Since the foundation of the ICCEC was laid in the early days, the Church in North America, under the direction of the Bishops, has taken up an offering for the development of the ICCEC around the world. As a result of this offering, churches have been established or planted in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Asia. As the offering developed, the funds were distributed to various territories. The one exception has been in Africa, where we have vibrant churches, missions, and ministries in Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, and Sudan. Therefore, the North American Church has decided to give all its mission resources to Africa.
There is something unique about our giving to our brothers and sisters.
We have decided to divide our work in Africa into four territories. Each territory is governed by a General Secretary who convenes all the Bishops of the various Diocese in that territory. These Bishops gather regularly to support each other and determine, by consensus, the direction of the territory. The four General Secretaries also gather together to determine, by consensus, the direction of the Church in Africa. It is amazing that, with so few resources, the Church, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the discernment of the Bishops, has grown not only in the number of persons but in ordinations, buildings, orphanages, health care, emergency responses, and even a seminary.
At the invitation of the Bishops of Africa, I traveled to East Africa at least once a year. My heart soars when I am there and see first-hand what has been accomplished by the Holy Spirit through these men of God. Unfortunately, because of the Pandemic, I have been unable to travel to Africa for two years. But soon, I will be going to Kenya, and other places, where I will sit with all the Bishops of Africa, and together we will install the first indigenous Archbishop of Kenya for the ICCEC.
What is unique about the offering we will take up on All Saints Sunday is what I have chosen to call “micro-businesses.” The money given to each of the territories, with the consensus of the Bishops, is used to start a profit-making business. The profits are used to build up the business, start another business, and financially support the ministry’s work. With these profits, the Bishops built a seminary, built cathedrals, built churches, and supported the Bishops in their Church planting efforts. It is incredible what God has done through the people in America in partnership with the people of Africa.
I have done fundraising for lots of charitable organizations. I don’t like doing it. The Development Fund is not fundraising. I believe that when we give, it will be given to us. The Development Fund giving is a spiritual partnership that benefits all involved in the growth of the Kingdom, which is ultimately about the salvation of souls. I believe the Church in North America is being blessed by the giving to the Development Fund.
I am excited about giving to the work in Africa. I am excited because I know the joy that will be in the hearts of our people in Africa. I know that 100% of the funds will be used for ministry, and the Bishops will be accountable for every penny. They will not use a single dime for their personal benefit or administrative costs. It will all go to the micro-businesses, and the profits will be used for the work of the ministry.
This year, I think we can all give generously in thanksgiving for God’s provision and protection through the Pandemic. Good seeds planted will grow things of great worth. Will you join Cathy and me in giving to this great project?
May Jesus our King be worshipped and adored from sea to sea, and may the voices of His people be heard in the heavens.
Under His mercy,
Archbishop Bates
ICCEC Patriarch
Click below to watch a special video about the 2022 All Saints’ Mission Offering:
For more information on the missions and development in the Charismatic Episcopal Church, click this LINK. To sign up to receive Sursum Corda, the official newsletter of the CEC, click this LINK.
In recent tradition and liturgical practice, Pentecost has stood alone as a festival. Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter are and always have been seen as one continuous event ending with the awesome events of the Resurrection. It is easy to see that there is no Easter without Good Friday. But to perceive the events in this way deletes the story’s impact. The events of the Passion Week (including Holy Saturday – the seventh day), along with the Resurrection, the Post Resurrection appearance, the Ascension, and Pentecost are one continuous event, and each is only fully understood and appreciated if seen together. It would be appropriate to celebrate these holy days in one weekend-long liturgy.
Pentecost
If we understand the connection of Pentecost to all days of the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension, then Pentecost is so much more than the “birthday of the Church” or even the “empowerment of the disciples” for the apostolic mission to the world.
The event of Pentecost is prophesied by John the Baptist and affirmed by Jesus, that the Father would send the promised Holy Spirit and we would be baptized (immersed) in the Holy Spirit. I have always been fascinated by Luke 24 and its connection to Acts chapters 1 and 2. Of particular fascination were verses Luke 24.49 and Acts 1.4-5, both spoken before the Ascension. For me, they raised the question of “why wait?” They were called to wait for the “promise of the Father.”
I am not going to do an exegetical work on the passages. It would end up being a book or at least a very long paper. I want to merely point out that Luke points out that there is “something” or, more importantly, “someone” that is critical to the Redemptive love story of God in Jesus. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, now immerses the disciples in His life, and He immerses Himself in their lives. The “continuation” of the mission with the Church as the Body of Christ visible on earth is fulfilled in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, who makes us “one body.” He immerses us into One Body. It is this living relationship with the Holy Spirit that makes known the love of God in our hearts. It is this love of God that I believe is the power of God.
There is far too little teaching on the person of the Holy Spirit. Far too little teaching about this person for whom “we are commanded to wait.” Far too little teaching on this baptism or immersion into His life in us and among us.
An essential part of being the Charismatic Episcopal Church is our conviction that the life of the Spirit and the manifestation of the gifts of that life are not optional but are essential to the life of a disciple of Jesus. We are all called to be baptized not only in the waters of baptism but in or with the Holy Spirit as on the day of Pentecost. It is the Holy Spirit who will draw us into the life of Jesus and hence into the life of God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy.
Being a “charismatic” and encountering the work and gifts of the Spirit (charismata) in our worship and in the daily life of the Church and individuals is not an option or a suggested addition to the Christian life but is something for which we are to wait and receive. It is part of the love of God.
