Although they stand center stage, their hearts maintain a humble focus. Twelve worship leaders assembled under the leadership of Andy Piercy, Director of Worship Development for theAM, begin their work long before the Conference begins. He chooses this team not only for their musical talent but also because they have a heart for worship and then carefully selects music for the conference, including new songs written by worship leaders within the Mission.

Weeks before the conference, music charts, mp3 files and a multitude of emails unite a team known as the Winter Conference Worship Band. Many people have asked if this is “Andy’s band from his home church,” but actually they are Worship Leaders in their own right from across theAM. They set aside a week from their local church to travel to Winter Conference and enjoy the privilege of leading attendees into a deeper place of intimacy with the Father.

“It’s a lot of work and time, but always worth it – honored to serve,” says Richard Bierman, Worship Pastor at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Birmingham, Alabama. “I’m always blessed by God’s presence in the fellowship, prayers and worship.”

It does take a lot of hard work and time. Everyone on the worship team arrives two days before the conference begins. Instruments, technical equipment and boxes have been hand carried, checked through or shipped and loaded into the hotel rehearsal room where set up begins. As each member arrives, even though it might have been a full year or more since they have actually seen each other, there are hugs and genuine “good to see ya’s”. No uneasiness, no awkwardness; just one continuous conversation catching up on life and good-natured teasing.

"I am always so thankful and humbled to be worshiping and playing with Andy and the band,” shares Chris Sieggen, Worship Director at Cambridge Church in Overland Park, Kansas. “It’s such a wonderful way to serve together and be renewed each year. This year in particular, I felt humbled and privileged to be there and to hopefully be a small source of encouragement and stability for the Anglican Mission."

Tucked away in a hotel meeting room and arranged in a circle for practice, the music begins. The days are long and tedious as the team works on each song perfecting each arrangement. Andy teaches a delicate balance between being as competent as you can be so that each member of the congregation can enter into worship without distraction, but still remain anonymous so the focus is on Jesus – not the band. It seems these twelve understand this nuanced distinction as they move from the rehearsal room onto the stage for Wednesday night’s opening service. Throughout the week, the band provides worship opportunities during soaking prayer, power ministry and each plenary session.

“The presence of God was so powerful at the Conference,” says Satoya Foster, a Worship Leader at The Mission Chattanooga in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “It was a privilege for me to worship with such a talented group of people.”

By the end of the Conference, exhausted and exhilarated, these worship leaders, songwriters, musicians and vocalists pack up their equipment, and amidst tears and hugs, go back to their home ministries. Empowered by the Spirit, they have helped create a space and place where those at Winter Conference have truly worshipped and given glory to God.

Winter Conference 2012 Worship Team:
Andy Piercy, acoustic guitar and lead vocals, Director of Worship Development for theAM
Richard Bierman, pipe organ, Worship Pastor, St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Birmingham, Alabama
Michael Brymer, vocalist, Worship Pastor, St. Andrew’s Church, Little Rock, Arkansas
Jason Foster, bass, Worship Leader, The Mission Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Satoya Foster, vocals, Worship Leader, The Mission Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee
David Mander, projection, Worship Pastor, New Covenant Anglican Church, Winter Springs, Florida
Judy Piercy, vocalist, Worship Team, St. Peter’s Church, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Patrick Schlabs, dobro and lap steel, Worship Pastor, St. Peter’s Church, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Jennifer Reardon, vocals, Worship Team, Trinity Anglican Mission, Atlanta, Georgia
Marty Reardon, acoustic guitar and lead vocals, Worship Pastor, Trinity Anglican Mission, Atlanta, Georgia
Chris Sieggen, electric guitar, Worship Director, Cambridge Church, Overland Park, Kansas
Andy Lee, percussion, Worship Team, Trinity Anglican, Atlanta, Georgia
Eric Speece, synthesizer, Director of Music & the Arts, Church of the Good Shepherd, Davidson, North Carolina
Jay Wright, keys and accordion, Assistant Pastor & Worship Leader, All Saints, Dallas, Texas

Unlike the pages of a regular coloring book, each sheet has an Advent scene border with an Advent Bible verse written on the bottom of the page, leaving the rest of the page blank. Children can then draw their own impressions, thoughts and feelings generated by the Advent scripture readings. Often the drawings will prompt spiritual questions or spark family dialogue. When talking with children about what they’ve drawn, Amy says asking the right questions can keep the conversation flowing.

“Make sure to use open-ended questions: ‘What can you tell me about what you have drawn here?’ instead of ‘Is that a cow?’” she suggests. “Say, ‘Why did you choose that color?’ rather than ‘That’s a lot of blue.’”

The idea of CSSs sprang from several of Amy’s favorite artists and illustrators who’ve created “process” coloring books and artwork. Process art emphasizes the experience of making art while product art focuses on the deliverable or end product.

