November Report

Greetings on Advent Sunday,

Where to begin?

First Things First.

We, Timothy, have witnessed amazing grace in in our past three meetings:  we were blessed to have Alex bring us a spirit-filled homily and prayer session in October; then again the same with Marnie in November; and yesterday, a wonderfully clear and compelling talk on our church beginnings and Anglican heritage in Quechee.  The themes of repentance, confession, the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus and communion with each other at the foot of the cross, and the deposit of faith once received and the significance of an undivided Catholic church -- all wove themselves together seamlessly into one message that was moving and spiritually energizing.  Speaking for myself, I feel I am maturing in my understanding.

We are grateful to Marnie for providing us with a copy of the homily she wrote for Timothy.  She has had a turbulent week due to her mother's failing health and I ask you to keep her in your prayers.  I enjoyed re-reading her sermon again and I know you will be grateful for it, too.

http://web.mac.com/wchogan/Vermont_Anglicans_/Marnies_November_Sermon.html

If the link doesn't open for you, ask me for a cut and paste version.

Fr. McKinnon had two handouts yesterday which I would also be glad to mail to you.  The first one is titled "As Anglican Christians we are..." and it spells out in greater detail

the following:  Evangelical, Charismatic, Protestant, Orthodox, Catholic and Apostolic. The other is simply called "The Anglican Communion".  It ends with: "Thus, one is not Baptized, Confirmed or Received into the local or regional Church.  One is Baptized a Christian/Catholic, Confirmed in the Catholic Faith, or Received into the Anglican Communion."    Did you know that the word Protestant originally comes from pro  testimony, meaning positive testimony to the Bible as God's Word?  It referred to being grounded in scripture.  Did you know that Catholic with a big C and without the word Roman refers to the undivided Catholic (universal) Church of the first Christian Millennium?  Did you know that there is no Anglican faith, Anglican denomination, Anglican ministry?  You see, you had to be there.  Fr. McKinnon has so much more to share with us, and is such a knowledgeable gifted teacher, that by unanimous consensus he is invited back to continue his teaching at the earliest opportunity.  There were 24 attendees at yesterday's session.  I'll let you know shortly whether we have a recording good enough to send you.

Meanwhile, another exciting event took place this past week.  On Tuesday, Bishop Bill Murdoch came to Shelburne to mentor and encourage and to meet with the first meeting of the steering committee.  Between +Bill and Alex+ I understand that at that meeting they really shook the ground and got everyone's rapt attention.  Arabella took notes and will attempt a report at a later date.

Bishop Bill gave an after-dinner presentation of the vision of All Saints' Anglican Church and its immediate practical goal of acquiring for $2.8 M the former RC church in Amesbury, MA.  He has a proposal from a bank to lend $2.1 M and All Saints' has raised $600,000, but there is still a gap to fill with a combination of gifts and loans.

I'll send more details about this shortly (by regular mail) and one idea how Timothy collegially (and individually) might help.

We have much to be thankful for.  And as we enter Advent, much to be repentant about.

Do put down on your calendar Sat. Dec. 22 at 10:00 am the next gathering of Timothy.  Bishop David Bena is looking forward to celebrating with Timothy at the home of

Diane and Terry in Quechee.  It, too, will be a memorable experience. Faithfully, Ann

p.s.  Timothy will be shipping a donation of new children's blankets to Annunciation in New Orleans tomorrow.  We thank the donor.