Only God Can Heal a Broken Heart

My brother priest in Sioux Falls, Fr. Timothy Fountain, posted this a few moments ago on the Northern Plains Anglican blogspot:

January 23rd will be my twentieth anniversary as a priest. When it comes to questions about staying in TEC or getting out, the blogs are full of commentary by folks I respect and upon whose ideas I can’t improve.

His heart is breaking, and mine as well. You see, we've never met; Fr. Fountain came into South Dakota from the Diocese of Los Angeles, after I had made my decision to leave the Episcopal Church -- so we never crossed paths at convention, Convocation, ministerial weekends, summer seminary, or any of the other many diocesan ministerial gatherings. We have swapped comments and e-mail for almost four years, we have talked on the phone, I have been to Evening Prayer at Good Shepherd in April, but he was at the hospital with his wife, and I missed him.

He, and his family, and his congregation, are hurting, as are we because his is the problem of the square peg in the round hole. It will never fit right, it will either chafe at the edges or be too loose to stay in. Sadly, the Anglican Communion, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, have decisions to make, and soon (like midnight, September 30, 2007) if the greater Communion is to be saved from the folk who would so dilute the Word of God, the traditions of the fathers, and the religious practice of 2000 years, to call 'sin' 'NOT sin', to say the Creed is an option, that the Ten Commandments were only suggestions, that the Christ is but one of many ways to the divine, etc., etc., etc.

While you think of your own congregational problems, please remember Timothy Fountain, in his words,

“While” we wait for what’s next, we rely on what Scripture tells us: God does not need us to force a particular outcome. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And it is on the cross – the one that TEC rejects but that still “towers over the wrecks of time”- where God will always show his love for us, wherever we are.

his wife, and their sons, as well as their present congregation, Good Shepherd, Sioux Falls, one of very few conservative, orthodox congregations in South Dakota in the Episcopal Church.

That it may please thee to succour, help, and comfort, all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
Son of God, We beseech thee to hear us.

My Former Bishop (John Howe, Central Florida) Makes a Reasoned Response for the Present Unpleasantness

"I am doing absolutely everything I can – and have done so for eighteen years – to uphold “orthodoxy,” to remain faithful to the Lord and to the scriptures, to call this oh-so-compromised Church back to its own heritage. But I will not break the rules to do so. I am working "within the system" for a comprehensive solution to a complex situation. These efforts can be easily undermined by precipitous actions, and I urge us to be very careful."

+John Howe, Diocese of Central Florida, in a letter to the diocese.

There have been many comments made, pro and con, about the stances of the 'Windsor Bishops" in the Episcopal Church. They are 'toadying to the Executive Council', they are selling out the traditional Anglicans in their sees, they are hellbent on destroying the Church, etc., etc., etc.

In this letter from +Howe, we see the anguish that must reside in these men of God, as they try to preserve not only their diocesan clergy and congregations, their call within the Episcopal Church, their responsibilities to their individual families, but also their responsibility to obey God.

These are truly perilous times, the 'times that try men's souls', and we must prayerfully support our shepherds (those who are still in TEC) and those of us who have already left the Titanic, must be willing to uphold those who are seeking the will of God, the 'right way' to lead their charge into Glory, for these men, all of them, are the shepherds of the Church of God, responsible not only to God, but to their people as well, and charged with not only maintaining order and keeping intact the trust properties of generations of faithful Episcopalians (Anglicans), but also of preserving the faith, and leading the way to Canaan, out of the 'Wilderness of Sin'.

Pray for them NOW, and TOMORROW, and the DAY AFTER, and so on, und so vetter. They truly stand in the gap and must be upheld in their agony.

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace; Give us grace seriously to lay aside the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever may hinder us from godly union and concord: that as there is but one Body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one God and Father of us all, so may we be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the unity of God's People -- BCP 1892

Three Square Meals -- Spiritually Speaking

"Part of the problem in our modern society is an absence of personal responsibility. We are all aware of the person who sued a fast food restaurant because the coffee was too hot.

And we have also all heard how restaurants and junk food producers are to blame for obesity in America. As if they are forcing us to eat, or overeat.

Or how about the crying over high gas prices, all while we drive “mileage-challenged” trucks, vans, and SUV’s?

But has that same lack of personal responsibility crept into the church?

From Destination God, my elder son's personal ministry website, comes this timely and extremely pertinent discourse on life in these United States (and the world at large!).

"Many times people will leave churches because they claim they are not “being fed”. That there is not enough “meat” in the sermons.

Some people leave a church because the Bible studies and small groups are not “deep enough”. Again, not enough meat. They are not being fed."

Can that be said of our sermons, of your sermons? Is there enough substance of the Savior in Sunday's homilies to whet the appetite of a seeker...and are not we all seekers? Are any of us justified, are any righteous?

I was told once, by a bishop who shall remain unnamed, that I was too 'pentecostal' to ever be able to minister in the Episcopal Church. I actually take that as a positive comment, because I have heard him 'preach' on several occasions, and there was no life in it.

To flip the coin, I was also told by a leader in the Church of God in Tampa, where I ministered for four years, that I was still too much of an Episcopalian to preach in the Church of God. Well, I took that as a compliment also.

Perhaps now that I am an Anglican priest, and an 'evangelical Anglo-catholic' at that, neither of these comments can apply, since I am neither one or the other; but, my preaching has not changed in over thirty years of ministry! I still and did always, preach Christ and Him crucified for us, to save us from the effects of our sins.

Yes, I know, it should be 'from our sins', but the effect upon us of a sinful and unrepentant lifestyle has only one end...eternal separation from the presence and peace of God...known for centuries as hell until the 'new theological revolution' took control in TEC and other mainline churches in the mid twentieth century!

And, yes, today there are many liturgical clergy and leaders who deny the existence of hell (and heaven), that they are merely allegories to reinforce a point of 'living good', being 'inclusive', since

"God really is not going to make anybody go to THAT PLACE, is He?"

Scripture has only one admonition for you, if you find yourself being 'fed' such (or feeding such), "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you..." II Cor 6.17,18.

Read all of Tim's piece, and apply it to your exhortations and congregations, and see if your efforts measure up. And if you appreciate his web page, let him know it.

Amen, kyrie eleison.

Thoughts on the Sixth Sunday after Trinity

Tomorrow's 1928 BCP Gospel, from the fifth chapter of Matthew, beginning with verse 20, speaks of righteousness, forgiveness, and 'giving over' to your adversary. In the reading, Jesus speaks of a person being angry with a (his) brother without a cause being in danger of the same judgement to be meted out for murder.

