Missionary Diocese of All Saints Synod

The MSJ delegation gathers for a fellowship dinner. Left to right: Rickey Brown, Bob Chalmers, Terry Moore, Frederick Fick, Trisha Fick, Francis Wardega, Jeremiah Fick, Jan Fick, Karen Chalmers, Nancy Moore, Patricia Wardega, Brenda Brown.

The synod opened with a celebration of Holy Eucharist followed by a brief business session in which the main discussion and ratification of the Canons and Constitution of the MDAS.

Resurrection Sunday

The strife is o’er, the battle done;

The victory of life is won;

The song of triumph has begun: Alleluia!

The Exultet

Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels,

and let your trumpets shout Salvation

for the victory of our mighty King.

Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth,

bright with a glorious splendor,

for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King.

Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church,

and let your holy courts, in radiant light,

resound with the praises of your people.

All you who stand near this marvelous and holy flame,

pray with me to God the Almighty

for the grace to sing the worthy praise of this great light;

through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord,

who lives and reigns with him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Good Friday

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set
your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and
our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and
grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy
Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life
and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you
live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Maundy Thursday

Surpise Gift For The Bishop

Throughout Lent, the Missionaries of St John secretly gathered funds to purchase Bishop Fred a new laptop. At the conclusion of the Palm Sunday services at Hope Anglican, Oscoda, MI, Father Thomas Anderson, on behalf of all the MSJ, presented the gift.

"Speechless! Words cannot express my deepest thanks and I am humbled by great generosity of the Society in making this wonderful gift possible." "I am so very, very grateful" said the surprised bishop.

Palm Sunday Marks The Beginning Of Holy Week

Christ The King Anglican Church - Free Soil, MI

For the past couple of years, Anglican faithful have gathered for worship and fellowship in Free Soil, Michigan. Graced by the hospitality of St John Roman Catholic Church who have opened their sanctuary for use by CTK each Sunday at 11:15 a.m. Once a month, Fr. Earnest St. Johns, a retired priest, has driven north from his home in Grand Rapids to offer the Eucharist. On other Sundays, morning prayer has been led by one of the faithful lay people and often by Rex Benfield, who serves as lay pastor.

Today, Bishop Frederick Fick, MSJ was invited to preach and celebrate at Christ the King. A fellowship dinner followed and a lengthy period of discussion followed. It was an encouraging and wonderful day.

Photos From The Kentucky MSJ Chapter Meeting

Todd Hunter Interview

Recently, Todd Hunter granted an interview to David Virtue and we link here because we are excited about Bishop Hunter's remarks. We find them refreshing and insightful. We encourage you to read them for yourself.

Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

Ash Wednesday. A day in which millions of Christians around the world will attend services of repentance and reconciliation. Hearing those words usually reserved for graveside interment, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust". Having ashes placed upon one's forehead is odd enough, so why do we do it?

We remember we are but dust, and to dust we shall return. In recognition of our mortality, we begin the season of Lent by facing our deaths, our sins, our failures "head on" so to speak. We remember the mercy of Lord and His desire to forgive those who turn unto Him with hearty repentance and true faith. We are reminded of the song of children, "Ashes, ashes, we all fall down". Indeed. We all fall, we all fail, in what we have done and in what we have left undone.

We call to mind our sins and remember again the forgiveness that comes to us through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who died on the cross to pay the price we could not pay and to conquer sin, death and the devil. So, as we begin our 40 days of devotion, let us first remember that "we all fall down". Ashes. Ashes.

Kentuck Chapter To Meet

On Saturday, March 5th, the Kentucky Chapter of MSJ will meet in West Liberty, KY, at the site of the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Center. Two MSJ priests, Fr Tim Doubblestein and Fr Todd Boyce serve as full time chaplains at this prison facility.

The focus of this chapter meeting is intentional mission planning. Guests are always welcome and further information and directions are available by contacting Fr Robert Lemmon at frlemmon (at) hotmail.com

Graduation Day In Tanzania

Click on photos to enlarge

Mission Station, Emirates Airport, Dubai, Persian Gulf

The last week in Tanzania was very busy. Fr Francis was teaching at Christ the King Anglican Church, for 16 evangelist pastors in the center of Geita, Tanzania. Brother Nathan was teaching to around 25 evangelist pastors in Mwanza, at Nyakatto Bible College.

At the direction of the Archdeacon of Geita, an exam was administered to the students at Christ the King and only those who passed the exam would successfully pass the course. The students worked hard to prepare for the exam. Their efforts were rewarded when all students passed the exam with a grade of “B� or higher. They rejoiced and celebrated.

Bishop Kwangu and his wife Mama Mary, and Brother Nathan traveled to Geita on late Saturday in order to be a part of a graduation liturgy on Sunday. The Bishop celebrated the liturgy and Brother Nathan preached the sermon, a word of encouragement on responding to the love of God and his plan. The congregation applauded the sermon.

