Anglican Authority

Currently the Anglican Church continues to debate the role and nature of authority. I found this article/paper and thought it a very good "starter" on what was articulated before the same sex union issue "really" came to the fore (though it was rising fast).

I believe this paper still holds true and is a great read for those wondering why all the fuss over the Primates meeting in Northern Ireland and the subsequent Anglican Consultative Council request for ECUSA and the Anglican Church of Canada to stay away for a few years.

An Anglican Understanding of authority

This is another excellent article with specific reference to the 39 Articles:

Authority in the 39 Today

GAME SPOTLIGHT: Memoir '44

Every so often after a "Saturday Game Night" I'll be sharing what we played. Last evening Andrew and I played "Memoir '44" by Richard Borg and published by "Days of Wonder" (a great company for games - the Parker Brothers of the 21st C). It's a wargame set on the eve of D-Day (which just happens to be when we attack, opps I mean arrive, in the parish of WWPA :-) ). Battles take around 45 mins and two, four or six players can game; I think it's best with two or six. Sher and the littler boys we're not interested as we played another Days of Wonder game the night before: "Ticket to Ride." If you're interested in a light wargame with lots of historic WW2 feel and strategy then this is for you. If you like Columbia Games or the old Avalon Hill "Panzer Leader" or "Panzer Blitz" this is a great replacement with a great intro for your boys or teen friends... girls may not like the war theme (oooo sexist I know).

Intense argument about to arise as Andrew kicked my backside 4 times...


Check out more on the game here: Memoir '44

Weird Weather

Well for my future friends in Northern Carlton County I mean no offence by this, but our weather, here on the Coast, has been beyond perfect.

Yesterday our high was 25.9 C in the sun and 23.7 C in the shade at 2:00 pm. Maybe for some this is not that impressive, for others a bit of jealousy crops up yet for a "Coaster" the response is, "Jheez it's hot bye!"

Andrew just reminded me that last year it got up to 28 C, other than that I am quite honest in telling you that I have seen it above 23 C only a handful of times (4 as I recall)in the past 4 years, and that in late July.

Once again today is gorgeous as evidenced by this picture Sherry and I took while walking with "Pippa-Pie" (this picture was taken with Cameron's digital camera).



My personal thoughts on this is that our Lord is preparing me for those oh-so-hot days. I hate the heat, it makes me foul... be prepared (I'll be spending extra time in prayer "for patience" - in an air conditioned space: do I hear Tim Horton's yet???).

Weather Woes in WWPA

Here on the Lower North Shore we have had two weeks of sun and unseasonably warm weather. Unfortunately in the Northern Carlton County, and most of the Maritimes, wet and windy weather is all they have seen.

Woodstock Weather

Let's join in praying for the crops as all this water can't be good... or can it? All I know is water is good for fish and mashed potatoes. I hope all the seed potatoes don't become "mash" too early and get rot.

LI-VER-POOOL... LI-VER-POOOOLLLLLL...!!!

Well I did warn you all that I made this blog also to address my obsession with football.

Today, while I was out helping "Stan" get the container on the truck, Liverpool played against AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul. AC Milan was 3-0 up by the half and all seemed lost. While I was outside taking the picture below of the container, Liverpool scored 3 goals in 6 minutes! Unheard of in football, especially against such a great team as AC Milan. It ended up going to penalties and their so-so keeper, at least in the regular league season, Dudek saved the first two and then went on to beat the European player of the year, Andriy Shevchenko, securing the cup! Even odder was the save that really won the game in the 115th min, when he save two point blank shots.

This is a team that was slightly better than mediocre in the Premiership, the main league domestically, finishing 5th. Odd thing is, in England, only the top 4 teams get to go to the Champions League (the best of the best in Europe), and this means that Liverpool will not get a chance to defend their title next year. WOW.

As ESPN said this is a most "improbable" win. When they came back onto the pitch after the half they were a different team. The famous 80's player Steve Nicol put it best "you never know what will happen." Liverpool fans are alight and deservedly so, Anfield is screaming with joy as the glory returns to the once great club.



