From Yahoo News:
By RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer Sun Sep 23, 6:30 PM ET
NEW ORLEANS - As Episcopal leaders consider barring more gays from becoming bishops to prevent an Anglican schism, the world Anglican family is already dying by a thousand cuts.
We shall see, Rachel.
This is the part of the article that I wanted to highlight:
The strain on Anglican relations with other Christians was clear at an ecumenical service in the Morial Convention Center here Thursday night with the archbishop of Canterbury and Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.
Catholic Archbishop Alfred Hughes of New Orleans didn't attend. A spokeswoman for Hughes said he had a scheduling conflict and that Baton Rouge Catholic Bishop Robert Muench was participating in his place. But Muench sat in the audience so far back from the stage that few people knew he was there until an Episcopal leader asked him to stand up and wave.
This is no small snub. Anglicans and Catholics have been in high-level negotiations for years to rebuild ties between their churches. Those talks have been complicated not only by Robinson's election, but also by the ordination of women in Anglican provinces.
At the time, it seemed kind of funny. Perhaps Bishop Meunch thought his presence would not be noted, but I wonder if this could be a story manufactured by the press. It did not occur to me that this was a major snub, but perhaps it was.
Anyway, I don't care if it was. I'm tired of reading about Episcopal bishops and Anglican archbishops begging for scraps at Rome's door. Give it up, please. The hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church believe that theirs is the only true church, and they are not ready to accept other Christian denominations as equals. Let them be.
Ephraim Radner has the final word:
If Anglicanism continues on the path of slow but steady splintering, it will effectively do as much harm as a formal schism. Anglicans in Africa, who derive much of their stature from their global ties, will become just another church. The 2.2 million-member Episcopal Church, which has played such a central role in U.S. history, will also be marginalized.
"If that happens, people will say, `This wasn't much of a church anyway,'" said Ephraim Radner, an evangelical Anglican and a theology professor at Wycliffe College in Toronto. "The results will be the disappearance and dissolution of Anglicans as a whole in North America."
So. The Episcopal Church may be marginalized. Maybe on the margins is a good place to be. Maybe we stand closer to Jesus Christ when we are marginalized.
Lord, have mercy on the House of Bishops
Lord, have mercy on us all.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Bishop Robinson Preaches At Grace Church
Bishop Gene Robinson and a number of other bishops were missing at the service at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, because they were preaching elsewhere in the vicinity of New Orleans.
From the Times-Picayune in New Orleans:
As the leadership of the Episcopal Church meets in New Orleans to confront dissension over the role of gays in religious life, the church's first openly gay bishop gave a sermon at a liberal church on Canal Street focused on the inclusiveness of divine love.
....
Although Robinson occupies the center of the controversy, he did not use the sermon he gave at Grace Episcopal Church on Sunday to advocate for the rights of gay ministers. The sermon, rooted in the Gospel of Luke, nonetheless conveyed his view that the church should embrace outsiders who live "on the edges of acceptable society."
....
His sermon turned on two points: The church should offer a haven for sinners and outsiders who want to repent, and it should be a place where the faithful can come to renew and recharge their commitment to seeing justice done in the world.
"You and I are called to take a risk, trusting in God who loves us beyond all our imagination," Robinson said.
Amen. We are.
Members of Grace Episcopal Church expressed pride Sunday that Robinson would make a guest appearance at their parish, and they sent him off with a rousing rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In," complete with a second line-style processional led by the rector, the Rev. Walter Baer.
The congregation of Grace Church and its rector are full of grace.
Baer called Robinson "an icon of the inclusive nature of the Episcopal Church," but he said he was not surprised that the prelate kept his sermon focused on the Gospels rather than on the church politics at hand.
"His being the lightning rod for all this controversy is secondary to his being a bishop and pastor," Baer said.
It's not at all surprising to me that Bishop Robinson preached the Gospel of love, rather than advocate for church politics.
From the Times-Picayune in New Orleans:
As the leadership of the Episcopal Church meets in New Orleans to confront dissension over the role of gays in religious life, the church's first openly gay bishop gave a sermon at a liberal church on Canal Street focused on the inclusiveness of divine love.
....
Although Robinson occupies the center of the controversy, he did not use the sermon he gave at Grace Episcopal Church on Sunday to advocate for the rights of gay ministers. The sermon, rooted in the Gospel of Luke, nonetheless conveyed his view that the church should embrace outsiders who live "on the edges of acceptable society."
....
