Archives

By David W. Virtue Thousands of Episcopalians want to redirect their funds away from both their revisionist diocesan bishops and the National Church because of policies that are in direct opposition to authentic mission and the proclamation of the Good News. Withholding funds has become a legitimate way to tell revisionist bishops who want monies from orthodox parishes to support the church's socio-political and sexual, non-biblical agenda of inclusion not redemption. While some parishes are forced to pay their apportionment (assessment), they are not obliged to pay further monies toward the diocese's ongoing "mission". Those monies are optional, though Virtuosity has learned that in dioceses like Pennsylvania and Florida the bishops are twisting arms, using threats and coercion to extort more money out of richer orthodox parishes to support their agendas. Some parishes across the country continue to support their dioceses based on the biblical tithe of giving ten percent of their pledged income as an expression of their support for the unity of the church and a responsibility to be part of it. But this is not mandatory. Other churches are giving a tithe minus whatever their vestry designates as money strictly designated for parish use only, that is, for those parishioners who would give nothing unless they had that option. Virtuosity offers the following list of doctrinally sound, biblically orthodox and evangelistically driven ministries to whom you can send your contribution. All these ministries have been personally vetted by this writer and checked against knowledgeable persons in Episcopal/Anglican ministry organizations. The list is offered in alphabetical order. ACTS 29/ERM MINISTRIES - An Episcopalian Renewal Ministry which conducts teaching and training seminars across the country and around the world. The ministry has a heart for the thousands of local parishes across the country, and offers a variety of parish renewal conferences designed to re-ignite Christians at the local level. The Rev. Alan Hansen, Pres. 1900 The Exchange SE Ste. 170 Atlanta, GA. 30339-2022 Tele. 770-952-2670 Fax 770-952-2371 Email info@a29.com http://www.A29.com. AFRICAN TEAM MINISTRIES - Supports the church in East Africa through training evangelism, supporting AIDS prevention, AIDS orphans. They support water projects, medical projects, displaced peoples and famine relief. They are involved in three Anglican Provinces – Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Keith Jesson, Director P. O. Box 115 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91025 Tele. 626-359 5075, 800-456-0843 Fax 626-359-8075 Email ATMM@earthlink.net http://www.africanteamministries.org/ This ministry was founded by the late Ugandan Bishop Festo Kivengere. Another allied ministry in Tanzania is managed by the Kramer Family Mission. Offerings to this ministry can be made to the: Kramer Family Mission, P.O. Box 852, League City, TX 77574. The mission plants churches, provides Christian education for children and clergy famine relief. They report back promptly. THE AMERICAN ANGLICAN COUNCIL - Has emerged as the orthodox arm of the Episcopal Church. In the wake of the grievous actions taken at General Convention, the AAC exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and work to insure that there is a place for mainstream Anglicans in the Episcopal Church to call home. Canon David C. Anderson is the president of the organization. The American Anglican Council 1110 Vermont Avenue, NW Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 800-914-2000 or Cell: 703 966-1361 Fax: 202-296-5361 E-mail: info@americananglican.org God Changes Lives for Good! ANGLICAN COMMUNION INSTITUTE - Stands for a clear reawakening of "dynamic orthodoxy" - an application of creedal faith to the urgent questions of today. It is the mission and purpose of the Anglican Communion Institute to make a biblical and historical articulation of the faith once delivered readily available to the larger church through conferences and printed word. By bringing together the finest theological and biblical scholars in the Church, it has been and will continue to be our goal to offer a forum for significant reflection on core matters of the doctrine and discipline of the church for its clergy and lay members. Concerned persons can contact its Executive Director, the Rev. Don Armstrong at e-mail: gracerector@AOL.COM. ANGLICAN FRONTIER MISSION - Concentrates on the 25 largest and least evangelized people groups on the planet. Here you will enter a part of the world that has been neglected by Christian mission. 20% of the entire world's population or 1.5 billion people have never heard about Jesus Christ. They comprise huge ethnic groups of whom less than 1% are Christian. AFM is committed to seeing churches arise among these people. You can support this ministry by sending a donation to: AFM, The Rev. Tad de Bordenave, Director P.O. Box 18038 Richmond, Va. 23226 Tele. 804-355-8468 Fax 804-355-8260 Email AFM@xc.org http://www.episcopalian.org/afm/ THE CHURCH ARMY USA - Is part of a worldwide cadre of evangelists within the Anglican Communion. Captains and sisters are trained in a two-year program. Officers serve in inner city, rural, Indian and overseas missions, and as parish and institutional workers. The Church Army raises up evangelists to proclaim the gospel to the least, the last, and the lost and to draw them into the life and mission of the church. Capt. Steve Brightwell, National Director, 210 West North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212-4625; (412) 231-1851; toll-free: 1-888-412-5442; e-mail: info@churcharmyusa.org. THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY (CMS-USA) - Founded in 1998, is a sister organization of CMS, Britain, the largest missionary agency in the Anglican Communion, founded in 1799. CMS-USA recruits, trains and places multi-ethnic missionary teams planting new churches in ethnically diverse communities or working with the leadership of existing fellowships to transform them into intercultural churches. 