True North: A Ministry of Anglican Connection
My first year working for Anglican Compass as the Events & Sales Coordinator began with a bang. I met my coworkers for the first time as we joined forces to man the Anglican Compass booth at the ACNA Provincial Assembly. What began in those hot June days of fellowship and worship, of meeting new people and old friends (in person, for the first time), has really set the theme for my short tenure here so far. That is, I’ve been privileged to participate in a ministry of personal engagement and connectivity through our new Events page.
The platform we’ve been building, one event at a time, truly showcases the living network of Christ’s many members present in the Anglican Church in North America. In my work, I get the opportunity to dive into diocesan and parish websites from across the province to investigate what’s happening up high in the cathedrals and down in the valleys. I’m often blessed by what I see.
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The Privilege of Curating Events
There’s a real privilege involved in this role that I try not to take for granted. While I welcome parishes, dioceses, and ministries across the ACNA to submit events of their choosing using our Event Submission Form at the bottom of the page here, I recognize it’s up to me to get the ball rolling. This means I get to go hunting on the internet for events to showcase. I get to pick those events that catch my eye and even help our readers conceive of which local events in their own community might be a good fit for the page.
To give you an idea of the sort of things that have caught my attention over the past few weeks, I was delighted to see that St. Peter’s Cathedral in Tallahassee has planned a night of Christmas Caroling for Friday, December 20th. Caroling is one of the great ways we can share the content of our faith in public today. I was also happy to see that the Cathedral of the Apostles in Lexington, South Carolina, is hosting its Annual Christmas Ball near the end of Christmastide, with dancing and a potluck feast! For the better part of a millennium, the Church was at the center of public festivals, the party’s host. I love to see Anglican Christians taking up this special role again. It shows the world that Christ-followers have more reason to celebrate than anybody.
Celebrating Faith and Theological Education
Of course, there is more for Anglicans to celebrate than the Church’s festivals alone. We also have a deep cultural commitment to theological education, as evidenced by Trinity Anglican Seminary’s January 2025 Intensives and Nashotah House Theological Seminary’s Winter Courses. In fact, beyond the official courses offered by these renowned places of learning, you can find special events like the Thomas C. Oden Lectures and the Breck Conference featured on the Anglican Compass events page.
Showcasing the Breadth of Anglican Ministry
The Events page currently features dozens of gatherings, including conferences, retreats, ordinations, and local celebrations. Each listing invites our readers to reflect on the life of the church near and far, cultivate new ministry growth in their home parish, and connect with others in the Body of Christ. From diocesan synods to parish-level festivals, these events reflect the diversity and vitality of our tradition. As I’ve worked to build and maintain this page, the breadth of ministry happening across the ACNA has been inspiring.
Highlights from the Events Page
A few highlights include:
- Leadership Conferences: Events like Clergy Retreats and Lay Leader Training sessions equip leaders to serve with wisdom and grace.
- Worship Gatherings: Ordinations and installations celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit in calling and empowering ministers.
- Community Engagement: Parish festivals, youth camps, and seasonal celebrations offer opportunities for Anglicans to gather and share life together.
The Ministry of Connection
Coordinating these listings has been more than just administrative work—it’s a ministry of connection. Each event represents a story of faithful service and Gospel witness. By learning about these gatherings and sharing them through Anglican Compass, I’ve seen firsthand how God is working through his people to build his Kingdom.
This ministry of connectivity has also deepened my own appreciation for our Anglican tradition. Witnessing how Anglicans live out their faith in diverse and creative ways is a real joy. Whether it’s a rural parish expecting a visit from St. Nicholas or a diocesan synod charting the future of ministry, each event is a testament to the unity and mission we share in Christ.
It’s been a full year, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect people and resources through the Events page. It’s great to see how Anglican Compass is fostering community across North America. With your participation, I’m excited to continue expanding this ministry in the year ahead. Thank you for supporting Anglican Compass.
Photo by DKosig from Getty Images Signature, courtesy of Canva.
True North 2024
Each December, we ask our readers to give to our TRUE NORTH campaign. We invite you to join us as we point to Jesus through the riches of the Anglican tradition. This year, with the generous support of donors, every gift up to $12,000 will be matched. Give $100, and we will receive $200. Would you prayerfully consider a year-end gift or a monthly commitment?
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