Confirmations - Receptions In Texas

Last Sunday, almost two dozen people were confirmed or received as members of Christ's one, holy, catholic and apostolic church by Bishop Frederick Fick during the morning liturgy at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Hurst, Texas. The Holy Spirit was present to bless and renew in a very real way.

Songs From The Treasury- Old and New

Our faith is ancient, our succession apostolic, and our tradition of Prayer Book worship is centuries old, and yet, we must hear and proclaim the Good News in our own generation. In every generation, God gives musicians inspiration for new songs to expresses the faith once given. The songs from the hearts of contemporary Christians blend with the great hymns of Wesley, Watts, and with the song of all the company of heaven in their unending praise of God.

We are Christians standing firmly on the unwavering foundations of the past, empowered by the Holy Spirit today and embracing the future with hope and joy.

Kenya - A Nation In Upheaval - by Francis Wardega

For many years, the worldwide impression of Kenya was one of animals on the Serengeti Plain and tall, slender Masaai tribesmen dressed in red robes. That has changed as reports, pictures and video of ongoing riots and destruction have emerged in the last ten days. What happened?

The national boundaries of Kenya were established by England in the first half of the twentieth century. Little concern was given to who actually lived there. Kenya included a wide variety of tribes (peoples) who had a checkered history of relationships with each other.

Kenya became independent in 1963. The people of the Kikuyu tribe, the largest individual tribe in Kenya, led the movement to independence. Most other tribes were a part of the movement towards independence. The first president of Kenya was Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, a Kikuyu.

Estimates of tribal populations vary as does estimates of total population in Kenya. The Kikuyu in the center of the country form the largest group. The next two largest groups are the Luhya and the Luo who dwell principally in the west of the country. Together, these three groups comprise around forty percent of the population.

Since independence, there have been ongoing complaints of Kikuyu domination and political marginalization of other tribes. Government positions, key roles in business, the judiciary, and military leadership, all seemed to be dominated by Kikuyu.

The history of Kenya since independence gives some indication that whenever a national leader emerges from the Luo, things happen. Jomo Kenyatta’s prime assistant was Tom Mboya, a Luo. Tom Mboya was assassinated in 1969.

Oginga Odinga, another Luo leader, became vice-president under Jomo Kenyatta and later formed an opposition political party. He was twice imprisoned for opposing the Kikuyu led government. Oginga Odinga died in 1994.

Robert Ouko was another Luo leader who became Kenya’s foreign minister. He was widely respected in Kenya and in the world. Expected to challenge for the presidency, he was assassinated in 1990. Raila Odinga is the son of Oginga Odinga. Even Raila was imprisoned for a time as he led opposition to the Kikuyu dominated government.

Raila Odinga is the presidential candidate of the Orange Democratic Movement. The ODM is a political party initially formed to oppose acceptance of the Kikuyu authored new constitution of 2005. This new constitution would have institutionalized Kikuyu dominance of Kenya. In the election of 2005, fifty-eight per cent of the voting Kenyans declined to accept the new constitution. Those who supported the new constitution, led by President Mwai Kibaki, were called the “bananas”; their color was yellow. Their opponents who prevailed in the election, were called the “’oranges”; their color was orange. This was the first national election defeat for the Kikuyu.

Now, Kenya is in upheaval. The 2007 presidential election between the incumbent Kikuyu, Mwai Kibaki, and the Luo candidate, Raila Odinga, has been hotly contested. It is uncertain of who actually won. Charges of illegal acts come from both sides. The people riot. Looters take advantage of the situation. The country has teetered on the brink of rebellion.

This is not surprising. History has brought the land to this point. I have been to Kenya five times, generally spending at least a month in country each time. I worked with the Luo. Every man, woman and child who is Luo is aware of what has happened every time a Luo challenges for national leadership. The Luo expected problems in this presidential election.

Kenya is bleeding. People are dying. This can become a breeding ground for more blood and more death. Places I have been to, are now destroyed. People I love, hide in fear for their lives.

I ask for your prayers.

Pray first for a cessation of violence. In recent days, some peace has come to Kenya and we are relieved. God is hearing our prayers and an uneasy calm is being restored.

