True repentance goes on to work sorrow for sin. The heart of a repentant person is touched with deep remorse because of their past transgressions. They are cut to the heart to think that they have lived so madly and so wickedly. They mourn over time wasted, over talents misspent, over God dishonored, over their own soul being injured. The remembrance of these things is grievous to them. The burden of these things is sometimes almost intolerable. When a person sorrows like this, you have the second step in true repentance. --- Bishop J.C. Ryle

Abba Isaac came to see Abba Poemen and found him washing his feet. As he enjoyed freedom of speech with him he said, "How is it that others practice austerity and treat their bodies harshly?" Abba Poemen said to him, "We have not been taught to kill our bodies, but to kill our passions."

Chosen and Called. The controlling citadel I have always been impressed by Luke's description in Acts of how the apostles 'reasoned' with people out of the Scriptures and of how many people in consequence were 'persuaded'. Of course, God made us emotional as well as intellectual creatures. Nevertheless, our mind is the controlling citadel of our personality, and true evangelism never bypasses the mind. What the Holy Spirit does in conversion is to bring people to Christ, not in spite of the evidence, but because of the evidence when he opens their minds to attend to it. In the New Testament, conversion is not infrequently portrayed as a response not only to Christ but to 'the truth', even to a 'form of teaching'. (Rom. 6:17) --- From Foreword to "For Christ and the University", by K.and G. Hunt

Dear Brothers and Sisters
www.virtueonline.org
June 10, 2011

The Episcopal Church continues to unravel with whole dioceses fleeing to the Anglican Church in North America along with parishes and individuals. Now, we have parishes leaving for Rome by accepting the offer of the personal ordinariate of Pope Benedict XVI.

This past week, the rector and parishioners of St. Luke's Episcopal Parish, Bladensburg, Maryland, decided to leave the Diocese of Washington to seek entry into the Roman Catholic Church. "The transition is being made with the support of Bishop John Bryson Chane of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Catholic Archbishop of Washington," a news release from the diocese stated.

The home page of St. Luke's website is headlined, "We are Ordinariate Bound."

"We look forward to continuing to worship in the Anglican tradition, while at the same time being in full communion with the Holy See of Peter," the page says.

However, until an ordinariate is established for the United States, St. Luke's congregation, which has approximately 100 members, will come under the care of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Under the terms of a letter of agreement signed last week with the Diocese of Washington, St. Luke's congregation will lease its current church and continue to worship there. The agreement includes a purchase option. The community will begin preparations for reception into the Roman Catholic Church, later this year, while the Rev. Mark Lewis, rector of St. Luke's, hopes to begin the process to be ordained a Roman Catholic priest, according to the release. So the bigger question is why did Chane settle when other Episcopal bishops are fighting for every inch of turf and property? A source has told VOL that the diocese knew they couldn't get much for any church property in Bladensburg, MD, plus St. Luke's could find a good property cheap, so Chane cut a deal. Another factor is that the diocese is barely holding on by its financial finger nails and does not have money for a protracted legal fight. The Soper Fund sustains most of the budget, not parish giving or assessments.

St. Luke's has been one of the cleaner moves from TEC to Rome with a property settlement.

In Philadelphia, Fr. David Ousley is a former TEC priest at St. James the Less, now pastor of St. Michael the Archangel in Bala Cynwyd whose small congregation currently worships in the chapel of West Laurel Hill Cemetery. It is a traditional Anglican congregation that hopes, in the near future, to become a Roman Catholic parish. Ousley lost his property to the diocese in a civil lawsuit and was deposed. He was already out of TEC when he made his move.

A more complicated situation is The Church of the Good Shepherd under Bishop David L. Moyer who has indicated he wants to take his parish to Rome and recently pleaded with TEC PB Jefferts Schori to let them buy the multiple properties valued in the millions. Apparently, she has showed no interest in selling it to him. She would have to go through PA Bishop Charles Bennison for that to happen. As she would like him gone from the diocese and TEC, there is little love lost there, nor any mood to cut deals. Bennison is suing Moyer to get him out of the parish, so there would seem to be little incentive to cut a deal for the property with the Traditional Anglican Church bishop who still doubles as an Episcopal priest.

Another issue is who actually owns the property deed. The parish says it does. As the parish holds title, it should be impossible to transfer or just relinquish any right Chane thinks he has. A quit claim deed in effect washes the issuer's hands of any interest, real or unreal, in the property. Title Companies will frequently require this if there's even a suspicion of claim by some third party. This is quite different from a warranty deed whereby a seller warrants that he holds bone fide title to the property in question.

A news release out of TEC HQ in New York reveals the deal was done in the name of "pastoral sensitivity." Really. Where is all the "pastoral sensitivity" in Ft. Worth, Pittsburgh, San Joaquin and Quincy? There isn't any. This deal was about money and who had the most to win or lose by a protracted legal fight.

*****

The Washington National Cathedral has received a $700,000 grant from the Department of the Interior's National Park Service for preservation of its historic buildings, according to a press release.

