Bp. Andrew's Q1 Episcopal Visits
Here is a snapshot of the various churches Bishop Andrew visited between January and March of 2020. For more current updates on episcopal visits, please follow us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anglicandiocesen
Jan 5, 2020: Andover Community Church - A thin place...
Bishop Andrew’s first episcopal visit of 2020 was to ADNE’s Andover Community Church in New Hampshire. On a beautiful sunny day, the New Hampshire landscape was picture perfect with classic New England red barns emerging from the snow. Bishop Andrew’s welcome was incredibly warm and he was privileged to confirm four adult family members and receive a further two into the family.
After 26 years of faithful shepherding, Reverend John Wagner and his wife Amy will be stepping down in the early part of this year as leaders. John and Amy have six sons who have all grown up in the community, attending AE/MS, some of them graduating from Merrimack Valley High School, and some at Laconia Christian Academy. (Pictured here are Jacob and Joshua)
Bishop Andrew told the congregation, “The Lord has fashioned a “thin space” here in your prayers, worship, and witness. A “thin space” is an English expression meaning - a place where the Kingdom of heaven in-breaks the Kingdom of this world. This is a tender time of transition - but the Lord has you. His Spirit is here and He commands His angels concerning you (Psalm 91). And as Elisha encouraged his servant, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
The Bishop concluded by praying Psalm 91 over the congregation. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” - Psalm 91:1-2
Jan 19, 2020: St. Paul’s (Anglican) Community Church
A Very Bright Light in Lawrence!
Bishop Andrew made his first episcopal visit to St. Paul’s (Anglican) Community Church in Lawrence, MA. “This is a powerhouse of a church!” commented Bishop Williams.
In addressing the vestry Bishop Williams said, “I come to you as a servant Bishop. The Lord is establishing a global voice in New England. You are right at the heart of this move of God. You make us stronger as a family of churches.”
Bishop Williams also applauded the faithful work and ministry of Reverend Morris Mungai. “Under his care, St. Paul’s has thrived as a multi-generational, Spirit-filled church where each member is contributing to the life of Jesus. St. Paul’s is a very bright, expansive, and powerful light for Christ.
Jan 26, 2020: St. Veronica's Anglican Church
Bishop Andrew spent time this weekend with part of the ADNE family in Delaware. St. Veronica’s was founded under the anointed and faithful leadership of Reverend Paul Thuo just two years ago. From a small hotel room to a warehouse to their current home at a beautiful Wesleyan Church, St. Veronica’s has grown and thrived. With busy programs for every age - from infants to college-age young adults - St. Veronica’s is a lively, warm and inviting truly intergenerational church.
“This is a burning bush church,” commented the Bishop, “Its witness is a very bright light! I am overjoyed with the power and presence of God that I find here.”
St. Veronica’s is already praying about planting. As Rev. Paul explained, “too many people are without the love of Jesus."
Feb 6, 2020: Church of the Resurrection
Bishop Andrew meeting with members of The Church of the Resurrection in Brewster, Cape Cod last weekend to talk about their growing mission to the local community. As part of their outreach, this Anglican church family is developing a positive relationship with the wider neighborhood in coming alongside food-insecure children with the provision of weekly nourishment. (Matthew 25:44)
Feb 13, 2020: Faith Anglican Church & Grace Anglican Church.
A stunning visit to see all that God is doing in the hearts and ministry of two churches and one glorious partnership in the Gospel: Faith Anglican Church and Grace Anglican Church.
Bishop Andrew commented, “The unity in God’s Spirit was palpable. Venerable Dorcus and Mother Leah have modeled and led God’s people in the love of Jesus. Here is a Kingdom partnership that welcomes in the stranger, binds up the brokenhearted, and feeds the hungry.”
Feb 18, 2020: The Street Church
With a congregation of over 200 people, this is one of our larger ADNE church families. It was so good to be with them. They worshipped with all of their hearts. They shared bread and wine together, praying the liturgy with real conviction. They read the word together and the word was preached with passion. The entire congregation leaned in and audibly sounded their agreement. They took up an offering. They prayed for their city. They prayed for each other. And at the close of the service, they had lunch together…
In many ways, I am sure that our own Sunday experience is not entirely dissimilar. Except this church has no roof, no walls, no pews or chairs. Instead, they meet on the steps of County Hall in Hartford every Saturday morning come rain, freezing rain, snow blizzard, hail or blistering heat and the large majority of its members are homeless.
Sharing Holy Communion with our church family in Hartford that morning was deeply moving. Bruised and cold hands, shaped by the harshness of the elements, reached out for the sacrament. Prayer pervaded every moment of their time together. At one point in the service church members were encouraged to huddle up in groups of three, laying hands upon each other and praying with power and compassion. Prayers of this nature broke out all of the time; in the coffee line, standing together with soup or in the line for clean clothing.
At one point, they invited me into the middle and prayed for me as their Bishop. The man who prayed for me had recently given his life to the Lord. My intercessor was homeless and had given his life to the Lord in prison. The presence of the Holy Spirit was profound. There was a particular quality of glorious silence that fell, as we celebrated communion, that spoke to me of the inbreaking of heaven.
March 2, 2020: St. Peter’s Belmont
An historic day at St. Peter’s Belmont as Venerable Alex Kasirye-Musoke passed the baton as Rector to Reverend Amos Kimera. Two cakes, speeches of heartfelt thanks, beautiful gifts, and a banquet truly honored Venerable Alex and magnificently welcomed Reverend Amos.
Bishop Andrew thanked Venerable Alex (Archdeacon to Ugandan Churches) for his faithful, courageous and pioneering leadership. Venerable Alex said, “Today feels like giving up a child to adoption! But I am overwhelmed with God’s goodness to us through these years of trial, challenge, joy, growth, and expansion. I also give thanks to God for Reverend Amos’ ministry and leadership. Leaving the church in his hands makes today much easier.”
Under Ven. Alex’s shepherding St. Peter’s has thrived and grown and from this vibrant church family, two further Ugandan Churches have been planted within the Diocese! On this same Sunday Bishop Andrew baptized six infants and confirmed 12 young adults.
Bishop Andrew told the congregation, “A distinguishing mark of a godly leader is their capacity to discern when to lay down the mantle and their willingness to make way for the Lord’s new shepherd. Reverend Amos is an outstanding Christian leader who now takes up the noble task of leading this great and growing army of Jesus’ love deeper out into the community.”
Reverend Amos is a member of the Diocesan Standing Committee and Bishop Andrew has recently invited him to be a part of the Bishop’s Strategic Council – a company of servants drawn from across the Diocese to discern strategy for growth, discipleship and leadership development. Bishop Andrew commented, “St. Peter’s is an important voice amidst the family of churches that make up the Diocese. I am delighted that Reverend Amos has agreed to serve us in this way. I am equally delighted that Venerable Alex has agreed to continue to serve as Archdeacon.”