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This page last updated 22 February 2008
Anglicans Online last updated 13 July 2008

Associations, Guilds

THIS SECTION LISTS INTERNATIONAL groups and associations whose membership crosses the Anglican Communion and is not specific to a country or province. If you are looking for a national Anglican association of some sort, see the appropriate country section at Anglicans Online. Religious Orders are listed in their own section.

Anglo-catholic
Authors

Cursillo
Devotional Societies
Ecumenical and Interfaith
Evangelical
Healing
Lesbian and Gay
Liturgy
Miscellaneous
Mission
Music
Peace and Justice
Women


Anglo-catholic

Anglo-Catholic Central. 'The web manifestation of the Society of St Michael, an umbrella organization for the devotional societies, dioceses, parishes, and clergy of the catholic movement of Anglicanism.'

Affirming Catholicism
From the web site: 'Affirming Catholicism is a movement of hope and inspiration (and not an ecclesiastical party). It seeks to bring together and strengthen those within the Anglican church who recognise the positive, inclusive and joyful currents in the Catholic tradition of Christianity. We are confident in our Anglican heritage, with its emphasis on scripture, reason and church tradition'. There are also links to Affirming Catholicism branches elsewhere in the world.

The Anglican Society
'...Which in the United States of America was established in the year 1932, has as its purpose to promote and maintain the Catholic doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church in accordance with the principles and contents of the Book of Common Prayer and in the context of an on-going exploration and affirmation of Anglican identity and self-understanding.'

Catholic Clerical Union
Founded in 1886 as the Clerical Union for the Maintenance and Defence of Catholic Principles. Membership in regional branches and at-large open to clergy and seminarians.

The Church Union
The Church Union, a society within the Church of England, is the oldest surviving Anglo-Catholic society, tracing its roots back to the foundation of the 'English Church Union' in 1859.

Forward in Faith
'Forward in Faith is a worldwide association of Anglicans who are unable in conscience to accept the ordination of women as priests or as bishops.'

Authors

The Dorothy L. Sayers Society
Founded in 1976 to promote the study of the life, work and thought of Dorothy Sayers (1893-1957), Anglican scholar, novelist, dramatist and apologist.

The Trollope Society
This society promotes awareness of Victorian Anglican novelist Anthony Trollope (1815-1882). The American branch has its own site.

Cursillo
'Cursillo is a Spanish word meaning a short course. It is an abbreviated form of Cursillo de Cristiandad (short course to prepare Christians). It is not a theoretical course, nor is it a retreat. It is first and foremost an experience. It must be lived. It is a life-changing experience, which brings with it the discovery of the basis of Christianity and its fundamental significance to our lives.' See the Wikipedia entry.
Australian
British
Canadian
Canadian - French

Episcopal in USA
Episcopal Cursillo in Scotland
Irish

Devotional Societies

Adelynrood
The Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross, an episcopal laywoman's group dedicated to intercessory prayer. It is located in Byfield Massachusetts, USA, and is a retreat centre.

Anglican Priests Eucharistic League
'Bishops, priests, deacons, and candidates for holy orders who pray and work for the sanctification of the clergy by keeping a daily or weekly Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament.'

The Austin Fellowship
A fraternity of deacons and priests in the Anglican Communion based on a common love of our Lord Jesus Christ, a common discipline of life, and a common understanding of our mission in the world and in the Church of God. Members of the Austin Fellowship have recognized a call on their lives to personal faithfulness and holiness, and to teach the same to those entrusted to their care and nurture. Central to their spiritual life is the retention of the memory of the early Church, through their study of the writings of its Fathers.

Community of Aidan and Hilda East Anglia Group
'For the healing of the land through children, women and men who draw inspiration from the Celtic Saints'.

Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament
This is the oldest devotional society in the Anglican Communion with branches in the UK and the US.

Daughters of the King
See The Order of the Daughters of the King, below on this page.

Fellowship of Scientists
A group of scientists who endeavor to support each other as they seek a greater understanding of and a deeper commitment to the vocation of scientist as one form of Christian service.

