Synod 2017 is just around the corner! Register today!

By Lisa Anderson

Registration is now open for Synod 2017 
November 17-18. 2017
Click here to REGISTER.
 

Registration is now open for Synod 2017 (November 17-18) at All Saints’ Church, Woodbridge, VA. 

Synod is not only for clergy and delegates, anyone in the diocese is more than welcome to attend and see what we’re all about.

WHO NEEDS TO REGISTER?  

• You need to register if you would like to attend the Pre-Synod Session on Friday, November 17, 3-6:30 p.m. – Making Disciple-Making Disciples. Dinner is provided afterward for those attending the session who indicated on their registration they wished to be included in the dinner count. The Pre-Synod Session is open to everyone - You do not have to attend Synod to attend this workshop.
• Clergy and delegates must register so that ballots can be prepared for them. 
• If you would like to attend Synod as a guest or observer and stay for lunch on Saturday please register so we have an accurate count for lunch. There is no charge for this event.  Everyone who registers will receive a nametag and packet.
• No registration is needed if you only plan to attend the Friday night Eucharist or the Saturday breakout sessions. You also do not need to register if you plan to just drop by to visit the exhibits.

Synod 2017 Information

VOLUNTEER

Synod 2017 is a major event in the life of our diocese and we need lots of volunteers to make everything run smoothly. If you would like to become more involved and volunteer, click here to volunteer or contact Lisa Anderson at lisa.anderson@anglicandoma.org,

We look forward to seeing you at Synod 2017!

Lisa Anderson is the Event Coordinator for the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic.

Pre-Synod 2017 Workshop focuses on making disciples

Friday, November 17, 2017
All Saints' Church (Woodbridge, VA)
3:00-6:00 p.m.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Making Disciple-Making Disciples
Fulfilling the Great Commission is all about making disciples who make disciples. This central tenet has been at the heart of the Church’s health, growth and reproduction for over two millennia. Yet many of our churches are facing stiff challenges in this arena. Please join us for an inspiring afternoon as we discuss what Jesus intends for us as we develop this critical skill, reflect on the challenges we face in our rapidly changing culture, and hear testimonies from those who are finding effective ways to make disciple-making disciples.

The Rev. Tom Herrick is Canon for Church Planting for the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic and Executive Director of the Titus Institute for Church Planting.

The Rev. Bill Haley is the Associate Rector at The Falls Church Anglican and Executive Director of Coracle, a ministry of “Spiritual Formation for Kingdom Action.”

Steve Cannizzaro is the Director of Discipleship and Outreach at The Falls Church Anglican. He is responsible for growing firmly rooted, mature disciples of Jesus who bear the fruit of the Spirit; nurturing wholehearted Kingdom communities that reflect the glory of God; directing those communities to love and serve our neighbors across the street and around the world; and equipping them to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Steve is attending Trinity School for Ministry where he is studying to obtain a Masters of Arts (Religion) in Christian History and Theology. He is a Postulant for Ordination in the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic.

Bart Murnion serves as the Church Administrator at Church of the Holy Spirit, Leesburg, VA. He has responsibility over finance, administration, and facilities. He is also the director of Muintearas House, a unique residential discipleship training ministry for a group of men, who live with his family. 

The Rev. Josh Kammerer is the lead pastor for Apostles Campus Church at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA and is working with an awesome team to spread the word on campus about how amazing the love of God is. He, his wife Stephanie and their young son live in Washington, DC. He is also the associate rector at Church of the Apostles, Fairfax, VA and oversees various aspects of discipleship in the life of the church. Josh uses the Campus Church environment to “beta test” various methods of discipleship before unleashing them on the Apostles congregation.

Charles Albert has been in education as a high school teacher, a Principal in New York, a high school principal of Salisbury Christian School, MD, and the headmaster of Ocean City Christian School, MD. Charles was also the director of a Christian camp and conference center on Long Island, NY for ten years. He has served as a warden in the Episcopal Church and at Holy Spirit Anglican Church in Lewes, DE. He has been their delegate to the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic Synod for three years. 

More great speakers and workshops coming to Synod 2017!

