Bishop Robinson: No Clergy Permission to Perform Same-Sex Weddings

Contrary to a published report, the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire, has not given permission for diocesan clergy to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies. New Hampshire Governor John Lynch signed legislation June 4 that made the state the sixth to legalize same-sex marriage.

The website of the North Andover, Mass., Eagle-Tribune newspaper had quoted the Rev. Carolyn Stevenson, rector of St. David’s Church in Salem, N.H., as saying that Bishop Robinson had changed his policy with the new law, giving pastors “the option of performing a religious blessing or a regular marriage ceremony” and that she would choose to marry the couples.

“She totally misrepresented [Bishop Robinson’s] position and the Bishop has spoken with her about this,” said Paula A. Biber, executive assistant to Bishop Robinson. Ms. Biber is the diocese’s contact person for information about permission to officiate at weddings in Episcopal churches in the state.

In statement published on the Diocese of New Hampshire website Bishop Robinson explained that the current policy is that “any civil union is to be presided over by a secular magistrate of the State and not, by our clergy. When pastorally appropriate and only if the clergyperson is so inclined, may the church’s blessing of that union be offered.”

Civil marriage of same-gender couples does not become law until Jan. 1, 2010.

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/6/5/bishop-robinson-no-clergy-permission-to-perform-same-sex-weddings

Good Stuff: St. Michael's Fair a Great Success

Yesterday's fair was a great success. Nice crowds and perfect weather. Over $11,000 was raised and will be given away to local charities. Thanks to all who volunteered and to all who came.

Nigeria- Anglicans Elects Five Bishops

AT the end of its one-week Economic Empowerment Summit in Lokoja, the House of Bishops has elected five new Bishops.

They are Venerable Humphrey E. Olumakaiye, provost of the Cathedral Church of St. Mathew's Ijebu-jesa, who will be the pioneer Bishop of the newly created Osun North East missionary diocese; while Venerable Emmanuel Maduwike of Owerri Anglican Diocese, is the elected Bishop of the newly created Ikeduru Missionary Diocese.

The Venerable Innocent Ordu of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, is the new Bishop of Evo Missionary Diocese while Ven Uriah Kolo of Minna Anglican Diocese has been elected Bishop of Doko Missionary Diocese. The Very Revd Samson Adekunle of the Cathedral Church Ilajo, Yewa Diocese is elected Bishop of the new Ile-oluji Missionary Diocese.

The consecration of the new Bishops-elect shall take place at Yenegoa, Bayelsa State on Sunday, July 5, 2009.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/ibru_center/article01/indexn2_html?pdate=070609&ptitle=Anglican%20Elects%20Five%20Bishops

Unfinished - but not unadorned - cathedral

On Dec. 18, 2001, fire destroyed the gift shop of the storied Cathedral of St. John the Divine and smoke severely damaged the interior of the Morningside Heights landmark.

Late last year the cathedral, restored and cleaned, was rededicated amid much fanfare. Its 8,500-pipe grand organ was ushered back into service. Visitors can once again stroll the entire 121,000-square-foot church, seat of the Episcopal bishop of New York and widely thought to be the world's largest Gothic cathedral.

More than a century after its cornerstone was laid, St. John the Divine remains unfinished. Construction began in 1892 and continued until 1941 when it was halted after the United States joined World War II, not to be resumed for about 40 years. Work began again in 1981, but the 2001 fire delivered another setback. It is difficult to say when its transepts and crossing and western tower will be completed.

The cathedral has been cleaned not only of smoke residue but also of a century of use. Its 40-foot rose window, comprising more than 10,000 pieces of glass, is the largest in the country. The bronze doors were cast by the same Paris craftsman who cast the Statue of Liberty. The dozen Barberini Tapestries date from the 17th century. The intricately carved choir is considered one of the best pieces of Romanesque architecture in the nation.

http://www.boston.com/travel/getaways/us/newyork/articles/2009/06/07/unfinished___but_not_unadorned___cathedral/

California- Calvary Episcopal seeks balance between serving the homeless and serving congregation

Rone'e Curry wasn't expecting to nourish the multitudes when she opened up Calvary Episcopal Church on Monday nights last year to homeless youth for food and fellowship.

A former "street kid" herself, Curry had run a "coffee house ministry" at the Elm Street Mission for a few years prior. About 40 homeless people, most under 30, stopped in each week for a warm meal and comforting word. When that program ended about a year ago, Curry said, she walked into downtown's landmark red church and asked the pastor if she could move it there.

"They took us in," Curry said.

But what looks like a miracle to Curry, her supporters and those she feeds is seen by others as mayhem in the making. The dinner grew rapidly and larger than anyone predicted, to more than 140 people on some Monday nights. Many who come began to see the church and its wide lawn as a haven during the rest of the week, all sides agreed.