Pray also for the discovery of a national process in Kenya to achieve peace, truth and justice.

Fr. Francis Wardega MSJ

New Year - New Opportunities

A New Year. One has to carefully date documents and checks with the new date: 2008. It may take just a little while to embrace writing a new date.

2008 promises to be an interesting year, but then, aren't they all? But for Anglicans seeking a unifying witness, this should be a particularly important year. The Global South primates have already announced that plans are forming for a gathering in Jerusalem. In many places around the world, new primates of provinces will be elected to serve the church and these global events all fuel the anticipation of what might be, while here in North America the Common Cause Partners have promised a constituting convention for a new ecclesiastic structure.

Yet, the Missionary Society of St John will be fulfilling its calling and sharing in the work of the Kingdom. We have had many new contacts from people seeking a closer relationship, new calls from clergy seeking affiliation, new people in countries in Africa seeking our assistance, and these new challenges can only be met through prayerful preparation. We have the Gospel to share and work to do, lives to live as disciples of Christ Jesus.

We must keep our eyes upon the work to which God has called us and we must keep our hands on the plow. We must pray while we work and work as we pray.

May the blessings of the Lord who is already in our future, be with us all.

New Bishop Consecrated For Southeast Diocese

On Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 2:00 PM, the Most Reverend Leonard Riches consecrated the Very Reverend Alphonza Gadsden, Sr. a Bishop in the Church of God and Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the Southeast at Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church, Pineville, SC.

Father Michael Orr,MSJ, who represented us at this consecration in South Carolina says, "The service was well attended, 300 or more - communion took a long time to complete."


"I spoke briefly with the Presiding Bishop, Leonard Riches. He was very charitable and warm."

"The consecration was very dignified and well ordered. The love and respect for clergy was very tangible and, from what I observed, the clergy love and respect the people of God as well."

"It was a blessed experience to see my brothers and sisters worshiping God in the beauty of Holiness, and seeing an African-American consecrated bishop in the church of God."

New Favorite Hymn

Ok, so it isn't new, but it is new to me. Last week, while at Nashotah House, the evening high mass was packed out and the Nashotah Hymn was sung with rafter rattling gusto. I was moved and maybe it was because I was seated directly next to the organist, who also happens to be the contributing composer of this hymn, but this hymn will live on in my heart for a very long time. +Frederick G. Fick

Here is a link for an mp3
http://www.nashotah.edu/audio/Nashotah_Hymn24bit.mp3

Here is the text to sing along.


1. Firmly I believe and truly
God is three, and God is One;
And I next acknowledge duly
Manhood taken by the Son.

Refrain:
Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus,
de profundis oro te,
Miserere, judex meus,
parce mihi Domine.

2. And I trust and hope most fully
In that Manhood crucified;
And each thought and deed unruly
Do to death, as He has died.

3. Simply to His grace and wholly
Light and life and strength belong,
And I love, supremely, solely,
Him the holy, Him the strong.

4. And I hold in veneration,
For the love of Him alone,
Holy Church, as His creation,
And her teachings as His own.

5. Adoration ay be given,
With and through the angelic host,
To the God of earth and heaven,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Paraphrase of the Refrain:
Holy mighty, Holy God,
from the depths I beseech thee,
have mercy, O my judge,
spare me, O Lord.

Text from The Dream of Gerontius
John Henry Newman, 1801-1890

Father Francis In Tanzania

Embarking on his sixth trip to Africa, Fr. Francis Wardega MSJ has begun his 6-week teaching mission in Tanzania. We remember this mission in our prayers. For more information on Fr. Francis' mission work, view his website:

Office of Foreign Missions

Clergy Vote To Join Anglican Rite Diocese

At it's fall gathering, the clergy of the Missionary Society have unanimously voted to seek clergy credentialing from the Anglican Rite Diocese of St. Augustine, Anglican Province of America.

Bishop Larry Shaver, ordinary of the Anglican Rite Diocese, expressed his joy in the clergy's decision and offered a prayer for a hope filled future of shared ministry and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

All pastors and ministry leaders were urged by Bishop Fick to provide gentle and sensitive pastoral care during this process as each parish has unique needs and will consider its involvement at a pace it deems best, insuring the full involvement of the laity.