I pray the Feast of the Pentecost for us will be a day of “mighty wind” and “tongues of fire.” That it will be a time when we are renewed by the giver of life, and our churches will obtain a new delight in proclaiming the Gospel. Let us prepare for Pentecost with times of prayer and asking for the outpouring. Let us take time on Pentecost and pray for each other for a refreshing and renewal in the life of the Spirit.
One of the highlights of my ministry was a visit to Midland, Ontario, Canada, and the Shrine of the Martyrs. This Roman Catholic Church was built to honor the lives and deaths of Fathers Jean de Brebeuf, Gabriel Lalemant, Antony Daniel, Charles Garnier, Isaac Jogues, Oblates Rene Goupil, and John de Lalande. These men were part of the Jesuits who came to the new world to bring the Gospel to Canada’s aboriginal or indigenous people. This particular group was sent from Quebec to minister to the Huron Tribe in Ontario, Canada.
They built a compound on the banks of the Wye River, which flows into the beautiful Georgian Bay. Ultimately it included not only a residence, but a Chapel, a school, a medical facility, and farmland and storage for food. Their story is an incredible story of sacrificial love for the Huron people. Eventually, they were martyred at the hands of the Iroquois tribe, who blamed the Jesuits for the outbreak of smallpox.
Beside the beautiful Church of the Martyrs in Midland, (Shrine of the Martyrs) is the national historic site Sante-Marie Among the Hurons Mission. It is located under the site of the reconstructed 17th-century Jesuit mission. The current site presents reconstructed European-style mission buildings, including barracks and workshops, Iroquoian-type longhouses, and a chapel situated within a wooden palisade fortification.
If my memory is correct, we had three clergy retreats at the National Historic Site. The Jesuit Priest, who was responsible for the site and served at the Church of the Martyrs (Shrine of the Martyrs), permitted us, on each occasion, to celebrate the Holy Eucharist at the Chapel. Each time, those present could sense an incredible anointing as we united ourselves with Christ, but also with the lives of the martyrs. I hope to return someday.
I learned a great deal about the mission work of the 17th century in Canada. As part of our visit, we were given a “special” tour of the facility. It was led by a trained guide who was also a devote catholic and historian. He spoke eloquently about the cultural and language differences between the Huron and the Jesuits (who were from France). Everything emphasized their differences from clothing, food, religious practices, framing methods, and especially language. The Jesuits attempted to live among the Huron, trying to learn their language and culture, while at the same time, after winning their trust, to bring the message of salvation found in Christ Jesus.
Imagine the faith of these men who left the comforts of Europe to come to the wilderness of Canada with the sole purpose of bringing souls to Christ. They went with the French military and entrepreneurs who wanted to colonize Canada and gain wealth and resources for themselves and their homeland. They went along to establish the Church in the French Settlements along the St. Laurence River, particularly Quebec City, and minister to the French population. But this group of eight left not only the comfort of Paris, France, but even the comfort of Quebec to go among the very rural and rustic areas of the Huron people. They were compelled to bring the love of God.
I could write a great deal more about these men, particularly Jean de Brebeuf.
Over the last few months, there have been many ordinations to the diaconate and priesthood in the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Most of these ordinations are young men who will shepherd the CEC into the next generation. Their success with be in their love for God and His people and their faithfulness to the mission God has given to them under their Bishop.
Some will be called to go where there are very limited resources. Some will be called to places where there is famine and civil war. Others will be called to minister to the Asian immigrant community in Europe. Others will go to areas of poverty and lack of education to bring the message of the Gospel as well as the hope of education for the children. Others will find themselves either in or on the borders of poverty where the majority of the children are fatherless, and the mothers are prisoners to the tyranny of the welfare state.
Whatever the circumstances, there is great work to be accomplished by the people of the CEC. God will bless us. Our success will be in “going” outside of the Church building and being, like those martyrs, light.
We are not allowed the luxury of discouragement, particularly if we are going to find our identity beyond the walls of the local church and beyond the space and time limitations. We are part of the universal church throughout the ages who know that the glory of God is found in Christ crucified and risen. And our marketing and branding are living our Crucifixion and Resurrection in our day-to-day lives.
Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. Put your hope in the Lord. As we await the Feast of the Ascension and Pentecost, let us pray for the renewal of the Church. Let us pray for that renewal by asking the Lord Holy Spirit to renew in us the faith of the Martyrs of North America.
It is hard to believe that Holy Week and the Paschal Feast are here. The ancient liturgical events from Palm Sunday through Holy Week and culminating on Easter morning are so rich. I know each of you will be preparing sermons, and that is good. But the liturgy will do a great deal of the preaching by itself. The message is simply the victory of Jesus over Satan, sin, and death. It is the glory of Jesus!
In the 1960s and 70s, spearheaded by Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss Psychiatrist, we saw the beginning of the field of Thanatology. Thanatology, or the study of death, led to the Hospice Care movement, which stood absolutely opposed to any idea of euthanasia, like that advocated by Jack Kevorkian. Dr. Kubler-Ross and Hospice suggested that there was much “human work” to be done when we are dying and in death itself. She did massive studies of near-death experiences. And she was most famous for developing the five stages of death and dying.
Out of this movement, which continues today in the Hospice Program and Palliative Care Units in Hospitals, came a revolution in medicine and psychology, social work, and Pastoral Care. Many of our CEC clergy work in or are associated with the Hospice Program. It was a revolution that built on the obvious that we are all dying. The significance was not the fact of death, but the significance of the movement was the acceptance of the reality of death and the care and spiritual direction that can be given not only to the dying but to all of us. Something that has been sorely lacking in a culture that sterilizes death. I am thankful for all the CEC clergy who do Hospice and Palliative Care work.