His sermon turned on two points: The church should offer a haven for sinners and outsiders who want to repent, and it should be a place where the faithful can come to renew and recharge their commitment to seeing justice done in the world.
"You and I are called to take a risk, trusting in God who loves us beyond all our imagination," Robinson said.
Amen. We are.
Members of Grace Episcopal Church expressed pride Sunday that Robinson would make a guest appearance at their parish, and they sent him off with a rousing rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In," complete with a second line-style processional led by the rector, the Rev. Walter Baer.
The congregation of Grace Church and its rector are full of grace.
Baer called Robinson "an icon of the inclusive nature of the Episcopal Church," but he said he was not surprised that the prelate kept his sermon focused on the Gospels rather than on the church politics at hand.
"His being the lightning rod for all this controversy is secondary to his being a bishop and pastor," Baer said.
It's not at all surprising to me that Bishop Robinson preached the Gospel of love, rather than advocate for church politics.
Padre Xico Speaks
From Luiz at Wandering Christian:
FYI
The Secretary-General of the Province of Brazil has written about the
Anglican Covenant. That's an interesting piece. Too bad I don't have
many people's addresses to send it to.
Here's the link at KANTINHO DO REV.
We need only a kind of Covenant. Each Christian is sealed in Baptismal liturgy to be a signal of love, peace and justice, continuing the ministry of Jesus. Each Christian is demanded to share body and blood to transform the world in a place where all humankind feel the presence of God. Each Christian is invited to promote the inclusion of all excluded to the great Lord’s banquet.
....
The instruments of unity gradually established: Archbishop of Canterbury, Lambeth Conference, Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates’ Meeting never were seen as canonical rulers with authority to exclude anyone. The links were more heartfelt tha[n] legal. Collegiality and the shared authority were a common and truly accepted spirit of communion.
FYI
The Secretary-General of the Province of Brazil has written about the
Anglican Covenant. That's an interesting piece. Too bad I don't have
many people's addresses to send it to.
Here's the link at KANTINHO DO REV.
We need only a kind of Covenant. Each Christian is sealed in Baptismal liturgy to be a signal of love, peace and justice, continuing the ministry of Jesus. Each Christian is demanded to share body and blood to transform the world in a place where all humankind feel the presence of God. Each Christian is invited to promote the inclusion of all excluded to the great Lord’s banquet.
....
The instruments of unity gradually established: Archbishop of Canterbury, Lambeth Conference, Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates’ Meeting never were seen as canonical rulers with authority to exclude anyone. The links were more heartfelt tha[n] legal. Collegiality and the shared authority were a common and truly accepted spirit of communion.
What Kind Of Wine Are You?
You Are Chardonnay |
 Fresh, spirited, and classic - you have many facets to your personality. You can be sweet and light. Or deep and complex. You have a little bit of something to offer everyone... no wonder you're so popular. Approachable and never smug, you are easy to get to know (and love!). Deep down you are: Dependable and modest Your partying style: Understated and polite Your company is enjoyed best with: Cold or wild meat |
How much do I love this? Let me count the ways.
I'm not much of a chardonnay drinker, but I'll take the results of the survey in a heartbeat. Only four questions? They can tell this much about me with four questions? What's with the "Cold or wild meat" business?
Thanks to Padre Mickey for the link.
The Presence Of The Lord
Image from Episcopal Life
Bright and early yesterday morning, I was up and out, headed for New Orleans to attend the Sunday service at Christ Church Cathedral, at which Bishop Katharine presided and preached. That was a sacrificial act on my part, because I am no longer an up-and-out person early in the morning.
On the way, I prayed for a safe trip, that I would find a place to park, not too far away from the cathedral - which has no parking facilities - and that I would get a seat in the cathedral. Does anyone else pray about these sorts of things? Anyway, all my prayers were answered - or not. Maybe all that would have happened anyway.
Christ Church Cathedral is a Gothic-style structure with beautiful stained glass, built in the 1880s. You can view the building and the glass in this photo gallery.
Bishop Jenkins, Dean DuPlantier, the choir, the musicians, and everyone who planned and worked with the arrangements for the service did a terrific job. The cathedral looked beautiful. We had a sung Eucharist and smells and bells. For those among you who are uninitiated into the mysteries of Episcopal Church liturgy, the smells are incense, and the hand bells ring to highlight important parts of the liturgy.
Bishop Katharine wore the vestments that were designed for her installation ceremony as presiding bishop. They are lovely, and I was pleased to see them up close. Her sermon is here.