Certificates of Achievement were awarded to the students in Geita. The Bishop congratulated each student and awarded the certificates. Later, gifts were give to Fr Francis, Brother Nathan, and to Bishop Fick, Father General of the Missionary Society, who sent Fr Francis and Brother Nathan to teach in Tanzania. The congregation danced in praise of the Lord and everyone stayed for a festive luncheon after the liturgy. After the luncheon, Bishop Kwangu, his wife, Fr Francis, and Brother Nathan returned to Mwanza to complete the teaching there.

On Monday, Brother Nathan completed the teaching at Nyakatto Bible College. The students sang and praised the Lord and celebrated, thanking Brother Nathan. Tuesday, Fr Francis and Brother Nathan had dinner at the Bishop's residence where Bishop Kwangu thanked all who made the teaching possible, and asked Brother Nathan that teachers come again next year. He especially liked how two teachers made concurrent classes in Mwanza and Geita possible and hoped that concurrent classes would be possible next year.

Then, the long journey home began on Wednesday with a flight from Mwanza to Dar es Salaam on the coast of the Indian Ocean. We are now in Dubai, on the Persian Gulf, awaiting our flight from Dubai to New York City, a flight that takes fourteen hours.

It is very important that all who helped support this trip in prayer and finances know how grateful the people of the Diocese of Victoria Nyanza are to you and to know how this program is working. It is working well.

Three years ago, over forty churches which were led by evangelists held services that were essentially free form services, with readings selected by the pastors. Now, the evangelists vest in a white alb and a cross. They use the readings of the day as assigned in their Anglican Prayerbook. The service takes the form of Morning Prayer and when a priest visits, includes Holy Communion. The sermons are an expression of the readings of the day and the people are taught the basics of the faith, as experienced in the Anglican Church. The ministry and teaching is deeper and more detailed. More churches have been started and more buildings are being constructed. This ministry contributes mightily to the growth of the Gospel, to the growth of Christianity and to the growth of the Anglican Church in Tanzania.

As always, we are grateful to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, (Mungu, Baba, Mwana, kwa Roho Mtakatifu).

Asante sana! (thank you very much)

Fr Francis and Brother Nathan Dunlap

Pictures From Africa or What Anglicans Look Like

click on any photo to enlarge

Fr Francis sent along a few photos.
We thought you'd like to see the faces of some of those students.

Update From Tanzania

Dear friends and family,

May the peace of Christ be with you.

We have completed the second full week of teaching here in Mwanza. It has been a very busy and good week here. We have been studying "The foundations of sacred scripture", a course which examines the history of how we got the Bible, some basic elements of Bible study, and an overview of each book of the Bible. The class continued to be very attentive and "came with me" very well.

Last week I mentioned that what they lacked in knowledge, they made up for in enthusiasm. However, I should make it clear that the students know their Bible very well and are very sharp. If I accidentally misquoted a verse or contradicted myself, they would catch it immediately and point it out. This was good, for it meant I had to stay alert!

At this point our plans are to travel with Bishop Kwangu to Geita on this Saturday to join Fr. Francis. He has finished teaching his class there. We will stay to attend church on Sunday morning and return together to Mwanza that afternoon. Fr. Francis will be joining me for my final day of teaching on Monday. Tuesday will be a day of goodbyes and preparation for our return. Wednesday morning we will begin our long journey homeward. I expect to be home next Saturday evening.

The food here has been quite good actually. Mostly rice, potatoes, veggies, greens, tomato soup, beef or chicken, and fruit. I don't want to scare off any potential missionary teachers! I have received great care here and the people I have had contact with have all been very friendly and helpful.

Once again, thank you for your interest and prayers. God is at work and it has been a very good trip so far. I hope to send out a final report after I arrive home.

Peace, Nathan Dunlap

The Real Saint Valentine

The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in a The Nuremberg Chronicle, a great illustrated book printed in 1493. [Additional evidence that Valentine was a real person: archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine.] Alongside a woodcut portrait of him, text states that Valentinus was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius the Goth [Claudius II]. Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome [when helping them was considered a crime], Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentinus made a strategic error: he tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't do it, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate [circa 269].

Saints are not supposed to rest in peace; they're expected to keep busy: to perform miracles, to intercede. Being in jail or dead is no excuse for non-performance of the supernatural. One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."

St. Valentine was a Priest, martyred in 269 at Rome and was buried on the Flaminian Way. He is the Patron Saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers, young people. He is represented in pictures with birds and roses.

Report From Mwanza - Tanzania

Dear Friends and family,



Greetings in the Name of Christ.