62 East Grand Ave., New Haven, CT 06513; (203)469-7077; FAX: 203 469-0564 E-mail: glittle.cms-usa@snet.net. EKKLESIA SOCIETY - Ekklesia is an international society committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ affirming the authority of the Scriptures, The faith of the historic Creeds, The Sacraments as instituted by Jesus, Historic Apostolic Ministry. EKKLESIA also provides networking with Global South bishops. The Rev. Bill Atwood, General Secretary, PO Box 118526, Carrollton, Tx. 75001-8526. Tel. 800-303-6267 Fax 972-245-3472 E-mail: GenSec@ekk.org. EPISCOPAL CHURCH MISSIONARY COMMUNITY (ECMC) - Is a voluntary society enabling Episcopalians to be more knowledgeable in fulfilling our Lord's Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. Founded in 1974, ECMC raises mission vision in Episcopal parishes, promotes and provides training for missionaries and mission committees, equips Episcopalians to reach unreached people groups around the world, and raises prayer support for Episcopal missionaries. ECMC runs a clearinghouse for information about Episcopal and interdenominational mission opportunities and has trained more than 300 Episcopalians for cross-cultural mission. ECMC is the sponsoring organization of the New Wineskins for Global Mission Conference. Sharon Stockdale, Director Box 278 Ambridge, Pa. 15003 Tele. 724-266-2810 Fax: 724-266-6773 Email: ecmc@anglicanmission.us http://www.episcopalian.org/ecmc/ EPISCOPALIANS FOR TRADITIONAL FAITH - Is a growing grassroots movement within ECUSA. ETF is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting use of the classic 1928 Book of Common Prayer within the Episcopal Church. This organization of Episcopalians works on restoring and repairing the Church through use of the 1928 liturgy, which is based entirely upon Holy Scripture. ETF relies on an active and informed laity, as well as traditionalist priests and bishops, to ensure unity through adherence to the traditional faith, order, and worship of the Church. Online contributions can be made by using PayPal on the ETF website, or send a check, along with your name, address, and e-mail address to Episcopalians for Traditional Faith P.O. Box 361 Mill Neck, NY 11765. EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION (EFAC-USA) - This evangelical Episcopal organization stands in the Reformed Anglican tradition of the historic creeds and the 39 Articles of Religion, and the standard of teaching and practice of the Book of Common Prayer. They accept the Scriptures as God's word written, and as containing all things necessary for salvation and the final authority in all matters of faith and behavior. The Rev. Richard Crocker is president. http://www.episcopalian.org/efac/ FAITH ALIVE - Draws men, women and teens from Episcopal churches near and far to form a team, to come to your church to serve as facilitators, teen and children's leaders and musicians; to share their experiences within Christian community. Prepared and encouraged through a structured Faith Alive program that has blessed some 2,400 churches since 1970, the team members come to your church at their own expense to share how their lives are refreshed by a conscious commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Lord. Faith Alive Weekends are held in Episcopal churches in the USA and Anglican churches in Canada and the Bahamas. They can be reached at FAITH ALIVE, 431 Richmond Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 Ph. 505 255-3233. E-mail FAOffice@AOL.COM FIVE TALENTS INTERNATIONAL - Is an Anglican initiative to combat poverty in developing countries using micro-enterprise development. Five Talents fights poverty, creates jobs and transforms lives. Five Talents International is an Anglican initiative which is committed to combating poverty in the developing world by: Equipping the poor with small business training and small loan programs Equipping the church with the tools to help the poor in small business. Craig Cole, Executive Director PO Box 1487 Fairfax, VA 22030 Tele. 703-242-6016 Email: fivetalents@fivetalents.org http://www.fivetalents.org FORWARD IN FAITH, NORTH AMERICA - Forward in Faith is the umbrella group within the Church of England for traditionalist Episcopalians that oppose women's ordination and uphold the traditional liturgy and the Anglican Service Book. FIFNA was founded in response to the General Synod's decision to ordain women to the priesthood in November 1992, though its concern for Christian truth and discipline now goes far beyond any single issue. It aims to provide an ecclesiastical structure which continues the order of bishop, priest and deacon as the Church has received them. FIFNA seeks to play a full part in the life of the Church. Carolyn C. (Cris) Fouse is Nat'l Field Director 2905 Lackland Rd. Ste. D Ft. Worth, Tx.76116-4155 Tele. 817-735-1675 Toll-free: (800) 225-3661 Fax 817-735-1351 Email FIFNA@compuserve.com http://forwardinfaith.com/ GATEWAY MISSION TRAINING CENTER - Provides cross-cultural ministry training and short-term mission opportunities geared to Latin America. Rev. Dan Klooster, 300 Riverside Dr., El Paso, TX 79936; 915-872-8712 E-mail: danklooster@earthlink.net. GLOBAL TEAMS, INC. - The Rev. Kevin Higgins, Director. Teams mission is to recruit, equip and support thousands of believers from many cultures to target the untargeted, evangelize the unevangelized, reach the unreached, and disciple the undiscipled so that the heart of Jesus Christ may be rooted authentically within every culture of the world. The Rev. Jim Hobby, 3514 Dundalk Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32309 Ph. 850 894-2426. E-mail jhobby@global-teams.org. Head Office Box 490, Forest City, NC 28043; (828)248-1377; e-mail: ewm@rfci.net. THE INSTITUTE ON RELIGION & DEMOCRACY - The Institute on Religion and Democracy is an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches, social and political witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings. This is accomplished through denominational committees working for reform and renewal in the Episcopal Church, USA, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Methodist Church, as well as through our Religious Liberty and Church Alliance for a New Sudan programs, which advocates for religious freedom internationally. Faith McDonnell, Director, 1521 16th Street, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20036 Tel. 202-986-1440 Fax 202-969-8429 Email fmcdonnell@ird-renew.org http://www.ird-renew.org NASHOTAH HOUSE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - Nashotah House is a seminary of the Episcopal Church whose