She spoke of Philander Chase, whose feast we celebrated yesterday. He was the founder of Christ Church Parish in New Orleans, and he went on, after many travels, to become presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. She spoke of trumpets, trumpeting the Gospel, traveling light, for folks in Louisiana, traveling lighter than they believed possible, and getting in the line.
When the saints go marching in, it's going to be with every last one of us. This procession is going down to the grave, and it's going to dance away on the other side, but only when we join the traveling throng. None of us is going home until all of us have a place to lay our heads, and music for our grieving hearts, and a feast for the belly and for the soul. When the saints go marching in, it's going to be with every last one of us."
Can you imagine how much I liked these words?
During the Offertory, Irvin Mayfield, Jr. played "Amazing Grace" on the Elysian Trumpet.
The Elysian Trumpet, hand-built by David Monette, the modern master of trumpet design, is dedicated to the memory of Irvin Mayfield, Sr. and all of the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
The image of the trumpet and information on the instrument is from Elysian Trumpet. There's much more on the story of the trumpet at the website.
The trumpet produced the sweetest sound I have heard come out of a horn - ever. And I have heard many trumpets. Mayfield played the most magnificent "Amazing Grace" that I have been priveliged to hear. Two such superlatives, one after the other, may be hard to believe, but they are true. I was crying during his performance. What heart! What an instrument!
But it wasn't all about pretty vestments, good music, and heavenly trumpet sounds. The words of this hymn came to mind during a quiet period after communion:
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
I can feel His mighty power and His grace
I can hear the brush of angels wings
I see glory on each face
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
The Lord was powerfully present, and for that I give thanks.
After the service, we were invited to a reception in the parish hall with very tasty refreshments. Many of the bishops were not at the service Sunday, because they were visiting around at churches in the area. Someone pointed out Bonnie Anderson (president of the House of Deputies) to me, and we talked for a few minutes. She said she had been well received by the groups she met with in Dallas and Fort Worth, except, of course, for Bishop Iker, who was rudely on her case for crossing the Texas state line. She's a lay person. Why does she need his permission to visit Texas? She told me that one parish from either Dallas or Fort Worth had moved from the Network back to the Episcopal Church.
Then I spotted Bishop Katharine. I made my way over to her and spoke with her only briefly, because others were waiting to talk to her. She is warm and easy to talk to. I have not agreed with everything our PB has said and done, and I will likely not in the future, but I do believe that GC03 made the proper choice when she was elected. She is a woman for this season in the Episcopal Church.
Upon reflection, I'm glad that I attended the two religious services rather than the bishops' meetings - not that I could have. Both the services were uplifting. I doubt that the meetings were, but perhaps - and that is my hope - God will turn them to good.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Remaking Myself
How often does a person get to remake oneself in old age? Not very often, right? Well, I'm going to do it.
My nom de blog is Grandmère Mimi. My real name is June Butler, as most of you know by now, since I had to out myself at the Episcopal Café in order to write there. My blog name will continue to be Grandmère Mimi; I'm not switching to my real name for the blog.
I have never liked my given name. It was not cool ever, not even when I was young. Sorry, Mother dear, forgive me. I know you will, because you are in that better place where forgiveness flows freely.
For you, my new virtual friends, so there won't be confusion, I have a request: please call me Mimi. I like that better than June - much better. My grandchildren and my daughter-in-law call me Mimi, so I do answer to the name. When we meet in person, if you call out Mimi, I won't look around to see who you're calling for. I will answer. Thank you.
The service this morning, at which Bishop Katharine presided and preached, was wonderful, and I am going to write about it - just not tonight. I'm tired. Tomorrow.
REMEMBER: MI CHIAMANO MIMI!
My nom de blog is Grandmère Mimi. My real name is June Butler, as most of you know by now, since I had to out myself at the Episcopal Café in order to write there. My blog name will continue to be Grandmère Mimi; I'm not switching to my real name for the blog.
I have never liked my given name. It was not cool ever, not even when I was young. Sorry, Mother dear, forgive me. I know you will, because you are in that better place where forgiveness flows freely.
For you, my new virtual friends, so there won't be confusion, I have a request: please call me Mimi. I like that better than June - much better. My grandchildren and my daughter-in-law call me Mimi, so I do answer to the name. When we meet in person, if you call out Mimi, I won't look around to see who you're calling for. I will answer. Thank you.
