A Look Inside: Congo Community School Project As the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) began looking at new projects for 2012, numerous factors came into play ranging from the long-term sustainability and the evangelism component to the risks and, importantly, where the need is most dire. Click here to read about new projects in need of funding for 2012.  That’s exactly why the Democratic Republic of Congo has been an area of focus in 2010-11. “The Archbishops who serve as our trustees pointed to Congo as an area of the most need; it’s where the least of the least are,” said Nancy Norton, executive director of ARDF. It’s also an area where ARDF has been able to work with great success. ARDF Results for the Glory of God: The Lwanwa Primary School Project One example is a community school project in the Anglican Diocese of Bukavu that ARDF embraced. Decades of conflict destroyed communities, families and infrastructure leaving a lack of educational facilities in the wake of the violence. Churches became key partners in the efforts to rebuild schools. The Diocese of Bukavu is credited with teaching Christian values to students in its 131 schools. While teachers are paid by the government, the Diocese is responsible for most of the operating expenses. A great need was put forth for the reconstruction of the Lwanwa Primary School in Walungu district (population of roughly 7,000), Bukavu. And with the blessing of its trustees, ARDF began fundraising just over $60,000 to meet the construction planning needs, which included building new permanent classrooms, water tanks and pit latrines. As stated by ARDF, the goal was to increase enrollment, help protect children, improve teacher retention and provide safe and clean facilities for classes, vaccinations, national examinations and a place to share God’s Word. The ARDF’s impact report on the project put the amazing results in perspective: The 18-month project has completely transformed the school - from temporary, grass-thatched classrooms to nine new permanent classrooms, a large 12,000 liter water tank and six new toilets (pit latrines). Student enrollment has tripled since the completion of school, from 212 students when the project began in 2008, to 459 a year later and a total of 630 students in 2010. Five additional teachers have been hired, bringing the total to nine full-time teachers. In addition, due to the infrastructure and facility funding ARDF provided, the school attracted another donor, the United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP). “Due to the fact that we built the water wells and the latrines, that allowed the school to leverage those resources for the food aid, strengthening the children’s ability to learn,” said Norton. The UNWFP’s involvement resulted in a school feeding project, which has allowed children who are assured of one meal a day the opportunity to worry less about being hungry and concentrate more on their school work. The school director decided to diversify food menus by growing a variety of vegetables in an on-site garden. The six local women who were selected to help cook meals for the kids also receive a package of about 37 kg of food, which they can use to feed their own families or trade to meet their family’s needs. The utility of the school has now expanded far beyond education and is focal point for the entire community, offering everything from vaccinations to health and agricultural classes for adult residents. Get Involved ARDF is engaging in inspiring work like the Lwanwa School Project around the globe. The organization’s mission reflects “God’s call to go to the ends of the earth. He told us to take care of our brothers and sisters not just in Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, or Florida, but all over the world,” said Norton. Individuals, churches and whole dioceses are invited to make world mission a part of their DNA through ARDF. For instance, one unique way congregations engaging in a building campaign can give is to designate a portion of their building fund for a bricks and mortar project in the Global South. Churches even have the ability to pick out specific elements of a project they’d like to fund, such as roofing. We urge you to prayerfully consider how you can support the work of ARDF as it strives to answer the call of Matthew 25:40: “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” To learn more about ARDF, visit www.AnglicanAid.net. To donate, click here. Photo captions (top to bottom): Students in a newly built and furnished classroom; Students gather for the dedication of the school; The expanded school made it possible for the school’s enrollment to triple; Women selected by the Teacher Parents Association help cook meals for the kids. Credit: Jacques Birugue