mission is the preparation of men and women for ministries in the Anglican tradition, including: the formation of priests for parish ministry, continuing education for clergy, and training for other forms of ministry, both lay and ordained. Founded in 1842 as a mission on the American frontier, the mission today is to produce graduates who are skilled in pastoral leadership, and who can communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ with passion and clarity both in the United States and overseas. The Very Rev. Robert Munday, Dean and President Nashotah House 2777 Mission Road Nashotah, WI 53058 Tele. 262-646-6500 Tele. 1-800-627-4682 Email nashotah@nashotah.edu http://www.nashotah.edu. remunday@nashotah.edu. NOEL (NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF EPISCOPALIANS FOR LIFE) - NOEL is a fellowship of Anglican Christians who uphold the teachings of Scripture and who bear witness within our church and culture to the sanctity of life and the sacredness of the family. With over 50 chapters across the U.S., NOEL works to minister to parishes and communities nationwide. NOEL addresses issues such as abortion, abstinence, assisted suicide, euthanasia, pre-marriage counseling, marriage support, parenting, crisis pregnancy support, and post-abortion healing. Georgette Forney, Exec. Director 405 Frederick Ave. Sewickley, Pa. 15143-1522 Tele. 412-749-0455, 800-707-NOEL Fax 412-749-0422, 412-741-7360 Email NOELife@aol.com http://www.noelforlife.org NORTH AMERICAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY - Is dedicated to planting new Anglican congregations for the 21st century. "Our aim is to build a cohesive, dedicated, effective, and focused community of churches," says The Rev. Dr. Jon Schuler who leads this movement. E-mail: NAMSHQ@aol.com US Mail: P.O. Box 718, Pawley's Island, SC 29585 Voice: 800-441-NAMS Fax: 803-237-7802. ROCK THE WORLD - Youth Mission Alliance seeks to call and equip kids to lead the world to Christ. It offers ministry and training events for young people and their leaders, including an M.A. in Missions and Evangelism with Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, and Josiah Project, a summer college-level program that includes cross-cultural mission experience. It runs a youth ministry consulting and job listing service. The Rev. Whis Hays, Exec. Director P.O. Box 43 Ambridge, Pa. 15003 Tele. 724-266-8876 Fax 724-266-5916 Email whishays@rocktheworld.org www.rocktheworld.org SHARING OF MINISTRIES ABROAD (SOMA) - SOMA's mission is to change the world for Jesus Christ by preparing and sending short-term mission teams across national and cultural boundaries at the invitation of the diocesan bishop. We equip and train leaders to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit. The U.S. team is frequently joined by a team from the host country to help plan the program and share in leading worship and other ministry. Edwina Thomas, Nat. Director 5290 Sarasota Lane, Woodbridge, Va. 22193 Tele. 703-878-7667 Fax: 703-878-7015 Email SOMAUSA@aol.com http://www.episcopalian.org/soma/ e-mail somausa@AOL.COM or EThomas@somausa.org. SOUTH AMERICAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY (SAMS) - USA, was founded in 1976 as a sister society to the 150-year old SAMS-Great Britain. SAMS has over 50 long-term missionary personnel in nine countries in Latin America and Spain. Over 500 people have served in SAMS' short-term program. SAMS missionaries serve as church planters, teachers, pastors, and in social ministries as well as training national leaders and minister socially. A special emphasis has been church planting in the rapidly growing cities of Latin America and Spain. SAMS can be reached at P.O. Box 399, Ambridge, PA 15003; (724) 266-0669; SAMS Acting Executive Director is Stewart Wicker. Email Info@SAMS-USA.org http://www.sams-usa.org/. SOLAR LIGHT FOR CHURCHES OF AFRICA HATHAWAY FOUNDATION - Solar Light for Africa is a not-for-profit collaboration between American and African churches, nongovernmental organizations, and governments to provide light and energy to rural Africa using God's gift of the sun with its natural power. Solar systems are installed in rural health clinics, schools, orphanages, churches, and other public facilities in east African countries as charitable funds are raised. The Rt. Rev. Alden Hathaway, Director PO Box 399 Ambridge, PA 15003 Tele. 850-894-8566 Email: hathawayVI@worldnet.att.net http://www.solarlightforafrica.org TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL FOR MINISTRY (TESM) - An evangelical and orthodox Episcopal Seminary established to offer an alternative to the revisionist trends in other more liberal ECUSA seminaries. TESM is an evangelical seminary offering courses in Bible, theology, and missions to train Christian leaders, youth ministers, and missionaries for service in the U.S. and overseas. It is the seminary's goal that all graduates be eager and able to raise mission vision in their parishes. 311 Eleventh St., Ambridge, PA 15003; (724)266-3838; e-mail: registrar@tesm.edu. The Rev. Dr. P.C. Moore, Dean 311 Eleventh Ambridge, PA 15003 Tele. 724-266-3838 Fax 724-266-4617 Email WickStephens@tesm.edu http://www.tesm.edu/ Also the home of the STANWAY INSTITUTE (TESM) Rev. John A. Macdonald, director. 800 874-8754. UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY PARTNERS (UCUP) - The Rev. Prof. Stephen F. Noll Vice Chancellor Uganda Christian University PO Box 4 Mukono, Uganda Tele. 011-41-290231 Fax 011-41-290139 Email: UgandaPartners@episcopalian.org or StephenNoll@infocom.co.ug http://www.ugandapartners.org/ Mrs. Diane Stanton Executive Director P.O. Box 38333 Dallas, TX 75238 Tele. 214-343-6244 Fax 214-341-3060 Email DianeStanton@ugandapartners.org Mrs. Patricia Hind, Administrative Assistant. VIRTUOSITY - Is the Anglican Communion's largest and most widely read online Voice for Global Orthodox Anglicanism. It is read by more than 750,000 Anglicans in 45 countries on six continents. Virtuosity offers a twice-weekly digest of News stories about the Anglican Communion and is available FREE at www.virtuosityonline.org. Readers may sign on at the website. Virtuosity is a non-profit news service and tax deductible donations can be made at the website using PAYPAL or by snail mail to VIRTUOSITY, 1236 Waterford Road, West Chester, PA 19380.

