Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the meeting of the Primate’s Council (October 15-17) in Sharpsburg, Georgia, I announced my intention to resign from the Office of the Primate of the Charismatic Episcopal Church-North America. This resignation will take effect on December 28, 2024.

It is time for me to retire and spend quality time with my wife, children, and grandchildren. We will continue to be active members of the CEC and worship at our new home church – the Church of the Messiah, Jacksonville, Florida.

I am thankful to the Lord our God for having had the privilege and honor of serving the Church for forty-four years and serving as Primate and Patriarch of the ICCEC for 16 of those years.

I also announce my resignation as the Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, one year from now on December 28, 2025.

Be assured of my prayers and my enduring affections.

Under His mercy,

The Most Rev. Craig W. Bates, M. Div

Statement from the Primate’s Council (House of Bishops)

The Primate’s Council of the CEC-NA convened for its fall meeting from October 15-17 at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Sharpsburg, Georgia. During this meeting, Archbishop Craig Bates announced his intention to retire as Primate on December 28, 2024, and as Patriarch of the ICCEC on December 28, 2025.

Archbishop Bates has led both the ICCEC as Patriarch and North America as Primate since January 2008. Over the years, he has faithfully served as our spiritual father and guide, nurturing the Communion with his tireless efforts, wisdom, and pastoral care. His leadership has been instrumental in navigating many challenges both in North America and across the globe. His contributions are many, but notable highlights include the establishment of a Catechism, the Sacramentary, and the revision of The Canons. He has served as chief consecrator to more than fifteen bishops, led church growth seminars, and facilitated strategic planning initiatives. His steadfast advocacy for the sanctity of all human life, particularly for the protection of the unborn, has resonated powerfully both within the United States and abroad. His impact on the ICCEC cannot be overstated.

Upon Archbishop Bates’ official retirement as Primate, Archbishop Charles Jones, as the senior bishop in North America, will assume leadership of the Primate’s Council. The Primate’s Council will then undertake the prayerful task of discerning nominees for the office of Primate and submitting those names to the Patriarch’s Council for consideration. The canons of the ICCEC give the authority to appoint a Primate of a Territory to the Patriarch’s Council.

Foundation Day began as Founder’s Day. It was an offering to be taken on a Sunday close to the date of the consecration of Austin Randolph Adler as the first Bishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church. The offering would be given to him to be used at his discretion.

I am not sure how the name changed from Founder’s Day to Foundation Day, but I assume it had to do with a decision made by Abp. Adler to use the offering for the purchase of property and the repair of property. One-third of the money would be given as direct grants, one-third as low-interest loans, and one-third to be put in interest-bearing accounts.

So much has happened with the money given to this account. The most recent event is the building of a cathedral in the Mid-Atlantic Diocese. I have seen the land and the pictures of the construction. The building will soon be finished, and I am already planning on being there on July 28, 2024. At the time of the CEC-NA Convocation in Orlando, the building will have been completed (except for many small details). I am sure Bishop Northwood, his wife Sarah, and each of their children (and spouses) will have plenty of pictures on their phones to share with you. They can be proud. And we can be proud that we were a part of it.

There is a long list of projects funded in one way or another by the Foundation Day Offering. My own cathedral, which, under Bishop Brett Crompton, is now debt-free, also benefited from the offering as we added an addition to our very small facility. Again, the folks of Intercessor gave and gave over the years, but we are well aware that it was also sacrificial giving on the part of people all across the country who helped contribute to the endeavor.

So this year, once again, we will take an offering that will be given to the Primate of the Church in North America. Yet again, it will go into that special fund. The only difference is that the money is no longer being used only for buildings and property but also for activities and ministry that will grow the communion.

I believe the money in the account is “legacy money.” It is always tempting to spend “savings” or “investments” rather than wait. We have spent some, but this is a fund that the founding generation, many of whom are now retiring from the ministry, is leaving the new leadership who are living the future. The Primate—that’s me—believes that this “passing of the baton” is critical.

I hope that each rector or vicar will take this offering seriously. It is $10 per person. Cathy and I are always thankful to put in our $20, plus $80. I am particularly excited because the Church I attend somewhat regularly is looking to purchase a building. The future is still before us.

Under His mercy,

+Craig W. Bates,

Patriarch

For more information, visit the Foundation Day website.

Bp. Simpson will teach the first course in Apologetics, or explaining one’s faith to another.  The only text for the course will be I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek.   The class will meet Saturdays from 10 – 12 beginning on September 9th.  The deadline to register for the course is August 15th.

