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You are encouraged to join a strong Canadian ACiC contingent that will be attending the http://theamia.org/ Anglican Mission in America 2005 Winter Conference
"Empowering and Equipping for Mission" Jan 12 to 16, 2005
Radisson Plaza Hotel, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 2101 North Oak Street (corner of Oak and 21st Street) 1-800-333-3333 or 1-843-918 -5000 www.radisson.com/anglicanmission - web site for hotel reservation only Be sure to ask for Anglican Mission rates of $89/night plus tax. Free shuttle from hotel to and from Myrtle Beach Airport (MYR). Call Radisson in advance to arrange.
For conference registration: Go to website of http://theamia.org/ You may print form for mailing or Register on line with secure credit card charge
For additional information call All Saints, Pawleys at 1-843-237-4223 Monday through Friday 10 to 4
Winter Conference Speakers
Speakers for Winter Conference, 2005
The Anglican Mission in America will once again present an outstanding line-up of speakers for the annual conference, dedicated to helping us be better equipped and empowered for the Mission. The following is a brief highlight.
Archbishops Kolini of Rwanda and Yong Ping Chung of Southeast Asia The Rev. Canon Michael and Rosemary Green Brian McLaren Ed Stetzer Bishop David and Mary Pytches
Others..... Also attending the conference will be Archbishop Nzimbi of Kenya, Archbishop Malango of Central Africa, Archbishop Dirokpa of the Congo, and Bishops Geoffrey Rwubusisi and Josias Sendegeya of Rwanda. (Ed+: All five Primates sponsoring the Anglican Communion in Canada will be there)
1b) http://www3.telus.net/st_simons/ You are encouraged to join us at our 18th Annual Renewal Mission 2005 on March 11th-13th with our bishop, the Right Reverend TJ Johnston*. Theme: 'Transformed for Mission' Location: LGCA Maplewood School 420 Seymour River Place North Vancouver Registrar: Adelle Easto (604-929-0542) delea@shaw.ca. Cost: $25 (early registration); $30 after February 27th 2005
1c) http://www.vaxxine.com/eves/britishcolumbia.htm Advance Notice for the 2005 BC Christian Ashram Retreat Date: July 28th Thursday 6pm to July 31st Sunday 12noon Location: Camp Alexandra, 2916 McBride Ave., Crescent Beach (White Rock, B.C.) (not far from the USA/Canadian Border) Phone the registrar Norma Carruthers for application forms: 604-533-5509
i) Evangelist/Key Note Speaker: Bishop Sandy Greene, Colorado, Anglican Mission in America
ii) Bible Teacher for the 2005 BC Christian Ashram Pastor Todd Wiebe of Sutherland Church, North Vancouver, BC
2a) http://home.wol.co.za/~20063822/january2005/realitycolumn.htm Volume 9 Issue 1 January 2005 Est 1997 Reality Column
Christian leaders call for National Referendum on same-sex 'marriage'
"We believe it to be unacceptable for the Courts of South Africa to seek to redefine marriage to include same-sex relationships and we therefore call on the Government to hold a National Referendum on the issue before it is taken further."
Speaking out against the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal, which has effectively redefined marriage to include same-sex couples, Michael Cassidy (International Team Leader of African Enterprise), Reverend Moss Ntlha (General Secretary of The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa) and Bishop Lunga ka Siboto (Second Vice President of the South African Council of Churches), who serve as Co-Convenors of SACLA (South African Christian Leadership Assembly) follow-up processes, have called on Government to intervene and to hold a National Referendum so that all South Africans can engage in a thorough process of consultation and debate on the issue. The SACLA leaders, in their personal capacities, have expressed grave concerns about the judgment and requested an urgent meeting with the State President, given his request last July at SACLA, when 4 000 Christian leaders met for a week, that he wanted to hear the voice of the church on various issues.
