Anglicans And Orthodox Begin Again

House Bound

Bishop Frederick Fick MSJ will be representing the Society at Nashotah House this week. See the story immediately below. May the Lord bless the participants as all seek to do His will.

In the Footsteps of Tikhon and Grafton

"In the Footsteps of Tikhon and Grafton" — Nashotah House to Host Anglican-Orthodox Ecumenical Conference with St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary Partnership between two schools marks new step in ecumenical relations Nashotah, WI, September 1, 2009 – An ecumenical conference between scholars of the Anglican and Eastern Orthodox traditions will be held at Nashotah House Theological Seminary on October 8-10, 2009. Entitled “In the Footsteps of Tikhon and Grafton - Anglican and Orthodox Identity, Ministry and Mission in the 21th Century,” the Anglican-Orthodox Conference will feature discussions and addresses by representatives of Nashotah House and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY, together with several worship services representing the spiritual riches of both traditions. The conference will conclude with the signing of a “Covenant Partnership,” pledging continued prayer, fellowship and ecumenical cooperation between the two schools. Speakers will include the His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, Orthodox Metropolitan of All America and Canada, who is President of the St. Vladimir’s Board of Trustees, and the Very Rev. Chad Hatfield, an alumnus of Nashotah House who is now Chancellor of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. The Conference is free and open to the public but advance registration is required. For more information, telephone Fr. Steve Schlossberg, Director of Communications, at (262) 646-6506. “St. Vladimir's Seminary is committed to working out a new relationship with Nashotah House that honors our common legacy and heritage,” says Fr. Hatfield. “Together we can take the work and witness or our forefathers and reclaim the voice of Christian orthodoxy that this world is starving to hear once again. Not to do so would be to fail to build upon the foundations of both seminaries and the two traditions that they represent. Now is the time to act boldly, and together we will in common witness to the truth of the Gospel of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. May it be blessed.” The Very Rev. Dr. Robert S. Munday, Dean and President of Nashotah House expressed his conviction that this new relationship between the two seminaries “is an important step in furthering a renewal of Anglican—Orthodox ecumenical dialogue, which is the oldest ecumenical dialogue between Christian traditions." Dean Munday added, "It is particularly appropriate that Nashotah House should resume the ecumenical efforts begun over 100 years ago by Bishop Charles Grafton (2nd Bishop of Fond du Lac and Chairman of the Nashotah House Board of Trustees) and Saint Tikhon of Moscow (who was archbishop of the Orthodox Church in America, and who was made an honorary Doctor of Divinity by Nashotah House in 1905, later becoming Patriarch of Moscow and head of the Russian Orthodox Church)." Bishop Frederick Fick, MSJ will be attending this conference on behalf of the Society.

Bishop Keith Ackerman, FiFNA, Visits With Texas MSJ Chapter

+ Keith Ackerman spent a bit over three hours with the Texas Chapter at Holy Trinity Church in Hurst on Saturday, 19 September. During that time, Bishop Ackerman spoke frankly and personally to our questions, questions which are shared by many people. He acknowledged that there are flaws in the ACNA, but that this is the group that God has given us to work His will through, and that the ACNA is of an open mind, especially to the Anglo-Catholic mind.

He spoke of his great joy in visiting with evangelical Anglicans around the world and demonstrating to them that their views were actually the historic Anglo-Catholic views, while dismantling the caricatures built up regarding Anglo-Catholics as more interested in Mary than in mission and the spread of the Gospel in Christ Jesus. He said that his one of greatest moments of joy in dialogue were when J.I Packer said, after one of Bishop Ackerman’s presentations, “Well, if anyone had told me twenty years ago that I would be agreeing with the Anglo-Catholic position on anything, I would have laughed in his face. Today, I find that I agree to the point of calling myself an Evangelical Catholic.”

Bishop Ackerman also spoke of the great strides made in ecumenical progress with the Orthodox, especially the Orthodox Church of America, and of his hopes for the Nashotah House conference. “We are close, very close, to having an understanding which will lead to a deeper relationship.” He also spoke of the extraordinary flexibility regarding the new FiF-NA Diocese of All Saints, in accepting groups who are Anglo-papalist, Anglo-Orthodox, classic English High Church, Oxford Movement High Church, as well as making provision for various societies and religious orders under its umbrella.

Finally, he spoke of practicalities, of the sharing of ministries and talents among Anglo-Catholics and with others in the ACNA. He spoke of his own desire to celebrate and preach at Holy Trinity, and was overjoyed when Fr. Bob assured him that Bishop Fick has already given his blessing to do so. He is scheduled to speak to our cluster again on a Saturday late in November on the topic of pastoral counseling and then he will indeed preach and preside at Holy Trinity’s altar the next day.

