Greetings!

This was Timothy's Advent/Christmas meeting.  Dwight even changed the altar colors and the flowers from red to white!  We were blessed to have Bishop Dave Bena, the youthful retired suffragan bishop of Albany and currently active bishop within CANA, come celebrate the day with Timothy.  He has a very cheerful and uplifting style and manner and we hope he will come back again.  We were pleased to meet his wife Mary Ellen and his two guests who gave their testimony to the theme of standing firm, Jean and Tom Gazara, both educators in central NY.

Bishop Bena said he first heard about Timothy from Peter Pierson and said he was supportive from the very first.  He said we had a good reason to stand firm.  His sermon touched on two what he called power points:  the first power point came from John the Baptist.  John was doing a very strange thing.  He was in the wilderness baptizing Jews, a unique ministry for a Jewish priest's son.  The Pharisees came out to see him and question him about who he thought he was and what he was doing.  He was announcing that the Messiah was coming.  He pointed away from himself to Jesus.  He was preparing without knowing the outcome. Like Mary.  Power point 2 is now.  We read John 1: 19-27 to see how it applies to us today.  We have to be careful in trying to interpret scripture, but we can have confidence in what we are preparing to do.  There are something like 53 separate Anglican groups in the U.S.  In the '70's, in particular, there was much fragmentation.  Something amazing is happening. God is working this thing together.  We must pray.  And for all to keep their egos tamped down enough so as not to re-create "purple kingdoms".  It is important that our hearts are waiting.  Preparing without knowing the outcome.

Later on he expressed his respect for the primates who are acting together, following the three C's:  communicate, cooperate and coordinate.  That is how to build the necessary trust level as orthodox Anglicans move off into uncharted waters.  Ex-Episcopalians need to shed whatever suspicion, distrust and anger is in their hearts and be firm and kind with one another.   Pray for unity in truth.

We enjoyed the hymns, the small choir's Lo How a Rose, and the jubilant carols.  As always, the potluck lunch was very impressive, complete with chili, stew, casseroles of carrots and broccoli, salad, tiny open sandwiches, quiche, and great desserts including Wash's caramelized honey pear upside down cake.  What a community of cooks!

Bill reported on developments bringing together a consortium of  leaders --  Bill Murdoch, Alex Cameron, Ross Kimball and, we hope, Marnie.  Bill Murdoch has reported that Alex has been accepted into the Province of Kenya and Bill will be his bishop.  Ross Kimball is on the ordination path under Bill and feels a strong calling to minister to the NH/VT group.  Alex feels a similar calling to guide a discernment process in the Burlington area and has set up dates to meet in January, February, March and April.  See the vermontanglicans.org web site for updates on the time and place and to copy down the dates.  Sat. January 19 is the first date.  The next date is very important:  Everyone is invited to the Timothy Retreat/Regular meeting with Alex on Friday Feb. 29 and March 1.  There is a possibility that it will take place in Manchester, NH.

Bill also reported that the ACN-New England Convocation annual meeting will take place on Feb. 23 at All Saints' Anglican Church in Amesbury, MA.  Again, everyone in Timothy is invited to come.

We prayed for Dwight who has an important meeting with Bill Murdoch on January 18th.

Ann reported that the ACN-NEC 2008 Budget will have to be increased to cover the greatly expanded travel expenses of Bishop Murdoch, who is both Dean of the NE Convocation and is now a Bishop.   A separate line item and account called "Bishop's Fund" will be added.   We approved pledging $1200, or $100 per month, payable quarterly.  We have the option of re-visiting the question and increasing support after the pledges are in and the 2008 Budget is adopted.

We look forward with new hope and open hearts to the new year that lies before us.

Faithfully,

Ann