It's a new day for Anglicanism in the West, says priest
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
5/19/2009
A new Anglican diocese, the Diocese of Western Anglicans has formed to carry the banner of Anglican orthodoxy in the states of California, Arizona, Montana, Idaho and Washington.
Twenty-one parishes with an Average Sunday Attendance of 2,000 that includes former Episcopal parishes and some newly formed Anglican parishes formally asked for recognition by the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) when the Provincial Assembly met in Dallas/Ft. Worth in April.
"This was a thrilling and defining moment for us," said the The Rev. Bill Thompson, Rector rector of All Saints' Church, Long Beach, California, in a phone call to VOL.
"When the Provincial Council of ACNA met recently in Dallas/Ft. Worth we were recognized as a diocese of the Anglican Church in North America. We praise God for this recognition. It is a privilege to be among the first diocese to be so approved. It has been a blessing to be the Collegiate Vicar of Western Anglicans during this exciting time."
Fr. Thompson told VOL that a group of priests and laity had been meeting and sharing their faith for two years, meeting as the Association of Western Anglican congregations. "It became apparent to us that we wanted to become an entity, and with a new orthodox Anglican province forming in North America it was a natural move for us. We have moved from a fellowship to a diocese and this will give us a real identity."
The evangelical rector said the move away from the 'faith once delivered' and the official approval behaviors that are contrary to Scripture in The Episcopal Church. It was a bridge too far for his Western orthodox Anglican brothers and sisters. "It was time to go. We realize it is not without pain. There is a cost to discipleship and many of us are paying that price in litigation and more. But we are called to be faithful to our Lord first and foremost."
At a recent special meeting of the House of Delegates of the Association of Western Anglican Congregations, held on March 14th, three candidates for Bishop of the future "Diocese" of Western Anglicans to the Anglican Church in North American (ACNA) were announced. The candidates are: The Rev. Donald L. "Don" Kroeger, Rector of Christ Church Anglican, Fallbrook, California, The Rev. Jose Poch, Rector of St. David's Anglican Church, North Hollywood, California, and The Rev. William A. Thompson, Rector of All Saints' Church, Long Beach, California. The new bishop will be elected by the College of Bishops on June 20-21st when new bishops will be elected at the Provincial Assembly of ACNA. A new Constitution and Canons will also be approved for a number of entities who will come in as dioceses at that time.
"Whoever becomes bishop will continue as a priest in their parish. We are not anticipating setting up an independent diocesan headquarters," said Thompson.
Fr. Thompson said that the provincial Council, consisting of bishops, clergy and lay leaders from the U.S. and Canada has drafted a provisional constitution which will be ratified by the Provincial Assembly in June. You can read more here: http://www.united-anglicans.org/
"The members of The Association of Western Anglican Congregations are all orthodox Anglican congregations in the Western United States; our members are not persons or organizations. Our congregations hold to the One, Holy, Apostolic and Catholic faith wherein Holy Scriptures contain all doctrine required as necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
"We call ourselves the Western Anglicans, and we are so pleased to be joining with other orthodox Anglican organizations in the United States in the formation of a new, orthodox Anglican Province in America."
The following is a list of members of the newly formed Western Anglican Diocese:
Member Congregations
At present Western Anglicans has 21 member congregations and several church plants in California and Arizona:
All Saints Anglican Church
346 Termino Avenue
Long Beach, California 90814
(562) 438-3650
http://www.allsaintslongbeach.org/
Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity
1850 Alpine Boulevard
Alpine, California 91901
(619) 722-1772
http://www.alpineanglican.com/
Anglican Church of St. Timothy and St. Titus
12730 Elm Park Lane
Poway, California 92064
(858) 484-5072
http://www.st-tnt.org
Anglican Church of the Resurrection
135 Vallecitos de Oro, Suite F
San Marcos, California 92069
(760) 471-5205
http://www.resurrectionsanmarcos.org
Christ Church Anglican
5811 N. 20th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
(602) 955-2040
http://www.christchurchanglicanaz.org
Christ Church, Fallbrook
2000 Reche Road
Fallbrook, California 92028
(760) 728-2007
Christ the King Anglican
3527 E. 29th Ave
Spokane, WA 99223
(509) 838-1633
http://www.spokaneanglican.com
Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church
1681 S. 6th Ave
Yuma, Arizona 85364
(928)-343-9551
http://www.christtheredeemeryuma.org
Christ's Church Anglican
3606 Atlantic Avenue
Highland, California 92346
(909)-206-7548
Flagstaff Anglican Fellowship
1750 N. Woodlands Village Blvd.
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
(928) 225-8929
Good Shepherd Anglican Church
2210 Encinitas Boulevard, Suite T
Encinitas, California 92024
(760) 481-3252
http://www.gsachurch.org
Grace Anglican Church of Boise
707 W Fort Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
(208) 322-9012
http://www.graceanglicanchurchboise.org/
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
11823 Truro Avenue
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 644-1402
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
2083 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard
San Diego, California 92107
(619) 222-0365
http://holytrinityob.com/
St. Anne's Anglican Church
701 West Street
Oceanside, California 92054
(760) 966-2950
http://www.saintanneschurch.net
St. David's Anglican Church
11605 Magnolia Boulevard
North Hollywood, California 91601
(818) 761-8633
http://www.stdavidsnh.org
St. James Anglican Church
3209 Via Lido
Newport Beach, California 92663
(949) 675-0210
http://www.stjamesnb.org/
St. Luke's of the Mountains Anglican Church
2563 Foothill Boulevard
La Crescenta, California 91214
(818) 248-3639
http://www.stlukes-online.org/
St. Luke's Reformed Episcopal Church
1702 E. Fairhaven
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-972-9700
http://www.stlukesrec.org
St. Stephens Anglican Church, Tustin
14741 N. B Street
Tustin, California 92780
(949) 733-9056
http://www.ststephensanglicanchurch.org
Trinity Anglican Church
300 S. Quincy Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 838-1633
http://www.tricitiestrinity.org
Western Anglicans website can be found here: http://westernanglicans.org
The following are Western Anglican Church Plants or are affiliated with a Western Anglican congregation:
Anglican Church of The Spirit (link)
1030 S. State Street
San Jacinto, California 92583-4918
(951) 306-5647 (Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, Yuma)
Christ Our Savior Anglican Church (link)
25000 S. Normandie Ave
Harbor City, CA 90710
(310) 320-0840 (All Saints Anglican Church, Long Beach)
The Gathering
495 South Brea Boulevard
Brea, CA 92821
(562) 697-4140
(St. James Anglican Church, Newport Beach)
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