“I’m a big advocate of process art,” she says. “CCSs promote self awareness, self confidence, self expression and independent thinking, allowing children to be creative and use their imagination as well as their critical thinking skills. They are not just coloring inside the predetermined lines.”
Amy asked friend and graphic designer Jeana Clark to create the sheets based on Amy’s suggestions. Jeana also makes complementary bookmarks for adults containing the biblical passage and a similar graphic for each week.

“Thus, the entire church is participating in a similar theme each week of Advent,” Amy says.

Families using the sheets have responded with positive and encouraging feedback, and Amy is pleased to invite other churches in theAM to use St. Patrick’s sheets with their own children’s ministries this year.

“Hopefully these Creative Coloring Sheets will be a useful venue for parents to communicate with their children, have fun and celebrate God’s love for us during this Advent season,” she says.

Download the Creative Coloring Sheets at Saint Patrick's Church.

“Advent is something we take seriously,” says Eric Seidel, Administrative Pastor. “We want to increase the presence of God and Christ in our lives. So several years ago, we thought, why not put wreaths together that families can light every Sunday during Advent?”

Constructing the wreaths helps parishioners build excitement and anticipation for Christmas, a time when God always moves in their small church. This year, they are preparing to move into a new temporary space until they acquire their own land.

“It never fails that God uses this time of year to bring blessings upon us,” Eric says.

Each Advent wreath is an artistic, sweet-smelling medley of evergreen branches, poinsettas and holly centered around four candles—three purple candles to represent hope, peace and joy, and a pink candle to represent love. Parishioners use shears to snip the greenery to the desired length and arrange it on a plate. Before the wreath making, attendees also enjoy a potluck where they share their home-cooked Thanksgiving leftovers.

“The biggest thing about this day is being able to celebrate Advent and the coming of Christ together in community,” Eric says. “We gather around some food and the idea that Christ is present with us. It’s the New Year for the church and we’re all excited to be able to bring it in with our community of faith, turning our eyes toward Christmas.”

Learn more at St. Peter's Place.

Backpack Radio Hosts (L to R):
Pastor Bob, Vocab Malone & Vermon Pierre

“It was crazy, chaotic, mostly ‘off the cuff’ and a whole lot of fun,” Shane says. “I did my best to try and articulate some of what it means to be an Anglican.”

Listen to Shane’s interview that starts several minutes into the program.

Mark and his brother Scott

On November 17, 2010, Mark Steele, a member of Christ Church Overland Park, Kansas, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The next day, he was admitted to the Veterans Administration Medical Center and began chemotherapy.

After four rounds of chemo and lots of prayers, Mark reached remission. The first part of his journey was over but the second chapter had just begun—a stem cell transplant. Could he find a donor?

Thankfully, Mark’s brother and only sibling Scott was a 10-for-10 perfect match. Mark headed to Nashville on June 12, 2011, for the transplant surgery. It required a stay of almost four months, and the Veterans Administration required a caregiver be present 24 hours a day during his recovery. Mark’s wife, Chanda, was happy to serve as his caregiver, but as an art teacher, she needed to fly back to Olathe, Kansas, in August for two weeks to meet with her sub and get the first week of school underway.

“The problem was, what was I going to do for a caregiver for the two weeks she was gone?” Mark says.

To his relief, one of his best friends, John, wasn’t working at the time and agreed to serve as temporary caregiver. But come July, John received a fulltime job offer.

“I told him to take the job because God already knew this was going to happen and He had a plan,” Mark recalls.

Before he arrived in Nashville, Mark had contacted a local AM parish, Church of the Redeemer, and told them he was coming for a stem cell transplant and would like prayer support and a place to worship. The Rev. Thomas McKenzie emailed back that he would love to meet Mark and support him in any way that he could. Sure enough, shortly after Mark’s stem cell transplant, two Redeemer members, John DeVoe and Reed Cooper, walked into Mark’s hospital room for a visit.

Redeemer team of caregivers

“We hit it off pretty well and I told them about my need for a caregiver in August,” Mark says. “Without hesitating, John said, ‘No problem. We'll get it covered.’ John made announcements at meetings and started a signup sheet for people who would be a part of the team that would be with me 24/7 for the two weeks in August.”

A team of 10 people—strangers who didn't know Mark from Adam—came together to meet his need. Some had him stay at their home, while others came to his apartment provided by the Veterans Administration and spent the night. Thanks to their willingness to serve, Mark received more than ample care during his wife’s absence. It was clear that whether in Kansas or Tennessee, he had family nearby.

“This was the church in action,” Mark says. “I will be forever grateful for my new friends at Redeemer who stepped up to be Jesus for a stranger.”

Follow along with Mark’s journey at Caring Bridge.

Now serving at Church of the Apostles in Fairfield, Connecticut, the Barnums extend their work of preaching, teaching and discipling to local churches around the country through Call2Disciple, a ministry of equipping and resourcing believers for discipleship. At the Mercy Triumphs weekend, the couple discussed the book of Ruth, focusing on God’s hesed—His heart of mercy, love and grace—and how we can experience His heart reigning in us in Jesus’ name. Erilynne spoke Friday night and Thad Saturday morning to the approximately 225 people who attended. Many people from other churches and denominations also traveled to attend the event.