In the words of their theme song states...

"You'll Never Walk Alone"

Birthday Girl

Today is Sherry's birthday. Because of our move the cake is not quite Black Forest and supper is not Lobster, but McCain's Deep and Delicious and Stir-Fry a'la Douglas ain't so bad.



Relaxing after a walk, daycare and the move... you can figure out which applies to whom ;-)

And it'ssssssssss Gone

After months of preparation and prayer, our "stuff" is on the way to Florenceville.

Calm before the Storm

Well though it has been quiet on the Blog, at home there has been a torrent of activity. This is our last day of packing before "Stan" comes and picks up the container. Back strain, hyperactive kids, runaway dog and constant trips to the stores begging for more boxes have been the way of life; maybe on Thursday all will settle into a hummm. No news from Jim yet... I know, I know, "Trust in the Lord."

Here is a picture of the container (taken with our DV)

Serious Call for "Van" Prayer

We really do need you to pray for our mechanic and the Minivan (a 1996 Plymouth Voyager): not only will it be fixed, it will also be safe to drive out.

Last year after we bought it we traveled out to Montreal. Just an hour out from the city the van stalled at 110km while passing. After 10 mins we could start it again and we went on our way in great prayer. The garage said it was a gas line issue... we left satisfied. We traveled to the Gaspe and put yet another 2000km on the machine without issue. Just a few hours away from the St. Barbe ferry the van stalled again, in the same way. We took her in after we got home and no one could isolate the problem.

It was at this point that the front panel gave up the ghost and began to stop functioning. At first is was sporadic, now it is constant. We didn't know how fast we were going, the engine temp and the amount of gas in the machine. This came and went at will, never really being consistent. Again the mechanic seemed stumped after installing a new panel and having the same trouble. This has been the case for the past 8 months. Yet in all that time it did not stall. Now this problem has come back and the obvious "electrical" problem may be the cause.

It is currently in a shop with "Jim" on "Misery Hill" (As I indicated in another blog). Please pray for a miracle as we must use this machine to get to Florenceville, and of course with the cost of a move financially a new vehicle is not possible at this time. You may believe this to be a petty prayer request, but as it involves the safety of the family I believe it is warranted.

Last Picture

Well I didn't have the heart nor the strength to mention that my camera broke this weekend. As you may know by now, I've been increasingly sharing pictures of the coast and the move. It couldn't have broken at a worse time as my final service and dinner following won't be able to be captured... maybe I'll ask someone for their digital pictures.

Here is the last good picture of the Rev'd Neville Cheeseman before an Eucharist at ACPO.



And this is what I have had ever since...

The Seattle Statement

Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ

ARCIC (Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission) has come out with a joint statement on The Blessed Virgin Mary. This 61 page statement is a foundational document. I encourage you to download and digest what is surely yet another sign that the Holy Spirit is leading us to see points of unity and not division.

Get the document here: The Seattle Statement

Godincidence: Long but Meaningful Blog

Coincidence is all about God's time.

Yesterday was quite the day. As my previous blog stated and showed, by all the typing errors, I was exhausted. The night on the ferry without a room was stupid. In order to save money, I gave up sleep as a child screamed all night. No one could sleep as the mom carried him around for the whole six hours (of course resting right behind me just as I was dozing off).

Without sleep for the majority of the weekend I was in no state to be driving, but drive I did. I seemed to catch a second wind after some coffee and arrived in Corner Brook around 9 AM. Sherry and I needed a few things for the move and so I had McD's breakfast and ran around the shops. Instead of staying at a hotel in the city I decided to get as far down the coast as possible so that in the morning I would just get up at nine and catch the ferry, as planed, for 10:30 NST.

