Inaugaral Synod Of The MDAS

The inaugural Synod of the Missionary Diocese of All Saints will begin the evening of Wednesday, April 27, 2011 and conclude the next day in Ocean City, Maryland at the Dunes Manor Hotel. All clergy are considered voting members of the Synod and urged to be present for this historic event. In addition, each parish and mission may be represented by two lay delegates (selected according to your parish bylaws) for those with a membership under 100; or additional delegates per canon (Title I. Canon 3.4.1). The hotel cost for Wednesday night is approximately $69.00 (double occupancy). We will have a firm price once we hear from you and know how many plan to attend the Synod.

St. Stephen's, Athens, TX

ST. STEPHEN'S ATHENS TEXAS NOW IN COMMUNION
WITH MILLIONS OF ANGLICANS WORLDWIDE

Twenty years ago on Advent Sunday, December 2, 1990 a few Episcopalians led by Father Vernon Grosvenor founded St. Stephens Anglican Church in Athens, Texas. Meeting first at the Cain Center they soon acquired from the Church of the Nazarene a building on Rocky Ridge Road where they worshipped until they built and occupied their current facilities on East College Street. Their numbers grew quickly from seven to over fifty.

On July 5, 2009 St. Stephen’s voted to leave the ACA for several reasons and became an independent parish. Father Jerry Pardue, a Nashotah House Seminary graduate, continued as the Rector of the parish. Anglicanism is hierarchical and a parish, although not preferred, can survive as an independent organization but a priest must have a Bishop. After much prayer and discernment Father Pardue sought membership and was received by the Missionary Society of St. John the Evangelist (MSJ) coming under the care and supervision of the Rt. Rev. Frederick Fick, Father-General of the order.

The parish remained independent continuing to discern where the Holy Spirit might lead it. After much investigation, discussion and prayer the members of the congregation unanimously decided to follow their Rector into full membership in the society. MSJ is a convocation of the Missionary Diocese of All Saints with the Rt. Rev. William Ilgenfritz, Diocesan Bishop. The diocese is in the Anglican Church in North America. St. Stephen’s was in communion with a few hundred when first joined to the ACA, then in communion with no one as an independent, is now in communion with over 100,000 fellow Anglicans in 750 plus congregations. In fact they are now in communion with millions as the ACNA is affirmed by the majority of the world wide Anglican Communion.

Sunday, December 5, Bishop Fick came to St. Stephen’s to accept the parish into the MSJ at a Pontifical High Mass at 10 am assisted by Father Bob Tomlinson, Dean of the Texas chapter. At 4 pm the parish presented its annual Lessons and Carols for Advent for the many friends of St. Stephen’s who worship at other churches in the morning to celebrate the new affiliation.

In The Bleak Mid Winter

Our favorite rendition.
The Gloucester Cathedral Choir.

The Nativity

Chris Tomlin's "Emmanuel"


The writing of Christmas carols lives on.

Advent Begins

A General Thanksgiving - Book of Common Prayer

1. A General Thanksgiving

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have
done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole
creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life,
and for the mystery of love.

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for
the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best
efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy
and delight us.

We thank you also for those disappointments and failures
that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the
truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast
obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying,
through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life
again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and
make him known; and through him, at all times and in all
places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.

Liberty, Kentucky Site Of MSJ Clericus

The Missionaries of St John descended upon the small southern Kentucky area of Liberty for three days of prayer, worship, meetings and fellowship, October 27-31.

We will not soon forget the azure blue skies, the soft rustle of autumn leaves and beauty that is rural Kentucky. Our thanks go out to the good people of Christ the King Anglican for hosting and to the Kentucky Deanery for all their work in preparing a great clericus.

Sharing in a sung morning prayer, using Anglican Chant, was particularly memorable as were the late night conversations around a bonfire.

Two men were accepted as postulants for holy orders and Nathan Dunlap was recognized as having completed his postulancy is a candidate for ordination to the deaconate.

The MSJ clerics spent time studying the liturgics concerning using unction within the context of Holy Communion, studying the role of the Anglican deaconess, and reviewing the principles of canonical conciliarism as outlined by Dr. Kevin Donlon at last year's Forward In Faith Assembly.