As a result, the weekly meal has divided a church congregation between those who see the event as another opportunity to serve the less fortunate and others who no longer feel comfortable in their spiritual home.

The "coffee house" also has taken heat from those fed up with what is seen as increased panhandling, loitering, drug use and other illegal activity in downtown Santa Cruz. Critics contend the Monday night meal draws diners who then stick around the neighborhood for unsavory activities.

More here-

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_12538829

Good Stuff: St. Michael's Fair Today

The annual St. Michael's Country Fair is today Saturday, June 6, from 9 until 2. A tradition of the church for over fifty years there's lots to do. Rummage, used books, white elephant, horse rides, kids games, great music, and of course lots of good food. All the proceeds go to local charities. Pictured is Carol Fenton and me at set up last night with a hat and glasses found in rummage. Looks like I'm about to break into a chorus of "Crocodile Rock"!

Come and join us we're on Rt. 381 in Rector just three miles north of Ligonier, PA

Church property ruling expected soon

Valley Anglicans who left the Episcopal Church to reject homosexual clergy are waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Will they lose the churches where they worship as a result of their split with the national church and Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin? The answer could come any day over the next two months.

The stakes are high after more than 40 churches from Lodi to Bakersfield and from the coast to the Nevada border left the Fresno-based diocese. They joined the Anglicans because of differences with the national Episcopal body over same-sex blessings, the ordination of a gay bishop and the authority of Scripture.

The local court case involving church property doesn't look good for the Anglicans after a Fresno judge's tentative ruling in early May favored the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, which remains with 19 Episcopal congregations. The final ruling must be made within 90 days or by Aug. 3.

"I was obviously disappointed in the tentative ruling," says Bill Atwood, of Bass Lake, an Anglican parishioner at Christ Church in Oakhurst. "I'm hopeful and prayerful the judge would give it some thought and be fair and correct -- and that he would rule in favor of the Anglicans who have departed."

More here-

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/centralvalley/story/884003.html

Episcopal bishop appears headed for defeat

The election of an Episcopal bishop in Michigan who has practiced Buddhist meditation and changed traditional church prayers appears headed for defeat, according to an unofficial tally kept by a newspaper reporter.

The Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester was elected bishop of the sparsely populated Diocese of Northern Michigan in February. Under Episcopal Church rules, a majority of bishops and 111 regional standing committees must vote to ratify his election before it is valid.

On Friday (June 5), the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, which has kept an unofficial running tally of the voting, reported that 56 standing committees—a majority—have voted to withhold their “consents.”

The official tally will not be known until at least late July, when all of the ballots are due.

Linda Piper, president of the Diocese of Northern Michigan’s standing committee, which keeps the official tally, would not confirm the report. But, she said, “Do I think this is probably the way it’s going to go? Unfortunately, I would not be surprised.”

Piper acknowledged it would be an “uphill climb,” for Thew Forrester to get the consents he needs.

Thew Forrester said, “My understanding is that the standing committees and diocesan bishops have 120 days to give consent, which means the process continues to unfold until the third week of July. Along with the Diocese of Northern Michigan, I recognize the integrity and wisdom of the consent process and wait until its conclusion.”

Thew Forrester is rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marquette, Mich. Soon after his election by the diocese, conservative church bloggers from across the country discovered that he practices Zen meditation and received “lay ordination” from a Buddhist community.

The rest is here-

http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/the_election_of_an_episcopal_bishop_who_has_practiced_zen_buddhism060509/

Canada- Church lawsuit in court

A three-week trial is underway in Vancouver that will determine who gets the keys to St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in Abbotsford – the Diocese of New Westminster, or the local congregation.

In February 2008 the church voted – by a majority of 186 to four – to break away from the Anglican Church of Canada over the issue of same-sex blessings.

Linda Seale of Abbotsford is a St. Matthew’s trustee, and was the only local person to testify.

Hearings began on May 25. Four churches are involved in the court proceedings, including St. John’s Shaughnessy Anglican Church, which is the largest and one of the wealthiest parishes in Canada, and St. Matthias and St. Luke, which are also in the Vancouver area.

Seale’s testimony surrounded differences that she was having with the diocese and Bishop Michael Ingham even before same-sex blessings began in 2002, as she saw the diocese “moving away from what we considered core Christian and Anglican values.”

She said the theological division came about over differences about “the authority of the Bible.”

The court will also be looking at who contributed to the church buildings and assets.

More here-

http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_valley/abbynews/news/47067202.html

Several Episcopal churches in Fort Worth Diocese are outgrowing their spaces

Growing congregations are prompting some parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth to seek bigger spaces for worship and Sunday school classes.

Three parishes that were displaced after some congregations realigned themselves with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone in November have outgrown their temporary spaces, said Katie Sherrod, diocese spokeswoman.

On Sunday, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Hurst will begin holding services at the Northeast Wedding Chapel, 1843 Precinct Line Road in Hurst. They had been meeting at the Oak Crest Woman’s Club in Hurst.

