Clergy and Clergy Wives Retreat 2024

The recent Clergy and Clergy Wives Retreat for the Mid-Atlantic Diocese of the Charismatic Episcopal Church was held on the scenic Kent Island, MD, providing a restful setting for reflection, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. During the retreat, the clergy gathered to renew their vows, reaffirming their commitment to ministry. A special moment was celebrated as Fr. Sam Foss and Deacons Caleb Northwood and Eli Northwood graduated from St. Michael’s Seminary, with the exciting announcement that Deacon Caleb Northwood will soon be ordained as a priest. 

 

The worship music was anointed and heartfelt, led by Deacon Caleb Northwood, enriching the retreat experience. It was a joy for all to welcome Fr. Sam and Trinity Foss’ new baby, David, into the community. Bishop Rob Northwood shared an inspiring message focused on the word “Gather,” a directive that he felt was given by the Lord to guide the Diocese forward in unity and purpose. 

 

Sarah Northwood provided practical insights on utilizing social media to reach the lost and strengthen church communities, encouraging all to leverage digital platforms effectively. Husbands and wives then had a chance to meet separately with the bishop and his wife, creating spaces for tailored support and fellowship. The clergy wives agreed to start meeting online monthly to support each other through prayer, committing to stay connected and uphold one another in their unique roles.  

 

The retreat was a refreshing and unifying experience, strengthening bonds within the diocese and setting a purposeful vision for the future. 

 

 

House of Bishops Recap October 2024

The October 2024 House of Bishops meeting was a deeply reflective time, marked by a strong sense of spiritual renewal, connection, and shared mission. Bishop Chuck Jones shared insights on the aftermath of the hurricane and then focused on the story of Caden—the young quarterback from Selma whose final prayers were for revival in his community. His prayers, intentions, and the community’s response appear to be sowing seeds of revival, particularly among the youth. 

Some notable quotes from Bishop Jones concerning the important of humility as the foundation for consensus government,  which is a hallmark of the CEC: 

“ If you’re seeking Christ, you’re obeying instructions, not making decisions”. 

“There’s only One  person who has the right to have an agenda.” 

“For consensus government, you must lay down your will.” 

Bishop Simpson’s teachings on humility, honoring one another, and the power of childlike faith emphasized the necessity of shedding strife and jealousy. These teachings were grounded in scriptural principles advocating kind speech and humility, calling us to release jealousy and grievances and to witness the power of God’s work when the Holy Spirit is no longer grieved. 

Bishop Rob Northwood’s reflections on St. Ignatius of Antioch and martyrdom provided a profound historical layer to the discussions. His insights on embracing the cross and living out Christ’s way, alongside a call to remember the sacrifices of martyrs, encouraged leaders to pursue authentic faith—not merely in orthodoxy (right teaching), but in orthopraxy (right practice). All were reminded to view the Church, both militant and triumphant, as the “one undivided body” from Christ’s perspective, transcending schisms and embracing unity, presenting a compelling vision of oneness and purpose. 

Overall, the House of Bishops meeting was marked by themes of unity, humility, forgiveness, and revival. This gathering emphasized the Church’s collective calling to be transformed through the cross, lay down individual agendas, and join Christ in His mission for the world. 

 

Saint Michael’s and All Angels’ New Sanctuary

After months of dedicated work and community effort, the congregation of Saint Michael and All Angels CEC Church in Williamsburg, VA, is proud to announce the grand opening of their new sanctuary. The new space, which stands as a testament to the unwavering faith and commitment of the parishioners, serves as the new home to the pulpit of the former Saint Andrew’s Church, as well as other traditional fixtures of liturgical worship. Check out the photo below to see the beautiful transformation!

 

For more information on service times and events, please visit the church’s website or contact the church office. Welcome to your new church home at Saint Michael and All Angels.

Saint Michael’s And All Angels Church Opening New Facility in Williamsburg

The Mid Atlantic Diocese is thrilled to announce the opening of the new facility of Saint Michael’s and all angels church in Williamsburg, Virginia! After a series of closed doors, Saint Michaels, and I’ll angels church was blessed with an opportunity to move their facilities to the top floor of a commercial building near downtown Williamsburg. The exposure and space have allowed for growth and an overhaul of church facilities. Father Michael Pacella, and Archdeacon, Larry Rieger are thrilled with what God has done and will invite anyone in the local community or in the Mid Atlantic region to come and visit and see what God has done! New chairs, new technology, new branding, and a new space are just he beginning of God’s move on Williamsburg.