I had the opportunity to sit next to the (retired) Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Donald Coggan. We were participating in a “break out” session on leadership during Renewal Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Archbishop was the plenary speaker. And he was awesome.
We did some chit-chat prior to the session’s leader giving an introductory talk on leadership in the Charismatic Renewal. At one point, he said, “we need to teach people how to live a good life.” Archbishop Coggan turned towards me and whispered, “Young Man, don’t you dare do that, or you will not preach the Gospel. Prepare people to die a good death.” Wow!
Any good life will be a life that was lived out in the reality of death and the hope of the resurrection. Any good life will be a life lived “participating in the suffering and death of Christ, in order to know and share in the power of His Resurrection.” Any discipleship program must begin and end with a deep understanding of Luke 9.23, “And He said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’” Discipleship is having the image of Christ Jesus formed in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I love the Proper Preface for funerals (Mass of the Resurrection) in our, soon to be, new Sacramentary.
“Father all Powerful and ever-living God, we do well, always, and everywhere, to give You thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord who rose victorious from the dead and comforts us with the blessed hope of everlasting life. For to Your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended, and when our mortal body lies in death, there is prepared for us an eternal dwelling place in the heavens.”
How appropriate that the liturgical renewal changed the liturgical colors for “funerals” or “Burial of the Dead” from Purple/Black to White. Now we celebrate the life of the person and their resurrection in Jesus. Death recalls our own mortality and the hope of the new day now in our present life and the life to come. Even in the darkest moments of pain and despair, there will be, because of the Cross and Resurrection of Christ Jesus, an unending hope of salvation, healing, restoration, reconciliation, and new birth.
Right now, the Charismatic Episcopal Church in North America has been thrust into a season of hope and new birth.
There is a great deal of talk in the Church, not just our communion, about “three streams” or “convergence.” In the 1980s, there were only a few who talked about the “convergence” of the Catholic/sacramental/liturgical “stream,” the evangelical “stream,” and the charismatic “stream.” But like the birth of the Pentecostal movement, the Revival movements of the 1940s and 50s, and the Charismatic Movement of the 60s and 70s, there was a small group of, dare I say, prophetic Pentecostal and Evangelical men and women who saw these three streams as coming together. In fact, what they were saying, and I am going out on a big limb, is that the worship of the ancient Church was “convergence” in nature. And that the Church today should embrace all three streams.
But it is really important, I believe, that we understand that it is not about the “streams” as if one could pick and choose which “stream” they wanted to be a part of. It was about the “streams” coming together as a mighty river. Though the “streams” indeed are the source of the river, it is the river that gives life.
I could, at this point, go on and on about the streams of Israel that flow from the area around Caesarea Philippi. They are beautiful. Particularly beautiful are the Dan Stream and the walk-through Tel Dan National Park. The sound of the rushing streams is very soothing and peaceful, like a great classic composition, but it is nature’s music. These streams will flow into the Sea of Galilee, around which was the majority of the life and ministry of Jesus. The streams gave life to the people then and today. But Galilee is not the end as the Lake gives its life to the Jordan River. The Jordan River, where the people of God crossed into the Promised Land to a new beginning. They were no longer slaves but inheritors of the Promises of God. The Jordan River where John the Baptist called those same people to repentance and an awakening to the Lamb of God. And finally, the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized by John and received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It is the river where we are transformed.
The CEC, I believe, is called to be a River Church, not three streams. It is a Church called to reach out to the least among us and find ourselves ministering to Jesus. It is a Church called to find the lost and bring them to the Good Shepherd. It is a Church that is called to go to the lonely and embrace them and incorporate them into the household of God. Or, as the Celebrant and People proclaim at Baptism, “we receive you into the household of God.”
It is a time to renew our commitment to go into all the world. Around us, no matter where you are located, are suffering people. There are single mothers; there are fatherless children, there are grieving people, there are those suffering from addictions, there are women who have been raped or abused, there are women who have had abortions, there are adults who suffered from child/sexual abuse, there are those who have been abused even by the Church. I could go on and on, but all of us must be reaching out to become a place of worship. But a place of worship will become a place of healing and spiritual warfare.
It is a day of “baptism in the Jordan” for the CEC. It is a “changed” day. It is a resurrection day!
I want to encourage all of you. I know that Holy Week will be special for each of you, and it will be special for your people. God is going to send you visitors and family members. See God’s hand at work in them. See in their faces the very image of God.
I grew up in a liturgical church, and every year we dealt with Lent. We didn’t do the distribution of Ashes on Ash Wednesday until I was older, and then it was optional. Some people in the Church saw the distribution of Ashes as “Roman Catholic” and hence suspect, so my Pastor had to introduce it slowly. But we did do fasting, or what I knew as a youngster as “giving something up for Lent.” We also refrained from eating meat on Fridays, which we did every Friday during the year.
Friday was Pizza Day – we had it for lunch at school and then again when we came home for dinner. (Meatless pizza). I didn’t understand it as fasting to help us recall the crucifixion of Jesus and his love for us. It was just Pizza night and not very sacrificial because I loved pizza, especially the thin-crust style of pizza made in the Philadelphia area. During Lent, Wednesday became another “meatless day,” and my mother served “Mrs. Paul’s Fish Sticks.” This is a meal that turned an entire generation against eating fish. On top of Pizza Day and Fish Stick Wednesday, I was taught that “you had to give something up for Lent.” The rules were it had to be something “you liked,” and then you had to give it up for 40 days (not including Sunday, which was a “break”). The reason we did it? It is because we were Christians, and Christians fast during Lent.