I arrived at the motel in "Plumb Point" around three in the afternoon, none the worse for wear but it was all starting to hit. I really didn't want to move off the bed but took a bath and once again got enough energy to sit and eat. As I read my book a gentleman said to another, "when is the ferry leaving? Are they selling tickets yet?" surprised I asked what was going on? The boat hadn't traveled since Friday and there were hundreds of angry, and financially spent, passengers (the background is that the ferry, the Apollo, has one engine broken and this is hindering travel in even the slightest wind). As a major artery for the Labrador and Quebec coast this was a problem. Winds were to pick up the next day and I jumped up, left my $22 meal half way through, and made arrangement to leave my key, just in case I couldn't get on and had to return to the motel: "no problem" the woman said.

When I arrived at the terminal it was chaos. Mr. Woodward, the owner, himself flew in by helicopter to assess the damage to his reputation, and his ferry which he has known for a month is in bad shape. The media, NTV & CBC were now very much involved. My number was 79... not good as cars get on at 70 max.

As it turned out, and you will find this incredible, I got on the ship as a walk on as there was no room for my car; and so I left it behind, with the key in it, filled with boxes of purchased items, with all the doors open. Martin, the purser, said, "leave it here bye, and I will put her on the next crossing." That was good enough for me and a handful of others. I imagine it just sat there with the keys into her.

I got across, an hour longer than a usual trip due to the engine problems, and Sherry was there waiting. We took off for home. This is where God clearly make his face shown, though just try and say that all that strength wasn't given for this very reason....

We came across the flashing lights of the police, they are never around and so two of them, the entire force, was a bad omen; recall we are in the middle of nowhere and so this spot, "the series of curves" just past the Blanc Sablon dump (10 mins outside of the village), is a plateau of rock cuts and barrens. We saw these lights for quite a ways before getting to them. The SQ Officer didn't seem to care much that I was a priest but his reasons were correct, there was a death and the family was not yet informed. A few meters away I saw my mechanic, the one who is responsible for "cleaning up" wreckage. I asked if I was needed and who it was: INDEED I WAS NEEDED.

The man was 44 with a teenage daughter and older son. He was on his way back from giving his love to his daughter before going "crabbing." It is a heart breaking story with many in deep grief. I arrived home and whet immediately on the boardwalk those few houses down to his parents. Indeed God placed me on that boat, in that diningroom, with that strength, so that I could be there in my vocation as a pastor. It was a Godincidence.

______________________________

Today the ferry did run and Sherry and I went down to get the car (everything was there). We had some things to pick up in Forteau and when we arrived the @%@$%^@$^! Minivan, the bane of my life if you didn't know already, stalled and gave up... once again. Had I mentioned that yesterday Sher got the breaks done on it... oh ya, and the fact that we haven't known how fast we go, nor the fuel in the tank. It's a joy. Well odd thing is that a month ago a friend said, "take it to Jim in Forteau, he's great and honest"... not that Perry isn't. Well taking two vehicles that far (80km) wasn't going to happen: it did.

And so my minivan is now with Jim at his garage on "Misery Hill Rd." The name so fits this van!

I ask your prayers, for this darn minivan and the need for it to be fixable and safe for this 1700 km trek to Florenceville in a little over two weeks time.

And I ask your prayers for the Roberts family at the loss of their son Chris.

Finally I ask that you put on the eyes of Christ and see the coincidences that God places before you, they are answers to prayer, often a prayer we don't even know we have prayed. Let Christ's light enable you to see the things which are hidden, so you can encourage others with your tales of his presence as I have tried to do with this blog this evening.

Wi.Fi Rules

Like a kid I gotta say, I.m Bloging with my PALM aud stylus on the ferry

TOO COOL!

One the Back to Leave

Well once again I find myself on the ferry blogging... it still boggles my mind.

ACPO was one of the highlights of my ministry and combined with the feast off St. Matthias and Pentecost, all came together to make this so very special. It is a privilege to serve.

Tuesday I shall be in St. Paul's and I prepare for the final push to move and then to really say goodbye to our "coastal home."

When not so exhausted... went to bed at three - not parting either ;-) - ACPO is like that... work work work, prayer prayer prayer!

ACPO Begins

Today we commence the real work of ACPO, as it is a highly personal and serious undertaking, I am not going to speak of any of the events, suffice it to say that it is a busy schedule with no personal time.

