Collect For The Missonary Society

Almighty God, who anointed thy well-beloved Son with the Holy Spirit, that he might preach the Gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim deliverance to the captive, and recovery of sight to the blind; to set at liberty those held in the bondage of oppression and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord’s favour: pour out, we beseech thee, this same Holy Spirit on the Missionaries of St. John the Evangelist, that, following their Lord’s example, they also may proclaim, by words of power and deeds of mercy, the everlasting Gospel of repentance, reconciliation and restoration, and draw those who hear this Gospel from the power of darkness into the Kingdom of thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, livest and reignest, one God in glory everlasting. Amen.

Expansion Continues At Christ Community

Christ Community Church is still expanding. With two phases of the three phases in place, the Community gathers for worship each week even while the work continues. With over 65 worshippers in attendance, the southern Kentucky parish hosted Bishop Fick for an episcopal visit this past Sunday.

More Photos From General Assembly

Celebration of the Holy Eucharist

Bob Lemmon and Jeff Johnston study.

Fr. James Guill, FiFNA, addresses the delegates.

General Assembly 2009 Photos

Lunch With Great Mexican Food Is Served!

Delegates In Session

New Professions Made

Father James Guill Preaches At Eucharist

Bishop Fick Shares A Moment With Delegates

The MSJ Rule Of Faith Is Approved

MSJ Delegates Gather In Hurst, Texas

Arriving from around the country, delegates and guests of the MSJ have gathered in Hurst, Texas, at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, for General Assembly. The delegates have gathered to renew old friendships and to meet new friends of the Missionary Society of St John. A complete revision of the Rule of Life is the important work before the assembly, while worship, prayer and fellowship fill the schedule. Also before the assembled delegates is consideration of the important invitations extended to Anglicans by the both the Vatican and Metropolitan Jonah of the Orthodox Church in America.

Fr James Guill of Forward in Faith, North America will be giving the homily at this evening mass.

Forward In Faith- UK- Responds To Vatican News

FIF UK FiF reacts to Statement from Rome Oct 20, 2009 It has been the frequently expressed hope and fervent desire of Anglican Catholics to be enabled by some means to enter into full communion with the See of Peter whilst retaining in its integrity every aspect of their Anglican inheritance which is not at variance with the teaching of the Catholic Church. We rejoice that the Holy Father intends now to set up structures within the Church which respond to this heartfelt longing. Forward in Faith has always been committed to seeking unity in truth and so warmly welcomes these initiatives as a decisive moment in the history of the Catholic Movement in the Church of England. Ut unum sint! +John Fulham Geoffrey Kirk

Anglicans And Orthodox Begin Again

House Bound

Bishop Frederick Fick MSJ will be representing the Society at Nashotah House this week. See the story immediately below. May the Lord bless the participants as all seek to do His will.

In the Footsteps of Tikhon and Grafton

"In the Footsteps of Tikhon and Grafton" — Nashotah House to Host Anglican-Orthodox Ecumenical Conference with St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary Partnership between two schools marks new step in ecumenical relations Nashotah, WI, September 1, 2009 – An ecumenical conference between scholars of the Anglican and Eastern Orthodox traditions will be held at Nashotah House Theological Seminary on October 8-10, 2009. Entitled “In the Footsteps of Tikhon and Grafton - Anglican and Orthodox Identity, Ministry and Mission in the 21th Century,” the Anglican-Orthodox Conference will feature discussions and addresses by representatives of Nashotah House and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY, together with several worship services representing the spiritual riches of both traditions. The conference will conclude with the signing of a “Covenant Partnership,” pledging continued prayer, fellowship and ecumenical cooperation between the two schools. Speakers will include the His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, Orthodox Metropolitan of All America and Canada, who is President of the St. Vladimir’s Board of Trustees, and the Very Rev. Chad Hatfield, an alumnus of Nashotah House who is now Chancellor of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. The Conference is free and open to the public but advance registration is required. For more information, telephone Fr. Steve Schlossberg, Director of Communications, at (262) 646-6506. “St. Vladimir's Seminary is committed to working out a new relationship with Nashotah House that honors our common legacy and heritage,” says Fr. Hatfield. “Together we can take the work and witness or our forefathers and reclaim the voice of Christian orthodoxy that this world is starving to hear once again. Not to do so would be to fail to build upon the foundations of both seminaries and the two traditions that they represent. Now is the time to act boldly, and together we will in common witness to the truth of the Gospel of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. May it be blessed.” The Very Rev. Dr. Robert S. Munday, Dean and President of Nashotah House expressed his conviction that this new relationship between the two seminaries “is an important step in furthering a renewal of Anglican—Orthodox ecumenical dialogue, which is the oldest ecumenical dialogue between Christian traditions." Dean Munday added, "It is particularly appropriate that Nashotah House should resume the ecumenical efforts begun over 100 years ago by Bishop Charles Grafton (2nd Bishop of Fond du Lac and Chairman of the Nashotah House Board of Trustees) and Saint Tikhon of Moscow (who was archbishop of the Orthodox Church in America, and who was made an honorary Doctor of Divinity by Nashotah House in 1905, later becoming Patriarch of Moscow and head of the Russian Orthodox Church)." Bishop Frederick Fick, MSJ will be attending this conference on behalf of the Society.