We have made it through our first full week of classes for Bishop Kwangu. We have completed two courses so far. "The Beliefs, Teachings, and Practices of the Historic Christian Church", What has been believed by all Christians, everywhere, for all time. And, "Introduction to Apostolic Ordained Ministry", a course that examines the qualifications and duties of ordained ministry along with the Ethos and Ethics of Christian Ministry. I am averaging about 25 students in class eah day.

The ones who live farther away are staying in a simple dormitory on the compound, while others come by bus from their homes. As you know, Fr. Francis is teaching in Geita, about 2 1/2 hours away. 

The weather has been pleasant and sunny. About 80 at night and about
 90 during the day. It has rained twice since we are here. This is 
the "rainy season" which means everything is green and growing well.
 I see many gardens throughout the city wherever people can find a spot
 of ground to grow something. I am told that later in the year
 everything will be brown from the heat.



There does not seem to be any traffic rules to follow except drive on the left side of the road and avoid getting hit. Other than that, do as you wish! The African people seem to be very patient with this system of traffic and I have not seen any accidents.



The students of my class are very involved, listening carefully and asking many questions. Their questions cover a broad variety of subjects pertaining to Christian doctrines and ethics. I have to rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance to give them the best answers and advice. Sometimes progress is slow because of the many discussions, but this is good. It shows that they are thinking and leaning well. As they say here in Tanzania, "the students are coming with the teacher".



The people have been so kind to me. I am humbled by their attitudes. What they lack in knowledge or possessions, they make up for in enthusiasm. They are ordinary people doing the best they can with what they have to care for their families and to do God's work. The African people work very hard and are very industrious.

The average person makes less than one dollar a day. As anywhere in the world, there are problems to deal with in the churches and in society. But God is at work here and the Gospel is being spread by these evangelists. We are here to help equip them to do their work better -- and they are grateful.

 May the peace of Christ be with you.

Nathan Dunlap

Bishop Hewitt Reports

Forward in Faith/North America – at the Council Meeting, 1 – 2 February, at the Bethany Retreat Center in Lutz (Tampa) Florida, we contended with snow and ice storms and delays from northern and western parts of the Country. But we pulled together and worked on Council membership, preparations for the June Assembly in Belleville, IL. and the need for FiF/NA and FiF/UK, the Federation, and the ACNA, to “travel in convoy.” Forward in Faith, as an organism in the Church to live, teach and witness to the fullness of the Catholic Faith, aims at being a new Oxford Movement. The Rev. Dr. Kevin Donlon was elected to the Council as an adjunct and advisor for theology and ecclesiology. He and his parish, the Church of the Resurrection, in nearby Odessa, hosted a supper for us, and an Evensong and Benediction for the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord.

Bishop Paul Hewitt, Diocese of the Holy Cross, reporting.

Tanzania Report

Dispatch One: Mission Station City of Mwanza,

on the shore of Lake Victoria

Feb 03 2011

Our journey to Mwanza. First, Dar es Salaam, the city of peace, welcomed two missionary teachers from the MSJ. The temperature was hot, upper eighties and nineties. The city was crowded. The traffic was slow. But, like Paul in the Mediterranean, we traveled on. No shipwreck, no chains, no tossing things out of the plane. Nine thousand miles traveled at 35,000 feet in the air. Safe arrival in the mega-city of Dar es Salaam, on the coast of the Indian Ocean.

On the journey. Lines to wait in. People to watch. Many languages. Different styles of dress. Made friends with some folks from Chile – they did not understand our English and we did not understand their Espanol, but we communicated. Prayed with some Nigerian Catholics, Ibo Tribe, for safe travel back to their homeland. They made the sign of the cross in the same way as we do.

Brother Nathan and I, talked much on what and how and why and where and who and what if. Western, Eastern, Anglican theology, authors, spirituality. Put away the clothes for the cold weather – short sleeves are the uniform of the day. Got long sleeved shirt back out again as the planes were well air conditioned.

Nathan met our taxi driver in Dar es Salaam who has served us for six years, Edison. Edison and Nathan exchanged contact information for future ministry trips.

Flight to Mwanza. Dar es Salaam was hot. Mwanza was cooler. It is rainy season – low temperatures in the seventies, maybe even high sixties. Nathan and I met with diocesan bishop, Rt Rev Boniface Kwangu. His plan, Nathan teach in Mwanza, at Nyakato Bible School, all new students, teaching lesson plans starting with Course 101. Fr Francis travel to Geita, several hours away, and teach former students, advanced lesson plans. Fr Francis will rejoin Nathan on Feb 21for closing meeting with the bishop and journey back to the USA.

Nathan made arrangements for interpreters, for housing, for financing, and for sustenance. He learns well. Bishop Kwangu recognized the future and acted accordingly.

We rested in Dubai. We rested in Dar es Salaam. It was good to arrive rested in Mwanza on Thursday because we start teaching on Friday!