I thus again ask your prayers, continued, for both candidates and assessors as we seek out those called into postulancy and theological study with the hope of moving toward ordained, priestly, ministry.

HALIFAX CATHEDRAL:



Words can't to justice to it's magnificence! What a wonderful place of worship. We are blest to be here, in this place, for ACPO.

Sur Le Mer!

Well believe it or not, I write this on board the "Joseph & Clara Smallwood," part of the Marine Atlantic fleet; isn't technology wonderful.

The journey so far has taken me from home on the Lower North Shore to Corner Brook and then on to this ferry... 640km so far. By noon I should be in Halifax and then on to ACPO where I will assist in the assessment of three candidates.

I ask your prayers for the candidates at this pivotal time in their lives, and also for the assessors as they are trusted to advise based on prayer and a vision of "call."

Peace and until next time.... When not so rocky-&-rolly!

Cycle of Prayer: Acts of Love

Today in the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we were to pray for Michael Ingham.

As I got caught up in the wild events surrounding the move and the Brador service, I forgot to blog this important message.

Bishop Ingham and the Diocese of New Westminster have become notorious in some circles for blessing same sex unions. I preached tonight on the merits of the commands to love the Lord your God.... and to love thy neighbor as thy self.... on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets!

I postulated that many in the communion are not praying for +Michael and his charge this day out of hatred for the actions taken, and for an all too apparent split in our church. But is he and his diocese not our neighbor? And what about the days that call us to pray for the Bishops of the Southern Cone and the West Indies, are many not going to pray for them because of their stances?

Whether a bishop, diocese or synod, is right or wrong, do they not deserve to be treated as neighbor? For one day a year I ask that we not ask our Lord to change people who differ from us, but to bless them, to love them, to strengthen them. This is our call. Whether enemy or friend we are charged by God to lift them up annually: to sanctify their gifts and bless their weaknesses.

Let us pray for them and pray as our Saviour Christ taught us...

Our Father...

# 477

Today container # 477 arrived... the move is officially on!

Hairline Fracture

No, not a member of the family, nor myself, but my laptop.

Those who know me know that my laptop has replaced my desktop as my main computer and my office; portability is essential now a days. One thing many take for granted is that laptops are vulnerable to more than just dropping and banging.

Every time one opens and closes the laptop stress is placed on the hinge corners. Some laptop constructions are better than others but most all are susceptible to this problem as lighter material is usually plastic.

After three months my laptop has developed this problem and will break within the month. So I've called "ACER" and will be dropping it off to my local Purolator... Halifax (LOL, yes it is 1500km away!)

Below you can make out the fracture... what will I do without my baby for a month :-(

Answer to Prayers: CoGS & ACC

To see what has come of the weekend meeting of CoGS see these two:

1) On the Issue of Attending the ACC in June

2) CoGS Message to the church

Are we encouraged? Are we satisfied? Are we aware that the Lord heard our prayers! The first two are personal, but the latter we know. Either way, whatever we think of the outcome, we have lifted up to our Lord our petitions and he hears us when we cry out. The direction we are to go is there, it is now back in the hands of General Synod to continue the process. Let us build up the Church and not knock members who love Christ down.

I quote from "Night Prayers" (ABC, page 61), and hope and pray that we take seriously the words in prayer... more is being said than goodnight:

"It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.

The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world
and of our own lives rest in you.

The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.
In your name we pray. Amen."

What the St. Michael Report Means in Lay Terms

A writer for an ECUSA blog wrote:

"If General Synod upholds the commission's findings, the motion that General Synod deferred in 2004, which would have allowed dioceses the so-called "local option" to decide on same-sex blessings, would no longer be considered, said Mr. Stevenson.
Any subsequent move seeking the approval of same-sex blessings within the church would require the adoption or amendment of a canon in which case the vote of a two-thirds majority of each of the three orders of bishops, clergy and laity of two successive General Synods (in 2007 and 2010) must be obtained, he added.
If, on the other hand, General Synod rejects the Commission's finding, the vote will proceed on the question of whether diocesan synods can decide on their own about the blessings."

