Last year the Kenya House of Bishops purchased 36 emaciated/culled cattle from local markets during off-peak seasons. They were then raised for fattening for pasture in the Masai range-land which is plentiful during that time of the year.  The animals matured since the purchase last year.  The now mature and fattened cattle will be sold directly to Kenya Meat Commission. The initial capital will purchase another lot of animals and the cycle will continue.

Last Month, the Kenya House of Bishops meeting it was agreed to sell the cows purchased last year, in the month of July 2013, when the prices will be favorable.  The House of Bishop believed they can sell each at between ksh. 35,000  to 40,000 ($420 to $480 USD).

The House of Bishops further agreed that the money for investment provided by the All Saint Mission and Development offering this year also go to increasing the number of cows this year to 56. We are hoping that in July 2014 we will sell the 56 and we will be able to earn Ksh. 1,960,000.($23,000 USD)  In 2014 dioceses in Kenya will be able to start small projects borrowing from part of the profits made from the sells which is estimated to be about ksh. 840,000.($10,000 USD).

It is expected that by the end of the 3rd year, there will be 72 animals. 36 animals for the central office and 36 for the dioceses -with each diocese receiving 3-4 animals for fattening/maturing.

The Kenya House of Bishop wishing to thank everyone who contributed so generously to the All Saints Missions and Development Offering, who enabled us to raise funds for ourselves and build our church with our own hands.  Thank you.

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.   St. John the Beloved Be assured that my prayers are with you.  I am reminded every day as I do the Daily Office or Preside at a Celebration of the Holy Eucharist that not only do we pray individually but our prayers are intimately connected.

On the Sunday closest to June 26th we are required by Canon Law to take up an offering. Which has come to be known as “The Foundation Day Offering.”  It should be noted that this is not an “option” or a “suggestion” but is part of vows to obey the Canons of the Church.  That aside this is a Thank-offering for the birth of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.

God called our Communion into existence.  It is now 21 years since the consecration of Austin Randolph Adler as the first Bishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.  Since then thousands of Churches have join us and we have Churches all around the world.  Daily we get inquiries about joining us.  We have so much to be thankful for in our Church.

The Foundation Day Offering is given to the Patriarch to be used for the purchase of buildings or property.  The small amount that has been collected has been dispersed in grants and loans to many churches.  This past year we were able to help three churches secure buildings.

We also invest money for the future.  Right now we have 100,000 USD in the bank.  It is collecting interest and we expect the amount to grow so that in the years to come we can have a much larger pool of monies to help.Holy Apostles Church

Growth is happening around the world.  I just heard from Abp. Paulo about the growth in Brazil.  He suggests that we could see more Dioceses in the near future.  There are also so many new churches in Africa, Asia, and the United States.  We are building together.

Please take up the Foundation Day Offering.  Then send the monies to the Patriarch’s Office.

Again be assured of my prayers,

Under His mercy,

The Most Rev. Craig W. Bates,

Patriarch, ICCEC.

The newest Diocese in the ICCEC continues to grow at a remarkable rate.  Bishop Ibiso Igani ordained Rev. Fr. Cyprian Nyiyongu into the Priesthood.  Rev. David A was also ordained into the Diaconate.  This ordinations took place in Gboko town in Benue State in the middle belt region of Nigeria.  Fr Cyprian and Rev Dn. David were all Seminarians in the Roman Catholic Church.  Both chose to join the ICCEC and lead a Parish in their locality. The name of their Parish is Most Holy Trinity Parish.  Please keep these new parishes, clergy and people in your prayers as they work to grow the Kingdom of God in a difficult environment.

http://www.cecnigeria.org/

Fr. Cyprian Nyiyongu is 37 years old,  he was admitted into the seminary in 1999 at the missionary seminary of st Paul, Gwagwalada-Abuja and obtained B.S in philosophy and B.S in Sacred Theology in 2008.   He was was ordained a ICCEC deacon on the 03 May,2013 and ordained a priest for the ICCEC on the 04th May, 2013 by Most Rev Ibiso Igani, the bishop of Nigerian ICCEC.

Be blessed

Most Rev Ibiso Igani

Rector Christ the King Cathedral

A special advisory committee to the Patriarch’s Council met in Olathe, Kansas, last week to review the ICCEC’s Draft Catechism.

The committee finished its fifth all-day session last Friday, working through an average of ten pages per day, question and answer by question and answer.