The SACLA Leaders are also asking Government to register and publicise the findings of the HSRC (Human Sciences Research Council) 2003 Social Attitudes Survey (released October 2004) which determined that 78 percent of adult South Africans believe that sexual relations between two adults of the same gender are "always wrong". The same report cites that "government is out of sync with the electorate", when it comes to moral issues. Furthermore, the South Africa International Religious Freedom Report (Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour. Released 7 October 2002) found that 84 percent of South Africans are Christians. The National census in 2001 set the figure at 79.8 percent.
"This voice of Christians," say the SACLA Leaders, "needs to be clearly heard along with that of the whole Nation. Given the HRSC findings, it would be both presumptuous and perilous to conclude that the majority of South Africans are happy and in accord with the prospect of same-sex marriage being legalised in this country. In the apartheid era, we resisted a minority imposing its views on the majority. We need to do the same now. This issue strikes at the very heart of our national conscience, both as individuals and as a nation. It has far-reaching socio-political implications. The decision to legalise same-sex marriage cannot be left to the courts, as all South Africans, both now and in the future, will be affected by this decision. Therefore, before any such legislation is contemplated, a Referendum should be held and we call for such."
"As a society," said the SACLA leaders, "we cannot afford to adopt laws that are also in conflict with God's law as encapsulated in the Bible and in the writings of all major religions, and which in turn are reflected in natural law (the laws of nature). If, as a people, we insist on a contrary course for the development of both civil and statutory law we will reap very adverse consequences."
Cassidy, Ntlha and ka Siboto made it clear that, while it is self-evident that the Church has to reach out in love and acceptance of homosexuals, it nevertheless cannot condone that which is expressly contrary to Scripture. They said that to do so would be to abrogate the Church's position in society: "For Christians, the Scriptural standard of marriage remains the highest authority. Despite all arguments to the contrary, the Christian church, which is the majority religious group in this nation, cannot stand before God and the clear teachings of Scripture and accept same-sex marriage."
The SACLA leaders went on to say, "We believe that to pursue the route of legalising same-sex marriage will be calamitous in the long-term. The complications and pending crisis of the misplaced identity of individuals created by a society that has departed from the yardstick of the traditional family are too frightening to contemplate. While it may be argued that, in parts of contemporary society the composition of families is far removed from the traditional ideal of a father, mother and children, we are convinced that to replace this model with an unacceptable and perilous alternative will have very serious long-term moral and spiritual consequences for the new South Africa. Beyond that, establishing criteria to form future adoption procedures for same-sex couples becomes both a nightmare and a mine-field.
"We recognise that the Constitution guarantees all people equality before the law and the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. We accept that provision can be made for equal protection for all citizens through alternative social contracts and agreements, for instance between two individuals who agree to share their estate, take responsibility for each other and have obligations towards one another. Such arrangements could be legally contracted between any two people, regardless of sexual orientation. But the institution of marriage, which has traditionally been defined as consisting of a man and a woman in cultures and societies throughout the ages all over the world, should not be redefined by the courts at the stroke of a pen. We believe the State has to make unique provisions for the protection of marriage and the traditional family if social stability is to be secured for the future. There is no other institution that can replace it - not even socially engineered 'families' that have been constructed by other means."
Cassidy, Ntlha and ka Siboto went on to stress that, "faced with the prospect of legalising same-sex marriage, the State, the Church and civil society at large must grapple with this issue at a new level. The Constitution affirms the democratic values of equality, human dignity and freedom of all people. However, the emphasis is on democratic. It is our understanding that it is the process of consensus that gives the constitution its legitimacy. If the majority of South Africans no longer consent to the values affirmed in the constitution, or are perturbed about how our society is being shaped by the application of the Bill of Rights, then due process should be followed to address this, and, if need be, the Constitution amended. The critical issue is that all South Africans must have sufficient opportunity to engage with the process thoughtfully and deliberately. If this issue is forced through ahead of a thorough process of consultation and national debate, and the proposed statutory amendments enforced by the courts, then the legitimacy of the courts, the judiciary and indeed the Constitution itself will be questioned.