Saturday, November 18, 2017
All Saints' Church (Woodbridge, VA)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

PREACHERS

FRIDAY EVENING EUCHARIST

The Rev. David Glade is the founding pastor of Christ the King. He and his wife, Jennifer, have six children. David received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University and his Masters of Divinity at Trinity School for Ministry. David was ordained to the presbytery on January 27, 2005 by Archbishop Robert Duncan and was installed as the rector of Christ the King on November 21, 2008. Before planting Christ the King, David served on the pastoral staff of The Falls Church.   

SATURDAY MORNING PRAYER

Mary Amendolia currently serves as Pastoral Associate in Pastoral Care at the Falls Church Anglican and is a Spiritual Director with Coracle. She trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, England, and at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. While working at Heythrop College, University of London, Mary taught adults how to engage in interfaith dialogue while she concurrently earned her MA in Christian Spirituality with a focus on the visual arts and spiritual transformation.  Additionally, she holds a BA in Art History. Mary loves to help others discover the good news of Jesus. She also speaks at retreats, enjoys international travel, learning about other cultures, reading, painting, walking, and all things Italian.

Optional Lunchtime Breakout Sessions

Listening to God’s Direction in Your Life: The ancient practice of spiritual direction provides us with a powerful way to enter into deeper relationship with our Triune God. This session will introduce you to the biblical and historical roots of spiritual direction and will give you an experience of the kind of listening presence that a spiritual director offers. Offered by the faculty of Anam Cara for Training for Spiritual Directors.

The Rev. Sue Hardman is a priest at Truro Anglican Church and has been a spiritual director for more than 30 years. 

Desiree Barker is an experienced spiritual director, retreat leader, and teacher; she serves on the staff of the Titus Institute for Church Planting as the Resource Director.

Hope Foster Britt is a spiritual director, retreat leader, teacher and the founder of Caol Ait, a retreat community in Clifton.

 

Developing Your Emerging Leaders: Tom Herrick and Patrick Cunningham will meet with church leaders interested in developing their emerging leaders. Come hear about the many ways the Great Commission Committee can assist your congregation in identifying, training, coaching, and deploying your leaders to enable them fully to develop their gifts for leadership.

The Rev. Tom Herrick is Canon for Church Planting for the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic and Executive Director of the Titus Institute for Church Planting. 

Patrick Cunningham has served in various leadership and staff roles at Resurrection Anglican Church in Lutherville, MD, and the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic since 2005. Patrick has worked for and now serves on the board of directors of the Titus Institute for Church Planting. As a certified coach for church planters and leaders, he has worked with various planters and leaders throughout North America with emphasis in the Baltimore Area. Patrick has a passion for developing and mentoring leaders in the Church. He is also a postulant for ordination in the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic.
 

Taking the Next Bold Steps: The Rev. Rick Wright and the Rev. Joe Acanfora will meet with church leaders who wish to hear about the ReMissioning Workshop series that will be offered by the Great Commission Committee in early 2018. This series is ideal for those congregations who wish to assess and build on their strengths, identify and address their challenges, and design a plan for taking the next bold steps as a congregation.

The Rev. Rick Wright serves as the vice chair of the Great Commission Committee for the Diocese. As such, he helps the Committee fulfill its mandate to support church planting in the Diocese and to help strengthen our established congregations. Rick also serves as the Director for Congregational Care at the Falls Church Anglican. 

The Rev. Joe Acanfora is the Rector of Church of the Apostles, Fairfax, VA. Joe and his wife, Beth, have hearts to minister with power and God’s grace, serving his Church and reaching out into the community to serve others. Joe is a long term member of the Great Commission Committee and is eager to help our churches reach their full potential.

 

Conversation on Race and Grace: Race issues have become contentious and difficult to talk about, so how can my church and I deal effectively with racism? How can we, in some way, be agents of change and reconciliation? Are there prejudices in my own life of which I am unaware? How can I deal with that? Join the conversation.

Tom Tarrants is the Vice President for Ministry & Director, Washington Area Fellows Program at the C.S. Lewis Institute in Washington, D.C. He is a former Ku Klux Klan terrorist. He was ambushed by local police during a planned dynamite bombing at the home of Mayer Davidson a leading Anti-Defamation League official in Meridian, MI. He was severely wounded in the attack and later served eight years in prison. While in prison he came to Christ and renounced his racist beliefs. Tom has served as co-pastor of Christ Our Shepherd Church in Washington, D.C. and as a member of churches in our diocese, most recently The Falls Church Anglican. He is the author of two books, and consults with churches and organizations seeking to develop discipleship programs and materials to strengthen the local church. Tom holds a Master of Divinity Degree, as well as a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Christian Spirituality. 

