> Frater: WhileI agreewith Archbishop Hambridge's citation of the Book of Acts; as an historian I have tosay that the fractiousnessof the Anglican Communion is not unique to it. Those of us who follow the antics of the Latin Church ( that can be a full time job!) or the ethnic maze of the Eastern patriarchates would quickly insist that while it is fraught with danger (ordination of women) much of the kerfluffle in other areas will not even be remembered 100 years from now-and yes the Anglican Communion will still be in existence. A century ago we numbered perhaps 30 million-some put us at over 100 million now ,though I think the number is nearer 80 million or so, and were almost entirely in the British Empire. Today most Anglicans are female, 'of color' (what a phrase!) andlive in the 3rd/4th world. From that perspective things take on a whole new reality and we have to be ready to seize the opportunities this presents. Like the Non Jurors and the Oxford-Camden movement of 150 years ago, the Continuum (for all its faults and stupidity)has the potential of being a leaven that could reinvigorate the whole Communion if we will be faithful to that which we have received. Now to do that (here comes the commercial) we need scholarly-spiritual priests (two sides ofthe same coin) who know the Faith to believe the Faith to spread the Faith. We need Theological education, brethren, and we need it now. In the latest issue of the Episcopalian newspaper there was alongish article on the plight of Theological education in the jurisdiction of our former obedience today-students in debt for many thousands going into posts that pay a barely living wage. We can say 'tsk tsk' to their situation (a dying jurisdiction has such problems) but are we any better than that which we deplore? I wonder. January/Epiphanytide is the time for theological education offerings.I encourage every parish/mission in the Continuum to raise money in that season for the costs of training men for the priesthood. Let us not miss the opportunity to prepare for the rich potential that lies ahead by indifference orfalse priorities. Blessings. GDVW+ > > Some days back I posted an article by a CE cleric who > spoke of the ethos of Anglicanism. > > His point was that within the WWAC there was always a > diversity of opinion yet a commitment to maintaining > unity. After the latest skirmish in Canada, the > Bishop who lead the Diocese of New Westminster during > the 1980’s sent an epistle to the diocese with the > “Why can’t we all get along” theme. Is this the ethos > of Anglicanism? > > Charles > ---------------------------------------------------- > +Douglas’ letter to Diocese of New Westminster > > It seems to me that the Diocese of New Westminster is > in danger of spending its energy by in-fighting, and > losing sight that the task of the Church, is not in > the attacking of other Christians who think > differently, but rather in the much harder task of > making disciples of Jesus Christ. > My suggestion would be, rather than continuing to draw > battle lines between the two camps, everyone might > well spend time reflecting on what scripture might > have to say. > In the earliest days of the Christian Church, while it > was still at least on the fringe of the Hebrew faith, > there was very sharp contention about dealing with > these new teachings. Gamaliel, one of the leaders of > the old faith gave this counsel: "If this teaching or > this work be of men, it be overthrown; but if it is of > God, you will not be able to overthrow it, lest you > are found even to be fighting against God". (Acts > 5:33-39) > Maybe those of us who take the Bible seriously should > reflect on the advice Gamaliel offered. > +Douglas Hambidge > > Archbishop Hambidge led the Diocese of New Westminster > from 1980 to 1993. > > > > __________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive greatest hits videos > http://launch.yahoo.com/u2 > > -- > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to > <faithandlife-unsubscribe@...> ----------------------------------------- This email was sent using FREE Catholic Online Webmail. Please tell your family, friends and children about COL Webmail! http://webmail.catholic.org/