OFFICE OF THE PRIMATE

Easter 2010, Pastoral Letter

Archbishop Daniel W. Williams

Christian Communion International

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My dear friends in Christ,

“We keep his feast by deeds rather than by words.” From an Easter letter by Saint Athanasius, bishop.

We live in an era when there is a growing chasm between words and actions. Yet, these ancient words of a brother bishop remind us that there is nothing new under the sun.

Holy week, perhaps more than any other time of the year, exemplifies the character of God: there is no duplicity in Him. What He says, He does. He ”watches over His Word to perform it.” The Incarnation fulfilled promises made long ago. He cannot deny Himself.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” What an amazing endorsement. My prayer is that this coming year will be the next level of purging what is false and pursuit of what is true in my own life and ministry. May this also be true of our entire Communion. May every member, every leader, every worship community, every ministry, in every nation rise to new heights of integrity in our words and fulfillment of our commitments.

It is time to say less and do more.

Lord God Almighty, give new shape and direction to our individual and collective efforts as we recommit to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. May we, by Your Divine Grace, take bold and steady steps to fulfill them.

++Daniel

Now to some of what Bishop Hermes is doing these days.

Social projects in Rio favelas

The Hidden Treasures Project conducted by the REINA family of churches in 30 needy communities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, aims to care for the “hidden treasures” of the poverty-stricken and crime-laden shanty towns Brazilians call “favelas.” Who are the hidden treasures? They are the children of the favelas. To reach and rescue these hidden treasures, the Hidden Treasures Project distributes food, clothes, and school materials. It also conducts free courses in literacy, English, computers, music, and sports.

For more information on the Hidden Treasures Project, please see the following:

In Portuguese, go to www.projetotesouroescondido.blogspot.com

For English go to www.hiddentreasuresproject.blogspot.com

Blogs

On a per capita basis, Brazilians spend more daily time on the internet than citizens of any other country in the world. Bishop Hermes makes use of Brazilian interest in the internet through the following blogs.

* Bishop Herme’s blog has 835 subscribers and has had 108,000 hits. If you can read Portuguese, go to hermesfernandes.blogspot.com.

* The Blog Genizah (www.genizahvirtual.com) with 2700+ subscribers, has had 1,043,000 hits thus far. This is a team effort with other ministers. Its influence is significant. (See E-zine below.)

E-Magazine

Along with associates from several different denominations, Bishop Hermes is a key contributor to the E-zine, Revista Eletrônica Genizah. This magazine publishes three times per month and has 278,000 subscribers.

Orkut

Orkut is much like Facebook, and is very popular in Brazil. Through Orkut, Bishop Hermes connects regularly with more than 2500 people through one or more of the three below listed profiles.

* Perfil 1 – http://www.orkut.com/Main#Profile?rl=mp&uid=8985509898601005525
* Perfil 2 – http://www.orkut.com/Main#Profile?rl=mp&uid=5926657803610927761
* Perfil 3 – http://www.orkut.com/Main#Profile?uid=18306332563266724576

Twitter

You can reach Bishop Hermes’ at http://witter.com/HermesFernandes. About 1200 people are connected to this site.

Communicating through Skype

Bishop Hermes is now living in the US and working on his English language skills and assisting our Communion’s development of Portuguese language ministries. So he preaches regularly to his home congregations by means of Skype. With 120 plus churches in Rio de Janeiro, and more other in other Brazilian states, the internet provides him with a vital ministry tool.

Essays and Books

An author with 16 published books, Bishop Hermes continues to work on essays, written sermons and books. He also carries on significant ministerial correspondence with many people and ministers around the world.

Final Requests

Please pray for Bishop Hermes, his family, and his family of churches. Donations for his work can be given through PayPal on the CCI site. Request that the donation be routed to REINA.

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Autor: Archbishop William Mikler

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The following report came to us through the offices of our esteemed friend in ministry, the Rev. Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, of Bonn, Germany. We encourage you to read the report and pray as conscience and the Holy Spirit lead.

For additional copies of this article to distribute among friends–they are handsome and well done–go to http://www.bucer.org/bq.html and download the following.

03. April 2010
Bonner Querschnitte 10/2010 Ausgabe 132 (eng)
Religious Liberty Organizations Call Attention to Nigerian Crisis

Thank you in advance for your prayers.

