Communal cups suspended at Anglican churches amid COVID-19 outbreak

From Toronto-

Anglican churches in Toronto are changing liturgical practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 ahead of the gathering of large congregations for Easter ceremonies.

Effective immediately, the Diocese of Toronto is suspending the sharing of communal cups at celebrations. It is also advising people to alter the Exchange of the Peace by sharing words and smiles only, as opposed to handshakes or hugs. In churches where holy water is used, the basin will be emptied after every service.

"Our normal liturgical customs are important to us, and we hope to reinstate them as soon as we are advised that the risk of transmission has been better contained," the Bishop of Toronto Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil said in a letter to the clergy and members.

More here-

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/communal-cups-suspended-at-anglican-churches-amid-covid-19-outbreak-1.4838818

GAFCON confirms they will boycott Lambeth conference of bishops

From Premier-

A conservative evangelical wing of the Anglican communion, GAFCON, has confirmed that their representatives will not attend the global meeting of Anglican bishops in a year's time. 

Anglicans on both sides of the debate about sexuality within the church are unhappy with plans for the Lambeth Conference in 2020, with some, including the Bishop of Liverpool, Rt Rev Paul Bayes, saying their partners will not come, in protest at same-sex bishops not being allowed to bring their partners. 

Current Church of England doctrine states that clergy cannot conduct a same-sex wedding and the rules on whether clergy can marry a same-sex partner varies in different countries, with the Episcopal Church in the US allowing same-sex marriage since 2015, but in England only civil partnerships are allowed, on the assumption that they remain celibate, and marriage is not. 

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/World/GAFCON-confirms-they-will-boycott-Lambeth-conference-of-bishops

Final preparations underway for inauguration of Chile as 40th Anglican Communion Province

From ACNS-

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is travelling to Santiago to officially inaugurate the newest Province of the Anglican Communion. The Iglesia Anglicana de Chile – the Anglican Church of Chile – will become the 40th Anglican Communion Province when it is inaugurated on Sunday. Archbishop Justin will preside over the ceremony, which will be held at the Grange School in the city of Santiago. Usual Sunday services in local churches have been suspended to enable people to take part. The service will also be available to watch via the Facebook Live facility.

“The birth of a new province of the Anglican Communion is moment to rejoice and give thanks and praise to God”, Archbishop Justin said. “It is a hope-filled reminder that God’s vision for the Church is always bigger than we can imagine.

“As followers of Jesus we are called to be part of this ongoing revolution of love that transforms lives and changes the world through dealing with sin and opening the way to salvation. Especially at a time when there is so much in our world that needs healing, here is a sign that the Spirit of God points towards Jesus in his obedience to the Father.

More here-

 https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2018/11/final-preparations-underway-for-inauguration-of-chile-as-40th-anglican-communion-province.aspx

also here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/World/Justin-Welby-to-launch-new-Anglican-province

If you liked the Royal Wedding sermon on Saturday, go to church on Sunday

From Fox News-

It seems like the whole planet tuned in to watch the royal wedding. It was a beautiful occasion on a beautiful day, and Harry and Meghan looked just the part. Young and in love. The wedding had it all: fascinators, celebrities, pomp, and great music.

Then there was the sermon. Many people are saying the preacher stole the show. I knew it was going to be a great sermon, and I knew Bishop Michael Curry, head of the Episcopal Church in the USA, would preach about love.

If you haven’t watched the sermon, do it now. It’s the best thirteen minutes you’ll spend all day.


The reactions among media and on Twitter were amazing. One British paper said Bishop Curry is a “break-out star.” Buzzfeed posted the full text of the sermon. When has Buzzfeed ever posted a sermon?! TV network commentators were gobsmacked.

Of course, Bishop Curry, as amazing as he is, isn’t the reason people found the sermon moving. It was not the preacher, but the subject that moved people’s hearts. We’re all yearning to know that we are loved, that our lives have purpose, and that the world can be transformed. That’s the power of love, and that’s exactly what Bishop Curry spoke about.

