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1) http://www3.telus.net/st_simons/cr0501.html . . . And a Happy New Year!! -an article for the January 2005 Deep Cove Crier by Rev. Ed Hird+
Every January we get to grapple with the implications of the second half of that familiar Christmas Greeting: "...and a Happy New Year!" Alexander Pope said in 1733: "Hope springs eternal in the human breast." Pope suffered from childhood tuberculosis that left him hunched over, reaching a height of only 4 feet 6 inches. But he never let this steal his hopefulness and his joyfulness.
"Happy" comes from the old Norse word "Happ", which means chance, luck, or lot. Happiness is just that which happens to you by chance occurrence. Many people are desperately trying to be happy. But happiness, by definition, is haphazard, arbitrary, and temporary. As a teenager, I tried to be happy, and to make my personal happiness the purpose of my life. What I discovered is that chasing after the elusive goal of happiness is guaranteed to make one unhappier than ever.
Rather than aiming for temporary happiness, I have learned to value the more lasting quality of joy(...) Click to read the full article: http://www3.telus.net/st_simons/cr0501.html
2a) http://www3.telus.net/st_simons/alpha.htm Celebration Dinner with our 23rd Alpha Course starting up on Feb 10th 2005 Thursday 6:30pm (full dinner at 6:30pm for all 11 evenings) Location: St. Simon's Church, 1384 Deep Cove Road, North Vancouver To sign up, phone John and Evelyn Leeburn (604-929-7045) or jleeburn@shaw.ca To find an Alpha Course closer to you, just click on http://www.alphacanada.org/ Or http://alphacourse.org/world/default.asp
2b) 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
3) http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1898 Viewpoints by David Virtue: Posted by dvirtue on 2005/1/6 17:43:00 THIS YEAR'S AMIA CONFERENCE in Myrtle Beach, SC next week (January 12-16) is drawing some heavy hitters. The theme is. 'Empowering and Equipping for Mission' and includes author Brian McLaren of the emerging church, Canon Michael Green the grand poobah of evangelism and author of Asian Tigers for Christ and a slew of other books, as well as Bishop David and Mary Pytches and hot shot preacher Bishop Thad Barnum. The big news is that five Primates of the Anglican Communion will also be there including Archbishops Kolini of Rwanda, Yong Ping Chung of Southeast Asia, Nzimbi of Kenya, Malango of Central Africa and Archbishop Dirokpa of the Congo. Two other Bishops Geoffrey Rwubusisi and Josias Sendegeya of Rwanda will also be in attendance. Conference promoters say nearly a 1,000 have signed up. Also in attendance will be the entire contingent from the Anglican Communion in Canada (ACiC).
4a) Jeremiah 5:3 "You crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent." http://www.churcharmy.com/resources/book_george.htm TWO RELIGIONS: ONE CHURCH Division and Destiny in the Anglican Church of Canada written by: the Rev. George R. Eves, Th.M. (Teacher of Holy Scripture & Theology -- Taylor College of Mission & Evangelism)
"I wrote this book for ordinary Anglicans in the hope that it would help them understand and respond to the true nature of the current crisis in our Church." "For, as the title suggests, it is my conviction that there are actually two incompatible religions in the Anglican Church today. One is the classical Christianity of our founders and the other is what I call 'liberalism'."
The book may be ordered exclusively from: ANGLICAN HOUSE 116 Princess Street, Saint John, NB E2L 1K4 phone: (506) 693-2295 -- fax: (506) 639-8927 -- email: angbk@nbnet.nb.ca COST: $15 (includes shipping)
4b) http://anglicanjournal.com/126/07/canada10.html Anglican Journal, September 2000 (over 4 years ago) Eves appointed Rev. George Eves has been appointed dean of students, Taylor College of Evangelism in Saint John. Mr. Eves was the first president of Barnabas Anglican Ministries and is an active member of Essentials. He has served as rector of the historic Stone Church in Saint John since 1987.
