From Bible Belt Blogger, Frank Lockwood:
Facing criticism for withholding information from its 2.3 million members, the Episcopal Church has quietly removed from its new IAmEpiscopalian.org website assurances that the church is committed to openness and transparency in government.
For months, the site had proclaimed on its home page: “Our controversies and conversations have been public. Our governance is tranparent. You are free to see our imperfections…” (See a copy of the original message here.)
But sometime this week, after the church was repeatedly criticized for concealing key governance decisions from the people in the pews, the “transparency” and “openness” message disappeared.
Go to Frank Lockwood's site for the links. This is not good news, but if the powers in the church have decided that transparency and openness no longer apply, then it's best that they not say that they do. This is very sad news, and I pray the members of the Episcopal Church do not take this policy lightly or complacently.
Thanks to Ann for sending the link.
UPDATE: On the other hand, Mark Harris takes a different view:
What I think we have here is not a plot to remove a pledge of transparency. What we have here is a fallback from the creative edge. It’s not a plot, it’s a program. Plots are at least exciting, and sometimes creative, programs get dull unless poked.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Without Me?
"Red Mr. Peanut Bank and Gallito Mescalito AND Ms. Egyptian Hippo of Love. All of them. All together in the same place at the Harvest Moon Brewery and Cafe in New Brunswick, NJ where some of the Episcobloggers gathered."
A party be happenin' tonight in New Jersey, and I'm not there. I ask you, "How can they have a party without me?" But they're doing it anyway! It's just not right.
Here's the comment that I left at Elizabeth's blog:
Grandmère Mimi said...
Not only looking sad, but feeling sad. Boo-hoo. That's no joke, but a serious cry. I'm happy for y'all and sad for me, me, me. I can't stand it!
I'm tempted to say, "Call the whole thing off. It's no party if I'm not there." But I won't say that, because I'm a good Christian woman, and I'm generous-hearted, and I'm glad for y'all to have a rip-roaring good time, even if I'm not there.
Hugs all around for everyone from me. Kisses, too. Raise a glass to those of us who are not there in body, but very much there in spirit.
Love to all.
UPDATE: See Telling Secrets for more pictures.
Prayers Please - From Fran
From Fran:
My husband's sister is having surgery today. If the cancer is contained, it will be radiation and on with life. If not... Well, prayers please. And thanks for those already offered and on-going.
My husband's sister is having surgery today. If the cancer is contained, it will be radiation and on with life. If not... Well, prayers please. And thanks for those already offered and on-going.
THE LAWS OF ULTIMATE REALITY
Law of Mechanical Repair
After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee.
Law of Gravity
Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
Law of Probability
The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
Law of Random Numbers
If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.
Law of the Alibi
If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
Variation Law
If you change traffic lanes, the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).
Law of the Bath
When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.
Law of Close Encounters
The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.
Law of the Result
When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.
Law of Biomechanics
The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
Law of the Theatre
At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.
The Starbucks Law
As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.
Murphy's Law of Lockers
If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.
Law of Physical Surfaces
The chances of an open-faced jam sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.
Brown's Law of Physical Appearance
If the shoe fits, it's ugly.
Wilson 's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy
As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.
Doctors' Law
If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. Don't make an appointment and you'll stay sick.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
Thanks to Susan S.
After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee.
Law of Gravity
Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
Law of Probability
The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
Law of Random Numbers
If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.
Law of the Alibi
If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.
Variation Law
If you change traffic lanes, the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).
Law of the Bath
When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.
Law of Close Encounters
The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.
Law of the Result
When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.
Law of Biomechanics
The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
Law of the Theatre
At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.
The Starbucks Law
As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.
Murphy's Law of Lockers
If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.
Law of Physical Surfaces
The chances of an open-faced jam sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.
Brown's Law of Physical Appearance
If the shoe fits, it's ugly.
Wilson 's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy
As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.
Doctors' Law
If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. Don't make an appointment and you'll stay sick.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
Thanks to Susan S.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Allow Lt. Col. Fehrenbach To Continue To Serve
From the Seattle Times:
Barack Obama's campaign promise to scrap the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy gave Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach hope. Now the pilot is wondering if the president will deliver in time to save his 18-year Air Force career.
