Just when it seemed as though the Singapore consecrations were all but forgotten, we are told it is "full steam ahead" for the two Americans who were designated missionary bishops to North America. The Rt. Rev. Chuck Murphy, now part of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda, and the Rt. Rev. John Rodgers, of the Church of the Province of South East Asia, both of whom were consecrated in Singapore, will no longer function on an interim basis, but will intensify their efforts to "receive" congregations and to plant new churches [p. 6]. The endeavor, now to be known as the Anglican Mission in America, is pointed toward the creation of a second Anglican province in North America which would remain in communion with Canterbury.

The work of the missionary bishops has been under the auspices of First Promise, a three-year-old movement headquartered in Pawleys Island, S.C., which was formed to work for the reformation of the Episcopal Church. First Promise still believes the church needs to be reformed, and has chosen an unconventional method to try to bring that about.

The strategy brings about an awkward situation to say the least. While First Promise leaders insist the movement is not trying to "recruit" or "steal" congregations, the very presence of the organization with its "own" episcopate sets up an alternative for parishes struggling with what they perceive is the continued leftward drift of the Episcopal Church. It is possible that the Anglican Mission in America may hasten the departure of congregations wrestling with theological implications of decisions made by General Convention.

The dream of the leaders of First Promise and other organizations, to establish an alternative, non-geographic province in North America, was not helped by the consecrations in Singapore. The "full steam ahead" initiative will make that realization even more difficult.