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January 10, 2013
"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." - Romans 8:5, 6 ESV
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 Message from Bishop Anderson
Dear Friends of the Anglican realignment,
As I write this I am aware that many of my readers have been suffering through an incredible outbreak of very cold polar air that has pushed temperatures from Canada to Florida to lows not seen in decades. Broken pipes, flooded offices and homes are all being reported from many quarters. I pray that your homes and offices are safe, or that you are able to effect a rapid recovery.
The College of Bishops (CoB) of the Anglican Church in North America has been meeting this week in a surprisingly cold Orlando, Florida with some bishops missing due to weather-related travel problems. I want to report good solid progress in many areas, and direct you to a Communique containing more detail that the CoB will be releasing shortly - we will post it on the AAC website when it is available.
The tone and tenor of our meeting is so refreshing, so lacking strife or guardedness, and so filled with genuine collegiality and a love and respect among the bishops, that I trust that even difficult issues will be resolved in time with the grace God is bestowing on the CoB gatherings. One aspect of the church that deserves your prayer and intercession is the process of selecting the next Archbishop/Primate of the Anglican Church in North America, which will occur this June as the College of Bishops meet in Pennsylvania in conclave. No politicking is occurring that I am aware of, and the College is approaching it in a genuine desire to let the Holy Spirit lead us to the right bishop. In the near future a collect will be circulated among ACNA churches to uphold that process, but our readers who are not members of the ACNA should feel free to use that collect as well. Look for it.
Regarding the Church of England (CofE), it does appear that the number of difficult issues which the CofE is facing in the upcoming year will sorely test the ability of that church to stay together with any sense of unity, but the current Archbishop of Canterbury is capable of clearer speech than we believe we experienced with the former Archbishop, and with that clarity the different parties can at least better understand the direction the Archbishop of Canterbury is desiring or willing to go. The first event to watch is the English House of Bishops meeting in January. Will they take action on the Pilling report?
Blessings and Peace in Jesus Christ,
The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson,
President and Chairmen of the Board, American Anglican Council |
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Crisis Comes to Church of England
by Robert Lundy, AAC Communications
2013 brought the spiritual crisis of the Anglican Communion home to its mother church. No longer would unseemly arguments and debates over sexuality and the authority of holy scripture be solely associated with the North American cousins. Sadly, you might say that the Anglican Communion's chickens have come home to roost in the Church of England.
Archbishop Justin Welby was installed as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury on March 21, 2013. Welby was a dramatic change from his predecessor, Rowan Williams, with his evangelical background, experience in the business world, plain-spoken nature and clean shaven face. The archbishop was quickly probed by reporters on where he stands regarding homosexuality and the church. The incoming Primate seemed to strategically assert his appreciation for the love evident in some homosexual relationships, sternly condemned "homophobia" and yet stopped short of an unequivocal, unapologetic endorsement of the Church's traditional teaching on marriage...Read more.
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Church Insurance Company ordered to support TEC loyalist group
January 10, 2014
A federal judge ruled in favor of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina on Monday, ordering that an insurance company must provide a legal defense for the local Episcopal Church diocese in the lawsuit brought against it by a breakaway group.
U.S. District Judge Patrick Michael Duffy ruled that TECSC's commercial liability coverage in the policy issued to it by Church Insurance Co. of Vermont provides the local Episcopal diocese with coverage for "advertising injuries."
A trademark dispute is one of the issues in the lawsuit initiated in January 2013 by former church leaders who have left The Episcopal Church but continue to claim the right to the name and service marks of the "Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of South Carolina." Because of a temporary order in that lawsuit, the recognized Episcopal diocese in this region is currently using the working name "The Episcopal Church in South Carolina."... Read more. |
Bishop Hunter Invested as Bishop of the Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others
Religion News ServiceJanuary 7, 2014 During the opening worship service of the Anglican Church in North America's College of Bishops meeting on Monday, January 6, 2014, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Todd Dean Hunter was invested as the first Diocesan Bishop for the recently formed Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others (C4SO). The new diocese unites a community of churches and leaders located primarily in California, Kansas and Texas, organized by regional deaneries. C4SO will also be involved in planting churches in collaboration with other bishops throughout the United States. The Anglican Church in North America's Provincial Council approved formation of the Diocese in June 2013. The Most Rev. Robert W. Duncan, Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in North America, presided over the investiture liturgy and presented Bishop Hunter with a pastoral staff, a symbol of the office of Bishop representing Christ's ministry as the Great Shepherd... Read more.
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'No plans' to remove the devil from Church of Ireland baptisms
The Journal IE
January 9, 2014
The Church of Ireland has "no current plans" to follow the example of Anglican church leaders in England and introduce a devil-free version of the traditional baptism service.
In the new wording, currently being-road tested in 400 parishes across the water, parents and godparents are being asked if they "reject evil, and all its many forms, and all empty promises". In the traditional version, they are asked if they "reject the devil and all rebellion against God".
The move follows a motion brought to the church's General Synod from the a group of clergy in Liverpool, who sought to alter the baptism service to include "culturally appropriate and accessible language"...Read more.
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"Downton Abbey" and the Modern Age - What Are We Really Watching?
January 10, 2014
Americans by the millions tuned in to watch the premier of Downton Abbey's fourth season, eager to enjoy the continuation of the saga of the Earl and Countess of Grantham and their household. According to press reports, 10.2 million Americans watched the first episode, catching up on developments since the end of the third season, which ended with yet another tragedy, this time the death of heir Matthew Crawley. But the heir did not leave without leaving an heir, and so the story continues.
But, do Americans have any idea what they are really watching?... Read more.
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