In Wichita Falls, All Saints Episcopal Church and the Church of the Good Shepherd, which had been meeting in a hospital chapel, will worship at the Arc, 3115 Buchanan St. in Wichita Falls.

In other news, the Rt. Rev. Edwin F. "Ted" Gulick Jr. will extend an initial six-month term as provisional bishop for the Fort Worth Diocese at least until mid-November. Gulick divides his time between the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky and the Fort Worth Diocese.

http://www.star-telegram.com/living/story/1417693.html

Majority of standing committees oppose bishop-elect

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Bethlehem decided today to withhold consent to the election of the Rev. Kevin G. Thew Forrester as bishop-elect of Northern Michigan.

The vote was confirmed this evening (June 4, 2009) by committee president Canon Robert Wilkins. The committee is preparing a statement explaining the vote and hopes to have it ready tomorrow.

Fifty-six standing committees have now decided to withhold consent, while 29 have given consent, according to a survey by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock. Roughly 16 committees, including seven based outside the United States, are still in the discernment process. Another 10 or so committees have voted, but are currently declining to reveal their vote.

Barring last-minute vote-switching by dioceses across the country, Thew Forrester will not be seated by the House of Bishops. He would be the first bishop-elect to be vetoed by a majority of the Episcopal Church’s 111 standing committees since at least the 1930s.

(The election of the bishop-elect of South Carolina, the Rev. Mark Lawrence, was declared “null-and void” in 2007 because of paperwork-related “canonical deficiencies” after Lawrence reportedly had received consent from a very narrow majority of the standing committees. Lawrence was elected on the second go-round.)

Thew Forrester, the rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marquette, Mich., was overwhelmingly elected bishop by representatives of the Diocese of Northern Michigan on Feb. 21. Since then, he has been heavily criticized on theological and liturgical grounds. Critics said Thew Forrester altered the denomination’s baptismal covenant to make it more closely reflect his own personal theological views. He likewise rewrote the church’s Easter Vigil and reworked the Apostles’ Creed. Critics said the changes removed or obscured key Christian teachings about the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, the problem of sin, the will of God and the identity of Jesus as the eternally divine and only-begotten Son of God.

More here-

http://biblebeltblogger.com/index.php/religion/majority-of-standing-committees-oppose-bishop-elect

Northern Michigan diocese, bishop-elect will 'respect' consent process

While some unofficial tallies show that Kevin Thew Forrester will not receive the canonically required consents to his ordination as bishop of the Diocese of Northern Michigan, he said June 5 that he and the diocese will "respect" the entire 120-day consent period.

"I continue to respect that 120 days," Thew Forrester told ENS. "The process has a wisdom and integrity of its own. The diocese and I have respected that all the way through and will continue to do that. When the process concludes, I will have something more to say."

Thew Forrester, chosen during a special convention on February 21 to succeed James Kelsey who died in June, 2007, has come under intense scrutiny since his election.

Initially, concern centered on Thew Forrester's status as the only candidate at the convention and the question of whether his practice of Zen Buddhist meditation has diluted his commitment to the Christian faith, making him unsuitable to serve as a bishop. That attention led to the internet publication of some of Thew Forrester's sermons and writings along with a revision he made to the Episcopal Church's baptismal liturgy, raising further concern among some about his theology.

Under the canons of the Episcopal Church (III.11.4 (a)) that apply for all episcopal elections, a majority of bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan standing committees must consent to Thew Forrester's ordination as bishop within 120 days from the day after notice of his election was sent to them. In Thew Forrester's case, standing committees have until July 19 and bishops with jurisdiction have until July 25.

The Rev. Canon Charles Robertson, canon to the Presiding Bishop, told ENS that the consent process for a bishop-elect lasts the full 120 days as prescribed by the canons of the church, unless that person receives the required majority of consents before the period is over, at which time an announcement can be made. Until the required number of consents is received, or the 120 day period ends, bishops and standing committees are able to change their vote, he said.

Fifty-six diocesan standing committees and 52 bishops with jurisdiction must give their consents for Thew Forrester to be ordained. The lesser number of bishops is due to the fact that some diocesan sees are vacant or currently filled by assisting bishops who are not eligible to vote.

There are at least three unofficial running tallies of consent votes being updated on the internet. One is being compiled by Frank Lockwood, the religion editor of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, on his BibleBeltBlogger website. Another is on the Stand Firm in Faith website. Another, tallied by writer David Virtue is here.

more here-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/79901_109244_ENG_HTM.htm

Christians urged to pray for the environment

His call comes in the run up to crucial UN talks about t climate change later this year in Copenhagen.

The Archbishop said it was vital that Christians took the lead on this issue and that a new deal at the UN summit could directly improve the lives of the world’s poor.

