BISHOP MORRIS THOMPSON IS COMING

 

If you recall, after the walk-about to meet and greet the candidates for bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, I named the Rev. Morris Thompson as my favorite amongst the candidates. If you don't remember, I remind you.

My favorite of all and the one I would vote for if I had a vote is Fr Morris Thompson. He looked good on paper, and I liked him face to face.

A friend who once attended a church where Fr Thompson served applauded my choice.

June -
It's the middle of the night, but just caught up with your blog, not perused for several months. Happy to see that you like Morris for bishop !!
He was an assistant at our church in Ashland, loved by all, and now rectors a large church in Lexington KY, where he is highly thought of. Good friends of ours there have watched, loved and benefited from his pastoral gifts thru the years. They would hate to lose him, but feel he may best serve in wider pastures & offer his gifts as bishop in a diocese that has been through the tribulations that La. has.

And lo! A miracle happened. My favorite was elected as 11th bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana.

I don't know if Christ Church Cathedral will hold all the people who want to attend. Bishop Charles Jenkins, our retired bishop, was consecrated at St Dominic's Roman Catholic Church because it accommodated a larger number than Christ Church. Still, I'm pleased that the ceremony will be at the cathedral. I presume arrangements will be made for an overflow crowd to view the ceremony elsewhere on the cathedral grounds.

No reservations will be taken, so first come, first served with seating. I'll try to get a seat, but I won't arrive earlier than 8:00 AM, when the doors open. Is it possible that my peon of praise here for our bishop-elect might get me a special seat at the ceremony? Probably not, but if a seat is offered, I won't say no. After all, I'm an old lady.

I've wondered whether "ordain" or "consecrate" is the proper term for making a bishop. I've heard opinions in favor of both terms. The invitation states:

"The Most Reverend Katharine Jefforts Schori the Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church will ordain and consecrate The Very Reverend Morris King Thompson, Jr...."

The Via Media applied?

The scan of the invitation is taken from Churchwork, the diocesan magazine.

COMING INTO HIS OWN

 

With flourish and fanfare, President Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia signed a nuclear arms control treaty on Thursday and opened what they hoped would be a new era in the tumultuous relationship between two former cold war adversaries.

Meeting here in the heart of a once-divided Europe, the two leaders put aside the acrimony that has characterized Russian-American ties in recent years as they agreed to bring down their arsenals and restore an inspection regime that expired in December. Along the way, they sidestepped unresolved disputes over missile defense and other issues.

“When the United States and Russia are not able to work together on big issues, it is not good for either of our nations, nor is it good for the world,” Mr. Obama said as his words echoed through a majestic, gilded hall in the famed Prague Castle. “Together, we have stopped the drift, and proven the benefits of cooperation. Today is an important milestone for nuclear security and nonproliferation, and for U.S.-Russia relations.”

Mr. Medvedev called the treaty signing “a truly historic event” that will “open a new page” in Russian-American relations. “What matters most is this is a win-win situation,” he said. “No one stands to lose from this agreement. I believe this is a typical feature of our cooperation. Both parties have won.”

Our president is getting his groove, and I like what I see. Obama restores dignity, intelligence, rationality, and a host of other good qualities to the presidency. He is truly a graceful man. It's great to have the burden of being embarrassed by my president lifted.

Thank you President Obama and President Medvedev for your efforts to make the world a safer place.

From the New York Times.

TOP FOR BOTTOMS

 

According to recent economic figures the recession has bottomed out, but the experts still agree that we’re not out of the woods yet. In times of economic hardship it’s the little luxuries that put a smile on your face so with this in mind, Waitrose has launched a unique toilet tissue with cashmere extracts! The super soft cashmere loo roll is part of a new range, which includes jojoba (also unique to Waitrose) and aloe vera, all rolling into branches this month.
....

The unique Jojoba boasts the additional innovation of having a scented core, providing a refreshing aroma to the bathroom.

Rolling into branches now and retailing at £2.29 for a pack of four and £4.79 for a pack of nine this is the perfect way to enjoy cashmere without breaking the bank.

The royal purple packaging is gorgeous. Think of this luxury product rolling right into your bathroom.

From Lapin, who recommends the tissue highly.

CHURCH CARTOONS FOR EASTER WEEK

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry, but I can't give credit or blame for the cartoons, because I don't know who sent them. Thank you to whomever.