"In our view there is a serious national challenge before us which, if not properly addressed, will lead ultimately to a vote of no confidence in the legal system and destabilise our young democracy."
The SACLA leaders are accordingly asking the State President to intervene and stall this process in the courts so that due process can be followed through a National Referendum, thereby allowing the whole populace thoughtfully to decide which way to go. It is imperative that all stakeholders be given adequate time thoroughly to discuss the legal issues and contemplate the social and moral implications of disregarding not only the biblical ethic but the teachings of all major religions in the world since the origin of humankind. [Christian View Network]
2b) http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20041218.VALPY18/PPVStory//?DENIED=1&brand= 'We have no word for homosexuality' By MICHAEL VALPY
Saturday, December 18, 2004 Page - F9 (1369 words) Josiah Oduwu-Fearon is a powerful priest. He may one day decide to fracture a global church.
The Anglican Archbishop of Kaduna State in north-central Nigeria sits in the restaurant of a midtown Toronto hotel on a recent morning. He wears a thick sweater and a wool scarf knotted around his throat, indicating that he doesn't find the Canadian winter particularly comfortable(...)
His analysis does not bode well for the 70-million-member World Anglican Communion. Archbishop Oduwu-Fearon represents a contemporary face of Christianity that has yet to register fully in Western thought: The faith that the West exported to the rest of the planet (whether the rest of the planet liked it or not at the time) is now primarily a Third World faith(...)
The Nigerian Anglican Church is the second largest in the Anglican Communion. And unlike the members of the nominally larger Church of England, Nigeria's 17 million Anglicans pretty much all practise their faith.
Archbishop Oduwu-Fearon was educated in the West. Along with degrees in theology, he holds a doctorate in Islamic studies. He is comfortable engaging in Western-style theological and cultural debate.
The most visible fault line in his view of the split between Western Anglicanism and the church in the rest of the world is homosexuality.
The Episcopal (Anglican) Church of the United States has appointed a practising homosexual bishop. The Canadian Anglican Church has spoken of the sanctity of committed homosexual relationships.
Several dioceses in the two churches have approved rites for the blessing of same-sex unions.
The overwhelming majority of Anglican leaders in the rest of the world, meanwhile, have condemned the actions as heretical -- or what passes for heresy in Anglicanism -- contrary to scripture and even sinful.
The issue is symptomatic of a larger, more profound problem, says Archbishop Oduwu-Fearon, who has been the Nigerian church's representative on two commissions the Anglican Communion convened to try to hold the church together on homosexuality.
He speaks of a neocolonial mentality among Western Anglicans -- particularly in the U.S. Episcopal church -- who think that a liberal Christian tail can wag the rest of the Christian dog.
He talks of a Western "cultural" Christianity that does not understand the activist Christianity of the rest of the world, and a Western church that has let itself drift to the margin of public life and public discourse -- "a problem I find with Canada, in particular" -- unlike the very activist moral-watchdog role played by his own church in Nigeria.
He talks about a Christianity outside the West that is in muscular competition for adherents against other faiths, particularly Islam.
In Archbishop Oduwu-Fearon's state of Kaduna, with a population of four million, there are roughly equal numbers of Christians and Muslims. Pentecostal Christians are a significant presence, as are practitioners of traditional religion.
More than 70 per cent of his Anglican following has come to the church through conversion, he says. "For us, in Africa, you cannot be a cultural Christian," he says.
"You must have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ."
And he says: "In my own culture . . . we have no word for homosexuality."(...)
"For us, the Bible is very clear. It says homosexuality is not right," Archbishop Oduwu-Fearon says.
The theology of liberal Anglicanism -- that scripture is always to be interpreted in the light of new knowledge -- doesn't wash.
"The post-Christian paradigm believes that we have gone beyond the superstition we have in the Bible, that some of these things the Bible talks about are as a result of limited knowledge, and now we are in a technological age, we are in a scientific age, and therefore certain things no longer apply.
