Advent 2006

Around the Province

The Diocese of the Southwestern States held its annual Diocesan Synod from June 8th through the 10th in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. At the Synod business meeting two missions were formally accepted into the Diocese. These missions are the Church of the Atonement in Fountain Hills, Arizona and Holy Trinity Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2007 Synod will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada and hosted by St. George's Anglican Church.

The Diocese of the Western States held its annual Summer Youth Camp from June 18th through the 23rd, at Camp Ross Relies in the California Gold Country. Under the direction of Fr. Robert Davis, assisted by Fathers Bowen Woodruff, Daniel McGrath and a dedicated group of lay counselors, about 25 young people enjoyed a week of worship, study and fun. Bishop James Provence spent three days with the campers.

On July 8th, at St. Peter's Pro-Cathedral, Archbishop Robert Morse ordained Mr. Richard McNeely and Mr. Matthew Weber to the sacred order of deacon. Deacon McNeely will serve as Assisting Deacon at St. Thomas' Church in San Francisco, and Deacon Weber will serve as Assisting Deacon at St. Joseph of Arimathea in Berkeley.

Father Bill Cantrell has arrived home safely from his tour in Iraq with the U.S. military. He has returned to assisting at St. George's Parish, Las Vegas, Nevada. We welcome him back and thank God for his safe return.

Audra Brulc, of St. Nicholas Parish in Scottsdale, Arizona, and daughter of Father Frank Brulc, has taken First Place in the Provincial Writing Contest. Congratulations!

Luke Sebastian Hines, first child of Father Gordon and Holly Hines of St. George's Parish, Las Vegas, was born on Monday, July 24th.

The Reverend Canon David Rodier has relocated from the Church of Christ the King, Georgetown to Phoenix, Arizona. He has retired from American University, and will be assisting at Christ Church, Phoenix.

Father George Miley of Church of the Holy Cross, Oklahoma City, is recovering after a surgery performed in September. He spent several weeks in the hospital following his surgery due to complications. He has made a wonderful recovery, and has now fully returned to his Parish duties.

St. Augustine's, Chico, California, has recently opened Angie's Coffee Shop as an outreach to the students at Chico State University. St. Augustine's is located at the very entrance to the University. It is a wonderful, attractive facility and serves as a major draw for the College students. It was been developed with great style and excellent coffee.

On Saturday, August 19, 2006, the Rt. Rev. James Provence ordained Rev. Robert Ponec to the priesthood at St. Stephen the Martyr. Sioux City, Iowa.

On September 10, 2006, the Rev. Richard Andrews was ordained to the Deaconate by the Rt. Rev. James Provence. Deacon Andrews will serve as a deacon at Ascension, Fort Collins, Colorado and All Saint's, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Ascension has begun a building drive to own its beautiful historic church in Fort Collins.

The parishioners of St. Athanasius Mission have acquired property - land and a house for their church. Closing on the property, which is centrally located in a fast growing suburb of Richmond, Virginia took place on Friday, September 15, 2006. The house, which will serve initially as the church building, will require considerable repair, and donations to support the necessary work are most welcome. Please contact Lay Missioner John Dixon if you are able to help. He may be reached through the parish website at http://www.st-athanasius-pck.org or by telephone 804-449-6211 or e-mail anglican@arczip.com.

Fr. Charles Nalls of Washington, D.C. has served as priest-in-charge of the mission since its founding three years ago. Recently, Fr. Harold Minor from Easton, PA, agreed to serve as priest to the mission.

One of the newest churches in the Province is St. Paul's Anglican Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The first service at St. Paul's was held on December 18, 2005. Crystal Lake is located 50 miles northwest of Chicago in McHenry County. Located in a growing area of Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, the parish was formed by former parishioners of three Episcopal Churches in the area. St. Paul's is the second Province church in Illinois joining All Saints Anglican Church in Bolingbrook, Illinois who celebrated their tenth anniversary this year. St. Paul's currently meets at the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce building at 427 W. Virginia Street. Services are at 9:30 Sunday mornings. The Rev. Blair W. Schultz is the priest-in-charge.