The draft document is the product of about five years of effort by many lay and ordained participants and had been previously reviewed (and commented on) by each international church and the American church’s Theology Committee.

“The process is a good one, but slow. We want to get this right for the sake of our children and to present a united witness for Jesus Christ,” said Patriarch Craig Bates.

Patriarch Bates, Bishop Michael Davidson, Father Terry Hedrick, Father Jeffrey Welsh, who serves as secretary, Father Kenneth Tanner, and Deacon Steve Phelps comprise the advisory committee. They met for two days last November and plan to reconvene in early October for four days in hopes of completing their review.

“Not since the first years of the CEC, have I participated in a meeting where I felt the Holy Spirit so clearly leading the emergence of a document to serve the entire communion. There’s a real synergy in the room with this group and the writing and editing process is a joy and wonder,” said Father Kenneth Tanner.

Some parts of the Catechism have been fine tuned by the advisory group while other parts have undergone major revision. Once their work is complete, the Catechism will be presented to the Patriarch’s Council for approval and will likely be circulated for trial use in parishes and dioceses around the globe before being permanently adopted by the communion.

Bishops from around the world convened in Selma, Alabama, on Friday evening, April 12, for a special moment in the life of the CEC.

Five and half years ago, Archbishop Randolph Adler, the communion’s founding patriarch, stepped down from full-time service to the church after more than fifteen years as its temporal leader, years that saw the CEC’s rapid Spirit-driven expansion in the United States, Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.

At the time of his retirement, in November of 2007, the church was unable to hold a service in which Archbishop Adler formally blessed his successor as patriarch, Archbishop Craig Bates.

This past December, the two men spent time together at the funeral of Archbishop Adler’s wife, Betty. In ongoing conversations this year, Archbishop Adler made clear his desire to bless Archbishop Bates in the leadership role he has held for five years.

While not officially announced or promoted, word of the event spread: a simple Eucharist to be held at Christ the King in Selma. All but two of the American bishops, including five Asian bishops who could make the journey on short notice, with 200 laity and clergy from dioceses in the American Southeast converged on this remote, historic town for a time of worship.

Archbishop Bates was the celebrant and preacher, speaking a direction-setting word for the CEC that should not be missed. It can be heard here: http://bit.ly/batesselmasermon

“Tonight’s celebration is not a political event (for power cannot save us, only divine love); tonight’s Eucharist isn’t a church growth strategy to add thousands to our numbers (for there is only one strategy in the mind of God: “love one another as I have loved you”); tonight is not about seeking another blessing or anointing for fear that God will withhold his blessing from us because we’re not good enough, for our God wants to bless us more than we want to be blessed and without condition. This is about a response to God’s unconditional love and I’m here tonight from New York because I love Bishop Adler and I want his blessing,” said Bates.

The blessing ceremony came at the end of Communion. Archbishop Adler prayed an extemporaneous prayer over Archbishop Bates as he knelt before the seated Adler, to the side of the altar:

“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, I bless you. May you walk in God’s peace all the days of your life. May you fear no enemy. May you always have his peace wherever you go. May you always have a realization that this is not your church but it’s his church and that he entrusts us with these things for a short time. And you’re going to do what God wants you to do. You’re a brave man, you’re a courageous man, and you’re God’s man. And I bless you with all spiritual benediction in Jesus’ Name.”

You can listen to the blessing here: http://bit.ly/adlerblessingbates

Over the long weekend, from Thursday through Sunday, over meals, in fellowship and worship, the two patriarchs spent time together, reflecting on the CEC’s journey to this point, their personal friendship, and the wisdom these two men have gained leading this unique communion.

Although he is the patron saint of Ireland, Patrick was not a native of that country: he was born in Scotland and 385. When he was just 14, he was captured and taken to Ireland, where he was enslaved. During this time of trial, he turned to God for comfort and strength; he will pray each morning, and he felt no sadness. After Patrick had been in Ireland for six years, God came to him in a dream and told him to go home. Patrick escaped and was reunited with his family, but he still heard the Irish calling him in dreams. Patrick entered the priesthood and eventually became a bishop; after many years of doing great work in Rome, Patrick was sent to Ireland spread the message to spread the message of the gospel because he was able to speak Celtic, and so was able to communicate with the Irish.