For the Full Blog go to ACC Blog (USA)

Let the Countdown Begin

God Willing, Sherry, the kids, dog and I, expect to be "home" in the Florenceville Rectory in exactly one month. We ask your prayers as we begin the big push to pack, deal with anxious children and say our final farewells.



Oh, the Boxes and Boxes! Funny thing, it's 600 km to our closest Walmart ???

St. Michael Report

The report is in and the issue of Same Sex Blessing is a matter of doctrine... but read it first before passing judgment: St. Michael Report in HTML.

From a careful examination it seems the Anglican Church of Canada is poised to continue what it has begun.

The Anglican Planet: Views & Choice

As I searched through the internet this morning I found this site: The Anglican Planet.

I ask you to pay particular attention to this article: Essentials Responds to the HoB (House of Bishops)Statement.

I have similar concerns and feel increasingly sympathetic toward those in the Essentials Movement. No one should be marginalized, nor treated unjustly, but I fear that many in the church today are marginalizing the Scripture and Our Lord. With this said, again I wish to reiterate that I don't want to choose.

I would never define myself as a fundamentalist but neither would I be found to be a biblical liberalist. I have said often on this site and in my ministry that I am uncomfortable with the tone and tenor of leaders involved in this problem facing our Canadian Anglican Church. We as leaders and faithful Christians are being forced to choose a path, and neither seem appealing to me.

So called "liberals" who wish to bless same sex couples are asking "what would Jesus do?" They see Christ, in a faithful and sincere way, opening up to the marginalized and sexually accursed (such as the Samaritan Woman and the one caught in adultery). In their interpretation Jesus would welcome commitment and love, especially bound by God in his Church. The fear expressed is that we shall become like the pharisees, exclusive and not inclusive. In their view Jesus came to release us from any law.

So called "conservatives" likewise ask "what would Jesus do?" They turn to Christ seeing a dedication to the created order where a man is made for a woman and visa versa. God made male and female for each other and Jesus reiterates this along with God's views on divorce. Turning to the Old Testament and the epistles of Paul, they see a consistency of thought between sexual sin, immorality and public behavior that points away from any notion that same sex unions can be "sanctified." In fear they see God turning his face from the church today as he did in the Exile when Judah turned away from the law.

The problem I have is that both are so very arrogant in their words for the other "side." Everyone seems to have been placed into camps, forced to choose which side they are to be on. I have heard the most awful statements concerning the opposite side; words that would make your hair curl! I have come home from meetings, hung up the phone and closed down my computer after being doused with conspiracy theories and contempt. I have had more than my share of rolling eyes and looks of pity when I challenge opinions.

When I ask you, gentle readers, to pray for our bishops and for CoGS (the Council of General Synod) and for this beloved church of ours; I mean it. The real victor here is not the Gays and Lesbians or the Essential / Orthodox groups, the victor at present is the devil and the principalities and powers that are running rampant as we fight and fight over this.

Please I implore you to pray for this weekend as the CoGS meet, the fate of our Communion and the pressure to choose is coming closer, this weekend is more important that we may believe.

The Lord is Ascended; Come Holy Spirit Come...

Skidoo Memories

Well after much deliberation these past few months we sold the skidoo today.



We bought it in 2001 when we arrived and my first trip with her was around "Indian Portage," up river near St. Paul's River. I then went on my first big trip, with little to no experience, to St. Augustine, a hundred and ten kilometer trip along a partially groomed trail with nothing but wilderness in between; it's called the "Route Neige." I remember that day as being dark with freezing rain for half the journey. On my way back I got stuck just a few kilometers away from Old Fort Bay.

Year of quick trips to the school with the kids and the occasional trip to St. Augustine was really all we used the machine for. I also recall my most favorite Easter when I left for St. Augustine just after the service at noon and returned at 8:00 pm that night: April 20th! There's just something about going along 12 km of lake in late April that makes one wonder about creation. I saw a rabbit that night as I sped along, later Cameron would remark, "you mean you almost ran over the Easter Bunny going home?"