There are many sermon topics in the lesson for the day, but I would like to dwell on one of them that is often misunderstood, or even omitted from exposition.

Jesus speaks of reconciling with a wronged (or wronging) brother...before coming to the altar to worship with our gifts, with our alms and oblations, with our selves, our souls and bodies, that reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice that He demands of us.

Those who yet remain in the Episcopal Church can, if they really try, see themselves in the latter verses of this lesson setting...'Agree with thine adversary quickly...lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the magistrate (officer), and thou be cast into prison'. We can apply that teaching to the discussion, debate, and litigiousness that is overtaking the congregations of the Episcopal Church in dioceses after diocese, as bishops and standing committees, chancellors and diocesan and provincial administrators are bringing suit against faithful Anglican congregations who have, in most cases, paid for their properties, paid for all improvements, paid all utility bills, salaries, assessments and askings...all without help from diocesan or general funds (of course that does not apply to DioSD, since over half of the diocesan budget is underwritten by the general church offices and coffers). These suits are to 'reclaim' the properties that the dioceses and the general church contend are 'rightfully theirs' through the so-called Denis Canon and the hierarchical structure of the Episcopal Church in the United States.

Of course, when there is a 'new thing' that some parish priest wishes to experiment with, at the cost of the faith and practice of the parish or mission, the general church morphs instantly into a congregational structure, similar to the Baptists, so the reappraising clergy can implement their insidious changes without fear of sanction from the diocese or general convention, or even reprisals from the Anglican Communion at large directed towards TEC for their 'innovative stance' on sin, among other things; but when it comes to property and endowments, the Episcopal Church is locked up tighter than Dick's hatband in an hierarchical mode, one that would put the magisterium of Rome to shame..

In the latest rounds of debates, the TEC leadership have stressed their 'freedom' from the accepted practices and doctrinal stands of the greater Anglican Communion, and gone on and did it their way, blithely ignoring the pleas of the Primates of the Communion to stop their innovative changes to the faith once delivered.

All of that to say this...There are 'hard times' coming for the faithful. The House of Bishops and the House of Deputies, and the chancellors and standing committees of several dioceses, of the Episcopal Church are moving at flank speed to wrest away the hard earned and hard fought for properties of faithful local congregations. And they will win! Except the Lord change their hearts and minds; civil courts are beginning to turn from their previous judgements and side with the bishops and standing committees in property disputes.

What Jesus is telling His Church in tomorrow's Gospel, is to leave...leave it all behind and start afresh. Yes, it hurts to leave the 'place' where you have raised your families, buried your dead, baptized and married your children...but it is just a place, and no place is worth losing your soul over. God's children cannot, must not, allow the adversary to steal their joy in the Lord, their victory over sin, so hard fought for in the past...just over a pile of bricks (or in our part of the world, sandstone). God is still God, whether we worship in a cathedral or a shack, in a lovely Gothic building or a rented school auditorium, in a brick Georgian or in a garage. God is still God, and His presence is with His children.

The closing line in the Gospel may be prophetic,

'Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing'.

If that is the case, Child of God, come out from among them with rejoicing, that your names are written down in His book, rather than the annals of the adversary.

O God, who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man's understanding; pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Collect for the Day, 1928 BCP

Recovery...Begins At Last!

Things are almost back to normal in Fall River County South Dakota; the Alabaugh Canyon fire is 100% contained, the Type 2 Wildfire crews will leave town tomorrow, people are getting back to their business, foundations are being cleared and houses planned. Many of the burned out victims have moved back on their properties in campers while they clean up, and begin to rebuild, not only their homes, but their lives.

There were something over 500 persons at David Beeman's memorial services yesterday, Morris Nelson, UMC pastor of the United Churches, preached a good salvation message, the Masonic committal services were impressive (even though I have been a funeral director in a major Masonic area years ago, I had NEVER seen the Masonic ritual, the Masons in the funeral homes always sent us 'gentiles' on other calls).

Total containment costs will run over $2.6 million, thirty three homes were destroyed, one civilian death, and three hospital injuries sustained by firefighters. One of the benefits of the Alabaugh was the level of cooperation and compassion shown by the residents of the greater Hot Springs area, as they banded together, served meals, assisted in the shelter, arranged for child care, clothing and household goods...and animal care for pets and livestock, some volunteers got fireline passes to go in and feed and water stock while the fire crews were occupied fighting hot spots.

As I drove through the fire ground Tuesday after the roadblocks had been lifted, I was taken by the nature of this fire...extremely intense in one spot, and adjacent to a hard burn, a stand of pines, still in full needle, grass without a mark. One house down to the foundations, with nothing visible of the house that once was, and the attached carport standing with an unharmed vehicle within.

One man reported to me yesterday of going home on Saturday night after the fire had started to really take off, looked around his trailer, saw no sign of any fire at all, took off his boots and sat in his living room, heard a loud 'whoomp' from his bedroom, went back and saw a large flaming mass eat its way through the floor after coming through his roof. Another 'whoomp' from the front, and his trailer was afire. He left...quickly.

As I saw his trailer on Tuesday, it was surrounded by untouched dry, cured buffalo grass...totally destroyed, melted into an unrecognizable mass of aluminum, with a three step set of stairs rising from the ground in front of it.

The Alabaugh Canyon Fire, as horrifying as it was, may serve to teach us better wildland practices and policies, particularly relating to the former practice of knocking down every wild woods and grass fire as it starts. If the Alabaugh Canyon area had been allowed to burn in a prescribed manner years ago, as some of the residents had asked, there would not have been the copious amounts of tinder dry fuel available, combined with our seven years of drought and a very active thunderstorm on Saturday afternoon, to let it become the most intense fire ever in South Dakota. Fire and forestry officials have taken that under consideration, and a change in fire management and prevention policy for all government woodlands and grasslands may be the outcome. If so, the Alabaugh Fire was, in a way, worth it.

I spoke to a firefighter friend, whose wife is still on the scene with their rural volunteer department, within whose territory the Alabaugh Canyon fire started, and who were the first responders Saturday night, who has been released from duty, and is now driving through the burn zone, matching people with the resources they need to begin putting it all back together. In his words, "I have to heal myself, I am full of 'crap', and this is the only way I can work that out of my system".

All in all, as we get back to our lives, we in Hot Springs and Fall River County are grateful to all who gave of themselves for us; those who prayed for a moderation of the weather and the fire behavior; those who worked unceasingly for our benefit.