4c) http://www.anglicanjournal.com/124/04/book01.html Gay debate could foreshadow split, says book Anglican Journal, April 1998 (almost 6 years ago) WILLIAM PORTMAN Two "incompatible and competing religions" within the Anglican Church of Canada make schism a real possibility, warns a new book aimed at influencing General Synod in May - but an open split could be averted, it says, if present church policy on homosexuality is unchanged. In Two Religions, One Church: Division and Destiny in the Anglican Church of Canada, Rev. George Eves of Saint John claims the church is in crisis, citing falling membership and income, confusion about worship and Christian education, homosexuality and uncertain leadership by bishops anxious to act "collegially." Acceptance by the church of homosexual practice would be the immediate cause of a break, he says, but only the final issue between the two religions of the title: liberalism and orthodoxy and their conflicting views on the authority of Scripture. The defining difference is that the orthodox claim the judgment of Scripture is the final authority over the church, while liberals view the church as the judge of Scripture. The 170-page book is being sent free to all delegates to General Synod. It also invites church members to join a letter-writing campaign and provides a sample urging General Synod delegates to:
* Support the House of Bishops' October 1997 statement that continues the ban on ordination of practising homosexuals and the blessing of same-sex unions; * Support initiatives to address the "full dimensions of our crisis, the extent and causes of our divisions" and ways to resolve them; * Call for fresh articulation of, and recommitment to, "those basic Christian beliefs which hold us together."
Mr. Eves said the two groups within the church are like trains on a collision course and his book is an effort to head this off. "I don't want this notoriety," he told the Anglican Journal, "but I felt someone had to speak out. The things I say are not just me, they're shared by a lot of people. We are in crisis but won't admit it." Conflicting beliefs of liberalism and orthodoxy could co-exist in one church, Mr. Eves said, as long as there is no direct repudiation of Scripture. An official statement condoning homosexual activity, however, would amount to such a repudiation. Another would be a formal endorsement of Bishop Michael Ingham's book, Mansions of the Spirit, which suggests the way to God can be found in many religions, rather than exclusively through Jesus Christ. His book claims this unacknowledged conflict has created "gridlock" in the church: "Both sides have found themselves backed into opposite corners over the secondary issue of homosexual practice. Each side rightly sees its fundamental principles at stake...both are willing to go to the wall over it." To a suggestion that his book could be divisive for the church, Mr. Eves countered: "The division is already there. I love my church and I want it to heal before it becomes an open break." Asked if he is actually seeking surrender by the liberals, Mr. Eves responded - "yes." The $14,000 bill to print 3,500 copies was covered in one week in the author's parish, through a series of forgivable loans. An organization was formed to handle publication of the book, selling for $10, and staff a toll-free order line. A volunteer group, VOICE (Vocalizing Our Interest in Church Endeavours), will receive and catalogue copies of letters from parishioners to General Synod delegates. Mr. Eves says the book is his own effort, and is not sponsored by any formal group. A native of Windsor, Ont., 51-year-old George Eves was raised in a Pentecostal home and became an Anglican as a young adult. He holds degrees from Toronto's Wycliffe College and was ordained in 1980 in Winnipeg. He is also rector of the historic Stone Church in Saint John, long a stronghold of traditional evangelical Anglicanism. William Portman is the book reviews editor for the Anglican Journal.
