June 15, 2022
Dear Friends in Christ,
As presiding bishop of The National Catholic Church of North America (TNCCNA) I felt it was my responsibility to look to the future of the parish and the jurisdiction for which I was entrusted. The jurisdiction clergy are getting older and fewer in number. Therefore, I felt the obligation to dissolve the jurisdiction and seek to be incardinated into a more stable jurisdiction with a longer history.
Ever grateful to God for you, I am,
Bishop Leonard Walker
602-432-7808
123letgoletgod@outlook.com
Bishop Leonard Walker
602-432-7808 //123letgoletgod@outlook.com
Dear Friends in Christ,
As presiding bishop of The National Catholic Church of North America (TNCCNA) I felt it was my responsibility to look to the future of the parish and the jurisdiction for which I was entrusted. The jurisdiction clergy are getting older and fewer in number. Therefore, I felt the obligation to dissolve the jurisdiction and seek to be incardinated into a more stable jurisdiction with a longer history.
Ever grateful to God for you, I am,
Bishop Leonard Walker
602-432-7808
123letgoletgod@outlook.com
Bishop Leonard Walker
602-432-7808 //123letgoletgod@outlook.com
Divine Savior celebrated Christmas at the home of Muriel - 2019
EASTER 2019 + Return of the Easter Bonnets
TNCCNA CONVOCATION - OCTOBER 1,2,3 2019 - KINGMAN, AZ
OUR LAST KUPA event (LOOK FOR OUR NEXT) February 17, 2019
A PLACE FOR INCLUSION
topics:
Antisemitism
Islamaphobia
Homophobia
Xenophonia
White Nationalism
Conservative Christian Nationalism
Presenters: Fr. Philip Shaw, Fr. Leonard Walker, Imam Farooq Mahmood, Stake President Vance Miller, Pastor Ray Christenson (ret)
With the generous hospitality of the Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints
A PLACE FOR INCLUSION
topics:
Antisemitism
Islamaphobia
Homophobia
Xenophonia
White Nationalism
Conservative Christian Nationalism
Presenters: Fr. Philip Shaw, Fr. Leonard Walker, Imam Farooq Mahmood, Stake President Vance Miller, Pastor Ray Christenson (ret)
With the generous hospitality of the Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints
PREVIOUS Kingman United Pastoral Association Event
On Sunday, April 22nd at 5:00 pm, at Grace Lutheran Church (2101 Harrison Street, Kingman AZ), the Kingman Unified Pastoral Association hosted Dr. Lowell Almen who spoke on Religious discussions and agreements with a variety of religions. Dr. Almen had audiences with Pope John XXIII, Pope Benedict, The Patriarch of Istanbul and other religious groups. He has written a book, “World Religions and Christian Mission”. He also wrote, “Our Neighbors Faith”. There was a discussion time and a Potluck Dinner that followed immediately after.
On Sunday, April 22nd at 5:00 pm, at Grace Lutheran Church (2101 Harrison Street, Kingman AZ), the Kingman Unified Pastoral Association hosted Dr. Lowell Almen who spoke on Religious discussions and agreements with a variety of religions. Dr. Almen had audiences with Pope John XXIII, Pope Benedict, The Patriarch of Istanbul and other religious groups. He has written a book, “World Religions and Christian Mission”. He also wrote, “Our Neighbors Faith”. There was a discussion time and a Potluck Dinner that followed immediately after.
ANNUAL CHURCH SYNOD - HELD HERE IN KINGMAN!
The National Catholic Church of North America’s 2018 Synod
The National Catholic Church of North America held this year’s synod in Kingman, Arizona. The host church was Divine Savior Independent Catholic Church.
A Meet and Greet that took place on the evening of Tuesday April 24th kicking off the three-day gathering. Clergy and laity from several churches within the jurisdiction met at the Best Western Plus Wayfarer’s Inn. It was a time when old friends reunited, and new friends were made.
The first round of meetings took place at the church hall for Divine Savior. Of particular importance was the election of Fr. Leonard Walker to the become the jurisdictional newest bishop. “It is indeed a great honor to be elevated to the position of bishop,” said Fr. Walker. A special consecration mass will take place in Kingman at Divine Savior’s church located at 425 E. Spring Street on Saturday May 19th at 3:30. All are invited.
It was also formally announced that the headquarters for TNCCNA will be relocated from Phoenix to Kingman. The address as registered with the State of Arizona is 3045 Louise Avenue in Kingman, Arizona 86401.
Lunch was a time when attendees were encouraged to get in their daily exercise. Most indeed chose to walk the three or four blocks to a local Italian restaurant. A separate meeting room was reserved for the buffet-style meal.
Bishop Sue Provost presented the topic of the canons. Each member received an advanced copy soliciting comments. Those comments and suggestions were incorporated in the presentation given at the synod.
The first full day ended just before 4pm.
Thursday’s meeting (a retreat) also took place again at the church hall. Fr. Leonard Walker of Divine Savior Independent Catholic Church and Mother Kathleen Jess of St. Anne Communion of Faith located in Henderson, Nevada gave presentations.
