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Mid-Atlantic Convocation January 2007 Newsletter
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
It’s that time again: a new year, a time of new beginnings and—for some of us, perhaps—New Year’s resolutions. How comforting and encouraging for us that every day is a new beginning with God!
I would like to commend this newsletter’s feature story about the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, a new Network church plant in Roanoke, VA. The Lord has guided this faithful group and led them to merge with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. This is a wonderful example of God working across denominational boundaries to unite biblically faithful believers and build up His Church.
One of the challenges facing us as a Convocation is to find ways to connect our far-flung parishes. This story on St. Peter and St. Paul and other “Ministry Focus” articles in our newsletter is but one way. There are also many upcoming events that are of interest and might be within driving distance for you. Thank you for all for sharing the word about your congregation’s news. Please continue to send in this information. Our newsletter can be a vehicle to help us get to know one another better, so that we can hold each other up on prayer and overcome isolation.
We look forward with great anticipation to all that God has for us this year.
Yours in Christ,
John Guernsey, Dean
Anglican Communion Network Newsletter
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HOW GOD PLANTED A CHURCH
By the Rev. Philip Bottomley (and members of the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul
On January 21, 2007 the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul Non-profit Corporation in Roanoke, Virginia will hold its first “Annual Meeting."
After the shock waves from the General Convention (GC) 2003 that had reached the Diocese of South Western Virginia began to subside, there coalesced a diverse  (by parish and locality) group who were deeply troubled by the direction in which the decisions of GC evidenced that the Episcopal Church was headed. Individuals independently expressed their dismay and concern to their Bishop. But in comparing notes later, it was realized that all had received “boiler plate” responses that never addressed directly any of their concerns; perhaps it was because the group was thought to be small and disparate. However, God used this very feeling of being insignificant to draw us all together under one umbrella.
About this time the AAC gathered together at the invitation of Christ Church, Plano (Texas) to respond to General Convention. Several months later a few of the folk from Roanoke joined the thousands who gathered in Woodbridge, Virginia for the “A Place to Stand - East” Conference. Energized by that event the Roanoke Group determined to raise the flag for orthodoxy by forming “A Place to Stand - Southwest Virginia.” There were some mass meetings at a local Maronite Catholic Church with AAC speakers and the group had a presence at the annual Diocesan Council, introducing Windsor-friendly resolutions. But the movement just could not gain momentum, as many did not wish to abandon “their Church," and preferred to wait for GC 2006. 
During 2004 and 2005 the remnants of the group began to meet together regularly in different homes to pray, study the Bible and plan. Some efforts were made to open dialogue in the churches to raise “pew awareness” of what was happening in the Anglican Communion, but most refused to talk about it. In early 2006, in an effort to learn more about the ACN, the Network Dean was invited, and traveled to Roanoke to speak to the group. Following that meeting, the group decided on a name - Live Oaks Anglican Fellowship (LOAF) - and made plans to become a church plant under the ACN which appointed Mr. Mel Evans as LOAF's “Coach”. Fully confident that GC 2006 would not see any major shift in the trajectory of the National Church, LOAF agreed to launch a full worship schedule on the Sunday following the General Convention.
 In late May, God brought the Reverend Philip Bottomley into contact with LOAF. Philip had resigned from his position in West Virginia because of conflict in the parish over the same issues dividing the Episcopal Church as a whole. LOAF invited Father Bottomley to come to Roanoke and to preach at our first service - which was moved to July 9, and held in the downtown chapel of Oakey’s Funeral Home, because of the aptness for worship and its central location. These services plus some positive press coverage saw the group expand. The Reverend Derek Collett-White, a retired Canadian priest, who was canonically resident in Jamaica agreed to lead these services.
The publicity brought a delegation from St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in NW Roanoke to one of these early services. An invitation was given to LOAF (which now adopted the name - St. Peter’s Anglican Church) to share use of St. Paul’s building. In subsequent discussions a proposal to merge the two churches developed. St. Peter’s Anglican Church, with the promise of a grant from the ACN, called Father Bottomley as their rector. After much prayer, and after GC 2006, Reverend Bottomley decided that God was indeed calling him to leave the Episcopal Church and serve the people of St. Peter’s.
This call became more certain when he heard of the possibility of merging with St. Paul’s Lutheran, because of his good relationship with local Lutheran churches in both his previous parishes. In August, Philip preached at a joint service of St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s. The members of St. Paul’s felt very comfortable with Father Bottomley, and he with them. From September 1 till they moved to Roanoke in late October, Philip and his wife Sylvia commuted 41/2 hours each way each weekend to lead the services! St. Peter’s moved their service from Oakey’s and the first regular combined worship service at St. Paul’s was on September 17.
 Father Bottomley, Father Collett-White and St. Peter’s Anglican Church petitioned the International Conference of ACN to come under the jurisdiction of the Rt. Rev. Frank Lyons and the Anglican Diocese of Bolivia. Bishop Frank enthusiastically accepted both the clergy and the Church! In August, the members of St. Paul’s voted overwhelmingly to withdraw from the Virginia Synod of the ELCA and to merge with St. Peter’s under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Diocese of Bolivia. When it was learned that the Synod would require a second vote after 90 days in favor of such an action, it was agreed to make December 3, 2006 the date on which the two churches would also adopt a “Plan of Merger”. The Lutheran vote in favor of the merger on December 3 was unanimous (although it is fair to say that several people who did not want to leave the Lutheran Church had by then transferred to other Lutheran churches), and the Plan of Merger was duly adopted.