To God be the Glory, great things He has done! We are grateful to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for those who grown closer to Him through this ordeal by fire, and we expect to see great signs of His blessing in the lives of those in our commuity, and in the life of our community. We have grown closer, more tolerant of others and their foibles, more mindful of their needs and desires.

May the God of all mercy attend to the needs of His children here and eleswhere as we all seek to serve Him. Amen.

We Have Been a Bit Occupied

We apologize for failing to post lately, but if you will click on the link of the title, you will see that we have been a trifle busy this week.

We were privileged and humbled to serve as Incident Chaplain for the Alabaugh Canyon Wildfire Containment effort, working through the American Red Cross at the shelter and information center; but also, on the lines with the almost 500 firefighters from across the eastern Rocky Mountain region, as they fought the worst and hottest wildfire in South Dakota history, with over 10,000 acres consumed, and cantainment at only 40% at present, and some active fire still in the canyon country only three miles southwest of Hot Springs.

There was only one fatality, David Beeman, a friend of ours and son of a brother and sister in the Lord, Billy and Marilyn Beeman, who were also from St. Luke's Hot Springs; several fire crew injuries, as the fires danced and acted plumb 'squirelly' at times; over thirty homes destroyed or severely damaged; yet, miraculously, many homes and lives spared, even though they were under an immediate evacuation order, issued at 2-4 am Sunday morning.

We boarded some of the evacuees animals in our kennel, and worked from Sunday morning through today with the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and several private crisis counseling organisations to provide grief counseling and an ear to listen.

I will be back in blogland by next week, following the final community meeting tonite, funeral tomorrow, and a bit of rest before Sunday starts it all over again.

Thank God for the effectual fervent prayers of many of you whom we have contacted through comments on some of your blogs...you have meant so much to us, and we love you all.

Testimony from Montana

Known as 'Eclipse' in blogdom, a dear Anglican friend has published the summarized testimony of her past year's journey on the Montana Anglican

"What has my family lost and gained this past year? Where are we going?"

The questions she asks, and the answers she gives could and should fit each of us as we seek our way through the jungle that was TEC, searching for the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.

I recommend that ALL former and present Episcopalians read, mark learn and inwardly digest her observations on her journey.

O Gracious Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church; that thou wouldst be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Another One Bites the Dust

One of my favorite blog authors has parked his mouse. Fr. Alvin Kimel, late of Pontifications, has after prayer, decided to give up his rightful place as one of the best theological blogs in the blogsphere.

Fr. Al kept us up to date on his journey home, after the General Convention 2003, and the consents for and installation of VGR in the Diocese of New Hampshire, as he prayed through and made a full trip, one way, across the Tiber.

His heartbreak was palpable as one read his postings, including this quote in his fairwell blog entry:

“Are you in pain, Frodo?”

“Well, yes I am,” said Frodo. “It is my shoulder. The wound aches, and the memory of darkness is heavy on me. It was a year ago today.”

“Alas! There are some wounds that cannot be wholly cured,” said Gandalf.

but then, interspersed with the hurt and sorrow, were some of the most clear and deep theological expositions I have ever read.

Fr. Al, we will miss you, but we earnestly pray that you will find peace and comfort for your self and your family as you continue your journey. Our memories will remain, our prayers are your, our hearts are breaking as well.

Go in peace, Brother Kimel, in the power of His resurrection Glory, to love and serve the Lord. We shall truly miss the Pontificator.

A Viable Alternative to E.F.M.

We have just completed the first ever on-line term of Foundations of Discernment for Christian Ministry, and I heartily recommend the program to any interested Anglican folk who:

† 1. do not want the extremely liberal bias present in the Education For Ministry program of the Episcopal Church; or,

† 2. cannot easily afford the increasingly high costs of EFM.

FDCM, beginning its third 'on-site' term in September, is being planned on-site at several locations across America, with a 2008 term, "Theology", is starting in September; while the initial on-line module, for the 2007 term, had students from across America and England for a very engaging course in the History of the Christian Church, using texts this past term by Gonzalez and Fairfield, but will concentrate on Gonzalez in future history terms.

The on-line module was mentored by the Rev. Kathryn Jeffrey, who may be contacted at kgjeffrey@msn dot com for further information on the class content, registration and enrolment.

A Man Set Under Authority

From today's New Testament reading for Morning Prayer (BCP 1928 lectionary):

Luke 7:1-10
(1) Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
(2) And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
(3) And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
(4) And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
(5) For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
(6) Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
(7) Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
(8) For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
(9) When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
(10) And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. -- KJV

A man set under authority...What could speak more clearly to the priests and bishops of the Church today, what better description of their calling, than to be 'a man set under authority'?

Unfortunately today, entirely too many of our ecclesiastical leadership: bishops, priests, and deacons, are not under the proper authority. The Roman centurion recognized the ultimate authority of Christ over all of life, his Gentile slave included, and proclaimed faith in that authority. His acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus pover his life and family resulted in the praise of Christ in v. 9, 'I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.' What an indictment of the 'faith of Israel'! What an indictment of our faith and our 'churchiness' in the 21st century!

'Wait a minute, Fr. Chip, He hasn't said that to us', you might say; but He has. He has said it to us in His Word, in the inspired Word of God. Look at v. 9 again, 'When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.' Is this verse not speaking to us today? Is it not addressed to literal Israel, as well as, spiritual Israel, that grafted in branch of the Tree of Life? Are we not His 'adopted sons and daughters'? Are we not recipients of His Grace and ultimately, of His Glory? I know I am looking forward, as the War Cry of the Salvation Army posts, to being 'promoted to Glory', how about you? Isn't it time to change our selfish and self-centered outlook on the life that He has given us, and live it for Him...totally, unreservedly, unashamedly...for Him, His purpose for our individual lives, His glory...not our own self- aggrandizement?

Prayer For Missions. -- BCP p.38

O God, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the whole earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are afar off and to them that are nigh; Grant that all men everywhere may seek after thee and find thee. Bring the nations intl thy fold, pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten thy kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Holy Boldness"

(thanks to Liz Foreman's comment on SFIF for the title.)

Fantastic news from The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi
ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA.

Rev John Guernsey, the rector of All Saints, Woodbridge, VA, and dean of Mid-Atlantic Convocation of the ACN, has been confirmed as 'domestic Bishop' of the Province of Uganda.