The Synod ended with the ordination to the Diaconate of Richard Brown of Kingman and Laura O’Donnell of Reno. Following the mass was a celebration dinner co-sponsored by Divine Savior held in a private dining facility in Kingman. Those attending enjoyed an excellent dinner of Cordon Blu while being serenaded by piano solo. It was the perfect ending to a perfect synod.
The next synod will be held in 2020.
KINGMAN DAILY MINER ARTICLE
http://kdminer.com/news/2016/aug/18/multi-enomination-clergy-outreach-hit-residents/
KINGMAN – Apparently, we can all get along.
To say the Kingman Unified Pastoral Association’s second Ecumenical Forum was successful might be an understatement. Loving Kindness was the prevailing theme as nearly 300 people packed the Grace Lutheran Church Sunday evening.
Pastor Ray Christenson, of Grace Lutheran Church, hosted religious leaders from the Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, Muslim and Latter-day Saints faiths during a public discussion on the enrichment of faiths through loving kindness.
Christenson said his church has 550 parishioners and an average of 300 per weekend.
“This event far exceeded that,” he said.Between 13 confirmations in the morning and the peaceful attendance of the night’s forum, “It was a perfect service.”
The first forum last year attracted just over 100 people. KUPA received a few negative responses in the days after the event, but there were no hostile activities this year. Last year the Kingman Police Department placed two officers at the service as a precaution. So far, none of the churches have received any threatening or hostile phone calls or emails.
The forum focused on the similarities between the Abrahamic religions, not a debate on whose God was the real one. The message of kindness and unity permeated the 90-minute conversation.
“Are there differences in our faiths? Absolutely,” Christenson said. “We are not here to discuss those differences, but rather our commonality.”
“The sense of God is hope, meaning and love,” said Rabbi Mindie Snyder from Temple of the Pines Synagogue in Flagstaff
“The heart of a believer must be full of love and kindness,” said Imam Umar Farooq Mahmood, from Masjid-E-Ibrahim Mosque.
There were two question and answer sessions.
Snyder was asked when Judaism began ordaining women rabbis. She answered that in 1972, the first woman rabbi was ordained and since then, women, gays and transgender clergy have been allowed in some of the more liberal communities. “It’s a fairly new concept,” she said. “There’s still a long way to go. It’s an evolutionary thing and were on a path.”
One gentleman asked about how non-Christian faiths define their truths, as compared to the Bible’s claim in John 14:6, the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ.
“We all have a flock. All of you are part of different flocks,” replied Father Phillip Shaw from Trinity Episcopal Church.
“But there is one shepherd. However we get there, we still get there.” Leaders explained that peace is more productive than conflict.
“It would be far more difficult if you were my enemy, than my friend,” said Father Leonard Walker, Priest for the Divine Savior Independent Catholic Community
“Many rivers lead to the same ocean,” said one woman. “I’m enjoying this.”
“We live in a world of differences,” said Latter-day Saint Sean Guthrie. “We need to understand them.”
Christenson will retire from his pastoral position at Grace Lutheran Church soon. His involvement with KUPA will continue and he’ll work with his replacement to continue the forums. One is planned for early 2017, but no official date or theme has been set.
As for expanding religious inclusiveness, Christenson said KUPA has reached out to the Buddhist community and will continue to do so.
Some of the suggestions for future forums include wholeness, peace, grace, mercy and reconciliation. Christenson says the theme will set the tone of the forum.
Despite continuing animosity from some local denominations, KUPA, interfaith forums and the expanding need for inclusiveness are here to stay.
“This will help the community in time to further understand and grow in our spiritual understanding,” Christenson said.
(the following article appeared in the Kingman Daily Miner)
RYAN ABELLA/Miner
Clergymen representing four different faith communities are coming together to hold a service for peace in January. From left: Pastor Ray Christenson, Father Leonard Walker, Father Philip Shaw, and Imam Umar Farooq Mahmood.
Peace service aims for reconciliation among KingmanitesInformal Kingman 'ministerial association' includes Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran and Muslim
kdminer.com |
KINGMAN - Tolerance is the antonym to prejudice, and four local faith leaders are uniting to bear witness to prejudice based on faith and to coming together as one community.
Father Philip Shaw of Trinity Episcopal Church, Imam Umar Farooq Mahmood of the Masjid Ibrahim Mosque, Father Leonard Walker of Divine Savior Catholic Church, and Pastor Ray Christenson of Grace Lutheran have been meeting informally once a month for the last four years. Christenson calls the group a "ministerial association."
"We are like-minded clergy finding ways to build reconciliation among the people in Kingman," said Christenson. "All four of us share a similar perspective of the world."
The faith leaders will be hosting a joint service of peace and unity at 6 p.m. on Jan. 8 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 423 E. Spring St. in Kingman. At the service, scriptures will be read from the Quran and the Bible, as well as prayers from all four leaders. Immediately following, a potluck supper will be held and the different faith communities present will be available for informal discussion on their faith.
Peace is the primary focus of the service. The clergymen recognize that, with events taking place over the last few years, public sentiment and prejudice has drawn lines between communities of faith, especially between Christianity and Islam.
