WAXING CRESCENT MOON AND PLANET VENUS

Last night the sky was a clear midnight blue, and the waxing crescent moon and the planet Venus put on a splendid display.  My photo, taken with my inexpensive camera, does not do the scene justice, nor does the picture give the true color of the sky.

Waxing crescent moon
With Sister Venus shines in 
Midnight blue splendor

(June Butler 4-25-2012)

Here's a link to a truer photo of the gorgeous scene.

CALLED BY GOD

Bro John

9:48am Apr 24

Being called by God is no easy thing. But knowing that you have been called, and knowing what God is calling you to, is even more difficult.

-Br. James Koester
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

St Cuthbert's Cottage on Facebook

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - ABP NICHOLAS OKOH

Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, the leader of 23 million Anglicans in Nigeria, said that while the historic position of the Archbishop of Canterbury would always be respected he should be seen as “one of” many primates.

My goodness!  I agree with  Abp Okoh!

From the Telegraph.

BISHOP ANDREW DOYLE (DIOCESE OF TEXAS) PRESS RELEASE ON SAME-SEX BLESSINGS

Texas Bishop Announces Plan to Navigate Proposed Rite

 

The Bishop of Texas, C. Andrew Doyle, announced his response to the likely approval at this summer’s General Convention of the blessing of same-gender covenants today at a special meeting of diocesan clergy. Bishop Doyle outlined his plan to help unify the Diocese of Texas, addressing both liberal and traditional congregations’ positions at the gathering at Camp Allen April 24.

Bishop Doyle began working with former Secretary of State James Baker in 2010 to develop the outline of his plan. He has since received support for his leadership from people in the diocese who represent the broad diversity of opinion on the blessing of same-gender covenants.

“My plan does not ask for further debate or require approval,” Bishop Doyle told the clergy gathered at Camp Allen. “I have not asked people to change their positions or even to like the plan that I am setting before us,” he explained. “It is my deepest desire to offer a generous breadth of pastoral care for our members throughout the diocese. “

The plan contains several options:

1. Congregations may choose to take no action, one way or the other.
2. Traditional congregations/rectors may state that they will not conduct or participate in rites for blessing persons of the same gender, sponsor for ordination anyone or employ any clergy who are in a non-celebrate relationship out side holy matrimony.
3. Following General Convention, one congregation in Houston and one congregation in Austin will be granted permission to bless same-gender covenants. Both the rector and the congregation must support such a liturgy and must complete the congregational education portion of the process. Additional congregations may request permission in the future. A provision for clergy who wish to do blessings of same-gender covenants outside the church is also included.

 Current Texas law does not recognize unions of same-gender couples therefore no representation may be made that the blessing liturgy either creates or solemnizes any marriage, civil union or other legal relationship.

Noting the predominant traditional stance in the Diocese of Texas, the Bishop said that he will vote against the resolution to approve rites for blessing a same-gender partnership and that he will abstain from voting on the election of bishops living in a same-gender partnership. Additionally he stated that he personally will not bless any same-gender covenant.

In a 120-page document, Unity in Mission, with a foreword by Secretary Baker, the Bishop provides his in-depth perspective on the unity of the church, his leadership, foundations in traditional marriage and a discussion of opposing views as well as what he believes is a proper response. A detailed description of his plan to provide different responses while maintaining the unity of the Church provides several options. Also included in the paper is a letter of support from a broad and diverse group of clergy and lay leaders. They note that the real cost of the conflict over the last several decades has been “the mission of the gospel” and state their support of the bishop and acknowledge his plan as a way forward. Supporters say the plan is “an earnest offering to live into our Lord’s Prayer that ‘we all may be one’” while they acknowledge that not everyone will be happy with it.

Bishop Doyle has made provision for clergy and congregations to change their position at any time. Guidelines will be available in the fall of 2012 to help clergy and congregations respond pastorally.