Bishop Keith Ackerman, FiFNA, Visits With Texas MSJ Chapter

+ Keith Ackerman spent a bit over three hours with the Texas Chapter at Holy Trinity Church in Hurst on Saturday, 19 September. During that time, Bishop Ackerman spoke frankly and personally to our questions, questions which are shared by many people. He acknowledged that there are flaws in the ACNA, but that this is the group that God has given us to work His will through, and that the ACNA is of an open mind, especially to the Anglo-Catholic mind.

He spoke of his great joy in visiting with evangelical Anglicans around the world and demonstrating to them that their views were actually the historic Anglo-Catholic views, while dismantling the caricatures built up regarding Anglo-Catholics as more interested in Mary than in mission and the spread of the Gospel in Christ Jesus. He said that his one of greatest moments of joy in dialogue were when J.I Packer said, after one of Bishop Ackerman’s presentations, “Well, if anyone had told me twenty years ago that I would be agreeing with the Anglo-Catholic position on anything, I would have laughed in his face. Today, I find that I agree to the point of calling myself an Evangelical Catholic.”

Bishop Ackerman also spoke of the great strides made in ecumenical progress with the Orthodox, especially the Orthodox Church of America, and of his hopes for the Nashotah House conference. “We are close, very close, to having an understanding which will lead to a deeper relationship.” He also spoke of the extraordinary flexibility regarding the new FiF-NA Diocese of All Saints, in accepting groups who are Anglo-papalist, Anglo-Orthodox, classic English High Church, Oxford Movement High Church, as well as making provision for various societies and religious orders under its umbrella.

Finally, he spoke of practicalities, of the sharing of ministries and talents among Anglo-Catholics and with others in the ACNA. He spoke of his own desire to celebrate and preach at Holy Trinity, and was overjoyed when Fr. Bob assured him that Bishop Fick has already given his blessing to do so. He is scheduled to speak to our cluster again on a Saturday late in November on the topic of pastoral counseling and then he will indeed preach and preside at Holy Trinity’s altar the next day.

The meeting ended with the clergy anointing and praying for his steady improvement in health and ministry, and his episcopal blessing upon us. The entire visit was truly a blessing and each man returned to his home parish refreshed and encouraged.

Dates Set For Society Annual Gathering

The Missionary Society of St John (FiF-NA) will hold its annual gathering in Hurst, (Dallas-Ft.Worth) Texas, October 25 thru October 27. Worship and most other activities will be held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church. You may visit the parish's website here:

Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Clergy and Lay delegates are urged to secure housing arrangements in advance. Full details will be provided. Contact Fr. Bob Tomlinson by using Holy Trinity's website contact information. As our host, Fr. Bob will be able to provide direct, pertinent and timely information.

All Anglicans and all interested people are most welcome to share in the inspiring time of prayer, worship, work and fellowship with the hospitality of the M.S.J.

Our Roots, Our Calling, Our Place in the Church

Recently, Frederick G. Fick, bishop of the MSJ was interviewed about the unique mission of the Society.  That interview has been edited and can be read, in its entirety here.

The Missionary Society of St John; its Roots, its Calling, its Place in the Church.

