Diocese hosts national, international Anglican events

Dear Friends in Christ,

We are very pleased to be hosting a Provincial Ultreya for the Anglican Fourth Day Movement on August 13 & 14 at St. Vincent’s Cathedral in Bedford. (This is the new Cursillo program for the Anglican Church in North America, which was developed in response to the decision of several TEC dioceses not to allow ACNA members to attend their Cursillos any longer.) Of special note is the announcement that Archbishop Robert Duncan will preach and celebrate the 7 p.m. Eucharist on Friday, Aug. 13. Everyone is invited to attend this special celebration. Workshops and talks will be presented on both days. Cursillistas who wish to know more may go to www.anglican4thday.com for additional information and registration. Please note, however, that Cursillos in our diocese will continue to be offered in the future as they have in the past, in conjunction with the Diocese of Dallas and the Episcopal Center for Renewal, where our participation continues to be valued and welcomed.

We are also very happy that the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) will hold its annual trustees meeting at St. Andrew’s Church in downtown Fort Worth from Sept. 20 to 23.  ARDF is the relief agency of the Anglican Church in North America, and it is an honor for us to host this gathering of Anglican leaders from around the globe. In addition to Archbishop Duncan, the Primates of several African and Asian Provinces will also be in attendance, including Abp. John Chew of Southeast Asia and Abp. Mouneer Anis of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Please pray for those making preparations for this important meeting.

In light of this meeting, I have scheduled a Diocesan Clergy Day for that Monday, Sept. 20, at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Fort Worth from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Archbishops Duncan and Anis will be speaking on the future of global Anglicanism. It is expected that all clergy in the diocese will participate.

Please do take note also of the Family Fun Fest at Camp Crucis on Saturday, Sept. 18. The day will begin with an 11:30 a.m. Eucharist in St. John’s Chapel, followed by a picnic lunch and a variety of games and activities for the whole family. For additional information, please go to the Crucis Web site at www.campcrucis.org.

And on a final note, let me say once again how important it is for all of us to contribute as we are able to the Legal Defense Fund to protect our interests in the litigation brought against us by The Episcopal Church and its local supporters. They are trying to seize control of our property and bank accounts, and we need your support to underwrite the ever-increasing costs of defending our churches and our diocese. Every donation is important!

The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker
Bishop of Fort Worth

August 6, 2010
Feast of the Transfiguration

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