4d) http://www.anglicanjournal.com/124/05/af09.html 'Test the spirits' on gay issue Manifesto author speaks out on contentious book May 1998, Anglican Journal (almost 7 years ago) PETER HANNEN REV. GEORGE EVES, rector of St Mark's Church in Saint John, New Brunswick, recently published a book entitled Two Religions, One Church, and circulated it to all members of General Synod 1998. In his foreword, Archbishop Harold Nutter identifies the central issue of the book: "the relationship of homosexuals to the church as a question of human/social justice" versus "those who claim the authority of Scripture as a basis for their orthodox/ traditional stand." This is "the issue which will reveal the church's division into `two incompatible and competing religions,'" and thus, quite possibly, into two churches. The books ends with an invitation from Mr. Eves to join VOICE (Vocalizing Our Interest In Church Endeavours), and with an open letter to General Synod delegates(...) One could take issue with a number of the assumptions which underlie Two Religions, One Church, and which therefore colour all its arguments(...)Another would be the claim that liberals pick and choose their approved bits of the Bible, as from a smorgasbord, whereas real catholic/traditional/orthodox Christians accept the Bible whole and unaltered(...)The book gives the impression that biblical studies are bound to undermine true faith, and that candidates should prepare for ministry in an atmosphere of pious anti-intellectualism(...) Members of General Synod; fellow Canadian Anglicans: let those who rely most on the very words of Scripture heed Acts 5:34-42. Can we be certain that it is through VOICE that we are hearing each others' voices, and discerning the voice of God to us today?
Peter Hannen is archdeacon of the Diocese of Montreal.
4e) http://www.stpaulshalifax.org/Journals/Journal9806.html Halifax, Nova Scotia Pentecost 1998 (almost 7 years ago) St Paul's Journal Book Review by David Hazen Two Religions- One Church
George Eves is the rector of St John's (Stone) Church in Saint John, New Brunswick. This spring he published "Two Religions One Church" in anticipation of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, meeting the week of 25 May in Montreal(...)
In spite of its shortcomings as literature, it does bring forward important questions about the future of the Anglican Church of Canada and therefore warrants reading and debate. There are two major theses in the book. The first is that issues related to those how have adopted a homosexual lifestyle whether they should be accepted as candidates for ordination and whether the church should "bless" same-sex unions are signs and symptoms of a more fundamental disagreement among the leaders of the denomination. The second thesis is that the church faces a divide. Mr Eves uses the term "crisis" which, if not faced squarely, will result in a schism to rival that experienced by the United Church of Canada.
The book begins with a pretty bleak list of the minor "crises" facing the church as a whole: the ones of a practical nature, from an aging, predominantly female, membership (demographics which do not reflect the wider population), a reluctance to share the gospel and an apparent inability to disciple new believers (both children and adults), an impending financial crisis which sees the national church distributing "planned giving" leaflets in a desperate attempt to keep afloat, to the disappearance of the outward signs of unity which at one time were manifest in the common texts for worship (both prayers and praise) and agreement on the basic tenets of our faith. His purpose in presenting this list is to send a "wake-up call" to the national church, particularly those who think that things are going "just fine, thank you very much".
According to Eves, behind all these minor crises and the homosexuality issues lies a dramatic difference in the approach to the truth of the gospel (and even debate upon the existence of truth in the gospel) between two disparate groups. For the sake of assigning a label, these groups are characterized as "liberal" and "orthodox" factions within the denomination. (There are always dangers associated with labeling and they are intended as descriptive tags rather than defining labels. Of course, individual attitudes are distributed between the extremes.) The "orthodox" groups cover a wide variety of expressions of churchmanship from "plain-and-simple" evangelical to "bells-and-smells" Anglo-Catholics to "new wine" charismatics. What unifies the orthodox group is their acceptance of the ancient creeds and 39 Articles as expressions of faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation.
At the other extreme are those who preach a theology of inclusivity which proposes that the church should be all things to all people with the intention of inviting them into a fellowship where they can be loved just as they are. The proponents of this approach have trouble with certain aspects of traditional Christianity and appear willing to dismiss the troubling bits of Scripture as "poetic expressions" which were never intended to be taken as writ. Mr Eves draws the extreme conclusion that within the Anglican Church of Canada there are in fact two religions: one of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and one of something else: an amalgam of secular humanism, intellectual liberalism and Christianity sometimes with a smattering of neo-pagan animism.