"I am writing to share with you a significant decision I and the House of Bishops have made today that I hope will be an encouragement to you. And, I want you, if possible, to hear it first from me.

The Church of Uganda is now providing ecclesiastical oversight to twenty-six congregations in America, and we continue to receive appeals from other congregations. Yet, when we first started responding to such appeals in 2004, I don't think any of us imagined at the time that the American church would be in the state that it is in today, and that the tear in the Anglican Communion would or could become deeper. We always envisioned the episcopal care and oversight we were providing you and other churches as being a temporary measure. Hence, we sometimes referred to this as our "ecclesiastical refugee ministry."

Likewise, we have always said that we will be there for you and not abandon you, and we stand by that commitment and our word. At the same time, we have said that we would do everything we can to work towards a Biblically orthodox domestic ecclesial entity in the USA so that at some point in the future, we could "repatriate" you. Read it all, and see also TLC here, and the Network here.

The carefully worked out and unanimously agreed Pastoral Scheme by the primates in our February 2007 Dar es Salaam Communique has now been soundly rejected not only by TEC's House of Bishops, but also by their Executive Council. We take their rejection very seriously."

Even though our mission, St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Mission to South Dakota, in Hot Springs is not a part of the Province of Uganda, this is huge news for those holding up the banner of the King!

Uganda now becomes the fourth African province, joining Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda, to establish domestic bishops in America to care for the disenfranchised Anglicans and former Episcopalians who have been left to fend for themselves against the heavy-handed advances of the Episcopal Church, the Presiding Bishop, and her Chancellor.

The days of east-ward missionary endeavor is over, the tide has turned, we are now being evangelized and supported by Global South (third world, so-called) provinces, to preserve and uphold the faith once delivered to the saints.

Praise the Lord! Have another cuppa good Rwandan coffee, sit back and watch the fireworks!

The Episcopal Church -- Stay In or Get Out?

Since there have been two other options posted to the Northern Plains Anglicans blog, I may as well chime in with 'door number 3' -- Get the Heck Outa Dodge.

I am a cradle Episcopalian, confirmed in 1951, active in choir (junior and senior), acolyte, lay reader, etc., etc., etc., all up through living in, and serving on the vestry for, the Episcopal College Center, Auburn, Alabama, in the late '50's.

I married a Church of God, Cleveland, girl, started attending with her, joined, and called to preach, and subsequently making all the way to 'Ordained Minister' (now called 'Ordained Bishop') with the CoG. Working as pastor, district overseer, and institutional chaplain, I was active in ministry until 1995, when I surrendered my credentials, since I wasn't serving in any active ministry any more (mainly because I had divorced in 1991).

I returned to my home parish in Chattanooga, my new wife was confirmed, and I served on the Finance Committee, convenor of the Chattanooga Area Chapter, Order of St. Luke, acolyte, lay reader, LEV, LEM, and Linda served on the Altar Guild. When I retired in 2002, we 'hit the road' to volunteer across the country, Franciscan style, tent camping our way as we could.

In South Dakota, we worked for five months as a horse wrangler and guide for a mustang rescue operation until their 'regular' summer volunteer staff, those permanent Workamper volunteers, arrived. At that time, we were both called into ministry at St. Luke's Church, Hot Springs, as a part of their new mutual ministry team; me, as sacramentalist, preacher and catechist; and Linda as a member of the pastoral care team and team coordinator. We both entered into the diocesan program of study with the congregation and I read for Episcopal Orders for two years.

Two days before my scheduled ordination, my then TEC bishop, Creighton Robertson, 'pulled the plug', saying that my application (which he had on file for over two years) raised some 'red flags'. Yeah, sure, at his first question in my first interview of how I saw myself as an Anglican, I told him that I would describe myself as an evangelical Anglo-catholic, and that ended the interview.

Since I was also applying for clergy membership in the Company of Jesus Franciscan Order, I decided that the time was right for me to leave the Church of my birth, and seven counted generations of Irish and English Anglicans on both sides of my family, and align myself with the Anglican Province of Christ the Good Shepherd, apply for ordination, and was ordained a priest on Mother's Day, after serving as a transitional deacon for 18 months.

Our house church is small, but now beginning to grow, with new honored guests coming and staying with us; we have 9 services a week through the Summer tourist season: daily at 7:00 am at a city park downtown, and a 9:00 am at a retirement center, and our principle service at 11:00 am, all of them 1928 liturgies.

We are small, our liturgy is straight 1928 BCP (with a little Anglican Missal and Lakota music thrown in), and we wouldn't go back. We have prospects for the use of a church building to house our mission, for only the cost of utilities. Yes, we miss the Episcopal Church, we love and pray for the members of the local Church daily; but, no, we don't think we could go back.

Quit Grumbling: Look and Live!

Rather than do a page for St. Columba today, I chose to share the posting for today's Morning Prayer (1928 Book of Common Prayer lectionary) comments from the good folk east river., The Northern Plains Anglicans.

"What help can we find in this lesson drawn from from Numbers 21?

They made confession. The people went to Moses and specifically admitted what they had done.

They relied on prayer. The people asked Moses to intercede for them.

They accepted God's solution. God told Moses to make a bronze figure of the fiery serpent, and hold it up on a pole. Wierd though it seemed, the people obeyed, and all who looked at it lived."

If you are in the Sioux Falls area on Sunday, stop by the Church of the Good Shepherd, still Episcopal, but where Fr. Timothy Fountain still preaches the Truth of God's Word.

Boniface, Archbishop of Mainz, Missionary to Germany, and Martyr, 754

An Englishman from Devonshire, Winifred was educated at Exeter and Nursling, Boniface was one of the "Makers of Europe". A professed monk and priest, he accepted a call as missionary to Frisia, with little success, returned to Rome, was commissioned by Pope Gregory, renamed Boniface, and sent to Germany where he spent his remaining years planting churches, reforming dioceses and monasteries; finally consecrated a bishop then archbishop and given a permanent see in Mainz.

As archbishop, Boniface worked to prepare the way for Charlemagne, and the unified Christian dominion of Europe.

He resigned his bishopric in 753, to spend his last years as a monk in Frisia, and was martyred, with a group of catechumens by pagans, and buried near at monastery he founded, Fulda, near Mainz.

