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It is with a healthy measure of relief and joy that the Apostolic Johannite Church applauds the decision of the California Supreme Court to overturn the ban on same-sex marriages.

Throughout its history, the Apostolic Johannite Church has remained committed to the principles enshrined in both Canon Law and its Statement of Principles- making no distinction between heterosexual and homosexual marriages providing they represent sacramental vows of union.

Further to this, the Apostolic Johannite Church likewise recognizes the need for and gives its support to civil ceremonies of marriage, recognizing the freedom of choice of all human beings to engage in a religious or secular life as they see fit, celebrating their lives through civil, social and religious tradition.

It is our hope that other communities, religious denominations and governments will look upon the example given anew by California, and supported by such countries as the Netherlands, Canada and Spain, and work to likewise outline and uphold the right of all their citizens and adherents to the recognition of the value of their partnerships.

The Patriarch of the Apostolic Johannite Church

The Apostolic Johannite Church together with the Office of the Patriarch is pleased to announce Conclave 2008: San Francisco- May 7th to May 11th, the Feast of Pentecost. There will be a meeting of the Apostolic Council of the Apostolic Johannite Church, interviews and discussion for the Clergy and Laity with the Patriarch of the Apostolic Johannite Church and the presentation of the revised Sacramentary of the Apostolic Johannite Church by the Prefect for Liturgy.

In addition to these events, there will also be several presentations, all open to the public:

• The Patriarch’s Address to the Conclave of the Apostolic Johannite Church
• Lecture on St. John the Baptist and Revelation by His Grace, Dr. William Behun, Mar Thomas
• Presentation on the History of the Divine Office by the Rev. Mr. Tim Mansfield, Ph.D.
• Workshop on Hesychasm by Bishop Thomas Langley, Primate of the Alexandrian Gnostic Church

The Apostolic Johannite Church is also happy to announce the ordinations of several worthy S.T.L. students of St. Raphael the Archangel Seminary:

• The Rev. Mrs. Juliana Carnes to the Holy Diaconate for the Apostolic Johannite Church in San Francisco
• The Rev. Mr. Anthony Silvia to the Holy Diaconate for the Apostolic Johannite Church in Boston
• The Rev. Deacon Stu Berry, M.A. to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood for the Apostolic Johannite Church, to serve with Regina Coeli Parish in Victoria
• The Rev. Mr. Tim Mansfield, Ph.D. to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood for the Apostolic Johannite Church in Sydney, Australia

As always there will be plenty of fellowship, fun, and likely a few surprises- and we hope you will join with us.

The Apostolic Johannite Church is proud to announce the incardination of the Rev. Father Norman Kraft, STL.From Father Kraft’s upcoming Bio on the Johannite website:

“Originally from southern California, Fr. Norman Kraft is an author, speaker, educator and health care professional living in Salem, Massachusetts.

Following undergraduate studies, he entered an Orthodox Catholic seminary in 1986, graduating with his Licentiate in Sacred Theology(STL) three years later. Father Kraft has served in the Orthodox Church, the Congregational Church, and in several chaplaincy roles. Inthe 1990’s he devoted several years of chaplaincy and service to people with AIDS in southern California. He incardinated to thePriesthood in the Apostolic Johannite Church in 2007. In addition to this work, Father Kraft is a dedicated student ofChinese medicine, philosophy and martial arts. He holds a masters degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine, is a licensed acupuncturist,and has maintained a clinical practice since 1980. He has lectured and written widely on the subjects of Chinese medicine and psychiatry.His current ministry is focused on health care chaplaincy, especially in the field of death, dying and grief (thanatology). As an expressionof this ministry, Fr. Kraft volunteers his time to work with local hospice organizations and hospitals in Massachusetts.

A gnostic and theological syncretist, he is currently pursuing a MTh/PhD degree, drawing inspiration from Western monastic andcontemplative traditions, Chinese Taoism, Buddhism, and Native American (Athabascan) religious systems.

An Adept of the Aurum Solis Order, Norman Kraft is the author of “Ogdoadic Magick” (Weiser, 2001) a well-regarded work for newcomers tothe Ogdoadic tradition. He currently leads an Ogdoadic working group, the “Lapis Lazuli Circle” (www.ogdoadic.org).