"And we say no. The word of God is final."(...)
"But what irks the African Christian is this: Now you are promoting it as a lifestyle. That for us goes against our understanding of the Bible. What is creating the problem is the way the West is flagging it, is promoting it as an intelligent lifestyle. For us, it does not have the force of the Christian Gospel.
"And when you have a family [the Anglican Communion], there are rules. There are do's and don'ts. If you want to remain a family, there are boundaries. So you ask, Will this rupture the family, will this create discomfort for members of the family?
"The Canadians and Americans defaulted, by taking a decision that ruptured the family. They did not wait. It didn't matter how the rest of the family feels."
Who speaks for world Christianity these days? Certainly the Anglican Archbishop of Kaduna does.
"I wouldn't have done anything to rupture my family," he says.
Michael Valpy writes on faith and ethics for The Globe and Mail.
3a) http://gs2004.classicalanglican.com/modules/news/ - LEVIATHAN begins anti-faith & anti-conscience evil works: Prairie officials compelled to perform gay marriages. Jurisdictions across the country developing a patchwork of policies. Don't worry, churches-- you can trust a country that acts like this-- your 'conscience clauses™' will be 'safe™' ... (G&M, Canada.com)
3b) http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/News/2004/12/17/786775-sun.html Fri, December 17, 2004 Ralph says PM has rift in ranks JERRY WARD, LEGISLATURE BUREAU Premier Ralph Klein says Prime Minister Paul Martin - not the Conservatives - is the one with a rift in his ranks over proposed same-sex union legislation. "He has a problem - a real split in caucus, even amongst the cabinet ministers and some Parliamentary secretaries," Klein said yesterday, referring to Martin.
"He has a serious rift.
"I'd like to turn the flashlight and focus it right back at the prime minister and say, 'You've got a problem.' "
Klein admitted he and federal Tory Leader Stephen Harper differ on ways to kibosh the proposed legal recognition of gay marriages - expected to be introduced in the House of Commons next month - but they are both moving toward the same end goal.
"Stephen Harper and I are on the same wave-length relative to the definition of marriage," Klein said, during a year-end interview with the Sun yesterday. "It's the mechanics as to how we defeat the legislation."
In a letter to the PM yesterday, Klein noted the court ruling on same-sex marriages did not instruct Ottawa to do so.
"Your decision to introduce such legislation is a political decision, not a legal requirement," Klein said.
Martin tried to drive a wedge between Conservatives yesterday in Ottawa, with a backhanded compliment for Klein and a backhand for Harper.
Martin slammed Harper's muddled stance on the issue, accusing him of political cowardice and said Harper has shown "a lack of courage and ... political leadership."
He then lauded Klein for at least being honest.
The rhetorical flare-up came as MPs head home for a six-week break during which many will face tough questions from constituents on a very thorny issue.
Harper shot back by challenging Martin to allow all government members to freely vote on legalizing gay unions.
Martin has said his 38 cabinet members must support the government's position despite any personal misgivings. Backbench Liberals will be allowed to vote freely.
Harper says his party will put forward amendments to the Liberal same-sex marriage bill when it is introduced.
The Supreme Court said recently that marriage is exclusively the federal government's to define and the provinces' to solemnize.
While cabinet ministers must support the government, Northern Development Minister Joe Comuzzi suggested last week he may put his job on the line by voting against the bill.
3c) http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=news_home&articleID=1799382 Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004 Alta. gays won't abide same-sex marriage discrimination
EDMONTON (CP) - Alberta's staunch opposition to same-sex marriage is no different than discriminatory laws once faced by Jews and non-whites around the world, gay and lesbian leaders said Tuesday.
Premier Ralph Klein said earlier this month that same-sex marriages are morally wrong and his government will not allow them despite a Supreme Court ruling on the issue. Gay and lesbian activists say they have sent a letter demanding a meeting with Klein in hopes of changing his mind. If not, they promise to challenge Alberta's position in court.
