Reflections on Provincial Assembly
Over the next couple of newsletters, Diocesan attendees at the 2024 Provincial Assembly in Latrobe, PA will offer their reflections.
Heather Adams, All Saints’ Church, Woodbridge, VA
It has been my privilege to have attended all of the ACNA Provincial Assemblies. By far, the setting of St. Vincent College in Latrobe PA is the nicest, even taking into account the college dorms. This year I attended as an alternate delegate and also volunteered. Volunteering gave me the opportunity to greet new people and those friends who I hadn’t seen for five years.
But I would have to highlight two aspects of the assembly: the worship and plenary teaching.
First, there is something heavenly about worshipping together with people from all over North America and the world. This year, we were wonderfully led by the music team from our Church of the Resurrection in Baltimore, MD and the Maryland Boys’ Choir. It was truly up-lifting. The teaching on 2 Timothy by Bishop Rennis Ponniah as well as Jesus’ last prayer in John 17 by the Rev. John Stonestreet were excellent. I would recommend listening to the recordings of the teaching and worship when they become available.
I would recommend to everyone that the ACNA Assembly is definitely worth attending!
Jimmy Brockway, Lead Pastor / Postulant
Selina and I were blessed to attend the Provincial Assembly for the first time. St. Vincent was a beautiful venue that offered us unforgettable moments to reflect and process all God was doing. This was our first assembly and second event, including Synod. One of our most significant memories of the week and our experience with the Anglican Communion is seeing people pray for one another everywhere. Not only did we experience that personally, but we witnessed it all over campus.
Adding to the intentional moments of prayer, we were honored to have +Chris and Catherine represent us with such class all week. The spiritual weight of the Bishops was palpable, but I never witnessed a single one not stop and talk with other clergy and assembly members. Even after the Festival Eucharist, +Chris walked around talking with people and even made a special moment to embrace and welcome us.
The humility and genuine love for one another overwhelmed us multiple times. We felt loved, encouraged, inspired, and challenged to continue to walk out the call God has on our lives and our church, which was excited to hear the reports from the assembly.
The Rev. David Hanke, Restoration Anglican Church, Arlington, VA
1. I really enjoyed leading Morning Prayer with Louise Brooks and leading a seminar about the Matthew 25 Initiative with the Rev. Amy Rowe. God is doing great things through Louise and her work with Kid Ministry across the province. It was an honor to have her read the Scriptures. God is using Amy and Incarnation Anglican in Arlington, VA to create a welcoming church for people with disabilities. Her examples were so practical and helpful for people who are trying to create a similar environment in their own churches. I love Incarnation’s vision!
2. I am very grateful for our new Archbishop. He dearly wants people to know the Lord, and he will lead our province to take bold steps in evangelism and loving people who feel that God is far away. I look forward to his leadership!