Father Kraft married his wife Jeanie, also a health care professional, at Abbaye Notre-Dame d’Aiguebelle, a Cistercian monastery in southernFrance in 2001. Together they enjoy travel and ancient churches, and are regular visitors to monasteries in the U.S.”

Since joining the Apostolic Johannite Church, Fr. Kraft has served as a resource for clergy, laity and seminarians alike, bringing to the table his significant understanding of praxis, history and his gentle wisdom.

If his time so far can be taken as an indication, and the Apostolic Council of the Apostolic Johannite Church has expressed their confidence with a unanimous vote to that effect, we can indeed look forward to many years of continued humble and devoted service to the substantial ministerial work that Father Kraft is actively engaged in.

The Patriarch of the Apostolic Johannite Church

I had the honor and pleasure to be able to take a trip to Boston, and meet with the members of St. Sarah’s Narthex in Massachusetts. It was an amazing trip. I spent several days with Reverend Mister Anthony Silvia in Lowell, MA; did some site-seeing, visited with my Sexton Donald Donato, celebrated the Rev. Mr.’s birthday, and saw a wonderful set of small plays directed and managed by Anthony. I was able to meet with Reverend Norman Kraft, of Salem, Massachusetts, and personally welcome him into the clergy.

I also had the opportunity to say the Divine Liturgy for St. Sarah’s in Haverhill, MA, on January 12, 2008. His Grace Thomas Langley and Reverned Mister Anthony Paul were in attendance, from the Alexandrian Gnostic Church, as well as Sister Pamela from the Order of St. Esclarmonde, Brother Eric from the Order of Allogenes, and a new member. Rev. Mr. Anthony Silvia’s parents were also in attendence. It was well received by all participants. I was able to present St. Sarah’s with a set of ampullae to add to their accumulation of liturgical supplies.

I am thankful that I had the good fortune to be able to travel out at this time, and enjoyed meeting each and every one of you. I hope to continue my habit of traveling around the world to visit our growing Church. Your efforts are all greatly appreciated, and I hope that my visits are beneficial to all. I know it can be tough to be a gnostic group, often the only gnostic group in several states, and I hope my visits can draw us all together and community and understanding.

As far as I know, my next visit will be San Francisco, for Conclave, May 7-11. However, I’m always willing to entertain the idea of visiting elsewhere, so don’t hesitate to ask.

May Grace and Gnosis be with you all.

Fr. Scott Rassbach+

The Apostolic Johannite Church is pleased to mark the visit of The Most Reverend Thomas Langley, Ep.Gn, The Primate of the Alexandrian Gnostic Church,  to Calgary.

The Patriarch received Bishop Langley at his home for discussion on mutual goals, concerns and issues.  On St. John’s Day following, both Bishops participated in liturgy, as well as a recognition and strengthening of the ties that exist historically between the two jurisdictions.

The Apostolic Johannite Church and Alexandrian Gnostic Church have each expressed a desire for future work and collaboration, in the spirit of harmony and fraternity in the years to come.

As a part of these goals, the clergy and laity of the Alexandrian Gnostic Church will be attending a gathering at St. Sarah’s Narthex in Boston, MA, in January- which will be attended in whole or in part by The Reverend Father Scott Rassbach of Madison, The Reverend Father Norman Kraft of Salem and the Reverend Mr. Anthony Silvia, administrator of St. Sarah’s, as well as members of the Order of St. Esclarmonde, notably Sister Pamela.

On behalf of the Apostolic Council, the whole of the clergy and laity of the Apostolic Johannite Church, and from myself personally, the Apostolic Johannite Church would like to wish you and yours, a very blessed and joyous Christmas. May the peace which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the Divine Beloved, and on each other during this holy season.

Amen.

The Patriarch of the Apostolic Johannite Church

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Saturday, October 20th, 2007- 6:30pm- Unitarian Church of Calgary

for the Commemoration of the Order of the Temple

Please note that Liturgy for September 19th, 2007 at St. Joseph of Arimathea has been canceled.