Events Held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Tallahassee, Fla. During the week of January 30, Anglican Church in North America leaders from across the continent descended on Tallahassee, Fla., for meetings involving the Executive Committee and the Archbishop’s Cabinet. The Anglican Relief and Development Fund also held board meetings on site. St. Peter’s Anglican Church served as the gracious host parish for the events. The Executive Committee is comprised of clergy and laity and serves as the Board of Directors for the Anglican Church in its capacity as a non-profit corporation. It provides temporal oversight for the Church and ongoing governance between Provincial Council meetings. The Archbishop’s Cabinet includes bishops, priests and laypeople who serve as advisers on issues within the province and the wider Anglican Communion.   Among the highlights from the meetings, Bishop Bill Thompson of the Diocese of Western Anglicans reported on the great progress being made on the Liturgy and Common Worship Task Force. The goal is to have the liturgies that are being developed ready for use in our worship together at Assembly 2012 in Ridgecrest, N.C.  The Anglican Relief and Development Fund also made a report to the Executive Committee and Cabinet on the funding needs for new and pending projects. ARDF’s Executive Director, Canon Nancy Norton, noted that if each Anglican Church in North America parish donated $500 each year, that would provide half a million dollars each year to invest in relief and development throughout the Communion.  Numerous other items also were covered at the meetings, including major events such as Provincial Assembly this summer and the GAFCON leadership conference in London in April. Reports were delivered on other Provincial initiatives as well, including: Anglican 1000, the Catechesis Task Force, the Ecumenical Relations Task Force, and the Islam Task Force. Those in attendance also heard from our Ministry Partners at the American Anglican Council, the Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas and Forward in Faith North America, as well as reports from administrative committees dealing with items ranging from finances and development to personnel and governance. Despite the full agenda, the meetings were punctuated throughout the day with times of prayer for those in leadership and for all the faithful in the Anglican Church in North America. Attendees, members of St. Peter’s, and guests from the local community were also able to participate in a special evening worship service on Tuesday, January 31. During the service, Archbishop Duncan delivered a powerful address titled “Our Experience, Our Proclamation, and Our Mission” that is relevant to the whole Province. Click play below to view the video: For more information on the meetings, and access to additional media including photos and a local NPR radio interview with Archbishop Duncan and Bishop Neil Lebhar of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese, click here. Photo Captions: Website Home Page - Executive Committee gathers in Tallahassee. Story body (top to bottom): Bishop Charlie Masters of the Anglican Network in Canada, Archbishop Robert Duncan, Father Eric Dudley, Rector of St. Peter’s; Tina Campbell, Director of Parish Life Ministries/Communications at St. Peter’s, leader of the volunteer team for the Provincial meetings; Archbishop Duncan, Bishop Neil Lebhar and Father Eric Dudley following a blessing of the land for the new location of St. Peter’s. Photo Credit: John Schmidt, photographer for St. Peter’s.

Archbishop Duncan Issues Statement Responding to Recent Attack on Religious Liberty Archbishop Robert Duncan released the following statement in support of the Catholic Church’s fight to maintain freedom of conscience in the midst of the U.S. federal government issuing a preventive care mandate in violation of its teaching. “The Anglican Church in North America stands by our Catholic brothers and sisters as followers of Christ in a nation whose Constitution guarantees ‘the free exercise’ of religion.  As Christians, our faith and doctrine are at the very heart of our service to others in our community.  Therefore, it is extremely troubling to see our government mandate services contrary to Catholic Church teaching.  I call on all members of the Anglican Church to stand by our Catholic brothers and sisters, and pray for our elected officials to have the courage to stand up for religious freedom and overturn this mandate,” said Archbishop Duncan. Sign the Manhattan Declaration petition to defend religious liberty here.

Archbishop Duncan Issues Statement Responding to Recent Attack on Religious Liberty Archbishop Robert Duncan released the following statement in support of the Catholic Church’s fight to maintain freedom of conscience in the midst of the U.S. federal government issuing a preventive care mandate in violation of its teaching. “The Anglican Church in North America stands by our Catholic brothers and sisters as followers of Christ in a nation whose Constitution guarantees ‘the free exercise’ of religion.  As Christians, our faith and doctrine are at the very heart of our service to others in our community.  Therefore, it is extremely troubling to see our government mandate services contrary to Catholic Church teaching.  I call on all members of the Anglican Church to stand by our Catholic brothers and sisters, and pray for our elected officials to have the courage to stand up for religious freedom and overturn this mandate,” said Archbishop Duncan. Sign the Manhatten Declaration petition to defend religious liberty here.