Patrick’s mission wasn’t an easy one druidism (an ancient Celtic religion) was widely practiced in Ireland and many Druids would rather have killed Patrick then convert; he and his followers were imprisoned and sentenced to death many times. Celtic CrossBut Patrick’s faith in God was strong, and he knew he could keep going, “spreading God’s name everywhere with confidence and without fear.” Patrick preached all over Ireland, using a shamrock to explain the Trinity and converting thousands with his quiet unassuming manner and gentle way of speaking. As a man of God, Patrick was known for his humility and disinterest in material wealth. He wouldn’t accept gifts from admirers, and often retreated in quiet prayer. By the time he died in 461, Patrick and converted virtually all of Ireland to Christianity, and he is a reminder that God speaks to us through His servants.

I bind to myself God’s power to guide me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to teach me, God’s I do watch over me, God is here to hear me, God’s word to give me speech, God’s hand to guide me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to shelter me, God supposed to secure me… against the snares of demons, against the seductions of vices, against the loss of nation, against everyone who meditates injury to me, whether far or near, few or many.  From Patrick’s Lorica .

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, of Buenos Aires has been elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Francis. He is the first Latin American pope to lead the church, as well as the first Jesuit priest.

Many believe that Pope Francis brings to the papal leadership a new feature of humility and boldness in spirituality. While Archbishop in Argentina it has been reported that he did not live in the archbishop’s palace but chose to live in a small room in a downtown Buenos Aires home. He also cooked his own meals and visited the poor in Argentine slums.

It is also reported that his choice of transportation was to ride the bus rather than to make use of a limo. There were other aspects reported about his humble life style that were different from so many men who rise to the position of Bishop, Archbishop, Cardinal, or even Senior Pastor regardless of denomination.

Over the years I have encountered a number of men who aspired to an “imperial pastorate,” living in lavish houses, drawing exorbitant salaries, driving expensive luxury cars, with some even owning jets or helicopters. Some years ago, I attended a conference at which a nationally known minister was present. He arrived in a chauffeured limousine, was surrounded by an entourage of bodyguards and attendants, and made sure that he was seated in the auditorium where his presence was noticed but where an average person could not get close enough to speak to him.

I have known pastors who take people with them, even on short ventures outside the church building, whose sole role is to carry the clergyman’s Bible and to open doors for him. I have known bishops who refuse to carry their own luggage and have entertained religious TV-types who demanded preferential attention and treated waitresses disgracefully.

The new Pope, by all accounts, appears to be a man of deference, humility, and kindness. He also is a man who is concerned about the poor. In short, he appears to be Christ-like.

In a 2007 address at a large meeting of Latin American bishops, Francis emphasized that belief. “We live in the most unequal part of the world, which has grown the most yet reduced misery the least,” he said. “The unjust distribution of goods persists, creating a situation of social sin that cries out to Heaven and limits the possibilities of a fuller life for so many of our brothers.”

At the same time, the new pope is expected to uphold church orthodoxy on sexuality, abortion, marriage and contraception. The same year, he said same-sex marriage attacks God’s plan, he also said gay people adopting children is an act of discrimination against children. Yet, he has also shown compassion for people with HIV and AIDS; in 2001, he visited AIDS patients in a hospice where he washed and kissed the feet of 12 patients.

The new Pope will have his hands full as he receives a church rocked by scandal, internal political turmoil, and declining numbers in many parts of the world. Things will change dramatically for the new Pope. It is far too dangerous a world, populated by too many crazies, to continue to take the bus. Assassination attempts of previous Popes mandate the need for security. He will never again enjoy the blessedness of privacy without making special arrangements. His every word and cough will be recorded and commented upon. But, those whom God calls, God equips.

It is a new day and a new Holy Father for the ancient Roman Catholic Church and for the 1 ½ billion Catholics worldwide. May the prayers of all Catholics, and the prayer

Dear Friends of Bishop John Holloway.

As you may know, it will be six years this coming June since Bishop Holloway suffered a debilitating stroke. Bishop John was the first bishop of what was then the Missionary Diocese of Georgia, then the Diocese of Georgia, and eventually, the Diocese of the Mid-South. He is now Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of the Mid-South.

Bishop John is pictured, left, at Bishop David Simpson’s Consecration 2007.

He will have a birthday on March 18. He will be 59. If you would like to send a card (which would lift his spirits greatly), his address is:

Bishop John Holloway, 107 McEthel Drive, Griffin, GA 30224

Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness.

Wah, Pakistan

On January 1, 2013, a celebration was held at the ICCEC Cathedral in Wah, Pakistan to honor several people who had contributed significantly to the establishment of the CEC in Pakistan.