Some other things happened during Lent. The big one was covering all the crosses (we didn’t have statues – again “catholic”) with what looked like the same material out of which wedding veils were made. For most of Lent, the processional cross and the cross on the altar were covered with a purple veil through which you could see the cross. I am not sure how it served the intent of “covering.” Then on Palm Sunday, the veil was red and remained during Holy Week. After that, the veil was black on Good Friday. Finally, on Easter, the veil was removed. All of it was great symbolism. I am not sure what the symbolism was, but it pointed out that Lent was a special season.
What was missing in all of it was any understanding of what Lent was all about, so I lacked an explanation of why we would want to do it in the world. To be fair, I am sure the Pastor told us the reason. I am sure I was not listening. But when I finally understood the reasons for Lent and the invitation “in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word,” the season of 40 days became one of the highlights of my journey into Christ. Lent increased in so many ways the depth of my relationship with Christ Jesus and the reality of His death and resurrection not only then but now in my life and the world. It awakened in me that to be a follower of Christ was to participate in His life so that I would arrive at the point of being crucified with Him to share in His resurrection.
The recommendations for a Lenten discipline are disciplines that every Christian should practice every day of every year. Yet, it remains a good thing that we take a season to intensify these disciplines that we may grow spiritually and in our awareness of the forgiveness, mercy, and love of God that we find at the cross.
This season is not about “works” or “spiritual manipulation.” It is about responding to the desire of God to be in a relationship with us. I believe it is the Holy Spirit, speaking through the Church, that is calling us to His love because it is only when we know the height and depth of His love for us that we will be able to walk in what it means to be human and hence to love one another. It is only when we know how much we have been forgiven and the incredible grace of God that we will be able to forgive and do the ministry of reconciliation. We live in a very dark world of confusion, fear, anger, frustration, depression, chaos, hatred, and violence. Lent is a time to open ourselves to the light of Christ so that we can be that light. And, when we become light in the darkness, the darkness can no longer be dark. Healing will come. Reconciliation will come. Healing will come. Salvation will come. All in the Name of Jesus.
It all begins and ends in Christ Jesus and that He is in us, and we are in Him.
I call the ICCEC to a holy Lent. There is no promise of revival at the end of Lent. There is no guarantee of answered prayer. What is guaranteed is that we will have spent 40 days with the Holy Spirit leading us into the truth of Him, who is the One we can trust. That alone is worth everything.
God bless you on your Lenten Journey.
Under His mercy,
+Craig, Patriarch
This message was originally published in Sursum Corda, #1, 2022.
The challenge to the Church in every age is both evangelism, assimilation, and leaving a legacy. The Bishops are actively seeking the Lord, even during this pandemic, and listening to His voice regarding all these areas of mission and ministry. And, on all levels, things are happening to give glory to God. There is not a Church in the CEC that isn’t about doing all we can to lead people to the phenomenal, awesome, and glorious savior named Jesus.
I want to address legacy for a moment. This June, we once again have what is called “Foundation Day.” On this day, each Church in the CEC is to take up a special offering. It is suggested that each person give ten dollars. When collected, the money will go to a fund where 1/3 will be given out in loans, 1/3 will be given out in grants, and 1/3 will be invested for the future. For what purpose? To build the Church through the building, purchasing, or repairing of Church facilities. It will also be used for programs that can advance the growth of the Church. It is building a legacy.
My children grew up in convergence worship and the Charismatic Episcopal Church. They now have children (my grandchildren and inheritance from the Lord). It is possible, in my case, that in the not so far away future the children of my children could have children. (Not the near future as they are still young, but time goes by fast). We will be a fourth-generation CEC family. (Some have already reached that point in their families and their church families.)
I would encourage you to give generously to the foundation offering. We are still under the mandate to build places of prayer, worship, and unity. We are called to be part of the three streams of evangelical, charismatic, and sacramental/liturgical worship that makes visible the ancient and historic faith in Jesus. We are small, but our call is not about size but faithfulness to the mission. We are called to be faithful to build a legacy for the next generation to continue this very holy and worthy mission.
The pandemic is coming to an end, and we can now get together face to face. We soon can return to receiving communion in both kinds from a common cup. We can once again greet one another with a sign of God’s peace that might involve a hug. It is a good day that is in front of us. Let us rejoice and be glad.
Under His mercy,
Craig W. Bates,
Patriarch
To give to the Foundation Day offering through Church of the Messiah, click HERE. For more information on Foundation Day, including the history of the offering and financial accountability, click HERE to visit the Foundation Day page on the web-site of the Charismatic Episcopal Church of North America.
Last March, I was in San Clemente, California, with the Primates Council members and their wives. We had a great gathering, and the Lord spoke to us in so many ways. At the time, we were hearing about this “Coronavirus” that apparently was in China and Europe and perhaps spreading to the United States. Little did we know at the time what that “danger” and “spreading” was all about. When we returned home, suddenly, there was talk about a “lockdown” and the shutting down of entire countries in Europe, and we in the United States were soon to follow. That shutdown happened. We were told the shutdown would be 15 days to flatten the curve so that hospitals could handle the overwhelming numbers of people admitted.
We also heard about “essential services” and “non-essential services.” Grocery stores were essential, and guidelines were given for those who needed to shop. Elderly people even had special times to shop. Of course, healthcare workers, police officers, emergency personnel, sanitation workers, pharmacists, and others were considered essential, and indeed they were.
Then there were the lists of non-essentials that ranged from “gyms” to restaurants and bars. Most small retail shops or barbershops and hair salons were non-essential. Churches were considered non-essential, and still, in many states, churches face restrictions on the number of people who can occupy their buildings. For sacramental churches, like the CEC, that meant there were no Eucharists, no baptisms, no weddings, no funerals, no last rites at the hospitals (clergy were even forbidden to visit dying parishioners), or any other sacramental rite available to the people of God. Thank the Lord for the internet, as the churches could go virtual and minister to the people. The Church established an online presence. But, while churches were considered non-essential abortion, clinics were deemed essential. While medical procedures and other medical services were put on hold as non-essential, abortion was a procedure that was deemed to be essential.