Somewhere In Time-A Grand Experience For MSJ Women

This week, Sandy Johnson, Jan Fick, Karen Chalmers and Nancy Moore attended the Win-Some Women conference on Mackinac Island, Michigan and held at the Grand Hotel.

On a side note, the music and worship was provided by Fernando Ortega, who openly commented how he loves the beauty of Anglican liturgy. (Ortega himself is an Anglican.)

Expansion At Christ the King, Liberty, Kentucky

The next phase of the church building is going up at Christ the King, Liberty, KY as volunteers pour the floor and build the walls. Svetlana Dunlap, a member of CtK sends these photos.

The MSJ clerics will gather next week in Liberty for their annual meeting.

New Cross Dedication At St Luke's -Tyler, Texas

Yesterday, St Luke's the Physician Anglican Catholic Church in Tyler completed a year long project to place a back lit cross on the face of church building. Fr. Rusty Matheny led the congregation in prayers of dedication.

Clericus Schedule Released

Click on image to enlarge

Fall MSJ Clericus

Planning is well underway for the fall 2010 clericus for the MSJ Liberty, Kentucky, October 28-30. Fr. Bob Lemmon and Christ the King Anglican Church of Liberty will be our host parish.

We are excited to anticipate these days of training, fellowship and encouragement. Housing arrangements can be made through Christ the King. Contact Fr. Lemmon with questions and to arrange for airport transportation, if needed.

Prayers for God's blessing upon these days are encouraged.

9/11

Nine years have passed since that dreadful day. Still, we remember.
We remember the horror, the shock.
We remember the incredible bravery and the horrible loss.
A day we shall not soon forget.

A Collect for Peace

O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom:
Defend us, thy humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries;
through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer

Labor Day

Photo by Ken Ruinard

Begun as a nod toward labor unions, today Labor Day focuses more simply upon the value of work. Labor. In Genesis, Adam was tasked to care for the garden into which he was placed. Upon being expelled from the Garden, the Lord told Adam that he would have to work, that "by the sweat of his brow" he would produce food and care for himself and his family.

Work is the nature of man's existence. In fact, work is vital to dignity of mankind. Work, all work, gives purpose, value and dignity.

With an official unemployment rate of 10% and with the real percentage pegged by most at 15% or more, it behooves us to remember those who seek meaningful employment this Labor Day weekend, in our private and corporate prayers.

Work. We thank God for our bodies and minds which we may gives to tasks that demonstrate we are created in God's image.

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer
want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this
land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find
suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment
for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer

Missions Opportunity

Has the Lord planted a seed in your heart called “AFRICA?” There is a need for two short term missionary teachers to work in Africa late this year, early next year for approximately 4-5 weeks. Fr Francis is going to retire from teaching in Africa. There is a need for two new teachers to work on short term mission trips to East Africa – Tanzania and Kenya. These teachers would work in rural areas teaching ministry education to clergy, postulants and church leaders. This is an exciting opportunity to serve in mission country in Africa and do work that leaves a lasting legacy. Fr Francis served as a missionary teacher while working at a full time job, pastoring a parish, and doing other priestly work. It would be valuable if these new teachers accompanied Fr Francis on the 2010-2011 teaching trip.

Why do this? The Anglican Church is growing significantly in Africa. Often, African bishops appoint and sometimes ordain pastors and evangelists who have no formal ministry education and even minimal secular education, to pastor congregations because leaders are needed. Education later is promised.

Paul did it this way. He appointed leaders and then trained them later by letter. He depended on the Holy Spirit and the early Scriptures. Roland Allen wrote about this practice in his book: Missionary Methods: St Paul's or Ours. This is not to minimize the importance of education - in reality it emphasizes education even more. Paul's letters offer teaching to the ones he left behind. OFM provides ministry education to those whose heart is right and who love and serve God's people.

What is taught: Beliefs, Practices and Teachings of the Christian Church; Ethos of Ordained Ministry; Introduction to the Sacraments; Fundamentals of Sacred Scripture; Introduction to Preaching; Pastoral Theology; Introduction to Liturgy; and other topics, too.