Pakistan 2During the International Convocation held last summer in Madrid, several awards were presented to individuals who had contributed to the foundation of the ICCEC around the world. Several people who were honored were not able to be at the International Convocation, including several individuals from Pakistan.Pakistan 1

 During the ceremony held in January, Bp. Prakash Yuhanna presented awards to those in Pakistan and extended the thanks of the entire communion for their contributions.

This entry was written by James and posted on March 5, 2013 at 7:00 am and filed under CEC News. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.

ANNAPOLIS, MD

The eastern parishes of the Central Diocese (Maryland, DC and Virginia) were recently designated as a new Missionary District under the canonical provisions of the CEC.

Fr. Martin Eppard was appointed Canon Missioner of the Missionary District by Bp. Michael Davidson, Ordinary of the Central Diocese. The parishes in the district are Holy Apostles, Westminster, MD., Church of Reconciliation, Bel Air, MD., St. Andrews, Petersburg, VA. and Good Shepherd, Catonsville, MD. In addition to the parishes several other clergy families are part of the missionary district.

Bp. Michael Davidson, the Bishop of the Diocese, as well as the Bishop’s Council, believe that the formation of the new missionary district will allow the parishes to really move forward in discerning the Lord’s will for the Mid-Atlantic region. The clergy and parishes are eager to begin working together to help strengthen the work of the Lord and reach out to the lost. A joint multi-parish men’s retreat is planned for February in Gettysburg, PA and The Baltimore Healing Service, which is held on the first Tuesday of each month at the Pikeville Doubletree in Baltimore, is already proving to be a unifying and truly anointed joint outreach. Additionally, all of the parishes of the newly formed missionary district participated in the March for Life in Washington DC.

Clergy families from the new district met together near Annapolis—a central location—to pray, fellowship and discuss the future of the missionary district. The day proved to be informative and productive. Good things are happening in the Mid-Atlantic Missionary District; Church of the Good Shepherd is preparing to move into its newly purchased facility, Holy Apostles will soon break ground on a new and larger building, Reconciliation is leading the upcoming men’s retreat and plans are in process for an outreach mission at St. Andrews.

It is wonderful to see the Lord’s hand at work in the CEC in this region, and we are all excited as we anticipate a time of revival and renewal.

Ultreya!  It’s that time again.

We’ve moved our March Ultreya to March 8 starting at 6:15 with covered dish and grouping at 7:00.

We had a great time with Bishop Charles from Tanzania last month.

We are looking forward to a great reunion.  St. John the Divine is on highway 100 one half mile west of highway 17 in Palatka.  Look for McDonald’s and the church is one block further on the right.  Blessings to you all!

Melody Mills

A total of 23 team members went to Nassau, Bahamas from the United States to help with Tres Arroyos #6. Eighteen of them stayed for both weekends. The women worked the kitchen and mail room during the men’s weekend, and the men helped out as kitchen, mail room, and Chapel–among other things for the women’s weekend.

12 men and 12 women candidates received their crosses and commissioning at the closings which were at the Church of the Nativity.

The weekends were held at a nature camp that had only one activity building. Due to rain and cold weather, most of the men’s events were held in that one room. The weather was nicer for the women and they had chapel in the morning around the fire pit and ate most meals at picnic tables outside.

Worship music was a combination of Bahamian and American music. God did his work, as usual, and the candidates experienced the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

The picture above is part of the team after the men’s weekend.

Virginia Sharpe

Dear Brothers,

I hope you are experiencing a fruitful time of reflection and anticipation as we move from the Christmas season and into Epiphany.  This coming Sunday (January 20), as always during the Epiphany season, we will celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lord the Giver of Life.  This Feast Day is unique to our own Communion, a day set aside to celebrate and stand in wonder at the gift of Life bestowed upon us by our loving Father.  It is a joy and an honor to celebrate such a day with each of you.

As all of you know, I was raised in the Anglican Communion. Hence, for all of my youth and for a significant part of my ministry, the Episcopal Hymnal was a deep part of my spiritual discipline. I grew up under a Pastor who was a retired Ensign in the United States Navy. Like every male adult I knew as a youth, he served in World War II. He was also deeply influenced by the ministry and writing of Dietrich Bonheoffer. As a result, so were all the members of his congregation.