 

Cathedral Building Update

The cathedral has recently completed a campaign to raise the money needed for the church facilities, equipment barn, and the construction of the barn is just complete this week. Floors were poured, and the last money came in within the same week. Praise the Lord, and thank you to all who supported this campaign. The “10 7s” campaign as the barn funding was called was a huge success with generous donors taking on portions of the barn funding and helping the church to establish a needed foothold in the process. The Church building basement is complete with walls and wooden flooring is being put in for the first floor this week. Next it will be stud walls for the first floor and the roof before long. Please continue to support the building project with prayer and tell others you know what we’re doing and how important it will be to have a Mid Atlantic Cathedral hub for convergence worship and healing. Updates posted at FHcathedral.com. If you or someone you know feel called to support the project, please contact the diocesan office: 410-838-6444.

Reconciliation – 25 Years in One Mighty River

THIS POST WRITTEN MARCH 2023 – DELAYED RELEASE

Avery Northwood
March 7, 2023

25 Years in One Mighty River

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of The Church of Reconciliation in Bel Air, Md., now the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of the Mid Atlantic. The congregation was honored to welcome Archbishop Craig Bates and his wife Cathy to help celebrate the occasion.

This is the Silver Anniversary of a parish birthed and formed entirely within the ICCEC. In 1995 Bishop Rob Northwood, then a deacon serving and helping to establish Christ the King Church in Towson, MD, received a prophetic word that he would plant a church in Bel Air, MD just 15 miles North of his current assignment. This was received with excitement even though he was currently studying at seminary, selling cars full time, fathering the first of many children, and was newly married. In February of 1996 he was ordained a priest and one week later was hosting the church’s first service in his home’s basement.

The church’s inaugural communion wine was very bitter, it’s first tabernacle was handmade, simple, and wooden, and it’s first service was marked by a sense of purpose and unity. The memories warmly recalled by many parishioners still present after all these years included recollections of Sarah Northwood, the Bishop’s wife, self-teaching guitar for praise, the home’s modest kitchen being used for coffee and fellowship, the living room being used for mid-week Bible study, the dining room a Sunday school classroom, the laundry room for the vesting clergy.

This reminiscence serves a greater purpose than nostalgia, it serves to illustrate the nature of a humble initiative serving a divine vocation. The recurring theme of each member’s recollection was the presence and hand of God through the years that would follow, His guidance in times of confusion, His blessing in times of want, His protection in times of turmoil, His love poured out to those who came seeking.

The question kept presenting itself all through the celebrations and testimonies and memories spoken: “Who would attend a church in a nondescript residential basement?” The answer of course; those who came thirsting for something real, something new, something touchedby God. Each trailblazing member was there for something intangible and beyond a youth group, nursery, outreac

h program, preaching, or praise. Each was there only to experience the Holy Spirit’s move, the written truth spoken, the Body and Blood of Christ, the community of a sincere church family.

These elements have flourished in the church today. The latest generation of seekers has found something that they describe in all the same terms. They have found a home, a family, something old and something new, something rich, something they can be a part of.

Looking ahead we see a vista, bright days, further stories of God’s greatness, stories so grand the coming generations will pass them on and anticipate God’s power in their lives. Looking ahead we see souls flocking to the church, the three streams integrated in worship. We see weddings, funerals, birthdays, baptisms, celebrations, and many, many more anniversaries. This year, The Church of Reconciliation’s 25th year, will be a mountaintop year. A year of long sight. A year of approaching horizons.

 

To God Be the Glory!

The Cathedral Church of Reconciliation

Bishop Northwood Concelebrates Mass with Diocesan Clergy

Wednesday evening, in the Eucharistic celebration of a healing service at the Cathedral in Belair, Maryland, Bishop Rob Northwood, was inspired to invite the clergy present in the room, representing Virginia, and Maryland, to come and con, celebrate the Eucharist with him. Present were Father Jeffrey Welch, Father Jim Ball, Father Terry Murphy, Father Samuel Foss, archdeacon Larry Rieger, and Deacon Mark Carico. Deacon Mark Carico preached a moving sermon on God’s desire to deliver from entanglements and bondage.