The winner of nine air medals for distinguished service in flight, including one for heroism the night U.S. forces captured Baghdad International Airport in 2003, Fehrenbach is getting kicked out of the military a year after a civilian acquaintance told his bosses he was gay.
He thought he could hang on until the government eliminated the military's policy forcing gays and lesbians to keep their sexual orientation secret, but now he isn't so sure.
Obama "was someone who had experienced discrimination firsthand and that's why I had a lot of faith," Fehrenbach said. "I thought, OK I can fight this, and maybe by January Obama could be inaugurated and this won't matter.
"That hasn't happened."
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an advocacy group seeking equal treatment of gays in the military, estimates that more than 200 service members have been discharged under "don't ask, don't tell" since Obama was sworn in.
....
He stands to lose the $46,000 a year in retirement benefits, plus medical benefits, he would receive for the rest of his life.
Under the honorable discharge he is facing, he would receive $80,000 in separation pay.
To forcibly discharge a service member who has served bravely and honorably for 18 years is shameful. Lt. Col. Fehrenbach is only one amongst 200 others who have been ushered out of the military services prematurely because of the stupid "don't ask - don't tell" policy, because President Obama has not yet kept his promise. I'm without words.
Watch the video and sign the petition at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network asking Air Force Secretary Donley to allow Lt. Col. Fehrenbach to continue to serve.
Thanks to Doug for sending me the link.
Barack Obama's campaign promise to scrap the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy gave Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach hope. Now the pilot is wondering if the president will deliver in time to save his 18-year Air Force career.
The winner of nine air medals for distinguished service in flight, including one for heroism the night U.S. forces captured Baghdad International Airport in 2003, Fehrenbach is getting kicked out of the military a year after a civilian acquaintance told his bosses he was gay.
He thought he could hang on until the government eliminated the military's policy forcing gays and lesbians to keep their sexual orientation secret, but now he isn't so sure.
Obama "was someone who had experienced discrimination firsthand and that's why I had a lot of faith," Fehrenbach said. "I thought, OK I can fight this, and maybe by January Obama could be inaugurated and this won't matter.
"That hasn't happened."
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an advocacy group seeking equal treatment of gays in the military, estimates that more than 200 service members have been discharged under "don't ask, don't tell" since Obama was sworn in.
....
He stands to lose the $46,000 a year in retirement benefits, plus medical benefits, he would receive for the rest of his life.
Under the honorable discharge he is facing, he would receive $80,000 in separation pay.
To forcibly discharge a service member who has served bravely and honorably for 18 years is shameful. Lt. Col. Fehrenbach is only one amongst 200 others who have been ushered out of the military services prematurely because of the stupid "don't ask - don't tell" policy, because President Obama has not yet kept his promise. I'm without words.
Watch the video and sign the petition at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network asking Air Force Secretary Donley to allow Lt. Col. Fehrenbach to continue to serve.
Thanks to Doug for sending me the link.
We Remember The First Book OfCommon Prayer
In 1549, under the reign of Edward VI, successor to Henry VIII, the primary language of public worship in England and other areas ruled by Edward was changed from Latin to English, and the first Book of Common Prayer came into use. It was first used on Pentecost Sunday, 9 June 1549, and the occasion is now commemorated "on the first convenient day following Pentecost."
....
All Christians who worship in English, from Roman Catholics to Southern Baptists and beyond, are in some measure influenced by it, and all to whom it is important that the people of God understand the worship of the Church and take an active part therein have cause to be grateful for the Book of Common Prayer.
PRAYER
Almighty and everliving God, whose servant Thomas Cranmer, with others, restored the language of the people in the prayers of your Church: Make us always thankful for this heritage; and help us so to pray in the Spirit and with the understanding, that we may worthily magnify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
From James Kiefer at the Lectionary.
The Secret Sub-Committee - No Names For Now
Once again, I refer you to Mark Harris at Preludium for his commentary on the letter from Bishop Parsley, Chair of the Theology Committee, presumably in response to the calls for transparency in releasing the names of the members on the sub-committee to study same-sex relationships.
Mark notes the same silly reference to academic freedom in Bp. Parsley's letter that struck me. The secrecy of the membership has nothing to do with academic freedom.
We believe that for a season the work can best be accomplished by allowing the panel to work in confidence. This supports the full collegiality and academic freedom of the theologians and provides the space they need for the deep dialogue and reflection that is taking place among them.