Having painted this bleak picture, Mr. Eves then moves to a possible way out of the situation, which is the main aim of his book. He feels that it is not too late to move to a resolution of the divide. Part of the heritage of the Anglican Church (at least in its good years) is its tradition of being able to reconcile seemingly incompatible expressions of our faith. He also believes strongly that the Holy Spirit is willing to work with the church towards resolution. He therefore asks the members of General Synod to address the widening gulf; which he likens to the San Andreas fault of California. In the meantime, he asks that the bishops and other leaders continue to hold off on any action which might bring one of the minor crises (i.e., the homosexuality issues) to a head and trigger a catastrophic schism. The Parish Council debated his three points of an open letter in the appendix of the book and agreed to send a memorial to the Nova Scotia members of General Synod reflecting the spirit of the three points contained therein.
4fi) http://www.littletrinity.on.ca/library/ (almost 7 years ago) Two Religions: One Church by The Rev. George Eves (Duke made suggestions in the first few drafts of the book.) http://www.ottawacitizen.com/search and search for George Eves http://ww.anglican.ca/journal/124/04/column02.html Deborah & George Eves wrote: As General Synod approaches, we at the V.O.I.C.E. Office {Toll Free: 1-800-456-3030} must send signed copies of the letter from the back of the 'Two Religions, One Church' book to the delegates to Synod and to the Bishops. What I would like you to do, if possible, is to remind those people on your mailing list that those letters should be in to the V.O.I.C.E. office THIS WEEK {May 4th-9th} if they want to be included in the mailing to Synod delegates. That would mean that the best way of ensuring that we receive the letter would be to fax it to us at xxxx. Perhaps those without access to fax machines would be able to fax the letter from their church offices. Also, we will accept Emails sent to this address although they will not have signatures. rhiah@nbnet.nb.ca. Even after our mailing to delegates goes out we would still encourage people to send in their letters. We plan to keep the Bishops and the Council of General Synod informed of the response. Deb.
4fii) Subject: Discernment and Prayer Needed for May 8th-9th 1998 Diocesan Synod From: Rev Ed Hird ed_hird@telus.net (almost 7 years ago!) Dear friends, You may want to keep this situation in prayer: Four churches in our diocese of New Westminister (Christ Church Cathedral, St Philip's, St Margaret's Cedar Cottage, and St Paul's) were just listed in our diocesan April 'Topic' paper as planning to move a motion at our May 8-9th 1998 Diocesan Synod urging Diocesan Synod to support the blessing of same-sex relationships within the Anglican Church. George Eves' "Two Religions-One Church" book is looking less theoretical each day! Ed Hird+ http://www3.telus.net/st_simons/
4g) http://www.canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/bc.cgi?bc/bccn/0598/anglican BC Christian News o MAY ISSUE 1998 o VOL. 18 #5 Anglican church crisis looming? (almost 7 years ago) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - By David F. Dawes
"THE ANGLICAN Church of Canada is in a profound crisis of confusion and paralysis due to its unacknowledged and irreconcilable division into two incompatible religions." This statement by conservative Anglican priest George Eves characterizes the mood of many, as Anglicans worldwide gear up for what could be their most divisive gathering in decades. The Lambeth Conference, which convenes once every 10 years in England, will likely be marked by serious disagreements on homosexuality; and the status of Christ as the sole means of salvation could also be debated. Two upcoming Canadian events could have some bearing on both controversies. Diocesan Synod The Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster, scheduled for May 8 - 9 at Capilano College in North Vancouver, will consider resolutions urging the blessing of same-sex relationships, proposed by the parishes of St. Paul's, St. Margaret's Cedar Cottage and Christ Church Cathedral(...)
General Synod Such arguments are fallacious, according to George Eves. One of the organizers of the 1994 Essentials conference, which gathered together several streams of theologically conservative Anglicans, he deliberately wrote his book, Two Religions, One Church, in time for the General Synod, to be held May 21 - 29 in Montreal, and had copies mailed to all synod delegates. Eves declares: "An alien and open-ended liberalism has grafted itself onto the original traditional/orthodox Christianity . . . The two religions are on a collision course over the issue of practicing homosexuality. This will lead inevitably to the abyss of open schism." As local delegates prepare to attend the synod, some sympathize with Eves' concerns. George Egerton, a professor of history at UBC and editor of Anglican Essentials (Anglican Book Centre, 1995), foresees a synod battle over a previously rejected 'Covenant of Protection' involving homosexuality. "Revisionists in the pro-gay lobby are trying to reopen this using human rights arguments," he says. Egerton appreciates Eves' zeal. "His book is a cry from his heart as to the divisions in the church." However, he adds, "I think he's exaggerating somewhat the popularity of the liberal views."(...)
