Anglican Communion News Service

A weekly roundup of Anglican Communion news plus opinion, reviews, photos, profiles and other things of interest from across the Anglican/Episcopal world.

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Please Show your support for persecuted Anglicans in Zimbabwe
USPG, the Mothers' Union, the and other global Anglican and Episcopal groups have encouraged their members to visit a new Facebook page set up to support Anglicans in Zimbabwe who are facing persecution from a pro-Mugabe excommunicated bishop. » Go to Facebook page to join the 1,000+ people are standing with Anglicans in Zimbabwe. Thanks!
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This edition includes...

• This week's Anglican Communion news
• Anglican Life - Vicar on UK TV show
• Anglican Life - CMS-supported project sends dung to royal couple
• Anglican Life - Indian Roses get help to bloom
• Anglican Life - Getting acquainted with Hong Kong
• Comment - Kind acts and good intentions will out
• Video - Christians in the Holy Land conference
• Digital Communion - Interested in attending a virtual Cathedral service?
• Bookshelf - The Primate of Hong Kong writes about the context and idetity of Hong Kong
• The coming week's Anglican Cycle of Prayer.

ANGLICAN NEWS

• New Zealand - Former Primate, Archbishop of New Zealand and Governor General dies
• Liturgy - Communiqué - International Anglican Liturgical Consultation
• Environment - Communion Environment Network: "Creation is in Crisis. Anglicans must act."
• Zimbabwe - As eviction of Anglican priests begins, Harare bishop prays "God help us"
• West Indies - Trinidad and Tobago launches music school to "revitalise diocese"
• New Zealand- Archbishop of York pays tribute to Sir Paul Reeves
• Australia - Carbon emission reduction "a moral necessity", says Anglican Church agency
• Wales - Archbishop of Wales warns elite to put their own house in order
• Australia - Baillieu Government's youth sentencing plan flawed says Anglican Archbishop
• Southern Africa - Church of Southern Africa to join campaign to end violence against women, children
• Secretariat - The Anglican Communion's Secretary General pays tribute to Sir Paul Reeves
• Nigeria - 'Drop Single Term Bill', former Primate tells Nigerian President
• England - Bishopthorpe, Archbishop of York's residence, boosts security
• Southern Africa - Archbishop Tutu: lingering effects of apartheid include "self-hate"
  
  

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ANGLICAN LIFE

Vicar's welcome for new ‘Dales’ series announced at the Great Yorkshire Show

From Together - News from the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds

North Yorkshire Vicar, the Revd Ann Chapman, who was one of several local people featured in the recent 'The Dales' television series on ITV, says she is delighted by the news that there is to be a second series. Ann, who is Vicar of Askrigg, with Stallingbusk, Hardraw and Hawes, joined Tom Orde Powlett of Bolton Castle, the Leyburn Brass Band, Amanda and Clive Owen of Swaledale and the ladies of the George and Dragon Pub at Hudswell, (pictures with Gary Verity of Welcome to Yorkshire (Left)) for a press call at the Great Yorkshire Show (today Wednesday 13 July) to announce the news. 

The Dales attracted regular viewing figures of 4 million, and Ann said filming of the first series had been very positive. “It was a lovely experience. They just followed me about. I didn’t have to do a lot of ‘pretend’ things.”

Ann added that she believed it was important that the church was represented in a series about rural life. “All of the communities that I am involved with see the church as being very important. If you wanted to knock the church down they would go mad, although they might not come on a Sunday morning. The joy of the ‘alternative’ services which they showed in the series, is that people who don’t normally come to church come, so you see a wider view of community.”

She said that she had not seen any significant change to church attendances as a result of the series but it continued to provoke interesting conversations on an almost daily basis. “A lot of people have stopped me in the street”, says Ann, “and I have had some very interesting conversations with people about the church as an institution, often holiday makers. Local people have all been very positive. They've all said it is good for the area and they all feel that it gave the church a place that others might now know it had. I’ve not had any negative comments about it at all.”

Picture attached - Anne Chapman.jpeg. Revd Ann Chapman with Bishop John Packer, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds at the Great Yorkshire Show today, Wed 13 July 

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Royal Wedding dung gift

From Together - News from the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds

The tradition of royalty receiving weird and wonderful gifts from around the world is being continued by Harrogate mission couple, Susie and Andy Hart.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate, have been sent an elephant dung guestbook and a quilt as wedding presents from the disabled artisans of Neema Crafts, the CMS project the couple began and run in Tanzania.