More here-

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/05/19/if-liked-royal-wedding-sermon-on-saturday-go-to-church-on-sunday.html

Anglican Church in Southeast Asia now in ‘impaired communion’ with Scottish Episcopal Church

From Anglican Church League-

Here is a statement, released today, from the Synod of the Province of the Anglican Church in South East Asia – from the 2nd Meeting of its 6th Session in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia, from 29th to 31st January, 2018.
___

31st January 2018

Noting the decision of the Scottish Episcopal Church on 8 June 2017 to change its doctrine of marriage and to recognise same-sex marriages and further to amend its Canons to allow for the rite of blessing of same-sex marriages, which is a contravention of Resolution 1.10 of the Lambeth Conference 1998; and

Recalling that as a consequence of the then Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) proceeding with the consecration of Gene Robinson as a Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in 2003, in contravention of Resolution 1.10 of the Lambeth Conference 1998, the Province of the Anglican Church in South East Asia declared in 2003 that it was in a state of impaired communion with ECUSA (now known as The Episcopal Church)

More here-

http://acl.asn.au/anglican-church-southeast-asia-now-impaired-communion-scottish-episcopal-church/

The ties that bind our Anglican Communion family

From Anglican News-

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, reflects on how membership of the Communion is defined.

There is much about our Anglican Communion which makes us unique. We are an extraordinary international family, bound together by faith in Jesus Christ and by our rich tradition.

The See of Canterbury is one of the unique features which binds us together. At the Primates’ Meeting in October it was clear just how much Canterbury meant to those who came. For Anglicans, communion with the See of Canterbury – and with its Archbishop – is the visible expression of our communion with one another.

In his advent letter to GAFCON, the Primate of Nigeria says: “the Jerusalem Statement and Declaration clarified that the Anglican Communion is not determined simply by relationship with the Archbishop of Canterbury”.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/blogs/2017/12/the-ties-that-bind-our-anglican-communion-family.aspx

Church Seeks Bishop for ACC

From The Living Church-

Nominations are open through Nov. 20 for a bishop to serve on the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) to fill a slot left by the expired term of the Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas, Bishop of Connecticut.

The ACC is one of the four Instruments of Communion in the Anglican Communion. The role of the ACC is to enable cooperative work among the churches of the Anglican Communion.

The term is for three meetings of the ACC, which is generally nine years. The triennial meetings require a two-week commitment. The next ACC meeting is scheduled for 2019, at a location to be determined.

Among the requirements, the bishop must be a member of the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops.  A thorough knowledge of the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church is required, as well as familiarity with their governance structures.

More here-

http://livingchurch.org/2017/10/18/church-seeks-bishop-for-acc/

Presiding Bishop's message from the Primates Meeting

From The Episcopal Church- (video)

At the conclusion of their meeting, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry offers a reflection on the actions and discussions of Primates of the Anglican Communion.



https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/video/presiding-bishops-message-primates-meeting

Task group developing deeper links and wider understanding

From Anglican News Service-

The Task Group set up by last year’s Primates’ gathering has been meeting in London this week with the emphasis on understanding diversity within the Anglican Communion – and recognising the many areas of unity.

The Archbishop of Armagh, Richard Clarke – who chaired the meeting – said it has been a positive and fruitful discussion.

“We have been developing a greater understanding between us of the diversity within the Communion,” he said. “But, significantly, we have been seeing the many, many areas of commonality.

“It has not been a theological discussion. Instead, we have been examining what differences mean at a practical level. In particular, we looked at marriage practices and relationships in different parts of the Communion. But we also looked at the spiritual dimensions of the idea of walking together.”

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2017/04/task-group-developing-deeper-links-and-wider-understanding.aspx

"Vitality and growth across the Communion"

From ACNS-

It is almost exactly a year since the Anglican Consultative Council met for ACC-16 in Lusaka, Zambia. So much has been happening across our Communion since then. Let me tell you about just a few things to give you a taste of how active and lively our Communion has been in the last few months.

On the personal level, I preached at a Dedication Service of a new church in Guangzhou, China, in January. The church, seating 3,000 people, was one of the new and big churches built in China in recent years.

In February, during the visit of the Presiding Bishop of TEC to Hong Kong, several Primates of neighbouring provinces in this region including Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Philippines, came and spent a day together to worship, share and discuss the matters of concern.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/blogs/2017/04/vitality-and-growth-across-the-communion.aspx

Has The Episcopal Church Been Penalised For Its Support Of Gay Marriage – Or Not?

From Christian Today-

Senior members of The Episcopal Church of the United States have said they are "dismayed" by an Anglican Communion report that they did not vote on "doctrine" at a recent meeting

The Episcopal Church, which endorses gay equality, consecrates gay bishops and clergy and allows same-sex marriage.


As a result, the Church had "consequences" imposed on it by Anglican leaders at last January's primates' meeting in Canterbury.