The pandemic put life and death before us. As the numbers of hospitalized patients and those dying from COVID increased, we faced a new pandemic of “fear.” On the positive side, we became deeply concerned about the vulnerable among us in nursing homes, long-term living facilities, assisted living centers, and senior living facilities. Thousands died in these facilities, and the medical community told us outright that the elderly were most at risk and most likely not to survive the virus. The elderly who lived at home were advised to avoid contact with their children and grandchildren. Contact with an asymptomatic child could result in being infected and death. Those who are isolated from the community’s daily life were now even more isolated to be protected from this virus of death.
It is good that soon a vaccine will be available. Healthcare workers and these seniors in facilities will be the first to receive the vaccine, followed by senior citizens who have underlying health issues. Soon those with other diseases will receive treatment. And perhaps our hearts will be changed in our appreciation for the elderly among us. Hopefully, the Church will be awakened to the concerns of our elderly.
Throughout it all, abortion clinics, however, remained open. Abortion clinics were an “essential service.” While society rightfully cared for the elderly, they ignored the preborn — innocent little children who rely totally on others for their protection and life. These babies were still disposable. While politicians ran for office on the handling or mishandling of the Coronavirus, there was little concern or even awareness that some of the candidates ran on a platform that advocated the right to abort a baby up to the moment of birth, and, even in some cases, to allow a baby to die after birth.
The Church is always called to be present during human suffering with the message of life. Our faith is based on a God who suffered among us. It is right and a good thing that many churches ministered to those suffering from COVID. It is also right and good that the Church advocates for the poor, the widow, the fatherless, the single mothers, the disenfranchised, the homeless, the hungry, those in prison, immigrants, and those seeking freedom from tyranny. These are pro-life concerns. The Church needs to proclaim life into these situations, or as some say, we have a ministry of life from the womb to the tomb.
During the pandemic, we continue to have concern for everyone who is at risk, who has the disease, and especially those who mourn the death of a loved one because of the disease. We mourn the loss of almost 300,000 who have died from COVID and pray the new vaccine will end this horror. We continue to preach life and not give in to a fear of death.
Yet, we must also continue to cry out with a loud voice for the preborn babies’ right to life. As of this year, almost 40,000,000 abortions were performed worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. That is 125,000 babies a day. In the United States, roughly 3,000 preborn babies die every day at the hands of abortionists. We are told that 22% of all pregnancies in American end in abortion. There are more babies aborted in parts of New York City than brought to a full-term pregnancy and birth. We cannot get quality of life if we continue to destroy life. Death cannot be a solution to injustice or oppression. That is not good news.
A great deal of progress has been made over the past few years in bringing about change and saving babies’ lives. Abortion clinics continue to close, and some states could soon become “abortion free” states. The courts are now more “friendly” to pro-life cases and rule in favor of the right to life and the protection of the preborn. We could face some setbacks in the next few years, but we will continue to fight to be a voice for the voiceless. (Thank you to all who continue to pray at the abortion mills regularly. Persevere and do not give up.)
A lot still needs to be done on all different levels if we are to win and find a day when abortion will not only be illegal, but unthinkable. We must continue to work towards the day when the truth that God loves the unborn child, and that God loves the mother who has tragically presented herself for abortion, is understood. Our churches should be centers of life and healing for all the little children, for families in crisis, for single mothers, the fatherless, and the widows.
Churches should be a voice for the poor and a place where mercy and justice meet at the cross. We must work towards the day when death is not considered a solution; rather, choices of life for both mother and baby are more obvious and more available.
This is going to take a change of heart. The Pro-life movement is a Gospel movement. We need to support our clergy in preaching and teaching the Gospel of life from womb to tomb. We need to raise a generation that continues in the fight until the right to life is a reality for all. We need to raise a generation that has the heart of God. This is what CEC for Life is all about. Though the end of abortion is a primary concern of CEC for Life, it does not mean the leadership of CEC for Life is not concerned about all life. The battle cry is “All Life is Sacred.”
The Charismatic Episcopal Church was birthed in the Pro-Life movement and the “cultural wars” of the past few decades. As a people, God spoke to us and drew us into the life of the ancient and historic Church. We saw and continue to see that through liturgy and sacraments, along with preaching the Good News and the transformation of the heart, and empowerment by the Holy Spirit (the Lord and giver of Life), we join in a cultural war that has been raging since the beginning of time.
The cross of Christ is a cultural war, and victory was won on that cross in the wounds of Christ Jesus and the shedding of His blood. We found out that, as we participate in His life, and particularly His death, we find that ultimate gift of life, the resurrection and defeat of death. This truth is lived out every day in our people, but particularly in the praise and thanksgiving of the Eucharist Feast.
On January 17th, the third Sunday of the Christmas season, the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church celebrates a feast in honor of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord and Giver of Life. During the Eucharist, an offering is to be taken where we ask every participant and member of the ICCEC to give generously to the pro-life work of our communion. We also ask every clergy, along with every parish, to partner with CEC for Life by submitting their membership request for the year.
I can only ask you to give generously, which most of you do.
What more will we do? We will persevere with the Gospel, knowing that in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. We will continue to pray at abortion clinics. We will continue to work with other Pro-Life groups. We will continue to raise up a generation around the world who are Gospel activists. We will continue to equip the Church with the message of life.