Fraternity of the Resurrection
The Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield in West Yorkshire is one of the largest religious communities in the Church of England, founded in 1892 by Charles Gore and Walter Frere. 'For many years the Fraternity of the Resurrection has operated as a support group for the Community. Members of the Fraternity support the Community with their prayers, their enthusiasm, and sometimes their money. They, in turn, are supported by the prayers of the Community. They keep a simple rule of life which is designed to help them on their Christian pilgrimage'.

Guild of All Souls
The Society, established in 1889, is a traditional Anglo-Catholic devotional organization with active work in publishing and prayer for the dead and dying.

Immaculate Heart of Mary
A new group (Ward) in the American branch of the Society of Mary, a devotional society founded in the UK in 1931.

The Oratory of the Good Shepherd
An international community of Anglicans, ordained and lay, who share a common Rule of Life. The OGS Rule calls members of the Oratory to daily prayer, Communion, the labour of the mind, and the faithful stewardship of talents and resources. The comprehensive web site gives you much more information about this order, of which Alec Vidler and Eric Mascall, to take just two examples, have both been a part.

The Order of the Daughters of the King
An association for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, or churches in communion with it, or churches who are in the Historic Episcopate. Members undertake a Rule of Life, incorporating the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service. By reaffirmation of the promises made at Confirmation, a Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of prayer, service and evangelism, dedicated to the spread of Christ's Kingdom and the strengthening of the spiritual life of her parish. Some local DoK groups have their own websites, such as Province IV, the Diocese of Alabama, the Diocese of Florida and the Diocese of New Jersey.

The Risen Life Community
'A global network of lay Christians reaching across barriers of race, class, dis/ability, sexual orientation, and household configuration to be a sign of God's Commonwealth by living the Baptismal Covenant in mutual accountability in the Anglican Communion for the life of God's beloved world.'

Society of Catholic Priests
'The SCP is a growing society of men and women serving as Priests throughout the Anglican Communion. The society is seeking to promote priestly spirituality and Catholic Evangelism. It has a membership of over 500 priests, divided into Diocesan chapters. In line with Catholic principles we are in full communion with our Diocesan Bishops.'

The Society of King Charles the Martyr
A handsome and informative site about the society devoted to the memory of the last saint made by the Church of England. No matter how you feel about Charles I, you'll be much more knowledgeable about him after a visit to these web pages.

Society of the Holy Cross (SSC)
'To defend and strengthen the spiritual life of the clergy, to defend the faith of the Church, and to carry on and aid mission work both at home and abroad.' The Society has provinces in England and Scotland, Wales, Australia and the Americas.

Society of Sacramental Socialists
The Society of Sacramental Socialists is made up of socialist Christians in the UK, who are committed to the Catholic tradition of the Anglican Church. It is the successor organization to the Jubilee Group.

Society of Mary
A devotional society, with a worldwide membership, founded in England in 1931. The website provides a wealth of information. One can find information about the American Regional Branch at their website.

Ecumenical and Interfaith

Anglican and Eastern Churches Association
Founded in 1864 'To advance the Christian religion, particularly by teaching members of the Anglican and Orthodox Churches about each other, in order to prepare the way for an ultimate union between them, in accordance with our Lord's prayer that "all may be one". All its members are urged to work and pray constantly to this end.'

Anglicans for Israel
In its own words, this pro-Israeli British organization 'Aims to promote bonds of fellowship and interfaith understanding between Anglicans and the Jewish people' through various means.

Anglican Lutheran Society
'Since 1984 the Anglican-Lutheran Society has provided a meeting point where people can deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Lutheran and Anglican traditions within the Christian Church.' The US branch has a separate website.

Association of Interchurch Families
Established more than 25 years ago in England by a Roman Catholic-Anglican couple. A splendid resource for couples, partners, families who have members within both the Roman Catholic and Anglican Communions.

Fellowship of St Alban and St Sergius
Founded in 1928 by members of the Eastern Orthodox and Western Christian Churches. It exists to pray and work for Christian unity, and provides opportunities for Orthodox Christians and Christians of Western traditions to meet and get to know one another, and so to deepen their understanding of each other's spirituality, theology and worship. The London Branch has its own website.

Network for Interfaith Concerns in the Anglican Communion
'The Lambeth Conference 1998 recognised NIFCON as a way of sharing news, information, ideas and resources among provinces of the Anglican Communion. NIFCON was also charged to monitor Muslim-Christian relations and to report regularly.' Founded in 1994.

