Reflections from Provincial Assembly 2024

Four youth delegates from Holy Cross Anglican Church attended Provincial Assembly in Latrobe, PA from June 25-28, 2024. Read on to hear their experiences and takeaways from their time there.

Reflections from Collin Alexander: The position of a youth delegate is an interesting one. Part of the youth delegate’s role is to observe and learn how the church operates, what it looks like when hundreds of Anglicans gather together to study, worship, and decide on our orientation towards the future, and my fellow ADOTS youth delegates and I certainly did that. We watched Archbishop Steve Wood officially assume the position he had been elected to, during one of two especially holy, memorable services held during our time in Latrobe. Watching this was, of course, informative intellectually, but it was also informative spiritually. Over the course of the entire assembly, great pains were taken to ensure that all attendees were served in this way. Our numerous times of corporate prayer and learning ensured this; at least, I know that both my mind and heart were frequently touched by the wisdom and love of those that led and taught us, and by the very easily observable presence of God amidst all that was taking place. My fellow ADOTS youth delegates and I frequently visited the basilica on campus, and it served as a sort of focus for the reflection that the Provincial Assembly prompted. Within the basilica was a magnificent altar crowning a richly decorated church interior, but it ultimately is a table we use to prepare our Lord’s Supper; in the same way, we may gather at these assemblies and cherish the ceremony and beautiful expression of our Anglican tradition, and conduct necessary business, but it is ultimately a time where Christians gather together in the name of Christ. Understanding this, as a youth delegate, puts the event into perspective: it is a time for Christians to celebrate Christ, if we look at the core of what is taking place. We simply did this in a particular way, in a particular space. So, this Provincial Assembly was, for me, a critical teaching moment, where God touched my heart directly and through those gathered in His name, and I am especially grateful to have been present there.

Reflections from Lucy Clemente: The moments that stay the most vivid in my mind were the services at the basilica. We youth delegates explored it the night before the first service, which was a breathtaking experience. Draped in dusk, it was hauntingly beautiful to walk through. The statues of saints cast double shadows. It was peacefully silent. The next day was the opening service! The light filled the basilica and brought it to life. The organ played triumphantly during the procession, as saints present from all over joined together in one song. At the second service, which was the ordination of Steve Wood, us delegates had the honor of representing our churches during the procession. Truly, these were memorable services for me to participate in as a youth delegate because the presence and power of God was so greatly felt and witnessed through the glory of these brilliant services! 

Reflections from Cian Battenhouse: As a youth delegate from Holy Cross Cathedral, the 2024 ACNA Provincial Assembly was one of the most inspiring events I’ve ever gone to. It is rare that the average Christian truly gets to see how God is working to build his church at home and abroad; and not simply abroad in the sense of across the Atlantic, but even unto the countries which lie nearly on the other side of the globe. On Wednesday Afternoon, everyone attended the opening eucharist of the Assembly. The basilica it was held in was grand, consecrated in 1905, and built in a Neo-Romanesque style; which all only added to the brilliance of the service as hundreds of Anglicans came together in prayer and worship. However, the cathedral also lacked air conditioning, instead getting so hot that several members of the clergy fainted. Despite this, worship continued, and, with several people handing out water, Father Roberts began his sermon. Citing the first chapters of Amos, he spoke on what eventually became one recurring theme across speakers at the assembly, the need to give God all glory, and that judgment comes for all. We then proceeded to the business meeting, where Provincial unity was eschewed as the only dissenting votes came from a singular man who voted nay twice over seemingly uncontroversial canons. After this my fellow youth delegates and I had the remarkable privilege of eating dinner with the Bishops. We got to meet the Most Rev. Thomas Oomen, the former Moderator of the Church of South India, and personally discuss how their church has been working to combat the inequality of the caste system in India. Afterwards we attended a sermon by Deacon John Stonestreet. He preached on the need for constant deference to, and reliance upon, scripture, and achieved one of the best analyses of Church unity I’ve ever heard. He argued that, when dealing with controversial issues such as the ordination of female priests, the danger of apostasy was not simply in one’s ‘side’ on the issue, but how one went about it. He explained that those churches who had decided such issues using culturally conceived arguments almost always fell away, they had chosen to obey culture instead of the Word of the Lord, however, those churches who changed in one way or another, but relied solely upon scripture in their reasoning, never fell away from fundamental Christian doctrine. On Thursday, we got to hear from Archbishop Steve Wood, as well as attend several break out sessions of choice. I was able to attend a packed session from the Salimi family, who discussed the brutal oppression they had gone through in Iran for their faith, and how they had lost nearly everything as they fled to Turkey, going into hiding for months until miraculously gaining entrance into the US. It is rare that one hears from people like the Salimis, who seem to have fully internalized the meaning of Galatians 2:20, and, in giving up all hope in the world, reaped the harvest of fully placing their will and hope in Christ. Additionally, we got to hear former Archbishop Foley’s closing address, where he gave praise for how far the ACNA had come since its inception, and enunciated how much was possible when Christ was placed at the center of our lives. While on the surface it may seem I heard from disparate speakers from entirely different places and backgrounds, throughout the Provincial Assembly I was able to witness the true unity of God’s Church in sharing in his grace and Spirit. Despite superficial separations, it can be seen that as long as we fully submit to his Word and will, God provides for the unity and life of His Church just as he provides food for the birds of the sky, or clothing for the lilies of the field.

Reflections from Zachary Champness: Getting to go on this trip recently to Latrobe for the provincial assembly has has been a blessing to be able to experience. Being able to spend time on the campus of St. Vincent college was really enjoyable as I got to spend a lot of my time meeting a lot of people from all over the world who had great points of view. When I wasn’t meeting all the great people of the provincial assembly I was able to get to see the beautiful campus of St. Vincent college. Walking into that basilica was truly awe inspiring every time unfailingly. Every time I think about that I’m just impressed at how well put together of an event I was blessed to be able to attend. In closing I truly can’t be more grateful for this opportunity i was given and would like to thank everyone involved in facilitating me getting there.