Bishop Rob said that the Holy Spirit was moving in that service, and that he believes the Holy Spirit has much that he wants to do. He hailed this summer as a “Summer of Healing” and highly anticipates the move of God through His Church, through the Eucharist, through the Holy Sacraments, and through healing services.

Reconciliation Institute completes second Academic Term

Reconciliation Institute completes second Academic Term.

On 30 April, Reconciliation Institute, which is the Mid-Atlantic Diocese’ satellite campus of The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI), graduated it’s second class of six students who completed Module 2, “The Kingdom of God”.  Joining in a Zoom distributed ceremony, the students shared their highlights and projects, and received kudos and a blessing from Bishop Rob Northwood.  Retaining four of the five students who completed the first term this past December, this group of students also added a non-CEC student through Saint Michael and All Angels parish in Williamsburg. Student appreciation for the TUMI Capstone Curriculum was such that all of the students continued on unto the summer term, “Conversion and Calling”, while adding another non-CEC student.  The summer term will graduate 30 July, and academic mentors Fr. Jeffrey Welch and ADCN Larry Rieger are already preparing for the fall term, “Theology of the Church”, which will begin 13 August.

May 7th Ordination

Saturday, May the 7th was marked by several momentous occasions. In a time of great fulfillment, those gathered witnessed the installation of its first archdeacon in many years, the ordination of Deacon Elijah Northwood, and the ordination of Father Samuel Foss.

Bishop Rob Northwood blessed and installed Deacon Lawrence Rieger to the office of Archdeacon with the assignment of developing that office and expanding the administrative processes of the diocese. He was given a red cincture in recognition of the responsibilities of the office he now holds, and following the service, the new Archdeacon expressed his true delight to serve the diocese and its churches in this manner. He has been operating in this role for several months and was instrumental in the coordinating of the weekend’s events.

Archdeacon Rieger receives a red cincture in recognition of his new office.

Deacon Elijah Northwood is one of the youngest ordinands ever in the North American CEC at 23 years old  and has been in ongoing seminary classes for several years. He is Bishop Northwood’s third son and is also the fourth of six children. He felt called to the ministry at the age of 19 and has not hesitated in his progress toward that calling. Prophetic words spoken over him during the ceremony encouraged him to continue to deliver the unaltered truth with characteristic compassion and foretold of his going where most men would not go, sitting with the poor and serving among the broken. He is a great gift to the church in this time of great need.

 

“Meditate on the law of God, believe what you read, teach what you believe and put into practice what you teach.” – Ordination Liturgy

Father Samuel Foss was ordained a priest and has completed his seminary training. He is a steadfast servant and has served as leader of the men’s ministry at the cathedral for several years. He concelebrated mass alongside Bishop Northwood Saturday after his consecration and boldly preached the gospel Sunday morning. People remarked on his bold delivery and the strength of his spirit to speak the truth. Bishop Northwood spoke after of his pride at seeing the young priest walking in faith to a life of such great service. Father Samuel said “I hope to execute and bring about the vision and mission that God has placed on our bishop for the different communities of our diocese.”

Kingdom Life Youth and Young Adult Retreat

Kingdom Life Youth and Young Adult Retreat

This past October, 60 young persons and leaders gathered at a Christian camp in Forest Hill, MD for two days of praise, prayer, fun, and teaching. With the question of Covid still looming and rainy weather threatening, the young people came from New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, some with 8-hour drives. They gathered together and called on the Lord as one to move in their lives and God did not disappoint.

The testimonies that came back from this retreat were witness to the move of God on the lives of willing people. Prior to the retreat, many of the leaders and youth reported strain, stress, personal doubts, and major inconvenience: all common signs of our enemy’s attempts to subvert a major act of God.

At the retreat, we saw young people prophesy, speak in tongues, experience life changing healing, deliverance, and direction. There were testimonies of physical healing, emotional healing including depression being lifted and anxiety calmed, and young hearts rededicated to the purpose of God.

Many of the leaders were encouraged by the response of the young people to the teaching and the retreat itself. “Father Jeffery Welch’s lesson entitled ‘Obstacles To Grace’ was mind-blowing” said one high school male. Another said he would come back if this were a monthly event. Still others expressed their desire for the retreat to be longer and occur more often. All were blessed in some way and eager for another similar experience.

Bishop Rob is intent on hosting another event of this kind in the coming year and has said that even with the tremendous amount of preparation required for a retreat such as this, God’s move always makes it more than worthwhile.