Please once again join us. Be a part of a godly solution and a warrior for life.
This Sunday, October 18th, at our 10 o’clock service, Church of the Messiah is blessed to welcome Archbishop Craig W. Bates, the Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church. Abp. Bates will be preaching during the service as well as celebrating the Holy Eucharist. We will be worshiping in person in the sanctuary of Ft. Caroline Presbyterian Church (at our current location) and the service will be live streamed via Facebook for those who cannot attend in person.
Archbishop Bates began his ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church where, in 1985, he was called to serve as the associate pastor of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, in Malverne, New York. Five years later, after the retirement of the senior pastor then-Fr. Bates was called to be the senior pastor–a position he has maintained until 2018. In 1994, Fr. Bates left the Episcopal Church and joined the fledgling Charismatic Episcopal Church. The following year, St. Thomas Episcopal Church became a part of the CEC and changed their name to Church of the Intercessor. On November 14, 1997, Craig Bates was consecrated the first Bishop of the Diocese of the Northeast. Nine years later, on January 9, 2008, Bishop Bates was elected the second Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church. In addition to pastoring the same church for over 30 years and all of his episcopal ministry, Archbishop Bates holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Franconia College, a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Anna Maria College and a Master of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary. Archbishop Bates is extremely active in the New York metropolitan area as a voice for church unity, an original signer of the Manhattan Declaration, and a staunch defender of the pre-born in the Pro-Life movement. He has been married to his wife for over 40+ years and together they have three grown children and a growing number of grand-children!
Archbishop Bates is a mighty man of God and a powerful prophetic voice in the Church. Please join us in welcoming our Patriarch this Sunday, October 18th, at 10 o’clock. We encourage everyone to join us in person* or virtually on Facebook Live and invite their friends to join us as we witness that The LORD is doing.
*For more information about our COVID-19 precautions, visit this page.
Seems to me like every pastor, preacher, and evangelist has discovered social media, and in particular, the ability to live stream. It might seem to be that way for me because so many of my “friends” and/or “contacts” on social medial are conservative Evangelicals, Orthodox, Anglicans, or Catholics. Of course, I also have a significant number of friends from my own denomination. Despite this, I have held back on becoming involved in social media. I don’t want to become another “talking head pastor.” I have instead tried to refer people to others who are doing an excellent job at leading people in prayer and worship. Many of them are ICCEC churches. I have also joined others during morning prayer, group gatherings, and Sunday mornings. What an encouragement these bishops, priests, and deacons have been to my family and me. Soon we will have link information on the various live streams on CEC-NA.
As I write this note to the ICCEC, the state of New York is the center of the pandemic in the United States. Not just in the United States but for the entire world. Today, there are 103,000 plus (and growing) cases in New York and most of those in the New York City Metropolitan Area. This does not include those in New Jersey and Connecticut. The center of the pandemic in New York City is Elmont, New York (a village of Queens County in New York City), which is less than ten minutes from my home. I have been told that because of my age, some respiratory and health issues, to stay home and have no contact with anyone outside. I am careful to follow these instructions.
I have decided that the Christian response to the pandemic is to submit and obey to those who have authority over us. Certainly, I do so for myself but also because if I were to test positive for COVID-19, I would be highly contagious and perhaps, even unknowingly, infect someone else. Although, I am disappointed that I cannot gather with my brothers and sisters for the daily Eucharist, daily prayers, and, more importantly, the Sunday Eucharist.
The decision of Churches to cancel public gatherings is the right decision. This has been the decision of every sacramental church from Rome to Anglicans. The major spiritual leaders of the historic churches have all called for a suspension of public gatherings, even for Holy Week and Easter. I encourage all of us to do the same.
It is important that we do not get infected but also that we don’t infect others. The best way to end this thing is social distancing and washing our hands frequently. And pray. Rather than “sing happy birthday,” I pray the Our Father and other prayers.
This forced quarantine has opened up a tremendous amount of time for me to pray and research the Scriptures. I have also enjoyed reading and, above all, listening to some great preachers. On Sunday, I make a list of those who have live-streamed their services and then during the week I will listen to one of the sermons each day of the week. I have connected with my own Cathedral and sign on to their virtual Eucharist every day at 12 p.m. EST. I am part of a small group of brothers and sisters who have been faithful in prayer. I have also joined prayer groups in Manila and Europe. The increased use of the internet in ministry, especially for evangelism, I believe, is something that will continue after the pandemic. I am excited about that and the potential to reach our friends and others with the Gospel.
As I listen to the government and medical officials, it is clear that this pandemic is far from over. In New York, the apex or peak has not happened yet, and it is predicted that the peak will fall somewhere between two weeks from now to the end of April. After that, there will still be a time when the virus will be active, and we will still have to stay home. “Back to normal” is several months away for New Yorkers. Leaders are telling us that the worst has not yet happened, and in the end the death toll could be as high as 200,000 or maybe more.
It means for most that we will not have public worship services for Palm Sunday, all Holy Week, and Easter Sunday. It means that our services will be almost entirely “live-streamed.” If you are a small church and can’t live stream, it is important that you find out if your Cathedral is live-streaming and encourage your people to join them online.
I had hoped that this deadly virus would have been over by Easter Sunday. How glorious it would be if that were true, and we could gather and sing the great hymns and songs of the resurrection together. How our souls would rejoice to hear the Gospel proclaim that the tomb is empty, and death is defeated. Above all, it would be brilliant to gather at the altar where we know Him in the breaking of the bread and join with all the saints in eternal worship. I cannot remember a time in my seventy years that I was not around the altar for the Feast of the Resurrection.
