Hi Church! 

Earlier this week a number of us from COTC attended the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) assembly in Plano. This gathering is held every other year and includes clergy and lay people from around the country and even globe for connection, teaching, and worship. The particular theme this year was discipleship, with different opportunities to learn about catechism, cultural engagement, technology and prayer, all in relation to our formation in Christ-likeness. It was a rich time to be reminded again of the much larger and varied family of churches and the movement of God in the ACNA.   

Among some specific highlights for me were:

• Celebrating the Eucharist with so many gathered sisters and brothers, together in Christ. I wish you could have been there to hear the thousand strong singing the excellencies of God!

• Hearing the powerful testimony of Rev. Anthony Thompson regarding God’s presence and grace to him and through him following the death of his wife in the shootings in Charleston at Emmanuel AME.

• Learning about the practices of discipleship that Bishop Stewart Ruch of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. This man is an incredible spiritual leader.

• The Rev. Dr. Esau McCaulley, heading up a Next Generation initiative in the ACNA, casting a vision (around the 1:12 point) of diverse leadership reflecting the people of all nations who find belonging in God’s kingdom. This was powerful!

• Enjoying good laughs with the crew from COTC pictured above!

• Russell Moore sharing a word from Luke 4 describing the strange, challenging, and securing news of God’s kingdom in Christ.

Speaking of God’s challenging word, this Sunday we’re a beginning a sermon series on the Old Testament book of Hosea.  With strong words of judgment and powerful descriptions of God’s love this book is confusing, troubling, but ultimately live-giving, and I’m looking forward to grappling with it together in the weeks to come. 

In Christ,

Peter+

Ps. The McDonald family are in need of some support this coming week following a minor medical procedure. We have a Care Calendar set up to help provide meals, you can sign up here https://www.carecalendar.org/logon/283123 and the security code is 8034. These calendars are a simple way that we can live into our identity as the household of God, caring for one another. 

Pps. Next week is our creation care camp! We have over twenty kids from COTC and the community beyond signed up. Please pray for this time to be safe, fun, and for these precious children to be formed in the Gospel and the knowledge of God's love.