Christmas 2025 NEA

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we celebrate together a new year of the Church in this season of Advent, we are also celebrating a new season in the life of our Church and our Diocese. As you all will have heard, we are now reunited with the Anglican Catholic Church, from which we were separated thirty-four years ago. Rejoice that our Lord’s command that we all be one, even as he and the Father are one, is coming closer to fruition. On October 15, 2025, the General Synod of the Anglican Church in America and the Provincial Synod of the Anglican Catholic Church became one Synod. We met each other not only as friends but as sisters and brothers. We did business, but we also reunited in true fellowship and love.

What does this mean for our Diocese?

The Diocese of the Northeast and the Missionary Diocese of the Resurrection have

joined together. Bishop Rocco Florenza of the MDOR has graciously stepped back and retired, giving up his authority as Bishop Ordinary and allowing me to become Bishop of the combined Diocese. We are adding some new parishes (and even states) into the Diocese. There will be new people to welcome when we come together at our next Synod. We will need to spend time determining exactly how we move forward together. However, these are minor activities, because all of us are so excited to being part of this reunion. In my conversations with the clergy of the MDOR, they are looking forward with great anticipation to what our God can accomplish in our midst in the northeastern corner of our country!

Of course, there are a few contrary voices. St. Paul’s parish in Portland, ME, has decided that they do not wish to be part of this reunion. They have resigned from the Diocese and joined another jurisdiction. It is important to note that, out of all of the parishes in the ACA and in the ACC, this is the only parish which has done so. We wish them well in their new endeavors and will continue to pray for them and for their clergy.

Advent, of course, brings with it a change of focus for the Church and its people. Whereas we have been thinking during the season of Trinity about our individual and corporate growth in Christ, we now turn our attention upon the coming of Christ, as a child in Bethlehem, but more importantly as our Lord and Judge, coming from the clouds in glory. He will come to examine the Church. He will come to examine each and every member of the Church. Are we ready for Him? Jesus calls us to forsake the glories of the world and follow Him. It is my prayer that we might be able to turn to God more and more each day, seek His face more closely, and follow His path into righteousness.

May you be truly blessed during this Advent and rejoice in Christ’s birth and also his coming in Glory!!

Your brother and Bishop,

+Hendy

+NEA 2025-12 clr.pdf

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