7 April, 2004 QATAR IN JUST 3 DAYS MORE THAN A 1/10 OF THE POPULATION HAS SEEN THE FILM Doha (AsiaNews) – "Do you have the New Testament in Arab? Me and all my friends would like to read it." This was the request of 2 students from Qatar, after seeing Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ". Already on the second day after the film started showing in Qatar, many local newspapers are reporting the film on their front pages. According to the English language daily, The Peninsula Qatar, since the first three days of its release, 66,321 tickets have been sold—smashing the record once held by Matrix Reloaded, which had sold 59,000. The film is becoming so popular in Qatar that some theaters have cancelled showings of other films in order to increase viewings of Gibson's blockbuster. Middle East Christians are spellbound by the interest Arabs have taken in seeing the Gospel portrayed on the big screen. The movie has sparked hours of discussion between Christians and Muslims regarding questions of faith. Many Arabs were interested in seeing the film only because of the anti-Semitic controversy surrounding it. However the movie's theme is an unavoidable subject. "The message of loving your enemies and Jesus who, even while up on the cross, prayed for and forgave them strikes all viewers deeply," said David and Natalie, an American married couple working in Qatar. The American couple said they were amazed the government had permitted the film to be released in an Islamic country like Qatar. "In the next few weeks tens of thousands of people living here will go and see this powerful retelling of Christ's suffering. Many moviegoers react to the film. For example, those sitting next to us in the theater were moved and breathless. Others wept or had looks of disgust on their faces when watching the brutality Jesus underwent," they said. "This film is generating huge interest in Jesus and the Bible," said David and Natalie. "All this has never happened before!" Copyright © 2003 AsiaNews

A THOUGHT EXPERIMENT ON THE FUTURE OF ECUSA From Anglican Communion Institute Scholars What follows is not an effort at maximally accurate speculation, but is intended as a thought experiment on where ECUSA appears to be, in the light of its various reports and actions over the past months. General Convention 2006 is now but 50 days away. The Diocese of California (CA) elects a 'Gay/Lesbian' Bishop; consents process at General Convention reveals 45% in favor of approval in the HOB; consent denied in HOB; CA consecrates said 'Gay/Lesbian' Bishop anyway; Presiding Bishop says HOB warned about this, but does not believe anything can be done; new PB tries to hold all together; general canonical confusion ensues; 'Global South Primates' are outraged, demand action from the Archbishop of Canterbury; announce intention to boycott next Primates Meetings and Lambeth Conference; (major provinces of the GS join in this endeavor, though not all of them); Canterbury is reluctantly compelled to deny invitations to ECUSA tout court from Primates Meetings and Lambeth Conference; (a vote taken in newly configured ACC narrowly confirms this as well, in 2007 meeting); Some among the 'Consenters' to CA press for their own 'justice ECUSA' independently of the Communion's Instruments of Unity; demands are made on the basis of civil rights and 'justice' etc; others in the Communion informally offer sympathy or support (e.g., Scotland, Wales), or formally join with this 'justice ECUSA'; the new PB is chagrined and powerless; 'Moderate' ECUSA Bishops (+O'Neill, +Smith, etc) are concerned to back the 'justice' theology and also try to bring about a general peace; they rally around a conciliator PB and a 'big tent' ECUSA; this proves too vague and fails to resolve anything; +Duncan (on behalf of his 'Common Cause' effort) demands a kind of special recognition from Canterbury, but the issue drags on and this is not forthcoming in clear terms; A 'Windsor Compliance' Bishops group appeals to Canterbury for invitation to Lambeth Conference on the grounds that compliance to Windsor has been clarified by explicit vote against consent in CA; Canterbury, facing pressure from forces on opposite sides, decides to invite those who withheld consent to CA and declares ECUSA a shambles; Global South Primates decide to attend Lambeth Conference, contented that consenters are excluded; Some moderates and consenters appeal to Canterbury and are granted 'observer' status; others happily boycott Lambeth Conference; The character of Lambeth is altered in clear ways due to this scenario and lack of funds; but it is held nonetheless; New PB did not vote for consent and so attends, seeking a bridge building role to left wing 'justice ECUSA in Exile'; +Duncan threatens to stay away but attends, joined by non-consenter ECUSA Bishops; Pro-Gay forces in all dioceses, regardless of vote of the Diocesan, join in solidarity with 'justice ECUSA in Exile,' with leadership from +VGR, the new CA Diocesan, and a third Gay/Lesbian bishop (from NJ or Newark or elsewhere), with Integrity, Louis Crew, etc; Diocesans in what remains of ECUSA (Anglican Communion) either discipline pro-Gay forces (re: ordination, blessing services, etc) or judge such behavior now peripheral and manageable; Moderate Diocesan Bishops try in vain to straddle the fence and end up under pressure from laity, worn out from clerical chicanery and poor leadership; the coffers begin seriously to run dry; Some of these join the new 'justice ECUSA in Exile' (see 16); others see it easier to temporize and embrace the muddle, seeking a 'deeper place'; Similar scenarios play out in other regions of the Communion, but with less vigor, banked in part by the general decline of Anglican Christianity. IN THE END, THE ERSTWHILE 'ECUSA' IS COMPRISED OF: (1) 'justice ECUSA in Exile' (no longer part of the Anglican Communion); (2) 'moderates of ECUSA' (wanting everyone to get along, unhappy to have to make hard decisions; wanting to study and talk more); (3) 'Anglican Communion ECUSA' (non-consenting to 'Gay/Lesbian Bishops' and same-sex blessings; compliant to Lambeth 1.10); (4) 'Anti-Canterbury and Anti-Liberal Anglicans' (Various Bishops and various Common Cause Partners). QUESTIONS: (1) Will the present anti-Network concern of 'moderates' get shifted away to new concerns, in the light of new external Communion realities and pressures? (2) What will happen with ECUSA property struggles, given these same realities in the larger Communion? (3) Where will those wanting the old ECUSA back (moderates) find their logic and their general place in the fractured reality? (4) Can an 'Anglican Communion ECUSA' develop serious leadership and organizational acumen? NB: California is only an especially timely example in the scenario described above. Revisionist/progressivist/reappraiser forces will most likely, in time, consecrate a 'Gay/Lesbian' Bishop and formally bless same-sex relationships. So, consents for CA could be given in June. Or, a CA consecration could be delayed. But what is sketched above describes basic working realities in the ECUSA regardless. It is hard to imagine CA not electing a 'Gay/Lesbian' Bishop and it is equally hard to know what this means in terms of the unfolding drama of ECUSA. But the working realities seem relatively clear all the same.

