A Message from Bishop David Anderson

Bishop Anderson Beloved in Christ, This past week has seen a miracle in Chile, as the trapped miners were brought to the surface alive and well after such a long time underground. The Lord used the devotion and hard work of so many relief workers to drill the escape hole and provide for the miners' needs, and then when the miners emerged from the basket one by one, I think the whole world rejoiced. This last weekend saw the consecration of the new bishop for the Anglican Diocese of the South, the Rt. Rev. Foley Beach. As is the growing custom in the Anglican realignment in North America, Bishop Beach is also the rector of Holy Cross Anglican Church in Loganville, Georgia. The service took place in at the Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, where the Rev. Dr. Michael Youssef is the pastor. There were a number of bishops in attendance and participating. Archbishop Robert Duncan led the service, consecrating Dr. Beach as a large congregation, drawn from the four-state area of the diocese, enthusiastically joined in. The next day, the newly-consecrated Bishop Beach confirmed and received approximately 40 new members into his diocese, then on Monday he flew off to London to a meeting of Alpha leaders at Lambeth Palace. I have written in the past of the need to rekindle the fire of the Holy Spirit that many of us were shaped and formed by in the 1970's and 1980's, to refresh and renew the the Anglican/Episcopal churches and their clergy and laity. Most of us are tired of the "Anglican wars" and the conflict that has occupied the church for the last ten or more years, and although much of it might have been necessary, there is a sense that we need to turn to the things of growth and renewal. To this end, there is a spiritual renewal and refreshing planned for next year - a conference entitled REKINDLING THE FIRE. It is being planned for March 25-26-27, and will be hosted by St. Luke's Anglican Church, Akron, Ohio. This is an advance notice, so if this resonates with you, you can reserve this time on your calendar for next year. More details will be shared as the time draws a little closer, but the intention is to keep the registration fee very low, and try and provide as much host housing as possible. It has been a very long time since the last charismatic conference, but the Lord has heard our prayers and he will provide the fire. Blessings and peace in Christ Jesus, The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, Sr. President and CEO, American Anglican Council