Almighty God, who didst call thy faithful servant Boniface to be a witness and martyr in Germany, and by his labor and suffering didst raise up a people for thine own possession: Pour forth thy Hoy Spirit upon thy Church in eery land, that by the service and sacrifice of many thy holy Name may be glorifies and thy kingdom enlarged; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ond God, for ever and ever. Amen.
LF&F 1980, 239

Justin, Martyr at Rome, c. 167

A song comes to mind, The Wayfaring Stranger, that typifies the searching of the children of the world, as they seek the Christ. Can we pray that God, in His infinite and great Mercy, might find them, laity, clergy and bishops, as He did Justin, and lead them into the Truth of His Word. Our heart aches for those who have lost the vision of Christ's atoning sacrifice and redemption, as man continues to do all that pleases themselves. Man's 'itching ears' cannot be the measure of salvation, and men MUST be found and taught His ways.


Almighty and everlasting God, who didst find thy martyr Justin wandering from teacher to teacher, seeking the true God, and didst reveal to him the sublime wisdom of thine eternal Word: Grant that all who seek thee, or a deeper knowledge of thee, may find and be found of thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Justin, Martyr at Rome, LF&F 233

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Gospel Proper for the day

Luke 1:39-49
(39) And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
(40) And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
(41) And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
(42) And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
(43) And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
(44) For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
(45) And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
(46) And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
(47) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
(48) For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
(49) For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

Father in heaven, by whose grace the virgin mother of thy incarnate Son was blessed in bearing Him, but still more blessed in keeping thy word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The "Know Nothings"

From the New Testament lesson for Whitsun Ember Wednesday,

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I Corinthians 2.2

How necessary is it to know a lot of 'stuff' as we work for the Kingdom? Paul sums it up nicely for us
...'know nothing, except Christ, and Him crucified'...
to pay, in full, the cost of our sins!

Too many 'Christians' today, even 'Christian' leaders, claim their status of salvation with Christ, yet refuse to acknowledge their sins, refuse to repent, refuse to make amendment of life, refuse to accept His terms for the gift of life that has been given us, through His sacrifice, once offered.

Much has been lost to us today, since the very concept of the presence or possibility of sin in individual lives has been 'taught away' by the Church; much that has torn mainline denominations, and even some of the more esoteric smaller groups. God had a plan, man messed it up first in the Garden of Eden; God set forth a new plan, man thought he had messed it up in Jerusalem; but God's plan was consumated in Christ. Since Him there has been and can be no new plan. As the old song says,

"Jesus paid it all,
all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a dreadful stain,
He washed it white as snow".

There are those who say they have had a 'new revelation', a new and different move of the Holy Spirit, new and grand ways to express love, inclusion and justice. To them I can only quote John in Revelation 22.18, "...If any man shall add to these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book". There are no new revelations, the Canon of Scripture is closed, man has given himself over to a reprobate mind, filled with justifying his own ideas and lusts, and God is ready to 'spew them out'.

Personally, I had rather be a 'know nothing'.

"This world is not my home,
I'm just a passin' though.
If heaven were not my home
O Lord, what would I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven's open door,
And I can't feel at home
In this world any more."

Maranatha. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Tuesday in Whitsun Week

The Epistle
Acts 8:14-17
(14) Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
(15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
(17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Grant, we beseech thee, merciful God, that thy Church, being gathered together in unity by thy Holy Spirit, may manifest thy power among all peoples, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reighneth with thee and the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
-- BCP 1928

Whit Monday -- Memorial Day (US)

Wisdom 9:1-6
(1) O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word,
(2) And ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made,
(3) And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart:
(4) Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not from among thy children:
(5) For I thy servant and son of thine handmaid am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws.
(6) For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.
-- Morning prayer, Whit Monday, BCP 1928

Father, help us remember that we are but your creation, and that without your Son we are nothing at all under your sun. Order our steps, that we might please you, that we might not find ourselves rejected by you at your judgement, because of our lack of understanding of your laws, our rebellion against your laws, our misuse of your bounty, or our disinterest in your Word.

Grant to us thy wisdom, enable us to keep thy laws, direct us in all of your paths for us, and grant us the ability to refuse the temptations of the world as we seek your face.

May we keep in mind those, faithful, who have gone before...those heroes of faith and civil life, who have paid a dear price for the freedoms we enjoy, both in our secular lives, and in our faith journeys. Help us to remember, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Ghost, now and always. Amen.

Oh, Really? Need We Say More?

If you are concerned about the effects of the elevation of Presiding Bishop Kate Schorri on the religious of the United States, you have got to read this:

As a woman Moderator of a very Twenty-first Century church, Metropolitan Community Churches, I felt enormous compassion and solidarity with Presiding Bishop (Primate) Katharine Jefferts Schori as she recently traveled to Tanzania in her historic role as the first and only woman to serve as the leader of a member church of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

And it gets better from that opening statement. This is a long read, but very informative, particularly when taken with +Bennison's article, posted below. However, do not open this link with a mouthful of coffee.

Then, there is this, from +Steven Charleston,

We affirm the words of our friend and colleague, the Rt. Reverend Steven Charleston, Bishop and Dean of The Episcopal Divinity School: "We will not change our devotion to doing what we believe is right. We will not delay justice for the sake of making our lives easier. We will not deny a truth that we are certain is from God. We will not play politics with human lives."

Oh, Really? Read on MacDuff, it just gets better.

A Great Easter Service

We drove up to Fairburn early this morning to provide special music for the UMC there that we serve on occasion. A beautiful Resurrection Day, a smallish crowd, but more than they have had for a while, several great small, but intense, sermons by their pastor, a great brunch and then back to Hot Springs for a Mass of the Resurrection.

God is good, God is great, God is wonderful...as the old Gospel song goes, and how true that is.

Not much to be added this week to the blog. I will be east-river for a training seminar from early Wednesday until early Sunday...without net access!

Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't

The Episcopal House of Bishops met in Navasota Texas last weekend, and released this response to the pdf file of the Dar es Salaam Communique, note in particular, the key recommendations beginning on page 8.

Not only was there a large elephant in the room, but the desert terrain of east Texas allowed them to stick their collective heads in the sand and completely ignore the request of the Anglican Primate's meeting in Tanzania last month.

There has been much comment on various blogs and diocesan websites about the Communique, how it stands in opposition to the polity of the Episcopal Church and her Canons and Constitution; and how the Episcopal Church is an independent, sovereign entity, and the greater Anglican Communion cannot dictate conditions counter to that polity; but the fact remains...it is the business of the greater Anglican Communion to determine conditions for membership in said Communion, and if the Episcopal Church is unable or unwilling to meet those several conditions, then she (The Episcopal Church), chooses voluntarily to sever the relationship with the rest of the Communion.

