Missionary Diocese of All Saints

Beloved in Christ:
 

The Proper Liturgy for Ash Wednesday calls the people of God to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.
 

Self-examination in preparation for Easter, and indeed for every other celebration of the Holy Eucharist, is a discipline to be embraced by all who profess faith in the One who suffered, died and rose again for our salvation. The Bible regards self-examination as a very serious matter as we prepare ourselves to receive Christ in the Eucharist. In First Corinthians 11:26-29 we read:
 

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.
 

Archbishop Fulton Sheen once wrote: Self-examination must be done in the presence of God—we must compare ourselves not with our neighbor, nor with our own subjective ideals, but with the Perfect.
 

Certainly, we meet Jesus in many different ways and in many different places, but the Holy Eucharist, properly prepared for, is the way and the place where the presence of God is assured. Until we meet God face to face we will have no idea of the precious gift of the Eucharist that we too often take for granted. The Holy Eucharist is the re-presentation of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We cannot possibly participate in the Eucharist without becoming better people because of it.
 

As an aid to our self-examination the Book of Common Prayer includes An Exhortation to be read on the First Sunday in Lent. It reads in part: Judge yourselves, therefore, lest you be judged by the Lord. Examine your lives and conduct by the rule of God’s commandments, that you may perceive wherein you have offended in what you have done or left undone, whether in thought, word or deed; and acknowledge your sins before Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life, being ready to make restitution for all injuries and wrongs done by you to others; and also being ready to forgive those who have offended you, in order that you yourselves may be forgiven. And then, being reconciled with one another, come to the banquet of that most heavenly Food.
 

The church recognizes that there are times when Christians find it difficult to believe that God could possibly forgive their sins and offences. There is a remedy.
 

The Exhortation continues: And if, in your preparation, you need help and counsel, then go and open your grief to a discreet and understanding priest, and confess your sins, that you may receive the benefit of absolution, and spiritual counsel and advice; to the removal of scruple and doubt, the assurance of pardon, and the strengthening of your faith.
 

The important spiritual discipline of self-examination in preparation for the Paschal Feast must not be underestimated for it leads us back into a right relationship with God. I am praying for all of us as we are called to the observance of a holy Lent. At the Great Vigil of Easter may we say with confidence that: “This is the night, when all who believe in Christ are delivered from the gloom of sin, and are restored to grace and holiness of life.”
 

The Right Reverend William H. Ilgenfritz
Bishop Ordinary
Missionary Diocese of All Saints
Anglican Church in North America
 

Dear Brothers in Christ:
 

I am looking forward to the Second Synod of our Missionary Diocese of All Saints to be held once again in Ocean City, Maryland. The Synod will begin on Wednesday evening, May 9, 2012 with the Holy Eucharist at 6:30 PM and adjournment is scheduled for Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Noon. We may extend into the afternoon, if necessary. All clergy in good standing of the Diocese are entitled to seat, voice and vote. Each congregation of the Diocese is entitled to two lay delegates and two alternates, elected in accordance with the procedures in use in each congregation.
 

We will elect one lay member and one clergy member to our Bishop’s Council, receive an update on the status of newly formed congregations, learn about the status of our application for full diocesan status and report on the upcoming Provincial Council/Assembly of the Anglican Church in North America. scheduled for June. We will receive financial reports and consider a proposed budget. This year we will be open to receive resolutions in support of the mission and ministry we share. The deadline for resolutions to be submitted is April 1st.
 

Immediately following the Synod, the MDAS Clergy and Wives Retreat will take place, beginning on Thursday afternoon, May 10, 2012 at 4:00 PM and continuing through Noon on Saturday, May 12th. I am pleased to tell you that The Rt. Rev. Ray Sutton of the Reformed Episcopal Church has accepted our invitation to serve as our teacher. The Synod and the Retreat will provide an excellent opportunity for all of us to unite in worship, teaching and fellowship.
 

Finally, please know that I fully understand the challenges we face as a non-geographic diocese. Nevertheless, I hope you will make every effort to be present unless for good cause prevented.
 

Beloved in Christ,

I am so pleased to bring you greetings as we celebrate this holy season. One of the most important Christmas greetings can be found in the Gospel of Saint Luke. It is given by the angel to the shepherds who were watching over their flocks by night. “Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10) This greeting helped to relieve the initial fear of the shepherds when the quiet solitude of a seemingly ordinary night was shattered as heaven touched the earth. When the shepherds went to the manger and saw Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, they were transformed from men of fear to men of faith. They became messengers of good news as they returned, “glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” (Luke 2:20)

There are many things around us that can cause us to fear and at times we may be tempted to be discouraged. At these times we should look to the shepherds as our model as we go to the Lord so that we can see and believe. What will we see? We will see the very presence of God all around us. We will see goodness and truth. This is what I see as I travel around our Diocese and I am so grateful for the honor and privilege of being your Bishop. There is so much goodness in this Diocese and it begins with each one of you who are so faithful. The clergy and laity of the Missionary Diocese of All Saints are a light shining in a world which is sometimes a very dark place.

At Christmas we celebrate as we receive by faith God’s greatest gift: His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Gift giving is a significant part of our Christmas tradition. Let us never forget that the greatest gifts are not those wrapped in paper. The greatest gifts are those persons, family and friends who stand with us each day representing Christ who is the light of the world.