 

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

A History of Race and the Church in the American Anglican Tradition: This breakout session will take a deep look at the history of racism in the Church from its origins in the fifteenth century to the modern era, with an emphasis on the Anglican tradition in the United States. 

Albert Thompson is a war, conflict and peace historian and an instructor of history at Northern Virginia Community College. He joined the Anglican Church in North America in 2011. In 2016, he was elected to the Vestry of Christ the King Church (Alexandria,VA) and to the Standing Committee of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic. He holds a Masters in Military History from Norwich University where his research focused on the Troubles in Northern Ireland. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in history at Howard University where he focuses on post-Second World War American identity. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. 
 

Community Vacation Bible School: Coming to a Neighborhood Near You? Come learn how to become an ambassador for Christ in your mission field, right on the streets where you and the members of your church live. Community Vacation Bible School (CVBS) is a partnership of churches from different denominations united in the mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and loving their neighbors. This unique model of stationary and mobile missionary teams reaches people in local yards, parks and shelters who have never heard of Jesus or experienced his love and would not likely step inside a church building on their own. CVBS has powerfully touched hundreds of families in rural, suburban and inner city communities. After experiencing this model locally, Community Vacation Bible School volunteers of all ages have then taken CVBS to neighborhoods in Sudan, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Thailand and Ukraine.

Lindsey Feldman is the Children’s Ministry Director at All Saints’ Church in Woodbridge, VA and leader of the Community VBS (CVBS) movement. Lindsey also chairs the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic’s Child Protection Committee and trains Child Protection Workshop Leaders throughout the diocese and in other denominations. With a BSW and a MA in Counseling, Lindsey worked for many years as a Probation Officer and Family Counselor for the Juvenile Court and helped establish and lead the Juvenile Justice Parenting Program through Cooperative Extension. As the Community VBS Director, Lindsey travels to more than 35 local sites annually and has journeyed to Sudan, Nicaragua and Jamaica to join teams of volunteers taking the Gospel to mission doorsteps in many cultures. In 2016, the Community VBS movement was featured in a workshop at the New Wineskins Mission Conference.

 

Reaching the Jewish People Around Us: How we could bring thousands of our Jewish neighbors into our Churches: The Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic matches geographically the footprint of the seventh largest Jewish population center in the USA. 700,000 Jewish people live within the boundaries of our diocese, approximately 14% of the US Jewish population. This breakout will take a look at those demographics and the geography of this mission field and its implication for ministry. Historically, Jewish people have chosen to live in mostly homogeneous neighborhoods in one part of a major city. The nature of the Washington DC metropolitan area and its proximity to Baltimore has caused a different configuration. Instead of one major neighborhood, there are many smaller, but still concentrated, clusters throughout our diocese. Many of these Jewish neighborhoods are in the same areas our parishes are located. Of equal importance is the rapidly accelerating percentage of Jewish/Gentile couples, i.e. 44% of all Jewish people are married to Gentiles. Recent studies show acute disharmony in those relationships. A sensitive outreach program to these culturally mixed secular marriages, is a largely untouched field in which the news of Jesus the Jewish Messiah can bring spiritual harmony. Many of you already know that your parish is near a Jewish neighborhood. This session will be an opportunity to explore how to effectively reach out to them. 

The Rev. Daryl Fenton is National Director of CMJ-USA—the Church’s Ministry Among Jewish People. Daryl previously served as Canon to Archbishop Robert Duncan of the Anglican Church in North America, overseeing mission relationships nationally and internationally. He also served as Canon and Chief Operating Officer for the Anglican Communion Network, a founding organization of the Anglican Church in North America. Daryl is a graduate of Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, and Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA.

 

What Did I Just Sign? Affirming Our Fundamental Declarations: We sign things all of the time, whether it’s the electronic form promising our good behavior before we log onto the wifi network at Starbucks, or the dozens of signature sheets that are part of making a major purchase. Sometimes we never get around to understanding what we have signed. We don’t want that to be the case when you come to diocesan synod. Part of being a delegate to this year’s synod was signing the Anglican Church in North America’s “Fundamental Declarations.” Our goal is that at the end of this session, you will have a deeper understanding of the theological, churchly and christological commitments we have all signed on to as Anglicans.

