Growing Up in Christ
Most of us have some awareness of how humans develop physically, emotionally, and psychologically—but too often we don't know very much about how we grow spiritually. Using insights from the book The Critical Journey, by Janet Hagberg & Robert Guelich, we'll explore the nature and stages of spiritual growth. If you (or the people you pastor!) have ever wondered, "Is this all there is?" when it comes to your spiritual life, then this session is for you.
The Rev. Erin Bair is a priest and spiritual director who loves to help people encounter and be transformed by the love of God. In addition to serving St. Michael's (Nokesville, VA), Erin leads OpenAir, a ministry offering spiritual care and accompaniment to pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders. She lives in Arlington but would happily travel to just about anywhere you gave her a ticket.
Grow Your Church in Mission
How ACNA’s Matthew 25 Initiative can help grow and support your mission work?
Always wondered about the work of the Matthew 25 Initiative (M25I)? Come learn how your church can grow in mission and ways M25I can support your work. During this session we will discuss specific examples within DOMA and elsewhere in the ACNA showing how churches are moving forward in mission as well as offering practical resources. Join Mary and David in this interactive and dynamic session.
The Rev. Dr. Mary Amendolia Gardner is an Anglican priest and Spiritual Director with Coracle. Previously she worked in government and in Anglican churches in both England and the US. As an associate priest at the Falls Church Anglican in Falls Church, VA, she served in Outreach working with refugees and asylum seekers. While Director of OneHeart DC’s outreach to Afghans, Mary mobilized and equipped churches in the DMV and nationwide to resource and serve incoming Afghans. She and her husband John are active in missions and attend Restoration Anglican Church in Arlington, VA.
The Rev. David Comeau lives in Richmond, VA with his wife Halie and four young children. He serves as Assisting Priest at All Souls Anglican, a church he helped plant on the south side of the city last Advent. Much of David's work is purposely "outward facing"--spending time in neighborhood spaces such as the neighborhood public school, the public library and an increasing amount of time in Richmond's largest emergency shelter and recovery program which is also located in their church's neighborhood.
Extending God's Hospitality to International Students
God is sovereignly sending people from other nations to our campuses. We have the opportunity and obligation, to obey His command to 'love the foreigner' in our midst and extend His hospitality and welcome them. Strategic and practical ideas based on years of mobilizing the Church for ministry among internationals will be shared, along with relevant resources, including the gift booklet of the Truro International Programs and Services (TIPS) commemorating the first 20 years of the ministry.
Presentation (.pdf)
Leiton Edward Chinn has been mobilizing the Church for International Student Ministry (ISM) since 1977 through various missions and networks and served as President of the North American ISM network and also the first Lausanne Movement Catalyst for ISM. He and Lisa started and directed the ISM ministry (TIPS) of Truro Anglican Church, Fairfax, VA in 1985 and also launched the ISM of a small Anglican congregation near Columbia, SC in 2017. Leiton has written numerous ISM chapters for Diaspora Missiology books. He served on the Board of Trinity School for Ministry specifically to help develop the Stanway Institute for World Mission and Evangelism in the early 90's.
Lisa Espineli Chinn completed her Masters at Wheaton Graduate School as an international student from the Philippines. She presented the plenary address on ISM at the ACNA 2017 Provincial Assembly at Wheaton College, which birthed the Anglican ISM Network (AISMN) the following day. Lisa served as National Director of ISM for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship from 2000-2014, and has been a Ministry Mentor until her retirement from IVCF in 2022. She pioneered several publications in Christian International Student "Reentry.” She is completing her Anglican "Selah" Spiritual Directors certification course.
Becoming a Welcoming Church
Join pastors and planters Robert Cunningham and April Murrie for a conversation on hospitality, welcome, and the church. Drawing particularly on the image of the Good Shepherd, Robert and April will share some of the theology of hospitality that has animated their work. They will reflect on the intentional and delightfully surprising unintentional ways that visitors have been welcomed into Church of the Good Shepherd in Charlottesville, VA. While intention goes a long way, the Spirit is the true connector and creator of fellowship. Robert and April look forward to sharing how they are learning to labor with great intentionality towards hospitality while also remembering that ultimately they are not the ones who “make things happen” in the kingdom.
The Rev. Robert Cunningham serves as Vicar and co-planter of Church of the Good Shepherd. He graduated from Auburn University and spent five years on staff with Cru before attending Covenant Theological Seminary for his Master of Divinity. He then spent seven years serving with Reformed University Fellowship before accepting the call from the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic to plant Church of the Good Shepherd. He is married to Katherine and together they live in the city with two children.
April Murrie serves as Pastor of Formation and co-planter of Church of the Good Shepherd. She earned a Master’s in Education and a Master’s in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership, and has spent almost thirty years teaching history, theology, and the Bible with all ages and stages, from preschool to adult. She is most joyful when she is shepherding others to live a “with-God” life attuned to the voice of Jesus, their Good Shepherd, who knows them by name. She is married to Daniel and mother to Jacob (and his wife Abby), Adelyn, and Teagan.