He said: “Whilst it will be for governments meeting in Copenhagen in December to agree a successor to the Kyoto regime for global reductions in carbon emissions - and we all want those to be both ambitious and deliverable - we have a part to play.

“Governments need to know that people want them to be ambitious. They need a mandate. So what can we do? I think there are two things we can do. We can, and we should, pray.”

He went on to say that climate change was an ‘issue of justice’ and that generally the poorest are most likely to suffer.

Environment Sunday takes place each year and, before 2004, was called Conservation Sunday.

Christian Ecology Link has also endorsed the day.

It said: “With Species extinctions occurring at 1000 to 10,000 times the natural rate, fish stocks plummeting, climate change increasing and the world population still expanding, Care of the Environment for future generations is vital.


http://www.religiousintelligence.com/news/?NewsID=4538

100 days of Patriarch Kirill

From the London telegraph. (The Orthodox always get the best hats!)

Patriarch Kirill was installed in office on February 1. His first 100 days have been marked by innovation not only in terms of style, but also in substance – much like the reign of Pope John Paul II.

“Today, the church and society are in fact one and the same thing,” a spokesman for Kirill said. “Our believers go to discotheques and rock concerts, and if there’s a chance to give some church tinge to such youth gatherings, if young people are glad to hear a few words from a priest, why shouldn’t he go there and say a few words?”

On March 8 in Moscow, Kirill showed the type of spirit that he is bringing to his pastoral task. He warned during a Sunday sermon not to trust radical Orthodox believers who are battling for the “purity of faith” and whose motto is “Orthodoxy or death!”

“When we meet a man who claims to be fighting for the purity of Orthodoxy, but his eyes are lit with the fire of anger… if we find someone who is ready to shake the foundation of church life to defend Orthodoxy… this is the first sign of that we have a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” he said.
On March 17, during a ceremony at the Danilovsky Monastery marking the return of the church bells that had spent the past 80 years in safekeeping at Harvard University, Kirill told John Beyrle, the US ambassador to Russia, that the bells were a symbol of the improving relationship between the two countries.

On April 1, Kirill met Putin and said his goal was to make the churches that were opened during the reign of Alexy II flourish. In this way, Kirill hopes to bring benefit to Russian society by promoting Christian values.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/russianow/5388401/100-days-of-Patriarch-Kirill.html

Fund Loss Delays Some English Ordinations

The organization which manages the Church of England’s financial assets announced recently that its portfolio had declined by more than 20 percent, or $2.1 billion, during the recent economic downturn.

As a result of the loss, the church cannot guarantee employment for all of this year’s graduates from theological colleges. In the Church of England, graduates cannot be ordained until they have secured placement as a curate.

One theological college principal, who was interviewed by the Daily Mail, called the jobs crisis a “tragedy and a travesty,” and suggested that he and his colleagues would complain to the House of Bishops about the decision to cut funding for curates.

“The Church of England agrees these individuals are called to the priesthood,” said the Rev. Richard Turnbull of Oxford’s Wycliffe Hall. “It agrees that they have been fully and successfully trained. It says they are ready for ordination as priests. Then it just walks away.”

Fr. Turnbull said the church already had spent the equivalent of nearly $50,000 training each student. He said at least 11 graduates still had not found employment, and several others have accepted secular employment. Nearly all the unplaced students had trained at three evangelical colleges, according to Fr. Turnbull. He suggested that they had been denied employment because many English bishops do not approve of conservative theology.

A church spokesman told the Mail most students had found jobs and that attempts to find employment for the remainder were ongoing, but he added that at some point “dioceses must decide how many clergy they can afford.”

The Church Commissioners, who manage more than $9 billion of the church’s assets, contribute about 16 percent toward the Church of England’s annual operating expenses, mainly in the form of clergy salaries, retiree pensions, and upkeep of buildings. The organization recently said it will not be able to maintain the current level of contribution for much longer. Under new rules recently implemented, the church’s 44 dioceses will be expected to pay a larger proportion of clergy pensions.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/6/4/fund-loss-delays-some-english-ordinations

Williams and Tutu attract large crowds at Hay Festival

IN RECENT YEARS, the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts has invited a number of critics of religion to speak. Writers such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens have railed against faith before largely approving audiences.

Peter Florence, the festival director, confessed that the event had become a “bastion of anti-theism”, to the extent that it had established a new orthodoxy.

This year, by way of redressing the balance, he invited the “brightest and best” that religion had to offer. As part of this project, the festival hosted the presentation of the Michael Ramsey Prize for Theo logical Writing (Books, 22 May), and on the day that it did so it was possible to find someone speaking about God or faith in every time-slot.

