For me, this Christmas Hymn says it all!
Blessings to All!
Fr. John
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
A New Day Dawns: ACNA
From an article from Christianity Today...
"In a history-making gesture, conservative evangelical Anglicans, deeply alienated by the decline of the U.S. denomination, sounded a shofar to herald the creation of the Anglican Church of North America...
Earlier in the day on Wednesday, top leaders adopted a provisional constitution that will allow continued existence for current organizations, continued oversight by overseas archbishops from South America and Africa, the use of different prayer books, and the ordination of women.
It commits the leaders to involvement in a diocese, cluster of churches, or a church-based network within the new province. The constitution creates a provincial council, a tribunal, a joint operating budget, and the office of provincial archbishop."
A new branch of the Anglican Communion based upon relationships - with Jesus Christ and one another - WOW! This is truly something different!
Please read the whole article at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/decemberweb-only/149-43.0.html
And as always, your comments are welcome!
Blessings and Peace to All:
John Riebe+
"In a history-making gesture, conservative evangelical Anglicans, deeply alienated by the decline of the U.S. denomination, sounded a shofar to herald the creation of the Anglican Church of North America...
Earlier in the day on Wednesday, top leaders adopted a provisional constitution that will allow continued existence for current organizations, continued oversight by overseas archbishops from South America and Africa, the use of different prayer books, and the ordination of women.
It commits the leaders to involvement in a diocese, cluster of churches, or a church-based network within the new province. The constitution creates a provincial council, a tribunal, a joint operating budget, and the office of provincial archbishop."
A new branch of the Anglican Communion based upon relationships - with Jesus Christ and one another - WOW! This is truly something different!
Please read the whole article at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/decemberweb-only/149-43.0.html
And as always, your comments are welcome!
Blessings and Peace to All:
John Riebe+
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Eve of a New Anglican Province
"The reality, as much as I or anyone else may not like it, is that geographical boundaries are no longer functionally definitive of Episcopalian identity."
-- So writes the Rev. George Clifford of North Carolina.
In a surprisingly refreshing article from a usually hostile blog-site, Fr. Clifford offers very important points of view that need to be heard throughout the American Episcopal Church (TEC). I've made these points known many times in the past two years and it is very encouraging to hear others are beginning to see the wisdom behind them.
Here are some very thought provoking points Fr. Collins makes:
1. Geographic boundaries, I realized, are not as sacrosanct as we who value tradition might wish they were... Yet nowhere in Scripture can one find a God-given plan for the organization of parishes, dioceses, and provinces... The geographic model for parishes and dioceses emerged naturally because of physical proximity, administrative practicality, and political identity.
2. ... geographical boundaries are no longer functionally definitive of Episcopalian identity. Four dioceses have already voted to disassociate themselves from the Episcopal Church and to associate with another Province... In other words, the geographic model is irretrievably broken in the United States. Those who have left believe the divisions that were the catalyst for their move are too deep, too significant to permit dissidents to continue their Christian journeys within the Episcopal Church. One can no more coerce ecclesial unity than marital unity. Even as the Episcopal Church rightly recognizes its understanding of the Bible, theology, and ethics must change with the continuing unfolding of knowledge and moving of the Spirit, so should the Church be open to revising its thinking about ecclesial structures and polity.
3. Acknowledging the reality of multiple Anglican bodies within the geographic boundaries of the Episcopal Church would introduce refreshing notes of honesty and grace into the present turbulent controversy. This step might preserve Anglican unity by abandoning the dishonest hubris of insisting that the Episcopal Church is the only Anglican presence in the United States. Recognition of another Anglican province could provide an option for individuals, parishes, and dioceses to transfer, even as clergy now transfer from one province to another. A minority who wish to remain in the Episcopal Church but are part of a parish that wishes to transfer could establish a new parish or affiliate with an existing parish. Similarly, those in a diocese who wish who remain in the Episcopal Church after the diocese voted to realign could affiliate with an adjoining diocese that extends its borders or reconstitute the disassociated diocese.
-- Thank you for these thoughts Fr. Clifford!
