Bishop Keith Ackerman commends the work: “All streams of Anglicanism will find this to be a film that will endure, as will the Faith that it represents!”

The renowned theologian and author J.I. Packer adds:  “Sound, Stimulating, Satisfying.  A first-rate introduction to real Anglicanism.”

Anglicans comprise the third largest Christian group globally, yet very few lay people here in North America can explain Anglicanism effectively. How to get people up-to-speed about Anglicanism in reasonably short order? Even inspire one to dig deeper into it. Books? Teachings? Well, of course. But how about a little technology? A DVD perhaps. But not the infomercial sort of thing. What if an entertainment answered the question “What is Anglicanism?” Helped people to tell others “Why I’m an Anglican?” What if there were, well, a one-act stage play? One that wasn’t “churchy” at all, though accurate and entertaining. Maybe add a little Gershwin music for good measure. And a prickly media lady – we’ll call her Merrily Inclement – to confront historical Anglicans C.S. Lewis, Thomas Cranmer and Richard Hooker. What if Hollywood got involved – filmed a great performance by professional actors, producer, director, cinematographers, film editors, sound people . . . the Hollywood cinematic works? Well, it’s happened! Surprising Merrily is now a 45 minute DVD that can be enjoyed by a Church congregation or by anyone at home or with friends.

Thomas Cranmer renovated the English Church during the Great Reformation, producing the first Book of Common Prayer in 1549. Richard Hooker (1554-1600) refined Cranmer’s legacy. C.S. Lewis came to faith some 400 years later. He wonderfully expounded the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic faith in our time.

Though Merrily Inclement and her Surprising Merrily television show are fictional, the four characters meet in a literary form called the supposal where – as they explore Anglicanism – we are reminded that a personal encounter with “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” has a way of producing its own surprises.

View the Trailer:

Trailer for Surprising Merrily from Joe Russell on Vimeo.

You may purchase a copy a DVD at Amazon.com -OR- Anglican House Publishers will gift one copy to churches who promise to screen the play for their congregation.  To request your free copy, send an email to merrily@ahpub.org

On the morning of Saturday, April 20, 2013 members of HopePointe Anglican Church in The Woodlands, TX joined with leaders from the Anglican Church in North America, the Anglican Church of Rwanda and local ecumenical partners to participate in the consecration of their senior pastor, The Very Rev. Clark WP Lowenfield.

Bishop Lowenfield will oversee the Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast (DWGC), a diocese in formation of the Anglican Church in North America, currently comprised of congregations throughout Louisiana and Texas.

The Most Rev. Robert Duncan, Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in North America was the chief consecrator.  The Rt. Rev. Nathan Gasatura, under whom Lowenfield previously served, was also in attendance as a representative of the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, The Most Rev. Dr. Onesphore Rwaje.  The Rt. Rev. Terrell Glenn preached the ordination sermon.

Archbishop Duncan was assisted in the consecration by Bishops Jack Iker (Diocese of Fort Worth), Royal Grote (REC Diocese of Mid-America), John Guernsey (Anglican Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic), Bill Murdoch (Anglican Diocese in New England), Neil Lebhar (Gulf Atlantic Diocese), Steve Wood (Diocese of the Carolinas), Bill Thompson (Diocese of Western Anglicans) and Quigg Lawrence (PEARUSA).

The service included a time for “One Mission Pastors” to pray over the newly consecrated bishop.  Comprised of local senior pastors from various Christian denominations throughout The Woodlands, One Mission Pastors began meeting together in 2010 in Gospel partnership to reach their community with the love of Jesus Christ.  As one of the founding members, Lowenfield said he will continue to be part of the group.

“What God has done in The Woodlands is that he has caused a number of churches to realize that we’re not supposed to be divided,” Lowenfield said.  “We might worship differently on some things, but we’re called to be the church together.”

For more information on the Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast (DIF), visit their website at http://www.dwgc.org.  For information on One Mission Pastors, visit http://www.one-mission.net.

“As we pray for those affected by the bombings in Boston, MA, it seems appropriate to pray for the reign of Christ in this situation. May the Lord pour out His Spirit of peace during this time of chaos and violence.”
- Canon Jack Lumanog, Office of the Archbishop

Collect of the Reign of Christ:
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.