The Rev. Peter Frank is Rector of Church of the Epiphany in Herndon, VA. 
The Rev. Nicholas Lubelfeld is Pastoral Associate at the Falls Church Anglican in Falls Church, VA.

 

The Way Forward: Discipleship—You know it is important, but what is it?  And how do you raise it from a class or program to a way of life? “The Way Forward” will provide you with a framework for answering this question: What is the mission of the church? What part does discipleship play in this mission? How do you align your church to accomplish it? What resources and tools are helpful? “The Way Forward” addresses these questions in an informative, engaging presentation.

Steve Cannizzaro is the Director of Discipleship and Outreach at The Falls Church Anglican. He is responsible for growing firmly rooted, mature disciples of Jesus who bear the fruit of the Spirit; nurturing wholehearted Kingdom communities that reflect the glory of God; directing those communities to love and serve our neighbors across the street and around the world; and equipping them to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Steve is attending Trinity School for Ministry where he is studying to obtain a Masters of Arts (Religion) in Christian History and Theology. He is a Postulant for Ordination in the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic.  

 

The Jesus Way of Discipleship: Developing Relational Environments to Foster One-on-One Discipleship: Come explore how Jesus made disciples. We will be looking at using existing cultural practices to create environments for discipleship. And looking at how meeting felt needs within the culture can lead to amazing ministry and discipleship opportunities. 

The Rev. Josh Kammerer is the lead pastor for Apostles Campus Church at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA and is working with an awesome team to spread the word on campus about how amazing the love of God is. He, his wife Stephanie and their young son live in Washington, DC. He is also the associate rector at Church of the Apostles, Fairfax, VA and oversees various aspects of discipleship in the life of the church. Josh uses the Campus Church environment to “beta test” various methods of discipleship before unleashing them on the Apostles congregation.

Bart Murnion serves as the Church Administrator at Church of the Holy Spirit, Leesburg, VA. He has responsibility over finance, administration, and facilities. He is also the director of Muintearas House, a unique residential discipleship training ministry for a group of men, who live with his family.

Calling all Anglicans into Action for Life!

 

Click here to register.
Click here for more information.

Learn what you can do to affirm life in your community

By Georgette Forney

It seems like we have just arrived home to Pittsburgh after Summit 2017, but here we are, ready to let you know the details for Summit 2018! As we have been looking forward to and praying expectantly for this year’s event, it has been a blessing to reflect on Summit 2017; the best part about our effort to mobilize the Church for life was to connect with all of you, who participated and actively sought to start or invigorate life ministry in your churches and communities.

I wanted to personally invite you to the upcoming Summit 2018 (January 18-19)! We are excited that it will be held in Falls Church, VA, followed by the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Please visit our website for details about our speakers and registration information.
 
In addition to yourself, I would encourage you to invite a friend and to forward this invitation to others, especially if God has put it on your heart to start a life-affirming ministry. As with any calling, God intends us to act in and rely on community for support and prayer. Seeking partnership within your congregation can create a unique and necessary dynamic for ministry!

Another way to support the Summit 2018 is to send us a short response to the following question that we can feature on our social media pages: "What was the greatest benefit of attending Summit 2017?” We hope that your comment will inspire our Anglican brothers and sisters to attend Summit 2018.

Since the Summit on the East Coast has been a great success, we have decided, with the Lord’s provision, to invest in a new endeavor this year. Our first Life Symposium will take place on January 26-27, 2018 in conjunction with the Walk for Life in San Francisco, California! Additional information can be found on our website. If you feel like God is calling you to join us on the West Coast for this event, Anglicans for Life would love to see you there!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you have.
 
I look forward to seeing you in January!

The Rev. Georgette Forney is President of Anglicans For Life.

Into the Harvest Series

What Aspen Trees teach us about the Kingdom of God

By Joe Acanfora
 










I love the outdoors, especially being in the mountains. Every fall I’m privileged to spend some time in wilderness of the Rocky Mountains with my sons. One of the many wonders I enjoy on my treks out there are the Aspens.

An aspen grove is a living organism—as soon as the tree is healthy and established, before reaching full maturity, it sends out from its root system a shoot that springs up as another tree to further the grove.

The root system of the grove of trees is actually shared, interconnected and interdependent.

