This "wall of separation" phrase has been grossly misunderstood as Jefferson advocating for the removal of religion from the nation or from the government. In truth, Jefferson not only believed in and promoted religion, he also authored his own version of the Bible (which emphasized the moral teachings of Jesus) in an attempt to create a more easily understood moral and biblical guide. Thus, his coining of the phrase "separation of church and state" was not at all a swipe at religion or religious followers, but rather yet another mechanism to check the power of the government over the rights of the people.--- John W. Rutherford on Thomas Jefferson

Autonomy without accountability leads to denominationalism and isolation. Accountability without autonomy leads to authoritarian structures. Communion with both autonomy and accountability is the Anglican hope manifested in the Covenant. For us the choice is obvious, but we recognize that it is not without cost. --- Anglican Communion Institute

Jesus came to inaugurate the reign of God, not to found a new religion. --- "The Renewal of all Things" by Waldron Byron Scott

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
www.virtueonline.org
April 7, 2010

I am posting this digest today (Wednesday) because I am heading out the door to the New Wineskins conference in North Carolina. I will be posting stories daily to the website from Ridgecrest, NC about the conference.

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The first parish from the Diocese of Oregon, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, is leaving the Episcopal Church and transferring its membership to the newly formed Anglican Church in North America.

The Rev. David L. Humphrey said that after a long process of discernment involving Bible study, discussion and prayer, a hundred adult members of St. Matthew's, including the rector and every member of the Vestry, decided to transfer their membership to a new parish: St. Matthew's Anglican Church, Portland, which will be part of the Anglican Church in North America.

"This decision has been taken after several years of deep concern regarding the Episcopal Church's theology, Christology and interpretation of Scripture," said Humphrey. St. Matthew's is a solidly evangelical congregation. You can read the full story in today's digest.

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The Primate of Ireland has expressed deep regret over the planned consecration of Bishop-elect Mary Glasspool in the Diocese of Los Angeles. Writing in the Church of Ireland Archbishop Alan Harper said The Windsor Report of 2004 recommended "that the Episcopal Church (USA) be invited to effect a moratorium on the election and consent to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate who is living in a same gender union until some new consensus in the Anglican Communion emerges" [Section D subsection 134, bullet point no 3].

The action of The Episcopal Church also has implications for another serious issue that has strained the bonds of affection within the Communion, namely extraterritorial interventions by other provinces in the life of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada. A moratorium on such interventions and also on the authorization of public rites of blessing for same-sex unions was requested by the Primates at Dar es Salaam. In neither of these cases has "gracious restraint" been wholly exercised. In particular, extraterritorial interventions have been sustained. They have now been added to by the setting up of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), an overtly extra-territorial province- in-embryo, embracing the national integrities of both the United States of America and Canada. The ACNA is now seeking recognition within the wider Anglican Communion.

It is very hard to see how these developments may shape the future of the Anglican Communion. The position of the Church of Ireland in respect of the Churches with which it may be said to be 'in communion' will be determined, first and foremost, in light of the provisions of the Preamble and Declaration prefixed to the Statutes of the Church of Ireland passed at the General Convention in 1870. It will also be governed by the response of the Church of Ireland to any future Anglican Covenant.

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Global South Primates will meet in Bermuda before the Singapore Encounter, two sources told VOL. At least three primates including the Archbishop of Tanzania and ACNA Archbishop Robert Duncan will be in attendance. They will be the guests of Emmanuel Kampouris, former CEO of the multi-national American Standard, Co.

Anglican clergy in Bermuda received the following e-mail recently from the Rev. Nicholas Dill. Dill is one of a handful of clergy who voted in the minority when Bermuda, an extra-provincial diocese under the authority of the Most Rev. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, approved the ordination of women to the priesthood in March, 2009.