We need to remind ourselves that celebrating the Passion and Resurrection is something we do every Sunday. We are a people of the resurrection, and in the face of death, we are not afraid. We do not allow anxiety, worry, or fear take the place of prominence in our lives. And, even at the grave, we will sing our song “alleluia.” The truth is that this horrible pandemic is going to end. I believe they will discover both a cure and a vaccine. We will gather once again and praise God in our churches.
This Lent (the Lent of all Lents) teaches that through prayer, reading and study of scripture, fasting, repentance, helping the poor, and sacrificial giving, we allow our souls and bodies to be drawn into a deeper participation in the life and death of Christ. But these are not just principles for Lent; they are disciplines meant for our entire Christian walk with Jesus. If we are to follow Him (which is far more than believing in Him) we are daily to pick up our cross. We are to deny ourselves and humble ourselves. It is through the cross that we come closer to Jesus.
When this ends, I pray that we have brought ourselves and our churches into a deeper commitment to daily prayers, both as individuals and communities. How great it would be if there were growth in early morning prayer both at the church, in our homes, and on social media. I am even thinking of starting an online prayer group. To pray is to breathe the breath of God. To pray is to abide in Christ, knowing Christ lives in us and we in Christ. To pray is to abide with Jesus in the heavenly places.
When this ends, I pray that we renew our commitment to the reading, studying, and doing the Holy Scriptures. We are called to be disciples, and our churches are called to make disciples. I know of one church that is looking at developing an online campus of events and programs that people can participate in without leaving their homes. However, I also hope there is an increase in weekday home groups (relationship is part of discipleship). During this pandemic, I have a renewed understanding of the role Scripture plays in my day to day life. It is the sword of the Spirit and it is profitable to a righteous man. Every day, the Lord has spoken to me in His Word, and I have been equipped. I am more equipped to be an ambassador of Christ proclaiming in word and deed the ministry of reconciliation and not judgment. What a joy to have churches that have a Biblical world view and not a political or media-driven world view.
Fasting reminds us that the body is a great servant but a horrible leader. We are to be led by the Spirit, and weekly fasting is good for our soul. We sometimes laughed at the “no meat on Friday” obligation. We laugh because we saw it as “legalism.” But fasting one day a week is not such a bad thing. It is not necessary for salvation, but it is a good discipline to discipline the body and renew the Spirit. After this, Lent may we discover increase times of fasting not only individually and perhaps as a whole parish or a whole diocese. Not as a law, but as a means of moving more and more in the Spirit. I believe the Holy Spirit is going to move into the world with the message of God’s love and promise of eternal life.
We are not in need of repentance just during Lent. This isolation has turned me into the need to have my mind renewed repeatedly so that I am not conformed to the pattern of this world. Watching endless news conforms us to the world. I am thankful for the ability to confess my sins and have Him restore me day after day. Being able to look at the pandemic from the eyes of God enabled me to see how much I am loved, and we are loved. Hence, there has been caution, but no fear. I hope that the Churches and each of is renewed in our understanding that God has forgiven us, and we have a constant need to forgive those who have offended us. I hope there is a renewal of confession both in the Penitential order of the Liturgy. But I also hope for a renewal of private confession that will bring reconciliation and healing in our churches, homes, between individuals, and in our communities. What power will be released through this simple act of love. What power will be released when people look at us, and say, “we know they are followers of Jesus by their love for one another.”
The poor must be dear to our hearts, not only during Lent but throughout the whole year. In my times of prayer, I have had times of weeping thinking of the impact the pandemic is having and is going to have on the poor in our church in Africa, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia. How senseless was the hoarding behavior of people in the West? How we need to understand that the vast majority of Africa, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia have nothing to hoard. They already live day to day with no or limited medical care. How the poor live with the reality of cholera, malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Malnutrition and starvation is a reality for millions in these areas. Finding clean water or proper sewage is difficult. Also, in some places the people cry not because the schools are closed but because there are no school. I hope this Lent has brought us to live a life with and for the poor. The poor, the widow, and the fatherless are dear to our God. How can we serve them?
There is also the poor right around us. We have discovered how many live-in fear. And fear leads to all kinds of addictions and destructive behavior. There are those around us who are spiritually empty and searching. I hope that our use of social media will not be to entertain the saved but to reach the lost. May we come out of the pandemic as an army that has a mission that so much greater than the need to survive.
I have determined myself that there are two types of people, and I have since modified that to believe there are three types of people. The first are takers. Takers live life to get what they can out of life. They believe that they are entitled to everything. So, they live taking as if they can take all their possessions with them. Their sin is that they treat people like things and things like people. Instead of loving people, they love things. The second group are buyers. These are people who appear as if they are givers. They are generous in giving gifts, particularly to those less fortunate than themselves. But they also expect complete loyalty, as each gift comes with a price. They are manipulators of the least. The third group are givers. Givers are determined to live a life for others. It is not what they can take out of life but what they put into life and especially the lives of others. They give not out of duty or with expectations but because they know that real blessing is in giving.
I pray this Lent has taught us about things that really matter in life. Those things that are important and will motivate us to become generous givers, especially to the work of the Lord through His Church. We should study what it means to be a giver – particularly Malachi 3.8-12. This is not only about giving but about trusting in our Lord God. It is the beginning of living a life knowing for certain it is God who is our protector and provider. When the next crisis comes, we will not fear for we will know, not just believe, He is with us.
I believe in the Liturgical calendar. I enjoy keeping the Liturgical calendar. The time of Holy Week, Easter, the Ascension, and Pentecost are my favorites. I am going to miss the traditions and liturgies this year. But we all know that we are called to live in between Pentecost and the Second Coming. We are called to be Resurrection people in the midst of a dying world. I hope Lent transformed us individually, as families, and a Church community.