Susie and Andy were special guests at a ticketed royal wedding party hosted by the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam - proceeds from which were donated to Neema.

Neema was started in 2003 with Susie training three deaf craftsmen in papermaking. Learn more about the project here

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Budding Roses

From The Light - A monthly newsletter of the Diocese of Durgapur, India

By Raja Moses

The people live in this slum area work as daily wage labourers. Due to poverty they do not send their children to school. In some famiilies, the girls are taken out of school to help parents in caring for the younger siblings, fetching water and cooking. During the season the girl child is taken to work in the fields to support their parents.

Child Rights are not protected and exposed to violations. Sometimes the girls are dropped out from school because parents arrange child marriages.

Krishna and Mithu Das

Photo Credit: Diocese of Durgapur

"A rose can live amongst thorns and yet never be injured by them." Two girls Krishna and Mithu Das hails from a poor and poverty stricken family. Father, Dilip Das, is a daily wages rickshaw puller and mother Purnima Das works as maid servant in the nearby colonies. As the parents have five children they cannot educate their children with their meager income.

PROCHESTA, Anansol one of the centers of our slum children project have identified these girls in the program as ones who have discontinued their studies due to their family situation. Both of them have done their schooling up to class four.

As this center teaches sewing, it has provided all the sewing accessories and other essential needs to them. They are attending the programme for the last five years and also taking part in the different activities in the center. Their ambition is to become a good citizen and serve the poor community of our society.

They are always conveying their heartfelt gratitude to all the people involved in the programme for saving their life and making it like a budding rose garden.

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Getting Acquainted with Hong Kong: Kathleen Clark's YASC Year Begins

From The Episcopal Church's Mission Personnel newsletter

Kathleen Clark, a Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) missionary from the Diocese of Tennessee, has recently arrived in Hong Kong to begin her ministry with the Mission for Migrant Workers and Bethune House.
The last few days I have been wandering Hong Kong, learning the routes to and from stores and the places I will be working.

Four days I will be at the Mission for Migrant Workers, located at St. John's Cathedral on Hong Kong Island. Two days during the week I will be at the Bethune House, a shelter for women located in Kowloon (close to wear I live). I have had a little training so far, and a history lesson about the Philippines as well, but I have so much to learn!
Read more about Kathleen's Hong Kong experience, including how she'll be worshipping at St. John's Cathedral (pictured above), on her blog.

Also from the newsletter: Missionary Resources

Cycle of Prayer for Missionaries – We recently updated the cycle of prayer for all of the missionaries of the Episcopal Church who are currently serving around the Anglican Communion. It now includes the new missionaries who were introduced in this issue of our newsletter. We invite you to use this resource at home and in your parishes. The document is available for download on the Mission Personnel resource page.

Connect with us on Facebook: 635 people like “Global Mission of the Episcopal Church .” Do you? Help us build a strong mission community online and keep up with the latest news from around the world. Visit our Facebook page and click “Like.” Be sure to look at our photos, too.

Follow us on Twitter: The Global Partnerships Office has a new Twitter account. If you use Twitter, please follow us: www.twitter.com/episcoglobal

Blog: The Global Partnerships blog features stories and reports from the various ministries that make up the Global Partnerships office. You can sign up to get e-mail notifications when a new post has been published. Please check it out. If you're interested in writing a guest post, please contact Elizabeth Boe.

Recommended Reading
Looking for some globally minded, mission-related books to read this summer? Consider these two titles as you continue your global journey with God.
Mission-Shaped Spirituality: The Transforming Power of Mission (Seabury Books, 2010)
By the Rev. Susan Hope

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COMMENT

Kind acts and good intentions will out

Rev Greg Hughson in the Otago Daily Times

What do we do to overcome violence in our community and the world? Greg Hughson takes inspiration from an international peace convocation and reflects on how Christians respond to the issues in Dunedin.There is a great deal of violence in our world. In response to this, the World Council of Churches (WCC) designated 2000-10 to be a decade to overcome violence. During this period, the 349 national member churches (made up of 500 million or so members) attempted to make a difference, to move our world in the direction of peace and justice. Hundreds of projects were established by churches all over the planet to address and overcome violence. The ecumenical accompaniment programme of the WCC in Israel and Palestine is one initiative. Economic injustice and violence against creation were also on the agenda, giving expression to the opposition of the WCC to economic exploitation of the poor and the desecration of God's world. Many of the projects were designed to address and deal with the root causes of violence, poverty and injustice.

