Jim said...
Update:
She is still and and not doing well.
::sigh::
She seems to be in partial renal failure and she is going to see a kidney specialist.
thanks for the prayers!
FWIW
jimB
Sunday, July 19, 2009
"Not Angels, But Anglicans"
From Diana Butler Bass at Beliefnet:
By a 2-1 margin, Episcopalians agreed "that through our own listening the General Convention has come to recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God." And the Episcopal General Convention equally has come to understand "that God has called and may call such individuals, to any ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church." In plain English, the Episcopal Church has now formally recognized the lived reality of faithful same-sex Christian couples in our community and that the Holy Spirit may call persons in such relationships to Christian ministry--even the ministry of bishop.
This affirmation doesn't demand that anyone do anything or anyone be forced to believe something they find offensive. Indeed, in the resolution, the church stated that Christians are not of a unified mind and that Christians "of good conscience" may disagree in regards to these concerns. But the resolution also does two important things: 1) it recognizes that many, many Episcopalians are perfectly comfortable and open to being part of a diverse spiritual community that includes gay and lesbian brothers and sisters; and 2) that local dioceses may chose their bishops by discerning the best candidate for ministry without restriction placed on sexual identity.
Some may argue that the Episcopal Church has broken faith. No, Episcopalians are struggling to be faithful and to live justly as our society widens its understanding of human relationships and marriage. The attempt to do so is not somehow "secular" or untraditional. Rather, adapting to local cultures is an important part of being Anglican.
Please read the entire essay. To me, it explains in a way that is simple and easy to understand what happened in Anaheim at GC2009 and how Resolutions D025 and C056 may affect the daily lives of Episcopalians.
In my diocese, the Diocese of Louisiana, we are now in the process of choosing a new bishop, because Bishop Charles Jenkins will retire at the end of 2009. I can safely state we will not elect a partnered gay bishop. My prayer and my hope is that we do not elect a bishop who will attempt to take the diocese out of the Episcopal Church into one of the splinter groups. I don't believe that is likely to happen, either.
As to the blessing of gay and lesbian unions and the ordination of partnered gay and lesbian priests and deacons, I can't speak for the next bishop, but I don't foresee that happening soon in my diocese. In the near future, nothing is likely to change here.
Thanks to KJ in the comments for the link to the excellent essay.
By a 2-1 margin, Episcopalians agreed "that through our own listening the General Convention has come to recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God." And the Episcopal General Convention equally has come to understand "that God has called and may call such individuals, to any ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church." In plain English, the Episcopal Church has now formally recognized the lived reality of faithful same-sex Christian couples in our community and that the Holy Spirit may call persons in such relationships to Christian ministry--even the ministry of bishop.
This affirmation doesn't demand that anyone do anything or anyone be forced to believe something they find offensive. Indeed, in the resolution, the church stated that Christians are not of a unified mind and that Christians "of good conscience" may disagree in regards to these concerns. But the resolution also does two important things: 1) it recognizes that many, many Episcopalians are perfectly comfortable and open to being part of a diverse spiritual community that includes gay and lesbian brothers and sisters; and 2) that local dioceses may chose their bishops by discerning the best candidate for ministry without restriction placed on sexual identity.
Some may argue that the Episcopal Church has broken faith. No, Episcopalians are struggling to be faithful and to live justly as our society widens its understanding of human relationships and marriage. The attempt to do so is not somehow "secular" or untraditional. Rather, adapting to local cultures is an important part of being Anglican.
Please read the entire essay. To me, it explains in a way that is simple and easy to understand what happened in Anaheim at GC2009 and how Resolutions D025 and C056 may affect the daily lives of Episcopalians.
In my diocese, the Diocese of Louisiana, we are now in the process of choosing a new bishop, because Bishop Charles Jenkins will retire at the end of 2009. I can safely state we will not elect a partnered gay bishop. My prayer and my hope is that we do not elect a bishop who will attempt to take the diocese out of the Episcopal Church into one of the splinter groups. I don't believe that is likely to happen, either.
As to the blessing of gay and lesbian unions and the ordination of partnered gay and lesbian priests and deacons, I can't speak for the next bishop, but I don't foresee that happening soon in my diocese. In the near future, nothing is likely to change here.
