Category Archives: Anglicanism

Why we do what we do – the Anglican Communion

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What is the Anglican Communion?

The Anglican Communion is one of the world’s largest Christian communities. It has tens of millions of members in more than 165 countries around the globe. Anglicanism is one of the traditions or expressions of Christian faith. Others include Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran and Baptist.

The Communion is organised into a series of provinces and extra- provincial areas. The provinces are subdivided into dioceses, and the dioceses into parishes.

There are 40 provinces and, from March 2019, five extra-provincial areas. See here for a full list. Some provinces are national, others are regional. All are in communion – or a reciprocal relationship – with the See of Canterbury and recognise the Archbishop of Canterbury as the Communion’s spiritual head.

But there is no central authority in the Anglican Communion. All of the provinces are autonomous and free to make their own decisions in their own ways – guided by recommendations from the four Instruments: the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, the Primates’ Meeting and the Anglican Consultative Council.

from the Anglican Communion website anglicancommunion.org

General Synod meets in July 2019

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Anglican Church of CanadaDid you know that beyond the highly visible issues being considered at General Synod this year are many more less visible but significant ones?

Some of these are the resulting reports from the enormous body of work done over several years in many areas of church life.

  • Response to the “Iona Report” is progress towards a unified vision of the ministry of vocational Deacons.
  • Many liturgical texts have been in trial use, including alternative collects, rites of gathering and confession, daily prayer and others.
  • Material supporting the Catechumenate (those preparing for initiation by way of baptism or confirmation) include liturgical rites for presentation and the welcome of inquirers, families and their children into the Church.
  • Motions will be put to receive responses to “A Common Word Between Us” laying foundations for the relationship between Christians and Muslims.

All material is available at the General Synod website

GMH

The problem with plastic

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The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada in 2019 will consider a motion to encourage Anglicans across the country to both curtail purchase of and, reduce reliance on, single use plastics. The proposed motion includes developing resources to assist local efforts to those ends.

Plastic is everywherePlastic products are produced from oil, a non-renewable resource. Single use plastics are those items that are used only once before being thrown away. This includes products such as plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles, and foam food packaging such as styrofoam.

While some plastic products are recycled, most end up in landfills or in the ocean. Plastic is not biodegradable. It breaks down over a long period of time into smaller pieces; these pieces have been known to make their way into food chains and water supplies. Dramatically, in the ocean, some plastics have clumped together into large floating islands of garbage. Moreover, plastic is not easily recycled into new products and in many communities foam packaging is not eligible for recycling programs at all.

Both the fifth Mark of Mission and our Baptismal Covenant call us to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth. We are a long way from eliminating the use of all plastics. Choosing to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic is a step toward sustainability. The resolution seeks to respect the need for products that promote health and inclusion, while challenging us to reflect on how changes in personal habits may contribute to a reconciled relationship with the earth. (from the background on General Synod Motion A201)

Visit:
Creation Matters Anglican Church of Canada
Creation Matters Diocesan of Fredericton

Season of Creation 2019

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Season of Creation

Are you concerned about the environment? Climate change? Caring for God’s good earth? You should be!

The Season of Creation is now recognized by Christians worldwide, highlighting our stewardship responsibility to protect God’s most precious gifts. The Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion (#5) and the Anglican Church of Canada’s Baptismal Covenant, name this as central to who we are as disciples of Jesus Christ.

A global movement

During the Season of Creation, Christians around the world rejoice together. We’re called to honor the Creator by loving creation and each other. This year, we’re protecting the web of life in all its variety, because each species reveals the glory of the Creator.

Powerful local events

Local communities across the globe host events for the Season. Some pray, some do hands-on projects, some advocate. A dozen ideas are in the celebration guide.

An annual celebration

It begins on 01 September and ends on 04 October, the feast day of St. Francis. The suggested theme for 2019 is “the web of life.” One million species are threatened by the current lifestyle of human inhabitants of the earth. Solving this challenge serves the Creator of all.

 “Season of Creation” at anglican.ca
Season of Creation at greenchurches.ca

Thy Kingdom Come – a guide for 10 days of prayer

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PRAYING FOR "YOUR 5" DURING THY KINGDOM COME

Thy Kingdom Come encourages every Christian to pray for 5 individuals so that they would know God's love for them in Christ

ASCENSION DAY Jesus
Pray for your 5 friends to encounter Jesus in all his grace, challenge and love, that they might say with St. Paul, ‘For me, to live is Christ.’