The service this morning, at which Bishop Katharine presided and preached, was wonderful, and I am going to write about it - just not tonight. I'm tired. Tomorrow.
REMEMBER: MI CHIAMANO MIMI!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Judge Refuses Mychal Bell's Release
From the Baton Rouge Advocate:
JENA — A judge refused Friday to release Mychal Bell from jail the day after as many as 20,000 people poured into this small central Louisiana town to support Bell and five other black Jena High School students accused of the December beating of a white classmate.
Bell’s father, Marcus Jones, refused to speak to reporters after he walked out of LaSalle Parish Courthouse following the bond hearing that lasted more than two hours. But John Jenkins, the father of another one of the teens charged in the case, said Jones told him bond had been denied.
“His face was very tight. He was very upset,” Jenkins said of Jones’ demeanor when he left court.
Melissa Bell, Mychal Bell’s mother, walked out of the courthouse in tears and refused to comment on the hearing.
Attorneys representing Bell also refused to comment, saying the matter was in juvenile court, where proceedings are secret.
What next, I wonder. We don't know why bond was denied. No one can speak of what took place in the court room, because now Mychal Bell's case is in juvenile court.
I pray that mercy and justice prevail.
JENA — A judge refused Friday to release Mychal Bell from jail the day after as many as 20,000 people poured into this small central Louisiana town to support Bell and five other black Jena High School students accused of the December beating of a white classmate.
Bell’s father, Marcus Jones, refused to speak to reporters after he walked out of LaSalle Parish Courthouse following the bond hearing that lasted more than two hours. But John Jenkins, the father of another one of the teens charged in the case, said Jones told him bond had been denied.
“His face was very tight. He was very upset,” Jenkins said of Jones’ demeanor when he left court.
Melissa Bell, Mychal Bell’s mother, walked out of the courthouse in tears and refused to comment on the hearing.
Attorneys representing Bell also refused to comment, saying the matter was in juvenile court, where proceedings are secret.
What next, I wonder. We don't know why bond was denied. No one can speak of what took place in the court room, because now Mychal Bell's case is in juvenile court.
I pray that mercy and justice prevail.
A "Reporter" In New Orleans
From Matt Kennedy, September 19, 2007:
It's 9:00pm in New Orleans. I'm sitting in the Intercontinental Hotel bar not drinking. I was hoping by chance to see some fellow "reporters" here, possibly some bishops. No one. Nice atmosphere though...a sort of modish imperial India theme---dark, lots of candles, heavy velvet burgandy (sic) and white fabric. If nothing else 815 has exquisite taste.
I'm thankful that at least one "reporter" covering the House of Bishops meeting in New Orleans does not write stories while "in his cups".
Apparently, the bishops and "invited guests" enjoyed a dinner together this evening at 6:30pm. Stand Firm was not invited. We do, however, hope to have some solid news soon.
We can only hope, for Matt's sake, that the bishops have another look at their list of "invited guests" and find a place for Stand Firm at the next dinner. Matt sounds a little forlorn.
We hope to fill in various details tomorrow and the next day. Until then remember that, to a greater or lesser degree, these reports are somewhat speculative.
I dare say.
It's 9:00pm in New Orleans. I'm sitting in the Intercontinental Hotel bar not drinking. I was hoping by chance to see some fellow "reporters" here, possibly some bishops. No one. Nice atmosphere though...a sort of modish imperial India theme---dark, lots of candles, heavy velvet burgandy (sic) and white fabric. If nothing else 815 has exquisite taste.
I'm thankful that at least one "reporter" covering the House of Bishops meeting in New Orleans does not write stories while "in his cups".
Apparently, the bishops and "invited guests" enjoyed a dinner together this evening at 6:30pm. Stand Firm was not invited. We do, however, hope to have some solid news soon.
We can only hope, for Matt's sake, that the bishops have another look at their list of "invited guests" and find a place for Stand Firm at the next dinner. Matt sounds a little forlorn.
We hope to fill in various details tomorrow and the next day. Until then remember that, to a greater or lesser degree, these reports are somewhat speculative.
I dare say.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Feast Day of St. Matthew
El Padre at Padre Mickey's Dance Party has the story, along with beautiful pictures.
Not only that, but El Padre tells the story of Matthew's martyrdom. Poor Padre is exhausted after all that work. But it was well worth the effort - at least for me. Thanks, El Padre. He does do a little work, from time to time, in between parties.