For the Kingdom of Christ,

+William

Religious Liberty Organizations Call Attention to Nigerian Crisis

(Larnaca, Cyprus/ Bonn, Germany, 3 April 2010) Key organizations that work on religious liberty issues around the world made strong statements on the killings and violence in Nigeria and launched a global campaign calling for prayer for that nation. In what is being called “The Cyprus Statement,” the Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP), with member organizations based in 18 countries, is calling the worldwide Christian community to pray for the crisis in Nigeria.

The Cyprus Statement acknowledges some positive elements within Nigeria, including the role that the church is playing, but expresses deep concern about the ways in which the situation is being handled by the government. In addition, the Statement calls on the worldwide church to pray for work toward the religious rights of all Nigerians, to provide practical humanitarian support, and to support reconciliation efforts.

“Following the recent appalling massacres of Christian men, women and children in villages around Jos, Nigeria it was timely that this years RLP Conference in Cyprus had a focus on Nigeria,” stated Dr Thomas Schirrmacher, Director of the International Institute for Religious Freedom, based in Bonn, Germany. “The Cyprus Statement calls amongst other things for the perpetrators of violence to be brought to justice. If these people continue to kill with impunity, the violence will escalate even further, and will eventually endanger the entire nation.”

“Together as the RLP, we stand in support of Christians in Nigeria, calling upon the Church worldwide to pray for a restoration of lasting peace in Nigeria,” said Dr Christof Sauer, Co-Director of IIRF, based in Cape Town, South Africa. “Christians in central and northern Nigeria today face unprecedented persecution, with women and children suffering barbaric acts of violence. In this context the Nigerian Church leadership are actively choosing to isolate those perpetrators of these recent killings by not retaliating, and relying on God to sustain them in their grief.”

Together with the German Professor for political geography, Dr Rainer Rothfuss, Tübingen, who was a guest at the consultation, the IIRF directors agree: “The statement of the RLP is characterized by the fact that the most influential Christian human rights organizations are speaking with one voice, and that they have listened to the advice of local Christian leaders beforehand. The highly complex situation in Nigeria is assessed with much differentiation and positive aspects are acknowledged. At the same time very specific intervention is clearly called for”.

The Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP) is a collaborative effort of Christian organizations around the world focused on religious liberty. The RLP seeks to more intentionally work together in addressing advocacy and in raising the awareness of religious liberty issues globally. The RLP Leadership Team consists of: Mervyn Thomas (chairperson), Christian Solidarity International; Andy Dipper, Release International; Johan Companjen, Open Doors International; Linus Pfister, HMK Switzerland; Daniel Hoffman of Middle East Concern; and Godfrey Yogarajah of the World Evangelical Alliance.

The International Institute for Religious Freedom focuses on scholarly research on religious freedom, religious persecution and the situation of oppressed Christians. It is an institute of the World Evangelical Alliance.

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Women’s Mission Trip – Kenya Impact

Save the Date for the Women’s Mission Trip to Kakamega, Kenya. There will be a conference with teaching, prayer and personal ministry plus children’s ministry and so much more. For more information visit womenalive.tv

May 11-18, 2010.

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To download and read the last issue, click here.

Spiritual Impact Ministries

Experience the Spiritual Impact Ministry (S.I.M.).

A Few Good Men – A Brotherhood of Leaders – An Assembly of World Changers.

Learn how a few men who are willing to take their place can serve their church and be a part of what God is doing in the world!

February 9th @ 7PM

Christ the Redeemer Church in Jacksonville, Fl. [website]

This is a great companion book for the 21 day fast that Bishop has called the church to.

Order Yours by clicking Here!

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“Breakfast with the Bishop” – Houston was successful, new contacts being made with African pastors in the Houston area.

Bishop John was in the Philadelphia, PA area Dec. 2 – 9th for meetings that include “Breakfast with the Bishop” – Philadelphia and meetings with leaders of African communities in Philadelphia and New York.

Christmas Eve Service – December 24th

Join Christ the Redeemer Church Christmas Eve Service and Reception.

Reception 6:00 PM

Family Christmas Eve Service 7:00 PM

Classic Christmas Eve Mass 10:30 PM

More information, here.

Click here

Original jewelry designs from the Lisa Mikler Collection…created expressly for our Communion, Archdiocese and Church. These beautifully crafted pieces are beautiful renderings of our witness and work in the world, and thoughtful gifts for you, your family and friends!! See our “Jewelry” link to make your selection.

Merry Christmas from CCI!

Red Square

Abp. Daniel with Bishop Sasha and the Eurasian Field Director of Calvary International