Dedication Of Hope Anglican, Oscoda

Family and friends are invited as Hope Anglican Church, Oscoda, Michigan will be re-consecrated on August 9 at the 10:30 a.m. mass.  Fr. Thomas Anderson announces that the century old Swedish Lutheran Church building, the home of Hope Anglican, will be officially be put back into sacred service following a year of remodeling.  The Rt Rev Frederick Fick will officiate and the Rev Canon Francis Wardega will be preaching.

Fr Tom said, "This will be less about blessing a building than about re-consecrating a people to the work of the Gospel."

Call Hope Anglican for further details.    989-739-5751

The Finished Product

OK, with the chancel furniture and altar restored to its place, the final photo of the new chancel at St John the Apostle Anglican Church, Clinton Township, Michigan.  Sure, everyone is very proud of the clean new look.  If some old "before" photos can be located, maybe we can do a "before" and "after".

Paul And The Underground Church

Meanwhile, as we said, it was a very busy week at St John the Apostle.  It was time for Vacation Bible School.  One 12 year old in attendance declared, "This was the best VBS ever!"  With extraordinary costumes, sets in various rooms, dozens of kids in attendance, and a huge staff of adults served as teaching characters.  It was amazing.  So realistic, most of the kids lost themselves each evening in the experience of being a Christian in the first century.  Memories shared and deep, heart-felt lessons learned that will last a life time.

Take a look, it is worth the browse.   

Many more photos are posted here.

New Tile Sanctuary At St John The Apostle Parish

After almost 5 years of celebrating the Eucharist on rather worn, old blue carpet, the people of St John the Apostle, Clinton Township, MI decided it was time to finally make the sanctuary what everyone has known it could be for a long, long time.  Thanks to the efforts of a dozen volunteers, and approximately 400 man hours later, we show you a quick glimpse of the progress.  It has been a very busy week at St John.  

Click On Any Photo To Enlarge

Metropolitan Jonah At ACNA

Orthodox Church Leader Rekindles Relationship with Anglicans

The leader of the Orthodox Church in North America has re-kindled the oldest ecumenical relationship in Christian history. Addressing delegates and attendees of the inaugural assembly of the Anglican Church in North America, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, said, “I am seeking an ecumenical restoration by being here today. This is God’s call to us.” This significant gesture represents the possibility of full communion being exchanged between the churches.

Metropolitan Jonah represents the North American branch of the Orthodox Church, a Christian denomination that has a long history of strong relationships with the Anglican Church. “We have to actualize that radical experience of union in Christ with one another,” Jonah said. Speaking for 45 minutes, the Metropolitan addressed the importance of looking past our differences in order to work together for mission. “Our unity transcends our particularity,” he said.

His Beatitude’s message was focused on unity but did not fail to address areas of contrasting beliefs between the two churches. Despite this, the Metropolitan told the audience that “our arms are open wide.”

Following the speech, a representative of an Orthodox seminary, St. Vladimir’s, announced a cooperative effort with Nashotah House, an orthodox Anglican seminary, that would help further these ecumenical relationships and what Jonah described as a “new dialogue between the Orthodox Church in North America and the new Anglican province in North America.

The Texas chapter of the Missionaries of St John, together with their bishop, gathered in Bedford, Texas, heartily rejoice and offer God thanksgiving for this timely address by Metropolitan Jonah and his "open arms" of invitation. Our hearts resonate with his call to the truth of the apostolic faith, and we humbly and joyfully embrace his call to unity in the "faith once given".  Lord, hear our prayer.

Forward In Faith - North America Annual Assembly

The Forward In Faith flag, displayed throughout the assembly, was presented to the Missionaries of St John.

Enjoying a needed break in the Assembly activities.

Bishop Keith Ackerman addresses a break out session.

MSJ Delegates Off To Foward In Faith Assembly

This week, Forward In Faith North America will hold its annual assembly in Belleville, Illinois at the beautiful Our Lady of the Snows Shrine and convention site.  The Missionaries of St John will be represented by ten delegates in attendance.  We look forward to a busy, but devotional and refreshing week of meetings, fellowship and worship.

We intend to publish updates from the Shrine with any breaking or important news.  May God bless the travel of all the FiFNA delegates, guests and friends.

That Was Quick!!

As promised, new sign work is already up at Divine Mercy.  See full story two posts below.