The Society of Saint Timothy
'The SST is one part society for those who are members of other jurisdictions (i.e., denominations) and one part jurisdictional home for clergy and laity who have not found a home elsewhere. We are developing a unique liturgy, blending the best of the Anglican and Lutheran traditions, together with influences from Rome and the East. Our ultimate goal is to uphold the Augustinian Dictum, "Unity in essentials, diversity in non-essentials, and love in all things."'

The Society of St Willibrord
Promoting relations between Anglicans and Old Catholics.

Unitas: The Catholic League for Christian Unity
This registered charity promotes 'reconciliation among all Christians through the recovery of Catholic faith in common and in communion with the Bishop of Rome as successor to St Peter, first among the Apostles. Its members are drawn from many of the Christian traditions represented in the contemporary United Kingdom, although principally they are Anglicans and Roman Catholics.' Founded in 1913.

Evangelical

Anglican Communion Institute
'It is the mission and purpose of the Anglican Communion Institute to make a biblical and historical articulation of the faith once delivered readily available to the larger church through conferences and printed word.'

Anglican Mainstream
'A community within the Anglican Communion teaching and preserving the Scriptural truths on which the Anglican Church was founded'. The website includes 'in-depth articles and Scriptural teaching as well as news, comment and informed opinion on the current events shaping the Anglican Communion'.

Fellowship of Word and Spirit
'A fellowship founded in 1984, originally connected to Oak Hill Theological College, an evangelical Anglican training school in the CofE.' They are 'committed to the propogation, application and discussion of reformed theology, to address our contemporary world.'

Society for the Propagation of Reformed Evangelical Anglican Doctrine
This website includes a long document prefaced with the following caveat by the Bishop of Shyira, John Rucyahana: 'This document is not written to compel or demand any action. Rather, we seek to clarify the state of the Anglican Communion and advise what actions we may need to take to defend the Anglican faith and promote the Gospel.'

Healing

Guild of St Raphael
Based in the UK, the Guild 'was founded in 1915 and is dedicated to promoting, supporting and practicing Christ's ministry of healing as an integral part of the life and worship of the Church'.

International Order of St Luke
The International Order of St Luke the Physician is the outgrowth of the Fellowship of Saint Luke founded in 1932 by the Revd John Gayner Banks, S.T.D. of the Episcopal Church and his wife Ethel Tulloch Banks. From the web site: 'We believe that the healing ministry of Jesus Christ belongs in the church today. Professional people in all phases of medical work, clergy in the ministry of the Roman, Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant Churches, and lay people from all walks of life, are members of the International Order of St Luke the Physician, Inc.  In other words, laity and clergy are invited to join the International Order of St Luke the Physician and participate in Jesus' healing ministry'.

RACA: Recovered Alcoholic Clergy Association
'RACA began in 1968 and is a fellowship of recovering clergy, seminarians, and religious throughout the Anglican Communion. We have about 350 members and publish a quarterly newsletter and sponsor two annual retreats'.

Lesbian and Gay

Alliance of Lesbian and Gay Anglicans
'Working for the unconditional inclusion and full participation of lesbian and gay people in every facet of the Church's life throughout the Anglican Communion'.

Integrity (USA)
'A witness of God's inclusive love to the Episcopal Church and the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community'. See Resources under individual country.

The International Lesbian and Gay Christian Network
'ILGCN was formed by the participants at the end of the 8th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Harare, Zimbabwe,
on December 12, 1998. ILGCN promotes broadening the discussion regarding lesbian and gay Christians within the WCC and within the Council's member churches'.

Liturgy

Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary
An association (based in England) of altar servers whose objectives are to raise the spiritual tone of servers.

The International Order of Saint Vincent
'A worldwide fellowship of lay ministers associated with liturgy and sanctuary service in the western branches of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Men, women, boys and girls dedicated to servanthood, discipline, cooperation, education and the preservation of liturgical knowledge, preparation for service, responsibility and reverence. Members follow a rule of life that includes daily prayer, reading of Scripture, and regular participation in and reception of the sacraments'.

Liturgy Canada
'A society of men and women committed to the ongoing renewal of the Church in worship and mission. Our ministry is to provide resources which focus the debate, inform the practice and evaluate the experience of our liturgical life'.