The group also used the time of rest, away from busy schedules, to escape the superficial and dive into a deeper and more exciting relationship with God. The late John Stott wrote that Christians’ greatest need is “depth,” and the Mercy Triumphs Conference helped address that need.

All Saints' rector, the Rev. Rob Grafe, has focused this past year on being the church out and about – moving out in the power of the Holy Spirit to minister the Father’s love in greater measure. The conference pressed down how the Church is called to share God’s mercy with others.

In addition to leading the conference, Erilynne was guest speaker at the women’s weekly Bible study on Thursday and Thad at the men’s Bible study on Friday.

Learn more about Call 2 Disciple.

“How do we figure out what Jesus is like? The same way I figure out what you’re like,” explains Jesi. “I watch how you interact with those around you. Are you mean or nice? Do you encourage people and build them up or do you tear down? Once I watch you long enough, I will decide if you are a safe place and I will decide if you are someone I want to get to know more.”

Jesi’s goal for the weekend was for students to realize how much they need a savior, to recognize Jesus as such and fall in love with Him. During a compelling session on Saturday morning, the group studied Luke 7:36-50, what Jesi considers one of the best summaries in the entire Bible of who Jesus is.

“We walked through the cultural backdrop of this story and entered into the world of this woman, this sinner. We watched as she wept over His humiliation and waited with her to see how Jesus would react to such a scandalous, extravagant act of gratitude and devotion,” Jesi says.

Even in the large student gathering, you could hear a pin drop. Though the kids had plenty of time for fun and silliness at the lodge’s indoor waterpark, the messages really seemed to hit home. Individually, some students approached Jesi to say thank you and that what they heard really meant something to them. She saw relationships blossom between students and also between students and leaders.

“After you’ve spent the entire day together, there is candidness, honesty and a camaraderie that never happens on Sunday mornings,” Jesi says. “It’s one of the most meaningful parts of every retreat—the chance to simply be with one another.”

After the weekend, Jesi felt renewed closeness to Christ and confidence that as a youth leader, she’s where she is supposed to be, doing what she’s supposed to do.

“If you are preparing to tell students about all of the reasons they have to fall in love with Jesus, you cannot help but fall in love with Jesus yourself,” she says. “The fact that I have been given such an opportunity fills me with joy and personally makes me really excited for next year’s retreat.”

Learn more at Trinity Anglican Mission.

For the Rev. Bill Seals, music is the best form of therapy. Over the past two years, the deacon at Prince of Peace Church in Melbourne, Florida, has joyfully strummed his guitar in a six-member group called Pops Ole Tyme String Band, composed of parish members with a dual passion for music and ministry. A bass, Irish drum, two guitars, banjo and lead vocalist complete the ensemble.

“We feel fellowship with each other, which is great therapy,” Bill explains. “But anytime you get a chance to perform and see the look on the audience’s face as they start to respond—the joy, the memories they experience—that’s really great.”

The group performs several times a month at nursing homes, retirement communities and Alzheimer daycare centers in the area, where listeners unfailingly respond to the band’s repertoire of folk, bluegrass, country and gospel, including favorites like “I’ll Fly Away,” “Going Down to the River to Pray,” “Amazing Grace” and “This Land Is Your Land.” Nurses report that patients who haven’t uttered a word in months will begin singing along to “You Are My Sunshine.”

“I think music is a way for the Lord to speak to these people,” Bill says. “In some cases, it’s the only way for them to hear. We do it like an old time radio show. We sit around and pick and grin, tell a few stories, have a good time and encourage them to sing with us and tap their feet.”

Bill organized the parish band two years ago based on his previous experience in a bluegrass band in North Carolina. Discussions of playing music for ministry quickly led to practice sessions and actual performances. But no matter their background or skill level, band members are doubly blessed to be the instruments that bring joy to others and one another.

“I’ve had the guys say to me, ‘This is the main thing I look forward to every week, to come up and practice,’” Bill says.

The band also ministers to its own parish, recently playing a rousing hour-and-15-minute set at the church picnic while parishioners relaxed and ate BBQ and hot dogs.

“How many human endeavors can you find where everybody wins?” Bill says. “With music, the audience wins, the performers win, and there’s a special bonding to it. We do it in a way that’s Christlike so we’re caring about each other and caring about the audience.”

Learn more at Prince of Peace.

The weekend of gentle focusing took the wives through inspirational teaching supported by times for intimacy, inner healing and prayer, as well as food, fellowship and fun.

“The most important thing that happens to women at these retreats is the truth that they’re not alone,” says retreat co-founder and worship leader Ellen Loomis, wife of Bishop Doc Loomis. “They experience companionship with their sisters in Christ, and through the spirit-filled teachings led by Acton Beard, LLC, are reminded of their identity in Christ.”

