FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Anglican Fellowship of Prayer to Conclude Ministry After 70 Years; Legacy to Continue Through the Living Church
December 31, 2025 — After seven decades of dedicated service, the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer (AFP) will conclude its ministry in the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican tradition. The AFP Executive Council and The Living Church Foundation (TLC) have reached an agreement for TLC to continue sharing the prayer resources developed by AFP and to celebrate its enduring heritage.
A Legacy Rooted in Prayer
The origins of the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer trace back to the 1940s in New York City, under the spiritual leadership of the Rev. Sam Shoemaker and his wife Helen. When Fr. Shoemaker became Rector of Calvary Church in Pittsburgh, Helen Shoemaker and Polly Wiley coordinated the expansion of the ministry. With the support of Bishop Austin Pardue, AFP formally organized in 1958.
From its beginnings, AFP emphasized prayer as the foundation of Christian life and community. Its mission soon spread beyond the United States, reaching Canada and the Caribbean, and inspiring countless individuals, parishes, and dioceses across the Anglican Communion.
Conferences, Publications, and Resources
Over the decades, AFP became widely known for its international prayer conferences, which drew clergy and lay leaders from across the Anglican tradition. These gatherings featured plenary addresses and workshops that were recorded and shared with parish prayer groups. Many of these historic recordings have since been digitally remastered and archived.
AFP also enriched the church’s spiritual life through its publications, including newsletters, brochures, small group teaching materials, and books. Among its most notable works is The Praying Church by the Rt. Rev. Donald Hultstrand, then Bishop of Springfield.
Embracing Digital Ministry
In more recent years, AFP embraced the digital era, expanding its ministry online. Its website has served as a hub for teaching materials, links to prayer networks, and original prayers crafted for local, national, and international needs.
Looking Ahead
Though the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer will formally conclude its ministry at the end of 2025, its mission will endure. Through The Living Church Foundation, AFP’s resources and vision will continue to inspire prayer within the Anglican tradition for generations to come.
Media Contact:
The Rev. Dr. John R. Throop
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