The Ingham Factor Some Anglicans consider Michael Ingham, Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster, to be the most high-profile Canadian proponent of the more liberal of George Eves' "two religions." His view of salvation, expressed in his book, Mansions of the Spirit, has alarmed many. "There's a 50/50 chance," says Trevor Walters, "that Ingham's views might come up at both the General Synod and at Lambeth." Walters, senior pastor of St. Matthew's Church in Abbotsford, declares: "Some people feel that our bishop has jumped the fence of orthodoxy, and therefore invalidated his episcopacy. There's a great deal of underground angst bubbling beneath the surface. In our history, theologians have made extreme statements. But when a chief pastor makes radical theological statements, the sheep are radically traumatized. It's a huge issue." In his book, Ingham states: "Divine grace may be experienced through other religious paths without any contradiction of the way of salvation offered in Jesus Christ . . . A Christian is one who believes Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth and the life. This is not to say there are no others. It is to say simply that it is the one we know . . . 'All who look to me will be saved,' promises the Christ of John's gospel. There is no need to doubt his word, nor to deny it to those who profess faith in other ways." However, while Ingham invokes John's gospel to support his view of Christ, he has serious questions about John's "absolutist pronouncements," and declares: "There is a disturbing connection in the fourth gospel between the glorification of Jesus on the one hand and anti-Jewish polemic on the other." Regent College theologian and author J.I. Packer recently issued a response to Ingham, in a booklet entitled In a Pluralist World. Packer decries Ingham's "mishandling of scripture," and at one point even suggested that Ingham "evidently wants his readers to embrace . . . Gnostic occultism." Ron Dart, who teaches religious studies at the University College of the Fraser Valley and co-authored In a Pluralist World, challenges Ingham's "uncritical acceptance of pluralism," and considers Mansions of the Spirit symptomatic of a trend. "Ideological liberalism goosesteps at the flagpole of whatever's trendy in culture. Many people are now genuflecting at the shrine of pluralism." The spiritual result, according to Dart, is that "each religion is seen as having a valid perspective, and no religion is to be given privilege or status."(...) "John clearly quotes Jesus saying he is the only way to God," replies Walters. "Liberals would say John was under persecution, and so he overstated his case, and put those words in Jesus' mouth. You may well get rid of John's gospel, but so much of the New Testament supports Christ's unique claims on mankind. Matthew, for example, has the Great Commission. Bishop Ingham says that you shouldn't evangelize those who already have a faith; but Jesus said 'Go into all the world,' not just to people who don't have a faith." J. I. Packer agrees: "Attempts to drive a wedge between Jesus and his apostles boomerang, for what becomes clear eventually every time is the solidarity of the four gospels with the rest of the New Testament."(...) Dr. Don Lewis of Regent College believes this is a precursor to a broader conflict. "The Third World bishops will not accept the church in the West redefining Christian morality. They feel they've been pushed around by the rich Western church, and that they're being treated in a colonial manner in having some things forced on them." J. I. Packer says the end result of the looming confrontation could be beneficial. "I see much of Western Anglicanism . . . as being led by deviant academics, myopic ecclesiastics and journalistic loud shouters into a mea-sure of public apostasy, and my hope for Lambeth is that somehow the clearer and truer vision of Anglican leaders in Africa and Southeast Asia and South America may counter this Western decadence."(...)
