July 1, 2026

Season After Pentecost

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today, as our neighbors to the north are celebrating Canada Day, we are within days of the historic celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. Millions of people across our region and nation are celebrating the fact that we have been granted great freedom to openly exercise our Christian faith even as we continue to strive as a nation in our efforts “…to form a more perfect union…” (Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America). 

We also celebrated a notable milestone last week when on the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist on June 24th we marked the 17th anniversary of the birth of the Anglican Church in North America. These two milestones intersect in a number of significant ways. Firstly, in spite of the fact that this nation has been blessed with more than 250 years of missionary zeal and robust practice of the Christian faith, there no less that 130,000 million souls living in the United States who do not have entered into a saving faith through our Lord Jesus Christ…more than one-third of our entire population. Secondly, the ACNA was formed for the very purpose of “Reaching North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ.” Our founding Gospel mission is as vital today as was on the day we were “born”.

It is also worthy of note that, like our nation at large, the ACNA, now in the beginning of our 18th year, is continuing to make strides in our growth in greater institutional maturity for the purpose of supporting greater missional effectiveness. I am deeply grateful for our ADGL delegates (Rev. Dr. Joe Boysel, Mrs. Mickie Murphy, and Dr. Richmond Nettey) who represented us at Provincial Council meetings in Tulsa, OK June 17-19, 2026 and our delegates (Rev. Andrea Orchard, Very Rev. Kris Rolls, Mrs. Christine Fields, and Mr. Larry Doyle) to the Virtual Provincial Assembly gathering on Thursday, June 25th. These gatherings ratified vitally important changes to our Provincial Canons related to Safeguarding/Ecclesiastical Discipline and Succession of Ecclesiastical Authority. While these matters may not sound exciting to the casual observer, they mark a deeply significant advancement in our Provincial growth and maturity.

One additional note regarding growth in institutional maturity and missional effectiveness  bears calling to our collective awareness here. By the time you will have read this pastoral letter, the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes will be within weeks of the announcement of our final candidates for election as Bishop Coadjutor. This man who will serve as the ADGL’s fourth Bishop Ordinary will be chosen by God through our collective discernment at our 2026 Synod business meeting on October 17th.

As we remember God’s faithfulness to us nationally over two and a half centuries as well as to us provincially and as a diocese over the past nearly two decades, let us pray with thanksgiving for all his many blessings and with faith-filled supplication for his gracious leading for our future years in mission.

Please pray with me:

“Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage:

We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful

of your favor and glad to do your will.  Bless our land with honorable industry,

sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;

from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.  Defend our liberties,

and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many 

kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in your Name,

we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home,

and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time  of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; 

all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously

on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall

choose a Bishop Coadjutor for the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes

that we may receive a faithful pastor who will preach the Gospel,

care for your people, equip us for ministry, and lead us forth

in fulfillment of the Great Commission; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.“

Your servant for Jesus’ sake,

+Mark

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Visitation at All Souls-Indianapolis, IN

20th Anniversary Celebration at Holy Trinity-Hudson, OH

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