One of the more popular Anglican satirical blogs on the 'Net, Rich Anglican Fudge With Nuts calls itself "The most self-important Anglican blog. Ever, including VirtueOnline". We're posting one of the funniest posters that we found on their site for VOL member's amusement. TENNESSEE: ANGLICAN CHURCHES FROM 4 STATES FORM COMMON CAUSE APPALACHIA ALLIANCE Press Release Knoxville, TN - (22 May 2006) - Representatives from seven Anglican churches announced today the formation of Common Cause Appalachia, an alliance of Anglican churches in the Appalachian area of the Southeast United States, committed to working together for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom. "We are united in Biblical truth and love of the Anglican worship tradition and are striving to improve relationships with faithful Anglicans worldwide, beginning here along the spine of the Appalachians," said Dick Schier, People's Warden of the Anglican Church of the Redeemer in Chattanooga, an affiliated parish of the fast-growing Anglican Mission in America. "We are not a new diocese or a new denomination. Quite the opposite, our Alliance will follow the Common Cause model of a new way for our jurisdictions to work together for the Kingdom." Explained David Jones, from Holy Cross Anglican Church in Knoxville, a parish of the traditional and orthodox Anglican Province in America. Common Cause is a cooperative North American Anglican movement, begun in June 2004, encouraging new levels of common ministry among Orthodox Anglicans. Regional alliances similar to Common Cause Appalachia are currently forming all over the country. The Common Cause Partners include the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes (ACN), the American Anglican Council (AAC), Forward in Faith North America (FiFNA), the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA), the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC), and the Anglican Province of America (APA). Steve Toadvine, of St. Paul's Anglican Church in Corbin, Kentucky, commented, "Throughout North America, we're seeing faithful Anglicans stepping forward to reaffirm the truth of Scripture. It's exciting to be a part of a united effort which includes the support of our brothers and sisters around the world, and which is producing new churches here in the U.S. almost every week. This is about the Bible; it's about genuine worship; and it's about seeing people's lives changed. We're very pleased to be able to partner with our sister Common Cause churches here in the Appalachian region." "Its about time!" declared Deacon Bud Boynton, of St. Paul's Anglican Church of Asheville, North Carolina. "We have majored in minors for too long, emphasizing our differences in church discipline instead of uniting under the banner of orthodox Anglicanism. Let us proceed on those matters we hold in common, and we, with God's help, will get a lot more work done for the Kingdom by working together." For more information on Common Cause Appalachia, go to the CCA Website at http://www.anglican-cca.org, email to writecca@yahoo.com or Phone (423) 892-3608. OFFICIAL FORMATION OF CHARTER FOR COMMON CAUSE APPALACHIA 22 June 2006, Knoxville, Tennessee We, the undersigned Representatives of our Anglican Parishes, hereby subscribe to the following Charter, creating Common Cause Appalachia, to the Glory of God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Together, we hereby mutually affirm: We are an alliance of Anglican churches in the Appalachian area of the Southeastern United States. We are committed to the principles outlined in the Anglican Communion Network's Statement of Anglican Common Cause in America. We are united in Biblical truth and are striving to improve relationships with faithful Anglicans worldwide, beginning in the Appalachia area. We are not a new diocese or a new denomination but a vehicle to encourage and assist our members in working together in the ministry of the Gospel. We proclaim a public testimony of the existence of North American Common Cause Partners in bonds of friendship here in the Appalachian area. We provide a common point of contact and referral for churches and individuals seeking an orthodox Anglican parish in the Appalachian area. Our Common Cause is based upon our shared proclamation of Jesus Christ as the unique Son of God, of our high regard for the Authority of Scripture, of our summary of beliefs found in the Creeds and the Anglican 39 Articles of Religion, and of our deep abiding love for the Anglican Worship Tradition. SUBSCRIBED AND ATTESTED Mr. Richard E. Schier, People's Warden, The Anglican Church of the Redeemer, Chattanooga, Tennessee, of the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA), and a Common Cause Parish of the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes (ACN). Mr. David Jones, Warden for Holy Cross Anglican Church, Knoxville, Tennessee, of the Anglican Province of America (APA). Rev. David Beckmann, for St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee, of the Episcopal Missionary Church (EMC), a member of Forward in Faith North America (FiFNA), which is a constituent member of the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes (ACN). Rev. Victor Morgan, for St. Luke's Anglican Church, Blue Ridge, Georgia, of the Episcopal Missionary Church (EMC), a member of Forward in Faith North America (FiFNA), which is a constituent member of the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes (ACN). Dr. Stephen Toadvine, Senior Warden, St. Paul's Anglican Church, Corbin, Kentucky, of the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA). Bud Boynton, Deacon, St. Paul's Anglican Church, Asheville, North Carolina, Anglican Mission in America (AMiA). The Rev. Dr. Douglas Mills, for Christ Covenant Reformed Episcopal Church, Sevierville, Tennessee, of the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC). This Charter hereby affirmed this 22nd Day of May, Year of our Lord 2006.

By Jeff McDonald UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER April 1, 2004 Local prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Episcopal Community Services, one of the area's oldest and most-respected charities that also has weathered questions about its leadership before. The District Attorney's Office is particularly interested in records charity officials turned in to the county that investigators suspect were doctored to make it appear the organization was meeting the terms of public contracts, several sources said. During the past two weeks, prosecutors have been interviewing former ECS officials and collecting documents to determine if reports, checks or other paperwork were forged or manipulated, as some people suggest. The District Attorney's Office would neither confirm nor deny the probe. But a handful of former ECS directors and vice presidents said they were interviewed or provided documents to investigators in recent days. SEVERAL DISPUTES County officials "are investigating a number of questionable business practices at ECS, some of which are disturbing to me," said Joel Craddock, a former ECS vice president who met with investigators. "Whether or not these constitute criminal wrongdoing will be up to the district attorney." Craddock is one of several top officials who quit San Diego-based ECS in the past year and a half because of disputes with the agency's executive director, the Rev. Amanda Rutherford May. May, 53, is an Episcopal priest and a certified public accountant who took charge of the charity in 1994. May, who declined several requests for comment yesterday, oversees more than $20 million a year in government contracts and private donations to serve homeless, mentally ill and other clients. The investigation began in the middle of last month after Craddock and other former colleagues met with county Supervisor Dianne Jacob to lay out concerns about the way ECS spends and accounts for its government contracts, including some San Diego County-funded programs. They took their case to Jacob only after warning Bishop Gethin Hughes