Few of us have a problem with keeping the discussions confidential. The problem is secrecy about the names of the people who serve on the sub-committee, who are apparently drawn from outside the members of the Committee on Theology.
Mark adds:
I am distrusting of any statement by anyone that talks about "for a season." Time and season are different sorts of measuring beasts. "For a season," roughly translates, "until we wish otherwise."
For the present, the phrase "for a season" resonates negatively with some of us in the Episcopal Church. I recommend that the phrase be laid aside "for a season", until I wish otherwise. What are the chances?
Bp. Parsley answers the question as to whether the discussions are simply "about" GLTB persons, as is so often is the case, or "with" them.
I wish to assure those concerned that the panel very intentionally represents a robust range of views on the subject and includes gay and lesbian persons.
UPDATE: IT in the comments suggests we watch an amusing supplement to the discussion at YouTube.
Mark notes the same silly reference to academic freedom in Bp. Parsley's letter that struck me. The secrecy of the membership has nothing to do with academic freedom.
We believe that for a season the work can best be accomplished by allowing the panel to work in confidence. This supports the full collegiality and academic freedom of the theologians and provides the space they need for the deep dialogue and reflection that is taking place among them.
Few of us have a problem with keeping the discussions confidential. The problem is secrecy about the names of the people who serve on the sub-committee, who are apparently drawn from outside the members of the Committee on Theology.
Mark adds:
I am distrusting of any statement by anyone that talks about "for a season." Time and season are different sorts of measuring beasts. "For a season," roughly translates, "until we wish otherwise."
For the present, the phrase "for a season" resonates negatively with some of us in the Episcopal Church. I recommend that the phrase be laid aside "for a season", until I wish otherwise. What are the chances?
Bp. Parsley answers the question as to whether the discussions are simply "about" GLTB persons, as is so often is the case, or "with" them.
I wish to assure those concerned that the panel very intentionally represents a robust range of views on the subject and includes gay and lesbian persons.
UPDATE: IT in the comments suggests we watch an amusing supplement to the discussion at YouTube.
Another Victory For Marriage Equality
From Human Rights Campaign:
Yet another major victory in New England: today New Hampshire's governor signed marriage equality into law, making it the sixth state to allow loving same-sex couples to marry.
The bill survived a spate of propaganda from the right-wing National Organization for Marriage – the same group that ran the fake "Gathering Storm" ad – hammering Gov. John Lynch to veto equality.
Watch their video.
The battle is won. No longer "if" but "when". True the "when" may be far too distant in some states, but the tide has turned. It flows toward justice and equality.
Yet another major victory in New England: today New Hampshire's governor signed marriage equality into law, making it the sixth state to allow loving same-sex couples to marry.
The bill survived a spate of propaganda from the right-wing National Organization for Marriage – the same group that ran the fake "Gathering Storm" ad – hammering Gov. John Lynch to veto equality.
Watch their video.
The battle is won. No longer "if" but "when". True the "when" may be far too distant in some states, but the tide has turned. It flows toward justice and equality.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Please pray....
Klady's daughter has been sick for several days, along with several girls on her soccer team. Their team was in the Final Four in their area, but they suffered heartbreaking losses playing the games while they were ill, with the added burden that their coach resigned abruptly. Klady has other stresses in her life, and she wouldn't mind a few prayers directed her way.
Also, one of my grandsons is having a bad time with the separation of his parents, and is acting out. Please pray for him.
My daughter's finger has been infected for two weeks, and medication did not clear up the infection. Today the doctor ordered a battery of blood work to try to find out just what kind of infection she has, in order for them to treat her specific problem. She is the mother of the boy who is acting out, so it's a difficult time for her.
An update on the miracle cat: Tigger is still doing well, even after disappearing for two days after a dog chased him. He returned home last night, thinner, but otherwise okay. Thanks be to God.
Also, one of my grandsons is having a bad time with the separation of his parents, and is acting out. Please pray for him.
My daughter's finger has been infected for two weeks, and medication did not clear up the infection. Today the doctor ordered a battery of blood work to try to find out just what kind of infection she has, in order for them to treat her specific problem. She is the mother of the boy who is acting out, so it's a difficult time for her.
An update on the miracle cat: Tigger is still doing well, even after disappearing for two days after a dog chased him. He returned home last night, thinner, but otherwise okay. Thanks be to God.
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