Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Metropolitan Jonah At ACNA




Orthodox Church Leader Rekindles Relationship with Anglicans

The leader of the Orthodox Church in North America has re-kindled the oldest ecumenical relationship in Christian history. Addressing delegates and attendees of the inaugural assembly of the Anglican Church in North America, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, said, “I am seeking an ecumenical restoration by being here today. This is God’s call to us.” This significant gesture represents the possibility of full communion being exchanged between the churches.

Metropolitan Jonah represents the North American branch of the Orthodox Church, a Christian denomination that has a long history of strong relationships with the Anglican Church. “We have to actualize that radical experience of union in Christ with one another,” Jonah said. Speaking for 45 minutes, the Metropolitan addressed the importance of looking past our differences in order to work together for mission. “Our unity transcends our particularity,” he said.

His Beatitude’s message was focused on unity but did not fail to address areas of contrasting beliefs between the two churches. Despite this, the Metropolitan told the audience that “our arms are open wide.”

Following the speech, a representative of an Orthodox seminary, St. Vladimir’s, announced a cooperative effort with Nashotah House, an orthodox Anglican seminary, that would help further these ecumenical relationships and what Jonah described as a “new dialogue between the Orthodox Church in North America and the new Anglican province in North America.


The Texas chapter of the Missionaries of St John, together with their bishop, gathered in Bedford, Texas, heartily rejoice and offer God thanksgiving for this timely address by Metropolitan Jonah and his "open arms" of invitation. Our hearts resonate with his call to the truth of the apostolic faith, and we humbly and joyfully embrace his call to unity in the "faith once given".  Lord, hear our prayer.


Sunday, June 21, 2009

Forward In Faith - North America Annual Assembly



The Forward In Faith flag, displayed throughout the assembly, was presented to the Missionaries of St John.




Enjoying a needed break in the Assembly activities.





Bishop Keith Ackerman addresses a break out session.







Sunday, June 14, 2009

MSJ Delegates Off To Foward In Faith Assembly


This week, Forward In Faith North America will hold its annual assembly in Belleville, Illinois at the beautiful Our Lady of the Snows Shrine and convention site.  The Missionaries of St John will be represented by ten delegates in attendance.  We look forward to a busy, but devotional and refreshing week of meetings, fellowship and worship.

We intend to publish updates from the Shrine with any breaking or important news.  May God bless the travel of all the FiFNA delegates, guests and friends.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

That Was Quick!!


As promised, new sign work is already up at Divine Mercy.  See full story two posts below.


Monday, June 1, 2009

New MSJ Mission To Inner City Cleveland


Those who have been forgiven much, love much.  Those in recovery, some of whom are ex-felons, struggle with guilt and shame.  The Gospel of Christ offers love, forgiveness and true freedom.  Divine Mercy Mission has been providing pastoral care to those in recovery for over 2 1/2 years. 

We embark on a mission for the Kingdom of God.  Following the Lord's  call, we embark on a new work in the intercity of Cleveland, Ohio, in a historic neighborhood called Slavic Village.  Over the years it has experienced decline and a transformation from a former vibrant neighborhood of ethnic European steelworkers.  The Village is now a multi-racial community experiencing the worst of our current economic depression.  It is reported that one in six homes are in foreclosure.  Drug houses are flourishing, as is other activity that coincides with drug abuse.  I am quite familiar with the Village.  It is an area in which I minister at six local recovery centers. Divine Mercy Anglican Mission hopes to be an anchor, a spiritual center that reaches out to those in recovery and the community at large.

Pictured is our new facility, on which we hope to have new signage soon. We ask your prayers and we covet your help as we began just this past week on Pentecost Sunday. It seemed very fitting.

By His Mercy, to His Glory  

Fr. Nathanael Dean Maurer MSJ,   Divine Mercy Anglican Mission        440.951.2183

Contact Information

11195 S. Grayling Rd.
Roscommon, MI 48653

Telephone: 586-264-6044
msjanglican "at" yahoo.com