"I have heard the premier of Alberta describe the issue as a moral issue, and I agree," said Julie Lloyd, a lawyer who has been a driving force behind human rights cases in Alberta. "However, the moral issue is not and cannot be homosexuality. The moral issue is discrimination."
On Tuesday, Newfoundland became the eighth jurisdiction in Canada to sanction same-sex marriages. Same-sex couples may also legally marry in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Yukon.
Under Alberta law, marriage is defined as a union between a man and a woman.
Murray Billet, of the group Canadians for Equal Marriage, said gays and lesbians in Alberta shouldn't have to fight in court for their rights.
"We not only expect equality, but we will go after equality and do whatever it is going to take," he said. "We will take them to court. The writing is on the wall. Get over it."
Canadians need to know that some Albertans, especially in Edmonton and Calgary, support same-sex marriage, said Michael Phair, an Edmonton city councillor who is gay.
"We are tired of being bullied," Phair said at a news conference.
"It is an outrage, and it is nothing but bias and revenge to force us to go to the courts to get what everyone else has in this country."
The federal Liberals are expected to introduce legislation in January to allow same-sex marriage.
Kris Wells, an educator, warned that Klein's position will resonate in Alberta schools and could hurt lesbian and gay students.
"Mr. Klein's rhetoric gives people the tacit permission that it is OK to discriminate," Wells said.
"When these kinds of negative comments are profiled in the media, we know that the rate of victimization against lesbian and gay persons increases."
Klein could not be reached for comment.
Marisa Etmanksi, his spokeswoman, said the premier will meet with a representative of the gay and lesbian community next month.
"Premier Klein has agreed to meet with a member of that group. They can get together and discuss issues that are important to both groups."
Etmanksi said while the premier's office has received letters, phone calls and e-mails from people on both sides of the issue, the vast majority side with Klein.
"The overwhelming response has come from people supporting the premier and the government on his stand."
While Klein has pledged to defend Alberta's Marriage Act, he has conceded the law is open to challenge.
Activist Elizabeth Massiah said gays and lesbians in Alberta won't accept anything less than full equality.
"What Ralph is proposing is a version of apartheid," she said. "I don't want to live in a province where there is an apartheid or caste-like system of equality."
3d) http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/CalgarySun/News/2004/12/18/788148-sun.htmlSat, December 18, 2004 Alberta won't marry gays Premier says province will stick to its guns By RICK BELL, CALGARY SUN Gays won't be getting married in Alberta, even if Ottawa goes ahead and approves same-sex marriages. "We're not going to do it," Premier Ralph Klein told the Sun yesterday. "That's the attitude right now -- gays and lesbians shouldn't be discriminated against except when it comes to marriage. "I'm willing to abide by the resolution of our caucus to use all political and legal means available to us to fight this. We'll do everything we can politically. We will use every legal mechanism, absolutely." When asked if his government will cave in if federal MPs approve same-sex marriage, Klein responded: "What do you mean cave? You can't cave on it." Klein cautioned a court challenge to Alberta's traditional marriage position, likely to be launched when a gay couple is refused a wedding in this province once a proposed federal law passes, would almost surely win. "I have to be fair to the public. Our best advice is we will be taken to court and we are going to be unsuccessful." Klein is asking Albertans to assist him in carrying the fight to a yet-to-be-determined finish. "I don't know what we'll do after that," said the premier, about action following a defeat of Alberta in court. "I need the help of the people. I'm at a loss. I'm desperate to find a legal recourse to fight this. If any member of the public, or the media or any member of the legal community has any ideas as to what steps we can take, send them forward. "We're looking for every idea we can possibly have, every single resource that might be available to fight this legislation. We didn't ask for this, this is not something we brought upon ourselves, but our constituents say we got to do something about it." Klein said the federal government has "no obligation" and "no compelling reason" to sanction same-sex marriages. "People talk about me not having the guts to deal with this. I'm dealing with it. They just accepted these court challenges. They didn't challenge the court rulings. They're finding it easier to deal with judge-made law. "But I'm adamant about this issue. The majority of Albertans oppose same-sex marriage. My caucus unanimously supports traditional marriage. I also have my own personal views. Whether you're a subscriber to the Darwin theory or to the Biblical theory of Adam and Eve, marriage is between a man and a woman and it should stay that way." The premier wrote Prime Minister Paul Martin Thursday calling on him to allow all Liberal MPs a free vote when the legislation comes to Parliament.