On the eve of the creation of a new North American Anglican Province (by whatever name it comes to be called) the basic reality is this: the borders are broken. The time is come to lay aside the arguments and fighting and move on -- move on by focusing on the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
I highly commend this article and its comments to you. The full article may be found here: http://www.episcopalcafe.com/daily/episcopal_church/an_alterntive_province_why_not.php
Peace to All.
-- So writes the Rev. George Clifford of North Carolina.
In a surprisingly refreshing article from a usually hostile blog-site, Fr. Clifford offers very important points of view that need to be heard throughout the American Episcopal Church (TEC). I've made these points known many times in the past two years and it is very encouraging to hear others are beginning to see the wisdom behind them.
Here are some very thought provoking points Fr. Collins makes:
1. Geographic boundaries, I realized, are not as sacrosanct as we who value tradition might wish they were... Yet nowhere in Scripture can one find a God-given plan for the organization of parishes, dioceses, and provinces... The geographic model for parishes and dioceses emerged naturally because of physical proximity, administrative practicality, and political identity.
2. ... geographical boundaries are no longer functionally definitive of Episcopalian identity. Four dioceses have already voted to disassociate themselves from the Episcopal Church and to associate with another Province... In other words, the geographic model is irretrievably broken in the United States. Those who have left believe the divisions that were the catalyst for their move are too deep, too significant to permit dissidents to continue their Christian journeys within the Episcopal Church. One can no more coerce ecclesial unity than marital unity. Even as the Episcopal Church rightly recognizes its understanding of the Bible, theology, and ethics must change with the continuing unfolding of knowledge and moving of the Spirit, so should the Church be open to revising its thinking about ecclesial structures and polity.
3. Acknowledging the reality of multiple Anglican bodies within the geographic boundaries of the Episcopal Church would introduce refreshing notes of honesty and grace into the present turbulent controversy. This step might preserve Anglican unity by abandoning the dishonest hubris of insisting that the Episcopal Church is the only Anglican presence in the United States. Recognition of another Anglican province could provide an option for individuals, parishes, and dioceses to transfer, even as clergy now transfer from one province to another. A minority who wish to remain in the Episcopal Church but are part of a parish that wishes to transfer could establish a new parish or affiliate with an existing parish. Similarly, those in a diocese who wish who remain in the Episcopal Church after the diocese voted to realign could affiliate with an adjoining diocese that extends its borders or reconstitute the disassociated diocese.
-- Thank you for these thoughts Fr. Clifford!
On the eve of the creation of a new North American Anglican Province (by whatever name it comes to be called) the basic reality is this: the borders are broken. The time is come to lay aside the arguments and fighting and move on -- move on by focusing on the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
I highly commend this article and its comments to you. The full article may be found here: http://www.episcopalcafe.com/daily/episcopal_church/an_alterntive_province_why_not.php
Peace to All.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A Thanksgiving to Jesus!
In anticipation of Thanksgiving Day and for all of the recent good news in the American Anglican Churches.
Praise be the Name of Jesus Christ!
Take 5 and enjoy!
Blessings to All!
Praise be the Name of Jesus Christ!
Take 5 and enjoy!
Blessings to All!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Hope is in the wind!
What an incredible last few days this has been!
On Monday, I was called up to Fresno for a meeting of the Rural Deans of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin. Monday is usually my "day off" but I sacrificed it in lieu of yesterday being Veteran's Day - so yesterday I really took a day off - a day off from blogs, news, and anything work related. But Monday was a different story.
For those of you who might be wondering what a "Rural Deans Meeting" might entail, let me just say that the area Deans (as I am for Kern County) come together to meet with the Bishop as he shares concerns and inside news that may be of interest to us and our congregations.
Some of the topics we talk about are confidential in nature - and so I am bound to respect that; however, we did talk at length about the fact that Diocese Number 3 (Quincy) has now joined us (Pittsburgh and San Joaquin) in the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone as we await the formation of a new Anglican Province here in North America.
