within another Anglican jurisdiction, that they please inform us of that jurisdiction immediately so that we may translate them appropriately.
For the time being, all remaining AMiA clergy continue to have canonical residence within the PEAR. Any clergy who wish to withdraw their credentials are free to do so in writing. We encourage all North American clergy credentialed in the PEAR to join PEARUSA, which is our missionary district in North America, unanimously erected by our House of Bishops in our today's meeting.
We pray that you will not be distracted from the higher calling of Jesus' Great Commission. Preach the good news, love the poor, plant healthy churches, and disciple Christ's flock.
The grace and peace of God be with you all.
Archbishop Onesphore Rwaje
The rest of the article may be found here.
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Diocese of Georgia's Bishop Benhase Dismisses Parish Vestry and Rector
| Source: Diocese of Georgia
29 March 2010 [sic] (it is said that the date is in error and should read 29 March 2012)
Dear People of Calvary Church:
The events of this week have saddened me greatly. I learned on Tuesday that three of
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Bishop Benhase
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your former Vestry Members (including both wardens), while still serving on your Vestry, had on March 16, 2012 formed a non-profit corporation called "St John's Anglican Church of Georgia, Inc." This was a direct violation of their oath of office as members of the Vestry. Anyone, of course, is free to leave any church any time they feel so led, but we all would hope that they would do so openly, honestly, and with integrity.
This development also required me to place the Reverend Don Hutchens on Administrative Leave according to Title IV, Canon 7 of our Church Canons until I can discover what part he may have played in this action and what his connection to this new church might be. I also was required to dismiss the entire Vestry until I can ascertain who on the Vestry will keep the oath they made before God to carry out the duties of their office. As soon as is practicable, I will reconstitute the Vestry with current elected members. Temporarily, I have appointed Linda Kidd as Senior Warden and Jeffrey Waldrop as Junior Warden.
Let me assure you that Calvary Church is in good hands. The Holy Spirit will not abandon the Church of Jesus. Canon Logue will preside and preach on Palm Sunday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. We have also arranged for the Reverend Kedron Nicholson to preside and preach for all of the mid-week Holy Week liturgies and Wednesdays and Sundays for some weeks to come. Calvary Church will continue to worship God, serve Jesus, and be a witness to the Holy Spirit's ongoing reconciling work in the world.
I know for many of you there is a mix of pain, sadness, and anger. That is understandable when we experience such loss. My fervent prayer is that our actions going forth will give God the glory; that we all will act with compassion and mercy; that grace will prevail in all our interactions with one another; and, that in spite of any anger or sense of betrayal we might have, we will follow the way of Jesus.
With much love and with many prayers for all of you, I remain, Yours in Christ,
The Right Reverend Scott Anson Benhase, Bishop of Georgia
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| Commission to Communion: "Tell us your views on next Archbishop of Canterbury's ministry" | Source: Anglican Communion News Service
April 2, 2012
Members of the Anglican Communion around the world are, for the first time in history, being invited to share their views on the ministry of the next Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Crown Nominations Commission of the Church of England - the body that nominates the next Archbishop of Canterbury - traditionally asks for the views of all Primates and Provincial Secretaries of the 38 Provinces of the Anglican Communion.
On this occasion, however, not only has a Primate been invited to join the Commission, but a letter has also been sent to Provinces to be read in Anglican Communion churches inviting everyone to share their thoughts about the ministry of the next Archbishop.
The letter, sent by the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Canon Kenneth Kearon on behalf of the Commission, states: "The Archbishop of Canterbury exercises many roles-he is Bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury, Primate of the Church of England, and Focus of Unity for the Anglican Communion.
"The process of seeking the next Archbishop is led by the Crown Nominations Commission of the Church of England and extensive consultations within the U.K. have begun with various representatives of the Church of England, other Christian denominations, other faiths and wider church life. Members of the Church of England are also invited to share in this process.
"The Commission wishes to offer the same opportunity to other members of the Anglican Communion. It is seeking your views on the priorities for the ministry of the next Archbishop to enable the members of the Commission to have as rich a picture as possible as they begin their work."...
The rest of the article may be found here.
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