A Message from the Bishop - "Thanking God for These Strong Partnerships"
Jeff Walton & Albert Thompson, Executive Committee Members, enjoy a s'more during an evening fellowship opportunity at Provincial Council.
Dear Friends,
““I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:3–5)
Last week, I found myself echoing the Apostle Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving as I experienced the gatherings of the Anglican Church in North America’s Executive Committee, Provincial Council and College of Bishops.
The meetings were significant, but less because of important votes or major actions than because of the highlighting of creative Kingdom work that is being done across our Church.
The Constitution and Canons of the ACNA and our diocese are based on a model that is termed “subsidiarity.” That means we seek to do ministry as close to the local congregational level as we can. We keep diocesan and Provincial staffing and structures lean; we encourage networking and sharing among churches and dioceses rather than creating a top-down approach heavy with staff and denominational programming.
This model was clearly visible last week, as extraordinary ministries across our Church were lifted up. Archbishop Foley Beach has put forward six Provincial Initiatives which have called forth and linked together the work of churches and dioceses across North America. Each of these Initiatives gave a report to Provincial Council and I’d encourage you to watch one or two of them and check out their websites. You’ll see ways for your church to connect with others doing similar ministries. And I know you’ll be encouraged, as well.
1. Developing leaders through the Next Generation Leadership Initiative. Watch the report from the Rev. Dr. Jessica Jones, beginning at 2:33:50.
2. Planting churches through the Always Forward Initiative. Watch the report from Molly Ruch, beginning at 34:48.
3. Serving the marginalized through the Matthew 25 Initiative. Watch the report from Christine Warner, beginning at 49:40.
4. Fostering diversity through the Every Tribe and Nation Network. Watch the report from the Rev. Leah Turner, beginning at 43:00.
5. Partnering globally through the New Wineskins Missionary Network. Watch the report from Jenny Noyes, beginning at 19:20.
6. Cultivating generosity through the Evergreen Project. Watch the report from the Rev. Canon David Roseberry, beginning at 52:30.
You can watch Archbishop Foley Beach’s address to Provincial Council, beginning at 35:50, or read it here.
We were also blessed to have with us Archbishop Ben Kwashi of Nigeria, the General Secretary of GAFCON, the Global Anglican Future movement, and his wife, Gloria. Archbishop Ben has been so courageous in the face of violent persecution and he is one of my heroes. He has just completed 8 months of intensive chemotherapy for colon cancer and it was a joy to have him with us as the preacher for the Council Eucharist. You can watch it here, beginning at 33:30.
You should know that our diocese was well represented: Albert Thompson (Christ the King, Alexandria) and Jeff Walton (Incarnation, Arlington) are members of the Executive Committee. Jeff, along with Bassem Youssef (The Falls Church Anglican) and the Rev. Jim Beavers (Christ Anglican Church, Orange, VA) are our delegates to the Provincial Council. And our Chancellor, Scott Ward (The Falls Church Anglican) is also the Chancellor of the ACNA.
I’ve returned home with renewed gratitude for all that we receive from one another in our Church. Would you join me in thanking God for these strong partnerships in the Gospel which he so graciously gives us?
Faithfully yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. John A. M. Guernsey