My dear brothers and sisters,

I hope all is well with you. I have been asked to forward this invitation to you by members of our congregation, Mr. and Mrs. Kampouris, who are sponsoring a meeting of very senior Archbishops of the Anglican Church from the global south, largely Africa - may of whom are at the forefront of extraordinary church growth in the midst of persecution; many of whom have had to work through issues of reconciliation in their own situations. They are here for their own private meetings but wanted an opportunity to meet with Christian leaders in Bermuda to encourage us in our ministries.

Amongst them is the Archbishop of Tanzania, who is also currently the head of the All African Christian Congress - an ecumenical body with over 147 different denominations.

As the hosts of this event will be travelling, they have asked if St. John's will receive RSVP's - hence the email address.

Their preference would have been to send out invitations to each one of you, personally, but time is against us in this. Later in the week, Willowbank are hosting an open forum for anyone who is interested on Saturday 9th April from 7:30-9:30 at which three of the Archbishops will be speaking followed by a panel. I am sure more information will be heading your way for that event.

May God continue to bless you in your ministries, and especially as we remember his death and resurrection at this Easter tide.

With every blessing in Christ,

Rev. Nick Dill

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The ongoing sexual abuse crisis in the Roman Catholic Church prompted the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams to make public remarks about the situation in Ireland that is being viewed as one of the worst countries where homosexual priests (they are not pedophiles) have abused young men in their care.

Dr. Williams said this: "I was speaking to an Irish friend recently who was saying that it's quite difficult in some parts of Ireland to go down the street wearing a clerical collar now. And an institution so deeply bound into the life of a society, suddenly becoming, suddenly losing all credibility - that's not just a problem for the Church, it is a problem for everybody in Ireland."

In a BBC radio interview, part of which was made public, Williams, described the scandal as a "colossal trauma" for Ireland in particular.

His remarks angered leaders of both the Catholic and Anglican churches in Ireland, who criticized Williams for poor judgment in exacerbating an already tense situation among Catholics in Ireland.

But were his remarks out of line? A Lambeth watcher in London told VOL, "For once I think Rowan spoke his mind - I wish he would do it more often. And he should not have apologized for it. The Irish RC Church is in steep decline and steeper denial." The outbursts led to an apology from Williams, whose office said he made a telephone call Saturday evening to the Catholic archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, expressing his "sorrow and regret" at any offense his remarks had caused, and to offer an assurance that he meant none.

But that was not Williams only problem. In an interview for a BBC program, he had some comments about the planned visit to England and Scotland by Pope Benedict XVI, later this year.

Dr Williams also made plain his anger over the Pope's plans for a new ordinariate to tempt dissatisfied Anglicans over to Rome, pointedly refusing to give his blessing to Anglicans who seek to take up the Pope's offer to help them convert.

"I don't think it's going to be a big deal for the Church of England." He predicted, saying that just a few people would accept the offer. "They will take advantage of it because they believe they ought to be in communion with the Bishop of Rome. I can only say fine, God bless them. I don't at the moment. So we proceed on that basis and we talk with, I hope, a level of mutual respect on that basis."

His comments will add to the cloud gathering over the Pope's four-day visit to Britain in September, when he is expected to give an address in Westminster on moral values in society. More than 10,000 people have signed a "Protest the Pope" petition on Downing Street's website against the £15 million cost of the visit, which is to be shared by the Government and the Church.

A VOL source in London said Rowan is revealing a side to himself we have not seen. "He has reached the limits of tolerance." It seems the former doctrinal Rottweiler is about as much to his liking as former Nigerian Anglican Primate Peter Akinola was.

At another level, the way Rowan was treated when the Ordinariate was announced was a BIG mistake. He won't forget it, said the source.

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On a more upbeat note, on Saturday outside the West End of York Minster Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, performed an open-air Easter Baptism, baptizing eleven Christians from different denominations by totally immersing them in a large tank of water. Among the people being baptized were Caitlin Armstrong and Dr Evans Muluka.