The vision of “Chosen” originated from Ellen’s personal longing to be reassured of her identity, her own unique gifts and talents. “God said to me, ‘I have chosen you to be with Doc because of who you are in Me, and you have things you need to do in this ministry,’” she recalls. “I found freedom from taking on my husband’s burdens and his pain. I learned I’m with him because I have a certain set of strengths, and I can do these things because this is what Christ is asking me to do.”

Retreat-goers harvested insights from Acton, a counselor and speaker whose scripture-based teachings revealed stumbling blocks that distract from a relationship with Christ. The group celebrated newfound freedom through forgiveness and a time of inner healing prayer. Encouraged, renewed and refreshed in their identity in Christ, the wives left the retreat with powerful tools to keep their “vineyards” safe and their “vines” producing fruit.

One attendee, though initially hesitant to hang out at what she referred to as an “estrogen fest,” took away a powerful sense of solidarity and an ability to forgive people she’d resented for years.

“The Lord worked on my heart to make this retreat different for me,” she says. “To my amazement, instead of rejection I found tears of compassion and stories of similar experiences. The encouragement from those who had been through some of [the same things I had] themselves was so great. We took turns listening, laughing and praying for one another.”

The recurring question seemed to be, “Why didn’t we do these retreats 10 years ago?” Hoping to meet even more women's needs, "Chosen, Partners in the Harvest" is in the process of planning additional retreats on the West coast and in Canada to continue refreshing and encouraging theAM clergy wives.

“The ladies also realize that theAM truly cares about these women standing beside their husbands,” Ellen says, “and leave with a renewed confidence of their gifts and talents that bring strength to their partnership for the harvest.”

Learn more at Chosen, Partners in the Harvest.

Church of the Redeemer in Highland Park, Illinois, was one of the first groups in the United States to partner with Bishop John to launch Sonrise School. Today the church continues to help meet the school’s needs by hosting an annual benefit. This year, Redeemer held its first-ever silent auction at the church on October 22 to assist with Sonrise’s general operating costs.

The auction was a new venture designed to let parishioners get more hands-on with Sonrise fundraising, says Christy Glick, co-chair of the event.

“We spent two months talking to Redeemer folks and having them talk to their friends about donations,” she says. “The donation process got people excited and talking about Sonrise in the community.”

The auction drew parishioners’ individual skills and talents together to make an unprecedented relational impact.

“The most meaningful aspect for me this year was that we were a community—truly the body of Christ—working together to support Sonrise School,” says co-chair Michele Becker. “It was an event that more of our congregants could attend and in which they were able to participate. I would say that every single member contributed their talents, their time or other resources to this event.”

The highest selling of the 92 items was time at a cottage on a lake in Michigan, while other items included cakes, cards, babysitting services, artwork, songwriting, dog walking services, baby clothing, concert tickets, sporting events, estate planning services, and books parishioners had written on fashion design and theology. People who felt they did not have “talents” to donate helped set up or tear down, provided technical support, baby-sat or helped with logistics.

Avid bidders ensured the evening’s success. Thanks to the 106 attendees’ generosity and several donor contributions, auction profits totaled $33,000. Redeemer was thrilled at the results and hopes to host another auction for Sonrise School in the future.

“The best thing was definitely seeing people come together and knowing that connections will continue to happen at our church in support of Sonrise,” Christy says. “It wasn’t just a one-time thing; it’s becoming more and more a part of who we are as a community, and it’s exciting to see relationships coming out of that.”

Learn more at Redeemer North Shore and Mustard Seed Project.

“It encouraged me because I saw a large and diverse group of folks who are actually planting churches and are putting their money where their mouths are,” he says. “My big takeaway was encouragement to keep doing the hard and expensive work of planting for the Lamb of God.”

That’s exactly what the Simeon Fellowship—a collaborative effort between theAM and church planting organization Anglican 1000 to raise up the next generation of young Anglican leaders—hoped to accomplish. Leaders set out to provoke and encourage senior pastors like Quigg to think more strategically about raising up new leaders and supporting new works. The gathering also served to help a newly emerging peer-to-peer network of rectors get to know one another in order to strengthen the fellowship and potential for shared learning and ministry.

Held at the American Airlines Training and Conference Center, the three-day event centered around presentations from guest speaker and church network leader Hugh Halter; breaking-out triads to get to know each other and process together; and Field Reports to stimulate creative thinking. In these reports, Dr. Skip Ryan, Chancellor of Redeemer Seminary in Dallas, talked about ways college ministry and church planting have gone hand in hand for the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The Rev. Chris Cairns of Apostles Anglican Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, challenged the group of 38 attendees to think about local, church-based seminary training and options for leaders. Finally, the Rev. Dr. Steve Breedlove of All Saints Chapel-Hill Durham in North Carolina discussed the Anglican Missional Pastor Program, a program he developed that many leaders have gone through as part of the Apostles Mission Network.

The group also worshipped together and made it a point to play together by getting out to the ballpark in Arlington for a Texas Rangers baseball game.