All of the aspens typically grow in large colonies, derived from a single seedling, and spread by means of root suckers that spread from the parent tree.  New stems in the colony may appear at up to 150 feet from the parent tree. Each individual tree can live for 40–150 years above ground, but the root system of the colony can live for thousands of years, sending up new trunks as the older trunks die off above ground. For this reason, it is considered to be an indicator of ancient woodlands. One such colony in Utah, given the nickname of "Pando," is estimated to be 80,000 years old, making it possibly the oldest living colony of aspens. They are even able to survive forest fires, because the roots are below the heat of the fire, with new sprouts growing after the fire burns out. (from Wikipedia) 

Aspens know what it means to multiply life. Each tree exists to advance the kingdom of aspens!    

Each tree doesn’t care who gets the creditfor the growth because it is all shared—all for the good of extending/advancing the kingdom of aspens.

As do so many aspects of creation, an aspen tree and aspen grove reflect a truth of the Kingdom of God. Healthy Aspens and aspen groves multiply and extend the kingdom of aspens.  Healthy followers of Jesus Christ and his healthy churches are called to multiply and extend the Kingdom of God on earth. In the years I’ve been going out west, I have seen places where entire mountain sides, over 100 acres in area, have been transformed from sage-brush and scrub-pine to healthy vibrant aspen groves.  

In Luke 13:6-9 Jesus tells a parable about being fruitful in him.  He says be fruitful or be cut down!  And Jesus told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?'  And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.  Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

We are commanded by him in our lives and churches to be fruitful by bringing the love and truth of Jesus Christ into the fallen world and communities in which we live; to transform the sage-brush and scrub pine of our neighborhoods and those around us into something beautiful. That something beautiful is the image of Christ we bear. Our desire is that others who don’t yet know Him, would live into the beauty of bearing His image as well. We do that as individuals in small one-on-one relational ways, and as churches of Jesus Christ who multiply by planting and replanting other Christ-centered churches.

The Great Commission Committee of DOMA is committed to church multiplication across the Anglican Diocese of The Mid-Atlantic. We are especially enthusiastic about partnering with churches and individuals who, in Christ, are looking to extend the Kingdom of God in the mid-Atlantic region by planting missional communities and churches.  I am excited to serve as part of this team to equip and empower churches and planters who have a heart for multiplying God’s Kingdom work, and invite you to discuss with us how we can partner together and live into Jesus’ command to be disciples who make disciples.

Faith hope and love abide, but the greatest of these is love  —1 Cor. 13:13

The Rev. Joe Acanfora is rector of Church of the Apostles Anglican in Fairfax, VA, and serves on the Great Commission Committee. Photos by Patrick Hendry.

Why we must stick with praying for people

By Pamela Meeks

Recently I attended a mini-conference called Engaging Evangelism. Randy Newman, the presenter, was a winsome teacher and encourager. This was well worth the trip to Hagerstown, Maryland!

Telling the Good News of the Gospel in ways people can hear is something that anyone can do. Whereas in the past we might have thought we needed to invite someone to a Billy Graham event, today sharing Jesus happens most effectively when we have deep and meaningful conversations with people we know. Randy reminded us about the importance of prayer. But, how easy it is to give up and lose heart when we see little to no movement in our friends’ spiritual lives. 

But the Scriptures tell us: 

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving... Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4: 2 & 6 

So, although it is easy to lose heart when praying for people to see and respond to the grace of the Lord Jesus, we have to stick with it. Some of us have labored in prayer for decades and we still see little progress. But it seems to me, that the Apostle Paul’s reason for urging a steadfast commitment to prayer is because he knows that is exactly where it is easy to give up. We understand that if we are going to persevere in prayer, we need to find a way to keep a system and a regular reminder. My first commitment from the mini-conference was to bring back my own system which worked so well in my old neighborhood. The notebook will have people’s names who I am praying for and space enough to record answers to prayer. 

In a separate section, I can write down notes about prayer walking in the neighborhood and the new people I meet. We moved 3 months ago and my husband has already started prayer walking and meeting people in our new neighborhood. Writing down names in one place helps us remember people we meet. Those things might be important later. Putting down dates is also good idea. The start is simple, but doable. I hope to be “watchful with thanksgiving” as I pray for my neighbors and friends.

The Rev. Pamela Meeks is Associate Rector of Church of the Epiphany Anglican in Herndon, VA.