Hay’s new openness to people of faith began with a lecture from Andrew Mottram, the director of Ecclesiastical Property Solutions, on the part played by church buildings in the community today. But the first big crowd of the day — indeed, so big that the venue was switched — went to the Archbishop of Canter bury, who discussed his book on Dostoevsky with A. N. Wilson.
Dostoevsky was a “hairy maniac”, Dr Williams said, and described himself as a “polite Anglican” in comparison. But, Dr Williams went on, despite the Russian author’s personal religious dogmatism, his novels do not “load the dice” in favour of Christianity, but give serious credence to the view that faith is unnecessary and unhelpful. “The Devil gets some good tunes” in his books, even if he is convinced that religion will always be relevant.

Mr Wilson pointed out that Dr Williams’s ability to discuss liter ature was a historical rarity among Primates. But the Archbishop went on to say that words were not always the best tool for understanding God.

When asked what the Church would look like if it took God seriously, Dr Williams expressed frustration at having to deal with “institutional fire-fighting” rather than being able to concentrate on answers. When he had time to think about it, however, he began to real ise that the Church talked too much. If it could learn the value of silence, it would be closer to “getting God right” than when it was being endlessly chatty.

The rest is here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=76181

Here Come the Churches

From the American Spectator-

The old Episcopal Church will itself convene in July with its triennial General Convention in Anaheim, California. Somewhat surprisingly, even after Bishop Robinson's election, the denomination has not formally ratified rites for same-sex unions. Reluctance to further offend the nearly 80 million member global Anglican Communion, most of which is now rooted among conservative Africans, is one factor. The 2006 General Convention, hoping to mollify the Communion, had even called for not electing new bishops "whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion."

Of course, some liberal Episcopal dioceses have unilaterally touted same-sex rites. But formal ratification by the General Convention, speaking for the whole denomination, would more directly provoke the Anglican Communion and still numerous conservative dioceses, local churches and individuals who remain in the Episcopal Church. The church's House of Bishops, pledged in 2007 "as a body not to authorize public rites for the blessing of same-sex unions." This pledge has not precluded some individual bishops from blessing same sex unions. Likely the General Convention will fall short of openly ratifying same sex rites, while permitting local dioceses to continue as they please.

More here-

http://spectator.org/archives/2009/06/05/here-come-the-churches

Anglicans encouraged to envision their future this Sunday

From Canada-

This Sunday, June 7, is one of two Sundays this year suggested by the Anglican Church of Canada’s Vision 2019 committee as days for Anglicans across the country to ask themselves, “Where is your church now, and where do you think the Anglican Church of Canada should be in 2019?”

The ambitious project, launched earlier this year, aims to get input from all Canadian Anglicans to help shape a new, long-term strategic plan for the church that will be presented to General Synod when it meets in Halifax in June 2010. Parishes, groups and individuals can send their answers to the General Synod offices in Toronto in the format that best suits them – written letters, e-mails, voicemail or videos. Those responses will be gathered and analyzed by the committee, which is comprised of volunteers and a professional analyst. With the permission of the person or group submitting, the response will be posted on the Anglican Church of Canada’s Web site.

Responses can come in any time before Oct. 1, said Lisa Barry, senior producer at Anglican Video, who is head of a staff group in charge of the project, but she says June 7 and the fall date, Sept. 13, are dates chosen to help focus congregations’ attention and energies on the question and, judging by a surge of requests for materials such as videos, postcards and posters, she said there is a lot of interest.

Rev. Dan Graves of Holy Trinity in Thornhill, Ont. told the committee that his parish has plans to participate in a simple and low tech way. During the prayers of the people this Sunday, everyone will take a moment to write one prayer for the church and then drop it in the offering plate. “I wish I’d thought of that idea and promoted it,” said Ms. Barry. “It’s a great idea because one of the stumbling blocks we’re hearing about it is (people say) ‘That’s such a big question; I need time,’ and when you take time you know you don’t do it.” But she said it doesn’t have to be a daunting assignment. It can be a simple prayer or a thought that allows people to weigh in. “It’s just for the church to listen to and say this is a direction.”

More here-

http://www.anglicanjournal.com/100/article/anglicans-encouraged-to-envision-their-future-this-sunday/?cHash=2720271cbd

Good Stuf in TEC: Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, Episcopalians minister to prisoners, work for parole reform

After serving two years in an Oklahoma state prison, Melissa Serrano was paroled, but not released. At least not until six months later.
For another prisoner, Noel (who asked that his real name be withheld), the wait between parole and release was longer, about four years.

While they wait, Episcopalians in Oklahoma minister to their needs, and advocate for changes in the parole system, which now causes paroled prisoners like Melissa and Noel to remain in prison while the state's governor approves the parole board's granting of parole. The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma passed a resolution at its 2008 convention calling for action to change the way the state deals with parole.

"I went to the parole board June 25, 2008 and so I was expecting to be released" soon afterwards, recalled Serrano, a 40-year-old disabled mother and grandmother with congestive heart failure, during a recent telephone interview from her Tulsa home.

But, since the state constitution requires that the governor approve every parole, pardon and commutation of sentence, Serrano was told it would take 30 days before her jacket, or case file, even reached Governor C. Brad Henry's desk.