“Except for it being 102 degrees at 7:45 pm, the game and fellowship were a blast,” Quigg says.

From start to finish, the gathering fostered creativity—ideas were generated for a new Anglican-based ministry on college campuses—and strengthened an influential network of relationships.

“The fellowship was warm and genuine with no bickering or partisan spirit,” Quigg says. “There were no divisions between us, regardless of affiliation with theAM, CANA, ACNA, Reformed Episcopal Church, etc.”

Learn more at Anglican 1000.

“It’s a very special relationship for us, as Conlee and Signa are both active members of our parish,” says the Rev. Ken Aycock, who organized the Journey event.

Twenty-five volunteers from the church helped coordinate logistics and meals, and 22 served on the prayer team. Attendees represented several different denominations and traveled from states as far as New Mexico, Wisconsin and Kansas. Ken says many physical healings and inner healings occurred during the Spirit-filled weekend.

“To me, Saturday afternoon was the highlight of the conference, right before we ended the time with a Eucharist celebration,” he says. “There was a special time where Conlee and Signa felt led to pray for pastors and ministers attending the conference, and there was a powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit to me.”

Conlee and Signa also prayed for attendees to recognize names they may have been given in the past that signified an issue or problem in their life, and for them to receive new names from God. One woman testified that her old name was Sadness, but her new name was Joy.

“God ministered by the Holy Spirit a new awareness of themselves as God’s sons and daughters,” Ken says. “The Eucharist was a time of celebration, followed by a time of dancing. We let loose a little for an old Anglican church.”

For all who attended, the time spent with Conlee and Signa was a fresh infusion of life.

“Their giftings from the Holy Spirit, including healing prayer, are so evident,” Ken says. “They are energetic, vivacious and full of the Holy Spirit, gifted on a number of levels to the body of Christ.”

Learn more at Christ Anglican.

Freda’s words during the Kolinis’ visit and blessing of the land confirmed to the Rev. Keith Allen what God had already laid on his heart. Last summer, the church purchased the family-owned cornfields off Boseman Road, a north-south corridor through the fastest-growing county in Mississippi, as their new home.

Though Keith plans to launch a capital campaign in 2012, a tangible building is not his main focus. Their new property is located in the most affluent part of the state but a scant 10 miles from the poorest areas, and Holy Trinity will strive to bridge the gap between those who have and those who have not.

“The idea is preparing for the harvest—not so much about a building, but preparing our hearts to view others with the eyes of Christ and say, ‘How do I serve them? Together, how do we seek a harvest for Kingdom?’” Keith says. “That includes the building but also building up people for the sake of the Kingdom.”

To that end, he has branded his upcoming capital campaign “Preparing for the Harvest.” “When you invest your treasure into what we’re doing on this piece of land, you’re investing in souls for years to come,” he says.

To begin making that investment, Keith hopes to move closer to the land as soon as possible. “We’re meeting with a school about a mile and a half from the land,” he says. “We want to get on the mission field where God has called us and begin to develop kingdom relationships in the community.”

For now, they are prayer-walking the wide-open fields, and an artist has created a rendering of the new building to give shape to their imaginations. The church is also in the process of obtaining not-to-exceed bids on the building’s construction. It’s a leap of faith for a church plant of 80 with a modest budget, but Keith is certain the Lord will provide what they need for the coming harvest.

“We get the sense that as we move to a temporary facility and do our campaign, God is going to bring growth even in the interim phase,” he says. “It’s a faith walk: We are trying to walk each step in obedience, not get ahead of the Lord and stay faithful.”

To learn more, visit Holy Trinity Jackson.

Beneath blue skies and foliage brightening with color, a group of 16 men trekked along the Standing Indian Loop Trail winding through the Nantahala National Forest. They had laced up their hiking boots to join the eighth annual men’s backpacking trip held October 6-10 by New Grace Church in Jacksonville, Florida, where hiking enthusiasts of all ages enjoyed a four-day weekend of fellowship and robust activity in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

“We do it to get away for the fellowship, to give men at the church another opportunity to get to know other men,” says Morgan Wilbanks, trip leader. “There’s no formal program, just relaxed conversation.”

Each year Morgan chooses a different trail to ensure the men have a fresh challenge, staying within eight hours’ driving distance of Jacksonville. Some hikes take place in the Smokies while others traverse the Blue Ridge Mountains. This year, 17 of the 24 miles hiked followed the Appalachian Trail. Morgan finds the wilderness setting creates special opportunities to interact.

“In years past, we’ve had two or three men who were questioning their faith,” Morgan says. “They went with us to the mountains and could talk about things in a relaxed atmosphere, just a bunch of regular guys out there hanging out.”

Campfire topics range from family to society to spirituality. The most meaningful interactions often take place the last night when the men finish the hike and head to the home of a parishioner who owns property in the mountains.

“We have a really nice dinner, watch football and play cards,” Morgan says. “We do a lot of laughing, that’s for sure.”

