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Saturday, November 6, 2010

Resolution on the Election of the Rt. Rev. Hector “Tito” Zavala, Bishop of Chile, as Presiding Bishop and Primate

Following is the Resolution I proposed which was unanamously adopted at the 143rd Diocesan Convention of the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh held today at St Stephen's Church, Sewickley


Resolution on the Election of the Rt. Rev. Hector “Tito” Zavala, Bishop of Chile, as Presiding Bishop and Primate
of the Province of the Southern Cone


WHEREAS Bishop Hector “Tito” Zavala was elected as the first indigenous Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Southern Cone, and

WHEREAS, Bishop Zavala (and his family) ministered among us as friend and priest for three years during his time of study at Trinity School for Ministry in our diocese, and

WHEREAS, the Diocese of Chile and the Diocese of Pittsburgh were linked for many years as companion dioceses, and

WHEREAS, the Province of the Southern Cone extended to the bishop, clergy and people of the Diocese of Pittsburgh spiritual cover and continuous support during our time of transition in the forming of the Anglican Church in North America, be it

RESOLVED that we rejoice with the Diocese of Chile and the Province of the Southern Cone and extend our prayers and blessings to their new Presiding Bishop and Primate and his family.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Bp. Tito Zavala elected Primate, The Southern Cone


Bp. Tito Zavala elected Primate, The Southern Cone
November 5th, 2010

From Anglicans United

[Ed. Note: Canon Kenneth Kearon of the Communion office in London recently removed Bp. Zavala from the international committee on faith and order because he did not receive a response to the Archbishop of Canterbury's Pentecost letter. In that letter, the Province of the Southern Cone was ask if they changed their Constitution and Canons to allow them to take parishes/diocese in other provinces "under their protection." This House of Bishop's meeting is expected to respond to that letter. We will watch for the results. Re: Bishop Zavala, the province has been moving for 20 years towards the ordination of South Americans. Bishop Zavala is one of the first ordained and will be a terrific Archbishop for this province. South America has made great strides in turning the church over from Brits in leadership to indigenous men and women. It has been an exciting process to watch. Cheryl M. Wetzel]

SOUTHERN CONE ANGLICAN PROVINCE ELECTS NEW PRIMATE

From Bishop Frank Lyons

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2010/11/5/ACNS4746

November 4, 2010

The tenth Synod of the Province of the Southern Cone of America, meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 1-5 November, 2010, has elected Bishop Hector “Tito” Zavala of Chile as its next Primate replacing Bishop Gregory Venables.

Bishop Zavala becomes the province’s first Primate of Chilean extraction. The role of Primate is a three year renewable term in the Cone. Bishop Venables is not retiring, but will maintain his present position as Bishop of Argentina and Northern Argentina.

In another closely followed vote, the possibility of allowing women’s ordination to the priesthood in those dioceses that so affirmed to move ahead (local option) was turned down by the house of clergy; the other two houses voted in favor. [This simply means that local option on this issue has been maintained. The national canons will not be changed. C Wetzel]

The Province of the Southern Cone comprises the seven dioceses of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Northern Argentina, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

—-Bishop Frank Lyons is the Bishop of Bolivia

All Saints' South Fayette


Following is a letter published today in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. I sent this letter three weeks ago but it was published only today having been held up by letters concerning all the hoopla surrounding the mid-term elections. Ironically the real 145th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Pittsburgh convenes today.


About congregation

I read with interest and affection Ann Rodgers' article "Episcopalians Calm in Rough Sea" (Oct. 15) on the gathering of the Episcopalians in convention on October 15-16. I was heartened to read Bishop Ken Price's encouraging words concerning his relationship with Archbishop Robert Duncan and the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh. I would contend that the facts about the composition of the new gathering in South Fayette, All Saints, are a bit inaccurate.

The article states the congregation "was formed in 2009, largely from people who wanted to remain Episcopalians after their former parishes left the denomination." I would contend the congregation was formed largely from members of St. Paul's Church in Mt. Lebanon for various and sundry reasons, none of which had to do with leaving the denomination.

The majority of the congregation continues to be composed of former members of St. Paul's. Note also, the pastor of All Saints, the Rev. Richard Pollard, is a former staff member of St. Paul's. Nonetheless, best wishes for success are extended to the clergy and people of All Saints.

REV. DAVID WILSON
St. David's Anglican Church
Peters

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Rejoicing with Bishop Tito Zavala of Chile


Anglicans United rejoices with Bishop Tito Zavala of Chile and Archbishop Gregory Venables of the Southern Cone over the successful rescue of 33 miners in Chile.

Jimmy Sanchez, one of the 33 Chilean miners said this morning after his rescue, “There are actually 34 of us, because God has never left us down here.”

Thank you all for your constant and faithful prayers on behalf of these men and their families.

Cheryl M. Wetzel

Monday, October 11, 2010

UP TO FAITH - DANCE 2011








check out their website here http://uptofaith.com/
check out this awesome video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5dSIL358NM ;

Dear Friends,

As you may already know, we are in the process of organizing a worldwide dance on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011. If you would like to join us in this exciting event register your group by email at info@uptofaith.com . In the email please provide your church’s name, home page address and number of expected participants.

When considering participation please keep in mind the following requirements:


The date of the event will be April 24, 2011

Participation is restricted to Christian churches. Minimum number of participants is 200 persons per registered group (if you are a small church desiring to take part, we encourage you to team up with other churches in your area) When applying it is understood that you accept the mission Statement of this event Your performance must be recorded with multiple HD cameras. The UptoFaith team will create a video from the clips received.