Church Plant Leader Describes Bringing “Christ’s Light” to “Dark Side” of Texas Town Grace Anglican Church is an Anglican church plant, started by Christ Church Midland, TX, and is a member of the Anglican Church of North America and the Anglican Fellowship of the Southwest, a grouping of Anglican churches in Texas and New Mexico. Grace Anglican Church’s worship leader, The Rev. Craig Brown, describes the remarkable work this tiny church plant has accomplished in just one year and where they believe God is taking them in the year ahead. Take Me For A Ride God took us on quite a journey in 2011. We started the year as a small group worshiping in the Anglican way, but with no clear sense of what else God might have in mind for us. Was that the full extent of our purpose, the only reason God had called Grace Anglican into existence? We did not know. But we were willing to listen. Early in the year, I began to work with Fr. Tom Herrick, a church planting coach. Fr. Tom came to Lubbock and led us through an intensive “Church Plant Boot Camp”, designed to help us discover the identity and work God had for us. You know the saying – “be careful what you pray for, you just might get it.” God showed us that He had a big plan for us – far bigger than we could have imagined on our own. He was calling us to become a community of missionaries to the most broken people of Lubbock, a call that would require us to commit fully to a life of hard-core discipleship and hard-core ministry. He was calling us not to hide behind the walls of a sanctuary, but to dive in, to go right into the heart of Lubbock’s dark side, and bring Christ’s light – especially to children, so that God could raise up a new generation of men and women after His own heart. We’re On A Mission From God So, we began our work. Since the summer, we have: • Adopted a neighborhood in one of the hardest-hit areas of the city. One of our members has bought a home there and moved in, and we are holding worship services there on Sundays. We have engaged in prayer ministry throughout the neighborhood, offering prayer to anyone who desires it. • Taken two deeply broken families into our fold, befriending them, providing for housing and other material needs, joining them in the midst of numerous crises, and opening the way for God to transform their lives. • Started a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in the neighborhood’s middle school, which is also the roughest middle school in the city. This gives us the opportunity to connect with the very youth that are being recruited into gangs, drugs, and all sorts of other destructive behaviors. With nearly 33% of the school taking part in the club, it is the largest FCA in Lubbock. • Involved ourselves in the neighborhood’s elementary school, investing time weekly with children in multiple classes, again with the goal of building trusting, meaningful relationships that can open doors into broken homes. • Embedded ourselves in the Lubbock County Detention Center, teaching classes and reaching out to the inmates there, many of whom have helped create the destruction in the neighborhood to which we are called. • Built connections with individuals and service providers (from hospitals, police, and government officials to concerned citizens, activists, and other churches) that are already involved in the community to which we are called, with an eye for coordinating our efforts. • Engaged in intensive discipleship, with the realization that we live and minister not through our own strength, but through the strength of the One Who lives within us (Eph 3:20). • Worked to develop an internal organizational structure that can fully support the kind of life and ministry to which we are called, including developing a leadership culture that thinks, decides, and acts based on intensive prayer; and developing a “rule of life” suitable to a community of missionaries. Onward and Upward If last year was busy, this year looks to be even busier, as we move out from here and go to the next level. In 2012, we are: • Entering “phase 2” with the FCA, moving the large group into small groups and engaging in an eight-week discipleship program, focusing particularly in leadership formation, preparing them for mission in their neighborhood and in the world (we are planning an overseas mission trip this summer), developing a special “FCA Church” for those students who do not have a church home, and building relationships with the students’ parents. • Seeking to develop a team of men from across Lubbock who will strategically target the men of the community to which we are called, with the goal of redeeming the radically broken masculinity that is evident there. To make this possible, we are working with the leadership of Marked Men For Christ, a powerful and catalytic international men’s ministry, to establish that ministry here. • Seeking opportunities to connect with the vibrant college community here, recognizing that college students can be particularly powerful missionaries when God takes hold of their hearts. • Engaging in deeper discipleship practices, further developing a life of prayer, meditation, scripture study, spiritual formation, and accountable relationships with one another. To Wrap Up This is an exciting ministry, and an exciting season in this ministry. God has called, we have committed, and an amazing journey has begun. We are coming to know the heart of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit as never before. And “going to church” has never been more meaningful. Our challenges are two-fold. First, we have more opportunities than we have people. We are hoping that in this next year we will connect with more and more people who desire to grow deeply in discipleship and mission, and who will join us in community. As we grow, we will be able to be more and more impactful in the lives of the people to whom we are called. Your help through prayer, finances, or other means is much appreciated. If you would like more information about how to help Grace Anglican Church continue God’s work in its community, please contact Fr. Craig Brown at or (806) 283-6523. For more information on Grace Anglican Church, visit www.graceanglicanchurch.org Photo caption: Fr. Craig Brown (right) speaks to young members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Church of England General Synod Report Encourages “Open-Ended Engagement” The General Synod, the national assembly of the Church of England, released a report this week providing further clarity on its working relationship with the Anglican Church in North America, and encouraged an “open-ended engagement with ACNA on the part of the Church of England and the (Anglican) Communion.” “We are encouraged by the desire of the Church of England to continue to embrace the Anglican Church in North America and remain in solidarity with us as we proclaim the Gospel message and truth as revealed in Scripture in the way it has always been understood in Anglican formularies,” said Archbishop Duncan. The Church of England General Synod report can be viewed here. “As we have demonstrated successfully to the GAFCON primates, the Anglican Church in North America remains committed to our growing relationships with Anglican provinces outside of North America. Our biblical orthodoxy and ministries are strengthening our bond to our Anglican brothers and sisters around the globe. We are gratified that we are already in a relationship of full communion with many Anglican Provinces and look forward to expanding that circle.” “In that regard, we appreciate the work of the Faith and Order Commission of the Church of England, whose report and recommendations to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York form the basis of the document now released for General Synod, and whose content substantially advances the same ends with the Church of England,” concluded Archbishop Duncan. In July 2009, a resolution was brought forth to the Church of England’s General Synod to recognize its common faith and fellowship with the growing Anglican Church in North America. The following February, 2010, representatives and ecumenical friends of the Anglican Church in North America shared directly with the General Synod the vision of the church for reaching North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ.  At the 2010 meeting, the General Synod first affirmed the Anglican Church in North America’s desire “to remain within the Anglican family.”

