CANA Expands Forming New District in the Northeast

Bishop Bena and Fr. Emeka Nwigwe Celebrate the Eucharist

Fr. Jeff Altman (Holy Trinity, Syracuse, NY) teaches a Bible Study

Constitution ratified at inaugural Synod
October 15, 2009

The first gathering of Anglican churches in the northeastern United States affiliated with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) concluded its deliberations Monday, October 12th with the formation of a new district of local churches under the oversight of Bishop David Bena. This group of churches, known as the Anglican District of the Northeast (ADN), is the third such regional organization of CANA parishes which has formed in the last few years. The previous two districts were the Anglican District of Virginia, and the Anglican District of the Great Lakes. Ten parishes from Maine, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York gathered at the Christ the King Spiritual Life Center in Greenwich, New York to adopt a constitution and elected nine clergy and laity to form a governing Synod Council for the new district. This Synod of local churches spent as much time in prayer, worship, and Bible study as it did in the business of electing and appointing leaders and adopting its constitution.

“This was a very prayerful gathering of people who want to see the gospel of Jesus Christ spread in the souls of their brothers and sisters here in the northeastern United States,” commented Bishop Bena upon the conclusion of the Synod meeting. “I am honored to be their bishop and guide them in the years ahead.”

The Anglican District of the Northeast consists of Anglican churches under the spiritual direction of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. Bishop Bena retired from his position as a suffragan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese Albany in upstate New York to join CANA and the Church of Nigeria. In addition to his involvement with ADN, he is the bishop with oversight of the CANA churches of the Anglican District of Virginia.

The churches which met to ratify the constitution and form the ADN include the parishes of Anglican Community Church in Batavia, New York, Bishop Seabury Church in Groton, Connecticut, Christ Church Anglican in East Haven, Connecticut, Good Shepherd Anglican Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Church of the Holy Trinity in Syracuse, New York, Holy Trinity Church in Bristol, Connecticut, Pentecost Church in Manhattan, New York, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Vestal, New York, and St. George’s Anglican Church in Helmetta, New Jersey. Tremont Congregational Church in Tremont, Maine was also present and is contemplating submitting the membership decision to join the District to a congregational vote. Tremont has been embracing many aspects of Anglican worship for several years.