PLEASE PRAY...

...for retired Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, James Brown, who is in the hospital ill with pneumonia.

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant James the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer)

Update from Ann Fontaine:

And for Bishop Gene Robinson - whose mother is dying and who broke his foot.

Lord, hear our prayers.

SOME FOLKS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO DO

Good morning, Brothers and Sisters:

The agenda for our upcoming College of Presbyters is attached. If you have not already registered, there is online registration. Please go to http://www.solepisc.org . On the left hand side click on a box entitled, "Info about and Registration for Upcoming Events." Then click on Clergy & Committee Meetings. From there you can see info about the College and submit your online registration.

I look forward to seeing you on Monday, October 24. Please remember to bring your Bible.

+Morris
--
The Rt. Rev'd Morris K. Thompson, Jr.
Bishop of Louisiana

Above is an email from my bishop, Morris Thompson, to the clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana on the upcoming College of Presbyters, which was posted at Stand Firm (no link) without commentary. Some folks, like Festivus over there, must not have enough to do. Is the object of the post to mock Bishop Morris and the priests of the diocese? Are we to conclude that if Louisiana was a proper reasserter diocese, served by proper reasserter clergy, the bishop would not need to remind them to bring their Bibles? If not, then what IS the point?

Is Festivus a member of the clergy in Louisiana, or did a friendly clergy member supply the email?

Hmm. Many questions.

ALL THAT JAZZ - NEW ORLEANS EPISCOPAL CHURCHES

Palm Sunday procession in 2010 to St Anna's Episcopal Church in New Orleans







I dunno. Is all that jazz enough? Some might say no. ;-)

Click on the images for the larger view.

From EDoLA, the Newsletter of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.

DIOCESE OF LOUISIANA RESOLUTION: HONEST, HEARTFELT CONVERSATIONS WITH GAYS AND LESBIANS

From Walking With Integrity:

Integrity USA applauds the Diocese of Louisiana for it's passage of Resolution R-3 this past weekend. The resolution calls for "honest, heartfelt conversations" to take place across the diocese. Respectful conversations and the sharing of each other's stories are a first step toward bringing folks together and changing the hearts and minds of those in the moveable middle or even those who say thay are opposed to support equality and inclusion for all.

2001 Resolution R-3

Purpose: A Resolution for Unity and Honest, Heartfelt Conversation within our Diversity

Resolved, that the 174th Convention encourage each ecclesiastical unit to honor our Baptismal Covenant and sustain our unity in light of the diversity of our opinions by engaging in honest, heartfelt conversations in order to listen to the experiences of gay and lesbian Christians as God works to change us all into holy people.

The resolution was introduced by the Rev. Canon William Barnwell (Trinity, New Orleans)

Read the full text of Canon Barnwell's statement, titled A Resolution for Unity and Honest, Heartfelt Conversation within our Diversity here. The statement is excellent and a very welcome step forward to inclusion and equality for all in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.

Thanks to Ann Fontaine for the link.