A boat without a rudder on Lake Victoria floats aimlessly as the winds and currents direct. An uneducated pastor is the same. A church without an educated pastor is vulnerable to many false teachings and sometimes makes mistakes that hurt the people. African dioceses often list their statistics in this fashion: 45 clergy, 40 parishes, 85 churches. Many parishes and churches are led by uneducated good people, both ordained and lay leaders, who have worked hard for years. They are eager for education and training. They need you and your education. Will you respond?

If you have some desire to serve or sense a call to serve, please contact the Father General of the Mission Society of St John, The Rt. Rev. Frederick Fick, www.msjanglican.org,

msjanglican "at"yahoo.com, 586-264-6044. The Missionary Society of St John is a member of the Missionary Diocese of All Saints.

The Retreat House Produce

The MSJ maintains a retreat house in northern Michigan, located near pristine lakes, deep, dark woods, and nationally recognized streams and rivers. During the past year, dozens of couples, clergy and lay, have spent a few days for rest and renewal. A dozen families have spent some or all of their vacation camping on the grounds or just stopping in for an extended rest period.

What you might not know is that Bishop Fred is an avid organic gardener and guests enjoy the produce these gardens give. "It takes a tremendous amount of work, but I find it as extremely rewarding", said the bishop.

Tomorrow, he will take six bushels of new red potatoes, freezer boxes filled with fresh cut broccoli and cabbage, fresh picked green beans, cucumbers and lettuce, along with a bushel or two of tomatoes to the Emmanuel Mission, an emergency homeless shelter operated by Hope Anglican Church, MSJ, in Oscoda, MI. While such an episcopal visit might seem unusual to some, it typifies the heart, soul and spirit of the Missionary Society.

Fr Jeff Johnston Installed

On a beautiful morning along the shore of Lake Huron, Fr. Jeff Johnston was installed as curate in Oscoda, MI at Hope Anglican Church. The joyful celebration of the Holy Eucharist included many guests of worshippers and well-wishers.

Fr Jeff and Liz Johnston Move In!!!

Almost a year ago, Fr Jeff Johnston MSJ and his wife, Liz, began to understand the Lord was calling them to return to Michigan from Austin, TX. This wasn't merely a heart's desire, but a call specifically to Hope Anglican Church, MSJ, in Oscoda. Confirmed by the bishop, the call was tested by the selling of a home and the purchase of a new one in a most smooth and blessed process. Today, the Big Yellow Truck pulled into the drive on Mill Street. A gang of family and friends helped the Johnston's unload and begin the process of settling into their new home, new community and new parish. Hope Anglican Church is pastored by the Rev. Fr. Thomas Anderson MSJ. Fr. Jeff will be installed as the assistant rector, by Bishop Frederick Fick, Father General of the MSJ, at the regular Sunday morning eucharist, 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 25. Everyone is welcome to share in the celebration.

Heros At St John the Apostle, Clinton Township

Heros At St John

It's time again for St John the Apostle's famous Vacation Bible School.

Quote For The Day

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.”

Robert Heinlein

Memories From Belleville

A slide show, with background music, entitled "Memories From Belleville" has been uploaded. We pray the images evoke great memories of a blessed FiFNA Assembly.

"Our Catholic faith compels us and our desire for common mission draws us to the Missionary Diocese of All Saints. Bishop William Ilgenfritz, Bishop Ordinary of the MDAS, has been extraordinarily hospitable and helpful in assisting us in this process. We look forward to continuing our missionary work as part the Diocese. As evangelical Anglican Catholics, our convictions do not permit us to live and work independently."

"We are a religious order, or more accurately, a missionary society with a particular Rule of Life that commits us to daily prayer, sacrificial living and giving, as the Holy Spirit grants us the grace to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed. Forward in Faith established the Missionary Diocese as a home, a place to live out our faith witness.

How could we not share in what we see as the Lord's calling?"

Bishop Frederick Fick, Father General of the MSJ

The MSJ did not travel to the place alone. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the bishops of the REC, Ray Sutton and Roy Grote for their guidance and wisdom. We are also grateful for the love and friendship of the APA, particularly bishops Larry Shaver and Walter Grundorf, Forward In Faith bishops Jack Iker and Keith Ackerman for meeting often with us and for their wise guidance, encouragement and direction. Finally, we extend our warmest appreciation to Bishop Richard Boyce of the REC, our episcopal visitor, protector and fellow MSJ forever.

Memories From Belleville

Memories From Belleville