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This is the first of what I hope will be an informal  monthly letter from me. My goal is to keep you informed of some of the things that are happening in the li
fe of our diocese and in my life as your Bishop.
I have just returned from the tremendously exciting and encouraging “Anglican1000” church planting summit in Plano, Texas. This conference was organized in response to Archbishop Duncan's stunning call, at his investiture last June, for the launching of 1000 new churches in the next five years. It was an inspiring and energizing event, with over 300 clergy and laity in attendance, including a blessedly large number of under-30 church planters and would-be church planters (one of whom was our son, Michael, who is in seminary). Our diocese had more than 20 on hand! Archbishop Duncan said in his opening remarks, "Rarely has a movement been as well positioned as we are." He challenged us to be fully converted individuals in multiplying congregations, fueled by the Holy Spirit. He said we must be accountable to Scripture, to the Tradition, to the Holy Spirit and to the transformation of society. He noted that the Anglican Church in North America has grown by over 100 congregations since June!
Archbishop Duncan said this in his opening remarks: “Rarely has a movement been as well positioned as we are.” We are to be converted individuals in multiplying congregations fueled by the Holy Spirit with four accountables: to Scripture, Tradition, the Holy Spirit and the transformation of Society.
I’d encourage you to visit the web site: www.anglican1000.org. All of the addresses are available there, including those by powerful keynoter Ed Stetzer, as well as links to a great many helpful resources. In our own diocese, we are also blessed to have the Rev. George Beaven as our part-time Church Planting Director. George is eager to advise those who have started or are considering a church plant. There are many new and creative models of church planting—and George can be a great help as you explore them. You may contact him at gbeaven@verizon.net.
 Let me offer an official welcome to three new churches of our diocese: Church of the Resurrection in Baltimore, Maryland, and their new Rector, the Rev. David Drake; All Saints Church in Matthews (Charlotte), NC, and their Rector, the Rev. Filmore Strunk; and Holy Spirit Church in Mobile, Alabama, and their Rector, the Rev. Chris Goers. There are other churches “in the pipeline,” as well.
Looking ahead, we will be holding our annual Diocesan Synod, April 7-8, 2010 at Ridgecrest, NC. All clergy and the appointed lay delegates of each congregation are urged to participate. Many of us will be staying on for the New Wineskins missions conference immediately following the Synod. Details on New Wineskins and registration information is available at www.newwineskins.com. This is a spectacular conference and I urge you to attend if you can.
On a personal note, many of you have been praying for my parish, All Saints’ Church in Woodbridge, Virginia. Through sacrificial congregational giving and God’s miraculous provision of a large construction loan, we are ready to begin Phase 1 construction of our new church. This has been a long journey and we are tremendously excited to be moving forward. Thank you for your prayers!
In Christ,
+John
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