Caitlin Armstrong is a member of St Philip and St James Church, Clifton. She said, "I'd like to get baptized because I am sure of my faith in God, and Easter seemed like an excellent opportunity to do it." Dr. Evans Muluka is a member of York Elim Pentecostal Church and a Consultant Psychiatrist. He said, "Since my commitment to Christ as my personal savior in 2008, I feel I should be publicly baptized to show that I am born again."

The service of baptism was organized by One Voice York, a network of Christian churches and leaders of different denominations working together across the city.

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In an interview VOL conducted, the chancellor of All Saints Pawleys Island Ross "Buddy" Lindsay said that the Presiding Bishop has no authority in the Diocese of South Carolina. He also said the Dennis Canon is no longer legally applicable (if it ever was) in South Carolina. "South Carolina represents the first hole in TEC's dike, and it is a large hole that I predict will get larger as others courts join South Carolina." You can read the full interview in today's digest.

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Local newspapers in Charleston SC were not getting the story accurately about a departing parish and remarks by Bishop Mark Lawrence. A member of the Standing Committee wrote a letter to the newspapers to set the Episcopal record straight.

Lydia Evans wrote to clarify several misleading statements contained in two March 30 articles.

She said one article misquoted the rector of St. Andrew's Church in Mount Pleasant. Regarding future litigation, the Rev. Steve Wood had, in fact, stated his belief that the Bishop of South Carolina was not interested in pursuing legal action against the parish. The Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence has exercised considerable forbearance in diocesan matters, consonant with his role as the ecclesiatical authority in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, she said.

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Christians launch pre-election 'declaration of conscience' on values. A bid to place Christian values at the heart of the general election campaign has been launched with a "declaration of conscience" endorsed by senior figures from the Church of England, the Catholic Church and other denominations. Thirty-five prominent individuals have signed a statement of values calling on politicians to "protect the right of Christians" to hold their beliefs and "act according to Christian conscience", The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

Signatories include Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, and the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, the former Bishop of Rochester.

It comes after six prominent bishops wrote to the "Sunday Telegraph" to complain that Christians in Britain are victims of discrimination and are "treated with disrespect".

The Westminster 2010 Declaration sets out a broad range of policies that unite British churches, including support for traditional marriage and opposition to assisted suicide and euthanasia.

It also calls on Britons to vote with their conscience, and has a website database that aims to reveal the ethical position of more than 2,600 election candidates on issues such as abortion and stem-cell research.

The document, launched on Sunday, was inspired by the Manhattan Declaration, an affirmation drawn up by conservative Christians in the United States last November and since signed by 400,000 supporters.

It could prove as controversial as its American counterpart, which allows for "civil disobedience" for Christians whose faith clashes with the law.

The British version says Christians should be "subject to all governing authorities and obey them except when they require us to act unjustly".

It adds, "We will not be intimidated by any cultural or political power into silence or acquiescence and we will reject measures that seek to overrule our Christian consciences or to restrict our freedoms to express Christian beliefs, or to worship and obey God."

Dr. Peter Saunders, chief executive of the Christian Medical Fellowship and another signatory to the declaration, commented "There has been a feeling of growing hostility to the Christian faith and that Christians are being marginalized from the public square. "It is important to know what candidates actually stand for, particularly when Christian beliefs can appear on both the left and right of the political spectrum."

He said Britain's four million churchgoing Christians - on average, 6,000 per parliamentary constituency - are "a minority".

He added, "If the election is close, either between parties overall or individual candidates, Christians, like any other minority, could prove decisive to the outcome."

The document begins: "Protecting human life, protecting marriage, and protecting freedom of conscience are foundational for creating and maintaining strong families, caring communities and a just society.

"Our Christian faith compels us to speak and act in defence of all these."

It calls on Christians to "support, protect, and be advocates for children born and unborn, and all those who are sick, disabled, addicted, elderly, poor, exploited, trafficked or exploited by unjust trade, aid or debt policies".