Anglican Relief & Development Fund: Panel Discussion
Join a panel of DOMA laity as they discuss their experiences this year in Anglican Relief and Development Fund’s (ARDF) National Disaster Network and specifically their disaster response trips to Ft. Myers, FL (Hurricane Ian response), and Dawson Springs, KY (Mayfield tornado response). Learn how ARDF supports parishes in the formation of emergency preparedness and disaster response.
Below: Photos from service trips…
Join a panel of DOMA laity as they discuss their experiences this year in Anglican Relief and Development Fund’s (ARDF) National Disaster Network and specifically their disaster response trips to Ft. Myers, FL (Hurricane Ian response), and Dawson Springs, KY (Mayfield tornado response). Learn how ARDF supports parishes in the formation of emergency preparedness and disaster response.
Tommy Lamb is an active member of St. Timothy’s Anglican Church in Spring, TX, in the Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast. He is married to Kathryn, his love for 46 years, with two children and five grandchildren. Tommy enjoys the outdoors…fishing, hunting, camping, bird watching, gardening…and loves to serve the Lord! As Director of ARDF’s National Disaster Network, Tommy’s prayer is that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, our Province will grow in emergency preparedness and join our disaster response partners to serve survivors of natural disasters with love and compassion.
David Corn, retired from the Department of Defense where he led program evaluations primarily in the Persian Gulf region, has focused his retirement on helping victims of disasters. He has participated in two ARDF recovery projects in Harlem Heights, Florida helping to rebuild houses damaged in Hurricane Ian. He is also a member of an international disaster assistance team with Samaritan’s Purse and deployed to Ukraine to support an emergency field hospital. He looks forward to continuing his involvement with ARDF.
Desiree Fey lives in Arlington, VA, where she attends Restoration Anglican Church and teaches children’s Sunday school, always the highlight of her week! She grew up in a military family and moved a lot before settling in Arlington after the University of Florida, calling it home for 50+ years. Desiree is a widow of 10 years, with two children and four beautiful grandchildren. In her widowhood, Desiree was called to purchase an RV and embark on doing Mission Trips with the Methodists in their program, The Nomads. Recently, Jake Stum of ARDF gave a presentation at Restoration about ADRF's domestic disaster work and felt God’s call to serve. This summer, Desiree embarked with Anglicans for a week in Western Kentucky where she helped rebuild a home destroyed by the Mayfield tornado. Desiree states that, “It was a wonderful Spirit-filled week of carpentry and fellowship. I am so happy to be involved.” Desiree serves as the Parish Disaster Response Coordinator for Restoration Anglican Church.
Alan MacDonald serves as the Missions and Outreach Coordinator at Truro Anglican. He was a Wycliffe missionary for 32 years and served with both Wycliffe and SIL International in government relations, international relations, and program administration that included 15 years in field assignments in Mexico, Philippines, and China. Following his work with Wycliffe he served as the Pastor of Global Engagement at a church in Fairfax. Alan “retired” in 2020 and now serves in his role as a volunteer staff member. Prior to serving with ARDF, his building skills were limited to being able to change a lightbulb.
Anthony (Tony) Niles serves on the Missions Committee of Truro Anglican Church in Fairfax, Virginia, overseeing a program with over 20 missionary partners in local, national, and international missions. Tony also has participated in home repair projects in the Northern Virginia area, and short-term disaster relief efforts within the U.S., including six teams in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Tony is recently retired from 42 years of service as a research and development engineer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which included participation in several national disaster response and relief efforts.
Linda Pasquarell holds degrees in Music Education and Educational Curriculum Development, as well as a certificate in teaching English as a second language. She drew from all her education while working with husband Gary and their four children in Asia, 1992-2004. During this time, she was teaching English and serving as a regional manager in rural development projects. Linda currently works in administration at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. She and Gary are members of Redeemer Anglican Church, serving on the prayer team, the music team, and the women's ministry team. Linda is a mother to 4 and grandmother to 10!
Gary Pasquarell is a civil engineer working for a consulting firm in Richmond, VA. While on mission overseas with his family, Gary worked in rural water development for poor villages and schools. Since returning to the states, Gary and Linda helped plant a cross-cultural church and lead discussions and Bible Studies for Asian students. Their most important work is to enjoy their 10 grandchildren! At Redeemer Anglican, Gary serves as a member of the prayer and communion teams and co-leads a small group. Linda and Gary represent ARDF through Redeemer’s Justice & Mercy Team, in addition to serving as Redeemer’s Parish Disaster Response Coordinators for ARDF’s National Disaster Network.
Marco Johnson serves as Parish Disaster Response Coordinator, The Falls Church Anglican, (TFCA) for ARDF’s National Disaster Network and TFCA Missions Near & Far Volunteer Group. Marco has experienced years of disaster deployments with the American Red Cross, Medical Reserve Corps, Emergency Management Volunteer Corps, Rebuilding Together, Inc., and other organizations. Marco is a consultant and instructor in all phases of emergency management for faith-based organizations, non-profits, communities, schools, and corporations.