From the BBC:

Female students are ahead of men in almost every measure of UK university achievement, according to a report from higher education researchers.

A Higher Education Policy Institute report shows that women are more likely to get places in the top universities and go on to get better grades.

Women also outnumber men in high status subjects, such as law and medicine.

The institute's director, Bahram Bekhradnia, says the cause of this gender gap remains uncertain.

Cambridge and Oxford are the exceptions. The numbers of men and women are equal.

Trinity Sunday

RUBLYOV, Andrey - "Trinity" - c. 1411 - Tempera on panel
Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow


Trinity Prayer

God for us, we call You Father,
God along side us, we call You Jesus,
God within us, we call You Holy Spirit.

You are the Eternal Mystery
that enables, enfolds, and enlivens all things,
even us,
and even me.

Every name falls short of your
Goodness and Greatness.

We can only see who You are in what is.
We ask for such perfect seeing.

As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be.

Amen.

Richard Rohr


Preface of Trinity Sunday

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of thy Divine Majesty to worship the Unity: We beseech thee that thou wouldst keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see thee in thy one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, p. 176)

As I searched for a painting for this post, I noted that many of the Trinity paintings depicted the dead Christ or the crucified Christ. I didn't want that. What's the theology there? The few that did not were, as they say, de trop, too busy, too pretty, too, too, too.... The icon is lovely.

Richard Rohr's poem from The Mercy Blog.

Image from The Web Gallery of Art.

"What Facebook Is For"

My apologies to all Facebook lovers. C'mon, forgive me. I know you laughed.

Thanks to Lapin for the link.

Please Pray For Izzie

From MotherAmelia:

Took my little Izzie to the emergency vet today. She can't jump on or off the bed or go up and down stairs. The vet thinks it's a back problem. More details on my blog. Prayer requested.

My Letter On The Secret Sub-Committee

Dear Bishop Parsley and members of The Committee on Theology,

As I understand it, the names of the members of sub-committee to study same-sex relationships are secret. Where is the openness and transparency in this policy? Why are the names of the members secret? This should not be. I believe that you, as leaders in the Episcopal Church, made a grave miscalculation in your decision not to release the names of the members of the sub-committee. I understand and agree that the deliberations may be confidential until the report is delivered, but not the names of the members.

And why the need for another study and committee? The subject has been studied and committeed to death already. Is this sub-committee another delaying tactic by the church leadership to keep from making a decision to move forward to include all baptized members in the full life of the Episcopal Church?

As for the suggestion that "academic freedom" is in play in withholding the names of the committee members, that seems nonsensical to me. Academic freedom has to do with openness and transparency, not secrecy. I hope that you give thought to reversing your policy of withholding the names of the members of the sub-committee.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Yours in Christ,

June Butler

I sent the letter to all of the members of the Committee on Theology with copies to others in leadership positions in the Episcopal Church listed in this post.

Not Just For The Aged

Thanks to Susan S.

"Transparency" And "Openness" No Longer Apply

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.

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.

We Break For A Brief Commercial

Hmmm.

Thanks to Lapin.