| The Archbishop Metropolitan - October |
IOften I wonder why there is so much confusion within the Anglican communion jumping from one
branch to another, looking in from the outside many who are not Anglicans will think that our Anglican
faith is fractured, but I am happy to report, it is not. Henry VIII began this odyssey by kicking the Romans
out, so he could have his way to peruse his personal immoralities, Thomas Beckett was murdered
because he did not surrender to Henry II wiles for money, the faith was never in question, the same
odyssey continues today.
As we look at the great divide, people are jumping from church to church not because of faith, but for
issues that are sometimes bemusing. The Episcopal Church shot itself in the foot when it consecrated a
homosexual bishop, the Lutherans is now going through the same. A bishop of the ACW, knowing we
had a little money in the bank came Miter in hand to our synod and demanded $5000.00 a month, if he
did not get it he said he would withdraw, his blackmail was rejected, he withdrew and began his own
brand of Henry’s mischief forming his own church.
Nowhere was the faith of the church questioned, the faith for those who love Anglicanism stands firmly,
the 39 articles of religion has been our guide for centuries, it carries with it the honesty of the faith. We
who have preserved throughout see the faith as the guiding light, no matter what issues may arise we,
stand firmly with the faith.
Unlike many of those who came lately to the faith I was born an Anglican, thus I will die, the strength of
my faith remains rooted, nothing can shake my resolve. We spread with joy what we have learned at our
spiritual forefather’s knees. Recently I have begun to lecture at a university one day a week, someone
called me professor, I clearly reminded them that I am not, but a priest, that I am, that I shall remain. I
have been on the altar of the Anglican church from age 6, acolyte to my present post, for the past 36
years I have toiled in the faith not for a paycheck, but because it is the source of my strength.
The Reverend John Monsell wrote over 300 hymns before his untimely death after falling from the roof
of a church in 1875 while being a part of it construction team to rebuild, but in one of his hymns he
wrote these words to Anglicans who were facing the same issues we now face, his words is a constant
example of courage, commitment & faith
‘Fight the good fight with all thy might; Christ is thy Strength, and Christ thy Right;
Lay hold on life, and it shall be. Thy joy and crown eternally’.
Faint not nor fear, His arms are near, He changeth not, and thou art dear. Only believe, and thou shalt
see That Christ is all in all to thee.
It is within these words no matter what conflicts comes we persevere with the faith, my love for it will
never waiver, we shall to continue to walk the path within this Anglican faith.
We close this offering with Rev Monsell words
Run the straight race through God’s good grace, Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face; Life with its way
before us lies, Christ is the Path, and Christ the Prize.
As always watch how you go
Ever faithful
+ Hartley, Archbishop ACW, but more proudly a member of the Anglican faith.
branch to another, looking in from the outside many who are not Anglicans will think that our Anglican
faith is fractured, but I am happy to report, it is not. Henry VIII began this odyssey by kicking the Romans
out, so he could have his way to peruse his personal immoralities, Thomas Beckett was murdered
because he did not surrender to Henry II wiles for money, the faith was never in question, the same
odyssey continues today.
As we look at the great divide, people are jumping from church to church not because of faith, but for
issues that are sometimes bemusing. The Episcopal Church shot itself in the foot when it consecrated a
homosexual bishop, the Lutherans is now going through the same. A bishop of the ACW, knowing we
had a little money in the bank came Miter in hand to our synod and demanded $5000.00 a month, if he
did not get it he said he would withdraw, his blackmail was rejected, he withdrew and began his own
brand of Henry’s mischief forming his own church.
Nowhere was the faith of the church questioned, the faith for those who love Anglicanism stands firmly,
the 39 articles of religion has been our guide for centuries, it carries with it the honesty of the faith. We
who have preserved throughout see the faith as the guiding light, no matter what issues may arise we,
stand firmly with the faith.
Unlike many of those who came lately to the faith I was born an Anglican, thus I will die, the strength of
my faith remains rooted, nothing can shake my resolve. We spread with joy what we have learned at our
spiritual forefather’s knees. Recently I have begun to lecture at a university one day a week, someone
called me professor, I clearly reminded them that I am not, but a priest, that I am, that I shall remain. I
have been on the altar of the Anglican church from age 6, acolyte to my present post, for the past 36
years I have toiled in the faith not for a paycheck, but because it is the source of my strength.
The Reverend John Monsell wrote over 300 hymns before his untimely death after falling from the roof
of a church in 1875 while being a part of it construction team to rebuild, but in one of his hymns he
wrote these words to Anglicans who were facing the same issues we now face, his words is a constant
example of courage, commitment & faith
‘Fight the good fight with all thy might; Christ is thy Strength, and Christ thy Right;
Lay hold on life, and it shall be. Thy joy and crown eternally’.
Faint not nor fear, His arms are near, He changeth not, and thou art dear. Only believe, and thou shalt
see That Christ is all in all to thee.
It is within these words no matter what conflicts comes we persevere with the faith, my love for it will
never waiver, we shall to continue to walk the path within this Anglican faith.
We close this offering with Rev Monsell words
Run the straight race through God’s good grace, Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face; Life with its way
before us lies, Christ is the Path, and Christ the Prize.
As always watch how you go
Ever faithful
+ Hartley, Archbishop ACW, but more proudly a member of the Anglican faith.
| Traveling the Great Divide |