From Ruth Gledhill at the Times Online:
So is this it?
....
Arguably, this is a schism that's been waiting to happen for 400 years. A denomination or communion founded on divorce, both of a king and of a church, is hardly one that's predicated for infinite unity. The right for the freedom not to be bound by archaic and arcane doctrine tradition was what the reformers fought for, and is what liberals in TEC would argue is their right today.
....
Maybe this isn't a train crash at all.
Maybe it is just an inevitable decoupling, the 'walking apart' described prophetically in Windsor.
In that event, perhaps, it is to be welcomed. The parties can cite irreconcilable breakdown. Reconciliation has been tried, and failed.
All that will remain is to divide up the assets.
Then division will be absolute.
What we have to remember, in all the pain, recriminations and self-righteous accusations that will undoubtedly follow, is that in spite of the rhetoric of the train crash used so powerfully by the Bishop of Durham in The Times, there are no dead bodies.
In fact, there are a lot of happy people. They are the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender minorities in the US, and their friends and supporters, who have found spiritual haven in The Episcopal Church. Conservatives should perhaps not object too strongly, because they can now opt for the new Anglican Church in North America.
The miracle that might yet await is recognition of the new Anglican province, and acceptance of that by TEC. Then they can all sit around the table together, and in five years time we might wonder what all the fuss was about. Dream on, you might well say, and why not? Dream, and pray, and maybe, just maybe, it isn't over yet.
Ruth posted a video of the American Anglican Council press conference after GC09, starring Bishop Beckwith of Springfield, Illinois, and Bishop Love of Albany, New York, with Rt. Rev. David Anderson (President, AAC) and the Rev. Phil Ashey (AAC) in supporting(?) roles. Bishop Beckwith starts the ball rolling after a little Alphonse/Gaston routine with Bishop Love. The video is long, and I confess that I haven't watched it in its entirety yet, but I will.
Ruth links to writings by other journalists, which I do not provide here, so read the whole article at her blog.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Story Of The Day
I held out my hands & asked where I could help & somebody grabbed me & pointed me towards the future & said, You've got your work cut out for you & I said, isn't there anything easier? & he laughed & said you could dig around in the past, but it's just busywork & that made perfect sense so I shrugged & started right where I was, along with everyone else
From StoryPeople.
Thanks to Ann for the link.
From StoryPeople.
Thanks to Ann for the link.
From Roseann - "Oh, honey! What's wrong?"
Let me tell you, when in my state the first words you hear in the morning from your beloved are, "Oh honey! What's wrong?" it is most disconcerting. My head and neck were swollen like never before. I didn't just look like a chipmunk on crack, I looked like a herd of chipmunks on crack.
I went to dialysis and they took one look at me and wanted to send me to the ER but since I could breathe okay they went ahead and hooked me up. 3.5 liters of fluid later the swelling had gone down significantly. My nephrologist, the amazing Dr. Kimball decided to set me up for a veinogram so they can determine if there is some sort of blockage with the catheter going into my heart. I'll have this procedure done on Thursday.
In the meantime I kind of look like Cartman, so respect my authoritie!
Love and prayers to you all, Roseann
Much love to you, Roseann, and many prayers that all goes well with the procedure on Thursday and that the doctors find out what they need to know to make you better.
Like Cartman! I know not to cross you between now and then, love. I shall respect your authoritie.
I went to dialysis and they took one look at me and wanted to send me to the ER but since I could breathe okay they went ahead and hooked me up. 3.5 liters of fluid later the swelling had gone down significantly. My nephrologist, the amazing Dr. Kimball decided to set me up for a veinogram so they can determine if there is some sort of blockage with the catheter going into my heart. I'll have this procedure done on Thursday.
In the meantime I kind of look like Cartman, so respect my authoritie!
Love and prayers to you all, Roseann
Much love to you, Roseann, and many prayers that all goes well with the procedure on Thursday and that the doctors find out what they need to know to make you better.
Like Cartman! I know not to cross you between now and then, love. I shall respect your authoritie.