Serious moments also define the trip. Each year the men hold a Sunday morning trailside communion service. The current group collected rocks from the area and built a two-foot altar on the trail, then tied together branches to make a cross. Lay leaders conducted the 15-minute service.

“Having communion out there in the woods is really something special,” Morgan says. “For trip regulars, it’s the highlight every year.”

Drawing like-minded men together and to Christ, the backpacking trip has become an integral part of the parish calendar.

“It’s really a favorite time of relaxation and fellowship,” Morgan says.

Learn more at New Grace Church.

“The purpose is to show the love of Christ to the people of our community, with nothing expected in return,” says Ralph Spadaccini, ministry coordinator. “We’re not using this as a platform to say anything other than we are Christians and we love God, and God loves you.”

Since May, this old-fashioned hospitality has drawn people of all faiths, denominations and ethnic backgrounds to All Saints. On an island mostly populated by wealthy, white retirees, the lunch connects with a smaller sector living below the poverty line. When guests arrive, three teams of 12 All Saints volunteers serve them; some volunteers help in the kitchen while others serve, greet, clean or pour beverages. They also sit, chat and pray with guests as they eat. Ralph makes sure everyone feels welcome and the logistics of each meal are running smoothly.

The lunches are paid for by All Saints’ Island Graces Cookbook Ministry, a group of women who authored a cookbook of local recipes that generates considerable sales each year. To complement the food ministry, the church designates four rooms on another part of campus for a free clothes closet and invites guests to take what they need.

Guests clearly love the lunches as 75% are repeat customers, but the church is reaping rewards as well. “The ministry ministers more to the volunteers than anyone,” Ralph says. “We are building relationships, giving of ourselves to others, and becoming more bold to step out in faith.”

Recently several guests have asked for prayer and allowed volunteers to play an instrumental role in their lives.

“When we invite the community to our house for dinner, it shows them that we are not a stuck up, rich church,” Ralph says. “We don’t badger them—we just love them.”

Learn more at All Saints Church.

Anglican Pin

For years, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has used religious recognition programs to reinforce its spiritual core and promote strong values. Today, an increasing number of Anglican parishes are playing a key role in spiritually educating youth by administering and awarding supplementary Scouting programs that encourage youth to learn about their faith, as well as recognize the adults who significantly serve them.

Previously, Anglican parishes used a general four-unit Protestant religious recognition program called P.R.A.Y. (Programs of Religious Activities With Youth) to educate Scouts. Now, thanks to the new Anglican Scouting Committee formed by Ron Morris, third-generation Scoutmaster and member of Christ Anglican in Overland Park, Kansas, parishes have the option to use a new Anglican-specific program with its own unique medals. Ron created the program with the help of Christ Anglican’s chartered Boy Scout Troop 284; Terry Dunn, a member of St. Peter’s Anglican in Fort Collins, Colorado; and other members of the Anglican Scouting Committee.

Boy Scouts Duty to God Patchs

Prior to launching the program in May, Ron and Terry worked hard finding advocates authorizing them to represent Anglicanism, getting the program approved by BSA’s Religious Relationships Committee and the P.R.A.Y. board of directors, fundraising for medals and designing a special Anglican pin. They are currently working to publicize the youth program and complete the adult recognition program and award. The development of Anglican-specific content for the curriculum is a high priority for the Anglican Scouting Committee, and interested Anglicans can help develop this material by contacting them.

“We are now reaching out to Anglican churches that are chartering Boy Scout, Girl Scout or Cub Scout units to make them aware that this is available and invite them to join the movement,” Ron says. “The program is already encouraging churches to come out of the woodwork.”

Last summer, a Cub Scout Pack at St. Francis of Assisi in Willow Park, Texas, pioneered the program.

“The program completes the outreach ministry that begins with chartering a Scouting unit,” says Scott Furlow, parishioner and Scout leader. “Based on the success we have had in getting parents and scouts studying the Bible, I encourage each scout unit to have a Duty to God program. The Anglican Duty to God program in this case is the obvious choice and is working well.”

Ron hopes others will follow their lead. Even if a church is not able to charter its own unit, if it has families involved, the Anglican Scouting Committee stands ready to support its efforts on an individual basis.

Anglican St. George Medal

“Your church can still hold a class and use the program,” Ron says. “At Christ Church, one of the adults recently did it for two boys.”

In the days to come, Ron plans to educate more Anglican churches on the benefits of offering Scouting programs.

“To me, Scouting is a real mission field,” he says. “I served as Chaplain before I became Scoutmaster and one of the things that really touched me is that it gives us a chance to talk about our faith with boys with no religious background at all. It also gives us a chance to model to the young people that strong adult men are men of faith.”

Learn more at Anglican Scouting and P.R.A.Y. Contact the Anglican Scouting Committee via email.

The story began in August 2009, when Holy Trinity was born in the sanctuary of Ortega Presbyterian Church. Led by the Rev. David Austell, the group of believers shared a vision for an Anglican church to serve the neighborhoods of Ortega, Avondale, Riverside and Murray Hill.