That Province appears to be taking form and shape much more quickly than one usually expects from the Church! I often joke about "moving at the speed of Church" when it comes to church work. All too often it seems that we talk and meet, talk and meet, talk and meet, and wait for the "next meeting" make a difference. Since 2003 (and the actions thereof) there has been considerable "talk" of a this "New Province" - one that orthodox conservatives have been thirsting for - and certainly one that the Episcopal Church is certainly going to dismay and disparage!
The fact is that when the new province happens (not if) the Episcopal Church will have to deal with the conservatives on an equal basis. They will have to recognize us as legitimate members of the Anglican Communion. The hope in all of this is that this will finally put a concerted end to the infighting that has plagued both branches of this Body for years! How all this plays out remains to be seen; nevertheless, with one fell swoop it may render all of the legal proceedings against congregations and clergy, done and over!
The primary complaint and charge against us is "Abandonment of Communion;" however, when the Anglican Communion recognizes those forming this new province as legitimate (and 2/3 of the world already does!) the wind will die in the sails of the Episcopal Church. But again, we will have to wait patiently for all this to happen.
Several "meetings" have yet to occur... BUT... my prediction? I suspect we will see this become reality within six-months! It may be sooner than that - but keep your weather-eye out for the Primates Meeting in Egypt in January! (Read about it here: http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2008/11/6/primates-meeting-set-for-jan-31-feb-6)
Certainly TEC's hope will be that "nothing will happen" as they hoped would come out of Lambeth - but rest assured - the GAFCON and Global South Primates won't let that happen - No, not this time.
Remember these words of Jesus: "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
On Monday, I was called up to Fresno for a meeting of the Rural Deans of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin. Monday is usually my "day off" but I sacrificed it in lieu of yesterday being Veteran's Day - so yesterday I really took a day off - a day off from blogs, news, and anything work related. But Monday was a different story.
For those of you who might be wondering what a "Rural Deans Meeting" might entail, let me just say that the area Deans (as I am for Kern County) come together to meet with the Bishop as he shares concerns and inside news that may be of interest to us and our congregations.
Some of the topics we talk about are confidential in nature - and so I am bound to respect that; however, we did talk at length about the fact that Diocese Number 3 (Quincy) has now joined us (Pittsburgh and San Joaquin) in the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone as we await the formation of a new Anglican Province here in North America.
That Province appears to be taking form and shape much more quickly than one usually expects from the Church! I often joke about "moving at the speed of Church" when it comes to church work. All too often it seems that we talk and meet, talk and meet, talk and meet, and wait for the "next meeting" make a difference. Since 2003 (and the actions thereof) there has been considerable "talk" of a this "New Province" - one that orthodox conservatives have been thirsting for - and certainly one that the Episcopal Church is certainly going to dismay and disparage!
The fact is that when the new province happens (not if) the Episcopal Church will have to deal with the conservatives on an equal basis. They will have to recognize us as legitimate members of the Anglican Communion. The hope in all of this is that this will finally put a concerted end to the infighting that has plagued both branches of this Body for years! How all this plays out remains to be seen; nevertheless, with one fell swoop it may render all of the legal proceedings against congregations and clergy, done and over!
The primary complaint and charge against us is "Abandonment of Communion;" however, when the Anglican Communion recognizes those forming this new province as legitimate (and 2/3 of the world already does!) the wind will die in the sails of the Episcopal Church. But again, we will have to wait patiently for all this to happen.
Several "meetings" have yet to occur... BUT... my prediction? I suspect we will see this become reality within six-months! It may be sooner than that - but keep your weather-eye out for the Primates Meeting in Egypt in January! (Read about it here: http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2008/11/6/primates-meeting-set-for-jan-31-feb-6)
Certainly TEC's hope will be that "nothing will happen" as they hoped would come out of Lambeth - but rest assured - the GAFCON and Global South Primates won't let that happen - No, not this time.
Remember these words of Jesus: "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Post Election Reflection
Won't Get Fooled Again! - The Who
We'll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgement of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song
I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
The change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that's all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they are flown in the next war
I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
No, no!
I'll move myself and my family aside
If we happen to be left half alive
I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky
Though I know that the hypnotized never lie
Do ya?
There's nothing in the streets
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Are now parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight
I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
No, no!
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss
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