In late October, around fifty-five men gathered at an idyllic conference setting in the Laurentian mountains one hour north of Montreal for a FLAME weekend. I was invited to speak on subjects pertaining to personal and parish renewal within the spiritual context of prayer, praise, personal testimonies, small group fellowship and worship. As usual my mission goal was to help in the re-kindling of the fire in the fireplace of Anglicanism.

So what is a FLAME weekend? Those five letters stand for, "Fellowship and Learning for Anglican Men's Enrichment." On this particular FLAME weekend, I was particularly moved by the deep and transparent sharing in the small group gatherings following each talk. Our Lord revealed again the spiritual and therapeutic blessing that can occur when men meet prayerfully in small groups and when the Spirit falls. They feel free to share some of their deepest concerns within the confidence of the group. I witnessed men in all ages and stages of life, laugh and cry, share openly about deep and intimate matters, and truly open themselves to the healing, renewing power of God's Holy Spirit as their brothers in Christ prayed for them.

Saturday night was a truly mountain top experience. It was an evening designed for prayer and praise with an open invitation for anyone present to come forward and witness what the Lord had done or was currently doing in their lives. A steady stream of men made their way to the microphone sharing openly about their ups and downs in their personal and spiritual lives. It was a very powerful manifestation of God's Spirit which I shall long remember. By the end of the closing Eucharist on Sunday, I truly sensed that God had re-kindled the flame of His power and love in all of our hearts.

This was my first exposure to a FLAME weekend but it will not be my last. FLAME, I sense is one of those hidden spiritual treasures that I believe God wants to pass on to other groups of Anglican men all across our land.

The counterpart from women is AWARE, Anglican Women Alive, Renewed, Enriched. For more information on FLAME of AWARE, please contact Roger Spack, a long standing supporter of FLAME in the Diocese of Montreal. Roger can be reached in Montreal at Tel. 514-684-4356 or email Roger at roger.spack@sympatico.ca.

Every Blessing,

- Bishop Malcolm Harding.

Bishop Malcolm is the ambassador of ARM Canada and was formerly the Episcopal bishop of the diocese of Brandon.

The Rt. Rev. Malcolm Harding
Episcopal Visitor to ARM