Reports were also heard from the Rev. Canon Alan Hawkins, Vicar of Anglican 1000, the initiative that seeks to plant 1,000 new parishes in the first five-years of the Province’s existence; over 300 parishes have been planted since 2009 and the 1-2-3 Challenge seeks to build on that by using a variety of strategies. Reports were also heard on the development of a comprehensive catechism for instruction in the faith as well as the development of common liturgical forms for the Province.

Nashotah House, a theological seminary in the Anglo-Catholic tradition on the shores of Nashotah Lake in Wisconsin, was the setting for meetings of the leadership of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) from June 18-21, 2013. The Provincial Council, composed of the bishops as well as clergy and lay representatives, met from June 18-19 while the College of Bishops were in session from June 20-21.

In his State of the Church Address , the Most Rev. Robert W. Duncan, Archbishop of the Anglican Church, gave thanks for the unity that the Province had enjoyed in its four years of existence, significant differences in the backgrounds of the various bodies and congregations from which it was formed, and reminded the members of the Province that, in the words of baseball great Yogi Berra, “The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing,” noting that the main thing “is the kingdom of heaven, and by God’s grace it has come near to us.”

Reports were also heard from the Rev. Canon Alan Hawkins, Vicar of Anglican 1000, the initiative that seeks to plant 1,000 new parishes in the first five-years of the Province’s existence; over 300 parishes have been planted since 2009 and the 1-2-3 Challenge seeks to build on that by using a variety of strategies. Reports were also heard on the development of a comprehensive catechism for instruction in the faith as well as the development of common liturgical forms for the Province.

Reports regarding the Province’s engagement with the challenges that the growth of Islam in the North American context – something that Archbishop Duncan had stressed in his investiture sermon in 2009 – as well as the Province’s commitment to uphold the sanctity of human life with nearly half of the bishops of the church participating in the 2013 March for Life in Washington, D.C., in January. The Primate also called for Anglicans in North America to pray for Christians facing religious persecution around the world.

The Province experienced considerable growth during 2012 with nearly 2,400 baptisms with one adult baptism for every two infants; in addition, nearly 1,800 people were confirmed upon making a public profession of faith. The growth resulted in the recognition of four new dioceses and the formation of three missionary dioceses. As it has done every year since its formation, the church concluded 2012 without a deficit.

Reports were heard of how relationships continue to be built both in North America and abroad with ecumenical discussions taking place with Lutherans (both the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and the North American Lutheran Church), Old Catholics (the Polish National Catholic Church), Messianic Jews, Roman Catholics, and the Orthodox Church in America. Of particular interest to the readers of this report is that the Rt. Rev. Dr. Ray Sutton, Chairman of the Ecumenical Relations Task Force, brought fraternal greetings at the 41^st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America on June 19.In addition, the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence and two members of the Diocese of South Carolina attended as observers (his reflections may be read here). Plans for the forthcoming Global Anglican Futures Conference (known as GAFCON 2) in Nairobi, Kenya, were also discussed; also outlined were Disaster Relief protocols for the Anglican Relief and Development Fund in the wake of recent tornadoes in Oklahoma.

When the Anglican Church in North America was formed in 2009 the decision was made not to allow women in the episcopate (i.e., as bishops). With regard to the orders of presbyter and deacon, some of the jurisdictions that formed the Province allow women to serve in those roles and some do not with others falling somewhere in between (either allowing women to serve but not be in charge of a parish or allowing them to serve as deacons only [some jurisdictions, most notably the Reformed Episcopal Church] do not have women deacons but have provision for the lay order of deaconess]). The current situation, referred to as “dual integrities” has engendered much discussion. Earlier this year a Theological Task Force on Holy Orders was formed to study how to move forward together as a Province on the issue. Reports were heard on the work of that task force.

At the conclusion of the College of Bishops’ meeting they issued a Communique regarding the week’s meetings.

The Rev. Charles A. Collins, Jr., serves as Vicar of St. Thomas Church, a Reformed Episcopal Parish in the Anglican Church in North America in Moncks Corner, South Carolina.