Season of Independence

Saturday was of course the 4th of July, Independence Day. And while the celebrations, the fireworks, and BBQs, have now grown cold, the spirit of our American Independence has not. The popularity of "Tea Parties" around the country still prove that Americans have not lost or forgotten the principles on which this country was founded.

I was impressed by the local newspaper Opinion page on the 4th which published - in its entirety - the historic Declaration of Independence. It has long been my own personal reflection on this day to read it and remember why I am an American. But this time it was different...

As I read the declaration (which I've done countless times) this time I was struck by how similar it is to the current rebellion against the Episcopal Church and why I am now in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). That is what occurred in Texas only 2 weeks ago - we declared our Independence of the Episcopal Church USA (TEC) and our membership in the Worldwide Anglican Communion. It is no less a "revolution" of sorts, and already TEC is laughing at us - with certainly more laughter and derision to follow in the next few weeks as TEC meets in General Convention in Anaheim CA. They think we are about to fail. Well, that remains to be seen; however, was it any different for the Colonists back in 1776?

While reading the declaration again, I also wished someone would craft it to meet who we are in ACNA. I could've done so, but didn't have the time. But someone else did - and a fine job it is! Alan Haley of the "Anglican Curmudgeon" posted this piece:

WHEN in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the religious bands which have connected them with another, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these religious truths to be self-evident, that all Christians are baptized equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, which is Salvation by Grace through Faith.—That to secure these rights, Churches and their Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from God and from the consent of the governed.—That whenever any Form of Church Polity becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it; and to institute a new Church, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most conducive to their Salvation and Happiness....

Read the whole thing over at: http://accurmudgeon.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-declaration-of-independence.html

Thank you Mr. Haley for this wonderful effort!

Peace to all.
John Riebe+

Letter from our New Archbishop

This arrived late yesterday afternoon and for the first time publically, Archbishop Duncan thanks those of us in the Diocese of San Joaquin for being the first to stand up for the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Thank you Archbishop Duncan for your encouragement and acknowledgement!

May your days and the days of the ACNA be blessed! -- John+


1st July, A.D. 2009


TO THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE OF THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF SAN JOAQUIN:

Dearest Friends in Christ,I wanted you all to know that many outside your borders are praying for you in the present trying season. Please do not lose heart.

If there is anything we have learned it is that "There is none other that fighteth for us, but only Thou, O Lord." The just completed Provincial Assembly was testimony to what our God can do with the likes of us, especially if we do not waver.

St. Paul's counsel at the end of II Corinthians is so appropriate to all the things we have faced and will face: "Be watchful, Stand Firm in your Faith. Be Courageous. Be strong. Let everything you do be done in love."

Thank you for having led the way among dioceses departing from the Episcopal Church. We have all benefited by your efforts. I will never forget the privilege of being present for, and speaking at, that seminal Diocesan Convention in 2007.

Please also know that Archbishop Venables and our brothers and sisters of the Southern Cone continue to intercede for us, even as they shift jurisdiction to these shores.Faithfully and fraternally in Christ,

[+Robert Pittsburgh]
Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North AmericaAnglican Bishop of Pittsburgh

ACNA Interview with Bishop Schofield

This comes from my good friend Kevin Kallsen of Anglican TV!
Bishop Schofield covers a LOT of territory here... the new Province...
the status of our lawsuits, etc. BUT, I think we may all be encouraged by his comments:

Click To Play

For more encouraging and informative interviews go to www.anglicantv.org!