Click to watch the video.

Event Will Highlight Models to Help Church Plants and Small Churches Reach Teens for Christ In response to the call to all of the Anglican Church in North America to renew crucial ministry to adolescents, the Young Anglicans Project was formed in April 2011 to reach teenagers for Christ. As part of that effort, the Young Anglicans Project is hosting a Church Plant and Small Church Youth Ministry Conference at Christ Church in Plano, Texas, on March 5-6, just prior to this year’s Anglican 1000 Church Planting Summit. While traditional church youth ministry relies on large groups and paid youth ministry staff, this exciting conference will highlight alternative models for youth ministry that take advantage of the strengths of church plants and small churches to reach and disciple teenagers for Jesus Christ. There is no question that the models that work for large church youth ministry differ from the effective models for smaller churches. The cost for the conference is only $50, with a $20 discount for those registered for Anglican 1000 Summit. Registration can be completed by clicking here. This conference has already received wide interest from the various orthodox Anglican jurisdictions of North America. Sayward Elliott, coordinator for student ministries for the Anglican Mission in the Americas said, “This pre-conference [to the Anglican 1000 Summit] is critical for the future of our Anglican congregations. I highly recommend this for all church planters and small churches with no functioning youth ministry.” The Rt. Rev’d Dr. Felix Orji, Bishop in the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, wrote, “In this time of transition, it’s vitally important that we not lose focus on reaching our teenagers. I highly recommend this conference to anyone concerned about youth ministry.” About the Young Anglicans Project The Young Anglicans Project began when a group of Anglican youth ministry professionals, practitioners and academics got together at All Saints’ Church in Dale City, Va. This group, hosted by The Rev. Daniel Morgan, rector of All Saints’, and led by The Rev. Dr. Jack Gabig, former director of the Children and Youth Initiative for the Anglican Communion Network, and The Rev. Steven Tighe, saw a need for an organization dedicated to making youth ministry thrive in Anglican churches in North America. The research about the need for youth ministry is clear: The average age of conversion to Christ is about 15-years-old. Close to 80% of the people in our pews today made the decision that put them there before the age of 21. Denominations that reach their teenagers grow; denominations that do not decline. Reaching adolescents is crucial, not only for the short-term health of our churches, but for the long-term health of biblical, orthodox Anglicanism in North America. Indeed, Archbishop Duncan identified ministry to the young as one of the critical emphases of the Anglican Church in North America. We hope you’ll support this effort by praying for the Young Anglican movement and joining us for the upcoming March conference.