Thank you for being such a wonderful gift and for being a powerful light of hope for the world. The Lord is with us and may He continue to bless us with His peace and joy.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas I remain,

Faithfully Yours in the Service of Christ and His Church,

The Rt. Rev. William H. Ilgenfritz

Bishop Ordinary

Missionary Diocese of All Saints

Anglican Church in North America

The annual diocesan Women’s Retreat will be held October 27-29 at the Dunes Manor in Ocean City. The theme is the Lord’s Prayer, with the retreat title as “Lord, Teach Us to Pray”. The content will help each woman, regardless of where she is in her spiritual journey, pray the familiar prayer with more power, depth and love. Of course the content is not all there is; the fellowship, caring, sharing and just plain fun of being on a women’s retreat are all part of the experience as well. Again this year, Shannon Flynn is going to be our worship leader and we are very blessed to have her in this role!

The brochure and registration form can be printed and distributed to those who might be interested.

The Venerable Dr. Jon (Jack) Lumanog, the new Canon for Provincial and Global Mission (ACNA), was the featured speaker at the annual Synod of The Missionary Society of St John the Evangelist (MSJ), held 11-13 August at St John the Apostle Anglican Church, Clinton Township, Michigan.

Canon Jack offered a realistic but inspiring review of his experiences in church planting and ministry. He shared with the clergy and lay delegates the keys that he personally had found valuable in navigating the challenges of starting with a church of just nine members and growing it to become a well-established parish in their own worship space and supporting a variety of strong lay-led ministries. Many of the strategies began as his personal involvement with the community beyond the “parish borders,” including ministry on the campus of the University of Michigan in Lansing, and working with other, much larger, churches to supply food for the hungry. Among the achievements he holds dearest is his fellowship with Sudanese refugees and the result that they have established their own growing Christian fellowship. He encouraged MSJ members to maintain a balance between ministry and family, noting that sacrificing family time for the work of the ministry often destroys both, but that keeping the proper borders and boundaries can give new life and energy to both as well, especially as one comes to know, trust and rely on the laypeople who take on the Work of the Kingdom within and without the “normal parish” paradigm. His simple re-telling of the basic principles of church-evangelism and then the imaginative ways he put them into practice, often by what appeared to be “God’s back door,” offered members of the Society refreshment for their souls and inspiration for the work of the coming year.

Although not yet relocated from Lansing to Pittsburgh, speaking to the delegates of the MSJ Synod was Canon Jack’s first function in his new role, and those in attendance felt his sincerity and passion for the missionary vision which is at the Society’s heart and the heart of his new post at the Archbishop’s side. The members present remain deeply grateful to Abp. Robert Duncan for encouraging Canon Jack to spend this time with us, that the bonds of affection between the Society and the Primate may be further developed by our common vision for the salvation of the lost and our commitment to the up-building of the faithful. The Society offers Canon Jack its heartiest congratulations and prayers for God’s rich blessing on his new service within the larger Church.

Thanks to Anglican TV

This past weekend (June 3-5) St John the Apostle Anglican Church (Clinton Township, MI) welcomed Nathan Dunlap, his wife Julie, and three of his children into their parish activities. Nathan came to SJA to share with us the vision of his work with Forward in Africa. He met past supporters of Fr Francis and OFM to thank them for making Forward in Africa possible through their continued prayers and monies. The weekend was a success for all involved.



On Saturday, while Br Nathan trained with Deacon Bob Chalmers, the people of St John and the rest of the Dunlap family enjoyed a day at the Detroit Zoo. That evening many gathered over at the Moore house for a time of greeting, telling stories, and getting to know one another. From the children playing in the tree house, to the lively conversation, fellowship, and great food, the bonds of affections increased and were multiplied.



On Sunday Br Nathan spoke at both the 8 and 10 AM services. He reminded us of Africa’s great tradition and role in Christian history and the Church. He also illustrated how influential our Anglican heritage has been in spreading the gospel and how it is still bearing fruit in the furthering of the Kingdom. He told us of the needs and challenges to provide capable well-trained priests for the rapidly growing churches. He shared that the vision of Forward in Africa was to teach the teachers, encouraging us with the word that while all cannot go, all can participate in the work.

Beloved in Christ:

We remember His death,

We proclaim His Resurrection,

We await His coming in glory.

The final three days of Holy Week are the most solemn days of the Christian calendar. The Sacred Tridiuum begins on Maundy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This is the remembrance of the final meal which our Lord Jesus ate with His disciples and during which He instituted the Sacrament of His Body and Blood. Every time we “Do this” Jesus is present to us under the forms of bread and wine. In the washing of feet we are not just remembering an event in the upper room but that each one of us is called to serve.

On Good Friday we will gather at the Cross and we will remember His Suffering and Death not just as an historical event, but as the Church assembled we remember that Jesus loves us as much as He loved the people then.

At the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday we will celebrate as we remember not just His Resurrection but that each one of us has new life in Him. We are a people called to a new way of living because we follow the One who is not dead but is alive. The One who calls us to follow Him in the Way of the Cross, for this is the way that leads to eternal life.

I wish all of you a Blessed Holy Week.