Travels with Bishop Bill - June & July 2009
Dear friends in Christ,
This is the first full week back after nearly two months of travel and ministry and a few weeks of vacation. I want to review with you the awe-filled joy I feel when I look back on all these trips that are in a large part my representing you, the people of the Anglican Diocese in New England, throughout the world during my travels in June and July. The new Anglican Church in North America is coming into its own in many different ways, in the wider church and in the world. And at this new beginning it was my joy to carry you all in my heart and to greet archbishops, bishops, all the clergy and all the people in each of the following situations on your behalf.
At the end of May, I ordain to the priesthood the Rev. Bruce Ford, at St. Barnabas’ Church in Jacksonville, Fla. I also confirmed and commissioned 6 men into the one, holy, catholic and apostolic faith of the Anglican Communion. That whole parish rose up in thanksgiving after the message I presented concerning the knowledge of Jesus as Savior and the importance of following Him as Lord in the fellowship of His church. After sharing with them this recognition that knowing Jesus is the source and substance of our witness in the world, I brought them greetings from you and asked them for their prayers for us.
June began with a trip to London for the Alpha International Conference at Holy Trinity Brompton at the invitation of the bishop of London and their vicar, the Rev. Nicky Gumbel. This international gathering of bishops, priests and lay people from all over the world was not only a great encouragement to us all but provided another opportunity to present the new Anglican Diocese in New England and the new Anglican Church in North America when I spoke to the whole of the conference, some 2500 people, from over a 100 different countries. While there I also met privately with several British diocesan bishops outside of the conference and visited the Archbishop of Canterbury, along with a delegation of Roman Catholic and Anglican Bishops and Archbishops from around the world. It was truly a John 17 moment of unity for the sake of Gospel mission.. And whenever I met with bishops privately, I brought them greetings from you the Anglican Diocese in New England and told them our story and witness.
In the second and third weeks of June, Sally and I traveled to Bedford, Texas for the first gathering of the College of Bishops of the new church and the inaugural Assembly of the ACNA. I had some preliminary work to do with the Provincial Governance Task Force on the Constitutions and Canons of the ACNA. After the Assembly, I was among the leaders from a number of different seminaries to review the Anglican Studies track at various seminaries and consider how to more effectively communicate and collaborate their programs with one another. I brought them greetings from you.
A few days after the Provincial Assembly, I left for Kenya with our new Archbishop Robert Duncan for the consecration service of the new Archbishop of Kenya. There was great joy on the faces and in the eyes of the Kenyan Bishops and others who were there from all around the Kenyan communion at the news of the new Anglican Church in North America and the new Diocese in New England. They wanted me to greet you and to tell you how happy they are for us and that this news was an answer to their many prayers.
I was able, through your generous giving, to hand carry a large suitcase full of medical supplies and other resources for ministry to one of the dioceses in Kenya in an area called Marsabit. Bishop Rob Martin and his wife, Sue, are serving in this drought ridden area near the borders of Sudan and Ethiopia. I also presented them with a check from us; they were overwhelmed with joy. When the new Archbishop of Kenya, His Most Reverend Dr. Eluid heard of it he said, “We were an answer to his prayers.” Again, I humbly brought them greetings from you and told them I would write to you about their gratitude and appreciation.
From Nairobi, I traveled to the city of Voi and the Taeta Tavita Diocese (nearer to Mombasa and the coast then to Nairobi) where I ministered with the local bishop and his staff to a boarding school run by the diocese and to a region which includes six rural parishes. I finished this week of preaching and teaching at the gathering of their diocesan standing committee and the Mothers Union. (Pictures from these trips will soon be posted on our web site.)
Wherever I go now and whenever I speak to a crowd, a church, a small group or individuals, I carry with me the greetings, witness and on-going story of the Anglican Diocese in New England. We, together, are writing this witness and story. It’s a miraculous story of God’s faithfulness to the faithful, and our story as a diocese has just begun. To date, the harvest of our ministry is the joy we have as brothers and sisters in Christ. Our testimony is simple He has gathered his the saints, you and me, together as the Anglican Diocese in New England for his divine purpose and pleasure. Your individual gifts and talents and your congregation’s tithes and ministries given graciously to our new diocese are crucial to writing the next chapter in our story. Thank you all for this great start.
I am sincerely yours in Christ,
+BILL
New Clergy and Parish Benefits Program Launched
April 2009 - Two of a projected five benefits and insurance programs are now available to parishes in the emerging Anglican Church in North America.Insurance coverage for parish buildings, accident insurance for staff and congregations, and protection against liability claims (property,casualty, liability) is available at the Anglican Benefits website www.anglicanbenefits.org. The insurance, underwritten by Philadelphia Insurance and other specialized carriers, is described on the website. Inquiries can be arranged by e-mail from the website or calling Tom Murrell at (817) 366-1064.
The new Church is also making a national medical insurance available to parishes who wish to apply. It can provide cover for clergy and lay staff through the Anglican parishes that employ them. The program, underwritten by United Healthcare, is a choice plus, national Point of Service plan. Benefits and rates are published, along with an application, on the Anglican Benefits website or by calling Mary Orr or Keli Pryor at (770) 414-1515.
These programs are offered for the convenience of ACNA parishes and will include life, disability, and retirement plans during the next three months.
Biblical, Missionary, Unified, and Anglican...
The Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes, commonly referred to as the Anglican Communion Network (ACN), is a united, biblically driven missionary movement dedicated to bringing the "true and legitimate" expression of Anglicanism to North America, making disciples of Jesus Christ. ACN allows Episcopalians to remain in communion with the vast majority of the worldwide Anglican Communion who have declared either impaired or broken communion with the Episcopal Church USA. For many Episcopalians, the ACN has come to represent the hope for a return to the historic faith and order of Anglicanism.
Core Values
The Unchanging Gospel
Commitment to Prayer
Missionary Zeal
Serving Those in Need
We will live as brothers and sisters who will lay down our lives for one another in the face of risk and opposition.
Strategic Partnerships
***
We will forge lively partnerships with biblically faithful Christians of other Churches and with Anglicans in other associations in North America.
We will reach out with the compassion of Jesus to the poor, the broken, the lost and those who are persecuted for the cause of Christ.
We will embody a passion to lead every unbeliever in each generation to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, in fulfillment of the Great Commission, globally and locally.
We will bathe our movement in prayer, seeking to follow the mind of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
We will uphold the uniqueness of Christ crucified and risen, the only Lord and Savior of the world, and the authority of Scripture, the rule and ultimate standard of faith.
To be a united Anglican missionary movement in North America of such irresistible spiritual power in Word and Sacrament that people are drawn to a personal relationship with God in Jesus Christ and become members of the Body of Christ, His Church. We will be known for our commitment to evangelical faith and catholic order.
To be a united missionary movement of Anglicans in fellowship with global Anglicanism, making disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ and planting churches that plant churches in North America and to the ends of the earth.