So, the work has started. Teaching simultaneously in two locations. Your prayers and financial support has birthed classes in two areas, concurrently. The OFM ministry grows. Thank you God. Thank you God's people.

Fr Francis Wardega

Br Nathan Dunlap

Bishop Ilgenfritz Visits St John the Apostle

Bishop William Ilgenfritz, ordinary of the Missionary Diocese of All Saints, ACNA, shared an evening of fellowship and worship at St John the Apostle Anglican Church, Clinton Township, Michgan Wednesday. This was Bishop Bill's first visit to an MSJ parish and what a wonderful introduction it was!! The evening concluded with a celebratory eucharist. In his sermon, Bishop Ilgenfritz reminded the congregation that all baptized Christians are called to ministry and to sharing the Good News in Jesus Christ.

Bishop Bill Ilgenfritz addresses the gathering.

Bishop Frederick Fick MSJ share a word of encouragement.

St. John the Apostle welcoming dinner fellowship.

Bishop Bill preaching.

L to R: Bishop Fick, Bishop Ilgenfritz and Fr. Terry Moore, rector

The Rev. Dn Kenneth Dimmitt

The Rev. Deacon Kenneth Dimmitt

passed from this life into eternal light at this afternoon. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.

Funeral arrangements are still pending.

______________________________________

Dcn. Ken was born at home in Wapello County, Iowa on January 8, 1931 and raised on a working farm. He graduated from Agency High School and attended Iowa Success Business College. He was subsequently drafted into the U. S. Army, where he served two years active duty and six years in the reserves. He farmed for one year and attended Iowa State College, extension course, for vocational agriculture and worked at John Deere Ottumwa Works in office services.

Dcn. Ken moved to California in 1959 and worked at Lockheed Aircraft until June of 1986, as a Liaison Engineer. He has the equivalent of a Bachelors Degree in Engineering. He retired and went to work for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle for a total of 6-1/2 years.

Dcn. Ken was ordained to the deaconate in January 2000, in Seattle and attended St. Michaels Seminary.

He met and married Linda Grable in 1962. Linda is a retired Medical Transcriber and they have two grown children and two precious grandchildren. He has served as a deacon since 2000. They moved to Texas in 2006 and joined Holy Trinity, Hurst, where Ken served for the last 5 years. Linda has played the keyboard, cello, and has sung in the choir at Holy Trinity and is active in the Intercessory Prayer Ministry.

Brother Nathan Dunlap MSJ

Bro. Nathan Dunlap is commissioned by Bishop Frederick Fick MSJ

Br. Nathan and Fr. Francis share a moment at the Forward in Faith Gathering

Nathan Dunlap, his wife Julie, and their six children have served as founding members of Christ the King Anglican, Liberty, KY where they make their home.

At the Missionary Society's clericus in October, Nathan was commissioned as a brother in the MSJ and will be joining Fr Francis Wardega in traveling to Tanzania on another MSJ teaching mission under the auspices of The Rt. Rev. Boniface Kwangu, Bishop of Victoria Nyanza, Anglican Church of Tanzania.

Br.Nathan earned a B.S. from Berea College in Kentucky and studied overseas mission work at the Ministers Training Institute in Baker, Louisiana. He was valedictorian of his graduating class of 40 missionaries. He has three times served in Russia , once with his wife Julie and two of their children, Anna and Ethan. In Russia, Nathan served as an assistant pastor, leading several home Bible studies and serving as music minister, at churches in Rezhev and Nelidovo (about 200 miles NW of Moscow) for 13 months.

Fr Francis Wardega has announced that this upcoming trip will be his last. Fr Francis intends to focus on a stateside ministry of renewal in the Spirit for parishes. May God bless Br.Nathan and Fr. Francis as they leave in a matter of weeks for work among our communion brothers and sisters in Tanzania. May Lord keep you in His hands.

St John the Apostle To Host Bishop Bill Illgenfritz

Bishop Illgenfritz and Bishop Fick

St John the Apostle Anglican Church will be hosting an episcopal visit from Bishop William H. Illgenfritz of the Missionary Diocese of All Saints (MDAS), on Wednesday, January 19 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm. The parish is located at 18401 Canal Road, Clinton Township, Michigan. The Rt. Rev Frederick G. Fick, MSJ Father General, will be attendance to welcome Bishop Illgenfritz.

Fr. Terry Moore MSJ and the people of St John the Apostle parish, invite all area Anglicans to share in this evening of celebration. A time of fellowship will be included, as well as a time of Q & A about the MSJ, the MDAS, Forward in Faith, or the Anglican Church in North America.

The Missionaries of St John was founded at the parish of St John the Apostle. The MSJ is one of four convocations which constitute the MDAS. Bishop Illgenfritz was consecrated as the bishop ordinary for the diocese in August, 2009.

For more information about St John the Apostle, follow this link.
More information about the MDAS can be found here.

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.