Miscellaneous

Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars
An international association of biblical scholars who are affiliated with the churches of the Anglican Communion. It supports biblical scholarship at all levels, fosters greater involvement of biblical scholars in the life of Anglican churches, and promotes the development of resources for biblical studies in Anglican theological education.

Anglican Indigenous Network
'We are indigenous minority peoples living in our own lands. We are committed to the Anglican tradition while affirming our traditional spirituality. We have discovered that we have many things in common: a common spirituality, common concerns, common gifts, common hopes. We believe that God is leading the Church to a turning point in its history and that the full partnership of indigenous peoples is essential.'

Anglican Retreat and Conference House Wardens' Association
This English organization aims to 'promote the use of retreat houses as a vital contribution to the life of Church and community'.

The Arthur Rank Centre
The ARC supports rural churches and their communities in the UK, and also provides a chaplain to the Royal Agricultural Society of England. Its site includes liturgical texts for services on Lammas Day, Rogation, Harvest Thanksgiving and 'Plough Sunday'.

Association of Anglican Evangelical Churches
'Binds together in prayer and mutual support Evangelical Anglican churches within the Anglican Communion, the Continuing Anglican Churches and the independent sector. We welcome all who share our determination to remain loyal to Scriptural, Apostolic and Anglican principles and can offer episcopal oversight to any churches in need of it'. Based in the UK.

Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion
'A worldwide association of Anglican colleges and universities of higher education formed as a result of an International Conference of representatives assembled at Canterbury, England in 1993'. Good information and resources.

Ecclesiastical Law Society of America
Incorporated as a non-profit corporation in December 1998 and currently forming its board of directors. The incorporators 'hope that it will be a resource and means of communications for all chancellors and other interested persons in the Episcopal Church, and is meant to parallel the Ecclesiastical Law Society which has existed in the British Isles for several years'.

The Ecclesiological Society
If you don't know the society, here's a capsule history: 'The original Cambridge Camden Society was founded in 1839 at Cambridge. In 1845 it moved to London, and changed its name to the Ecclesiological Society. The Society had a major influence on the development of church architecture during the mid-nineteenth century, under the influence of its founders Benjamin Webb, John Mason Neale, and Alexander Beresford-Hope. Its famous journal, The Ecclesiologist, was published between 1841 and 1868, and combined scholarly articles with trenchant criticism'. The site has super links and resources.

Episcopal Actors Guild
Established in 1923, this group includes many well-known actors. It's headquartered in New York City at the Little Church Round the Corner (Church of the Transfiguration)

International Association of Civil Aviation Chaplains
The web site includes a listing of airport chapels round the world, regular services, if any, and chaplains' contact information. This wonderful resource enables you to see if there's a chapel for a few minutes of peace, quiet, and prayer before boarding a 'plane or whilst waiting in a frantically busy terminal. At less frantic times you can contact the association by email at holloway@malleenet.net.au

Modern Churchpeople's Union
The Union was founded in 1898 and still serves the Anglican Communion worldwide, standing for freedom of enquiry in the continuing search for truth, dedicated to sound learning, honesty, openness and integrity.

Mothers' Union
The Mothers' Union is a Christian organization with more than three and a half million members and branches worldwide. 'Though our lives and our experience of the MU may differ widely depending on where we are, we are all joined together by our shared belief in the importance of the family.
The backbone of the MU is our worldwide network of volunteers. Whatever their individual backgrounds, our members are joined together by a commitment to the family. Volunteers give their time unstintingly to help others, whether by running local projects, supporting international campaigns, or fundraising.'

North American Association for the Diaconate
'We are an organization in the Anglican churches of North America: the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada.'

The Quiet Garden Trust
A network of local opportunities for prayer, silence and reflection mainly in private homes and gardens, some in churches, retreat centres, schools. Started in 1992 (charitable status 1994) there are, in 2004, some 250 Quiet Gardens worldwide.

The Society of Archbishops Cranmer and Laud
'The Society is established to be beneficial to members of the Anglican Church, particularly the clergy and especially those in the traditional Anglican community, who desire to see the Anglican Christianity of the Book of Common Prayer strengthened and preserved.'