As we see it, the Episcopal Church is, or should be, an interdependent part of the Communion, and if that relationship is important to the Episcopal Church, she should be willing to agree to those terms which insure a continuation of that interdependence. Instead, her bishops, some standing committees, and some special interest groups, have repeatedly stated their total independence from the Dar es Salaam statements; therefor, in our humble estimation, thumbed their collective noses at the Anglican Communion, and said, in a paraphrase of the 60's chants, "Hell no, we won't go!"

Well, the Episcopal Church cannot have it both ways...you must either suck it up, comply with the Communique, and be a part of the greater Anglican Communion, supporting the full Gospel; or you can walk apart, serving the humanistic goals of the United Nations and the Millennium Development Goals, 'living into' the Baptismal Covenant, and seeking to serve the greater god of self, under a new inspiration of the spirits.

Methinks the choice has been clearly demonstrated, and 1 October will see a new alignment for Anglicanism in North America and around the world. I have been wrong before, and will be wrong again, no doubt; but of this I am fairly sure, whichever way the cookie crumbles, I will be with the greater Communion, although, perhaps not aligned with +Cantuar.

And, if you need a graphic representation, scroll down here:

How about that? A pundit?

You Are a Pundit Blogger!

Your blog is smart, insightful, and always a quality read. Truly appreciated by many, surpassed by only a few

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

An Opportunity Missed

Yesterday was the 'deadline day' for consents to the episcopal consecration of Fr. Mark Lawrence as bishop-elect of South Carolina. Over fifty-six diocesan bishops gave consent, and the consents of fifty-six diocesan Standing Committee consents were needed, fifty-five were given by close of business yesterday. Of course, there is a 'snail mail' delay which allows for consents to be postmarked by 12 March, and received perhaps by the end of the week, to count. With possible contested votes, etc; the outcome is very much in doubt.

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Dakota missed a perfect chance to be seen as 'reconcilers' in this fray, by finally, at the last possible moment, consenting to Fr. Lawrence's' elevation to South Carolina; but did they break from the bishop's grasp? No, no, and no! We even e-mailed all members with e-mail addresses, in a last ditch effort to allow South Dakota to have a 'place in the Son', but they opted to follow +Creighton's revisionist lead, and remain silent (which equates to a 'safe' no vote).

Critics of Fr. Lawrence's election by the Diocese of South Carolina, have repeatedly made the erroneous point that he, Fr. Lawrence, would have worked to split the Church; however, in our own humble opinion, it is the inactions of the lethargic that will have succeeded in splitting the Episcopal Church from the Anglican Communion, and splitting the conservative, or reasserting, faction from the liberal, reappraising, faction...the holders of the faith once delivered unto the saints, from the writers of the new faith, the new way of reading and interpreting scripture.

We may never know, but we feel that our former diocese, and others, as well, missed the boat on this one; they could have helped preserve a once proud Church, instead, by doing nothing, they may have helped to kill her.

The South Carolina Standing Committee meets Thursday to consider the consents and their options. Please keep them, Bishop-elect Mark, the Diocese of South Carolina, and the Episcopal Church in your prayers.

Lord, in Your Mercy. Hear our prayer.

Some Churches Still Have the 'Grow'

“Insanity is doing something the same way over and over again and expecting different results.”

"At St. Stephen’s, the parish I serve, we decided to scrape the rust off tired, contentious, and unhealthy practices and dare to do church another way. In just 18 months, our attendance is up some 100 worshipers per Sunday, our monetary giving has increased by some 45 percent, and participation in our adult formation classes has increased by more than 100 percent. More importantly, St. Stephen’s has become a much more vibrant faith community because we have taken these five very practical roads to revival:"

And, now, the rest of the story

South Dakota Chapter/ American Anglican Council Press Release

The AAC/SDK has released the following report on conditions in the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota.

PRESS RELEASE


South Dakota
Press Release from the South Dakota Chapter
of the
American Anglican Council

March 7, 2007

Contacts:

Ingrid Dobrovolny, President - Email: aacsdk1@sio.midco.net
Scott Loftesness, Secretary - Email: aacsdk1@sio.midco.net - (phone
available upon request)

Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota Renounces Stated Values

The American Anglican Council (AAC) chapter of South Dakota (AAC/SDK) is
saddened to report that Bishop Creighton Robertson and the Standing
Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota have renounced previously
stated biblical and organizational values.

The bishop and standing committee have either voted against or failed to
vote consent for the consecration of Mark Lawrence as Bishop of South
Carolina. Bishop Robertson's "no" vote put him in a distinct minority in
the House of Bishops. The Standing Committee has imperiled the consent
process, which requires a majority of all diocesan standing committees to
give consent. The deadline for consents is early next week.

These actions are definite steps away from previously stated diocesan
values:

~~ In 2003, Bishop Robertson and the standing committee supported the
New Hampshire consecration of V. Gene Robinson, an openly practicing
homosexual, citing respect for the vote of the Diocese of New Hampshire over
any concerns about biblical standards or offense to other Christians.
Today, Bishop Robertson and the Standing Committee are refusing to apply the
same respect to the legal and overwhelming majority election of Mark
Lawrence in South Carolina, a more biblically traditional diocese.

~~ In 2006, South Dakota's diocesan convention passed a resolution
affirming the diocese as a "safe place" for people of diverse views,
specifically including biblically traditional Episcopalians. Bishop
Robertson subsequently expressed the opinion that the "safe place" only
applied to those who favor new cultural ideas over traditional biblical
teachings. He rejected requests to apply the "safe place" standard to the
South Carolina consent process.

~~ The mission statement of the Diocese of South Dakota is, "A Sacred
Circle of Love, Prayer and Service Gathered Around the Gospel." The current
actions of the bishop and standing committee show a profound lack of love,
prayer and service toward fellow Christians and reject the clear Gospel
teaching of Jesus, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them
do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12).

This deterioration of values and practice is just the latest in a pattern of
decay and decline in the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota and The Episcopal
Church (TEC) nationwide. TEC's own statistics show that the Diocese of South
Dakota experienced marked losses in both membership and actual worship
attendance from 1995 to 2005.

Link:

http://12.0.101.92/reports/PR_ChartsDemo/exports/ParishRPT_362007125835PM.pd
f

TEC, which provides about half of South Dakota's diocesan budget, recently
announced a budget shortfall of almost $4 million. The denomination is
suffering membership losses, and entire dioceses and congregations are
estranged from TEC due to its drift away from biblical, orthodox
Christianity. In addition, the worldwide Anglican Communion, the third
largest international Christian body at 78 million members, has given TEC a
Sept. 30, 2007 deadline to halt deviations from Anglican teaching and
practice and to provide supportive leadership for orthodox Anglicans who are
under duress from TEC revisionists.