Thanks to KJ in the comments for the link to the excellent essay.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Shall We Even Things Out?
Daniel Gilgoff blogs at US News. He sent me a link to his post on the two resolutions on full inclusion of gays which were passed at GC2009 in Anaheim. Have a look at the comments to his post. If you'd like, you can add a little zest to the neighborhood, because right now, it's owned by the Bible thumpers.
From Daniel Gilgoff,
Wounded Bird crew,
Thought you'd be interested in my blog post on whether the Episcopal Church's moves to embrace gays more fully will ease or exacerbate its membership woes.
God & Country
Best,
Dan
From Daniel Gilgoff,
Wounded Bird crew,
Thought you'd be interested in my blog post on whether the Episcopal Church's moves to embrace gays more fully will ease or exacerbate its membership woes.
God & Country
Best,
Dan
Our Own Jim Has His Say In The UK
From Jim Naughton in the Guardian:
The general convention of the Episcopal Church concluded its triennial meeting in Anaheim yesterday, and apparently succeeded in annoying Tom Wright, the bishop of Durham. In some circles this accomplishment in itself justifies the expense of lodging some 880 deputies, 150 bishops and thousands of visitors in hotels near Disneyland for 10 days.
Writing in the Times, Wright asserted that the Episcopal Church is seeking to perpetuate the schism it began six years ago in consecrating Gene Robinson, who lives in a civil union with his partner, Mark Andrew, as bishop of New Hampshire. This is not the case, but I am always grateful when Wright comments on my church. Those of us who argue in favour of the full inclusion of gay and lesbian Christians in the Anglican communion and against the centralising agenda of Rowan Williams are in need of foils, and Wright, who seems to believe condescension is a charism, fits the bill perfectly.
....
In short, we did not resolve the tensions either in our church or in the communion, but we learned better how to bear with one another as we attempt to discern the will of God. I'd like to think that is a contribution to the larger church
Bravo! That's how to do it, Jim.
Talk about hyperventilating! Slow down, BishopRight Wright. Breathe in a paper bag if you must.
Please read the rest of Jim's article at the Guardian. It's quite good. I hope that his piece sheds a little light on the happenings at the convention for the readers in the UK. Some folks "over there" don't seem to "get" the Episcopal Church and how it functions.
Jim hangs out at the Episcopal Café. I've even heard that he runs the place. To my regret, I did not get to meet him at the convention. I had a couple of misses of VIPs whom I wanted to meet, but not many.
I once did an assignment for Jim, probably by default, because no one else was going to be present and available. I was a wreck. I am not a reporter, nor am I a detail person, but I suppose I came up with something half-way presentable, because Jim published it, after a bit of expert editorial polishing.
H/T to Counterlight's Peculiers for the link to Jim's article.
The general convention of the Episcopal Church concluded its triennial meeting in Anaheim yesterday, and apparently succeeded in annoying Tom Wright, the bishop of Durham. In some circles this accomplishment in itself justifies the expense of lodging some 880 deputies, 150 bishops and thousands of visitors in hotels near Disneyland for 10 days.
Writing in the Times, Wright asserted that the Episcopal Church is seeking to perpetuate the schism it began six years ago in consecrating Gene Robinson, who lives in a civil union with his partner, Mark Andrew, as bishop of New Hampshire. This is not the case, but I am always grateful when Wright comments on my church. Those of us who argue in favour of the full inclusion of gay and lesbian Christians in the Anglican communion and against the centralising agenda of Rowan Williams are in need of foils, and Wright, who seems to believe condescension is a charism, fits the bill perfectly.
....
In short, we did not resolve the tensions either in our church or in the communion, but we learned better how to bear with one another as we attempt to discern the will of God. I'd like to think that is a contribution to the larger church
Bravo! That's how to do it, Jim.
Talk about hyperventilating! Slow down, Bishop
Please read the rest of Jim's article at the Guardian. It's quite good. I hope that his piece sheds a little light on the happenings at the convention for the readers in the UK. Some folks "over there" don't seem to "get" the Episcopal Church and how it functions.