These consequences, which the primates insisted were not "sanctions", included not permitting members of The Episcopal Church to vote on matters of doctrine at Anglican Communion meetings of policy bodies such as the Anglican Consultative Council.

Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine, Ian Douglas and Gay Clark Jennings, who attended the 16th Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Lusaka, Zambia last April on behalf of The Episcopal Church, say in a post on the Episcopal Digital Network that they were dismayed to read on the Anglican Communion News Service "an article that claims we did not vote on matters of doctrine or polity at the most recent meeting of the ACC."

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/has.the.episcopal.church.been.penalised.for.its.support.of.gay.marriage.or.not/104358.htm

Idowu-Fearon: US conservatives manipulating African Anglicans

From The Church Times-

THE importance that African church leaders attach to the ques­tion of same-sex relationships is the result of interference by conserva­tives in the United States, the secretary-general of the Anglican Communion, Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, has said.

In an interview with The Church of Ireland Gazette, published last week, Dr Idowu-Fearon said that Anglican leaders in Africa seemed “to be so much taken in” by the issue, not be­cause of concerns about the impact on relations with Mus­lims, but as a result of “very strong min­ority conservatives” in the US.

“The very strong minority conservatives, not in the UK but in America, they have found a footing amongst some of the leaders in Africa,” he said. “They are the ones that sort of pumped this thing into the leaders, and the leaders decided to make it an African thing. It is not an African thing. There are homo­sexuals everywhere — even in my diocese.”


More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2016/16-december/news/world/idowu-fearon-us-conservatives-manipulating-african-anglicans

ACC chair sets out his vision for the Communion

From ACNS-

Being proactive, building links and bringing peace to a world in turmoil – those are the main tasks ahead for the Anglican Communion and its leaders, according to the chair of the Anglican Consultative Council, Archbishop Paul Kwong.

Archbishop Paul – the Primate of Hong Kong – is celebrating his first six months in the post. He is the first serving Primate to be elected to the role. Speaking to ACNS, he said it was vital for the Communion to be relevant.

“We are not simply a body of churches,” he said. “We have a mission to do – to serve the world, especially in areas where there is lots of conflict, human trafficking and terrorism.

“It seems to me there is no safe place in the world today. We have to help people find peace in their lives and in their hearts. This is the gospel we have to bring to the world.”
More here-

http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/acc-chair-sets-out-his-vision-for-the-communion

The theatrical Bishop caring for a far-flung flock in the outback

From Australia-

In his first year as the Anglican Bishop of the Riverina, the Right Reverend Rob Gillion spent as much time in a car or aeroplane as he did in church.

It is a measure of the size of his diocese, which covers more than a third of New South Wales and is bigger than England, Scotland and Wales combined.

"About 65,000 kilometres I've travelled in a year visiting all the different parishes," said the 64-year-old Bishop.

"And you'd have thought at my age, for goodness' sake, I'd be exhausted — but it's invigorating, and I hope other people are inspired by the fact that I'm with them and I'm here for the long term."
More here-

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-22/bishop-rob-gillion-caring-for-far-flung-flock-in-riverina/7257872

'God Is Not Finished With This World' - A Q+A with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

From Sojourners-

Michael Curry took office as the 27th Presiding Bishop for the Episcopal Church on All Saint’s Day (Nov. 1), 2015. His election as the first black presiding bishop for the denomination has drawn comparisons to Pope Francis and talk of an “Obama moment” for the Episcopal Church. Sojourners contributor Christine A. Scheller caught up with Bishop Curry during a recent trip to New Jersey for a diocesan convention. There, they chatted what’s ahead for the church, what it means to love our neighbor, and what Christians should keep in mind while voting in this year’s elections.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

- See more at:

https://sojo.net/articles/god-not-finished-world#sthash.BOxrxlNB.dpuf

ANGLICAN CENTRE MARKS 50 YEARS OF RELATIONS WITH CATHOLIC CHURCH

From The Tablet-

It has become one of the most regular events of the papal calendar: a visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Pope. But in 1966, Anglican-Catholic relations took a huge leap forward when Archbishop Michael Ramsey visited Pope Paul VI – the first encounter between pope and primate of England since the Reformation.