Event Will Highlight Models to Help Church Plants and Small Churches Reach Teens for Christ In response to the call to all of the Anglican Church in North America to renew crucial ministry to adolescents, the Young Anglicans Project was formed in April 2011 to reach teenagers for Christ. As part of that effort, the Young Anglicans Project is hosting a Church Plant and Small Church Youth Ministry Conference at Christ Church in Plano, Texas, on March 5-6, just prior to this year’s Anglican 1000 Church Planting Summit. While traditional church youth ministry relies on large groups and paid youth ministry staff, this exciting conference will highlight alternative models for youth ministry that take advantage of the strengths of church plants and small churches to reach and disciple teenagers for Jesus Christ. There is no question that the models that work for large church youth ministry differ from the effective models for smaller churches. The cost for the conference is only $50, with a $20 discount for those registered for Anglican 1000 Summit. Registration can be completed by clicking here. This conference has already received wide interest from the various orthodox Anglican jurisdictions of North America. Sayward Elliott, coordinator for student ministries for the Anglican Mission in the Americas said, “This pre-conference [to the Anglican 1000 Summit] is critical for the future of our Anglican congregations. I highly recommend this for all church planters and small churches with no functioning youth ministry.” The Rt. Rev’d Dr. Felix Orji, Bishop in the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, wrote, “In this time of transition, it’s vitally important that we not lose focus on reaching our teenagers. I highly recommend this conference to anyone concerned about youth ministry.” About the Young Anglicans Project The Young Anglicans Project began when a group of Anglican youth ministry professionals, practitioners and academics got together at All Saints’ Church in Dale City, Va. This group, hosted by the Rev. Daniel Morgan, rector of All Saints’, and led by the Rev. Dr. Jack Gabig, former director of the Children and Youth Initiative for the Anglican Communion Network, and the Rev. Steven Tighe, saw a need for an organization dedicated to making youth ministry thrive in Anglican churches in North America. The research about the need for youth ministry is clear: The average age of conversion to Christ is about 15-years-old. Close to 80% of the people in our pews today made the decision that put them there before the age of 21. Denominations that reach their teenagers grow; denominations that do not decline. Reaching adolescents is crucial, not only for the short-term health of our churches, but for the long-term health of biblical, orthodox Anglicanism in North America. Indeed, Archbishop Duncan identified ministry to the young as one of the critical emphases of the Anglican Church in North America. We hope you’ll support this effort by praying for the Young Anglican movement and joining us for the upcoming March conference.

Event Will Highlight Models to Help Church Plants and Small Churches Reach Teens for Christ In response to the call to all of the Anglican Church in North America to renew crucial ministry to adolescents, the Young Anglicans Project was formed in April 2011 to reach teenagers for Christ. As part of that effort, the Young Anglicans Project is hosting a Church Plant and Small Church Youth Ministry Conference at Christ Church in Plano, Texas, on March 5-6, just prior to this year’s Anglican 1000 Church Planting Summit. While traditional church youth ministry relies on large groups and paid youth ministry staff, this exciting conference will highlight alternative models for youth ministry that take advantage of the strengths of church plants and small churches to reach and disciple teenagers for Jesus Christ. There is no question that the models that work for large church youth ministry differ from the effective models for smaller churches. The cost for the conference is only $50, with a $20 discount for those registered for Anglican 1000 Summit. Registration can be completed by clicking here. This conference has already received wide interest from the various orthodox Anglican jurisdictions of North America. Sayward Elliott, coordinator for student ministries for the Anglican Mission in the Americas said, “This pre-conference [to the Anglican 1000 Summit] is critical for the future of our Anglican congregations. I highly recommend this for all church planters and small churches with no functioning youth ministry.” The Rt. Rev’d Dr. Felix Orji, Bishop in the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, wrote, “In this time of transition, it’s vitally important that we not lose focus on reaching our teenagers. I highly recommend this conference to anyone concerned about youth ministry.” About the Young Anglicans Project The Young Anglicans Project began when a group of Anglican youth ministry professionals, practitioners and academics got together at All Saints’ Church in Dale City, Va. This group, hosted by the Rev. Daniel Morgan, rector of All Saints’, and led by the Rev. Dr. Jack Gabig, former director of the Children and Youth Initiative for the Anglican Communion Network, and the Rev. Steven Tighe, saw a need for an organization dedicated to making youth ministry thrive in Anglican churches in North America. The research about the need for youth ministry is clear: The average age of conversion to Christ is about 15-years-old. Close to 80% of the people in our pews today made the decision that put them there before the age of 21. Denominations that reach their teenagers grow; denominations that do not decline. Reaching adolescents is crucial, not only for the short-term health of our churches, but for the long-term health of biblical, orthodox Anglicanism in North America. Indeed, Archbishop Duncan identified ministry to the young as one of the critical emphases of the Anglican Church in North America. We hope you’ll support this effort by praying for the Young Anglican movement and joining us for the upcoming March conference.