The Declaration also pledges to support marriage - "the lifelong covenantal union of one man and one woman as husband and wife" - as "the only context for sexual intercourse" and "the most important unit for sustaining the health, education, and welfare of all".

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The head of a campaigning charity has warned the Church of England that its spiritual heart is under serious threat.

Writing in the latest edition of the Prayer Book Society's Journal, national chairman Prudence Dailey speaks of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer as being, and always intended to be, a complete spiritual system - a rule of life.

"Without churches that are devoted to the Prayer Book as the normative liturgy," she says, "the Church of England will lose its spiritual centre."

Any suggestion that this is "prayer book fundamentalism" is strongly refuted. Quoting the Society's ecclesiastical patron, the Bishop of London, Miss Dailey says poignantly that, "it is only the opponents of 1662 who insist that it be used with a rigidity not seen since 1663."

Miss Dailey, who sits on the church's ruling Synod, acknowledges that we now live in a "liturgical mixed economy" where the traditional Prayer Book material is used alongside modern alternatives in many, if not most, parishes. But she claims that those wanting a Prayer Book service often find themselves consigned to the "off-peak" time of an 8am Communion, leaving most churchgoers cut off from the traditional services and, in many cases, unfamiliar with them.

The Prayer Book Society is currently forging links with what the Church of England's Liturgical Commission refers to as "centres of excellence" of Prayer Book worship. Details from pbs.admin@pbs.org.uk

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The Diocese of Montreal says that a Liturgy for same-sex blessings is in its "formative" drafting stage. Bishop Barry Clarke told the March meeting of the Diocesan Council that the process of drafting a liturgy for blessing marriages already solemnized in civil ceremonies, including same-sex marriages, is "still in the formative stage". He expects a liturgy to be ready later in the spring. After vigorous debate, the 2008 diocesan Synod voted to ask him to prepare a liturgy for this purpose.

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The Supreme Court of Virginia will hear oral arguments on April 13, but justices could take several months to issue their ruling in a battle over ownership of church property. At issue is who owns the properties and buildings of eight congregations that left the Episcopal Church and Diocese of Virginia.

The exodus began several years ago in response to liberal leanings of the Episcopal Church. The congregations that left joined the Anglican District of Virginia and have been embroiled in litigation ever since.

"The question is who owns the property? We maintain that our parishioners bought the land, built the facilities, [and] paid for it -- all with either minimal or no help from the Diocese of Virginia or the Episcopal Church -- and therefore we own the property," contends Jim Oakes, chairman of the Anglican District of Virginia. "We think the law is fairly clear in supporting that point of view; clearly they disagree."

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There is much irony in the fact that Mrs. Katharine Jefferts Schori presided and preached at the Easter Vigil at Christ Church, Binghamton, New York, in the Diocese of Central New York. This is the same diocese and city that, VOL revealed, had sold an orthodox parish to a Muslim Awareness group for less than fair market value.

In her sermon, Jefferts Schori said fear paralyzes a lot of people and that the church should be driven by hope.

"We're here tonight to hear the old, old story of God bringing life out of death, and finding a new way through the fear that so often paralyzes us. The ancient prophets have two responses to that kind of terror: "fear not, for God is with you," and "learn wisdom." We just heard each of those comfortable words twice. Moses says to his traumatized band, "don't be afraid, stand firm, God will deliver you." Zephaniah says to a much later band of depressed and terrified people, that the day will come when they will hear that "God has turned away your enemies, there's no need to fear disaster any more. Don't be afraid, God is with you." God delivered the rector and parish of The Church of the Good Shepherd, which stood at #79 Conklin Avenue since 1879. Now these traditional Anglicans, who were forced out of their property by the Episcopal bishop, practice "the faith once for all delivered to the saints" are in premises bought from the Roman Catholic Church.

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In the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth the attorney representing the plaintiffs has requested a rescheduling. The hearing date is now Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. Second Court of Appeals sets date for hearing.

