ACN New England launching regional network on October 16
Thursday, October 7, 2004
Contact: Richard Elwood, 603–883–8430
On Saturday, October 16, the New England Convocation of the Anglican Communion Network (ACN), led by the Rev. Bill Murdoch, Dean, will formally launch the regional network of orthodox Anglican parishes and congregations at a meeting in Providence. New England is one of 6 convocations nationwide that make up the ACN, formed in January 2004 in the face of the divisive action taken by the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) last year in the consecration of the Bishop of New Hampshire.
The ACN is a biblically driven missionary movement of dioceses and congregations committed to the propagation of the unchanging Gospel of Jesus Christ and fulfillment of the Great Commission. Dioceses, parishes and individual clergy who join the network are committed to the historic faith and order of the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church as received in Anglicanism.
“The much anticipated report of the Lambeth (Eames) Commission, commissioned by the Archbishop of Canterbury to make recommendations to the Global Anglican Communion in response to ECUSA actions, is scheduled to be released to the Anglican Communion Primates in London on Monday, October 18,” said The Rev. Bill Murdoch, Dean of the New England Convocation and Rector of All Saints Church, West Newbury, MA. “Whatever the commission report recommends, reactions will be strong on both sides, but final actions will not come until sometime next year.”
“The Lambeth Commission report will not change the need of orthodox clergy to lead parishes, take part in the councils of the church, and stand for the Apostolic faith,” continued Murdoch. “We need to pray for one another, communicate with and organize our people, gather and care for the remnants of those who have left already, and build a network that will carry us through this time of historic change. The conference in Providence will bring orthodox Biblical Christians together to plan the way forward.”
Those attending the New England Convocation meeting, “Moving Forward Together: From Words Into Action,” will form a plan of action to carry the New England-based network of parishes, church starts, clergy, and individual laity through the challenging times of historic change in the Anglican Communion and in the church around the world. The Convocation will also greet and commission the Vestries of four new church starts in New England and many new mission fellowship groups whose consciences and circumstances have taken them out of ECUSA.
The conference agenda includes:
• Prepared testimonies outlining the experiences of international and national speakers who have faced the current challenges in ECUSA
• The teaching of orthodox Anglican faith and order
• The status of the Lambeth Commission and the way forward
• The Vision for Mission for the New England Convocation and the ACN
• Worship led by New England clergy
Conference speakers and celebrants include: The Rev. Bill Murdoch, Dean of the New England Convocation; The Rt. Rev. Andrew Fairfield, Retired Bishop of North Dakota; The Rev. Jurgen Liias, Rector, Christ Church, Hamilton, MA; The Rev. Herbert McMullan, Anglican Global Mission Partners, The Rev. George Beaven, ACN Church-Planting Team; The Rev. Mark Galloway, Rector, St. Andrew & St. Philip, Coventry, RI; Ms. Leah Turner, President, Concerned Episcopalians of Rhode Island (CERI); Mr. Kenneth Burrill, American Anglican Council-New England.
Episcopalians interested in attending the conference can find more conference information at www.aacne.org, where they can register online. Additional conference information can also be found on the website. Registration forms are available in orthodox Episcopal Anglican Communion parishes throughout New England. In addition, attendees will be able to register at the door beginning at 7:30 AM on Saturday, October 16. The conference is planned for 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the Providence Convention Center.