Forward In Faith - North America Annual Assembly

For complete details and registration information, click here:

http://www.forwardinfaithnorthamerica.com/assembly/annualassembly.htm#

New MSJ Mission To Inner City Cleveland

Those who have been forgiven much, love much.  Those in recovery, some of whom are ex-felons, struggle with guilt and shame.  The Gospel of Christ offers love, forgiveness and true freedom.  Divine Mercy Mission has been providing pastoral care to those in recovery for over 2 1/2 years. 

We embark on a mission for the Kingdom of God.  Following the Lord's  call, we embark on a new work in the intercity of Cleveland, Ohio, in a historic neighborhood called Slavic Village.  Over the years it has experienced decline and a transformation from a former vibrant neighborhood of ethnic European steelworkers.  The Village is now a multi-racial community experiencing the worst of our current economic depression.  It is reported that one in six homes are in foreclosure.  Drug houses are flourishing, as is other activity that coincides with drug abuse.  I am quite familiar with the Village.  It is an area in which I minister at six local recovery centers. Divine Mercy Anglican Mission hopes to be an anchor, a spiritual center that reaches out to those in recovery and the community at large.

Pictured is our new facility, on which we hope to have new signage soon. We ask your prayers and we covet your help as we began just this past week on Pentecost Sunday. It seemed very fitting.

By His Mercy, to His Glory  

Fr. Nathanael Dean Maurer MSJ,   Divine Mercy Anglican Mission        440.951.2183

Fellowship of St. Joseph Behind the Walls

There's something new and wonderful about to happen at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex in West Liberty, Kentucky!  My name is Father Todd Boyce, and  I have the privilege to serve as Institutional Chaplain at EKCC.  We have over 1,700 inmates, nearly 400 staff members, and two Chaplains!  I'm a busy man, but I love what I'm doing.  In the course of any given week I counsel upwards of 15 to 20 men in my office or in their dorm, I notify between 4 and 6 men of family emergencies/deaths, I interact with nearly 25 volunteers, and pray continually about how God's love can be manifested more clearly in this place.

 

Each time I counsel with an Inmate I'm required to look at his background and know what he's done.  I don't mind telling you that there are many times I didn't have to do that.  Yet, in spite of it and/or because of it, God's love for us is made more clear to me each time.  I have felt, over the past 6 months, that something more is needed in this place for the men to grab hold of than what's currently offered.  Now, please don't misunderstand me.  We have the most wonderful volunteers working with us.  They bring unfailingly bring the men the message of God's salvation in Jesus Christ.  But something more is needed.

 

The men here need, once they have made the decision to surrender themselves to Jesus, the ongoing opportunity to offer themselves to Jesus.  That is, they need worship; worship that calls them to sacrificially give of themselves and to join themselves to perfect sacrifice of Jesus.  In short, they need the Mass.  They need to learn what, for many of them, they were never taught as they grew up: The value of self-giving.  What is implicitly understood by you and I - namely, that all our giving begins and ends in Jesus - is a forgeign concept to them.  As it stand right now, their only understanding of worship is entertainment.  The Fellowship of Saint Joseph Behind-the-Walls, an outreach ministry of MSJ, aims to change that.  By your prayers and the intercession of our Patron, Saint Joseph, we hope to provide growth for our men through worship; specifically, through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.  Please remember to pray for The Fellowship of Saint Joseph Behind-the-Walls!   Pray for us as we seek to follow his example of patient teaching and self-denial!  God bless each of you! 

Father Todd Boyce, MSJ

Decoration Day

Long before the expression "old school" became fashionable, older fellas, like my own dad, referred to Memorial Day as Decoration Day.  For them, it wasn't so much about a three day holiday weekend, but about honoring the dead.

Special focus was given and honor extended to those who had given their lives in service to their country in the military forces.  Town parades began at the cemetery where small America flags were placed on the graves of those ultimate patriots.  Things were clearer then, it seems.  It was Decoration Day and decorating the graves of fallen heroes was the primary task.  Then, with proper duty accomplished, came the parades, the red-white-blue streamers on bicycles, and family picnics.  

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and
keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home
and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly
grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give
them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant
them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer

Cleveland MSJ Cluster Gathering

The Missionaries of St John, Greater Cleveland Cluster, will be gathering for a weekend of fellowship, prayer and encouragement.  Following a Friday, May 8th, evening of food and fellowship, an all day Saturday clericus workshop will be held at Saint Martin Episcopal Church, 6295 River Rd, Chagrin Falls Ohio, 44022. 