Rev Greg Hughson

Photo Credit: University of Otago

In May this year, the WCC organised an eight-day International Peace Convocation on the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies, in Kingston, Jamaica. One thousand delegates attended from more than 100 countries. We gathered to report back on the "decade to overcome violence" and to plan together for the future. Unlike here in Dunedin, security is high. Access to the campus is via guarded entry points and the campus is surrounded by fences topped with barbed wire. Each hostel is similarly encased. Kingston is a violent city, which is why the decision was made to hold an international peace conference there, so that we could see at first hand what the churches are doing to address the root causes of violence and to overcome violence in their communities.

On the first day of the convocation, we had the opportunity to visit church- and community-based "overcoming violence" projects in the city. I chose to visit Boystown, an educational and employment training community established by the Methodist Church in the 1940s in the midst of a poor and disadvantaged area of the city. It is an oasis of peace and hope. It was inspiring to meet some of the students and staff. This project is one of many in Kingston which is helping to build peace and to give young people hope and prospects for the future.

The opening plenary address of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation was delivered by Canon Paul Oestreicher. Paul received an honorary doctorate of divinity from the University of Otago a few years ago. His address was entitled "A new world is possible". He declared that Christians must dare to implement the teaching of Jesus, to love our enemies. He presented a vision of a world where war, like slavery, is internationally condemned and rendered illegal; a world where war is no longer an option for solving conflicts - an inspiring vision.

Each day, we explored a different dimension of peace: peace in the community, peace among the peoples, peace with the Earth and peace in the marketplace. One hundred and sixty workshops were offered. Each day, we divided into 50 groups of 20 for Bible study. Each day, we worshipped together in a huge tent on campus, and heard inspiring addresses from peace-makers from all around the world. We heard inspiring "overcoming violence" addresses from the Congo, from Iraq, from Indian women, from Martin Luther King III, from a Christian Palestinian doctor, from an Orthdox bishop from Baghdad, from a former prime minister of Norway and from many others.

Coming back to Dunedin, I wondered what difference I could make, and what difference our churches here are making or could be making to overcoming violence in our community? First and foremost, our churches, if they are being true to their faith, will be modelling a lifestyle based on justice and peace within their own faith communities. Second, our churches will be seeking to influence the wider community for good by addressing the root causes of violence in our community. I see this happening in many ways. As in Kingston, the churches here in Dunedin, and individual Christians, are involved with a wide range of community groups, working at every level of society to overcome violence and to model more peaceful and respectful ways of living. This is happening institutionally through the work of wonderful organisations such as the Methodist Mission, Anglican Family Care, the Salvation Army, Presbyterian Support and Catholic Social Services.

Working towards and expressing a commitment to peace and justice is also happening when tertiary students and others march down George St to protest against sexual violence. It is happening through the Sophie Elliott Foundation. It is happening through the Dunedin Night Shelter. It is happening through our New Zealand Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies based at the University of Otago. It is happening when the Muslim community invites people who are not members of their faith to join them at the mosque to share an evening meal during Ramadan. It is happening whenever we care for creation, whenever we choose ethical investments, support Trade Aid, and prioritise spending on early childhood education and nurture. Overcoming violence is happening whenever we choose to reach out compassionately to support and care for our neighbours, whoever they are, wherever they come from, whatever they are doing and whatever they have done.

Overcoming violence is happening whenever and wherever we dare to model, nurture and encourage more peaceful and just ways of living.

The Rev Greg Hughson is an ecumenical chaplain at the University of Otago.

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VIDEO

For those of you who didn't catch the video from this conference...

[From the Archbishop of Canterbury's website: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/]

"Reflections on the Christians in the Holy Land Conference 2011

Participants reflect on their experiences at the recent Conference on Christians in the Holy Land, hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of Westminster at Lambeth Palace.

Prior to the conference, Dr Rowan Williams launched an Appeal for contributions to a fund from which community projects in the Holy Land could be supported."

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DIGITAL COMMUNION

Why not try some digital worship at...  The Anglican Cathedral of Second Life

From http://slangcath.wordpress.com/

About the Cathedral

History

In November 2006 Rocky Vallejo (Bill Sowers in real life, member of St David’s Episcopal Church, Diocese of Kansas) founded the Anglican Group in Second Life.  Then in February 07 Rev Mark Brown (Arkin Ariantho) joined and offered to lead the group. The first meeting of the Anglican group was a small affair (see image below) and out of this Mark shared a vision of building an Anglican presence in SL through a church.  Espeth Guyot (SL name) shared the vision with some builder friends which resulted in Monty Merlin (SL name) offering to build the Cathedral with assistance from Elspeth and Barry Lubezki.  From March through to May 07 the Cathedral was built and as it took shape it was realised this was going to be something exceptional.  On June 14, 2009, the Rev. Mark Brown retired from active leadership in this ministry.  He maintains an advisory role as Priest Associate, and continues to explore ideas related to online ministry, which can be followed on his blog.