3e) Note from Robert Jason: raejason@vaxxine.com As you know, Alberta Premier, Ralph Klein, is personally opposed to the law being changed to allow for registration of "gay marriages". The conservatives are having a free vote on this topic and it will be decided in parliament in early January. HE NEEDS TO KNOW HOW YOU WANT HIM TO VOTE. His office is keeping a count. All you have to do is call (403) 252-0346 and tell them you are supporting the Premier's stand against the registration of gay marriages. (I CHECKED THIS NUMBER OUT MYSELF AND DULY GAVE MY SUPPORT FOR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE OF 1 MAN & 1 WOMAN & OPPOSITION TO SSM TO THE PERSON ON THE PHONE IN PREMIER KLEIN'S OFFICE. I WOULD KINDLY URGE YOU TO DO SAME, WHETHER YOU ARE FROM ALBERTA OR NOT. THANKS - RJ)
4) http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/Columnists/Calgary/Ted_Byfield/2004/12/19/789332.html Poor clergyman doesn't know he's afflicted By Ted Byfield, Calgary Sun Sunday, December 19, 2004 An interesting case study came to light last week of a man who has been brain-washed and doesn't know it. It did not appear in one of the professional psychiatric journals, however, but as a column in a daily newspaper, and the victim himself, which is to say the writer of the column, was plainly unaware how tragically his column discloses his condition. As is customary in such cases, I will not reveal the name of this individual. It is of no account. But it's pertinent that he is an Anglican clergyman and sometime academic(...)
5) http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/20/movies/20rwan.html?th December 20, 2004 Revisiting Rwanda's Horrors With a Former National Security Adviser By JOHN DARNTON
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 - In a pivotal scene in "Hotel Rwanda," which opens Wednesday, the colonel in charge of a beleaguered United Nations peace-keeping force rushes to talk with the commanding officer of a fresh and heavily armed United Nations contingent that has just arrived at a hotel packed with refugees from the bloody genocide outside its walls. The colonel, played by Nick Nolte, suddenly throws his blue beret on the ground in anger. The eyes of the hotel manager, played by Don Cheadle, slowly register concern, then fear. The awful truth becomes clear: the new soldiers are there to evacuate the mostly white foreigners, leaving the black Rwandans to their fate.
"That gets to you - they were counting on the U.N. and they were abandoned," whispered Anthony Lake, as he watched the scene in an otherwise empty theater here(...)
6a) http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/news219.asp Recifé - Open Letter to Canterbury and Primates 6b) http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/news218.asp Recifé - Anglican Mainstream calls on Canterbury to act 6c) http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/news221.asp Recifé - Anglican Mainstream Statement 20th December 2004 The Press Officer of the Diocese of Recife reports that the Archbishop of Brazil ordained a deacon in Recife on Friday 18th December without consultation with the Bishop of Recife, and installed two lay priests. Further,over the weekend he conferred on the Bishop of Brasilia the title of Supervisor of the Diocese of Recife, and appointed an Administrative Commission of the Suffragan Bishop, a priest and three lay people, as announced by the executive secretary of this commission, Fernando Gonsalves.
Anglican Mainstream International Statement Anglican Mainstream International deplores this intervention by the Provincial Authorities in Brazil(...)
6d) http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/recifesign.asp By signing up support for Recifé, you can help to send a strong signal to the Communion that you support Mainstream Anglicans in Brazil. Just click on http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/recifesign.asp
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