AAC/SDK seeks to support the faithful witness of biblical, traditional
Anglican Christians around the state.

-End-

StandFirm's Sarah Hey Hits the Big Time!

Religion is not entirely a matter of what is natural. The Christian religion begins by affirming some unnatural propositions, among them the divinity of Christ. But it is to be expected that some men and women, driven by conscience and fidelity, should resist, day by day, the attenuation of the faith. There are churchmen who believe that to bring in new, secular crucibles in which to reshape religion does no strategic service, and ends by diluting creedal authority.

Thus says a telling paragraph in William F. Buckley's op-ed piece on the immanent schism in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

As Sarah says, it's one thing to be mentioned in the NY Times, as a religious conservative (generally in a highly negative sense); but her hero is WFB. Kudos to Sarah.

Ash Wednesday 2007

Almighty and Eternal God, who hates nothing that you have made, and who forgives the sins of all those who are penitent; create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-- AMiA 1662 proposed BCP

From Morning Prayer, Isaiah 58.1-3,

(1) Cry aloud, do not spare, lift up your voice like a ram's horn, and show My people their rebellion, and the house of Jacob their sins.
(2) Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and one who did not forget the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in drawing near to God.
(3) They say, Why have we fasted, and You do not see? Why have we afflicted our soul, and You take no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and crush all your laborers.

It may well be that we as a people have not really sought nor delighted in the law (Word) of the Lord.

Perhaps we take delight in drawing near to God for the wrong purpose...could it be that we pray, and weep, and seek His ordinances of justice...to justify our selves, our own desires and carnal interpretations?

Let us all lift our voices like a ram's horn and pray in the words of the Ash Wednesday Psalm selection from the 1662 lectionary and make this Psalm our prayer for the penitential season of Lent.

Psalms 143:1-12
(1) A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer O Jehovah; give ear to my supplications; * in Your faithfulness and in Your righteousness answer me.
(2) And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, * for in Your sight no one living is just.
(3) For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has beaten my life down to the ground; * he has made me dwell in darkness, as those long dead.
(4) And my spirit has fainted within me; * my heart has become weary within me.
(5) I remember the days of old; I think on all Your works; * I muse on the work of Your hands.
(6) I stretch forth my hands to You; * my soul thirsts after You like a thirsty land. Selah.
(7) Hear me quickly, O Jehovah; my spirit fails; * do not hide Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the Pit.
(8) Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for I do trust in You; * cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.
(9) Deliver me, O Jehovah, from my enemies; * I flee to You to hide me.
(10) Teach me to do Your will; for You are my God; * Your Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
(11) O Jehovah, for Your name's sake enliven me; * for Your righteousness' sake, bring my soul out of trouble.
(12) And out of Your mercy cut off my enemies, * and destroy all those who afflict my soul; for I am Your servant.

Bible or Cell Phone ?

(from an e-mail, Tim Fountain+, Good Shepherd, Sioux Falls)

Wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we spent an hour or more using it every day?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled?
What if we used it in case of an emergency?

This is something to make you go………
"Hmmmmmm…………where is my Bible?"


Oh, and a few more things - - - - - -
Unlike our cell phones:
One plan fits all
Unlimited usage
No roaming charges
No weak signals
And…………………

We don't ever have to worry about our Bible being disconnected or out of range because Jesus already paid the bill, and His service goes to the end of the world !!!!

Friday's Franciscan Prayers

The Franciscan Collect

O God, who opened the eyes of our holy father St. Francis to the vocation of service to you in this world; grant grace to all Franciscans, that we, being crucified with Christ, may show forth among men the radiance of His risen life, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns one God, world without end. Amen.

Collect for Friday

Almighty God, who has taught us that in the Name of Jesus Christ alone is salvation; mercifully grant that your faithful people, ever glorying in His Name, make make your salvation known to all the world. Amen.

--FODC ordo

Words to Live By--from Our Endangered Values

"I believe that anyone can be successful in life, regardless of natural talent or the environment within which we live. This is not based on measuring success by human competitiveness for wealth, possessions, influence, and fame, but adhering to God's standards of truth, justice, humility, service, compassion, forgiveness, and love."

--POTUS #39 (Jimmy Carter)

President Carter sounds rather much Franciscan here instead of moderate Baptist, or perhaps he has read the gnostic gospel of Thomas, 'The kingdom of God is within you. If you pick up a stone, it is there...'. At any rate, I recommend this book, (2005 publication, you have all probably read it already.)

"Cabbagetown" USA

From Destination God, my son's new church plant site in Atlanta, I post this lesson. As you read it, substitute 'The Episcopal (or any) Church' in place of the marriage metaphor.

Several other great articles have been posted in other sites, like the bcp1928.com site of Paul+ Taylor in Washington DC, a lot of anguished postings on the House of Bishops and Deputies list serv from the Episcopal 'power structure', so-called.

We will put up several of these as we can, and try to keep up with sound devotions from the Daily Office as well, just not on a daily basis right now.

God's peace to all who visit. We put up a counter last week and have really been surprised at the traffic. Thank you for visiting.

A Prayer for the President of the United States, and for all in Civil Authority.

O Lord, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty Ruler of the universe. who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; Most heartily we beseech thee, with thy favor to behold and bless thy servant The President of the United States, and all others in authority; and so replenish them with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that they may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant them in health and prosperity long to live; and, finally after this life, to attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"House Churches" on the Rise According to George Barna

The Barna Group has released a new study about house churches (of which we are) ...some very interesting satisfaction statistics.

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=255

While St. Francis Mission and the Anglican Mission to South Dakota do not completely fit all of the Barna Group's criteria for house churches, we are more close than not.

We do meet in a house (for now), we meet at least weekly, we have Bible study, fellowship, Mass, and generally a meal, we meet for 1 hour for worship and those who wish to stay for a fellowship snack, coffee, or meal do so.

We carry out a mission of service provision of hot meals, groceries, and clothing and lodging, to transients, and to the homeless and needy of our community on an as-needed basis, often daily.

We seek to serve God and man, as we learn more of Him.

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-collect for Epiphany Octave, 1928 BCP

We Are Blessed!

