January 24, 2020
Epiphany
“To encounter Christ and to abide with him is not just the Good News, it is the only news that stays news, forever.” – Dr James Matthew Wilson
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Please join me in welcoming Rev Clark Cornelius, Rev Deacon Jesse Tyler Barkalow, Rev Canon Oluwatosin Onaseso, Rev Canon David Nwanekpe, Venerable Dr Shola Falodun, Venerable Dr David Jayeola, Rev Deacon Charles Miller, and Venerable Henry Okechukwu Chima to our Diocese. God has blessed us with these godly men as they join us in carrying out the mission of the Diocese which is making disciples of the nations for Christ. Our call is to plunder Hell as we draw men and women to Christ and into his Kingdom. This year our motto is to “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”
I have appointed Venerable Dr Shola Falodun as Regional Archdeacon for Louisiana; Venerable Dr Kenneth Olebara as Regional Archdeacon for Virginia; and Rev Canon Tosin Onaseso as IT Advisor to the Bishop.
We congratulate Rev Jesse Tyler Barkalow whom I ordained deacon at St George’s, Colorado Springs, CO last weekend. He joins the staff at St George’s under our Canon to the Ordinary, Venerable Don Armstrong. Rev Jesse is a fine young man who has a good future in the work of the gospel.
This weekend Mama CANA and I are at Epiphany Anglican Church in San Antonio, TX for parish visitation and confirmations. Please pray for us and Venerable Dr Cleo Kukeya who will be hosting us.
DIOCESAN SYNOD 2020
Our Diocesan Synod comes up from July 9-12. The venue for Synod deliberations will be at :
All Saints Anglican Church
13403 Renn Rd, Houston, Texas
Accommodation and transportation for Synod delegates have been arranged by Sir Chidi Chiege, Sir Forster Duru, Henry Nnabugwu at :
Houston Marriott Westchase
2900 Briarpark Drive
Houston, TX, 77042
The cost per night is under $90 which is very very good for a hotel like that.
The speaker this year will be the Most Revd Dr Benjamin Kwashi, OON. Archbishop Kwashi is the GAFCON Secretary and the Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jos, Nigeria. He will be speaking to us on the mission of the Church. The cost of Synod registration is $120 per person. Clergy should put this on the Calendar and inform your congregations as soon as possible so adequate preparations can be made. Everyone is welcome to our Synod including Youth. Plan to bring the youth in your church.
Knights Retreat Of St Christopher Retreat (July 8-9)
1. Make Definite Plans Now to Attend:
The July 2020 diocesan retreat of the Knights of St. Christopher will be held in Houston, Texas, just before the 2020 Synod, at the All Saints Anglican Church. Since the retreat is mandatory for all Knights, be sure to make your plans now to attend. The Knights of the Houston Archdeaconry are making serious preparations to host a remarkable retreat. The retreat will be great! You do not want to miss it! Making your solid plans now to attend will help you to adjust family and work schedules and calendars appropriately. Solidifying right away your plans to attend will also greatly minimize stress for you, your family, and those involved in the planning. Do not try to put things off to the last-minute. The program will be practical, refreshing, informative, and very memorable. This retreat will be a big blessing spiritually, materially, intellectually and relationally!
2.The Retreat Schedule:
To make it practical and cost effective for the Knights and their families to attend both the retreat and the Synod, the retreat will begin mid-morning on Wednesday, July 8 and end promptly by Noon on Thursday, July 9, 2020.
For further information please contact Venerable Dr Ben Nworie, at benworie@gmail.com or
214-533-2192
Consecration of Suffragan Bishops
God willing, Venerable Dr Scott Seely and Venerable Celestine Ironna will be c onsecrated Bishops in March 20 in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria to serve as Suffragan Bishops in our Diocese. The Primate has asked me to be the Preacher at that service of consecration of the new Bishops and presentation of the Archbishops. Please pray for safety and divine power to accompany us as we attend and participate in this glorious ceremony.
God has brought us into this year to bless us and use us for his glory. So in prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, we should commit ourselves afresh to glorifying God by worshipping Him in Spirit and truth; trusting Him in all circumstances; proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; calling people to repent of sin; living lives of obedience and godliness worthy of Christ; and loving our neighbour as Christ has loved us. We are called to a life glorifying and contemplating God in the world. That is the kind of life the Lord commands us to live and therein lies his blessings for the faithful. As James Matthew Wilson rightly states, “Without a clear sense of our ordination to the contemplation of God, all the works of man that seem true, good, and beautiful come to appear, first, as mere distraction, and finally, as deception.” So let us set our sights and lives to honor God and to promote the kingdom and righteousness of his Christ as a matter of priority.
THE BISHOP’S SCHEDULE :
January – March 2020
January 3-13: Bishops Retreat, Nigeria
January 17-19: St. George’s Anglican Church, Colorado Springs
January 25-26: Epiphany Anglican Church, San Antonio, TX
February 2: Holy Trinity Cathedral Church, Houston
February 7-9 : St. Francis Cathedral Church, El Paso.
February 11: Diocesan Praise and Prayer Service from 7-9PM at Holy Trinity Cathedral Church, Houston
February 21-23: Resurrection Anglican Church, Atlanta
March 1: Holy Trinity Cathedral Church, Houston
March 6-8: Trinity in the Marketplace, Albuquerque NM
March 20: Consecration of Suffragan Bishops in Lokoja, Nigeria
March 21-27: Standing Committee Meeting in Abuja
March 22: Primate’s Thanksgiving Service and Dinner
March 23-26: Standing Committee meeting
March 25- Presentation of the New Primate.
March 29: Preaching at CATOL( Cathedral Of The Transfiguration Of Our Lord) in Owerri, Anglican Diocese of Owerri, Imo State.
(March 21-29 : USA Spring Break for Students)
April 12: Easter Sunday Holy Trinity Cathedral, Houston.
April 18-19: Christ Anglican Church, New York.
Warm regards,
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Felix Orji, OSB.
Diocesan Bishop | Anglican Diocese of the West
Missionary Bishop | CANA
Church of Nigeria(Anglican Communion)
Holy Trinity Cathedral Church
15150 Bellaire Blvd.
Houston, Texas, 77083
www.dioceseofthewest.org
“We are justified by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone. True faith always yields the fruit of obedience to one degree or another.” – Dr. R. C. Sproul