The meeting ended with the clergy anointing and praying for his steady improvement in health and ministry, and his episcopal blessing upon us. The entire visit was truly a blessing and each man returned to his home parish refreshed and encouraged.

Dates Set For Society Annual Gathering

The Missionary Society of St John (FiF-NA) will hold its annual gathering in Hurst, (Dallas-Ft.Worth) Texas, October 25 thru October 27. Worship and most other activities will be held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church. You may visit the parish's website here:

Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Clergy and Lay delegates are urged to secure housing arrangements in advance. Full details will be provided. Contact Fr. Bob Tomlinson by using Holy Trinity's website contact information. As our host, Fr. Bob will be able to provide direct, pertinent and timely information.

All Anglicans and all interested people are most welcome to share in the inspiring time of prayer, worship, work and fellowship with the hospitality of the M.S.J.

Our Roots, Our Calling, Our Place in the Church

Recently, Frederick G. Fick, bishop of the MSJ was interviewed about the unique mission of the Society.  That interview has been edited and can be read, in its entirety here.

The Missionary Society of St John; its Roots, its Calling, its Place in the Church.

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

The Finished Product

OK, with the chancel furniture and altar restored to its place, the final photo of the new chancel at St John the Apostle Anglican Church, Clinton Township, Michigan.  Sure, everyone is very proud of the clean new look.  If some old "before" photos can be located, maybe we can do a "before" and "after".

Paul And The Underground Church

Meanwhile, as we said, it was a very busy week at St John the Apostle.  It was time for Vacation Bible School.  One 12 year old in attendance declared, "This was the best VBS ever!"  With extraordinary costumes, sets in various rooms, dozens of kids in attendance, and a huge staff of adults served as teaching characters.  It was amazing.  So realistic, most of the kids lost themselves each evening in the experience of being a Christian in the first century.  Memories shared and deep, heart-felt lessons learned that will last a life time.

Take a look, it is worth the browse.   

Many more photos are posted here.

New Tile Sanctuary At St John The Apostle Parish

After almost 5 years of celebrating the Eucharist on rather worn, old blue carpet, the people of St John the Apostle, Clinton Township, MI decided it was time to finally make the sanctuary what everyone has known it could be for a long, long time.  Thanks to the efforts of a dozen volunteers, and approximately 400 man hours later, we show you a quick glimpse of the progress.  It has been a very busy week at St John.  

Click On Any Photo To Enlarge

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.

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.

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.

That Was Quick!!

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

Forward In Faith - North America Annual Assembly

For complete details and registration information, click here:

http://www.forwardinfaithnorthamerica.com/assembly/annualassembly.htm#

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

Fellowship of St. Joseph Behind the Walls

There's something new and wonderful about to happen at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex in West Liberty, Kentucky!  My name is Father Todd Boyce, and  I have the privilege to serve as Institutional Chaplain at EKCC.  We have over 1,700 inmates, nearly 400 staff members, and two Chaplains!  I'm a busy man, but I love what I'm doing.  In the course of any given week I counsel upwards of 15 to 20 men in my office or in their dorm, I notify between 4 and 6 men of family emergencies/deaths, I interact with nearly 25 volunteers, and pray continually about how God's love can be manifested more clearly in this place.

 

Each time I counsel with an Inmate I'm required to look at his background and know what he's done.  I don't mind telling you that there are many times I didn't have to do that.  Yet, in spite of it and/or because of it, God's love for us is made more clear to me each time.  I have felt, over the past 6 months, that something more is needed in this place for the men to grab hold of than what's currently offered.  Now, please don't misunderstand me.  We have the most wonderful volunteers working with us.  They bring unfailingly bring the men the message of God's salvation in Jesus Christ.  But something more is needed.

 

The men here need, once they have made the decision to surrender themselves to Jesus, the ongoing opportunity to offer themselves to Jesus.  That is, they need worship; worship that calls them to sacrificially give of themselves and to join themselves to perfect sacrifice of Jesus.  In short, they need the Mass.  They need to learn what, for many of them, they were never taught as they grew up: The value of self-giving.  What is implicitly understood by you and I - namely, that all our giving begins and ends in Jesus - is a forgeign concept to them.  As it stand right now, their only understanding of worship is entertainment.  The Fellowship of Saint Joseph Behind-the-Walls, an outreach ministry of MSJ, aims to change that.  By your prayers and the intercession of our Patron, Saint Joseph, we hope to provide growth for our men through worship; specifically, through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.  Please remember to pray for The Fellowship of Saint Joseph Behind-the-Walls!   Pray for us as we seek to follow his example of patient teaching and self-denial!  God bless each of you! 