Event Will Highlight Models to Help Church Plants and Small Churches Reach Teens for Christ In response to the call to all of the Anglican Church in North America to renew crucial ministry to adolescents, the Young Anglicans Project was formed in April 2011 to reach teenagers for Christ. As part of that effort, the Young Anglicans Project is hosting a Church Plant and Small Church Youth Ministry Conference at Christ Church in Plano, Texas, on March 5-6, just prior to this year’s Anglican 1000 Church Planting Summit. While traditional church youth ministry relies on large groups and paid youth ministry staff, this exciting conference will highlight alternative models for youth ministry that take advantage of the strengths of church plants and small churches to reach and disciple teenagers for Jesus Christ. There is no question that the models that work for large church youth ministry differ from the effective models for smaller churches. The cost for the conference is only $50, with a $20 discount for those registered for Anglican 1000 Summit. Registration can be completed by clicking here. This conference has already received wide interest from the various orthodox Anglican jurisdictions of North America. Sayward Elliott, coordinator for student ministries for the Anglican Mission in the Americas said, “This pre-conference [to the Anglican 1000 Summit] is critical for the future of our Anglican congregations. I highly recommend this for all church planters and small churches with no functioning youth ministry.” The Rt. Rev’d Dr. Felix Orji, Bishop in the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, wrote, “In this time of transition, it’s vitally important that we not lose focus on reaching our teenagers. I highly recommend this conference to anyone concerned about youth ministry.” About the Young Anglicans Project The Young Anglicans Project began when a group of Anglican youth ministry professionals, practitioners and academics got together at All Saints’ Church in Dale City, Va. This group, hosted by the Rev. Daniel Morgan, rector of All Saints’, and led by the Rev. Dr. Jack Gabig, former director of the Children and Youth Initiative for the Anglican Communion Network, and the Rev. Steven Tighe, saw a need for an organization dedicated to making youth ministry thrive in Anglican churches in North America. The research about the need for youth ministry is clear: The average age of conversion to Christ is about 15-years-old. Close to 80% of the people in our pews today made the decision that put them there before the age of 21. Denominations that reach their teenagers grow; denominations that do not decline. Reaching adolescents is crucial, not only for the short-term health of our churches, but for the long-term health of biblical, orthodox Anglicanism in North America. Indeed, Archbishop Duncan identified ministry to the young as one of the critical emphases of the Anglican Church in North America. We hope you’ll support this effort by praying for the Young Anglican movement and joining us for the upcoming March conference.

Going Deeper: How to Plant and Grow Anglican Churches Both clergy and laity are invited to gather at Christ Church in Plano, Texas, on March 6-8 for Anglican 1000’s 2012 Church Planting Summit. The event will seek to answer the question: What type of DNA is needed to plant, grow and multiply new Anglican churches and communities of faith in North America? Several Anglican leaders, including Archbishop Duncan, will be featured speakers at the event. Click here for more information or to register. An early registration discount is available through January 31. Learn more about the event by reading a Q&A with the Rev. Daniel Adkinson, executive director of Anglican 1000: 1. What is the theme and focus of this year’s Anglican 1000 Church Planting Summit? The primary theme of this year’s Summit is going deeper. At the first two gatherings, we came together to encourage each other that we should really be doing this work of planting churches! This year, we’ll think much more about what it means to be planting and growing these Anglican churches. We think that new church plants, church replants and growing congregations should all share a common Anglican DNA. We’ll be exploring that together at Summit 2012. 2. In the past, attendees have been very encouraged by field reports. Will that be a part of this year’s Summit? Absolutely, we’ll hear from church planters from across North America! We’ll also be hearing from others involved in the work of church planting, including rectors whose congregations have birthed daughter congregations and leaders of some of the great partner organizations supporting Anglican church planting here in North America. 3. Is the event purely for church planters who are pastors or would lay people benefit as well? Many denominations adopt a church planting strategy that involves a church planting “arm” of the group. Rather than being an arm, we feel that we are called to be a church planting “body” here in North America with everyone being a part of the work of church planting. When our Archbishop called for the planting of 1,000 congregations, I was sitting on the front row at Christ Church Plano. He said this, “In the next five years, I want us to plant 1,000 new churches…we can do that and we can help each other do that…some will plant many, but there shouldn’t be any among us who aren’t trying to plant some.” This is a work we are doing together. We hope that all who are committed to this vision feel included and know they are invited to come be a part of Summit 2012! 4. What are you most looking forward to about the event? I always enjoy the fellowship, the worship and time to pray for one another and this vital work in the Anglican Church, but I’m most looking forward to seeing our church planters. It is so encouraging to hear about the work they are doing all around North America. 5. How is the Lord working through Anglican 1000 and how can the Anglican Church in North America continue to pray for the movement? The Lord is continuing to faithfully raise up new leaders and new congregations throughout North America. He has continued to use Anglican 1000 to serve and encourage all of this amazing work. However, we’re not the ones actually doing this work; the work is being done by the Anglican Church! Our bishops, clergy, and people are continuing to step out in faith to raise up new congregations to reach North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ! We need to be praying for this missionary work—that it would become embedded in our DNA as Anglican Christians.