While seen as an important first step in a careful process of integrating into the Anglican Rite Diocese, each parish and ministry must consider its commitment through the processes articulated within its own by-laws.

The clergy expressed their joy and confidence in sensing the leading of the Lord and are looking forward to continue to be about the fulfilling their calling to preach the Gospel and administer the sacraments, making known the love of Christ to all people.

Annual Clergy Gathering

The Missionaries of St. John will gather for a clergy conference in Clinton Township, Michigan, October 28-30 for an annual meeting.

We look forward to three days of worship, prayer, fellowship and the work that is before us. A convocation Eucharist will be celebrated on Monday, October 29, at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. John the Apostle Church, 18401 Canal Road, Clinton Township, Michigan.


Please call 586-263-9249 for further information.

FACA Meeting

The Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas met this week in Summerville. The day long meeting brought together leaders of various Anglican jurisdictions in the United States. The day was very useful in hearing the reports of Common Cause Partners meeting in Pittsburgh. The various bishops introduced themselves to each other and the meeting produced a day of prayer, fellowship and relationship building. We were honored to be involved.

We left the meeting very encouraged by the discussion. Our special thanks to the Southeast Diocese and Canon Ron Moock of the REC for all their hard work in hosting this gathering.

This FACA gathering was said to have been the largest, by far, to date with many new faces and new jurisdictions coming together.

We were encouraged to continue to pray for unity and especially to pray for those bishops, clergy and people in T.E.C. whose intention of standing for righteousness and fidelity in the historic faith is causing them to suffer much stress. Our prayers ascend.

FACA Meeting

Bishop Ray Sutton reports that the next meeting of the bishops of the Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas is scheduled to be held in Summerville, South Carolina, October 8th. Representation would be expected from the Anglican Province of America, the Episcopal Missionary Church, the Anglican Church in America, the Diocese of the Holy Cross, the Reformed Episcopal Church and the Anglican Mission In America.

We have been invited to share in this meeting and Bishop Frederick Fick is looking forward to attending. We invite everyone's remembrance of this important gathering in their prayers. May the Lord continue to bring unity to a faithful Anglican witness in this country, even as we pray for unity in all of Christ's church.

More On Being Anglican

“Anglicanism,” Archbishop Geoffrey Fisher once wrote, “has no peculiar thought, practice, creed or confession of its own. It has only the Catholic Faith of the ancient Catholic Church, as preserved in the Catholic Creeds and maintained in the Catholic and Apostolic constitution of Christ’s Church from the beginning.” It may licitly teach as necessary for salvation nothing but what is read in the Holy Scriptures as God’s Word written or may be proved thereby. It therefore embraces and affirms such teachings of the ancient Fathers and Councils of the Church as are agreeable to the Scriptures, and thus to be counted apostolic. The Church has no authority to innovate: it is obliged continually, and particularly in times of renewal or reformation, to return to “the faith once delivered to the saints.”

To be an Anglican, then, is not to embrace a distinct version of Christianity, but a distinct way of being a “Mere Christian,” at the same time evangelical, apostolic, catholic, reformed, and Spirit-filled.

Bread And Sawdust

Fr. Bob Lemmon MSJ works and ministers in south central Kentucky. Recently, Fr. Bob began blogging and calls his site "Bread and Sawdust". To find out why, check out his site. We have been blessed by reading his posts and thought you might be as well.

http://www.breadandsawdust.blogspot.com

Anglican Way Institute

Recently, at a gathering at his church, of largely college-aged people, Bishop Sutton hosted an Anglican Way Institute. Those four, one hour, lectures can be heard here:

http://www.holycommuniondallas.org/content/view/46/95/

We recommend taking a listen.

Lunch With Bishop Ray Sutton

This past week, I had the pleasure to share the company of +Ray Sutton. With his usual warm hospitality and wry wit, we were entertained to a brief tour of the beautiful facility that is the Church of the Holy Communion, Dallas, followed by a wonderful meal with relaxed conversation that went on for quite some time.

