Although I am sorry to hear of the outcome of your deliberations concerning my proposal, I fear that two Anglican Churches will still arise in Aotearoa, but without mutual recognition. While sad, this is now inevitable. Our General Synod Standing Committee passed a resolution at our meeting on Friday last, which will no doubt be communicated to you separately by the General Secretary. In the resolution, apart from noting the recent decisions of ACANZP have impaired our relationships, as they are in contradiction to Resolution I.10 of Lambeth 1998, it also noted that they were not in accordance with the teaching of Christ in Matthew 19:1-12. We also indicated our support for all Anglicans in Aotearoa, not only those who remain in ACANZP but also those who choose to leave.

We live in a broken world, and sometimes brothers and sisters disagree on the way forward. I am very grateful for the consideration of my proposal which I believe you took seriously and conscientiously. While my purpose in the proposal was specific to the context of your Church, it is true that there are ramifications for the wider Anglican Communion. I thought that ACANZP might be able to give a lead in this regard but it may well be that my lack of understanding of your culture has impeded my ability to find an agreeable way forward. Again, if this has caused offence, I offer my sincere apologies.

I trust that relationships between the Anglican Church of Australia and the ACANZP, while impaired by the decision of your Synod, may still find opportunity for fellowship in the name of our risen Saviour in the days ahead.

Read it all.

Archbishop Glenn Davies’ Presidential Address to the Diocese of #Sydney https://t.co/7sVj9Yk2UN 'The reason why #GAFCON came into existence is that parts of the Anglican Communion had departed from the doctrine of Christ' #anglican #australia #marriage pic.twitter.com/Q6bjx8KmSb

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) October 16, 2018

The number of overall churchgoers rose in the past year, despite a decline in attendance at traditional Sunday services, the latest figures reveal.

The Church of England’s annual survey said that the number of those attending at least once a month grew by around 2,000 to 1.138 million churchgoers last year.

At the same time, regular Sunday attendance fell by 2.9 per cent to 756,000 and regular weekly attendance also fell by 2.9 per cent to 895,000.

Various clerics told The Telegraph that people’s busy modern lives – which increasingly mean working across seven days of the week – were partly behind the Sunday decline.

However, that hasn’t phased regular attendees, who have taken advantage of new initiatives to hold services at more convenient times and places for congregants….

Read it all.

The latest annual Statistics for Mission report shows that while traditional Sunday attendance edged lower in 2017, in line with long-term trends, the numbers attending Christmas services increased by 3.4 per cent to 2.68 million.

It was the fourth successive rise in Christmas congregations since 2013 and the highest figure since 2006. Combined with figures for special services in churches during Advent, including carol services, there were nearly eight million attendances over the festive season.

The Statistics for Mission 2017 were published as #FollowTheStar, the Church of England’s campaign to encourage people to attend Advent and Christmas services this year, was launched by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

Meanwhile separate figures also published today show that the Church of England more than doubled its monthly reach on social media – from 1.2 million in 2017 to 2.44 million this year.

Read it all and make sure to follow the links.

Read it all.

Catholic Exorcisms Are Gaining Popularity in the U.S. – American Exorcism: Priests are fielding more requests than ever for help with demonic possession, and a centuries-old practice is finding new footing in the modern world. By Mike Mariani, The Atlantic https://t.co/XatIbOI6Un

— Melbie Toast (Melinda Applegate) (@MelbieToast) November 21, 2018

The Diocese of London has announced the first stage of its strategy to create resource churches across the diocese. Initially, 19 churches have been designated as London resource churches.

Resource churches are part of the growth strategy of the London Diocese that builds on our 30-year history of church planting across every tradition, which itself is part of a long history of church planting stretching back into the 19th century. They will work with their area bishops to help to revitalise existing parish churches where we are looking to build confidence and stimulate growth, start new worshipping communities in areas where there is scope for new initiatives, and develop missionally-minded leaders and create resources for the wider Church. Every parish in the diocese was given an opportunity to express interest in becoming a resource church. The diocesan senior leadership team recently approved the final list.

London resource churches will receive a planting curate, a three-year post which will see them trained in the resource church before planting out after one to three years. These curates will be prepared to start new worshipping communities or help revitalise parish churches around the diocese, as well as being fully trained to incumbent status and deployable throughout the Church of England. A grant awarded to London from the Strategic Development Fund will finance 15 of these posts. In addition, the Diocese of London will assign curates from their existing diocesan allocation as planting curates in these resource churches over the next six years.

Read it all.

London Diocese announces 1st Resource Churches https://t.co/oH97D8x9nX 'London resource churches will receive a planting curate, a 3-yr post which will see them trained in the resource church be4 planting out after one to three years' #anglican #ministry #evangelism #churchgrowth

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) November 20, 2018

#EpiscopalChurch statistics from the diocese of San Joaquin average Sunday attendance from 3965 in 2007 to 810 in 2017 #religion #usa #parishministry pic.twitter.com/vTStPtTb2C

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) November 21, 2018

O Almighty God, who are everywhere present, in heaven by glory, in the conscience of men by thy still small voice, in the hearts of thy faithful by thine own Spirit: Help us always so to think, speak, choose and act as sons in the presence of their Father, who love to do his will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

—Daily Prayer, Eric Milner-White and G. W. Briggs, eds. (London: Penguin Books 1959 edition of the 1941 original), p. 125

For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.

–Malachi 1:11