We are very grateful to the vestry of St Martin for their hospitality.  For more information, please call 248-345-2651

Huge Carbon Footprint - Air Force One Over N.Y.C.

So, who had this great idea?

From time to time, something so preposterous simply begs a comment, even on a blog such as this, which is dedicated to the missionary activities of God's people.

Yesterday, Air Force One, or at least the presidential plane designated if the prez is onboard, took a joy ride over lower Manhattan, terrorizing the 9-11 stricken city.  Fainting, gasping and running from offices, people were forced to endure an interruption in business, costing millions, and risking life, limb and emotional health.  So, why was this done?  For a photo op!!  Really.

Now, no doubt, a lower level staff person will shoulder the blame for this fiasco, but one does wonder just how low level a staffer could be, since they could apparently order Air Force One and a jet fighter escort for this joy ride up from Maryland and back for a morning of sight seeing around New York City.  Hmmmm...

Finally, the "carbon footprint" of this little jaunt was how big?  Let's see, prepping and flying a 747 jumbo, ground support and don't forget the fighter(s), just how much fuel was burned again?   Under cap and trade, I say that the White House must now eliminate an important presidential trip somewhere.  I mean, such an environmentally zealous administration such as this should do no less.

Another option might be to send the M.S.J. a mission support check, for the "trade" portion of cap and trade, for say,.... $600,000. which was the likely total cost of this ill-conceived insanity.  

At least send us the rights to the stupid photo that was snapped.

That's all I have to say about this.

+Frederick G. Fick

Congratulations Fr. Ray!!

Father Ray Zeitz has completed his training as a volunteer chaplain in the Hospice program.  Congratulations and may God bless all those receiving your ministry in the greater Cleveland area.

Resurrection Sunday

The Resurrection Of Our Lord

Are there any who are devout lovers of God?


Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!



Are there any who are grateful servants?


Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!



Are there any weary with fasting?


Let them now receive their wages!



If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward;


If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.


He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first.

To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.
The deed He honors and the intention He commends.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!


First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!

Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

Let no one grieve at his poverty,
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hell when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.



Isaiah foretold this when he said,
"You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.



Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.

O death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!

Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!




The Easter sermon of John Chrysostom (circa 400 AD)

Good Friday

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set
your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and
our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and
grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy
Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life
and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you 
live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Maundy Thursday

Tenebrae - The Service Of Darkness

Palm Sunday - St. John the Apostle

Palm Sunday - Christ Community Anglican

Consecration Of New Oils

Consecration of Oil For Unction (anointing the sick)

O Lord, holy Father, giver of health and salvation: Send your
Holy Spirit to sanctify this oil; that, as your holy apostles
anointed many that were sick and healed them, so may those 
who in faith and repentance receive this holy unction be 
made whole; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and 
ever.  Amen 

Consecration of the Chrism



Eternal Father, whose blessed Son was anointed by the
Holy Spirit to be the Savior and servant of all, we pray you to 
consecrate this oil, that those who are sealed with it may
share in the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ; who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

Evangelizing On Scooters????

Senior Warden Jay Myers and Vicar Jeff Johnston (he's the old one on the silver scooter) out scouring the Texas Hill Country for unsaved souls this day.......  well, that was the claim anyhow.

Confirmations and Receptions

St Luke the Physician parish is located in Tyler, Texas. Pictured above, far left, is Fr. Rusty Matheny, rector and Fr. Bill Simpson, vicar of Church of the Holy Spirit, the two newest parishes to join the Missionary Society of St John.

MSJ Cluster Meeting

Meeting for a time of prayer, conversation and encouragement, MSJ representatives from Florida and Texas will be holding a cluster meeting in Ft. Worth.  Addressing the cluster, on Saturday morning, March 14th, will be special guest, Bishop Jack L. Iker.  We are so pleased that Bishop Iker would give us this time from his schedule.  

Guests are most welcome and are encouraged to pre-register via email.  msjanglican "at" yahoo.com.

The MSJ cluster will be hosted by Holy Trinity Anglican Church,  

785 Treadwell Drive, Hurst, TX  76053

Time For Some Humor

A Call To A Holy Lent

Dear People of God:

   The first Christians observed with great
 devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and
 it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided 
a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy 
Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of 
notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful 
were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to 
the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation 
was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set 
forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all 
Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith. 