I don’t expect the world to be different and churches to be packed after the pandemic is over. It is like believing that was going to happen after 9/11. Nor is it any different than expecting that the Sunday after Easter is going to be as well attended as Easter. But I do hope that we, the people of God, will have been revived and renewed, and on fire to bring the Gospel outside of the church. May the suffering of this pandemic motivate us to live the three streams of being charismatic, evangelical, and sacramental in order to glorify Christ and lead others in the way of salvation.
Christ is risen from the dead. Trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
The Gospel of John chapter 10 and verse 10 reports Jesus telling His disciples that He came that we might have life and have life abundantly. It is through the sacraments and the Scriptures that we find the essence and fullness of human life, now and for all eternity. John further records in John 14:6 that life is not a “concept” or merely something “spiritual” but is the person of Jesus. The person of Jesus shows that, in the eyes of God, all human life is not only good and sacred but is the focus of His love in Jesus and therefore worthy of redemption.
Every Christmas season the whole world and especially the Church are reminded that the God and King of the entire universe has become human in the womb of a virgin. Not human for a time, but for all time. He never abandons His humanity but takes humanity, through His death and resurrection, upon His Kingdom throne and sits in His humanity over all creation. This Christ Jesus, whom we worship because of His humanity and divinity, is God with us to never leave us.
The Church is called to proclaim that Jesus is Lord. He is the truth. Our task is not to debate the world about this truth but to proclaim this truth. Our convincing the world of this truth is far more profound than just discourse with our society and culture about truth; it is the presentation of Christ in us in the world. We are to live out the truth that is revealed to us by living that revelation in the culture and society in which we dwell.
I am absolutely opposed to abortion. I believe abortion is never necessary. I believe abortion is the taking of human life and, in some cases, not only killing but murder. I am abhorred by any abortion but particularly by late-term abortion and by those who are now comfortable even with infanticide. I am appalled by those who march forward with advocating abortion for any reason whatsoever, including genetic selection, gender selection, and racial selection.
Because I am opposed to abortion in this manner, I am often challenged with the charge that “being pro-life is more than being anti-abortion.” Of course to be pro-life is to be more than anti-abortion. And, the church, particularly the ancient and historic church, has always been in the forefront of proclaiming the dignity of human life. The church is called to bring life, not only for the salvation of our souls, but in the food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, and shelter for the homeless. The church has always embraced a welcome to strangers and refugees. The church has always visited those in prison and declared release to those who are in bondage to sin, the world, and the devil.
Drug addiction, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity, greed, materialism, consumerism, poverty, domestic violence, and the sex trade industry are breeding grounds for the killing of the unborn. The church must bring the Gospel of life and the light of that Gospel into those areas of darkness. The Gospel is the way to address these horrors.
At this moment in our history, we are confronted in the United States with around 3,000 abortions a day or 1,095,000 a year. Around the world there are more than 100,000 abortions a day or 36,500,000 a year. More abortions committed in one day than in all of World War II.
Abortion is not a legal issue or a political issue, though we need to address the issue in the courts and in the legislature. Abortion is a moral issue and an issue of the soul. Mother Teresa reminds us that a country that allows the killing of its infants in the womb has lost its soul. Have the nations of the world who have permitted and legalized this murder of children lost their soul, particularly the United States?
Because this is a moral issue our primary weapons are not carnal but spiritual to the tearing down of this stronghold of death. Prayer must be at the front of the Pro-Life movement. Through prayer that is sustained, not for days, but for day after day, we are going to see spiritual victories won in the physical realm. We are going to see the Gospel lived out in the flesh of transformed lives living out the Pro-Life discipline of discipleship. Abortion will end because we will see it for the evil that it is and always will be.
For this reason, at the core of the mission of CEC for Life is prayer. We know we belong in front of abortion mills, as well as places where abortion mills are being constructed, to stand and pray. We do the
Liturgy for the Preborn at the Time of Death because this is what the Church is called to do. We are called to pray.
Secondly, we educate the church on the issue of abortion. We keep the church informed of victories that are happening around the world. We educate people on how they can work in their own church and in their communities to end abortion. And, particularly, we educate young adults for the future of this ministry. They are the generation that will end abortion.
The CEC is not a church that is Pro-Life; it is a Pro-Life church. From the beginning we have been given signs and symbols to make visible the Pro-Life message, and not only on Sunday morning. We are a communion of people birthed in the jails of Los Angeles and around the country, making visible the Gospel of Life. We are a Church that knows we are to identify with the preborn, the woman in crisis, those in need of healing from abortion, and with those who seek freedom from the abortion industry.
On January 19th, the third Sunday of the Christmas season, the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church celebrates a feast in honor of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord and Giver of Life. During the Eucharist, an offering is to be taken where we ask every participant and member of the ICCEC to give generously to the Pro-Life work of our communion. We also ask every clergy, along with every parish, to partner with CEC for Life by submitting their membership request for the year.
I know you will want to participate with me in this holy work. I know you will want to give sacrificially and generously. Go to our website and see all that is happening because of your generosity and the blessing of God.
sjl+ 
Since the foundation of the ICCEC was laid in the early days, the Church in North America, under the direction of the Bishops, has taken up an offering for the development of the ICCEC around the world. As a result of this offering, churches have been established or planted in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Asia. As the offering developed, the funds were distributed to various territories. The one exception has been in Africa, where we have vibrant churches, missions, and ministries in Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, and Sudan. Therefore, the North American Church has decided to give all its mission resources to Africa.
Dear Brothers,
Father Scott Looker 
SJL 