Coracle offers year-long Fellowship Formation Program

By Bill Haley

God made you beautifully and radically unique. God did this so that you could joyfully thrive in this world for the sake of the world through your unique experience and expression of deeper union with Jesus. The Coracle Fellowship leads you through a year-long process of discovery and deepening in community with others who are also seeking more in their relationship with God and in their redemptive engagement in the brokenness that surrounds us all.  It is a program of “Spiritual Formation For Kingdom Action.” We offer it for your joy and freedom, and because the world needs more people who are alive and strong in God to powerfully be his presence wherever you go and wherever God leads you.

Click here to find the full program description here: Coracle Fellowship description.

Here is our 2018 Fellows Class application. All responses are due by November 15, 2017.

Contact us here with more questions about this program.

The Rev. Bill Haley is Executive Director of Coracle and is the Associate Rector of The Falls Church Anglican.

New Study Guide: Four Pastoral & Educational Affirmations

By Archbishop Foley Beach

With the 500th anniversary celebrating the beginning of the Reformation, I am deeply aware that we are in the midst of a new Reformation that is sweeping the globe, not just within Anglicanism, but all of Christendom.  People are returning to the plain teaching of the Scriptures, and embracing Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.

It is in that spirit that I am pleased to commend to you a new resource (see below) that has been developed in conjunction with our Lutheran brothers and sisters.  “Four Pastoral and Educational Affirmations” is a study guide produced by The Anglican Church in North America and The North American Lutheran Church which highlights our common understanding of Jesus Christ, the Scriptures, Baptism, and Communion.

If you are part of an Anglican congregation and live in a community where there are also North American Lutheran churches, I encourage you to consider joining together in grassroots ecumenical conversations to deepen your faith by learning more about the biblical truths that we share in common.

I am thankful for the hard work of the NALC/ACNA dialogue committee, the co-chairs, Bishop Charlie Masters (ACNA) and Pastor David Wendel (NALC), and Bishop Ray Sutton, Dean of Ecumenical Affairs. 

May God continue to lead us as we seek to faithfully live out the next Reformation by leading people to a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Most Rev. Foley Beach is Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America.

From members of the ACNA/NALC Ecumenical Consultation

We bring you greetings on behalf of the participants of the ecumenical consultation of the Anglican Church in North America and the North American Lutheran Church.

As a part of our ongoing conversations, we have developed four pastoral and educational affirmations addressing the topics of “Jesus Christ, the Gospel and Justification,” “Holy Baptism,” “Holy Communion,” and “Holy Scripture,” with accompanying study guides designed to involve local lay people of all ages in learning, reflection and conversation. All are included in the attached booklet which may also be printed as hard-copy.

Our hope is that these materials will be used for study, reflection and discussion within congregations, families, small groups or other activities within parishes and congregations of ACNA and NALC.

More importantly, it is the hope of the consultation participants that neighboring ACNA and NALC parishes will seek out each other and develop opportunities to study these four affirmations together. More information about such study groups is provided in the introduction to the booklet.

In service to Christ our Lord,

The participants of the ACNA/NALC Ecumenical Consultation

Spread the word - learn more about pro-life issues

By Jeanne Lee

Sunday, Nov. 12, 7-9pm - Monthly Sunday Healing Service - Loss of Little Ones  
This healing service at Rivendell School Chapel, 5700 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA, will focus specifically on losses through abortion, still births, infant deaths, and miscarriages.  For more information, please email Lesley Hackman at hackmant@starpower.net. Something to Share? - If something pro-life has been fruitful at your church, please share it with us!  Or if you're looking for suggestions in a certain area, let us know.  Just send items to my email address below and I'll be glad to distribute them.  May the Lord move through us to promote a culture of life in our churches and communities.

Jeanne Lee is the Life Ministries Network Facilitator for the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic. She is a member of The Falls Church Anglican.

Join the Anglican Relief & Development Fund in Rwanda

By Bill Deiss

You’ve seen the videos. You’ve heard the stories. God is doing amazing things around the world through the church and we want to give you the opportunity to see them firsthand.

Join the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) and Bishop Quigg Lawrence in Rwanda in late January 2018. We will have the unique opportunity to interact with Rwandans doing incredible ministry in a special context. We will also observe how collaborative ministry provides a “hand up” and not a dignity robbing “handout” in a sustainable, kingdom-building way. We’ll also see how communities with strong churches are thriving, and how communities with a new church are experiencing the first stages of kingdom-change. 