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the 
observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance;
 by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and 
meditating on God's holy Word.

A Pastoral Letter From The Bishop

It Isn't Easy Being Anglican

 At the heart of the various difficulties in embracing the Anglican world is the brokenness of Anglicanism itself.  While this church is as historic as any, more prolific than most and wonderfully rich in its liturgy, it is today a broken church.  Once merely the church of the British Isles, the empire took this way of faith around the world.  The Anglican way grew to be a large body of Christians second only to Rome and Orthodoxy.

Even today, Christians of the Anglican faith are on the front lines geographically in the global south.  Every day, Anglicans spread the Gospel, form parishes, teach the faith, and make converts of unbelievers.  In a few short years, the number of Anglican Christians in Nigeria, the Sudan, Congo, Indonesia and many other places have swelled to be counted in the tens of millions.  It may be said with integrity that Anglicans are taking a back seat to no other Christian tradition in spreading the faith of Jesus Christ in the 2/3 world.  In Latin America, where Anglican Christians had little more than a few scattered chapels just a decade ago, the church is vibrant, robust and growing by leaps and bounds. 

Meanwhile, these same vibrant Christians have witnessed the scandal of what passes as Anglican Christianity in the “material west”.   

With deep respect I say, Rome has not captured my heart, nor has Orthodoxy taken hold of my soul.  But it would be unfair to characterize my own choice as merely one of default, that is, having examined both of the other sisters of apostolic faith and having found myself identifying with the Anglican way solely because I would not or could not choose one of them.  I am not Anglican merely because I found myself having to “settle” for some supposed lesser thing.

No, I am orthodox, catholic, but Anglican.  

Rome and, to a much lesser degree, Orthodoxy are more magisterial, more hierarchal and appear better equipped to make things “tidy”.  The Anglican way is no place for those who cannot live within tensions.  It is an impossibly challenging and difficult place for those who desire or need “tidy”. The Anglican way is freer, but it is messy. It just is what it is. Some say that is both the magic and the limp of the Anglican way.

Yet, where would the Christian faith be without her?  There would have been no King James Bible, no Book of Common Prayer, and while I won’t flesh out my complete thoughts here, no civilization as we know it in the west.  This is my opinion, I grant you, but the Anglican contribution to the western world simply cannot be measured.

The best I can likely do in this broken family, this Anglican Church, is to find a place of honesty and integrity.  First, I must recognize how messed up this group is, and this I honestly confess.  Secondly, whenever I hear of the difficulties that Romans have or the Orthodox have (or the troubles among the free church Evangelicals, for that matter) nothing in me sees the need to gloat.  Humility should always forbid it, but for Anglicans, this is a particularly humbling era.  

I choose to walk in the Anglican way because I honestly believe the Lord has led me to walk in this way. I believe He ordered my steps.  I know. I know there is a risk in making such a statement.  It may appear that I “fix blame” for my love for the Prayer Book on the Lord and dodge my own responsibilities in the matter of my Christian witness.  

Yet, I testify that my prayer life finds its home in the Prayer Book the way the swallow finds her home near the altar in Jerusalem.  I am Anglican.

There is work to do wherever one finds oneself planted by the Lord in His vineyard. There is pruning to do, weeds to pull, walls to rebuild, marauders to defend against, plants to husband, fruit to grow and a harvest to bring in.  Perhaps some vineyards are harder to work than others, this I grant you, but none are the Paradise of God, not yet.  This is the cry we hear, even now, emanating from the Eschaton.

 

Sola Gratia,

+Frederick G. Fick MSJ

February 18. 2009

Healing Prayer

Fr. Tim Fountain

Healing Prayer Sunday

Does God intervene to heal human sickness?
A. Yes. This is the witness of the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, and the testimony of Christians all through church history, including our own time.   Psalm 30:2, "O LORD my God, I cried out to you, and you restored me to health."

B. In our own Anglican tradition, the first Book of Common Prayer (1549) included THE ORDER FOR THE VISITACION OF THE SICKE. There are prayers for healing in our 1979 Prayer Book and other books used in Episcopal churches today, such as Ministry With the Sick and The Book of Occasional Services.