PORN STAR STORMY DANIELS MAY RUN AS A REPUBLICAN

 

From NOLA.com:

Playing off the recent Republican National Committee scandal in which the party spent almost $2,000 to entertain donors at a West Hollywood sex-themed nightclub, porn actress Stormy Daniels announced today that she is a switching from being a lifelong Democrat to becoming a Republican.

Daniels, a Baton Rouge native whose real name is Stephanie Gregory Clifford, has said she will announce April 15 whether she plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican David Vitter. If she makes that run, she said, she will do so as a member of the GOP.
....

"After months of careful deliberation and consult as to the true nature of my political affiliation I am ready today to declare that should I seek the office of US Senator from the great state of Louisiana that I will do so as a Republican.

"While this decision has not been an easy one, recent events regarding Republican National Committee fundraising at Voyeur, an LA based lesbian bondage themed nightclub finally tipped the scales.

"As I have said for well over a year, it is time that our government and our tax policy begin rewarding entrepreneurship and creativity again. It is time again to inspire positive risks and out-of-the-box thinking in the interest of growing a strong economy and a strong America (My emphasis)

I agree with Stormy. Republicans think waaay out of the box for their meetings. And how better to grow the economy than to give business to lesbian bondage themed nightclubs? I can't wait to hear about the Republicans' escapades during the meeting in New Orleans that starts tomorrow.

Stormy against David Vitter in the Republican primary could be quite an interesting match.

PRESIDING BISHOP JEFFORTS SCHORI'S LETTER TO THE PRIMATES

March 2010

My dear brothers in Christ:

I write you because of developments in The Episcopal Church, about which you will soon hear and read. As you all know, the Diocese of Los Angeles elected two suffragan bishops in December, and the consent process for those bishops has been ongoing since then. One of those bishops-elect is a woman in a partnered same-sex relationship.

At this point, she has received consent from a majority of the bishops with jurisdiction, and a majority of the standing committees of this Church. According to our canons, I must now take order for her consecration. I will do so, and anticipate that both bishops-elect will be consecrated at the same service on 15 May. It has been my practice, since I took office, to preside at the consecration of new bishops, and I intend to do so in this case as well.

It may help you to know that our House of Bishops will continue to discuss these issues at our meeting later this month. The papers we discuss will be available publicly following that meeting, and we will endeavor to see that you receive copies. I would encourage you to engage in conversation any bishops whom you know in this Church, particularly those you came to know at Lambeth, whether in Bible study or Indaba groups.

Know that this is not the decision of one person, or a small group of people. It represents the mind of a majority of elected leaders in The Episcopal Church, lay, clergy, and bishops, who have carefully considered the opinions and feelings of other members of the Anglican Communion as well as the decades-long conversations within this Church. It represents a prayerful and thoughtful decision, made in good faith that this Church is ‘working out its salvation in fear and trembling, believing that God is at work in us’ (Philippians 2:12-13).

I ask your prayers for this Church, for the Diocese of Los Angeles, and for the members of the Anglican Communion. This part of the Body of Christ has abundant work to do, and God’s mission needs us all.

If you have questions about this decision or process, I would encourage you to contact me. I would be glad to talk with you.

I pray that your ministry may continue to be a transformative blessing to many. I remain

Your servant in Christ,

Katharine Jefferts Schori

There it is, fellows. A good letter, yes?

I smiled at the PB's "My dear brothers in Christ" greeting. No need for sisters to be included in the greeting, because PB Katharine is unique in the whole of the Anglican Communion. Perhaps one day, in the not-too-distant future, just as Bishop Gene Robinson will no longer be the sole bishop in TEC in an open, same-sex relationship after Bishop-elect Mary Glasspool is consecrated, Bishop Katharine will not be the sole female Primate in the AC.

H/T to Diocese of East Tennessee via John Chilton at The Lead.

JESUS APPEARS AT EMMAUS

Doug Blanchard - "Jesus Appears at Emmaus"

Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over. "So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?"

Luke 24:25-32

Preface for Wednesday in Easter Week:

O God, whose blessed Son did manifest himself to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open, we pray thee, the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, p. 223

Last year during Lent and Easter, Doug gave me permission to use a number of his paintings here at Wounded Bird. The painting above is one in a series of paintings titled "The Passion of Christ". Doug blogs as Counterlight at Counterlight's Peculiars. I hope that my permission to use his painting extends through this year. The more I look at Doug's paintings, the more I like them.