"It's important to all of us in the world to realize that the people of faith are people of faith," said Shaw. "Every little branch of that has radicals that do disservice to the name. These are people that do horrible things under the guise of faith."
"We sometimes forget our history," said Mahmood. "Muslims have lived here in Kingman for decades. They have done nothing but serve this community. There are Muslims in the army, protecting their country - America.
True Islam
"We must be very open-minded about what true Islam is, and it's why we are getting together. We have nothing against other religions. We respect them, and we need to let people know," he said.
While public anti-Muslim rhetoric has been fairly limited to online groups on the local level, Mahmood has experienced prejudice as a Muslim here in Kingman. A notable example, according to both Mahmood and Father Walker, was when members of the community distributed flyers condemning Islam to cars parked at events at the fairgrounds. The flyers contained a photo taken by the Kingman Daily Miner of Mahmood from an article dating back to April.
"We all know the fear is out there," said Shaw. "We see it expressed in many different ways. But it is fear that is based off of a foundation of ignorance. If we can move the conversation away from ignorance, we can pull back the fear also."
"The political environment has certainly incited fear," added Walker. "They are saying that we are under attack. The only way to fight that is to act in faith, and to act in faith is to come together in prayer.
"The opposite of faith is fear. Fear is the opposite of faith. That's what we want to express. As people of faith, we oppose fear. We oppose fear mongering. There is no reason to be afraid of our brothers and sisters."
The clergymen hope to make this a regular service, to the point where Muslims and Christians can celebrate their faiths together without garnering media attention.
The service is open to the public. For more information, contact the Grace Lutheran Church front office at 928-753-3068.
© Copyright 2015 Western News&Info, Inc.® The Kingman Daily Miner is the information source for Kingman and surrounding area communities in Northern Arizona.
RYAN ABELLA/Miner
Clergymen representing four different faith communities are coming together to hold a service for peace in January. From left: Pastor Ray Christenson, Father Leonard Walker, Father Philip Shaw, and Imam Umar Farooq Mahmood.
Peace service aims for reconciliation among KingmanitesInformal Kingman 'ministerial association' includes Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran and Muslim
kdminer.com |
KINGMAN - Tolerance is the antonym to prejudice, and four local faith leaders are uniting to bear witness to prejudice based on faith and to coming together as one community.
Father Philip Shaw of Trinity Episcopal Church, Imam Umar Farooq Mahmood of the Masjid Ibrahim Mosque, Father Leonard Walker of Divine Savior Catholic Church, and Pastor Ray Christenson of Grace Lutheran have been meeting informally once a month for the last four years. Christenson calls the group a "ministerial association."
"We are like-minded clergy finding ways to build reconciliation among the people in Kingman," said Christenson. "All four of us share a similar perspective of the world."
The faith leaders will be hosting a joint service of peace and unity at 6 p.m. on Jan. 8 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 423 E. Spring St. in Kingman. At the service, scriptures will be read from the Quran and the Bible, as well as prayers from all four leaders. Immediately following, a potluck supper will be held and the different faith communities present will be available for informal discussion on their faith.
Peace is the primary focus of the service. The clergymen recognize that, with events taking place over the last few years, public sentiment and prejudice has drawn lines between communities of faith, especially between Christianity and Islam.
"It's important to all of us in the world to realize that the people of faith are people of faith," said Shaw. "Every little branch of that has radicals that do disservice to the name. These are people that do horrible things under the guise of faith."
"We sometimes forget our history," said Mahmood. "Muslims have lived here in Kingman for decades. They have done nothing but serve this community. There are Muslims in the army, protecting their country - America.
True Islam
"We must be very open-minded about what true Islam is, and it's why we are getting together. We have nothing against other religions. We respect them, and we need to let people know," he said.
While public anti-Muslim rhetoric has been fairly limited to online groups on the local level, Mahmood has experienced prejudice as a Muslim here in Kingman. A notable example, according to both Mahmood and Father Walker, was when members of the community distributed flyers condemning Islam to cars parked at events at the fairgrounds. The flyers contained a photo taken by the Kingman Daily Miner of Mahmood from an article dating back to April.
"We all know the fear is out there," said Shaw. "We see it expressed in many different ways. But it is fear that is based off of a foundation of ignorance. If we can move the conversation away from ignorance, we can pull back the fear also."
"The political environment has certainly incited fear," added Walker. "They are saying that we are under attack. The only way to fight that is to act in faith, and to act in faith is to come together in prayer.
"The opposite of faith is fear. Fear is the opposite of faith. That's what we want to express. As people of faith, we oppose fear. We oppose fear mongering. There is no reason to be afraid of our brothers and sisters."
The clergymen hope to make this a regular service, to the point where Muslims and Christians can celebrate their faiths together without garnering media attention.
The service is open to the public. For more information, contact the Grace Lutheran Church front office at 928-753-3068.
© Copyright 2015 Western News&Info, Inc.® The Kingman Daily Miner is the information source for Kingman and surrounding area communities in Northern Arizona.