"After 45 days, my mother started calling (Henry's office) and they kept saying he's reviewing it, that it could take anywhere from 60 to 90 days," recalled Serrano, who was a nonviolent offender at the minimum-to-medium security Eddie Warrior Correctional Center in Taft, about 140 miles east of Oklahoma City. "She called every other week, then every week. And then she called every day. And it was 100 days, and it just kept going and going."

The rest is here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81799_109091_ENG_HTM.htm

Name gay study group, say activists

From the Church Times in England-

THERE have been calls this week for the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church in the US to identify members of a group set up to undertake a theological study of same-sex relationships in the life of the Church.

The group is described as “a diverse and balanced panel of theologians”, and has already begun its work, having been appointed by the House of Bishops’ Theology Committee. It has been designed “to be a contribution to the listening process of the Anglican Communion”.

The Chicago Consultation is calling on the Bishops to name the scholars on the new panel. The Consultation’s co-convener, Ruth Meyers, Professor of Liturgics at Seabury Western Theological Seminary, said it was “saddened that the House of Bishops Theology Committee has chosen to begin this important scholarly work without making public the names . . .

“Such important work deserves to be no less than a model of the transparent governance that the Episcopal Church has upheld for centuries. As theologians, priests, bishops, and lay people . . . we call upon the House of Bishops’ Theology Committee to release at once the names.”

Louie Crew, founder of the pro-gay Integrity network, described the decision to keep the group anonymous as “an abomination”.

However, the Rt Revd Henry Parsley, Jr., who chairs the Theological Committee, said on Wednesday that to keep the names secret was the best way of ensuring that the subject was fully discussed.

In his response to the calls for openness, posted on the diocese of Washington’s Episcopal Café blog, he said that the panel “very intentionally represents a robust range of views on the subject and includes gay and lesbian persons.

The rest is here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=76229

Church awaits court decision on possible eviction.

After a lengthy legal battle with the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles over the St. Luke’s of the Mountains Anglican Church on Foothill Boulevard, the more than 200-member congregation is bracing for word from a state appeals court on its potential eviction.

A decision from the Fourth District Court of Appeal, based in San Diego, is expected this summer, after oral arguments in the appeal to the July 2007 Los Angeles Superior Court ruling upholding the church’s eviction ended in May.

Since then, the congregation has been waiting for a court decision that could force them out of the historic church property.

“We are waiting in expectation to see what God has in store for us next,” said Debbie Kollgaard, St. Luke’s senior warden.

The legal battle began when St. Luke’s parishioners voted to split from the Episcopal Church in February 2006, citing theological differences. They then joined the Anglican Province of Uganda, triggering a lawsuit from the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, which claimed that the church property was owned by the Episcopal Church.

St. Luke’s vestry, a 12-member governing body, argued that the property and 83-year-old church building belonged to its congregation.

More here-

http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2009/06/04/news/gnp-church05.txt

Rare copy of 'contract with God' to fetch an unholy price

A RARE copy of one of the most important documents in Scottish history is expected to fetch thousands when it is auctioned in Edinburgh.

A copy of the National Covenant, a "contract with God" created in Edinburgh in 1638, will go up for sale at Lyon & Turnbull Auctioneers on Friday.

It is a chance to own a genuine record of a time of great political and religious strife in Scotland. The document was created after King Charles I, (pictured in a nifty hat) who saw himself as the "Godly Prince", attempted to introduce an Anglican prayer book into the Scottish Kirk, sparking fierce opposition.

A group of Scottish nobles got together at Greyfriars Kirkyard and drew up the National Covenant, which affirmed Scotland's opposition to interference in their reformed church.

The contract was then copied and dispatched to every shire, presbytery and parish of Scotland for signature.

"It's not known how many copies of the National Covenant were made," said Alex Dove, book specialist at Lyon & Turnbull Auctioneers.

"Frequent audits have been done throughout the 20th century and each time they're done they uncover more and more of them, so we think there are at least 100 still around. The copy we have for sale was sent to and signed by the people of Renfrewshire.

"It was purchased in the 1950s from a bookseller by a private collector of manuscripts for £100, a not inconsiderable sum at the time but by all accounts the collector was extremely happy with the price he paid.


The rest is here-

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Rare-copy-of-39contract-with.5333707.jp

THE WOMAN WHO SAVED THE CHILDREN

Book Review

This is the biography of Eglantyne Jebb, the woman who with her youngest sister co-founded the Save the Children Fund. Her parents, Anglican Conservatives in Shropshire, instilled into all their six children a strong social conscience and a commitment to public service. Following an idyllic childhood, she came to Oxford in 1895, just after her 19th birthday, to study history at Lady Margaret Hall. She threw herself into university life, spending part of her Easter break in the second year in Bethnal Green.