To TEC: Say No To An Anglican Covenant
Why do we need another covenant for the Anglican Communion?
We share:
The New Covenant
Q. What is the New Covenant?
A. The New Covenant is the new relationship with God given by Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to the apostles; and, through them, to all who believe in him.
Q. What did the Messiah promise in the New Covenant?
A. Christ promised to bring us into the kingdom of God and give life in all its fullness.
Q. What response did Christ require?
A. Christ commanded us to believe in him and to keep his commandments.
Q. What are the commandments taught by Christ?
A. Christ taught us the Summary of the Law and gave us the New Commandment.
Q. What is the Summary of the Law?
A. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Q. What is the New Commandment?
A. The New Commandment is that we love one another as Christ loved us.
....
The Creeds
Q. What are the creeds?
A. The creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God.
Q. How many creeds does this Church use in its worship?
A. This Church uses two creeds: The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.
Q. What is the Apostles' Creed?
A. The Apostles' Creed is the ancient creed of Baptism; it is used in the Church's daily worship to recall our Baptismal Covenant.
Q. What is the Nicene Creed?
A. The Nicene Creed is the creed of the universal Church and is used at the Eucharist.
(From the Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 850-852)
....
The Baptismal Covenant
Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Father?
People
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Celebrant
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Celebrant
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People
I will, with God’s help.
(From the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 304-305)
We have common worship centered in the Book of Common Prayer.
We are joined by the sacraments of Baptism and by our sharing in the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ.
We share the bonds of affection - or not - as the case may be.
What's missing? What can we add that will improve on what we already share? If the bonds of affection are not present, another covenant will not force them.
We share:
The New Covenant
Q. What is the New Covenant?
A. The New Covenant is the new relationship with God given by Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to the apostles; and, through them, to all who believe in him.
Q. What did the Messiah promise in the New Covenant?
A. Christ promised to bring us into the kingdom of God and give life in all its fullness.
Q. What response did Christ require?
A. Christ commanded us to believe in him and to keep his commandments.
Q. What are the commandments taught by Christ?
A. Christ taught us the Summary of the Law and gave us the New Commandment.
Q. What is the Summary of the Law?
A. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Q. What is the New Commandment?
A. The New Commandment is that we love one another as Christ loved us.
....
The Creeds
Q. What are the creeds?
A. The creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God.
Q. How many creeds does this Church use in its worship?
A. This Church uses two creeds: The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.
Q. What is the Apostles' Creed?
A. The Apostles' Creed is the ancient creed of Baptism; it is used in the Church's daily worship to recall our Baptismal Covenant.
Q. What is the Nicene Creed?
A. The Nicene Creed is the creed of the universal Church and is used at the Eucharist.
(From the Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 850-852)
....
The Baptismal Covenant
Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Father?
People
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Celebrant
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Celebrant
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People
I will, with God’s help.
(From the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 304-305)
We have common worship centered in the Book of Common Prayer.
We are joined by the sacraments of Baptism and by our sharing in the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ.
We share the bonds of affection - or not - as the case may be.
What's missing? What can we add that will improve on what we already share? If the bonds of affection are not present, another covenant will not force them.
Two Dioceses Announce Candidates For Bishop
The Episcopal Dioceses of Minnesota and Los Angeles announced their slate of candidates for bishop.
From the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota:
On Saturday, August 1, the Search Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota announced the names of three candidates for IX Bishop of Minnesota:
The Rev. Mariann Budde, Rector, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, MN
The Rev. Bonnie Perry, Rector, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Chicago, IL
The Rev. Brian Prior, Rector, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Spokane, WA
A full bio and resume for each candidate is available on the IX Bishop Search website. A pdf of a bulletin insert is available for download. A doc file is also available.
According to her bio, The Rev. Bonnie Perry is a partnered lesbian. All three candidates appear well-qualified for the post of bishop.