The meeting on 23 March 1966 led to a half-century of ecumenical dialogue through the formation of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (Arcic) and the setting up of the Anglican Centre in Rome. The Centre was dedicated on 22 March and opened a few months later. A series of events have been set up to marks its fiftieth anniversary. On Tuesday 22 March, there will be a Holy Communion service  in London at St Andrew by the Wardrobe, where the preacher will be Revd Barry Nichols, secretary and former governor of the Anglican Centre, and on the same day a Eucharist service in Rome at the Anglican Centre. Bishop Stephen Platten, the chairman of governors, will preach and use the original order of service used by Archbishop Ramsey to rededicate the Centre’s chapel. In June, ecumenical Evensong will be held at Westminster Abbey to mark the anniversary with the sermon preached by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

More here-

http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/5310/0/anglican-centre-marks-50-years-of-relations-with-catholic-church

African Archbishop Decries ‘Blackmail, Coercion’ of Anglican Church Over Homosexuality

From Breibart-

The loose confederation of churches affiliated with the worldwide Anglican communion is experiencing growing tensions over the issue of homosexuality, with the U.S. Episcopalian church tugging toward the liberal embrace of all things LGBT and the African churches struggling to maintain a more Biblically based sexual morality.

The Anglican Church of Nigeria has announced it will boycott the next international meeting of Church leaders over the matter, and is now requesting “special status” in the worldwide church to allow it to faithfully preserve its position on homosexuality.

In a forceful statement, the Nigerian Anglican primate, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, said that the Anglican communion seems to be tilting toward a non-biblical understanding of homosexuality, marginalizing those with an orthodox, biblical view of human sexuality.

More here-

http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/03/16/african-archbishop-decries-blackmail-coercion-of-anglican-church-over-homosexuality/

Episcopal church leader calls Anglican censure ‘fair’

From RNS-

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is describing the recent censure of his church over allowing clergy to perform same-sex marriages as a “fair” move by the wider Anglican Communion.

Anglican primates voted last month in Canterbury, England, to remove the Episcopal Church from votes on doctrine and to ban it from representing the communion in ambassadorial relationships for three years.

In an appearance at the National Press Club on Monday (Feb. 8), Curry said the decision was a “very specific, almost surgical approach” that allowed both sides to express their differences and yet find a way to remain together.

“There was clarity on our part, both about who we are as a church and about our love and commitment to the communion and there was clarity on their part that they disagreed with us,” he said. “But they didn’t vote us off the island.”

More here-

http://www.religionnews.com/2016/02/08/episcopal-church-leader-calls-anglican-censure-fair/

The Archbishop of Canterbury: Dissolving the Anglican Church to Save It

From The Atlantic-

Justin Welby was named archbishop of Canterbury with high hopes that he was the man who could save the Anglican Communion. Now it appears he may oversee its breakup—a calculated destruction intended, paradoxically, to save it.

Welby heads the Church of England, making him also the titular head of the affiliated Anglican churches around the world, including the Episcopal Church in the U.S. The umbrella group, the worldwide Anglican Communion, has been shaken by conflicts over the ordination and consecration of gays and women and over same-sex marriage in the U.S. and U.K. According to reports in British media, Welby will propose reorganizing the Communion as a looser affiliation at a January gathering.

More here-

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/09/the-end-of-the-worldwide-anglican-communion/405736/

Canterbury buries the instruments of unity

From Anglican Ink- The actual interview with  Church of Ireland Gazette can be found here:

http://www.coigazette.net/?page_id=2004

The Archbishop of Canterbury has claimed the authority to determine who is Anglican. In a wide ranging conversation with the Church of Ireland Gazette, the archbishop offered his appreciation of the ecclesiology of the Anglican Communion, placing his office in the center of the church's polity.
He further stated he saw the Anglican Church in North America as an ecumenical partner, not a member church of the Anglican Communion.

While Archbishop Justin Welby’s comments about the ecclesial relationship between the Church of England and the ACNA break no new ground, his defense of his appointment of an ACNA priest to an honorary post in the Church of England by asserting the priest’s orders were valid as they were conveyed by the Episcopal Church of the USA raises the question of the validity of the ministerial orders conveyed by ACNA's bishops. The archbishop's comments also appear put paid to the notion of four instruments of unity within the Communion, down grading the Anglican Consultative Council in setting the parameters of the Anglican world, placing the primates in a consultative role, while elevating his office as the arbiter of Anglicanism.

More here-
 http://anglicanink.com/article/canterbury-buries-instruments-unity?utm_source=emailcampaign92&utm_medium=phpList&utm_content=HTMLemail&utm_campaign=ABC+Welby+says+ACNA+not+Anglican