After graduation, she decided to teach in an under-funded school for working-class girls, where she found the classes of 60 something of a trial. She realised she had no natural talent for teaching, but persevered in an easier school in Wiltshire, before finally giving up because of ill-health, declaring ironically in her diary: “I don’t care for children.” The book continues with accounts of Eglantyne’s two major love affairs, her interest in spiritualism, her relief work in the Balkans, and public arrest in Trafalgar Square in 1919 for distributing “starving baby” leaflets, printed to publicise the claim that German children were starving as a direct result of British post-war economic policy.

Her subsequent trial for distributing seditious leaflets, an offence defined by the Defence of the Realm Act, was a massive PR coup for her and was followed by a public meeting in an overflowing Albert Hall, where a spontaneous collection was taken: the Save the Children fund had been started. The rest of this account describes the development and successes of the Fund, Eglantyne’s other humanitarian work, and her involvement in the development of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1923, but yet to be realised worldwide
More here-

http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/leisure/4417681.THE_WOMAN_WHO_SAVED_THE_CHILDREN/

Orombi: End child sacrifice

Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi yesterday asked all parents to tell their children to write a petition to President Museveni to hammer home the urgency needed in checking child sacrifice.

At the Anglican service to celebrate Martyrs Day, Bishop Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu of Mityana, who was the main celebrant, asked that all activities of traditional herbalists and witches be stopped and challenged parliamentarians to take the lead in the fight against the vice.

“Those children who are sacrificed daily; remember their eyes are looking at you because they are crying,” he said.
“Let us ask Parliament to help have these witchdoctors chased away instead of debating laws that will protect them,” the bishop told the congregation.

Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga was in the congregation, while Minister without Portfolio Dorothy Hyuha represented the government.

Archbishop Orombi said because very many children have lost their lives in suspected cases of ritual sacrifice, all parents had been asked to tell their children to write a petition to the President and him (Orombi).

“The trend of ungodliness has come to our country. We believe it is a social evil that must be stopped. Children should write their concerns and forward them to me and I will deliver their voices to the President,” he said.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Orombi_End_child_sacrifice_85944.shtml

Uganda commemorates martyrs' day

THOUSANDS of Christians yesterday braved the scorching sun and later an afternoon downpour to pay homage to the Christian martyrs in Namugongo.

The function marked 123 years since 45 Christian converts, 22 Catholics and 23 Anglicans, were killed at the orders of the Kabaka of Buganda, Basamula Mwanga II, after they refused to denounce their faith.

The majority of martyrs were burnt to death while others were beheaded and castrated in 1886. The 22 Catholic martyrs were canonised by Pope Paul VI in 1964.

In addition to the 22 catholics killed by Mwanga, 2 other martyrs, Gildo Irwa and Daudi Okello who died in northern Uganda in the early 1900s and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002 are also on the list.

At the shrine of the Catholic martyrs, MPs from western Uganda, including NRM secretary general Amama Mbabazi and Henry Banyenzaki, excited the crowd when they joined in to perform the kitagururo, a traditional Bakiga dance.

The two have been at loggerheads over the Temangalo land issue, while Banyenzaki is on the NRM list of so-called ‘rebel MPs’.

Pilgrims travelled from as far as Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, the DR Congo and Burundi, some on foot, while others flew in from the US, Europe, Zambia and Nigeria. This year’s celebrations were led by Kabale diocese, with Bishop Callist Rubaramira as chief celebrant. He was assisted by the archbishop of Kampala, Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

President Yoweri Museveni attended the Catholic celebrations, along with the widow of former Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere, cabinet ministers, opposition leaders and MPs. Among the opposition leaders were Kizza Besigye (FDC), Ssebaana Kizito (DP), Miria Obote (UPC) and Ken Lukyamuzi (CP).

“Consider the short time the martyrs had known faith. Within six years, they became committed to Jesus and were ready to die for him. They could not be compromised in the evils of their time. They walked to their deaths singing hymns,” Rubaramira said in his sermon.

He decried Christians who indulge in evil practices such as corruption, intolerance, ritual murder, abortion and witchcraft. President Museveni, who greeted the congregation in about seven languages, quoted the parable of the talents, decrying Ugandans who do not use their talents.

More here-

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/683565

Repairing 8 Years of Flawed U.S. Policy: BY John Chane

What do you hope to hear from President Obama in his "major speech to the Muslim world" on June 4? How do you feel about his choosing Egypt as the location for such an address?

There is much riding on President Obama's speech to the Muslim world which will take place in Egypt when he visits Cairo University June 4th. It is no secret that relationships need to be repaired after 8 years of flawed U.S. Foreign Policy. This visit and what is offered by the president will determine what the next 4 years of Middle East U.S. Foreign Policy will look like.

As for priorities, this very first visit by the President must assure leaders such as King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and President Hosmi Mubarak of Egypt that the United States seeks a new cooperative, respectful relationship that will serve the interests of all 3 countries, especially as those interests attempt to seek a two state solution that is fair and equitable to both Palestine and Israel.