Going Deeper: How to Plant and Grow Anglican Churches Both clergy and laity are invited to gather at Christ Church in Plano, Texas, on March 6-8 for Anglican 1000’s 2012 Church Planting Summit. The event will seek to answer the question: What type of DNA is needed to plant, grow and multiply new Anglican churches and communities of faith in North America? Several Anglican leaders, including Archbishop Duncan, will be featured speakers at the event. Click here for more information or to register. An early registration discount is available through January 31. Learn more about the event by reading a Q&A with the Rev. Daniel Adkinson, executive director of Anglican 1000: 1. What is the theme and focus of this year’s Anglican 1000 Church Planting Summit? The primary theme of this year’s Summit is going deeper. At the first two gatherings, we came together to encourage each other that we should really be doing this work of planting churches! This year, we’ll think much more about what it means to be planting and growing these Anglican churches. We think that new church plants, church replants and growing congregations should all share a common Anglican DNA. We’ll be exploring that together at Summit 2012. 2. In the past, attendees have been very encouraged by field reports. Will that be a part of this year’s Summit? Absolutely, we’ll hear from church planters from across North America! We’ll also be hearing from others involved in the work of church planting, including rectors whose congregations have birthed daughter congregations and leaders of some of the great partner organizations supporting Anglican church planting here in North America. 3. Is the event purely for church planters who are pastors or would lay people benefit as well? Many denominations adopt a church planting strategy that involves a church planting “arm” of the group. Rather than being an arm, we feel that we are called to be a church planting “body” here in North America with everyone being a part of the work of church planting. When our Archbishop called for the planting of 1,000 congregations, I was sitting on the front row at Christ Church Plano. He said this, “In the next five years, I want us to plant 1,000 new churches…we can do that and we can help each other do that…some will plant many, but there shouldn’t be any among us who aren’t trying to plant some.” This is a work we are doing together. We hope that all who are committed to this vision feel included and know they are invited to come be a part of Summit 2012! 4. What are you most looking forward to about the event? I always enjoy the fellowship, the worship and time to pray for one another and this vital work in the Anglican Church, but I’m most looking forward to seeing our church planters. It is so encouraging to hear about the work they are doing all around North America. 5. How is the Lord working through Anglican 1000 and how can the Anglican Church in North America continue to pray for the movement? The Lord is continuing to faithfully raise up new leaders and new congregations throughout North America. He has continued to use Anglican 1000 to serve and encourage all of this amazing work. However, we’re not the ones actually doing this work; the work is being done by the Anglican Church! Our bishops, clergy, and people are continuing to step out in faith to raise up new congregations to reach North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ! We need to be praying for this missionary work—that it would become embedded in our DNA as Anglican Christians.

