1. News Update & Reflection

"In light of the recommendations of the Synodical Council, we respectfully urge the Archbishop of Canterbury to invite as full members to Lambeth 2020 bishops of the Province of the Anglican Church in North America and the Province of the Anglican Church in Brazil and not to invite bishops of those Provinces which have endorsed by word or deed sexual practices which are in contradiction to the teaching of Scripture and Resolution I.10 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference, unless they have repented of their actions and reversed their decisions. In the event that this does not occur, we urge Gafcon members to decline the invitation to attend Lambeth 2020 and all other meetings of the Instruments of Communion."

GENERAL CONVENTION (TEC), July 5-13
Meeting now in Austin, TX, the General Convention of The Episcopal Church (like our Canadian General Synod) will deliberate on several issues that we are watching closely.  There are proposals to revise the 1979 Prayer Book to make it more gender-neutral.  There is also a move to revise the Prayer Book to include liturgies for the marriage of same-sex couples.  This revision has the goal of making same-sex marriage accessible to everyone in TEC, even those under bishops who prohibit the practice.  In response, the Communion Partners bishops are proposing a measure that would deal with the issue of accessibility, while still allowing them to distance themselves from the practice.  Referred to as DEPO, this would involve a form of alternate episcopal oversight.  We will be updating you on these stories on Facebook in the coming days, so please follow us there.

Participants at ACA's 2016 Seminar at Wycliffe College. Photo by Orvin Lao.

Finally, in all of the news, and sometimes controversy, around these "big picture events," I believe it's important not to lose sight of 2 concerns in particular.  In a recent Facebook discussion, I shared the following comment, and I'll share it with you now: "There is spiritual danger everywhere, but those of us who remain within TEC/ACC need, I think, to have a heightened awareness of the ways in which continued exposure to weak, compromised, or false teaching and leaders leads a lot of people astray. This is a concern that, in some contexts, has lead some to leave the Anglican Church of Canada; on the other hand, in some contexts it is used to argue for remaining within. However, the point here is that this compelling concern is sometimes overshadowed in our debates about the larger structures and about Communion-wide issues. We also have to think about the ways in which “working within” may influence us to be quiet and polite when we should be bold, though civil. Those of us who remain within need to speak the truth--loudly and clearly--in the councils of the Church, in our parishes and on Facebook. If we can't do that and are hampered by political concerns then we have already lost the most important battle--the one we fight with ourselves.”

In this "battle with ourselves," we need courage.  As we enter the summer months of rest and re-creation, let's continue to pray for one another, that we may be encouraged, that we may increase in faithfulness, and that we may continue to deepen Biblical faith in the Anglican Church of Canada. 

2.Encouragement 

The Rt. Rev. Larry Robertson is Bishop of the Diocese of Yukon, and also sits on the Board of Directors of the Anglican Communion Alliance.

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:16 to 20).

 
When I first came North in 1976 we were sent to Cambridge Bay on the Arctic Islands in the Diocese of the Arctic. I was 21, married for all of 3 weeks, and going to my first parish as a Church Army Officer. My elderly lay reader could not speak English, the oil cookstove/heater was acting up and I had to replace about 25 panes of glass in the mission house. It was the end of August: the snow was falling and ice was forming on the bay. As I watched the plane take off with the regional dean on it, all I could think of was “God, what the hell did you get me into?” I was terrified.
 
I think I can identify a little with the disciples. There was a lot of fear. Jesus was crucified for insurrection. Were they next? They met behind closed doors. At least Jesus had risen…but wait, now he’s going! Uncertainty. Isolation. The Master is gone and we are alone. Fear of what will happen. “God what the hell have you gotten us into?”
 
Our national church is changing. The liberal fractions seem to be taking over.  The authority of God’s word is questioned; the traditions of our Church seem to go out the window. The first reading to change the Marriage Canon has passed and the second is coming quickly. Some Bishops have gone ahead and allowed SSM already. We may be feeling pressure in our own dioceses. Some are thinking, “I have my whole career ahead of me, a family to support…God, what the hell have you gotten me into?”
 
Jesus comes into our midst, as He came to me so many years ago, as he came to the disciples. “Peace I give you…. Now …go and make disciples of all nations…and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  And now comes the energizer, the confidence builder and the enabling factor: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 
I was lost on the land once in the midst of a blizzard; all my landmarks were invisible. I had no idea which was the way to safety. My anxiety level rose, fear filled me and threatened to take control. I thought I was going to die. Then I stopped and fell silent for a moment. As I looked deep within I felt the peace come over me and the presence of Christ was there. I could think again. I began to circle and after an hour or so I found the marker I needed and headed home.
 
Know, take confidence, that God is with you.
You do not feel his presence? Does not matter, know that God is with you.
Not living up to God’s standards? Does not matter, know that God is with you.
Feels like God is far away? Does not matter, know that God is with you.
Not sure if you are following his path? Does not matter, know that God is with you.
Know, take confidence, that God is with you.
Through hard times, easy times, good times, and bad times--Know, take confidence, that God is with you.
Through holy times, sinful times, sure times, doubtful times--Know, take confidence, that God is with you.
 
We do not live in easy times, there are many uncertainties, many fears, the future is not clear. Know, take confidence, that God is with you.
You are not alone. Seek out like-minded people for fellowship and prayer. Meet together in person, by phone or internet and Know, take Confidence, that God is with you.