To Read the KOINONIA CHRISTMAS2012
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Volume 6, Issue 20 Christmas 2012 A.D. “Do not be conformed to this world” Editorial Phil came to Casper seeking a new start in life. He had been in So it is Christmas and what have you done? Another year over and a California prison for seventeen years. He still faced a form of impris- the new one just begun. onment; Phil was addicted to alcohol. As a felon and as an addict it was The God of all compassion and mercy chose his abode among us very difficult to find employment. Finally he landed a job cleaning up a to show us the path to salvation. It’s important that we return to basics - that local bar every night after closing time. The overwhelming temptation we come from Him and go back to Him. Every day, every year, needs to be a always in front of him. life lived fully for His glory, bearing every pain, facing every challenge that Phil was ashamed, hurting, feeling worthless. Then in his most comes with life’s peaks and troughs. This Christmas issues features art in basic of needs he learned to pray to the Lord for help. This world, as he various forms. Lots of inspiring readings for our consideration and reflec- knew it, was a path to self- destruction. On a certain morning he was tion. Knowing that life is a journey and stewardship, we need to make the walking back to his ‘home’ in a seedy hotel about a mile away. Dawn most of it. Also in this issues, beautiful art by a 3rd Order Franciscan Nov- was about to signal a new day; Phil was asking the Lord to help him. ice. Articles about carols, also. All art originates in and reflects the beauty What happened next changed Phil’s life forever. The Lord of The Creator God, The Father. Someday we will tender an account to Him Jesus appeared to him on Center Street in Casper. I’m not sure what with what He has entrusted to us. So it is good to live for Him with an eternal the conversation was, but clearly the loving power of God was released. perspective. The Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom. May we embrace Phil never had another drink as long as he lived. the Word became flesh, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Then what do you do about employment now? The postmas- Peace who is Emmanuel, God who is with us always. God bless us all +Leo ter in another town, learning of Phil’s experience, gave him a job as & Holly Michael caretaker of the post office property. A convicted felon in a post office! Against all the rules. For over ten years Phil cared for the property; he never once failed his charge. In the fullness of years God called Phil, a Holy Trinity Anglican Seminary welcomes you! sober Christian man, to his eternal home. I was asked to offer the Burial Office for him. Yes, they called it a ‘memorial’. A friend of Phil’s handed me Phil’s Bible. My atten- tion was on a marker in Paul’s letter to the Romans. The following was underlined: “Do not be conformed to his world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 If you, dear reader, are not ‘right’ with God and man, what are you waiting for? +Ken Kinner SOUL CARE! PHONE-LINE PRAYER CALL EVERYDAY! Holy Trinity Anglican Seminary (HTAS) is owned and adminis- When two or three are gathered together trated by the Holy Catholic Church Anglican Rite of the diocese of Holy in His name, petitions are granted. Ask Trinity and Great Plains. It’s location in Kansas City, mid-America makes travel easy to meet the campus schedule. It forms part of a long tradition your Rector for the phone number and of the Holy Catholic Church of Anglican Rite and continues this important password. Whenever you can, join the work of evangelization of the Kingdom of Christ in the United States of prayer conference in the rhythm of daily America and beyond its mission territories. morning and evening prayer. We have With the advancement of communications, Holy Trinity Anglican dedicated clergy and postulants faithful- Seminary will offer online and on campus training for its students. Holy ly hosting the prayer call daily at 7:00 Trinity Anglican Seminary firmly believes that Good Formation will ensure am and 7:00 pm central time. FRUITFUL Ministry. Keeping in mind the Great Commission of the Lord, HTAS will train its candidates in strong Scriptural foundation, Sacramen- tal worship in the Apostolic Tradition as enunciated in the conservative Anglican Tradition. With qualified faculty and commitment to the cause of priestly formation, Holy Trinity Anglican Seminary is set to impart the traditional Anglican orthodoxy even in the emerging social and pastoral challenges. The seminary will also offer courses for lay students as well. The Seminary primarily serves the Holy Catholic Church Angli- can Rite while students belonging to other denominations are welcome to In the Koinonia masthead, the circle with the cross in the center symbol- participate in our program of study and reflection. The Holy Trinity Angli- izes the paten and the diverse elements which form a whole. The Mosaic can Seminary will soon be accredited with a view to conferring the Bach- represents the great cloud of witnesses and the church tradition. The red in the letters represents the blood of Christ with the font comprised of indi- elor’s Degree in Theology. vidual pieces of letters that are not joined until the blood unifies them. Koi- Holy Catholic Church pays special attention to the formation of nonia is the official publication of the Anglican Province of the Holy Cath- her ministers. Church directives require that candidate to the priesthood olic Church-Anglican Rite (HCCAR) aka Anglican Rite Catholic Church. undergo a minimum of three years devoted to an intense and specifical- It is published quarterly at St. James Anglican Church, 8107 S. Holmes ly priestly formation. These directives are implemented at this seminary, Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. Phone: 816.361.7242 Fax: 816.361.2144. Editors: The Rt. Rev. Leo Michael & Holly Michael, Koinonia header: Phil with particular emphasis on the Anglican traditions of the Holy Catholic Gilbreath; email: [email protected] or visit us on the web Church. at: www.holycatholicanglican.org cover picture: Westminster Abbey side entrance by Holly Michael Koinonia Page 2 Inspirational Christmas Readings From The Holy Bible and some excerpts from inspirational Christmas-themed books, non-fiction and fiction. By Holly Michael hristmas is almost here! While making preparations and wrapping gifts, sometimes it’s difficult to focus on our best Christmas gift ever; Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through his passion, death, and resurrection, we have gained eternal life. What a gift! So, along with our decorations and outward expressions of our love for Jesus, it’s good to prepare ourselves inwardly Cthrough reading Scripture and inspirational books. In this article, you’ll find Scripture readings along with excerpts and short stories from inspirational books to enjoy during the Holy season and beyond. Enjoy the readings, however your time allows. THE HOLY BIBLE On the second Sunday in Advent, Holy Scripture Sunday, the collect was, Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Sav- iour Jesus Christ. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Digesting The Word will benefit us more than Christmas sweets (minus the calories), but like the variety of Christmas treats, there’s a lot of Scriptures in the Holy Bible. Which should we read? While the greatest Christmas readings are the infancy narratives from Luke 2 and Matthew 1, on Scripture Sunday, I was challenged to open my Bible to Romans. Deacon Alfred Sturges offered this challenge to read Romans, a chapter a day, each day--16 chapters to Christmas. Why Romans? Deacon Alfred explained that because Paul’s letter to the Romans inspired St. Augustine’s conversion. St. Augustine wrote about that conversion experience in St. Augustine’s Confes- sions. (I’ll get to this book in the next section). So, I began reading, posting the chapter on my blog, and offering a small reflection each day. Not only was St. Augustine con- verted years ago, a non-Christian woman, one of my blog followers, also converted. At first, she challenged some of Paul’s teachings in Romans 1, but by Romans 5, according to her messages to me, she accepted Christ with a Christian prayer I offered at the end of the posting. Maybe there were others that led her toward accepting Christ, but certainly Deacon Alfred started something. Here’s my blog post from Chapter 5: PEACE AND HOPE: Romans Chapter 5 Thanks for continuing with me on Deacon Alfred’s challenge to read a chapter a day of Romans until Christmas. If you’re just here for this one chapter, that’s cool, too. Here we go: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.