As we swapped stories and shared, my joy was full and I departed energized.

Thank you, Bishop Sutton, for a wonderful day. Thank you Father Bob Tomlinson, pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Hurst, Texas, for arranging this day.


+Frederick Fick

Where Are These Children Going?

To the future, of course. The generation that will be leaders in the very near future are the children of today. These too are our mission field. In most of our parishes, children are not only present, they predominate!

Our mission as Christian parents, as Sunday School and Vacation Bible School leaders is of utmost importance. Wherever we minister, the faces we see are youthful and filled with faith that God is already in our tomorrow.

1549 Book of Common Prayer

The First English Prayer Book is back in print. The very first Prayer Book, now 450 years old, has been re-printed. On a whim, we ordered a copy from Amazon. What a gorgeous little book. Reproduced in a clear, easy to read font, the type face makes this jewel a treasure inside a sturdy and tasteful cover. Yes, the rubrics are really in red. However, the beauty is much more than skin deep. To enjoy the offices of Matins or Compline is to experience the timeless majesty of daily prayer in the Anglican way.

A particular blessing is to read through the Communion liturgy and to discover how one finds the rite as familiar to one's soul, heart and mind as any Prayer Book of more modern use. The rhythm of the text flows off the pages with complete ease.

This first English Prayer Book was the foundation for later versions that would be produced by Anglicans throughout history. To many, none ever surpassed the original.

Slide Show Of Anglican Worship

Recently, we have had the pleasure of speaking with other bishops of the Federation of Anglican Churches about the future of Anglican unity and orthodox witness here in the United States and how our Society might participate.

We want to express our deepest appreciation to the Rt. Rev. Ray Sutton of the Reformed Episcopal Church and the Most Rev. Larry Shaver, Diocese of St. Augustine, the Anglican Province of America, for their kind words of welcome, warm hospitality and wise direction.

We look forward to future conversations and co-operation in mission and ministry with these leaders and with their respective churches.

On another note, a terrific slide show of a recent confirmation/ordination service at St. Andrew's EMC, Gainesville, FL has been posted here.

http://www.marybethtyson.com/Confirmation_Ordination/

Have patience, as it takes a minute to load. Make sure you sound is up.

Take a look into the beauty and holiness that is Anglican worship. For those who would like a glimpse into what makes Prayer Book worship so special, this might give you some insight.

What is an Anglican?

An Anglican is a Christian whose belief and practice is rooted in the Bible, guided by the teachings and tradition of the early Christian Fathers, and structured by the traditions of the Book of Common Prayer, the hallmark of English orthodoxy.

We are Catholic because we believe and practice the universal or Catholic faith of the church that has been handed down to us from the time of the Apostles.

For further study, we recommend a text by the Anglican apologist, Vernon Staley, entitled, "The Catholic Religion". These books are increasingly hard to find, but re-print copies are still available through the Nashotah House Seminary Bookstore.

Evangelicals On The Canterbury Trail

The title of a book by Robert Webber, of recent repose, is indeed a fitting description for most of the clergy and people that make up the Society's parishes and ministries.

For more than a dozen years, people have journeyed from diverse and varied backgrounds to embrace the Book of Common Prayer which gives words to their faith, a grounded identity and have discovered a growing love for the Sacraments, the means of grace.

Perhaps more exciting has been the privilege of sharing in the work of Christ, in fulfilling the Great Commission and sharing the faith with those who had never known the Lord. We love witnessing lives changed by the power of the Gospel.

We do not presume to come to this Thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteous but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under Thy Table. But Thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he is us. Amen.

Timeless Faith For Every Generation

Our faith is ancient, our succession apostolic, and our tradition of Prayer Book worship is centuries old, and yet, we must hear and proclaim the Good News in our own generation.

In every generation, God gives musicians inspiration for new songs to expresses the faith once given. The songs from the hearts of contemporary Christians blend with the great hymns of Wesley, Watts, and with the song of all the company of heaven in their unending praise of God.

We are Christians standing firmly on the unwavering foundations of the past, empowered by the Holy Spirit today and embracing the future with hope and joy.