FRIDAY AFTER ASCENSION Praise
Pray for your 5 to be awake to all that they have already received from God in their lives, and all that he offers them in Christ, that they might praise him.

SATURDAY AFTER ASCENSION Thanks
Pray for your 5 to recognise the goodness of God in their lives, that they would turn to God in gratitude and trust.

SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION Sorry
Pray for your 5 to be led by the Holy Spirit to understand the cost of God’s love for them in Christ, that this great sacrifice would lead them to repentance.

MONDAY Offer
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring an understanding of life in all its fullness that will be theirs as your 5 put everything they have at the disposal of God.

TUESDAY Pray for
Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the lives of your 5 now, as you pray for specific things that you know they face.

WEDNESDAY Help
Pray for your 5 that they would know that they never have to face anything alone, but that in their need they would call on God for help.

THURSDAY Adore
For the eyes of your 5 to be opened to all that Jesus offers them and that they would turn their faces to him and enjoy the warmth of his love.

FRIDAY Celebrate
Pray for yourself and those others the Lord sends to help show your 5 their route home to God, that they would know the loving father running to greet them.

SATURDAY Silence
Pray for the Holy Spirit to put on your heart the desires of heaven for your 5.

THE DAY OF PENTECOST Thy Kingdom Come
Pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’ for your 5 friends, that they may joyfully enter the Kingdom of God and find themselves used by God to pray and act ‘Thy Kingdom Come.'

DURING DAILY PRAYER

Prayers may include these intentions and concerns:

• God’s royal priesthood, that it may be empowered by the Spirit
• Those who wait on God, that they may find renewal
• All people, that they may acknowledge the kingdom of the ascended Christ
• The earth, for productivity and for fruitful harvests
• All who are struggling with broken relationships
• Our City and Community, that all will seek Jesus and find him
• Our church family, that all make the connections between faith and life

Almighty God,
your ascended Son has sent us into the world
to preach the good news of your kingdom:
inspire us with your Spirit
and fill our hearts with the fire of your love,
that all who hear your Word
may be drawn to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

O King enthroned on high,
Comforter and Spirit of truth,
you that are in all places and fill all things,
the treasury of blessings and the giver of life,
come and dwell with us,
cleanse us from every stain and save our souls,
O gracious one.
Being made one by the power of the Spirit,
as our Saviour taught us, so we pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

READINGS ON DISCIPLESHIP AND EVANGELISM

And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength – he says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’ Isaiah 49.5-6

Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. Isaiah 52.8-9

Many nations shall come and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Micah 4.2-3

‘While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.’ Acts 17.30-31

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5.16-17

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2.19-21

Jesus said, ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5.13-16

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28.16-end

Thy Kingdom Come

Download or view in PDF format

Visit the Thy Kingdom Come website
for more resources and more

DAILY SHORT READINGS

FRIDAY AFTER ASCENSION
As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to human beings, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2.8b-10
SATURDAY AFTER ASCENSION
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8.38,39
SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”’ Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive. John 7.37-39a
MONDAY
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Isaiah 40.28,29
TUESDAY
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12.4-7
WEDNESDAY
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. Joel 2.28,29
THURSDAY
Jesus said, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ Luke 11.9-13
FRIDAY
In Christ every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God. But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment. 2 Corinthians 1.20-22
SATURDAY
The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3.17,18

DAILY OFFICE READINGS

to be used with Morning and Evening Prayer

Thursday (30 May) Ascension of the Lord
Morning Psalm 8, 47; Ezekiel 1:1–14, 24–28b; Hebrews 2:5–18
Evening Psalm 24, 96; Daniel 7:9–14; Matthew 28:16–20

Friday (31 May) Visit of Mary to Elizabeth
Morning Psalm 72; 1 Samuel 1:1–20; Hebrews 3:1–6
Evening Psalm 146, 147; Zechariah 2:10–13; John 3:25–30

Saturday (01 June) Justin Martyr
Morning Psalm 87, 90; Ezekiel 3:4–17; Hebrews 5:7–14
Evening Psalm 136; Numbers 11:16–17, 24–29; Luke 9:37–50