of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego about what they suspected was wrongdoing within the charity, and seeing no changes in ECS leadership. The bishop was stunned when he was told of the investigation during an interview yesterday. "I'm just shocked that it's reached this point," he said. Hughes, who is chairman of the 13-member ECS board of directors but gets just one vote, said he raised questions at a board meeting several months ago, after reports about accusations of misconduct first became public. "I've expressed as forcefully as I can my deep concerns and urged them to take action," he said. However, none of those concerns rose to the level of criminal wrongdoing, he said, and the other board members did not agree with him. "I did give it my best shot and nothing came of it." He said he would not comment about the district attorney's investigation. "I'm not going to jump in and condemn someone before I have all the details," Hughes said. Jacob, the county supervisor, was compelled enough by what she heard and the documents she saw during a meeting last month with former ECS officials that she contacted the district attorney within hours. "Their allegations are deeply troubling and exceed the scope of what county auditors have the authority to examine," Jacob said in a prepared statement. "I cannot be more specific." The supervisor called the group courageous for not simply looking the other way. "They decided that they could not stand by and watch as the charity's mission became compromised," the statement said. PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION Episcopal Community Services, or ECS, was founded in 1927 as the charitable arm of the diocese. Its primary mission is to care for the area's neediest people and at the same time to spread the word of Christ. Over the years, ECS grew in both size and budget. It now employs almost 500 workers and spends more than $20 million a year serving thousands of poor and sick people a day and providing such services as housing, counseling, day care, job training and drug and alcohol recovery programs. Last September, the agency moved to new offices, consolidating many of its programs into the City Heights Center on University Avenue. At the same time, it is working to boost fund raising and stoke a new endowment, which recently received $1 million pledges each from Price Charities and the Hervey Family Fund. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported in 2002 that San Diego County auditors uncovered serious lapses in management, record-keeping and other ECS activities over several years. The auditors subsequently ordered changes in protocols and demanded thousands of dollars be repaid to government agencies. Two months later, the newspaper relied on a trail of public records and audit findings in outlining a wider series of missteps and deficiencies within ECS programs funded by city, state and federal government agencies. The publicity prompted internal reviews by the ECS board of directors and the Episcopal Diocese as well as questions from some of the private donors who give large amounts of money to the charity, May, ECS' executive director, said later. Government regulators did not undertake much additional scrutiny of the agency's records - an issue that might eventually become part of the district attorney's investigation. Meanwhile, ECS continued to rack up citations and penalties from the various auditors and compliance monitors who routinely examine grants and other projects. The charity also has been saddled with high turnover among its top administrators. No fewer than six vice presidents, directors and others moved on in recent months - many because of disagreements over how programs were managed and books were kept. Several of those are the same people who brought their concerns to the bishop, then Supervisor Jacob and the district attorney. "It is not my intent to see the Rev. May in jail, but she should be stopped from using county and donor funds to cover the salaries of her brother, son, daughter and friends," said Guinevere Kerstetter, the former chief financial officer who left in 2002 over an accounting dispute with May. According to multiple former ECS employees, revenue was used to hire friends and relatives of the executive director while programs were cut. More than one ex-worker said some of the people May brought in were unqualified, performed poorly or failed to show up. "I could never understand how the agency passed county and outside firm audits," said Steve Pesicka, a longtime ECS program director who left last year and is cooperating with investigators. "Nor did I understand how the bishop and board of directors continued to accept fiscal reports from the executive director without questions or scrutiny. "It didn't make sense when some of my programs didn't have money for essentials like toilet paper, paper towels and copier refills." Eight additional former ECS executives contacted by The Union-Tribune said there were serious problems with the organization but declined to discuss them publicly. STANDING BY MAY May is a San Diego native and Stanford University graduate who also earned a degree from the London School of Economics. She was appointed ECS executive director 10 years ago, when the agency was emerging from a major reorganization, and is credited with building the charity into the multiservice agency it is today. An ordained minister who occasionally preaches to Episcopal congregations, May is by many accounts capable of incredible kindness and generosity. But she also swears frequently and publicly berates employees who disagree with her, some former employees said. ECS board members appear to be unwavering in their support of May and her management practices. When told about the criminal probe yesterday, several of the volunteer directors said they do not believe the organization had broken any laws. "Am I surprised to hear there is a criminal investigation? Yes," said Rolfe Wyer, who is president of the board of directors. However, "I am standing behind her." Board member Johanna Hunsaker, a professor of management and organizational behavior at the University of San Diego, was firmly in support of the current ECS leadership. "I have complete confidence in the executive director, Amanda May," said Hunsaker, who declined to comment further. Tally Jarrett, who was elected an honorary life member of the ECS board, said he could not imagine charity officials doing anything illegal. "I think our finances are in pretty good shape," he said. Several other board members did not return telephone messages yesterday seeking comment on the probe. The board has a previously scheduled daylong retreat today at the San Diego Yacht Club. Bishop Hughes will be out of town on unrelated business, but Wyer said discussions would include the district attorney's investigation.