The award was made through the "Save America's Treasures" grant program for the cathedral's "significant role as an historic national treasure, which illustrates, interprets, and is associated with the great events, ideas, and individuals that contribute to the nation's history and culture," the release said. "The building is more than 100 years old in some places and one of the principal needs is repointing. The mortar between each block of limestone deteriorates over time," said Andrew Hullinger, the cathedral's senior director for finance and administration, who oversaw the grant application, according to the release. Other work planned includes restoration of stained glass windows, cathedral metal work, and exterior doors," the release continued.

A recently formulated strategic plan for 2012-2014 outlines four goals that call for the cathedral to be:

* a sacred place, welcoming the country to pray, commemorate, celebrate, and mourn;

* a historic landmark and national treasure symbolizing the role of faith in America;

* a living, Christian community in the Episcopal tradition welcoming people of all faiths; and

* a leader in convening people of all faiths to examine and respond to important issues in the world.

So, the cathedral, which has had four rounds of layoffs involving 65% of its staff to save millions of dollars, gets relief from the Department of the Interior. For its sins, it is rewarded with a new strategic plan that fails to include the preaching the Good News or anything remotely Christian except to promote interfaith dialogue with other religions. (Imams do not allow such blasphemy in their mosques, only liberal protestant Christians do that.)

When the national park money runs out, how will they jump-start a cathedral that offers very little that is uniquely Christian? A man I know went to cathedral leaders to ask if he could put on a marriage seminar. He was politely turned down because it might be viewed as discriminatory towards gays. That's the real truth.

*****

Bishop Chester Talton of the rump TEC Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin has told diocesan clergy that as of the Sunday of Pentecost, June 12, they may bless what a press release called "sacred unions."

The June 7 release said that, following consideration by the diocese's Equality Commission, "the clergy in the Diocese of San Joaquin may perform blessings of same-gender civil marriages, domestic partnerships and relationships which are lifelong committed relationships characterized by 'fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God.' "

Talton's authorization notes that because Episcopal Church canons and California law do not allow same-gender marriage, no diocesan priest may solemnize such a marriage until both sets of laws allow such an act, and the diocesan bishop specifically allows such solemnization. No priest is required to bless same-gender relationships.

San Joaquin's decision came in part, the release said, in response to General Convention Resolution C056 which states that "bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this church."

Now you know why the bulk of this diocese fled TEC and is now a member of the Anglican Church in North America.

*****

Like many contemporary churches, Trinity, Buffalo, was saddled with too much building and maintenance and too few resources, until the Diocese of Western New York congregation eyed its "street view" circumstances and turned a liability into an asset.

They took a parking lot which raised about $20,000 a year but because it was really beat up and some of its neighbors complained. The people renting the space also complained because it had so many potholes. Spotting the potential The Episcopal Church Building Fund (ECBF) got involved. They helped renovate the parking lot and revenues have more than tripled to $65,000 annually.

So what's the good news? There isn't any. This is more about maintenance than mission. Will the church suddenly forge ahead evangelistically because it has a few more bucks? A liberal parish, in a liberal diocese has no long term future. It is just the status quo with a few more bucks in the parish bank. Nothing of substance will change.

*****

The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti will elect a new Bishop Suffragan. At the request of Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin and with the consent of the majority of bishops with jurisdiction and diocesan Standing Committees, the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti will elect a Bishop Suffragan on a date to be determined. This marks the first time that the Diocese of Haiti will elect a Bishop Suffragan.

On May 26, the Office of Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori notified the Diocese of Haiti that the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process had been received. The Bishop Suffragan will assist Bishop Duracin as he serves the needs of the people and clergy of the diocese, the largest diocese in the Episcopal Church, which continues to recover from a devastating January 2010 earthquake.

*****

While Episcopal churches are collapsing and closing around the country because they have no discernible gospel, you can read what this one AMiA parish is doing: Over 100 Confirmed as Christ Church, Plano, Celebrates 25 Years reads the headline at the ACNA website.

Twenty-five years ago, the Rev. David Roseberry and his wife, Fran, started a new church plant in Plano, TX. As part of their 25th anniversary celebration, they confirmed their largest class ever. Archbishop Duncan confirmed 108 people at a special service on May 21 during his annual visitation to Christ Church. "This is the largest group I have ever confirmed," observed Archbishop Duncan. About one-third of those being confirmed were adults. Sixty-five youth were also confirmed. "It is deeply moving to see the hunger and passion of the youth at Christ Church Plano," he said.

The Rev. David Roseberry, church planter and rector of Christ Church, noted the importance of the confirmation service for many of the youth. "I think the ceremony will always be etched on their hearts and minds. Teeming with excitement, the students walked two by two to the altar and knelt before Archbishop Duncan as he laid his hands upon their heads and prayed the same words that have been spoken for centuries," he said. "Watching our young disciples take up their cross and follow the Lord was simple amazing. It was a tremendous blessing for us to have Archbishop Duncan visit us."

Immediately following the Confirmation service, there was a banquet for all of the confirmands and their families. Over 400 family members and friends filled the room. "It was a great celebration for our families," said Roseberry.

Christ Church, Plano, joined the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh in the fall of 2010. It is currently the largest parish in the Anglican Church in North America, with an average Sunday attendance above 2,200 people.