The second is to encourage a much stronger, collective leadership from the Muslim countries of the Middle East and their leadership in accomplishing this objective.

The third is to be clear that Iran is a significant and emerging power in the Middle East. This will not be an easy sell given Iran's current isolation from its neighbors and the United States. Iran is a key player in eliminating the destructive influence of the Taliban in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. And Iran's interests are similar to those of the United States and should be a common objective of other Middle Eastern countries.

The rest is here-

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/john_bryson_chane/2009/06/repairing_8_years_of_flawed_us_policy.html

Good Stuf in TEC: North Carolina

Bring your soles for souls

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 107 Deerfield Drive in Hampstead, is participating in the second annual Barefoot Sunday on June 7th, a grassroots campaign launched by international shoe charity Soles4Souls, Inc. Soles4Souls has a simple mission -- to collect new and 'gently worn' shoes to donate to victims of natural disasters and those living in extreme poverty.

Last year, the church collected almost 100 pairs of shoes so they decided to try for larger numbers this year.

On Barefoot Sunday, the church invites its people to leave their shoes at the altar and walk out of worship services barefoot.

Community members who wish to donate shoes may drop them off at the church located behind Port City Java in Hampstead.

http://blogs.starnewsonline.com/default.asp?item=2384470

Good Stuf in TEC: Illinois

Evening at Grace Episcopal Churc

Celebrate both the past and the present this coming Sunday evening when Grace Episcopal Church hosts An Evening at Grace Church. The church as a worshipping community has been around nearly as long as the village of Hinsdale. Over the course of its 130-plus years, the physical church, much like the village, has changed and evolved quite a bit.

The Sunday evening community event celebrates that change -- including a new entry, expanded parking and a 21st century rectory -- with a Choral Evensong, blessing of the church's new entry, grounds and rectory and a picnic cookout. The cost of admission, in keeping with one of the church's outreach projects, is a food or cash donation for the Hinsdale Food Pantry, according to the Rev. Peter Floyd, assistant rector.

Evensong is a sung form of evening prayer, according to Floyd, that is tied into the Anglican choral tradition.

"Occasionally we try to have that type of service because it is very beautiful," he said.

And, indeed for anyone who has not experienced an Episcopal Church service, the musical form of one is particularly moving as Mark Reynertson, Grace Church's music director and organist, is a talented musician and choir leader.

More here-

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/clarendonhills/news/1601933,clarendon-hills-towncolumn-060409-s1.article

'Father Oprah' is big news in Hispanic community

It has the makings of a telenovela: A handsome Cuban-American priest and TV personality caught cavorting with his girlfriend on a Florida beach. After much soul-searching, he decides to leave the Catholic Church for his love.

Even as many Americans scratch their heads and ask "Father who?" the saga of the Rev. Alberto Cutie has become a media sensation in the Hispanic community, both here and in Latin America.

"It's in all the papers in my country," said Costa Rican masseuse Karla Nolee, herself the daughter of a former Roman Catholic priest. "He is so famous internationally, it's touched people."

Around office watercoolers and over afternoon coffee, people are talking about "Padre Alberto," even those who barely knew of him before the scandal.

Cutie — dubbed "Father Oprah" by the English-language media for his relationship advice — long exerted influence from his church pulpit in the heart of Miami Beach. The bilingual priest offered frank messages on faith and relationships delivered through syndicated columns, radio programs, television shows and a book.

His striking blue eyes, black hair and penchant for attending high-profile events — often at the latest South Beach hot spots — only added to his celebrity.

Then, last month, a Spanish-language magazine published photos of him and his girlfriend. Rather than be outraged, hundreds of parishioners demonstrated in support of him.

'Everyone just agreed to walk away' from Grace Church dispute

Litigation over the Grace Church property downtown seemed destined to drag on for years.

But all that changed Tuesday.

In a marathon mediation session, the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado agreed to drop its lawsuit against 18 Anglican parish members being sued for damages. Also several motions, including an appeal of the March 24 court decision upholding the diocese's ownership of the Tejon Street church property, were quashed.

"Everyone just agreed to walk away," said Bruce Wright, who represented 17 of the 18 Anglican parish members being sued by the diocese. "It is all over."

"The diocese believed it would be good to agree to end this," said Martin Nussbaum, lead attorney for the diocese in the legal battle for the $17 million church. "All Grace Church property interests will remain with the diocese."

Tuesday's mediation ended a property dispute that began in March 2007, when the vestry of Grace Church & St. Stephen's voted to leave the Episcopal Church, join the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) and name Episcopal priest Donald Armstrong as its rector. The CANA parish continued to meet in Grace Church, resulting in lawsuits being filed to determine if the diocese or the CANA parish owned the property.

More here-

http://www.gazette.com/articles/church-55689-diocese-grace.html