Why does God heal?
A. First, God heals to display his own glory.
1. As in the healing of Naaman the Syrian (II Kings 5:1-14). If we read on into verse 15, we see the impact of the healing. Naaman says, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel" and, in verse 17, "…your servant will no longer offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god except the Lord." (LORD reflects the Hebrew way of expressing God’s unique name.)
2. As in the healing of the Galilean leper in Mark 1:40-45. Jesus tells the man to show his healing "as a testimony" to God’s work. The man’s witness causes people to come to Jesus in great numbers, as they recognize "the glory of God in the face of Christ" (II Corinthians 4:6).
3. We see how healing moves the Psalmist to glorify God (30:13), "Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing, O LORD my God, I will give you thanks for ever."
4. Often in the Bible, God explains that He is acting "For my (God’s) Name’s sake." Healings are one of various supernatural ways that God calls the whole creation back to its Creator and Master. This is not a comfortable way for us to think – it’s about God’s glory, not our agenda! We miss the point of the miracles if we ignore this.

B. Second, God heals because of who He is.
1. This is expressed clearly and beautifully in Mark: "Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand…" Healings show not only God’s presence and power, but reveal His personality. It is God’s nature to care about us and respond to our prayers.

Why does the church offer healing prayer?
A. Mainly because we seek God’s glorious and loving presence. Healing prayer is an opportunity to bring people to God and to let God’s kingdom break into their lives.

B. We pray because we need God – the church has no "magical" power to control who gets healed or when healing occurs.

C. We pray because we don’t have easy answers for why some are healed immediately, some later and some not at all – these answers are all in the mind and heart of God, and we go there by prayer.

D. We pray because the Bible itself tells us that there are times when we will not understand God’s ways. The Psalmist says (30:8-9), "Then you hid your face, and I was filled with fear. I cried out to you, O LORD… "

E. Our son, Joey, had another seizure this week. Tim, Jr. has undiagnosed shoulder pain and Melissa has chronic issues. We don’t understand why these problems persist. But we pray because God is both Lord of our lives and lover of our souls.

Let me end with some encouragement from Naaman the Syrian…
A. He did not "deserve" a miracle
1. He was an enemy of God’s people
2. He had a big ego
3. He wanted healing on his own terms, not God’s

B. But he was open to God’s possibilities
1. He listened to what the Israelite girl had to say
2. He listened to his servants’ advice

C. He had just enough humility to try things God’s way (as a combat officer, he probably had a realistic and practical personality, able to say, "This strategy is not working - I need to try something else.")

D. Naaman shows us that we don’t have to "earn" a miracle – but we might find one if we are humbly open to some possibilities:
1. The possibility that God’s glory is in this place, this morning;
2. The possibility that He knows our needs and is waiting for us to seek His help;
3. The possibility that the Creator and Master of the Universe cares about each little creature, each human being – each of us – personally.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Alice C. Linsley Writes With Clarity

1. In his essay “Priestesses in the Church?”, C.S. Lewis wrote, “…I heard that the Church of England was being advised to declare women capable of Priests’ Order. I am, indeed, informed that such a proposal is very unlikely to be seriously considered by the authorities. To take such a revolutionary step at the present moment, to cut ourselves off from the Christian past and to widen the divisions between ourselves and other Churches by establishing an order of priestesses in our midst, would be an almost wanton degree of imprudence. And the Church of England herself would be torn in shreds…”
   

   Lewis was speaking personally, as obviously he was opposed to the innovation of women in the Order of Priest, but he was also speaking prophetically, as is now apparent. Women priests is an innovation which, like a wedge driven into dry wood, has split the Anglican Communion. As is often the case, one innovation leads to another. This innovation led to the ordination of non-celibate homosexual clergy and to the blessing of same-sex unions in the Anglican Church of Canada and in The Episcopal Church USA. The actions of these churches has led to a fracturing of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

   Jesus Christ is the fullness of all things in heaven and on earth, both invisible and visible. The Gnostics used “pleroma” to describe the metaphysical unity of all things, but Paul uses the term to speak about how all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ in bodily form (Col. 2:9). This means that the Church can expect no change in Holy Tradition, only the consummation of all things when Christ returns.
   