Sunday (02 June) Seventh Sunday of Easter - Jerusalem Sunday
Morning Psalm 66, 67; Ezekiel 3:16–27; Ephesians 2:1–10
Evening Psalm 19, 46; Exodus 3:1–12; Matthew 10:24–33, 40–42

Monday (03 June) Martyrs of Uganda
Morning Psalm 89:1–18; Ezekiel 4:1–17; Hebrews 6:1–12
Evening Psalm 89:19–52; Joshua 1:1–9; Luke 9:51–62

Tuesday (04 June) John XXIII, Bishop
Morning Psalm 97, 99, [100]; Ezekiel 7:10–15, 23b–27; Hebrews 6:13–20
Evening Psalm 94, [95]; 1 Samuel 16:1–13a; Luke 10:1–17

Wednesday (05 June) Bonifice, Archbishop
Morning Psalm 101, 109:1–4 (5–30; Ezekiel 11:14–25; Hebrews 7:1–17
Evening Psalm 119:121–144; Isaiah 4:2–6; Luke 10:17–24

Thursday (06 June) William Broughton, Bishop, Australia
Morning Psalm 105:1–22; Ezekiel 18:1–4, 19–32; Hebrews 7:18–28
Evening Psalm 105:23–45; Zechariah 4:1–14; Luke 10:25–37

Friday (07 June) Feria
Morning Psalm 102; Ezekiel 34:17–31; Hebrews 8:1–13
Evening Psalm 107:1–32; Jeremiah 31:27–34; Luke 10:38–42

Saturday (08 June) Eve of Pentecost
Morning Psalm 107:33–43, 108:1–6(7–13); Ezekiel 43:1–12; Hebrews 9:1–14
Evening Psalm 33; Exodus 19:3–8a, 16–20; 1 Peter 2:4–10

Sunday (09 June) Pentecost
Morning Psalm 118; Isaiah 11:1–9; 1 Corinthians 2:1–13
Evening Psalm 145; Deuteronomy 16:9–12; John 14:21–29

Thy Kingdom Come

The ministry of deacon: servant ministry of the whole church

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The Anglican Church officially recognizes three orders of ministry: bishop, priest and deacon. These “ordered” ministries each have their own function and character. Bishops are called to be the “overseer” in the diocese. Priests are called to “sacramental, preaching and teaching” ministries. Deacons are called to personify the servant church in the secular world.

Perhaps it goes without saying that deacons are not priests. Through the history of the Church, priests, have been ordained deacon (often recognized for a time as a “transitional deacon”) and most claim the responsibilities of that order in addition to the priestly role and function. A “vocational deacon” is not seeking further ordination, is not called to be a priest — it is a permanent ministry.

Many deacons are employed in (or retired from) a secular service-related profession or career, having that important connection enabling bridging the Church and the world. Because the deacon is often employed, their ministry in the church is non-stipendiary and limited to the time available. Expenses are usually determined on an individual basis, but generally include those directly resulting from ministry duties and allowances for continuing education.

The ministry of a (vocational) deacon is primarily a ministry of service. It exercises the ministry of Christ to those beyond church walls by serving as a catalyst, encourager, and guide for lay members engaged in outreach ministries. Deacons also assist bishops and priests in proclaiming the Gospel message and in the administration of the Sacraments.

Liturgically, elements of worship usually reserved for the deacon are: proclaiming the Gospel, prayer, preparing the eucharistic table and the Dismissal – all symbolic of the function to which they are called. In worship, deacons can be identified by their wearing a stole over the left shoulder.

By word and example, deacons are to make the redemptive love of Christ known in the places in which they live, work, and worship. By virtue of their call, they are prophetic leaders who challenge the Church to always look beyond itself. They are the living models that illuminate Christ as the model of servanthood.

Deacons are servant leaders who have a visibility to the needy and are intended to strengthen the servant ministry of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Fredericton. Appointed by the Bishop, they operate under the supervision of the incumbent priest. Before an appointment is made, a covenant is created outlining the parameters of the ministry with the requirement that it be renewed regularly.

The ministry of deacon is carried out in five different, but interdependent ways:

• to model servant ministry in the workplace;
• to enable the servant ministry of the Church;
• to witness to the Gospel, articulating that this is a ministry of the whole Christian Church;
• to interpret to the Church the needs, hopes, and concerns of the local secular community; and
• to assist bishops and priests in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church.