If you are interest in taking the course or more information, please reach out to Fr. Looker for registration information.

Coming up on Sunday, June 25th, is the Celebration of Foundation Day. It is the Sunday closest to the consecration of A. Randolph Adler as the first Bishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church. The event happened almost 31 years ago at St. Michael’s Church in San Clemente, California. Since then, we have seen churches develop around the globe. (Not only are we building a Cathedral in Bel Air, but we are also building a Cathedral in Manila.)

None of us can predict the future of the Charismatic Episcopal. I know that the CEC is God’s Church, and He is not a God of failure. The vision of the CEC is still in place, and the mission continues even as I write this letter.

On Foundation Day, we ask every member, young and old, to give ten dollars each to a special offering that will be used to plant seeds for our future and the next generation of believers. The money will be used for building, property, renovations, and for church growth projects. As the first generation, we are called now to continue being faithful. We are asked to walk by faith and not by sight. We are asked to hear God’s voice and obey.

I was taught, and I have lived, the truth that there are “givers” and there are “takers.” Givers understand the heart of God, who is generous in giving, even to the point of “giving” His own Son. His demonstration of love is in the act of giving.  As we participate in the life of Christ Jesus, we are made into givers who will give not only generously but sacrificially.

I continue to pray daily for all the churches. You are all so very faithful and obedient. I am humbled to be among you as one who is given the opportunity to serve you.

Under His mercy,

+Craig, Patriarch

Pentecost is the Feast we commemorate the gift of the Holy Spirit as described in chapter 2 of Acts of the Apostles.  Along with Christmas, Easter, and All Saints’ Day, Pentecost is one of the four principal feasts of the Church year.

Be sure to join us on Sunday, May 28th, starting at 10 o’clock, as we welcome Abp. Bates and celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.  You will not want to miss this anointed man of God on this day when we celebrate the Holy Spirit.

Holy Week begins with the celebration of Palm Sunday.  This morning we remember Our Lord’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem when the crowd received Him with shouts of “Hosanna in the highest!”  Our service begins Sunday morning, April 2nd, at 10 o’clock, and you will not want to be late because we begin in the church courtyard with the Blessing of the Palms and process together into the church remembering how Our Lord entered the Holy City.  The service also includes a special dramatic reading of the Passion Gospel.

On April 6th, we will observe Holy Thursday and recall the evening Our Lord celebrated the Passover with His Disciples on the night before He was handed over to suffering and death.  Following Our Lord’s instructions, this service includes the powerful foot-washing ceremony in addition to the deeply moving Stripping of the Altar as a symbolic re-enactment of Jesus having everything taken from Him as He was arrested.

From noon to 3 o’clock on Friday, April 7th, we will commemorate Good Friday.  Church of the Messiah’s Good Friday service is unique and impactful.  The service is built around a series of prayers, reflective worship presentations and meditations on the seven last words of Jesus.  The service also includes a reading of the Passion Gospel, veneration of the Holy Cross, and the Mass of the Pre-Sanctified.  While this service is three hours long, it is structured in such a way to allow for worshippers to enter and exit without disruption, so, please, plan on attending even if you cannot stay for the entire service.

On Holy Saturday morning, April 8th, starting at 9 o’clock, Church of the Messiah will gather outside of A Woman’s Choice of Jacksonville, one of Jacksonville’s local abortion clinics, to pray the Liturgy for the Pre-Born, a special service which was created as both a service of Last Rites for those children who will die during this holy season and a series of prayers to end abortion in America and the world.

Having recalled Our Lord’s passion and death, we can triumph in His Resurrection as we celebrate Jesus’ victory over the grave on Easter. We will have an incredible time of praise, special worship offerings and events for the children including an Easter Egg Hunt immediately following the service.  We look forward to celebrating the most incredible moment in the history of the universe with you on Sunday morning, April 9th, beginning at 10 o’clock.

Each of the services will be live streamed via Facebook Live for those who are unable to attend in person.  Childcare will be provided at all service except Holy Saturday.  Facebook events have been created for each service so that you can easily invite you friends and family to join you at any or all of our services.  Simply click the underlined service to visit the Facebook event and share the event.  We are so excited to celebrate these incredible moment in the life of Christ and these wonderful church services.  We pray that you will worship with us and invite your friends and family to gather and celebrate with us the saving deeds of Jesus Christ Our Lord.