Delegates to the nineteenth meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19) heard from a number of Anglican Networks on Tuesday afternoon, learning more about the wide range of ministry taking place across the Anglican Communion.

The Anglican Networks are voluntary groups that bring together Anglicans from around the world to share expertise, encourage one another and work together in areas of mission and ministry. Supported by the Anglican Communion Office, they provide opportunities for collaboration across more than 165 countries.

Eight networks took part in a facilitated session, each sharing something of its work and future priorities. 

The Revd Canon Dr Helen Van Covering, Chair of the IAWN Steering Group addresses the session on Networks

The first presentation came from the Revd Canon Dr Helen Van Koevering, the rector of St. Raphael's Episcopal Church, in Lexington Kentucky and the chair of the International Anglican Women's Network (IWAN). Helen served in mission and ministry in the Diocese of Niassa, Mozambique, for 25 years.

She described the network's commitment to upholding the God-given dignity of women and girls, working to eradicate gender-based inequality and violence and promoting just relationships throughout the Anglican Communion.

Reflecting on the network's work over the past year, she said members had concentrated on listening to and sharing the experiences of women whose voices are often overlooked. She also spoke about the important role women play in the life of the Church and in proclaiming the Gospel.

Speaking about women in situations of conflict, she observed that 'when women lead, peacemaking happens.'

Recognising that issues surrounding women in the Anglican Communion are often complex, she encouraged the whole Church to continue listening to grassroots women's voices as it seeks new ways forward. 

The Rt Revd Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells and Malachi St John, Anglican Communion Office speak about the work of the Anglican Health Network

The Rt Revd Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells in the Church of England, presented the Anglican Health and Community Network (AHCN) together with Dr Malachi St Jean, a Haitian physician and public health professional currently working with the Anglican Communion Office’s advocacy team.

They described how the network supports health ministries throughout the Communion and highlighted projects promoting community health in places including Guatemala and Angola. They also spoke about encouraging dioceses to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene, while supporting lower-income countries as they respond to the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases.

Bishop Michael concluded by speaking about the network's response to the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo through the provision of technical information and faith resources. 

Brother Christopher John, Anglican Religious Orders Network speak about the work of the Networka

Brother Christopher John SSF presented the work of the Anglican Religious Orders Network (ARON), which brings together Anglican religious communities from around the world.

He described how the network supports more than 1,000 members in 35 countries through international online gatherings, specialist working groups and the development of new resources that strengthen relationships between religious communities across the Communion. 

Paula de Mello Alves, Anglican Communion Youth Network about the work of the Anglican Youth Network

The Anglican Communion Youth Network (ACYN) was presented by Paula de Mello Alves from Porto Alegre in Brazil and a member of the Anglican Communion Youth Network's global leadership team, introduced the work of the network. Brazil.

She explained that the network brings together more than 700 young adults and youth workers from across the Anglican Communion, encouraging prayer, leadership development and mission.

The network also seeks to ensure that young voices are heard in the life and decision-making of the Anglican Communion while supporting young leaders in their local churches. She concluded by inviting delegates to encourage young people from their provinces to become involved in the network. 

The Revd Richard Burnett, Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion speaks about the commission to the session on Networks

The Rev Richard Burnett, General Secretary, introduced the work of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion (CUAC), which connects more than 160 Anglican colleges and universities across five continents. He spoke about the importance of international partnerships, student and faculty exchanges and collaborative learning, encouraging institutions to work together in strengthening Anglican higher education around the world. 

The Most Revd Kay Goldsworthy of the Anglican Church of Australia speaks about the Anglican Schools Commission

The Archbishop of Perth, the Most Revd Kay Goldsworthy, presented the Anglican Communion Schools' Network, (ACSN)one of the newest Anglican Networks following its establishment by ACC-18 in Ghana.

She reflected on the diversity of Anglican schools internationally, noting that in some countries, they are the only places where children hear about Jesus and prayer. Others serve children living in refugee settlements or continue to provide education in areas affected by war and conflict.

Archbishop Kay described Anglican schools as places of education and mission, nurturing hearts, strengthening minds and building faithful communities of learning. Looking ahead, she said the network hopes to expand professional learning opportunities, increase connections between Anglican schools and encourage participation from provinces not yet represented. 

Lizzie Jeanes and Eamonn Mullally Co-Chairs of the Bishops Spouses Network speak about the group to the session on Networks

Delegates also heard from the Anglican Communion Network of Bishops' Spouses.(ACNBS). Representing the network, Lizzie Jeanes and Eamonn Mullally spoke about the fellowship and support offered to the spouses of bishops through regular prayer, Bible study and pastoral care. They noted the importance of accompanying one another, particularly during times of natural disaster and other challenges facing provinces across the Communion. 

The Revd Suchita Behera speaks about the Anglican Families Network to the session on Networks

The final presentation came from the Rev Suchitra Behera of the Church of Bangladesh on behalf of the International Anglican Family Network. (IAFN) She described families as places where faith is nurtured, dignity is protected and hope is sustained, even in communities facing war, poverty, climate change and other hardships.

'Across the Anglican Communion,' she said, 'families are not only recipients of care; they are also the place where faith is nurtured, dignity is protected, and hope is sustained in the midst of war, climate change, and other adversity.'

She encouraged churches throughout the Communion to celebrate the God-given potential of families as places of belonging, discipleship and reconciliation.

The presentations highlighted the breadth of ministry taking place through the Anglican Networks and the many ways in which Anglicans are working together across the Communion in mission, education, health, advocacy and Christian witness.

A second networks presentation to ACC-19 delegates is due this Thursday. 

More information

Learn more about the Anglican Networks.

Learn more about the Anglican Health and Community Network.

Read more about Anglicans responding to the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

Read more about the call for ‘prayers with practical action’ in response to the Ebola outbreak.