For more information:
See the Ordination of a Deacon, Book of Alternative Services, p. 652 or
The Diaconate: Anglican Church of Canada

Do I Have to Kneel? – info about Anglican customs

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Approximately 30 people gathered at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, January 27th to hear the answer to the question “Do I Have to Kneel?” The afternoon session, which was something of an Anglican primer, included presentations by Hank Williams, Cheryl Jacobs and Dean Geoffrey Hall and was hosted by the Christian Formation committee.

The first speaker, Hank Williams, gave a brief but interesting overview of the Cathedral structure, the correct names for the different areas of the Cathedral and some of its history. He explained that the term Cathedral is used to denote the Bishop’s church and is the main church of the Diocese. Hank provided lots of dates and places of origin relevant to various items in the Cathedral including the font, windows, lectern and pulpit. Most of these items date back to the mid 1800’s. It was interesting to hear that the Cathedral clock began life as the prototype for the clock at Westminster Abbey and that it dates back to 1854.

Cheryl Jacobs

Cheryl Jacobs shares about the church liturgical year and colours in 'Godly Play' style

Next up was Cheryl Jacobs who explained the Seasons and Colors of the Anglican Church. Cheryl used a banner produced for Godly Play to show the purple, red, white and green colors and their accompanying seasons. She explained that hangings in the church are changed to reflect these seasons. Purple is considered the color of kings as well as being representative of prayer and penitence. White is for joy and celebration. Green represents growth and new life and white represents joy and celebration. Epiphany, Christmas and Easter are all represented by white and red, the color of the Spirit represents fire and is used for the Passion, Pentecost and for Christian martyrs.

The final presentation was given by Dean Geoffrey Hall. He pointed out that the church calendar walks us through the life of Christ. Anglican worship is primarily “liturgical” – liturgy means work of the people. The Anglican church is a product of the Reformation of the 1500’s, when many Protestant denominations were formed. The Anglican church endeavoured to bring balance in worship to word and the sacrament. Read an article about Henry VIII and the Anglican Church.

The afternoon was full of Anglican factoids! And yes, an answer to the question “Do I Have to Kneel” was provided. According to Dean Geoffrey, the Book of Common Prayer 1962 (BCP) and the Book of Alternative services (1985), offer “rubrics,” directions which are written in red. Recommended Prayer Book postures: sit to listen, stand to praise and kneel to pray. The Book of Alternative returns to suggesting, by way of rubric, that we return to an older Christian custom of standing for prayer. While there is always a recommendation that most will follow, its never inappropriate to sit, stand or kneel as any one of those is more possible or comfortable.

Lots of other questions regarding the Anglican customs were asked by attendees and interest was shown in more sessions of this nature. If you are interested in participating in the future, please contact a member of the Christian Formation committee or our Christian Formation Director, Kurt Schmidt.

Gail MacGillivray

The Anglican Church and Henry VIII – Hughson

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Henry VIIIThanks to Carol Brandor for recently drawing to our attention a 1922 paper written by Episcopal priest S.C. Hughson.  Misinformation on the role of the English king has been widespread over the decades and centuries.

ONE does not ordinarily go to the secular press for arguments on religious subjects, but one of the best points that has recently been made against the Roman Catholic gibe that Henry VIII founded the Anglican Church, was in a recent issue of the New York Times. A writer who signed himself "New Englander," called attention to the fact that this Roman Catholic charge involves the Roman Church herself in a deliberate policy of maintaining communion for more than a generation with a Church which she now holds to be man-made.

The study of the case shows that the English Church repudiated the Pope's, claim to universal authority in 1534. If the Anglican Church was founded by Henry, this was the year in which he must have founded it. Clement VII, who was Pope at the time, did not make the slightest effort to withdraw Catholics from the Church of England. If he believed that Henry had established a new Church in which grace could not be found, surely he must have initiated instantly an effort to secure, the Sacraments for England, or else stand convicted of the crime of allowing his spiritual children to go on receiving the false Sacraments of this Church. He made no protest whatever. He did not send a single priest to England to rescue the sheep from the false shepherds. He went calmly on, neglecting to the utmost the flock which he claimed God had committed to his pastoral care.

But this was not the worst of it. Clement died a few months later. Perhaps he did not have time to get the machinery of the Church into operation to attend to English affairs. But he was succeeded by Paul III, and surely the new Pope, in the first fervour of his high office would rouse himself ... Read the full paper.