Going Deeper: How to Plant and Grow Anglican Churches Both clergy and laity are invited to gather at Christ Church in Plano, Texas, on March 6-8 for Anglican 1000’s 2012 Church Planting Summit. The event will seek to answer the question: What type of DNA is needed to plant, grow and multiply new Anglican churches and communities of faith in North America? Several Anglican leaders, including Archbishop Duncan, will be featured speakers at the event. Click here for more information or to register. An early registration discount is available through January 31. Learn more about the event by reading a Q&A with The Rev. Daniel Adkinson, executive director of Anglican 1000: 1. What is the theme and focus of this year’s Anglican 1000 Church Planting Summit? The primary theme of this year’s Summit is going deeper. At the first two gatherings, we came together to encourage each other that we should really be doing this work of planting churches! This year, we’ll think much more about what it means to be planting and growing these Anglican churches. We think that new church plants, church replants and growing congregations should all share a common Anglican DNA. We’ll be exploring that together at Summit 2012. 2. In the past, attendees have been very encouraged by field reports. Will that be a part of this year’s Summit? Absolutely, we’ll hear from church planters from across North America! We’ll also be hearing from others involved in the work of church planting, including rectors whose congregations have birthed daughter congregations and leaders of some of the great partner organizations supporting Anglican church planting here in North America. 3. Is the event purely for church planters who are pastors or would lay people benefit as well? Many denominations adopt a church planting strategy that involves a church planting “arm” of the group. Rather than being an arm, we feel that we are called to be a church planting “body” here in North America with everyone being a part of the work of church planting. When our Archbishop called for the planting of 1,000 congregations, I was sitting on the front row at Christ Church Plano. He said this, “In the next five years, I want us to plant 1,000 new churches…we can do that and we can help each other do that…some will plant many, but there shouldn’t be any among us who aren’t trying to plant some.” This is a work we are doing together. We hope that all who are committed to this vision feel included and know they are invited to come be a part of Summit 2012! 4. What are you most looking forward to about the event? I always enjoy the fellowship, the worship and time to pray for one another and this vital work in the Anglican Church, but I’m most looking forward to seeing our church planters. It is so encouraging to hear about the work they are doing all around North America. 5. How is the Lord working through Anglican 1000 and how can the Anglican Church in North America continue to pray for the movement? The Lord is continuing to faithfully raise up new leaders and new congregations throughout North America. He has continued to use Anglican 1000 to serve and encourage all of this amazing work. However, we’re not the ones actually doing this work; the work is being done by the Anglican Church! Our bishops, clergy, and people are continuing to step out in faith to raise up new congregations to reach North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ! We need to be praying for this missionary work—that it would become embedded in our DNA as Anglican Christians.

Call to World Mission Highlighted through Prayers, Testimonies, Stewardship and Education Again this year, the last Sunday after Epiphany (February 19) will be observed as World Mission Sunday in response to Archbishop Duncan’s call to set aside a special day to focus on mission as we work together to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. “On that day I am asking all Anglican Church in North America churches to highlight this call to world mission through prayers, testimonies, stewardship and education. In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, ‘And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth.’ This is each Christian’s call to engage in mission at every geographical level, from local to global,” said Archbishop Duncan in a letter to congregations. Part of that call includes the ask that each congregation collect a special offering on February 19 to benefit the work of one of the Anglican Global Mission Partners (AGMP). From Five Talents to the Anglican Relief and Development Fund, AGMP is a network of over 30 non-profit Anglican entities committed to making disciples of all nations in the name of Jesus Christ. “Thank you for your partnership in proclaiming the Gospel with both word and deed throughout the world,” Archbishop Duncan concluded. Photo credit: Anglican Global Mission Partners

Leaders of Faith Communities Unite to Preserve Gift of Religious Freedom MARRIAGE AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: Fundamental Goods That Stand or Fall Together An Open Letter from Religious Leaders in the United States to All Americans Released January 11, 2012 Dear Friends: The promotion and protection of marriage—the union of one man and one woman as husband and wife—is a matter of the common good and serves the wellbeing of the couple, of children, of civil society and all people. The meaning and value of marriage precedes and transcends any particular society, government, or religious community. It is a universal good and the foundational institution of all societies. It is bound up with the nature of the human person as male and female, and with the essential task of bearing and nurturing children. More here.

Leaders of Faith Communities Unite to Preserve Gift of Religious Freedom MARRIAGE AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: Fundamental Goods That Stand or Fall Together An Open Letter from Religious Leaders in the United States to All Americans Released January 11, 2012 Dear Friends: The promotion and protection of marriage—the union of one man and one woman as husband and wife—is a matter of the common good and serves the wellbeing of the couple, of children, of civil society and all people. The meaning and value of marriage precedes and transcends any particular society, government, or religious community. It is a universal good and the foundational institution of all societies. It is bound up with the nature of the human person as male and female, and with the essential task of bearing and nurturing children. More here.

Leaders of Faith Communities Unite to Preserve Gift of Religious Freedom MARRIAGE AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: Fundamental Goods That Stand or Fall Together An Open Letter from Religious Leaders in the United States to All Americans Released January 11, 2012 Dear Friends: The promotion and protection of marriage—the union of one man and one woman as husband and wife—is a matter of the common good and serves the wellbeing of the couple, of children, of civil society and all people. The meaning and value of marriage precedes and transcends any particular society, government, or religious community. It is a universal good and the foundational institution of all societies. It is bound up with the nature of the human person as male and female, and with the essential task of bearing and nurturing children. More here.