While we are there, two special events will occur. We will be guests at the groundbreaking of a new building owned by the Anglican Church of Rwanda in downtown Kigali, funded by our partner Walk with Rwanda. Once completed and rented out, this office building will provide sustainable income for the church to expand its mission work. We also will visit the new cathedral in Cyangugu for its dedication. These are wonderful opportunities to see the power of God's kingdom in action.

Of course, we will also visit Rwandans doing incredible work, expanding the kingdom through projects to improve nutrition, agriculture, and childhood education. Through the local church, communities are strengthened and the poor and marginalized discover hope.

The total cost for the 8 day experience is $3,000.00, including airfare from New York City, NY. You can read the specific details of the trip here and access the day by day itinerary, application form and other details here. Don't delay. We expect this trip to fill up quickly.

Come join us! We guarantee that going will change the way you think about global missions. 

Bill Deiss is the Executive Director of the Anglican Relief and Development Fund.

You are invited to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land

By Dean Schultz

Would you like to go on an adventure with fellow Anglicans that will help to make the Bible “come alive” for you in a way that you have never experienced before? The Rev. Dean Schultz and his wife, Glorianne, would like to invite you to join their Faith Pilgrimages Team for an 11-Day Pilgrimage to the Holy Land January 22-February 1. 2018, where you will have a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Jesus (not to mention the Old and New Testament saints).

This unique pilgrimage includes visits to top Biblical sites, life-transforming times of teaching, praise accompanied by Davidic instruments, prayer, reflection, great fellowship over delicious Mediterranean meals and first-class accommodations.

To download a brochure with itinerary and registration information go to worshipequippers.org, and click on Holy Land Pilgrimages. You can also connect with Rev. Schultz via email at DSchultz@worshipequippers.org, or by calling 703.297.8139.  You are encouraged to register ASAP (registration deadline is October 15).

The Rev. Dean Schultz is Associate Rector of Church of the Holy Spirit in Leesburg, VA.

DOMACAST: Into the Harvest Series

The Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic brings insightful podcasts featuring a cross section of speakers from all walks of our Christian life.  Listen on the diocesan website and subscribe to DOMACAST here.

We’ve launched a new series on DOMACAST called Into the Harvest. This series will focus on the mission and ministry of church planting and church health. This work in the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic is led by  the Great Commission Committee (GCC). Tom Herrick, Canon for Church Planting for the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic (as well as the Executive Director of the Titus Institute) is the chair of the GCC. We asked Tom to be our first guest in this new series. Listen online or subscribe today!

Next up we interview the Rev. Jay Baylor, Vicar of Church of the Apostles in the City (Baltimore, MD). Jay Baylor writes, "I never expected to end up in the city. I’m the son of farmers and truck drivers from Central Pennsylvania. In 2006, I was challenged by Heidi Baker’s testimony to “go where only the Gospel could make a difference.” I felt the Lord guide us into East Baltimore, one of the most challenged neighborhoods in our region." Listen to the interview online or subscribe here.

Our latest episode features the Rev. Alex Leighton, Associate Rector of All Saints' Church. He talks about living a "full life" and actively engaging in "ministry on our doorstep," right where we live. Click here to listen.

You may also find featured talks in the DOMACAST podcast available for free in the iTunes Store here.  You may listen to episodes online, download to your device, or subscribe.

Check out the Jobs Board

One of the top hits on the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic website is our Jobs Board that advertises employment in our churches and related organizations in the diocese.

Click here to see the latest employment openings. To request that a position be posted, please send an email to Mary Ailes with the position title, a brief description of the position, a website link to further information if available, the deadline for applications if appropriate, and the email address of a point of contact.  

Get the message out and pass the word

It's easy to subscribe to receive the Mid-Atlantic Messenger. All are encouraged to sign up to receive the official newsletter of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic. You may post the link on your Facebook page, tweet it or run the information in your weekly service leaflet.

To receive the Mid-Atlantic Messenger just click here and fill out the simple form online. After you finish completing the form, be sure to click on the link sent to you in your confirmation email and you are all set!  Questions?  Contact Mary Ailes at mary.ailes@anglicandoma.org.

The Mid-Atlantic Messenger

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Tuesday, November 30, 2017
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