From the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles:
Six priests -- three from the Diocese of Los Angeles and one each from San Francisco; San Jose, California; and Baltimore, Maryland -- have been nominated for December's election of two bishops suffragan in the six-county Diocese of Los Angeles. The slate was announced August 2 by the Rev. Julian Bull, chair of the Search and Nominating Committee.
Within the Episcopal Church, bishops suffragan are elected to assist the bishop of a diocese. The nominees, listed here with links to ministry and biographical information, are:
The Rev. Canon Diane M. Jardine Bruce, rector, St. Clement's by-the-Sea Church in San Clemente, California;
The Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool, canon to the bishops in the Baltimore-based Diocese of Maryland;
The Rev. Zelda M. Kennedy, senior associate for pastoral care and spiritual growth, All Saints Church in Pasadena, California;
The Rev. John L. Kirkley, rector, St. John the Evangelist Church in San Francisco (Diocese of California);
The Rev. Silvestre E. Romero, rector, St Philip's Church in San Jose, California (Diocese of El Camino Real); and
The Rev. Irineo Martir Vasquez, vicar, St. George's Church in Hawthorne, California.
....
"I affirm each and every one of these candidates, and I am pleased with the wide diversity they offer this Diocese," Bishop Bruno said in a statement (full text follows).
The Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool is a partnered lesbian, and The Rev. John L. Kirkley is a married gay man with one adopted son.
Again, the bios of the candidates are all quite impressive.
The LA Times says:
The nominations of the Rev. John L. Kirkley of San Francisco and the Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool of a Baltimore-based diocese are likely to further inflame theological conservatives in the U.S. church and their global partners in the Anglican Communion, who have repeatedly warned about the repercussions of such action.
The Times is correct. The lists from the two dioceses will, no doubt, "further inflame theological conservatives". My prayer is that the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit will inflame the minds and hearts of those who will choose the bishops for the dioceses and lead them to the candidates best suited for the positions.
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose bishops for the Diocese of Minnesota and the Diocese of Los Angeles that they may receive faithful pastors, who will care for your people and equip them for their ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 818)
From the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota:
On Saturday, August 1, the Search Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota announced the names of three candidates for IX Bishop of Minnesota:
The Rev. Mariann Budde, Rector, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, MN
The Rev. Bonnie Perry, Rector, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Chicago, IL
The Rev. Brian Prior, Rector, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Spokane, WA
A full bio and resume for each candidate is available on the IX Bishop Search website. A pdf of a bulletin insert is available for download. A doc file is also available.
According to her bio, The Rev. Bonnie Perry is a partnered lesbian. All three candidates appear well-qualified for the post of bishop.
From the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles:
Six priests -- three from the Diocese of Los Angeles and one each from San Francisco; San Jose, California; and Baltimore, Maryland -- have been nominated for December's election of two bishops suffragan in the six-county Diocese of Los Angeles. The slate was announced August 2 by the Rev. Julian Bull, chair of the Search and Nominating Committee.
Within the Episcopal Church, bishops suffragan are elected to assist the bishop of a diocese. The nominees, listed here with links to ministry and biographical information, are:
The Rev. Canon Diane M. Jardine Bruce, rector, St. Clement's by-the-Sea Church in San Clemente, California;
The Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool, canon to the bishops in the Baltimore-based Diocese of Maryland;
The Rev. Zelda M. Kennedy, senior associate for pastoral care and spiritual growth, All Saints Church in Pasadena, California;
The Rev. John L. Kirkley, rector, St. John the Evangelist Church in San Francisco (Diocese of California);
The Rev. Silvestre E. Romero, rector, St Philip's Church in San Jose, California (Diocese of El Camino Real); and
The Rev. Irineo Martir Vasquez, vicar, St. George's Church in Hawthorne, California.
....
"I affirm each and every one of these candidates, and I am pleased with the wide diversity they offer this Diocese," Bishop Bruno said in a statement (full text follows).
The Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool is a partnered lesbian, and The Rev. John L. Kirkley is a married gay man with one adopted son.
Again, the bios of the candidates are all quite impressive.
