To ACC: Please Vote "No" On RCDC

We learn from the Episcopal Café that the Anglican Communion Deputy Secretary General Gregory Cameron, when questioned about the meaning of "church" in the Ridley Cambridge Draft Covenant now being considered by the Anglican Consultative Council, answered that "church" means "province" or the national church. However, he added that so long as the constitution and canons of the national church do not forbid it, he believes that individual dioceses may sign on to the RCDC, if the ACC passes it. The Joint Standing Committee of the ACC recommends passing the Covenant as is, without revision, all or nothing. I hope and pray that the vote by the ACC is against passing RCDC.

Tobias Haller says:

...[This Covenant] is a step backwards, and will prove to be a tool for division and fragmentation, rather than an instrument towards unity. Unless we all just sign up and get on with our lives, allowing it to serve its symbolic function with no real power over any of those who sign it.

Exactly. In addition, I fear that if RCDC passes, it will be used to exclude and punish. That's not my idea of a Covenant. I go back to my original question. Why do we need a Covenant at all?

We have the New Covenant of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Anglican Communion, we have the the Creeds, the Baptismal Covenant, the Book of Common Prayer for our common worship, the Instruments of Communion, and the bonds of affection which link together the various autonomous churches of the Communion.

It's true that the bonds of affection are strained at the moment, but will a coercive, exclusionary, and what I fear will come to be a punitive Covenant improve relations amongst the member churches of the Communion? I think not.

As Michael Russell says in the comments at the Episcopal Café, "Please ACC drown the whole thing or give it to a new committee."

St. Francis de la Sissies

You may have seen this around the tubes, but if you haven't, do watch. It's delightful. Enjoy again if you've seen it already.

Thanks to Lapin.

From Ann On Her Grandson

Thanks for all the prayers --- the doctor said the breath holding is nothing to worry about and that he might occasionally have a seizure as a result - - scary but not serious -- -they gave him a brain scan - all is well with that. He will have an eeg but the doctor does not think it will show anything either. He will out grow it.

whew!

Ann

Good news.

Thanks be to God.

Waxing Gibbous Moon

Tonight, as I walked, I noticed that the night was bright, even away from the street lights. The reason: the sky is clear, and 90.3% of the moon is visible, and it was right above me. Time to throw up post the haiku again.

Waxing gibbous moon
The words themselves a poem
Turning full moon soon

Grandmère Mimi - 2005

"Night", "bright", "light", "right" - all in a few short lines. That's got to mean something. But what?

It's A Dog's Life

Oops! I forgot to give Doug his due credit.

Happy Birthday, Gayle!

Today is my sister Gayle's birthday and also the 3rd anniversary of her memorial service after she died of pancreatic cancer. The picture above is a favorite of both my brother-in-law, Frank, and me.

In Gayle's honor, a wealthy friend set up The Dillenkoffer Endowment.

The Dillenkoffer Endowment was formed to support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered teens with college tuition grants in Kansas and Missouri.

Gay teens across the country continue to face personal and academic challenges unlike those faced by their straight classmates. In addition to challenges at school, many face rejection by their families and the community at large as well as religious persecution. Even violence is not uncommon. Statistics show gay teens are more likely to abuse substances, drop out of school, run away from home, be involved in prostitution and attempt suicide.

The Dillenkoffer Endowment's mission is to:

* recognize and reward gay teens who are able to succeed in the face of personal and academic challenges;

* help them achieve even greater success through higher education; and

* provide them with the tools to be role models to others as they become young adults.

If you would like to learn more about the endowment or make a donation, click on the link above or scroll down and click on the dark blue plaque on the right sidebar.

Earlier today, I nearly fell out of my chair when I read the words below from the Lectionary reading from Wisdom. They are so right and true for me today.

But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt-offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.

Wisdom 3:1-9

Below is a picture of Gayle at a party in her tuxedo-like outfit. By chance, we both bought very similar outfits of this type some years ago. She loved a party and liked the idea that the Mexican-Americans and Mexicans (along with a good many folks of non-Mexican heritage) in the US celebrated on her birthday. Today Grandpère and I will celebrate her life at a Cinco de Mayo party at a local Mexican Restaurant.

Latest On Roseann

Hi Mimi,

I was chatting with Roseann on Face Book this morning and while she has been diagnosed with double pneumonia, she sounded good and was very upbeat.

She is hoping to go home tomorrow and will have home health nurses coming to her 3 times a day. It is either that, or a rehab hospital, so she chose home with hubby, wiener dogs, and kitties. It is important for her to get out of the hospital before she can acquire any more hospital bugs.

She sends her love, and thanks everyone for their supporting and sustaining prayers.

Sue

Let's pray that Roseann recovers from the pneumonia, gets to go home, and that she stays upbeat.

Prayer Request From Ann

Prayers that we stay centered while the 1 year old grandson gets tested for why he had a seizure yesterday. He has been a breath-holder when he cries -- holding it until he passes out. Yesterday it ended in a seizure - so off to Children's Hospital to see if this is a new thing or just more of the other. Ann

One of my sons was a breath-holder, and when he'd turn blue and pass out, it was frightening, but he never had a seizure, which is surely even more frightening.

Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child, and grant that he may be restored to that perfect health which it is yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, p. 458)

God, Father of mercies, give comfort, consolation, and your peace that passes understanding to guard the minds and hearts of this child's family, especially his parents and grandparents. We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sorry, Archbishop Orombi

For the best take that I've seen on the rightness of the decision by the Anglican Consultative Council not to seat the Rev J P Ashey, who "is both a priest of the Church of Uganda and the COO of the AAC (American Anglican Council)" see Tobias Haller's post titled "The Peril of Musical Chairs".

I'm not sure what a COO is, but Tobias' post is eminently sensible.

Update 2 On Tigger The Cat

Tigger is now eating soft cat food on his own. He seemed to have to learn how to eat again. He also drinks on his own, in a somewhat awkward way, with a dipping motion and then licking the water from around his mouth.

My son called the vet to tell her the news, and she could not believe it. She said, "Bring Tigger in. I want to see this. He is a miracle cat." My son said, "I'll take him in, but I'm not paying for a visit." (He's close with his money.) The vet said, "Fine. I have to see him."

Thank you all for the prayers and good wishes. We're not even thinking long term, but, for now, we are happy people.