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.

Dedication Of Hope Anglican, Oscoda

Family and friends are invited as Hope Anglican Church, Oscoda, Michigan will be re-consecrated on August 9 at the 10:30 a.m. mass.  Fr. Thomas Anderson announces that the century old Swedish Lutheran Church building, the home of Hope Anglican, will be officially be put back into sacred service following a year of remodeling.  The Rt Rev Frederick Fick will officiate and the Rev Canon Francis Wardega will be preaching.

Fr Tom said, "This will be less about blessing a building than about re-consecrating a people to the work of the Gospel."

Call Hope Anglican for further details.    989-739-5751

Update On Progress At Hope Anglican, Oscoda

Through the generousity of faithful people, the work progresses on Hope Anglican Church, Oscoda, Michigan.  A new roof has been installed over both buildings, Sanctuary and parish hall.  A new furnace has been installed, and the parking lot storm drain system has been completely rebuilt.

While much remains to be done, it was exciting to check on the progress.   Pictured is Fr Tom Anderson in front of a new banner drawing attention to the community of faithful Christians who gather for worship, fellowship and service to the community.

Hope Anglican - Oscoda, MI

Last year, the people of Hope Anglican Church in Oscoda, Michigan settled into, what was for them, a new facility. The parish has been worshiping in the parish hall.

The sanctuary is the oldest church building in Oscoda and the parish faces the enormous challenge of bringing the old church back back into service. Two pallets of roof shingles are stacked in the parking lot awaiting installation next month. A new furnace will need to be installed before winter comes. The interior of the church reflects decorating from the 1950's and had only been used as a youth recreation center before being completely shuttered years ago.

So, where to begin?

Following hours of cleaning, a beginning had to be made somewhere. The high curved ceiling and the walls of the sanctuary draws the eye. The apse was cleaned, patched, sanded and finally painted. The original cross was hung again on the gleaming wall. A beginning.

The original pulpit, altar, reredos, and credence have been carefully preserved and will again be restored to their places.

Faced with a big challenge, it often seems difficult to know where to begin, but a beginning must be made somewhere and so it has at Hope Anglican.

Hope Anglican Church

In the far northern town of Oscoda, Michigan, where winter can be bitterly cold and awfully long, Fr. Tom Anderson leads a faithful parish known as Hope Anglican Church. Though blessed with beautiful lakes and streams, Oscoda has suffered from a 15 year economic depression, never recovering from the closing of the area's only major employer, the defunct SAC Air Force Base. Recently, Hope church found a new home, taking up residence at the old Swedish Lutheran church building. Renovations have begun and the parish presently worships in the lovely parish hall as it awaits spring when the work will begin in the old sanctuary. A new roof will go on, thanks to the benevolence of former parishioner of the Lutheran church who was just so thrilled to see the Old Church back in use again, he has already paid a local roofing contractor, in full, for a new roof. Oak pews have already been donated and the parish looks forward to rehabbing the beautiful sanctuary. A move in date on Pentecost Sunday is hoped for. Today, on the coldest Sunday of this winter, Bishop Fick celebrated the eucharist at Hope and reviewed the building plans and construction projects with the parish. The name Hope Church is certainly rich in meaning for Oscoda.

But wait! .. There's more to this ... read more below.

Emergency Homeless Shelter

But if all that wasn't enough of a challenge, Fr. Tom still oversees the ministry at the former site. Known as Emmanuel Mission, it has operated as the Oscoda Emergency Homeless shelter, the area's only shelter.
Plans include bringing the Emergency Homeless Shelter to the new Hope Anglican campus, once all needed and state required renovations are complete. Laundry facility, showers, kitchen improvements, sleeping quarters must all be built and/or renovated. When asked how all this can be done financially, Fr. Tom and Jackie Anderson will only respond with smiles that betray an incredible faith that God will somehow move upon his people to be generous, for the work that they do and the vision that they have far exceeds anything that one can see in the natural. It will HAVE to get done, because it simply MUST be done. The shelter needs your help in ministering to the homeless. If the Lord is speaking to your heart, please contact Fr. Tom 989-820-7222.