 The Boards of the two churches have been meeting together throughout this period and the committees, which comprised equal numbers from both, have been working together to move the church forward. The worship services have been a blend of Anglican and Lutheran liturgies, and have alternated between Anglican Eucharistic Prayers and Lutheran. For the most part everyone has been satisfied, although the “Common Cup” as opposed to individual cups has been a point of disagreement. However God is breaking down the walls that separate us and bringing us into unity in His Son Jesus Christ and under His inspired Word. Sunday School for both adults and children has begun, and we look forward to the Lord adding to His church those He is bringing to salvation in NW Roanoke … and to the ends of the earth.
To the praise of His holy Name!
Congratulations to the Rev. Andrew McGinley...ordained Deacon by the Right Rev. Benezeri Kisembo at St, John's Cathedral, Fort Portal on Sunday December 17, 2006. Andrew is now on staff at South Riding Church (SRC) directing Youth Ministry, outreach-marketing, and helping with music ministry. When Bishop Kisembo visited SRC in May 2006 for confirmations, he shared his vision from the Lord in prayer that SRC would begin to plant churches. Under Rev. Phil Ashey's direction, Andrew will be planting a church in Eastern Loudoun county, in fulfillment of that vision, within the next three years.
In August 2007, South Riding Church will be sending...several members on a two week Sharing of Ministries Abroad (www.somausa.org)) Mission to the Dioceses of North Mbale and Ruwenzori for Intercessory Prayer Ministry. During the third week of the mission, other SRC members hope to arrive in Ruwenzori Diocese for micro-enterprise development, construction, and eveangelistic missions and, God-willing, the ordination of the Rev. Andrew McGinley to the priesthood.
Over the course of the year, we will be contacting all parishes requesting information about any ministry you would like highlighted in the MAC newsletter. However, if you have a time-sensitive ministry you would like for us to include in an upcoming newsletter, please contact Heather Adams at hadams@acn-mac.org .
“Mere Anglicanism Conference”
January 25-27, 2007
Charleston, SC
This event features ideas and analysis by three special Anglican thinkers and speakers — Michael Nazir-Ali, Ashley Null, and Edith Humphrey — in the historic city of Charleston. Not only that, the conference will feature Interactions panel discussions, Connections groups [for Track II participants], and wonderful worship opportunities.
An intimate evening of acoustic music and personal testimony
John Schlitt & Bob Hartman of Petra
January 27, 2007; 7:00 p.m.
With special guests-- Mike Failla and the Kingdom Bound Worship Band
Tickets are $10 each
Lippes Concert Hall @ Slee Hall
University at Buffalo
Amherst, NY
Presented by St. Bartholomew's, Tonawanda, NY
“Thirty Nine Articles of Religion”
January 28, 2007
Anglican Mission of Southern Maryland
California, Maryland
This six-week study is based on the book, "Thirty Nine Articles Buried Alive" by Sam Pascoe. The program will be each Sunday after the worship service, starting at approximately 10:15 a.m. All are invited.
Details are available at: http://www.amosm.info
“Praying as Jesus Prayed”
Sermon by Mrs. Phoebe Orombi, wife of His Grace Archbiship Henry Luke Orombi
February 25, 2007
South Riding Church
Fairfax, VA
“Visit Trinity Conference”
Trinity School for Ministry
March 8-10, 2007
Ambridge, PACome to the Visit Trinity Conference that begins with dinner on the evening of Thursday the 8th of March and concludes after dinner on Saturday the 10th. You’ll have a chance to converse with Dean Paul Zahl as well as other Trinity faculty and students. The weekend will feature workshops on the call to ministry, panel discussions on life at Trinity, classroom experience with members of our faculty, community worship, and just plain fun.
“New Wineskins for Global Missions Conference”
April 11-15, 2007
Ridgecrest, NC
Sponsored by the New Wineskins Missionary Network
“The 5th New Wineskins for Global Missions conference is an incomparable opportunity to equip you and your parish for engagement in the work of mission at home and abroad. At every conference, I’ve been powerfully touched by the amazing speakers that New Wineskins always offers—many are not well-known in the U.S., but they are all “world-class!” The array of workshops will leave you wishing you could choose them all. Every speaker will uphold the authority of Holy Scripture and the truth of the historic faith. It is an event that you and your congregation can joyfully and confidently plunge into! I look forward to seeing you there.”
If your church is having an event, we would be happy to publish it, not only so that interested people might attend, but so that we can be praying for you. Send information to newsletter@acn-mac.org .
Feel free to forward this newsletter to members of your congregation.
“The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel.” Thomas Watson
John Guernsey, Dean | George Beaven, Church Planting Director | Heather Adams, Executive Assistant | Heidi Reichert, Administrative Assistant
Mid-Atlantic Convocation | Anglican Network Communion
c/o All Saints' Church | 5290 Saratoga Lane
Woodbridge, Virginia 22193
Tel: 703-670-0093www.acn-mac.org
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