A FRESH BREEZE BLOWS ACROSS CHARLESTON

Bishops Mark Lawrence of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina and William Love of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany are members of the Communion Partners, bishops and clergy who, to one degree or another, have one foot in and one foot out of the Episcopal, or if their feet are still planted in the Episcopal Church, they are not happy campers. One wonders if either or both bishops will, in the not-so-distant future, decide to bolt to ACNA, where, in their heart of hearts, it seems they long to be.

The Episcopalians in the two dioceses who are rather more loyal to the Episcopal Church than their bishops, feel a lack of pastoral care from the heads of their dioceses and have banded together to support each other and the Episcopal Church.

From the website of Episcopal Forum of South Carolina:

The mission of the Episcopal Forum in the Diocese of South Carolina is to preserve unity with diversity in the Diocese and within The Episcopal Church through the inclusion of a broad range of Scriptural understandings and by upholding the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and the democratic actions of its Conventions and elected leaders.

Openly Episcopal in Albany states:

Our goal will be to raise the visibility of The Episcopal Church throughout the diocese, and encourage our parishes and leadership to remain Episcopal in Albany.

Fr. Frank Wade, who teaches in the doctoral program at Virginia Theological Seminary, recently spoke to the Episcopal Forum in South Carolina on why he is "enthusiastically Episcopalian". Here's a snippet from Fr. Wade's speech:

If I were to see our Church in a specific Gospel story, I would suggest the Road to Emmaus. In that account two people were walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus on Easter Day. They were fully aware of the crucifixion and had heard rumors of the resurrection. They were dong their best to figure it all out. During their conversation, Jesus, unrecognized, joined them and guided their discussion to a deeper understanding. At the conclusion of their journey they had a meal and it is said that they recognized the Lord in that great Eucharistic phrase "the breaking of the bread." I would suggest that our Church is still on the Emmaus road, confident that when we are in conversation our Lord joins us and deepens our understanding.

I know you want to read the entire speech.

I've read and quoted enough of the whining, self-pitying, and sanctimonious words of Bishop Mark Lawrence to recognize Fr. Wade's words as a breath of fresh air blowing across Charleston on the day he spoke.

Openly Episcopal in Albany, will have the privilege of a visit from Fr. Wade to St Paul's Church in Albany on April 10. If you're nearby, I'd recommend that you go. Details below.

What: Communion, Covenant, Conversation: Being Episcopalian and Anglican
Who: The Rev. Dr. Frank Wade, presenter
Where: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 21 Hackett Blvd., Albany
When: Saturday, April 10, 2:00 PM

For further information, call 518-453-3657

NOTE: If you have difficulty accessing PDF files, the text of Fr. Wade's speech in Charleston is also available at Openly Episcopal.

HOW CRUEL!

Remember Constance McMillen, who wanted to take her girl friend to the prom at Itawamba High School in Fulton, Mississippi? Box Turtle Bulletin has the latest word on the story, which has an unbelievably cruel ending.

McMillen tells The Advocate that a parent-organized prom happened behind her back — she and her date were sent to a Friday night event at a country club in Fulton, Miss., that attracted only five other students. Her school principal and teachers served as chaperones, but clearly there wasn’t much to keep an eye on.

“They had two proms and I was only invited to one of them,” McMillen says. “The one that I went to had seven people there, and everyone went to the other one I wasn’t invited to.”

Last week McMillen asked one of the students organizing the prom for details about the event, and was directed to the country club. “It hurts my feelings,” McMillen says.

To add more cruelty to the situation, the fake prom was apparently meant to be the “freak” prom. In addition to Constance and her girlfriend, two others with learning disabilities, were among the five others who were there. Meanwhile, the rest of the class attended the real prom which was held at a secret location.

How can the students and parents who participated in this cruel hoax live with themselves? I wonder how many are church-going "Christians".

UPDATE: See Oyster's post at Your Right Hand Thief. Oh yeah!

DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME

A famous industrial efficiency expert concluded his lecture with a note of caution: "You don't want to try these techniques at home."

"Why not?" asked somebody from the audience.

"For years I watched my wife's routine at breakfast," the expert explained. "She made lots of trips between the refrigerator, stove, table, and cabinets, more often than not carrying only a single item at a time. One day I asked her, 'Hon, why don't you try carrying several things at once?'"

"Did it save time?" the person in the audience asked.

"Actually, yes," replied the expert. "Previously, it would take her twenty minutes to make breakfast. Now I do it in seven."


Thanks to Paul (A.), who is still despondent because I didn't use his April Fool's Day joke. I hope that my use of his joke here cheers him up.