By Peter Mullen THE CONSERVATIVE WOMAN January 4, 2026 IT’S EASY to get into trouble these days – all I have to do is speak the blinking obvious in words that not even an idiot could fail to understand, and I find myself outcast as ‘far right’. The public, egged on by the conscienceless mass media, is voraciously prurient about the publication of the Epstein files. The procuring of children to satisfy perverted sexual appetites is so despicable that it is overlooked only when the culprits are of immigrant stock. The ubiquitous euphemism is ‘grooming’. But it is horses that are groomed. The honest word is ‘corruption’. The old word is sinful. But this vile practice has always gone on, usually less remarked upon than it is today. The procurement of minors is not the only sin. There are others. The extreme sinfulness of these other offences is that we no longer describe them as wrongs but as rights. We forget that there are no rights in wrongs. Take abortion on demand, for instance. The abortionists began by arguing that abortion is a necessary evil to stamp out the back-street practitioner, that great danger to the health and even the life of the pregnant woman. But that was a lie. It was only the thin end of a very thick wedge and abortion on demand was always their goal. And in England they have achieved their aim with the result that more than 200,000 foetuses are aborted every year simply because so many people are sexually incontinent. Abortion is just another form of contraception. Tens of thousands of women choose abortion because to have a child would inconvenience their lifestyle. And in that word lifestyle you have it: the banality of evil. Contraception is various, virtually infallible and free of charge. So why the clamour for abortions? I think society permits this slaughter because people lack the imagination to pause for a moment and contemplate the sheer horror of this massacre of the innocents. How can anyone, let alone a woman, regard abortion as something which demonstrates enlightenment and progress? What sort of people have we become? Answer: a sentimental people who ban the killing of foxes – vermin – but license the killing of our own humankind. There is a broader consideration here. Many of the supporters of abortion claim that ‘it is a feminist issue’ – as if the procreation of children involved only women. In fact, decisions about the shaping of social morality are not the province merely of one section of the population, as if burglary were of concern only to shopkeepers: social ethics is above all a public matter. This is confirmed by the fact that parliament passes laws about social morality on behalf of the whole nation, all of us. Thus we are all – not only feminists and not only women even – implicated in these monstrous decisions. Abortion used to be considered as an evil next to infanticide. And prostitution was a crime. Now those who solicit for prostitution are respectable ‘sex-workers’. The term itself shows how sex has been demoralised and turned into a mere commodity: thus ‘having sex’ is no more morally rooted than ‘having a sandwich’. I shall be reminded that Jesus was ‘a friend of prostitutes and sinners’. But this same Jesus told the woman taken in adultery to go free ‘but sin no more’. How is it we cannot follow Our Lord’s example and love the sinner while hating the sin? I am old and it is a wonder that I have survived so long given that serious diseases were rife when I was growing up in the back streets of Leeds in the 1940s and 50s. There was the scourge of TB and so trams and buses displayed signs PLEASE DO NOT SPIT. There was polio, called in those days infantile paralysis. Measles with all its complications. Diphtheria. Scarlet fever. My baby sister nearly died in the whooping cough epidemic of 1947. Tetanus. Rheumatic Fever. Meningococcal Disease. All these potentially fatal conditions in an age before there were efficient vaccines and when antibiotics were in their infancy. Thankfully, these diseases have been virtually abolished only to be replaced by fanciful and frequently fictitious conditions such as burnout, ADHD, long covid, gluten sensitivity. Doomscrolling, Highly-sensitive person (HSP), Adrenal fatigue and Orthorexia-lite. Notoriously, autism is wildly over-diagnosed. And anyone who might until comparatively recently have complained of being under the weather or a bit fed up now luxuriates in fashionable ‘mental health issues’. Fascinating to discover that some people don’t drink too much but instead they ‘have a problem with alcohol’. And those who, in the time of our ignorance and insensitivity we said were fat, are now in these our enlightened times ‘suffering from obesity’ and demanding Ozempic. Many complain of a lack of ‘self-esteem’ – forgetting that myself is the last person I should esteem. People worry about their ‘well-being’ until they make themselves ill. Last year I read of a boy who murdered and chopped up his parents and was officially described as ‘suffering from narcissistic personality disorder’. (I love that ‘suffering from’ – as if his own evil act had been visited upon him by some malicious demon). The final lunacy is to be found in the denial of the biological fact of the two sexes, male and female. (And it is sex not gender. It is only nouns that have gender.) We have become so decadent that pseudo illnesses are enough to qualify their pretenders for a life on state benefits which often amount to more remuneration than that earned by working people. ‘Working people’ – that’s who the Labour party used to champion – and rightly. But Starmer and his gang have replaced ‘working people’ by their client state of professional idlers. O brave new world that hath such people in it! I must stop before I make myself sick.

Special Report By David W. Virtue April 18, 2004 The Very Rev. Jerry A. Kramer, Jr., Dean of Christ Church in Arusha, Tanzania (Diocese of Mt. Kilimanjaro), has declined an unsolicited offer of financial support from Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold—citing ECUSA’s stance on sexuality. In a letter copied to Bishops Don Wimberly (Texas) and Charles Jenkins (Louisiana), Kramer wrote: “We cannot accept your offer at this time. When we arrived in Tanzania, we were told in no uncertain terms that we would be asked to leave had we come affiliated with The Episcopal Church Center. We categorically reject the consecration of Gene Robinson as an act that is not of God—and whose office we will never recognize. African Christians feel utterly and brutally betrayed by the Church in America. The consecration has caused enormous harm here—emboldening persecution and violence against the Christian community. Our ministry here simply cannot be credible, nor would it be accepted, if affiliated with ECUSA. In fact, it would put us at greater jeopardy.” This follows the CAPA primates’ formal rejection of ECUSA funding in Nairobi. END ENGLAND: PM PERSONALLY SANCTIONED JEFFREY JOHN APPOINTMENT April 19, 2004 Prime Minister Tony Blair personally approved the appointment of Jeffrey John as Dean of St. Albans—part of a deliberate Downing Street effort to signal that sexuality should not bar clergy from senior roles. Unlike bishops (chosen by church bodies), deans are appointed by the Crown—effectively giving Number 10 near-total control. William Chapman, the PM’s ecclesiastical appointments secretary, reportedly insisted John—“one of the most brilliant theologians of his generation”—deserve a prominent platform. Reaction was swift: Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement: “This is Number 10 saying the way the Church treated Jeffrey John over the Reading affair was poor.” Rev. David Holloway (Reform): “This is institutional heresy and institutional decadence… a very serious issue… primary, not secondary.” The appointment deepens tensions just as the Lambeth Commission prepares its report—and African primates demand repentance. END

Anglican Mainstream April 19, 2004 Leading orthodox theologians—including Kendall Harmon (South Carolina), Paul Zahl (Birmingham, AL), and George Sumner (Toronto)—gathered at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, to address the Anglican crisis. Why are you here? George Sumner: “Theologians have a role to give a theological rationale for our Communion—especially in light of the global, Southern perspective.” What’s your hope? Kendall Harmon: “We haven’t lost Gospel hope—even in crisis. God is still God.” What do you expect from this meeting? Paul Zahl: “Encouragement from brothers like Alister McGrath and Oliver O’Donovan—and possibly a quiet, scholarly statement of Gospel orthodoxy that might make a real impact.” All three agreed: the presence of the Lord is assured—and that makes all the difference. END CANADA: NORTH VANCOUVER CHURCH CUTS TIES WITH ANGLICANS OVER SAME-SEX ISSUE By Jane Seyd North Shore News May 17, 2004 St. Simons Anglican Church in North Vancouver has severed ties with the Anglican Church of Canada over Bishop Michael Ingham’s approval of same-sex blessings. The Rev. Ed Hird and his congregation have placed themselves under the oversight of a Rwandan Anglican bishop—becoming, in effect, a “missionary church” in Canada. Hird insists: “The issue is being faithful to Anglican teachings. This is a violation of basic scriptural teachings and Christian morals.” The diocese counters that parishes cannot unilaterally secede—only individuals may leave. Property remains under diocesan control. St. Simons has retained legal counsel and believes it has “a good case” for independence. Hird stresses: “Gays and lesbians are still welcome. It’s not about rejecting people.” He compares homosexuality to alcoholism—asserting that change is possible through grace. This is the second North Vancouver parish in legal conflict with Bishop Ingham; St. Martin’s lawsuit over ousted lay leaders remains pending. END