Dietrich Bonheoffer had to confront directly the moral issue of his day – the rise of fascism, particularly National Socialism. It was the moral issue of my father’s generation and so, as a youth, I also heard a clear message that there really was such a thing as evil, and that it incarnated itself in the men, particularly Hitler, who attempted to rule Europe and enslave millions of people. In that War it is estimated that somewhere between 62 and 78 million people died either in military service, civilian casualties, or in the concentration camps. One hundred and thirty-five thousand, five hundred and six American military personnel were killed in action between D-Day and V-E Day.

My father and every veteran I knew talked of the horrors of war and their desire was that their sons would never have to go to war. Yet, they knew there was evil, and that evil was to be confronted, even if it meant giving your life – the greatest sacrifice.

My Pastor and my father also taught me that there was good and righteousness. There was right and there was wrong. They believed that virtue and all that was good was found in Christ Jesus and so, we, along with all the kids I grew up with, went to Church.

Today, the battle we face between good and evil is no longer contained within some foreign land; it is across the globe and against a very prevalent culture of death.  Whether we live in America or Africa, the battle for freedom, religious liberty, the inalienable rights of all persons, and the traditional and God-ordained pattern of marriage and family is being fought in our own back yards.

There can be no compromise on these issues. There can be no compromise on the right to life for all people – born and preborn. The murder of preborn children at the rate of 115,000 a day worldwide is wicked, and those involved in this holocaust are wicked. This is not a political issue, it is a battle between good and evil, light and darkness, righteousness and wickedness, and life and death.

In 1845, James R. Lowell wrote a poem protesting America’s war with Mexico. It was set to music by Thomas J. Williams and placed in the Episcopal Hymnal, until it was removed in 1982, along with “Onward Christian Soldiers”, for questionable theology. My Pastor had us sing this song at least once a month to teach us the importance of not remaining silent in the face of evil.

“Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide,

In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side;

Some great cause, some great decision, offering each the bloom or blight,

And the choice goes by forever, ‘twixt that darkness and that light.

“Then to side with truth is noble, when we share her wretched crust,

Ere her cause bring fame and profit, and ’tis prosperous to be just;

Then it is the brave man chooses while the coward stands aside,

Till the multitude make virtue of the faith they had denied.

“By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, They bleeding feet we track,

Tolling up new Calv’ries ever with the cross that turns

not back; New occasions teach new duties, time make ancient

good uncouth, They must upward still and onward, who would

keep abreast of truth.

“Though the cause of evil prosper, yet the truth alone is

strong; Though her portion be the scaffold, and upon the

throne be wrong; Yet that scaffold sways the future, and

behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow,

keeping watch above His own.”

We will be victorious in the fight to end abortion. I believe a generation of young people is being raised up in the international communion of the CEC who are not only committed to ending abortion in their own nations, but are Pro Life because they have a radical and passionate love for the Risen Lord Jesus.

We can and should give to all types of Pro Life activities, from Pregnancy Centers to Post Abortive Counseling. We should also be Pro Life from conception to natural death, which means we need to support ministries to the homeless, single mothers, fatherless children, and drug/alcohol victims. The Lord loves a cheerful and, might I add, generous giver. Yet the Lord, from the founding of the Charismatic Episcopal Church and through consensus of the Bishops and Patriarch’s Council, established CEC for Life as our voice in the Pro Life Ministry.

We agreed, in consensus, that every year Parishes, Missions, and Clergy should renew their memberships for CEC for Life. We agreed, in consensus, that we should encourage all of our parishioners to give annually to CEC for Life. We also agreed that the Lord directed us to establish the Feast Day of Our Lord the Giver of Life, to be celebrated every January with a special Sunday service during which each parish would take up a special offering to be given to CEC For Life.  This year that Feast Day will take place on Sunday, January 20th.

Times are tough.  Many of our nations are currently facing extreme economic crises, even here in America.  Some see this as a reason for cutting back on giving; I see it as a time to increase my giving.

We can give lip service to being Pro Life. We can even vote Pro Life. But the end to abortion will not happen until the Church is mobilized and called to apostolic action. And any mobilization will require the sacrificial giving of time, talent, and treasure.

On Sunday, January 20, please encourage your clergy to take part in this important offering. Bishops must take the lead. Your voice has influence in the lives of your sons in the Lord.

Be assured of my prayer and affections.

Under His mercy,

The Most Rev. Craig W. Bates,

Patriarch, ICCEC

Primate, CEC-NA