5a) http://www.myronthompson.com/issues.htm December 9, 2004 For Immediate Release THOMPSON TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE
OTTAWA - Myron Thompson, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose says regardless of today's Supreme Court decision concerning the legalizing of same-sex marriage, he will continue to fight to preserve the historic definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman(...)
We're going to need a lot more than these hollow assurances from the courts and the Liberals that religious freedom will be protected," stated Thompson.
"Protecting religious freedom goes far beyond just protecting the rights of churches and other religious bodies to maintain the traditional definition of marriage. It also means preserving the right of churches to publicly preach and teach their beliefs related to marriage; it means preserving the right of religious schools to hire staff who respect their doctrines and practices; it means protecting justices of the peace and civil marriage commissioners who do not want to solemnize marriages that are not in accordance with their beliefs; it means preserving their charitable and other economic benefits as public institutions and it means preserving the right of any public official to act in accordance with his or her beliefs," concluded Thompson.
5b) http://www.fotf.ca/familyfacts/tfn/2005/010705.html January 7, 2005, Focus on the Family News MARRIAGE COMMISSIONERS STAND THEIR GROUND
Two marriage commissioners, one in Manitoba and the other in Saskatchewan, are defying their provincial governments by refusing orders to marry same-sex couples.
"I've basically said no," Kevin Kisilowsky of Stonewall, Manitoba, told the Winnipeg Sun in late December. And despite an order from the province's Vital Statistics agency to resign if they cannot marry two homosexuals, Kisilowsky is also refusing to step down. He believes such an order violates his Charter rights, a claim he has backed up with a complaint to the Manitoba Human Rights Commission.
In Regina, marriage commissioner Orville Nichols insists that he too "definitely" will not resign. Nichols says that if a gay or lesbian couple ask him to marry them, he will decline, and if he is penalized for his actions, he will take the government to court. "It's my personal and religious belief it is not right," Nichols told the Leader-Post. "My definition of marriage is opposite - male and female - not two males and two females. That's why I oppose it."
Saskatchewan Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott says he knows of two other marriage commissioners who are also prepared to go to court over this issue(...)
6) http://preview.charleston.net/stories/Default.aspx?newsID=5977§ion=Friday, January 07, 2005 12:00 AM Episcopal gay issue invites scorn, scholar says BY MICHAEL GARTLAND Of The [Charlston] Post and Courier Staff The Right Rev. Tom Wright, one of the world's pre-eminent biblical scholars said Thursday that if the Episcopal Church continues to knowingly ordain gay clergy, it will turn the faith into a subject of scorn(...)
7) Christians, Arrested for Protesting Homosexual Street Fair, Now Acquitted http://www.christianpost.com/article/society/1303/section/christians.arrested.for.protesting.homosexual.street.fair.now.acquitted/1.htm "Hate Crime" charges against four Christian men, facing a total of 47 years in prison, were dropped after the judge viewed the tape of the incident. Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005 Posted: 2:18:59PM EST
Four Christian men were charged with 'hate crime' felony when in fact they were peacefully protesting a homosexual street event on October 10, 2004 in Philadelphia(...)
8) http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/aroundtheweb/ Christianity Growing in Bhutan Despite Repression, Propaganda ''Freedom of worship is severely restricted with many believers meeting secretly in private homes, fearing government scrutiny and retaliation.'' Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005 Posted: 4:29:50PM EST
The reclusive Kingdom of Bhutan is an unassuming stronghold of repression of Christians, reported the Religious Liberty Commission (RLC) of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). In its most recent release, the RLC reported that although Bhutan was formerly known as Shangri-La for its tranquil natural beauty, "its serenity belies its aggressive opposition to the gospel and its faithful believers."
About 50,000 (or 0.25 percent) of Bhutan's predominantly Buddhist population are reportedly Christian, while Buddhists make up an estimated 2 million. Although Bhutan opened to Christianity in 1965-when most of the country's Christian adherents came to Christ-the RLC reports that this freedom has seriously declined unfortunately(..)On the Open Doors "World Watch List," Bhutan is listed as 8 among the top 50 countries where Christians suffer the most(...)
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