Jim hangs out at the Episcopal Café. I've even heard that he runs the place. To my regret, I did not get to meet him at the convention. I had a couple of misses of VIPs whom I wanted to meet, but not many.
I once did an assignment for Jim, probably by default, because no one else was going to be present and available. I was a wreck. I am not a reporter, nor am I a detail person, but I suppose I came up with something half-way presentable, because Jim published it, after a bit of expert editorial polishing.
H/T to Counterlight's Peculiers for the link to Jim's article.
Urgent Prayer Request
From JimB:
I called the paramedics this morning because Sue-z could not breath. She is in hospital at LaGrange Community with an apparent clot in her pulmonary artery. Treatment for that condition is medical. Blood thinners are used to actually dissolve the clot.
The current expectation is that she will be in hospital until the middle of next week. As I can I shall keep you'al posted. Please pray for her and her healers.
From OCICBW.
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant Sue-z the help of your power, that her sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I called the paramedics this morning because Sue-z could not breath. She is in hospital at LaGrange Community with an apparent clot in her pulmonary artery. Treatment for that condition is medical. Blood thinners are used to actually dissolve the clot.
The current expectation is that she will be in hospital until the middle of next week. As I can I shall keep you'al posted. Please pray for her and her healers.
From OCICBW.
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant Sue-z the help of your power, that her sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From Roseann
Well it has been a wild week. I went to dialysis Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri and I'm feeling a little better now. On Tues I was transfused with 2 pints of blood. A person waiting, hoping for a kidney transplant never wants a transfusion because it builds up antibodies in your blood that make it harder to find a donor. However, being so anemic you can't walk across a room is not desirable either.
I saw my nephrologist today and he told me how worried he had been earlier this week. He's a good guy who really cares about his patients. The swelling in my arms has gone down about 75% and he expects the rest will go by the end of next week. I just keep on keepin' on.
Names I wish I had never heard:
Perez Hilton
Paris Hilton
Brittany Spears
Jessica Simpson
I just hate it that I know anything at all about those people!
Roseann, just keep on keepin' on and we'll keep on prayin'. I see that your sense of humor is intact.
Love and blessings.
I saw my nephrologist today and he told me how worried he had been earlier this week. He's a good guy who really cares about his patients. The swelling in my arms has gone down about 75% and he expects the rest will go by the end of next week. I just keep on keepin' on.
Names I wish I had never heard:
Perez Hilton
Paris Hilton
Brittany Spears
Jessica Simpson
I just hate it that I know anything at all about those people!
Roseann, just keep on keepin' on and we'll keep on prayin'. I see that your sense of humor is intact.
Love and blessings.
Friday, July 17, 2009
"Will Wonders Never Cease?"
From the Sydney Morning Herald:
Oscar Wilde, whose flamboyant homosexuality shocked 19th century Britain, has won an unexpected endorsement by the Vatican.
The Holy See's official newspaper has praised the playwright and poet as a "lucid analyst of the modern world".
Wilde, who was jailed for acts of gross indecency with Lord Alfred Douglas and later converted to Catholicism, has been regarded by the Catholic Church in the century since his death as a dangerous degenerate and dissolute nonconformist. But on Thursday, L'Osservatore Romano declared that the author of The Importance Of Being Earnest was more than "an aesthete and a lover of the ephemeral".
Thanks to Brian for the title of the post and the link.
Walter Cronkite - R. I. P.
From CBS News:
Walter Cronkite, who personified television journalism for more than a generation as anchor and managing editor of the "CBS Evening News," has died. CBS vice president Linda Mason says Cronkite died at 7:42 p.m. Friday with his family by his side at his home in New York after a long illness. He was 92.
Known for his steady and straightforward delivery, his trim moustache, and his iconic sign-off line -"That’s the way it is" - Cronkite dominated the television news industry during one of the most volatile periods of American history. He broke the news of the Kennedy assassination, reported extensively on Vietnam and Civil Rights and Watergate, and seemed to be the very embodiment of TV journalism.
Yes, I remember the ancient days when we had real news on TV. I remember when we saw and heard more than 44 minutes of news from an hour long news show. I remember when reporters gave us the news rather than their opinions. I remember when reporters didn't play silly games on the news shows.