“I hold our work for the Lord Jesus Christ to be paramount in who we are and in everything we do. Our mission and ministry have been dogged by our disagreements and conflict over the blessing of same-gender couples for too long at the expense of the mission of the gospel. I pray that this plan will help to guide us beyond conflict and give us the ability to refocus our attention on the hurting world around us. I am hopeful that we will learn from one another and deepen our respect and love for one another throughout this process,” Bishop Doyle said.

A copy of the full plan may be found at: www.epicenter.org/unity

A GOOD VICAR IS GONE

From the BBC:

Some members of the Anglican communion, including elements of the Church in Wales, have become more homophobic, claims a vicar who has resigned over the issue of gay marriage.

The Reverend Andrew Morton, vicar of Llangybi, Monmouthshire, is the first in Wales to step down over the issue.

He says he would have been willing to carry out such ceremonies.

The Church in Wales said it a "matter of regret" for clergy to resign over an issue yet to be resolved by the church.
....

Mr Morton, who has been a vicar for 33 years, says many of his colleagues privately agree with his stance, and that homophobia is endemic in some respects.

"First of all I felt that the church's position on same sex relationships, never mind same sex marriages, was increasingly judgemental and not really inclusive in the way that I felt that it should be," he told BBC Wales.

"I feel a greater degree of homophobia in the church than I've felt for a long time. Maybe it's just my personal perception but it certainly seems to be more prevalent in some quarters of the church.

"I felt that in order to offer an authentic critique of the church as an institution, the most honourable thing was to do it from the outside rather than from the inside which was what prompted the resignation."

He said that he came across people who in the "guise of what they feel to be religious conviction, came up with some extraordinarily homophobic statements".

However, he said it was not true of the majority of the church, which was "very forgiving and very loving".

I sort of wish Mr Morton had stayed in his position in the church, because strong voices from within the church carry great weight.  In a sense, when one departs, one leaves the field to the homophobic and judgmental.  However, the vicar is obviously a man of conscience and principle, and he did what he thought was best.

"We are trying to  in a way that takes everyone along with us and that calls for time and patience."

The Church in Wales' expression of regret rings hollow as it speaks of its attempts to "move forward gently", even as the church continues to throw its LGTB members under the bus.  LGTB Anglicans have been patient for quite a long time.  How long will the homophobic elements in the church continue to prevail?  How long before same-sex marriage is resolved by the church on the side of justice and equality?  Doomsday will come before the church carries everyone along. 

The video of the interview is here.

BENEFIT CONCERT FOR ST MATTHEW'S CHURCH HOUMA, LA - SARAH AND FR RON

Fr Ron is our priest-in-charge.  He and his lovely daughter, Sarah, are both musicians.  On Sunday, if you're in the vicinity of St John's Episcopal Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana, come join us at the concert.  Some of you may recall my post about the fire which destroyed St Matthew's Episcopal Church in Houma, Louisiana.  The church was insured, but, as is often the case, the insurance money will not cover the cost of reconstruction.  All proceeds from the concert will go to the project to rebuild St Matthew's.

BEAR WITH ME....

For the past several weeks, I've done quite a lot of linking, outright lifting, and copying other people's work and little original writing.  At the very least, give me points for linking to those to whom credit is due.  I've been called to take on demanding family responsibilities which leave me less time online and somewhat drained of creativity.  I'd like to say this, too, shall pass, but I'm fairly certain that the situation will not change any time soon.  Sooo, bear with me, if you will....

HENRI THE FRENCH CAT - MORNING ENNUI

Délice!

From Jezebel via Lee and Kathryn on Facebook.

LIVING COMPASSIONATELY

Bro John

We can take the radical step of moving toward God and creating a better world by living compassionately. This is the good news.

-Br. Eldridge Pendleton   
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

From St Cuthbert's Cottage  on Facebook.

STORY OF THE DAY - REMEMBERING

You have to remember to make it all 
over again every day, the angel said to 
me. Otherwise it goes all to hell.

I love this story.

From StoryPeople.