Father Todd Boyce, MSJ

Decoration Day

Long before the expression "old school" became fashionable, older fellas, like my own dad, referred to Memorial Day as Decoration Day.  For them, it wasn't so much about a three day holiday weekend, but about honoring the dead.

Special focus was given and honor extended to those who had given their lives in service to their country in the military forces.  Town parades began at the cemetery where small America flags were placed on the graves of those ultimate patriots.  Things were clearer then, it seems.  It was Decoration Day and decorating the graves of fallen heroes was the primary task.  Then, with proper duty accomplished, came the parades, the red-white-blue streamers on bicycles, and family picnics.  

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and
keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home
and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly
grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give
them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant
them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer

Cleveland MSJ Cluster Gathering

The Missionaries of St John, Greater Cleveland Cluster, will be gathering for a weekend of fellowship, prayer and encouragement.  Following a Friday, May 8th, evening of food and fellowship, an all day Saturday clericus workshop will be held at Saint Martin Episcopal Church, 6295 River Rd, Chagrin Falls Ohio, 44022. 

We are very grateful to the vestry of St Martin for their hospitality.  For more information, please call 248-345-2651

Huge Carbon Footprint - Air Force One Over N.Y.C.

So, who had this great idea?

From time to time, something so preposterous simply begs a comment, even on a blog such as this, which is dedicated to the missionary activities of God's people.

Yesterday, Air Force One, or at least the presidential plane designated if the prez is onboard, took a joy ride over lower Manhattan, terrorizing the 9-11 stricken city.  Fainting, gasping and running from offices, people were forced to endure an interruption in business, costing millions, and risking life, limb and emotional health.  So, why was this done?  For a photo op!!  Really.

Now, no doubt, a lower level staff person will shoulder the blame for this fiasco, but one does wonder just how low level a staffer could be, since they could apparently order Air Force One and a jet fighter escort for this joy ride up from Maryland and back for a morning of sight seeing around New York City.  Hmmmm...

Finally, the "carbon footprint" of this little jaunt was how big?  Let's see, prepping and flying a 747 jumbo, ground support and don't forget the fighter(s), just how much fuel was burned again?   Under cap and trade, I say that the White House must now eliminate an important presidential trip somewhere.  I mean, such an environmentally zealous administration such as this should do no less.

Another option might be to send the M.S.J. a mission support check, for the "trade" portion of cap and trade, for say,.... $600,000. which was the likely total cost of this ill-conceived insanity.  

At least send us the rights to the stupid photo that was snapped.

That's all I have to say about this.

+Frederick G. Fick

Congratulations Fr. Ray!!

Father Ray Zeitz has completed his training as a volunteer chaplain in the Hospice program.  Congratulations and may God bless all those receiving your ministry in the greater Cleveland area.

Tenebrae - The Service Of Darkness

Palm Sunday - St. John the Apostle

Palm Sunday - Christ Community Anglican

Consecration Of New Oils

Consecration of Oil For Unction (anointing the sick)

O Lord, holy Father, giver of health and salvation: Send your
Holy Spirit to sanctify this oil; that, as your holy apostles
anointed many that were sick and healed them, so may those 
who in faith and repentance receive this holy unction be 
made whole; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and 
ever.  Amen 

Consecration of the Chrism



Eternal Father, whose blessed Son was anointed by the
Holy Spirit to be the Savior and servant of all, we pray you to 
consecrate this oil, that those who are sealed with it may
share in the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ; who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

Evangelizing On Scooters????

Senior Warden Jay Myers and Vicar Jeff Johnston (he's the old one on the silver scooter) out scouring the Texas Hill Country for unsaved souls this day.......  well, that was the claim anyhow.

Confirmations and Receptions

St Luke the Physician parish is located in Tyler, Texas. Pictured above, far left, is Fr. Rusty Matheny, rector and Fr. Bill Simpson, vicar of Church of the Holy Spirit, the two newest parishes to join the Missionary Society of St John.

MSJ Cluster Meeting

Meeting for a time of prayer, conversation and encouragement, MSJ representatives from Florida and Texas will be holding a cluster meeting in Ft. Worth.  Addressing the cluster, on Saturday morning, March 14th, will be special guest, Bishop Jack L. Iker.  We are so pleased that Bishop Iker would give us this time from his schedule.  

Guests are most welcome and are encouraged to pre-register via email.  msjanglican "at" yahoo.com.

The MSJ cluster will be hosted by Holy Trinity Anglican Church,  

785 Treadwell Drive, Hurst, TX  76053

Time For Some Humor