The Diocese has been notified that the Texas Second Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments regarding a Petition for Writ of Mandamus at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 14. This is very encouraging news, said a spokesman for the Diocese of Ft. Worth and Bishop Jack Iker.

The diocese will be represented in the hearing by the Hon. Scott Brister, who stepped down from the State Supreme Court last September in order to return to private practice. The court is located in Fort Worth on the ninth floor of the Tarrant County Justice Center. Bishop Iker is calling all clergy and lay people of the Diocese to a day of fasting and prayer on the hearing date.

Attorneys representing the plaintiffs have indicated that they will be seeking a postponement.

All proceedings in the suit against the diocese, which were under way in the 141st District Court, remain stayed until the appellate court issues a ruling. If the appellate court grants the Petition, the rival diocese and corporation will be removed as plaintiffs in the suit. Please continue to pray for the legal team, for the 141st District Court, and for its judge, the Hon. John Chupp.

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Just how ambitious is Atlanta Bishop J. Neil Alexander? He seems to have an unquenchable thirst for a position of ultimate leadership power in TEC. He was just a lowly bible teacher at a second rate TEC seminary, when he was elected bishop. We all know he wants to be the Presiding Bishop as he ran for the job. Now he's Sewanee's chancellor - top spot. Alexander is now president of the College of the HOB, another top spot. What drives him? Why do Episcopalians find him irresistible? Does he speak out enough in public for people to really know him, or does he just project gravitas through keeping his mouth shut? Do people really get to know him before they vote him into top spots? As of this time of writing, he's the front-runner for PB in 2015. He's got the best resume and keeps building it.

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The Rev. John Piper is the Pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you would like to see and hear what one fine Christian pastor has to say about the health and wealth gospel that is marching through our churches, take three minutes out of your life and watch this:

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Doctors say, Schools May Be Spreading Misinformation About Homosexuality. The American College of Pediatricians (ACP) is sending a letter to school superintendents asking that they not tell students, who may experience same-sex attractions, to simply accept that they are homosexual. The group has launched the Web site FactsAboutYouth.com with material for educators and students.

The letter cites studies that "demonstrate most adolescents who initially experience same-sex attraction, or are sexually confused, no longer experience such attractions by age 25."

One such study shows as many as 26 percent of 12-year-olds reported being uncertain of their sexual orientation, yet only 2-3 percent of adults actually identify as homosexual. Therefore, the majority of sexually questioning youth ultimately adopt a heterosexual identity. Many schools, however, tell such questioning students that they should embrace homosexuality and identify themselves as gay.

Tom Benton, president of the ACP, said even children with Gender Identity Disorder, will "typically lose this desire...if the behavior is not reinforced."

"It is clear that when well-intentioned but misinformed school personnel encourage students to 'come out as gay' and be 'affirmed,'" he explained, "there is a serious risk of erroneously labeling students who may merely be experiencing transient sexual confusion and/or engaging in sexual experimentation. Premature labeling may then lead some adolescents into harmful homosexual behaviors that they otherwise would not pursue."

Joseph Nicolosi, founder of the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, said that many studies show early intervention has an impact. "Once you discover it, there are things you can do to diminish those attractions and to develop your heterosexual potential," he said.

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A "Conversation With Bishops". Four Bishops including the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence, the Rt. Rev. Alden Hathaway, and the Rt. Rev. FitzSimons Allison will hear The Rt. Rev. Michael Nazir-Ali, who recently stepped down as the 106th Bishop of the Church of England/Diocese of Rochester, speak as a guest at St. Helena's, Beaufort, from April 5-14. All are welcome.

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VOL is posting some fine columns in today's digest. I urge you to read those by Dr. Bruce Atkinson, Dr. Justyn Terry, Roland Morant, the ACI theologians and the anonymous theologian on Bishop John Chane's authorization of same-sex marriage rites in his diocese.

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