Cronkite was one of the best.
Picture of Cronkite in Vietnam from Wiki.
Glorious Insults
These glorious insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.
The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor:
She said, "If you were my husband I'd give you poison."
He said, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it."
A member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease."
"That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." Clarence Darrow
"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).
"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." - Moses Hadas
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.." - Mark Twain
"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends..." - Oscar Wilde
"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend...if you have one." - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill
"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second...if there is one." - Winston Churchill, in response.
"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here." - Stephen Bishop
"He is a self-made man and worships his creator." John Bright
"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial." - Irvin S. Cobb
"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up." - Paul Keating
"In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." - Charles, Count Talleyrand
"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him." - ForrestTucker
"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?" - Mark Twain
"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." - MaeWest
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts...for support rather than illumination."
- Andrew Lang (1844-1912)
"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." - Billy Wilder
"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx
From Doug. I needed a laugh.
The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor:
She said, "If you were my husband I'd give you poison."
He said, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it."
A member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease."
"That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." Clarence Darrow
"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).
"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." - Moses Hadas
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.." - Mark Twain
"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends..." - Oscar Wilde
"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend...if you have one." - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill
"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second...if there is one." - Winston Churchill, in response.
"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here." - Stephen Bishop
"He is a self-made man and worships his creator." John Bright
"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial." - Irvin S. Cobb
"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up." - Paul Keating
"In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." - Charles, Count Talleyrand
"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him." - ForrestTucker
"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?" - Mark Twain
"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." - MaeWest
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts...for support rather than illumination."
- Andrew Lang (1844-1912)
"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." - Billy Wilder
"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx
From Doug. I needed a laugh.
From Fr. Terry (aka) Fr. Jake
From Fr. Terry:
A drastically reduced budget has been approved by General Convention. Among the cuts are various programs at the Episcopal Church Center.
I'm sorry to have to inform you that the entire Evangelism program, including my position, has been eliminated from the budget.
Other program officer positions eliminated include Worship and Spirituality, Women's Ministries and Lay Ministry.
All together, 37 positions at the Episcopal Church Center have been cut. No explanation has been offered as to why these programs were chosen for elimination.
....
Pray for those staff at the Episcopal Church Center struggling with unexpected transitions.
Pray for the Church.
Read the rest at his blog.
How sad. Fr. Terry was enthusiastic about what was happening at GC09 with the Evangelism Program. The positions that were cut seem odd to me. Growing the church would seem to be essential now. In truth, all of the ministries that were cut seem important, but I suppose that choices must be made.
Indeed, prayers for all who need jobs and for the church.
For the Mission of the Church
Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
(Book of Common Prayer, pp. 816-817)
That All May Have Work
O God, the Creator of all things, you have made us in your own image so that we may find joy in creative work: have mercy on all those who are unemployed or will be unemployed. Help us to build a society where all may have work and find joy in doing it, for the good of our world and the glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Adapted from New Every Morning)
A drastically reduced budget has been approved by General Convention. Among the cuts are various programs at the Episcopal Church Center.
I'm sorry to have to inform you that the entire Evangelism program, including my position, has been eliminated from the budget.
Other program officer positions eliminated include Worship and Spirituality, Women's Ministries and Lay Ministry.
All together, 37 positions at the Episcopal Church Center have been cut. No explanation has been offered as to why these programs were chosen for elimination.
....
Pray for those staff at the Episcopal Church Center struggling with unexpected transitions.
Pray for the Church.
Read the rest at his blog.
How sad. Fr. Terry was enthusiastic about what was happening at GC09 with the Evangelism Program. The positions that were cut seem odd to me. Growing the church would seem to be essential now. In truth, all of the ministries that were cut seem important, but I suppose that choices must be made.
Indeed, prayers for all who need jobs and for the church.
For the Mission of the Church
Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
(Book of Common Prayer, pp. 816-817)
That All May Have Work
O God, the Creator of all things, you have made us in your own image so that we may find joy in creative work: have mercy on all those who are unemployed or will be unemployed. Help us to build a society where all may have work and find joy in doing it, for the good of our world and the glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Adapted from New Every Morning)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)