Somtimes the best you can do is to do YOUR BEST! And God is pleased.
“Inasmuch as I am unable to please you, Lord, I do believe that my desire to please you does in fact please you.” - Thomas Merton.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
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+
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+
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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:
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:
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Received today! A Note of Encouragement!
To The Bishop and Clergy of The Diocese of San Joaquin
Iglesia Anglicana del Cono Sur de America
Dear Brothers,
Greetings in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to you on the eve of the launch of the new Anglican Church in North America. You are to be congratulated for your faithfulness in the Gospel and in your cooperation with the organization of the new Province. It is likely that it will take some time before the institutional structures catch up to the realities of the present day situation in the Communion. Until that time, you can be sure of your dual status with us in the Southern Cone. This is true not only for Bishop John-David, but also all of the priests and deacons who received licenses under my authority when your diocese came to us.
You may have heard negative things about your ministries and orders from some quarters, but I can assure you of your good standing and favour with me nd this Province under me as Primate.
Last year, even Archbishop Rowan Williams himself assured me of Bishop John-David's status as a bishop of the Anglican Communion. Any other assertions are, in our view, completely unfounded. What is important is that people are brought to saving faith in Christ and to maturity in Him. We need your full energy to be devoted to that task. The harvest is indeed plentiful, and the workers few! Thank you for your faithfulness.
Yours sincerely,
The Most Rev. Gregory J. Venables
Presiding Bishop of the Southern Cone of South America
Iglesia Anglicana del Cono Sur de America
Dear Brothers,
Greetings in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to you on the eve of the launch of the new Anglican Church in North America. You are to be congratulated for your faithfulness in the Gospel and in your cooperation with the organization of the new Province. It is likely that it will take some time before the institutional structures catch up to the realities of the present day situation in the Communion. Until that time, you can be sure of your dual status with us in the Southern Cone. This is true not only for Bishop John-David, but also all of the priests and deacons who received licenses under my authority when your diocese came to us.
You may have heard negative things about your ministries and orders from some quarters, but I can assure you of your good standing and favour with me nd this Province under me as Primate.
Last year, even Archbishop Rowan Williams himself assured me of Bishop John-David's status as a bishop of the Anglican Communion. Any other assertions are, in our view, completely unfounded. What is important is that people are brought to saving faith in Christ and to maturity in Him. We need your full energy to be devoted to that task. The harvest is indeed plentiful, and the workers few! Thank you for your faithfulness.
Yours sincerely,
The Most Rev. Gregory J. Venables
Presiding Bishop of the Southern Cone of South America
My Dear Archbishop:
THANK YOU!!!
In Christ,
John Riebe+
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
In Response to Being Deposed
Well, it finally happened...
Just before Pentecost I received a very impersonal form letter (actually it was addressed to my parish) indicating that I - along with 60 other faithful clergy - have been "deposed" from the Episcopal Church for "Abandoning the Communion." Bishop Jerry Lamb, the puppet provisional bishop set up by the Presiding Bishop was the official signatory.
Interestingly enough Lamb was the bishop who ordained me both as Deacon and then Priest in 1995. And now, 14 years later, he deposes me for standing firm on Christ and Holy Scripture and calls it "Abandonment of Communion." The irony is too thick to miss!
Yet the fact remains - and it is fact, mind you - that the rest of the bishops of the Anglican Communion including the Archbishop of Canterbury say that we are STILL priests and clergy in good standing!
So, what does this mean to me? Nothing - except that once again I feel abandoned by those who once proclaimed to be faithful followers of Jesus. It is they who have abandoned the historic faith - not us - not me. in truth it is like the CEO of IBM trying to fire the executive staff at Xerox! It doesn't work because they are not my superiors.
They have NO authority over me! They have NO authority over the real Diocese of San Joaquin and they certainly have NO authority over my parish of All Saints'.
So in response, I have a message to send to Jerry Lamb and the PB. Its a message they just don't get - but I still pray someday they will.
Just before Pentecost I received a very impersonal form letter (actually it was addressed to my parish) indicating that I - along with 60 other faithful clergy - have been "deposed" from the Episcopal Church for "Abandoning the Communion." Bishop Jerry Lamb, the puppet provisional bishop set up by the Presiding Bishop was the official signatory.
Interestingly enough Lamb was the bishop who ordained me both as Deacon and then Priest in 1995. And now, 14 years later, he deposes me for standing firm on Christ and Holy Scripture and calls it "Abandonment of Communion." The irony is too thick to miss!
Yet the fact remains - and it is fact, mind you - that the rest of the bishops of the Anglican Communion including the Archbishop of Canterbury say that we are STILL priests and clergy in good standing!
So, what does this mean to me? Nothing - except that once again I feel abandoned by those who once proclaimed to be faithful followers of Jesus. It is they who have abandoned the historic faith - not us - not me. in truth it is like the CEO of IBM trying to fire the executive staff at Xerox! It doesn't work because they are not my superiors.
They have NO authority over me! They have NO authority over the real Diocese of San Joaquin and they certainly have NO authority over my parish of All Saints'.
So in response, I have a message to send to Jerry Lamb and the PB. Its a message they just don't get - but I still pray someday they will.
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