In January 2010, Ortega Presbyterian offered its sanctuary for Sunday afternoon services. When Holy Trinity began meeting on Sunday, their numbers grew and grew. But they still didn’t have a place to call their own, so Dave began looking for a nearby worship space. A call from a realtor led them to Eloise Street where the Trinity Methodist Church property was for sale.

“We made an offer for the property but sadly another one had already been accepted,” Dave says. “So we began to look for another place.”

A few weeks later, they were shocked and delighted to hear that the first offer hadn’t finalized. God was giving them the property after all. The church’s offer was accepted and they began work on raising capital for the purchase, placing pledge cards in bulletins a few Sundays in a row.

The response was overwhelming. On the final night of counting up the pledge cards before heading to the bank to ask for a loan, a church member discovered the true miracle. The pledge cards added up to the exact amount needed to purchase the Trinity Methodist Church property. No mortgage was needed!

Yet to come were small miracles that renewed the historic building from top to bottom. Members pitched in to restore the sanctuary’s beautiful oak floors, update the electrical service and clean the 11,000-square-foot facility. Women of the church planned the landscaping, new front doors and interior colors. The owner of a painting company offered to paint the interior for free. Even people walking the neighborhood stopped to peek in and offer their assistance.

Today, the church joyfully meets in its new location as members continue renovations including new communion rails, signs, roof and bathrooms—many contractors offering their services free of charge. Dave knows without a doubt that all these good gifts are from God.

“Beyond our ability to understand, God is working with this neighborhood, and through us, to bring the simple message of faith through Christ,” he says. "I hope our efforts and God's responses will serve to inspire other churches as they reach into their communities in their new work."

Learn more at Holy Trinity Anglican Church.

As they began working together, Erick and Kenny talked about the philosophy of small groups that would under gird the curriculum. They didn’t think a lecture format would appeal to young people, so to make the curriculum conversational in nature, they enlisted popular author Donald Miller as their onscreen facilitator to interview authors, pastors and theologians on different topics in the Christian life.

“I would read the books our hosts had written, and Erick and I would make decisions about the general direction of the conversation,” Kenny explains. “We would make suggestions for questions for Donald to ask, but each conversation was unscripted." Kenny wrote the discussion guides that groups use after each episode as well.

The 15-minute episodes, one per night of a small group, start the conversation and the discussion guide keeps it flowing. Phyllis Tickle, Lauren Winner, Randy Alcorn and Dan Allender are just a few of the individuals who offer their insights on topics like stories, spiritual practices, marriage, parenting, living in a fallen world, heaven and spiritual growth.

Kenny believes the unusual structure makes Convergence a good fit for younger generations in theAM.

“We’ve made Convergence more about questions and less about answers,” he says. “Of course, respected individuals are responding to the questions, but the way it unfolds is open-ended. I believe the genius is that Convergence allows a small group to get into a deeper conversation about these issues without feeling like questions are inappropriate.”

Learn more at Convergence.

Lazarus Ministries, an outreach of Trinity Anglican Mission created in 2000 by Founder and Executive Director Allison McGill, seeks to provide Atlanta’s homeless population with friendship as well as events, resources, and training and education year-round. The Health Day, aided by donations from corporate entities and local organizations, is Lazarus’ most popular event. This year, Trinity Anglican, Weslyan School and Atlanta Mission helped host the fair; instead of closing off a city block as in years past, the fair took place in the Atlanta Mission’s beautiful fenced garden. More than 550 volunteers came together to minister to the 685 homeless adults and approximately 75 children who attended.

“Because it was our fifth year, it was the smoothest run we’ve ever had,” Allison says. “We have a leadership team of 60 people who work other jobs but give their free time to do this. Their expertise made it more advanced and incredibly smooth.”

From 2:00 to 7:00 PM, buses transported homeless from the city’s largest shelters to enjoy an array of free services. The medical section included dental exams, mental health screenings, flu shots and foot care. In the hygiene section, guests received haircuts and manicures, and in the food section, they found bag lunches as well as coffee from Land of 1000 Hills. A clothing store provided 1000 pairs of jeans, underwear, shoes and socks. At the job prep section, volunteers helped guests create a resume on the spot and learn interviewing skills.

Just as crucial was a time for laughter, fun and fellowship. In the entertainment section, guests enjoyed board games, bingo, karaoke, an open mic and a dunk tank where Trinity’s pastors got dunked.

“We really try not to have the event be so clinical,” Allison says. “It’s really important for guests’ dignity that this be a day of fun. The karaoke and open mic are especially important because when you don’t get noticed, having people applaud you is a big deal.”

As darkness fell, the day concluded with Trinity leading an evening worship service on site. Many attendees left feeling touched by the love they’d received. One homeless man told Allison, “It was nice to feel normal.” Another reported, “I walked in with my head down and walked out with hope.”

“One of our future goals is for other cities to catch on,” Allison says. “We think it can be done. We want to see this grow because it is such a special day.”

Learn more at Lazarus Atlanta.