The LA Times says:
The nominations of the Rev. John L. Kirkley of San Francisco and the Rev. Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool of a Baltimore-based diocese are likely to further inflame theological conservatives in the U.S. church and their global partners in the Anglican Communion, who have repeatedly warned about the repercussions of such action.
The Times is correct. The lists from the two dioceses will, no doubt, "further inflame theological conservatives". My prayer is that the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit will inflame the minds and hearts of those who will choose the bishops for the dioceses and lead them to the candidates best suited for the positions.
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose bishops for the Diocese of Minnesota and the Diocese of Los Angeles that they may receive faithful pastors, who will care for your people and equip them for their ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 818)
Sunday, August 2, 2009
GC09 Reaches Far Beyond....
From the LA Times:
With a little more than 2 million members, the Episcopal Church of the United States is far from being the country's largest Christian denomination. But its recent pronouncements indicating support for openly gay bishops and church blessings for same-sex couples will have reverberations beyond that church, beyond Christianity and even beyond religion. For all the theological issues it raises, acceptance of gays and lesbians at the altar reflects -- and affects -- the campaign for equality in the larger society.
Well, we know that we're not the biggest, but we can hope that the actions taken in Anaheim have a positive effect on justice and equality for gays and lesbians in this country and around the world.
In a society that has accepted women as judges, chief executive officers and university presidents, the absence of women at the altar will strike the man -- and woman -- in the pew as increasingly incongruous. The influence works both ways: A young girl who sees a woman presiding over the most sacred rituals of her faith will wonder why there is still resistance to full participation by her gender in earthly activities. A devout gay teenager who is confirmed by a homosexual bishop will be less likely to doubt his worth when confronted with bigotry and bullying at school.
Yes. Exactly. The young lesbian girl might say to herself, "Why would anyone say that I can't do that?" The devout gay teenager would be confirmed and affirmed as a gay young man, beloved of God.
Why does anyone other than members of the Episcopal Church and, perhaps, members of other religious bodies pay attention to the activities of a small denomination?
Still, it's not surprising that the controversy in the Anglican Communion has riveted observers who never have darkened the door of a church. It isn't just that the dispute about homosexuality influences and informs similar debates in developed countries, including Britain and the United States. There is also a global dimension to the controversy.
And the coup de grâce.
The strides made by the Episcopal Church thus are especially significant, and especially commendable, because they occur against a backdrop of both cultural and religious resistance. Supporters of Proposition 8 weren't the only ones to cloak prejudice with piety.
The editorial is well-done. Whoever wrote it understands what happened in Anaheim.
H/T to JB Chilton at The Lead
With a little more than 2 million members, the Episcopal Church of the United States is far from being the country's largest Christian denomination. But its recent pronouncements indicating support for openly gay bishops and church blessings for same-sex couples will have reverberations beyond that church, beyond Christianity and even beyond religion. For all the theological issues it raises, acceptance of gays and lesbians at the altar reflects -- and affects -- the campaign for equality in the larger society.
Well, we know that we're not the biggest, but we can hope that the actions taken in Anaheim have a positive effect on justice and equality for gays and lesbians in this country and around the world.
In a society that has accepted women as judges, chief executive officers and university presidents, the absence of women at the altar will strike the man -- and woman -- in the pew as increasingly incongruous. The influence works both ways: A young girl who sees a woman presiding over the most sacred rituals of her faith will wonder why there is still resistance to full participation by her gender in earthly activities. A devout gay teenager who is confirmed by a homosexual bishop will be less likely to doubt his worth when confronted with bigotry and bullying at school.
Yes. Exactly. The young lesbian girl might say to herself, "Why would anyone say that I can't do that?" The devout gay teenager would be confirmed and affirmed as a gay young man, beloved of God.
Why does anyone other than members of the Episcopal Church and, perhaps, members of other religious bodies pay attention to the activities of a small denomination?
Still, it's not surprising that the controversy in the Anglican Communion has riveted observers who never have darkened the door of a church. It isn't just that the dispute about homosexuality influences and informs similar debates in developed countries, including Britain and the United States. There is also a global dimension to the controversy.
