Forward in Faith NA responds to Q & A on the new ACNA Province

Posted by David Virtue at Virtue Online 2008/12/12 15:10:00

Forward in Faith NA responds to Q & A on the new ACNA Province

December 12, 2008

Members of FiFNA have been asking Council members questions about FiFNA moving forward in the new ACNA. We hope this will answer some of the most asked questions.

1. What role will FiFNA take in as the ACNA continues its new existence?

a. As the primary voice for Anglo-Catholic Mission and Renewal, we will need to put into action the means by which we will be a missionary Church. As an ACNA Sub-Province (formerly a Common Cause Partner), we need to implement that missionary strategy and form it to the new governance of the ACNA reflecting our historic expression of the Catholic Faith.

b. Another important role for FiFNA will be the continued pastoral care of those parishes and members of FiFNA who find themselves still under TEC jurisdictions and unable to be under the new ACNA. We are committed to maintaining our relationship with those members remaining in hostile territory.

2. How is FiFNA represented on the Working Committees of ACNA? FiFNA is participation of the following ACNA committees, task forces, or working groups:

Bishop Keith Ackerman, FiFNA President, is on Executive, Admissions, Episcopal,
& Prayer Book and Common Worship
Father Larry Bausch, FiFNA Vice-President, is on Governance
Dr. Michael Howell, FiFNA Executive Director, is on Ecumenical
Father Michael Brooks, FiFNA Secretary, is on Finance/Stewardship Bishop Paul Hewett, FiFNA Episcopal Adjunct, is on Executive, and Ecumenical
Father Warren Tanghe, FiFNA Ex-Officio Adjunct, is on Ecumenical
Father Chuck Hough, FiFNA member, is on Education
Father Christopher Culpepper, FiFNA member, is on Mission

3. Realizing ACNA is a work in progress, what can I expect to see in the next 6 months?

a. Timeline 2009 January: Governance will review additional rules for the effective operation of ACNA. 2009 February: FiFNA Council will adjust our method of operation to the new ACNA structure including the nature of membership and oversight. 2009 April: ACNA Council will meet with ??? who are members of FiFNA 2009 May: Dioceses, clusters, or networks of ACNA will have elected representation for the Provincial Assembly 2009 June: FiFNA Annual Assembly will meet. 2009 June: ACNA Provincial Synod & College of Bishops meet.

b. During 2009 FiFNA Council, Committees, and Task-Forces will developing a Strategic Plan as one of the Sub-Provinces of ACNA. In addition to constitution and canons for the FiFNA Sub-Province, we will need to have our Committees and Task-Forces operational in the new structure and participating with the other Sub-Provinces in Mission and Ministry.

4. My parish is a FiFNA parish, but where does that leave my parish still being under TEC?

a. FiFNA members remaining under the TEC jurisdiction will not automatically be transferred to ACNA jurisdiction. Rather dioceses, parishes, or clusters, must make application to be received into ACNA jurisdiction which will occur during 2009 (guidelines under development).

b. Those FiFNA members not under ACNA jurisdiction will have provisions made for their continued pastoral care having been affiliated with FiF NA. The manner of pastoral care will need to be developed recognizing jurisdictional limitations.

We encourage your questions regarding FiFNA and the ACNA. Please send your questions to Dr Michael Howell.