Join us as we “go tell the world” that Jesus Christ and the Church are alive and making a difference!

Please note that the information received will be kept confidential and will only be used for the organization of the UptoFaith Dance event.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Judge James Rules Again


Sharpsburg Legion in parking pickle over handicapped lot

Another boneheaded ruling by same the judge who ruled in the Calvary lawsuit - DDW+

By Mary Ann Thomas
ASPINWALL HERALD
Thursday, October 7, 2010


American Legion members are hopeful they can keep a handicapped parking lot at Post 106 in Sharpsburg despite a judge's ruling they have to remove it.

Gary Salitrik of Shaler, the secretary treasurer of the Legion on North Canal Street, hopes town leaders appeal.

"They're the ones who gave us permission to build it," he said. "We did everything they told us to do. Now we've got to rip it out."

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge M. Joseph James ruled last month that the Legion had to remove the parking lot it installed two years ago after residents at nearby Heinz Terrace sued saying the lot was illegal and unsafe.

Attorney Stephen Farino said his clients "think that the judge made the correct decision. And they feel it's for the safety of their neighborhood."

Sharpsburg solicitor Michael Witherel said he would advise council not to pursue an appeal.

"This is a matter between the Legion and the property owners on the street," he said.

During a 2008 meeting, Sharpsburg council approved the construction of the 20-foot-by-70-foot parking lot, with work beginning the next day.

Residents contend that cars parked in the lot have to drive over a public sidewalk where children walk and play.

Legion members and officials claim the handicapped parking spaces provided in the five-car parking lot are essential for disabled veterans who visit the club.

The residents appealed council's decision to allow the lot. The judge's ruling on Sept. 17 states that the lot plan violated the town's ordinances by creating a driveway "in excess of 25 feet and it doesn't comply with (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements."

Legion leadership is looking at what an appeal would cost.

The lot, which includes a deck and a new handicap-accessible entrance, cost about $25,000 to build, Salitrik said.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Christ Church Plano TX Making Canonical Transfer to ACNA and the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh



Christ Church Making Canonical Transfer to ACNA
October 6th, 2010
Dear Friends,

Today I have an important announcement about our affiliation with the Anglican world. Since our departure from the Episcopal Church in 2006, the Vestry of Christ Church and our clergy have been careful to stay connected to the larger Anglican world through our bishops. We have been affiliated with the AMiA (Anglican Mission in the Americas) since January of 2007. It has been a very happy relationship. We have been well served and, by God’s Grace, we (our church and its clergy) have been able to make significant contributions to its mission and ministry. It has been a blessing to be there.

In the summer of 2009, the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) was born. Representatives of all the Anglican bodies within U.S. and Canada attended a conference in Bedford and launched the beginnings of a new “proto-Province” within the Anglican Communion. Then, as many here would remember, the Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan was instituted as the new Archbishop of the ACNA at Christ Church. Those who attended would surely agree with me: It was one of the finest moments I can remember at Christ Church.

It was at this Investiture that Anglican1000 was born. At this Investiture, the world “saw” the fullness of this new fledgling movement. There were dozens of bishops, hundreds of clergy, and still hundreds more laity. Many of us were weeping for joy to be part of a new united work that God was doing in our North America.

Recently, for reasons fully explained in a letter to the members of the AMiA, Bishop Chuck Murphy led the AMiA through a change of status within the ACNA. He and the Council of Bishops of the AMiA petitioned the ACNA to be a “Ministry Partner” rather than a full member of the ACNA. Much of the reasons for this have to do with the AMiA’s desire to stay fully linked with the Province of Rwanda and maintain their own missionary culture in North America.

In consultation with our Vestry and our clergy, I have asked Bishop Murphy to accept our request for transfer to the ACNA, in order to remain within the North American provincial structure. Bishop Murphy graciously heard my desire and will grant our transfer. Therefore, within the next week or so, our congregation, our clergy, and our parish will be canonically transferred to the ACNA.

Our long term plan is to work with other Anglican churches in the Dallas area and build a Diocesan structure in the Dallas metroplex, but that will take a few years to realize. In the interim we will be linked to the oversight ministry of the Archbishop of the ACNA and the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Archbishop Robert Duncan. This Christ Church/ACNA/Diocese of Pittsburgh relationship will be a blessing for all of us. Already we are engaged in the important work of Anglican1000 (an initiative of the ACNA).

I realize that for nearly all in our church this will be truly a transparent event. Nothing will change. Our mission and our ministry will go on as it has gone on for 25 years now. We will have plenty of occasions to meet and welcome Bishop Duncan here in the future. Our 6th grade class will love him when he comes for their Confirmation ceremony. He is a good man and a Godly bishop…and now he is our overseeing bishop. We are truly blessed. This link allows us to continue to build our work here in the North Dallas area and to partner with other clergy and bishops and dioceses all over North America to expand the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Personally, I am very thankful for the response I received from Bishop Murphy. And I give thanks to God for the long-standing relationship that I have…and that Christ Church now has…with the Archbishop, Robert Duncan. With the blessings we have been given here, we also have the joy of sharing as well. Christ Church will be able to transfer its financial pledge to the AMiA directly to the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the ACNA.

Thank you for your trust and confidence over these past 25 years. We have seen God do great things here, and as we celebrate 25 years of ministry this year, we know that God is leading us onward!

In Christ,
David+