Bishop Minns Holy Week 2009 Letter

Holy Week 2009

Dear Friends:

This week we remember the amazing journey from Gethsemane to Calvary and to the Empty Tomb. It is the most dramatic journey of all time! It changed human history and it changed your life and mine. It also reminds us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.

Common Cause
As Anglicans we have always recognized that each believer and each local congregation is part of a much larger community. We don't just need each other, we are part of each other. That's why CANA has invested so much time and effort in the building up of the emerging North American province.

Last week at the CANA headquarters in Herndon, we hosted a three-day meeting of the Governance Task Force (GTF) for the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). This is the same group we hosted in October when the GTF drafted the provisional constitution for the ACNA. This past week, we completed a draft of titles and canons for ACNA. As Bishop Bob Duncan says, this is not exciting work, but it is work that demonstrates that our orthodox Anglican movement is united by Christ.

You will find the current iterations of the ACNA canons on the CANA website: go to the homepage and then go to the "NEWS" tab where you will find the newly posted documents. If you have any feedback about these, please be in touch with either Bishop Bena or Mrs. Oruh or Chief Delano .

Provincial Gatherings
Later this month, Bishop Jack Iker will be hosting the ACNA "Council" at St Vincent's Cathedral in Fort Worth, Texas. CANA's delegates to the ACNA Council are myself, Bishop David Bena, Mrs. Patience Oruh, and Chief Gboyega Delano. Amongst other things, our work will include finalizing the canons and admitting a number of new dioceses.

In June, Bishop Iker will also host the ACNA "Assembly" which I wrote about in my letter to you last month. CANA's delegation to this larger gathering will include 26 representatives. This Assembly has the authority to give the final stamp of approval on ACNA's constitution and canons.

Please be in prayer for the April Council and the June Assembly. This work towards common governance will support and sustain our common worship and common mission that CANA shares with all our Common Cause partners. This is a historic year for all of us as we continue to make significant progress towards unifying our witness to Christ's good news of radical inclusion, profound transformation, and inspired service.

St George's Anglican Church , Colorado Springs
This past week a new CANA congregation was formed, St George's Anglican Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado . St George's was founded by the majority of the congregation called Grace & St Stephen's which lost its legal battle with The Episcopal Church (TEC) and the TEC Diocese of Colorado. While we are of course disappointed with the local court's ruling, we rejoice that St George's has been able to find a wonderful new location for worship where they held their Palm Sunday services. (A copy of my letter to them on this special occasion can be found on the CANA website, also under the News section.)

Please continue to pray for the congregation of St George's, for the rector Don Armstrong, and the associate clergy Eric Zolner and Alan Crippen.

New Congregations and Clergy in CANA
In the midst of these challenging times it is a special joy to recall that Holy Tuesday this week marked the 4th anniversary of CANA's founding. It is also a special joy to announce that our Lord continues to add to our number. In recent weeks we have welcomed the following five congregations from five different states as follows: Coventry, Alabaster, Ala.; Christ Church, Baltimore, Md.; St Stephens, Tullahoma, Tenn.; Holy Trinity, North Augusta, S.C.; and St Edmunds, Elm Grove, Wisc.

I am also delighted that Thomas Sweeney was ordained a deacon on March 29, 2009 at Church of the Messiah, Chesapeake, Va., and that we anticipate at least five new deacons and priests to be ordained between Maine and New Mexico by the time CANA's Council convenes in late July. Please pray for all of these congregations, clergy, and postulants as they seek to be faithful to our Lord's call.

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he as crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Bishop Martyn Minns is the Missionary Bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). There are two CANA congregations in central NY: St. Andrew's in Vestal and Westside Anglican in Syracuse. ed.