CANA Council Begins today

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”   Romans 15: 5-6

This is what I have been praying for myself this week as I get ready to head in to 3 days of meetings with our ‘denomination.’  This annual gathering in Herndon, VA is an opportunity for us to hear teaching on being a missional church, for us to meet the Primate of all Nigeria (Archbishop Nicholas Okoh), and to be encouraged by our bishop, Martyn Minns.  I am looking forward to seeing colleagues from around the country who are faithfully leading congregations that want to be salt and light in this world.  And, to be honest, I like attending the sessions on ‘key HR policies for CANA parishes’ and ‘what’s in the constitution and canons…’  It’s the nerd in me.

Restoration has a team of 3 delegates:  Ramsey Wilson, Richard Hines, and Erin Bair. They represent us in various seminars and discussions.  They get to tell our story as an encouragement to others.  And they will help us think about our on-going relationship to the wider Anglican Communion.  I am so grateful to not have to attend by myself!!

Andrew Thompson will bring a team of middle-schoolers on Friday to help set-up and serve in the background.  I am proud of them for jumping in to meet this need.

I ask for your prayers over the next 3 days.  Pray for Restoration to be a voice in our local community that attracts those who are curious about Christianity.  Pray for the Anglican church in North America as we seek to hear God’s voice and discern new structures.  Pray for humble faithfulness to the Scriptures for the world-wide Communion.

See you on Sunday.