When did you last hear of an Episcopal parish confirming 100 new, mostly young people?

*****

THE CULTURE WARS are bringing about new and interesting alliances. Columnist Terry Mattingly reports in his weekly religion column that the point man for Russian Orthodox relations with other faith groups, Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev, who is used to talking shop with Catholics, Anglicans, leaders in older brands of Protestantism and other world religions, is now meeting leaders from the world's booming evangelical and Pentecostal flocks.

Time after time, during meetings with evangelical leaders and others here in America, Hilarion has stressed that it is time for Orthodox leaders to cooperate with traditional Catholics, evangelical protestants and others who are trying to defend ancient moral truths in the public square.

"I am here in order to find friends and in order to find allies in our common combat to defend Christian values," said the 44-year-old archbishop, who became a monk after serving in the Soviet army. He also speaks six languages, holds an Oxford University doctorate in philosophy and is an internationally known composer of classical music.

For too long, Orthodox leaders have remained silent. The goal now, he said, is to find ways to cooperate with other religious groups that want to "keep the traditional lines of Christian moral teaching, who care about the family, who care about such notions as marital fidelity, as giving birth to and bringing up children and in the value of human life from conception until natural death."

Recently, Hilarion preached from the pulpit of the 5,000-member Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, a conservative congregation that remains part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which recently approved the ordination of noncelibate gays, lesbians and bisexuals.

While in Dallas, Metropolitan Hilarion's public schedule included meetings at Dallas Theological Seminary, a prominent institution among many of America's most conservative evangelical leaders. He has also, during the first half of the year, met with nationally known evangelical leaders in New York, Washington, D.C., and at Princeton University.

In a recent interview with Christianity Today, one of evangelicalism's flagship publications, the archbishop said it is crucial for all churches -- including Eastern Orthodox churches - to expand their work into public life, even if this creates controversy in some quarters."

*****

Virginia Anglicans take to prayer as oral arguments conclude in church property cases. In Fairfax, The Anglican District of Virginia (ADV) remains prayerful following the conclusion of the trial portion of the church property case brought by The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. The case involves seven of ADV's 41 congregations and mission fellowships and is being heard by the Fairfax County Circuit Court after it was remanded by the Virginia Supreme Court. The Court has asked both sides to file three rounds of post-trial briefs. The final set of briefs will be filed in October.

"We are thankful the trial portion of the case has concluded and will remain prayerful in the coming months. We never wanted this matter to be resolved by the courts, but we are confident in our legal standing and thankful for the dedication of our legal team," said Jim Oakes, chairman of the Anglican District of Virginia, which is the umbrella organization for the seven Anglican congregations.

"While it is important that we preserve our houses of worship for the historic Christian faith and the ministries housed within our walls, our primary commitment is to spreading the Good News of Christ and helping to those in need," Oakes concluded.

The Anglican District of Virginia (www.anglicandistrictofvirginia.org) is an association of Anglican congregations in Virginia. Its members are in full communion with constituent members of the Anglican Communion through its affiliation with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), a missionary branch of the Church of Nigeria and other Anglican Archbishops. ADV members are a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a community of 77 million people. ADV is dedicated to fulfilling Christ's Great Commission to make disciples while actively serving in three main capacities: International Ministries, Evangelism, and Strengthening Families and Community. ADV is currently comprised of 32 member congregations and nine mission fellowships.

*****

The Anglican Journal of the Anglican Church of Canada reports in its June 2011 issue that The Diocese of Moosonee may disappear in the Dominion of Canada due to financial distress. The synod has voted to become a mission area under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Provincial Synod. Bishop Tom Corston of Moosonee put the best spin on it by saying it was the parishes' determination to stay together and keep the strong links and personal relationships that they have with each other. The Diocese of Cariboo has already disappeared becoming the Anglican Parish of the Central Interior. Recently, the Diocese of British Columbia closed 13 churches in a dramatic restructuring. While the plan is in response to declining church attendance, Bishop James Cowan says it goes beyond cost-cutting, asking how the church can best focus its resources to carry out its mission as well as rebuild for the future. No gospel, no future. Nineteen more churches are slated to be disestablished. In 2002, the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster officially approved same-sex "blessings" and ten parishes formed a coalition and left the revisionist diocese under Bishop Michael Ingham. They are now affiliated with the Anglican Network in Canada and with the Anglican Coalition in Canada.

All this is happening because the Anglican Church of Canada has embraced diversity, sexual inclusivity and same-sex blessings, all in defiance of the Windsor Report, a Covenant in the making and Holy Scripture.

*****

VOL has received word that Bishop John-David Schofield of the Diocese of San Joaquin was seen at a Requiem Mass slumped in the back pew, exhausted, tied to an oxygen tank. He is suffering from congestive heart failure. His body, particularly his face, is showing signs of serious distress. In the hospital, when the doctors tried to drain the fluid from his lungs with a long needle, the liquid was too thick. They couldn't get it out. He also has fluid in the sac surrounding his heart. He has a serious heart problem. Please pray for him. Thank you.

*****

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