   The Bible does not say that women can be priests, but the binary distinctions that frame the biblical view of Reality make “woman priest” an ontological impossibility. The Scriptures do not forbid women priests because the very idea of women sacrificing animals in the Temple was beyond imagination. In fact, it would have been regarded as a great affront to the Divine order wherein gender roles and the two bloods were distinguished as binary opposites. C.S. Lewis presents the grotesqueness of women priests in his depiction of the savage slaying of Aslan by the White Witch. If you wonder why the image is so troubling, consider that woman was made to bring forth life, not to take it.

   The egalitarianism that prompts clergy to keep talking about women priests is not part of the Biblical worldview. God’s order in creation is exactly that: order. It exists to orient humans to Reality, to keep us from becoming confused and lost. So God has given us the stars and the moon, the planets and the constellations to orient us. God has given us the sunrise in the East and the sun set in the West in orient us. He has given us the Three Witness of the water, the Blood, and the Spirit that we might know the Blessed Trinity.

   The Church is not a democracy. No councils, even ecumenical councils, can change God’s order in creation. This is God’s message to Job. Who do we think we are to question what God has established. Were we there when God created the world and all that is in it?

   This is but one of three essays on the subject.  To read all of this essay and the others, go here  
   
   

Forward In Faith N.A.

                               Bishop Richard Lipka

Bishop Richard Boyce    Bishop Jack Iker

                Bishop Frederick Fick                                                           

              

                   

Bishop Keith Ackerman                   

Bishop Paul Hewitt (left)   Bishop Bill Wantland (right)

"Foot High" Pie

In southern Illinois, along I-70, not too awful far outside of St. Louis is an exit that is announced by a small sign that advertises "foot high pie".  Intrigued by this sign since seeing it for the first time 8 months ago, we looked for it again today, determined to do this time what we did not find time to do in the past; stop and order a piece of "foot high pie".

If you are wondering, the answer is yes.  The pie tastes as good as it looks.

Forward In Faith N.A. To Meet In Executive Council

Forward In Faith - North America will meet this week for an important executive council meeting in Belleville, Illinois at the retreat facilities of Our Lady Of The Snows. Bishop Frederick Fick and Fr. John Manning will be attending to represent the MSJ. 

From the FiFNA website comes this question and answer:

1. What role will FiFNA take in as the ACNA continues its new existence?

a.  As the primary voice for Anglo-Catholic Mission and Renewal, we will need to put into action the means by which we will be a missionary Church. As an ACNA Sub-Province (formerly a Common Cause Partner), we need to implement that missionary strategy and form it to the new governance of the ACNA reflecting our historic expression of the Catholic Faith.

Ice Storms In Kentucky

The nation heard about the ice storms that ravaged the mid-south this week, but seeing it first hand is incredible.  While we post some "pretty" photos here, we drove through Danville, Kentucky and the scene looked like a virtual war zone.  Because of the curfew and other law enforcement restrictions, we did not dawdle, but the destruction was beyond belief. Our prayers attend those thousands who are still without power and still with much work to do before life once again returns to normal.

MSJ Kentucky Gathering

The Missionaries of St John, Kentucky, will gather in Liberty Friday through Sunday for a weekend of encouragement, work and worship.  Christ Community Church-Anglican will host the activities.

Guests in the Kentucky area are invited to participate.  Call 586-264-6044 details and further information.

Church Development

In this valuable church leadership resource, Kevin Martin examines the five aspects of congregational life that are key to the development and growth of a strong congregation. Based on the author's popular church growth seminar, The Five Critical Systems, '5 Keys' distinguishes itself from other such resources with a focus on the 'systems' of congregational life rather than the 'programs' of congregational life.

- Build The Team

- Staying Healthy

- Paying Attention To The Generations

- Open The Front Door, Close The Back Door

- Raise The Stewardship Level

Canon Kevin Martin is the Church Development officer for the Diocese of Texas.

Prosperity Gospel Hits The Skids?

From Christianity Today:

Some of the high-flying icons of the prosperity gospel—the belief that God rewards signs of faith with wealth, health, and happiness—have run into financial turbulence.

Not all of their troubles can be blamed on the nation's economic crisis, say critics of the name-it-and-claim-it theology found in some churches.

Craig Blomberg, author of a 2001 study of prosperity theology, said he expects the movement to "take a small hit among those who recognize that it can't deliver on what it promises."

Read the rest here