It’s not your average liturgy at the Second Sunday Service, a worship gathering for adults with developmental disabilities provided by Christ Anglican Church in Millville, New Jersey, one Sunday afternoon a month. But that doesn’t hinder God’s spirit from working. Thanks to visuals and lots of interaction and repetition, participants follow a simple order of prayer, singing, a short lesson and passing of the peace led by Dr. Barbara West, a member of Christ Anglican and a psychologist at an agency for adults with developmental disabilities.

“I’ve tried to introduce worship in which they can fully participate in some way on their level,” she says. “We make it very doable for our folks.”

Barbara founded Second Sunday Service, which meets at one of her agency’s buildings in nearby Vineland, two years ago as a community outreach aimed at people with disabilities who aren’t successful in local churches.

“We wanted the folks who wouldn’t do well, who make a lot of noise, who have a short attention span or who have handicap accessibility problems that not every church is prepared to handle,” she says.

Barbara’s expertise and the help of six or seven Christ Church volunteers creates a worship space for the 40 or more people who arrive in vans from group homes. The liturgy is followed by a craft and snack time where volunteers can interact with attendees, helping them put their crafts together and sitting with them while they eat.

Attendees respond to the service in their own way. Barbara recalls a recent conversation she had after sharing Joni Eareckson Tada’s story with the group.

“I described who Joni is and how she’s a witness for Christ despite her disabilities, but that when she first became paralyzed, she was angry,” Barbara says. “One of the ladies in a wheelchair started to cry. She said, ‘I feel that way. I feel so angry sometimes that I’m in this wheelchair. Is God mad at me because I’m angry?’ We were able to talk and pray for God to comfort her and help her deal with her disabilities.”

In the coming months, Barbara hopes to launch another smaller service where Christ Church ministers at a group home for severely disabled adults who aren’t able to attend Second Sunday Service.

“They may not understand a lot of what we’re saying, but they’ll respond to the love that we show them, and we can be grace to them,” Barbara says. “The Holy Spirit works in His way in each person. They may not be able to recite the Nicene Creed or give testimonies, but the name of Jesus means something special to them.”

Learn more at Christ Anglican Mission.

“One of the ACIC’s challenges is that we’re no longer in crisis, being chased by an ex-diocese, so to speak,” he says. “We’re not fighting for our buildings. We don’t have those old incentives to press in, so we have to really seek intimacy and be willing to grow. We’re in a different phase now, more of a discipleship and leadership-training phase than a reactionary phase.”

High-quality keynote speakers helped cast a compelling vision for the new chapter of the ACIC’s life. A group of 80 attendees heard from the Most Rev. Yong Ping Chung, retired Archbishop of SE Asia; the Right Rev. Todd Hunter, Bishop of the Anglican Coalition in America (ACiA) and Churches for the Sake of Others; the Right Rev. Silas Ng, ACiC Bishop; and the Rev. Dr. Terry Walling, founder of Leader Breakthru. The theme, “Intimate Pilgrimage,” built on last year’s theme, “Following Jesus,” introduced by Bishop Chuck Murphy, Chairman of theAM.

“The whole focus on intimacy as the basis of mission and discipleship was very powerful,” Ed says. “ Bishop Todd Hunter gave some excellent addresses about how to speak into the postmodern world, how to be missional and incarnational in a post-Christian culture. Bishop Silas’ passion is daily discipleship, and he’s working to establish what’s called ‘the daily prayer closet’ as the heart of discipleship and mission. Dr. Walling talked about deeply investing in coaching to help us navigate different stages of life and ministry and finish well, like the Apostle Paul.”

Feedback from conference-goers was all positive, indicating a new understanding of the importance of discipleship, coaching and raising up leaders in the Mission—and exactly how to go about it.

“There is a very strong sense of moving forward—we’re no longer in reactive mode,” Ed says. “We had all kinds of breakthroughs and heard God’s voice. I think it was a great time of refocusing. If it’s all about us, we’ll have a wilderness perspective. But like Bishop Murphy says, we’re about mission, nothing more, nothing less.”

Learn more at ACICanada.

“Pastorates also give us a special venue to express our radical desire to be inclusive and experience profound transformation,” he says. “We look forward to meeting in smaller groups every other week, as we continue to learn to minister to one another as the early Church demonstrated for us.”

Pastorates are lay-led, with participants alternating responsibilities of hosting and leading discussions. The two hours include fellowship over food, worshipping God with live singing and prayer, and interactive biblical exploration of the previous Sunday’s message. Specifically, Pastorates are open to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, healing prayer and manifestation of all the spiritual gifts.

In January, All Saints will also launch smaller groups for Bible study, more intimate prayer and greater accountability on weeks Pastorates are not held.

“We rejoice for these new environments where we can be drawn together to praise, to pray, to worship, to serve, to exercise spiritual gifts,” Bishop Philip says. “We will learn how to increasingly be like Jesus for the sake of others.”

Learn more at All Saints Church Dallas.