ACNA '09: New Province Kicks off with Smells, Bells, Sermon and Ratified Constitution
By David W. Virtue in Bedford, Texas
www.virtueonline.org
6/22/2009
It was an historic day in the life of North American Anglicanism.
A new orthodox Anglican province was born amidst joy and hope, years of hard work, lawsuits, losses, tears and alienation.
But it has happened. Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan, soon to be archbishop-elect of the Anglican Church of North America thundered from the pulpit of St. Vincent's Cathedral that God chose these days because He had a message to deliver. "It's about mission," he cried, "it's about our part in that mission. It's about being witnesses to Jesus and about being fore-runners of Jesus.
"Are we ready," roared Duncan. "Are we willing?"
"We are," roared the 800 attendees that included 234 delegates, 533 other attendees as well as 35 international Anglican and ecumenical guests.
The Rt. Rev. Jack Iker, Bishop of Ft. Worth told the people that this is a historic moment for us all and "we are delighted that at last the time for the first provincial assembly has arrived."
"Over the next four days, we will be together we will be praying, singing, studying God's word, deliberately breaking bread. Most importantly we will be seeking God's will and His blessing for us as a Church.
"With God's help, we will begin a new chapter in our lives as Anglicans. We will strive together to build a biblical, missionary and united body in the mainstream of Anglicanism."
This is a day that many have prayed and yearned for. "I'm from Georgia and our parish faces a lawsuit over the property. I would be depressed about it, but here I am seeing the birth of something new. Whatever happens with the property, God is doing something new here and I am glad to be a part of it. God wins."
Similar sentiments were expressed by both delegates and attendees.
The soon to be retired Archbishop of Kenya, The Most Rev. Benjamin Nzimbi was all smiles as he shook hands and talked with delegates.
"When I retire as Archbishop, I am going to be an evangelist throughout Africa. I want to tell the story of Jesus to everyone I see," he told VOL.
In today's digest, we have covered the opening address of Bishop Duncan, as well as the full text of his message. Fr. Michael Heidt wrote about the ratification of the New Constitution while the news analysis commentaries were by Canon Gary L'Hommedieu and Mary Ann Mueller.
We will be posting to the website as fast as stories are written. We will post a digest daily for all VOL's readers.
We respect your feedback and look forward to your comments. Please don't hesitate to write and tell us what you think to david@virtueonline.org Go to Virtueonline's website for the latest breaking news: www.virtueonline.org
In Christ,
David
| Poster | Thread |
|---|---|
| ACLins | Posted: 2009/6/23 1:03 Updated: 2009/6/23 1:03 |
Home away from home   Joined: 2005/3/31 From: Kentucky Posts: 234 |
 Re: ACNA '09: Province Kicks off with Smells, Bells,...Very encouraging news, David. May God bless all who have gathered for this historic moment.
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| yendor | Posted: 2009/6/23 6:58 Updated: 2009/6/23 6:58 |
Just can't stay away  Joined: 2007/11/3 From: Posts: 86 |
Re: ACNA '09: Province Kicks off with Smells, Bells,... I find the 'smells, bells' start rather dissappointing - it seems to imply that those of Low Church inclination are not welcome in ACNA. Surely a Broad Church service would have been a better start to this new province?
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| btaylor | Posted: 2009/6/23 11:43 Updated: 2009/6/23 11:43 |
Quite a regular  Joined: 2006/6/26 From: California Posts: 65 |
Re: ACNA '09: Province Kicks off with Smells, Bells,... Yes, it was "smells and bells," but it was also the entire congregation shouting during the sermon/address and at least all the charismatics praising God with uplifted hands during the music/worship. There was something wonderful for those of all sorts of churchmanship to celebrate here.
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| Cennydd | Posted: 2009/6/23 12:41 Updated: 2009/6/23 12:41 |
Home away from home  Joined: 2005/10/30 From: Los Banos, CA, Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin Posts: 6684 |
Re: ACNA '09: Province Kicks off with Smells, Bells,... And that's the wonderful thing about us Anglicans! Nobody is excluded....Low Church, Broad Church, High Church....it makes no difference.
"Not enough of this, or too much of that, etc" steers us away from doing what we're here to do, and so I say it's time to lay aside these differences forever, and get about the Lord's business! Cennydd |
| curtpenn | Posted: 2009/6/23 16:37 Updated: 2009/6/23 16:37 |
Just popping in  Joined: 2004/1/28 From: Posts: 10 |
Re: ACNA '09: Province Kicks off with Smells, Bells,... So, if there were no "smells & bells", would that imply that those of a high church persuasion would be unwelcome? Breathe deeply... let it go...
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| patulous | Posted: 2009/6/23 21:09 Updated: 2009/6/23 21:09 |
Home away from home  Joined: 2007/5/18 From: Posts: 1746 |
Re: ACNA '09: Province Kicks off with Smells, Bells,... Cennydd: So, you are actually for women's ordination after all.
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| Ikerliker | Posted: 2009/6/24 0:23 Updated: 2009/6/24 0:23 |
Home away from home  Joined: 2007/1/16 From: PA Posts: 2046 |
Re: ACNA '09: Province Kicks off with Smells, Bells,... Call me Gloomy Guss but this isn't anything to celebrate as far as I can see.
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| Cennydd | Posted: 2009/6/24 19:59 Updated: 2009/6/24 19:59 |
Home away from home Joined: 2005/10/30 From: Los Banos, CA, Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin Posts: 6684 |
Re: ACNA '09: Province Kicks off with Smells, Bells,... No, patulous, and let me reiterate for the last time: The diaconate only, and ONLY until such time as the Church decides that this must end....which I believe it will do. After all, ++Duncan ordains women, to be sure, but he won't be around forever.
My ultimate hope is that the Order of Lay Deaconess will be revived, and I know that I'm not alone in this respect. And now, since I have nothing more to say about this subject, nor do I care to, I will simply say we must get on with more important issues, such as church-planting and evangelization among those who are unchurched. There's a lot of work to do. Cennydd |
| patulous | Posted: 2009/6/25 17:24 Updated: 2009/6/25 17:24 |
Home away from home Joined: 2007/5/18 From: Posts: 1746 |
Re: ACNA '09: Province Kicks off with Smells, Bells,... Cennydd: We can't just sin "just a little bit." That is akin to "little white lies." Every issue, when it is sin, is "more important".
The ACNA is only Episcopal Lite....and I have no hope for it....nor will I have anything to do with it as it stands. You of all people NOW understand why many of the episcopalians are staying with their church, no matter what they do....but it is still WRONG. |