Today

We have changed and grown a lot in the three and a half years of our Second Life ministry.  Anglican worship services are held daily on Epiphany Island, both in the cathedral and in our smaller meditation chapel.  A weekly bible study is held on Sunday mornings, with more courses and discussion groups in the planning stages.  Prayer doesn’t just happen during these times, though.  Many people visit our worship spaces at all hours (we are always open!), and we have an active ministry of prayer support and pastoral care to the residents of Second Life.

In addition to our formal worship spaces, there are many other areas to explore on Epiphany Island.  Among our meditative spaces is a contemporary labyrinth, based on a design created for St. Paul’s Cathedral, London as part of the Millennium celebrations held in that city.  More on the inspiration for this design may be found at http://www.labyrinth.org.uk.

Community life is a very important aspect of our ministry.  The Epiphany Community Center is a great place to come and relax, and enjoy fellowship with fellow residents from around the world.  The social areas on the ground and top floors feature games, videos, music and dancing under the stars.  The middle floor features our New Resident Center, which has a lot of useful information for getting started in Second Life, as well as a place to relax, change clothes, and make other adjustments to your avatar in a safe, private environment.

We hope you will stop by and visit us sometime, either to join us in worship or just explore the island.  We have prepared a Visitor’s Guide to the Cathedral and Epiphany Island to assist you.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the members of our Leadership Team, either in-world or through the contact information given on the Leadership Team page.

How to Participate

Our worship spaces, services and events are open to all who wish to visit.  If you are not yet a resident of Second Life, you may learn more about it and register for free at their website.

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BOOKSHELF

Paul Kwong*
Identity in Community
Toward a Theological Agenda for the Hong Kong SAR
Reihe: ContactZone. Explorations in Intercultural Theology
Bd. 9, 2011, 304 S., 34.90 EUR, br., ISBN 978-3-643-90078-4

From Lit Verlag

Archbishop Paul Kwong develops the idea of "identity in community" as central to the mission and theological agenda of Christians in Hong Kong. In a wide-ranging multidisciplinary study, he analyzes diverse perspectives on the territory's recent history and compares the methodological approaches of local theologians with contextual theologies from other parts of the world. He argues that the overlapping cultural and religious identities of Christians in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China can empower Hong Kong people to embrace rather than to exclude differences and otherness, so that they can accept and live out our their identities in community without having to make a choice for one among the many.

Read most of this book for free here: http://www.ebooksgratis.it/leggi-ebook/9783643900784/Identity+in+Community

[*The Most Revd Paul Kwong is the Primate of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui)

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ANGLICAN CYCLE OF PRAYER Click here for the full ACP

Friday 19-Aug-2011
Psalm: 52    Gen 24:1-9
Rupert's Land - (Rupert's Land, Canada) The Rt Revd Donald D Phillips

Saturday 20-Aug-2011
Psalm: 53    Gen 24:10-27
Ruvuma - (Tanzania) The Rt Revd Dr. Maternus K Kapinga

Sunday 21-Aug-2011     Pentecost 10
Psalm: 54    Gen 24:28-33
Ruwenzori - (Uganda) The Rt Revd Benezeri Kisembo

Monday 22-Aug-2011
Psalm: 55:1-8,16-22    Acts 11:1-18
Bishop of Sabah - (South East Asia) The Rt Revd Albert Vun Cheong Fui
Assistant Bishop of Sabah - (South East Asia) The Rt Revd Melter Jiki Tais

Tuesday 23-Aug-2011
Psalm: 56    Acts 11:19-30
Sabongidda-Ora - (Province of Bendel, Nigeria) The Rt Revd John Akao

Wednesday 24-Aug-2011     Bartholomew the Apostle
Psalm: 57    Acts 12:1-11
Saldanha Bay - (Southern Africa) The Rt Revd Raphael Hess

Thursday 25-Aug-2011
Psalm: 61    Gen 24:34-49
Salisbury - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Revd Nicholas Roderick Holtam
Salisbury - Ramsbury - (Canterbury, England) Vacant
Salisbury - Sherborne - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Revd Graham Kings

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Disclaimer: The Weekly Review is a summary of news, information and resources gathered from around the Anglican Communion over the past week. The views expressed in Weekly Review do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Anglican Communion Office.

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