18 February, 2020
Epiphany
“We often think it’s the responsibility of the pastors and reverends to carry the load for evangelizing the lost. There’s only a small number of them in comparison to the massive number of Jesus followers who have the same responsibility. After all, the Bible calls us ministers too. Let’s get out there.” – Greg Laurie
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
I rejoice daily with gratitude to God because of the gospel of Christ. The gospel of Christ is indeed good news to sinners and saints! Here is why: as a result of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross wherein he paid the penalty for our sins and his resurrection to life wherein he defeated death trampling Satan under his feet, those who believe in Him as Savior and obey him as Lord are: forgiven all their sins, declared righteous, saved from eternal punishment in Hell, granted access to the Father, given eternal life, set apart for God, given the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower them, made children of God, set free from the power of Satan, moved from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Light, promised a new body, a new heaven and a new earth, granted eternal fellowship with God, and the beatific vision.
This is good reason to continually preach this gospel and worship God with joy and gratitude to our Lord Jesus Christ for his deep love for us.
Appointment of Legal Officer
It is my pleasure to inform you that I have appointed Attorney Henry Nnabugwu as one of our Legal Officers in the Diocese. He is a good man. I’ve advised him that the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor and all legal officers of the Diocese work for the Bishop and not for their parishes in matters appertaining to the Church. It is also free work with no remuneration. So I’m grateful for his willingness to come on board. Please join me in welcoming him to his new role.
SYNOD 2020: Anglican Diocese of the West Synod Information – July 9-11.
Our Diocesan Synod this year is July 9-11. We begin on Thursday evening July 9 with Holy Communion service at 5PM and finish at noon on Saturday July 11. All events will happen at All Saints Anglican Church, 13403 Renn Rd, Houston, Texas. Clergy should bring their Cassock, surplice and tippet for the service on Thursday night.
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.
I expect all clergy to attend Synod, unless one has an unavoidable conflict. It is the responsibility of parishes to ensure (by providing the finances for registration, hotel accommodation, travel costs) that all clergy in their parish attend Diocesan Synod as attendance is not optional for clergy. Each congregation should have 2 lay representatives in attendance. It is perfectly great to have as many as possible to attend the Synod.
Election to the Diocesan Board
During our Synod we will also elect two people – one clergy and one lay person – to the Diocesan Board. If you have any nominations, please forward the name to Venerable Dr. Myles Calvin at chaplainmcalvin@gmail.com or (915) 383-4422. You must submit your nominations by June 1, 2020
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
God willing, we will be visiting the Anglican Church of Resurrection in Stone Mountain, Georgia this weekend to preach the gospel and carry out other episcopal duties. Please pray for the Lord’s blessing.
The peace of the Lord be with you all!
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