Speak Out! An Initiative for Anglican Laity
A Washington DC-based organization (connected to the Institute for Religion and Democracy) is 'launching a new initiative to equip and encourage the laity of the Anglican Church ... calling lay people in Canada and the United States to fulfil their God-given call to be active participants in the work of his Church, particularly in this season of turmoil'.

Mission

Brotherhood of St Andrew
A worldwide ministry to men in the Anglican Church begun in 1883, including a new African office in Mukono, Uganda serving chapters in Ghana, Uganda, Zaire (Congo), Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya. The Brotherhood have chapters throughout the world, including the Philippines, Japan, and the West Indies.

Church Army
Society of evangelists in the Anglican Communion, with branches in England, Canada, and the USA.

GTNG (Gathering the NeXt Generation)
'A network designed, sustained and managed by Episcopal Gen Xers. It connects people and resources to further the mission of Christ and is available to anyone'. Although this is based in the Episcopal Church in the USA, a number of the initiatives and issues will interest Anglicans throughout the communion.

Korean Mission Partnership
Founded in 1889 by Bishop Charles John Corfe, first Anglican Bishop of Korea, to support the work of the Anglican Church in Korea. KMP's website includes the current issue of its newsletter, Morning Calm, published regularly since 1890.

The Mission to Seafarers
A missionary society of the Anglican Church which cares for the spiritual and practical welfare of all seamen regardless of nationality or faith.

United College of the Ascension
Formed in 1996 by the merger of the USPG's College of the Ascension and the Methodist Church's Kingsmead College. UCA specializes in missionary training and mission studies. Located in Selly Oak, Birmingham, England.

Music

Association of Anglican Musicians
'Recognizing that the music of the church finds its primary expression within the framework of the liturgy, this Association takes as its purpose the elevation, stimulation, and support of music and the allied arts in all their aspects in the Anglican church, and especially in their relationship to liturgy'.

Central Council of Church Bell Ringers
This is the bellringers international association to which virtually every ring of bells in the entire world is affiliated.
(Cross-listed under 'Music: Bells')

Guild of Carillonneurs in North America
GCNA is 'A significant site for carillons, especially in churches in the US and Canada'. (Cross-listed under 'Music: Bells')

Peace and Justice

A Rocha
An international conservation organization 'working to show God's love for all creation'

Anglican Pacifist Network
'A body of people within the Anglican Communion who reject war as a means of solving international disputes, and believe that peace and justice should be sought through non-violent means.'

The Archbishop Janani Luwum Trust UK
This new trust aims to promote: 1. The advancement of the Christian Religion, both within the UK and overseas, in particular by the celebration of the life ministry and witness of Archbishop Janani Luwum, or by such other exclusively charitable means as the trustees shall from time to time determine. 2. The advancement of education in Africa by the support and development of an Archbishop Janani Luwum Anglican University from the Janani Luwum Theological College in Northern Uganda, and the provision of adult literacy, and the establishment of a scholarship fund for pastors' children, orphans and disadvantaged children generally in Northern Uganda, Southern Sudan and North Eastern Congo. 3. The relief of poverty, hardship and distress, and the relief of sickness among persons in need throughout Africa, in particular those suffering as a result of conflict, loss of public order or social unrest. Its president is the Archbishop of York.

The Community of the Cross of Nails
An international 'community of individuals and groups, who share a commitment to a practical vision of reconciliation and a genuine intention to live a disciplined Christian life.' Founded at Coventry to foster forgiveness following the destruction of its cathedral by bombing during World War II.

The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
The Order of Saint John has its origins in the time of the Crusades, when poor pilgrims to the Holy Land were given help and assistance by the Hospitaller Knights and, when sick, cared for by the Knights and Brothers of the Hospital of Saint John. Hence, from its foundation in the late eleventh century, the Order had been dedicated to helping the Sick and Poor.

Women

Episcopal Women's History Project
'To promote and encourage research, writing and publication in all matters touching upon the history of women in the Episcopal Church; To promote and encourage the collection and preservation of records and other artifacts of interest pertaining to such history; To foster and promote public knowledge of interest in such history.'

International Anglican Women's Network
'formed in November, 1996 following a consultation convened by the Anglican Consultative Council and funded by the Mothers' Union and the United Thank Offering of the Episcopal Church Women of the Episcopal Church, USA. IAWN reports to the Anglican Consultative Council.

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