Morning Prayer, January 8, 1928 BCP

From the first verses of three of the readings for this morning we find:

From Psalm 1, “Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, * and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.”

From Psalm 3, “Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! * many are they that rise against me.”

From Proverbs 1, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

Hey, wait just a minute, preacher! What do you mean we are blessed? Where is blessing when scripture speaks of our increased troubles? Where is blessing when we live in the midst of sinners, scornful, ungodly troublesome people? Child of God, blessing comes from avoiding the ways of the sinners, the scornful, the troublers, those who despise wisdom and instruction, those whose god is their belly, those who seek the pleasures and powers of the world and its master, Satan

Blessing comes from obeying the Word of God, the instruction of godly fathers, following the law of obedient mothers, from patience in these tumultuous times. Remember, the ‘chains around our necks’ are not iron and bronze chains of slavery and oppression; rather, they are chains of fine beaten gold to adorn us in the Kingdom.

Blessing comes from the sure knowledge that we have of God through His Word, through the leading of His Spirit, through the office of His Son, Jesus, the Christ, as our Redeemer and soon coming King. Don’t be enticed to evil in these evil last days…consent not! Blessing comes through acting in His name, seeking and performing His will, obeying His Word. Period!

God bless you today, and every day, as you seek His face and will for your life. Amen.

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-collect for Epiphany Octave, 1928 BCP

O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-collect for the First Sunday after the Epiphany, 1928 BCP

1st Sunday after the Epiphany

Epistle 1928 BCP Mass

Romans 12:1-5 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

What better time is there for us to make a move toward repentance and amendment of life, than the Sunday following the Feast of the Epiphany – that time when God through Christ, the Light of the world, came to us to illumine our pathways and to reveal our shortcomings and sins.

Yes, we have sin in our lives; all of us, every day, transgress against the Word of God. However, we have in His Word, the means through His Grace, to lay aside that awful weight of sin, because that Word tells us in verse 2, to be transformed to that perfected will of God, and not to conform to the ways of the world.

Verse 4 tells us that we, who believe, are members of His body, the Church; yet not all are the same in the body. We each have our own unique gifts to bring, our own service to offer, our own niche to fill in His kingdom.

But yet, not all whom we know will have a place, only those who have purposed in their heart to submit to His will, to obey His Word, to receive Him into their lives as Lord and Master.

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-collect for Epiphany Octave, 1928 BCP

O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-collect for the First Sunday after the Epiphany, 1928 BCP

Feast of the Epiphany (Twelfth Day of Christmas)

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (KJV)

My little children, we did not cause the light to shine, God did. Many today are feeling self-actualized in their ‘theology’, they have convinced themselves and others around them, that they are the enlightenment of their souls and minds, that they have the answers within themselves for life’s problems, that their brand of social interaction and good works is sufficient unto salvation.

But we know better, as we search the Scripture for God’s plan for our lives, His plan for our interactions. Remember the summary of the law from the Mass:

‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets’.

Too many have perverted these words of Christ to mean that we should love all men, everywhere, and love and accept their sin; that we should work solely to provide for men’s creature comforts and uphold their sinful habits and ways; that we should include everyone, and not those who are unrepentant and fail to accept the mercies of God through Christ for their saving.

We all are sinners, saved by the Grace of God through the shed Blood of Christ; the main difference being that we recognize our sins, bewail them, confess them, repent from them, and accept His sacrifice for them. May we ever be aware of the gift that was given for us, for the Light that shone forth on that first great Epiphany, that ‘Star of Wonder, Star of Light, Star of Heavenly Beauty Bright’, that shone for us, to light our way through our very own dark and dreary world.

May His Grace + rest upon us as we honor His work for us this Octave of the Epiphany.


O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-collect for Epiphany Octave, 1928 BCP

Words to live by

1Jn 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
…
1Jn 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (KJV)

Words, truly, to live by. In these times of some manner of confusion about the person, work, efficacy, and deity of Jesus, whom we call the Christ, this chapter proves the reconciliation provided by God through the Passion of our Lord.

God, in His great mercy, gives us verses like today’s Morning Prayer lesson (1928 BCP lectionary) to remind us that we do matter, we do belong, someone does care for us, we are special!

All we must do is keep His commandments, love Him, and acknowledge Him.

Which brings us to the last verse in the small chapter, verse 21,

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

How sweet to be called the children of God! How tender to know that He is in control, no matter what is happening around us…in our personal lives, in our families, in our churches, in our small worlds; He is there for us, if we only trust Him, if we only love Him, if we only obey Him…and not our own ideas and notions of what might be good, or comfortable, or fun in our lives, according to our own small self image…obey Him.

Father, as Christ brought the little children to Himself, receive us unto yourself, that you might guide us, protect us, and bring into your perfect peace, In the Name of Him who died for the atonement for our sins, and lives now to reconcile us, Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen.

January 4, Morning Prayer

Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

As we look into the new calendar year, this verse speaks particularly to our hearts in western South Dakota. God is indeed doing a 'new thing', not in the sense of a grand new 'revelation' for that canon is closed; but in the sense of recreating His Church for His Glory.
In a physical sense, we are looking for rain, yet in a spiritual sense, the rain (the latter rain) is already falling already, and we are being soaked in His love and peace, even in the midst of troublesome times.
A song we used to sing in another church years ago went like this:

Troublesome times are here,
Filling men's hearts with fear.
Freedoms we all hold dear
Now are at stake.
Humble your hearts to God,
Free from the chastening rod.
Seek the way pilgrims trod,
Christians awake!

How true it is that the times of our discontent are upon us; but God already has a plan in motion, He will not suffer His children to be lost, if we will just wait on Him.

"I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. " Believe this, and praise God.

Launch of AAC/SDK

The South Dakota Chapter of the American Anglican Council is set to launch. The by-laws are in process of final edit before filing with the SD Department of State, officers and directors are in process of being nominated.

Fr. Timothy Fountain, rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Sioux Falls is the motive force and coordinator of the effort to start a Chapter in the Northern Plains.

Plans include a web page which will target Anglican issues in the Northern Plains area, particularly South Dakota issues of Church and community, and a 'chat area', to allow dissemination of information and discussion pertinent to the area's Anglican work.

Directors and officers will be selected from across the state to insure representation for 'east river', west river', and mid-state conservative Anglicans within the chapter organization.

For more information, contact
Fr. Fountain at 605-332-1474 or tfountain@sio.midco.net; or
Dcn Chip Johnson at 605-745-5586 or sdanglican@gwtc.net.