And the coup de grâce.
The strides made by the Episcopal Church thus are especially significant, and especially commendable, because they occur against a backdrop of both cultural and religious resistance. Supporters of Proposition 8 weren't the only ones to cloak prejudice with piety.
The editorial is well-done. Whoever wrote it understands what happened in Anaheim.
H/T to JB Chilton at The Lead
Helpful Old Guy
I was in Lowe's the other day pushing my cart around when I collided with a young guy pushing his cart.
I said to the young guy, "Sorry about that. I'm looking for my wife and I guess I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."
The young guy says, "That's OK. It's a coincidence. I'm looking for my wife, too. I can't find her and I'm getting a little desperate.
I said, "Well, maybe we can help each other. What does your wife look like?"
The young guy says, "Well, she is 24 years old, tall, with blond hair, big blue eyes, long legs, bigboobs breasts, and she's wearing tight white shorts, a halter top and no bra. What does your wife look like?"
I said, "Doesn't matter --- let's look for yours."
Most old guys are helpful like that.
I've been much too serious of late. I needed a break, and here comes Doug to the rescue.
I said to the young guy, "Sorry about that. I'm looking for my wife and I guess I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."
The young guy says, "That's OK. It's a coincidence. I'm looking for my wife, too. I can't find her and I'm getting a little desperate.
I said, "Well, maybe we can help each other. What does your wife look like?"
The young guy says, "Well, she is 24 years old, tall, with blond hair, big blue eyes, long legs, big
I said, "Doesn't matter --- let's look for yours."
Most old guys are helpful like that.
I've been much too serious of late. I needed a break, and here comes Doug to the rescue.
"The Pastoral Letter" - Bishop Bruce MacPherson
Mark Harris at Preludium posted "The Pastoral Letter" of Bishop Bruce MacPherson, bishop of the Diocese of Western Louisiana, in response to General Convention 2009 in Anaheim. Mark says:
Bishop MacPherson is an honorable man and he is telling it as he knows how. His letter is one filled with concern, but also with hope. As one of the spokespersons for the Communion Partners, I believe he is speaking with clarity. That I do not agree with him is not of much interest. That he is an articulate voice for the "minority" is of interest.
Mark posted the text of the entire letter, which I will not excerpt here. Bishop MacPherson directed that his letter be read at all services this weekend.
The Diocese of Western Louisiana is not my diocese. We belong to the Diocese of Louisiana, with Bishop Charles Jenkins as our bishop. So far as I know, Bishop Jenkins has not issued a pastoral letter. All I can find about convention on the diocesan website is this incomplete account of the first days of GC09.
Bishop MacPherson is an honorable man and he is telling it as he knows how. His letter is one filled with concern, but also with hope. As one of the spokespersons for the Communion Partners, I believe he is speaking with clarity. That I do not agree with him is not of much interest. That he is an articulate voice for the "minority" is of interest.
Mark posted the text of the entire letter, which I will not excerpt here. Bishop MacPherson directed that his letter be read at all services this weekend.
The Diocese of Western Louisiana is not my diocese. We belong to the Diocese of Louisiana, with Bishop Charles Jenkins as our bishop. So far as I know, Bishop Jenkins has not issued a pastoral letter. All I can find about convention on the diocesan website is this incomplete account of the first days of GC09.
"No Anglican Covenant!"
Doug, at Counterlight's Peculiers, has a terrific post on - well - he covers a lot of ground that would be difficult to describe in a few words. The basis for the background information is to clarify why Doug thinks a covenant in the Anglican Communion would not be a good thing. I agree with his conclusion, as you should know if you've read my blog for any length of time.
As is often the case, Doug intersperses his words with works of art illustrative of the points he makes in his writing. I recommend his post highly. It's well-reasoned, well-written, and clear.
As is often the case, Doug intersperses his words with works of art illustrative of the points he makes in his writing. I recommend his post highly. It's well-reasoned, well-written, and clear.
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