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What is AFP? | Parish Work | Structure | History | |
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What is AFP? The ANGLICAN FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER is an international organization which encourages people to pray together. Jesus said, "When two or three are gathered together in my Name, I will be there in the midst of them."(Matt. 18:20) The Anglican Fellowship of Prayer grew out of a prayer group led by Helen Shoemaker and Polly Wiley that began meeting in the 1950's. Under the guidance of Bishop Austin Pardue of Pittsburgh, Bishop Frederick Wilkinson of Toronto and Bishop Cuthbert Bardsley of Coventry, the Fellowship grew and began to influence the lives of thousands of people. The organization began officially in Canada after the International AFP Conference in Toronto in the spring of 1982, under the guidance of Mrs. Betty Gracie, with a small committee. "PRAYER UNITES" is the family motto of the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer. Prayer breaks through the barriers we humans erect and unites Christians of all ages, churches and backgrounds. We seek to encourage Anglicans around the world to pray for the whole state of Christ's church here on earth. We want to share teaching and insights about prayer from many sources in the Anglican Communion, for we all have much to learn from from one another. How is AFP Organized in Canada? AFP (Canada) seeks to maintain this ministry through a network of Diocesan Representatives (appointed in each case by the Diocesan Bishop) right across the country, - with the hopeful addition of deanery and parish prayer representatives. (Ideally, each diocese should have a prayer committee (a subgroup of the related Diocesan committee); and every ecclesiastical province would profit from an advisory group of senior lay and clergy personnel who have a passion for prayer.) The whole organization is guided by an Executive for all of Canada, with a working director. Ministry The ANGLICAN FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER in CANADA serves the church by providing prayer resources, teaching and encouragement in the work of prayer. AFP - Supports annual international conferences with teaching on prayer. - Encourages biennial Canadian area conferences, diocesan and parish prayer conferences, retreats and prayer workshops. - Maintains a network of Diocesan Representatives who serve as contact and resource people in each diocese throughout Canada. - Develops materials for teaching days and personal help in the spirituality and makes them available by mail order. - Arranges seminars in biblically-based spirituality for bishops, clergy and laity. - Develops special prayer resources for the church (intercession sheets, prayer cards and prayer vigial kits). |
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