By David Phillips Evangelical News April 19, 2004 The appointment of Dr. Jeffrey John as Dean of St. Albans—announced April 19—has drawn sharp condemnation from evangelical leaders. Though John claims celibacy in his long-term same-sex relationship, he has never repudiated the relationship itself—directly contradicting Scripture’s teaching on sexual morality. The Bible is unequivocal: sexual intimacy belongs exclusively within heterosexual marriage. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:9–10: “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?… Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites… none of these will inherit the kingdom of God.” Attempts to reinterpret “sodomites” (arsenokoitai) as anything other than active homosexual practice have failed under scholarly scrutiny. This is not merely about behavior—it is about salvation. To normalize what Scripture calls sin is to mislead souls. Underlying the crisis is a deeper issue: the authority of Scripture. Classical Christianity affirms the Bible as God’s inspired, infallible Word. Liberalism—dominant in many Western churches—treats Scripture as a record of evolving human insight, placing the individual above divine revelation. To install a leader who embodies this rejection of biblical authority is to institutionalize heresy. David Phillips General Secretary, Church Society General Synod Representative, St. Albans Diocese END

By David Briggs The Plain Dealer April 18, 2004 Hundreds gathered at Cleveland State University Saturday to consecrate the Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr., as the 11th Bishop of Ohio. Applause erupted as Bishops Gene Robinson (first openly gay bishop) and Barbara Harris (first female bishop) joined 30 others in laying hands on Hollingsworth. Surrounded by his wife and four children, he beamed. But the hard work begins now. Ohio’s diocese has shrunk from 74,000 baptized (118 parishes) in 1966 to 32,000 (103 parishes) in 2002. Five conservative parishes recently hosted an unsanctioned confirmation service—and now refuse Hollingsworth’s pastoral visits. No protest disrupted Saturday’s service. Many see Hollingsworth—a recovering alcoholic—as uniquely equipped to lead through crisis. He selected layman and Massachusetts state legislator Byron Rushing to preach. At one point, Rushing asked Hollingsworth to turn 360 degrees: “You are in this together.” Hollingsworth then gathered children, assuring them: “In Jesus’ love of us and in our love of Jesus, we’re all tied together—people we agree with, people we don’t.” Onlookers asked if the Holy Spirit was present. He pumped his fists: “Absolutely. Absolutely.” His first test: pastoral visits to St. Barnabas (Bay Village) and two Akron parishes—all of which have asked him to stay away. Yet Hollingsworth remains resolute: “While I regularly have self-doubt and insecurities, I haven’t for once doubted this is a faithful thing to do… It’s not self-confidence that draws us deeper into faithfulness. It’s God-confidence. I have confidence in God that the people of the Diocese of Ohio and I can make a worthy thing together of our companionship in Christ.” Said longtime friend the Rev. Nancy Roosevelt: “I would trust Mark with my soul. Mark would be someone I’d want to die with.” END

By Jonathan Petre The Telegraph April 17, 2004 African archbishops representing over 40 million Anglicans—more than half the global Communion—have declared they will refuse millions in annual funding from the U.S. Episcopal Church in protest of its consecration of Gene Robinson. Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria, chair of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), said ECUSA’s leadership must “repent” within three months—or face decisive action. The bishops stated plainly: “We will not sacrifice our faith and conscience on the altar of money.” The move signals accelerating momentum toward formal realignment—and disillusionment with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams’s efforts to preserve unity. END “TRUE LOVE WAITS” LOWERS TEEN BIRTH RATE By Michael J. McManus Ethics & Religion Column April 18, 2004 Ten years ago, Southern Baptist churches launched True Love Waits—urging teens to pledge sexual purity until marriage. Critics, including Planned Parenthood, dismissed it as naive. Yet the data tell a different story: % of sexually active high schoolers: ↓ from 54% to 46% Teen birth rate: ↓ 31% Teen suicides: ↓ 13.5% Meanwhile, comprehensive sex education and condom distribution—funded with $1.73 billion annually by government—failed to curb teen pregnancy or emotional distress (teen suicide quadrupled from 1955 to 1995). Federal funding for abstinence programs: $144 million. Ratio: $12 for contraception per $1 for abstinence. 85% of parents believe abstinence should be emphasized at least as much as contraception. Call to action: Attend school board meetings—demand abstinence-based curricula Support legislation doubling federal abstinence funding Equip youth groups: truelovewaits.com An international display of 200,000+ pledge cards is planned for the Athens Olympics—August 22, 2004. Will yours be among them? © 2004 Michael J. McManus END TALLAHASSEE: CHURCH FIRE RULED ARSON; BLAZE DESTROYS SANCTUARY By Gerald Ensley Democrat Senior Writer April 17, 2004 The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Tallahassee was destroyed by arson early Friday morning. The 6,000-square-foot sanctuary was reduced to ashes; the adjacent administrative building suffered smoke and water damage. Investigators found evidence of burglary and vandalism (> $200), triggering a felony arson charge—even if the fire itself was accidental. Damage: ~$750,000. Fully insured. The church had been in turmoil since February, when its rector, the Rev. Dennis Ackerson, resigned over ECUSA’s direction—including the Robinson consecration. Roughly two-thirds of the 150-member congregation left with him. Yet both current and former leaders rejected any link between the schism and the fire. Ackerson: “None of us are bitter… I would be very surprised if anyone who left started the fire.” Sterling Henderson (priest-in-charge with her husband, Michael): “There was no rancor, no anger, no good-guy/bad-guy thing. If someone’s angry, they’re angry at God.” The congregation—now ~50 members—held a parking-lot service Friday evening and plans to rebuild on-site. Ackerson’s new congregation meets at a Seventh-Day Adventist church and is exploring affiliation with global Anglican bodies. END

Anglican Journal April 18, 2004 General Synod delegates will choose from four candidates for the next Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada: Bishop Ronald Ferris (Algoma) — former Bishop of Yukon; expertise in episcopacy and transition Bishop Andrew Hutchison (Montreal) — veteran advocate for minorities, refugees, and human rights Bishop Caleb Lawrence (Moosonee) — leads a vast diocese with a majority-Indigenous population; champion of Aboriginal clergy Bishop Victoria Matthews (Edmonton) — first female bishop in Canada (1993); chaired the 2003–04 Task Force on Alternative Episcopal Oversight If elected, Matthews would be the first woman Primate in the Anglican Communion. Bishop Fred Hiltz (Nova Scotia & PEI) was nominated but declined, with the bishops’ consent. Election: May 31, 2004, at Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario. END