It was a blessing to be able to go to Old Fort with her. This past year I paid particular attention to final days on the coast; I guess deep down I knew I would be selling. This year Andrew was allowed to ride her and he went to La Tabatiere with the machine. He too will have fond memories. I will always remember these day of ministry and machine with joy; what a wonder it is to serve the Lord... where he we lead we will follow.

It's sad to let her go, but things change and we can't hold on to the past acting as if it will be the same when we move. As in all things there is a time to let things go, we've made the right choice.

Prayers for CoGS

I preface my prayer request with a prayer found on the Anglican Communion site:

Gracious God,
we give you thanks for the gift of this world-wide Anglican Communion of churches: for our sense of belonging to all the ages, for the gift of thoughtful prayer you have taught us, and for the task of reverent study to which you call us.
We thank you for the love of worship you have stirred up in our hearts, and for the love of justice you have implanted in our wills.
Be with us in times of trouble as in times of joy; give us thankful hearts when we stand together, and send your holy Wisdom into all our disagreements. In dispute, may be we gentle and loving; in unity, may we be humble; in poverty, give us hope; in wealth, make us responsible and generous.
Inflame us with prophetic vision so our fellowship will be the likeness of your kingdom of righteousness, proclaimed for all by Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Later this week the Council of General Synod will make some major decisions. The two which capture the attention of the Anglican Communion, as well as all Canadian Anglicans, is a vote on whether we as a church should withdrawal from the Anglican Consultative Council, as they have requested. The second is whether to have a moratorium on same sex blessings within the Anglican Church of Canada.

for a better explanation see: news on CoGS.

My personal prayers on this have lead me to understand that we should honour the request to withdrawal for these next three years as we have much to contemplate before General Synod in 2007 and Lambeth in 2008; ECUSA, the Episcopal Church in the United States of America has already agreed to withdrawal (though I have heard in sarcasm that they have given in to a conservative "political" agenda within the church due to financial contributions... I pray this is a false perception). My current Diocesan Executive Council, in the Diocese of Quebec, moved support of a plan from some members of CoGS to attend the Anglican Consultative Council (I was the only dissenting vote around the table and spoke against the motion). I also remain quite conservative on the issue of same sex blessings, in spite of my friendship with many much loved gay members of this vast Church of ours. But I keep my prayers open and look for the Holy Spirit's guidance in our Councils and of course in the understanding of Scripture. My prayer always in reading the Word is to hear the voice of Christ Jesus.

As we pray, I invite you not to ask our Lord to move a particular view forward or to squash anyone's firm belief, but to ask for openness and a Spirit of love and humility in the preparations and for the meeting this weekend. Let us keep the same tone of prayer that the above offers for our small part of this great Communion of ours. Let us also recall that we are just a part of a Greater Church, with Christians throughout the world who seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in interpreting the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Word made flesh.

I bid you peace in this traditional time of prayer, in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
Douglas+

Rogation Days

These next three days we should be mindful of all those who sow -- seeds. In the life of the church these days before the Ascension have historically been solemn days of prayer and fasting as we are to do in Lent, and yes, in Advent as well.

The BCP (The Book of Common Prayer) mark these days while the BAS (Book of Alternative Services) does not, not for some reason of flipancy for tradition, but because of the different climatic zones within Canada. It is important to note that the BAS does indicate that keeping these days when appropriate is appropriate.

Pray for the crops, for food for all to share. Pray for those who sow and those who prepare to reap. Pray for all who operate machinery in the fields and in the plants; pray for safety and health. Pray for all those who process and handle our food and deal with the public. May the fruits they bear forth bring about a greater sense of the Kingdom of God.

And when you eat these next three days, at every meal say a prayer, openly, giving our Lord "Grace" for his wonderful love; and pray in this grace that you and those who gather at your table can draw closer to one another through the food and fellowship shared at that and every meal.