Not only that, but El Padre tells the story of Matthew's martyrdom. Poor Padre is exhausted after all that work. But it was well worth the effort - at least for me. Thanks, El Padre. He does do a little work, from time to time, in between parties.
Rally For the Jena Six
From the Advocate in Baton Rouge, La.:
JENA, La. (AP)...Tens of thousands of protesters stormed this tiny Louisiana town on Thursday, rallying against what they see as a double standard of justice for blacks and whites.
....
The plight of the so-called Jena Six, a group of black teens initially charged with attempted murder in the beating of a white classmate, became a flashpoint for one of the biggest civil rights demonstrations in years.
....
"It's been a very peaceful and happy crowd," said Sgt. Julie Lewis of the Louisiana State Police. "Really these are very, very nice people. They are welcome in Louisiana any time."
Demonstrators even bagged trash throughout the day, leaving little for officials to clean up after the demonstration.
Jena residents, resentful of the massive protest in their little town and the racist label it had stamped them with, were scarce during the day's demonstrations. Businesses closed, so did the library, schools, city offices and the courthouse.
"I don't mind them demonstrating," said Ricky Coleman, 46, a native. "I believe in people standing up for what they think is right. But this isn't a racist town. It's a small place and we all get along."
....
Mychal Bell, now 17, is the only one of the defendants to be tried. He was convicted of aggravated second-degree battery, but his conviction was tossed last week by a state appeals court that said Bell, who was 16 at the time of the beating, could not be tried as an adult on that charge.
....
During the protest in Jena, the Louisiana 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal in Lake Charles ordered a bond hearing for Bell within 72 hours, defense attorney Bob Noel of Monroe said.
If 9th Judicial District Judge Tom Yeager decides 28th District Judge J.P. Mauffray should not preside over Bell's bond hearing, Yeager would hear it.
My husband and I were wondering why Mychal was still in jail with such a high bond - $90,000, I believe - when his conviction has been overthrown. Justice has not been served in this case.
Thank God that the demonstration went off peacefully, but there's this ugly after story from the Advocate:
ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) -- Police in this central Louisiana city said a man was arrested late Thursday night when officers found two hangman's nooses dangling from the rear of his pickup truck.
The driver was identified as Jeremiah Munsen of Colfax, La. Police said Munsen, who is white, was charged with inciting a riot.
Good. I'm glad he was arrested. Some folks just can't let it go.
JENA, La. (AP)...Tens of thousands of protesters stormed this tiny Louisiana town on Thursday, rallying against what they see as a double standard of justice for blacks and whites.
....
The plight of the so-called Jena Six, a group of black teens initially charged with attempted murder in the beating of a white classmate, became a flashpoint for one of the biggest civil rights demonstrations in years.
....
"It's been a very peaceful and happy crowd," said Sgt. Julie Lewis of the Louisiana State Police. "Really these are very, very nice people. They are welcome in Louisiana any time."
Demonstrators even bagged trash throughout the day, leaving little for officials to clean up after the demonstration.
Jena residents, resentful of the massive protest in their little town and the racist label it had stamped them with, were scarce during the day's demonstrations. Businesses closed, so did the library, schools, city offices and the courthouse.
"I don't mind them demonstrating," said Ricky Coleman, 46, a native. "I believe in people standing up for what they think is right. But this isn't a racist town. It's a small place and we all get along."
....
Mychal Bell, now 17, is the only one of the defendants to be tried. He was convicted of aggravated second-degree battery, but his conviction was tossed last week by a state appeals court that said Bell, who was 16 at the time of the beating, could not be tried as an adult on that charge.
....
During the protest in Jena, the Louisiana 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal in Lake Charles ordered a bond hearing for Bell within 72 hours, defense attorney Bob Noel of Monroe said.
If 9th Judicial District Judge Tom Yeager decides 28th District Judge J.P. Mauffray should not preside over Bell's bond hearing, Yeager would hear it.
My husband and I were wondering why Mychal was still in jail with such a high bond - $90,000, I believe - when his conviction has been overthrown. Justice has not been served in this case.
Thank God that the demonstration went off peacefully, but there's this ugly after story from the Advocate:
ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) -- Police in this central Louisiana city said a man was arrested late Thursday night when officers found two hangman's nooses dangling from the rear of his pickup truck.
The driver was identified as Jeremiah Munsen of Colfax, La. Police said Munsen, who is white, was charged with inciting a riot.
Good. I'm glad he was arrested. Some folks just can't let it go.
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