Portland church searching for person who dropped off wedding album at yard sale

From Maine-

Someone dropped their wedding album off at a Portland church, perhaps by mistake, and now church members are trying to find its rightful owners.

The mystery couple’s wedding day was likely 60 or 70 years ago.

Their wedding album was found three days ago in a box of books someone donated to the Trinity Episcopal Church yard sale in Portland.

"It could have come from someone's basement and they didn't realize it was in there,” parishioner Celia Brown said. “Could have come from someone's attic."

More here-

https://wgme.com/news/local/portland-church-searching-for-person-who-dropped-off-wedding-album-at-yard-sale

First woman and first LGBT to lead Episcopal Diocese of Michigan

From Detroit-

When she was 16, Bonnie Perry attended a Catholic youth retreat that changed her life. 

"During that retreat I had a profound experience of being loved for who I was, as I was, in the person of Jesus Christ," recalled Perry, who was raised Catholic. "My life has never been the same. ...The reality that Jesus loves me, and you, all of us completely and utterly, that is what fuels my passion for life and for the Gospel and for our church."

But when she felt called to the priesthood while a student at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, she realized she would have to leave since the Catholic Church doesn't allow female pastors. As someone who identified as a lesbian, she said she would feel especially marginalized in the Catholic Church. 

And so she became an Episcopalian pastor and later a rector at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Chicago where she has served for the past 26 years.

More here-

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/06/08/lgbt-episcopal-church-michigan/1360225001/

OPINION: The Anglican Communion must act against the Church of Nigeria’s homophobia

From Thomson Reuters-

Same-sex sexual activity is still criminal in 70 countries around the world. The majority of these are in Africa. Of course, the elimination of criminalisation is not a real measure of tolerance: homosexuality is not illegal in Egypt or Russia, but both countries harass gay people relentlessly.

But Africa is the epicentre of intolerance. And African churches are among the most extreme supporters of anti-LGBT+ actions.

In May, the BBC reported on the expulsion of four clergy from the diocese of Isiala Ngwa of the Anglican Communion within the Church of Nigeria. Bishop Temple Nwaogu said that one canon and three other clergy had been dismissed and their licences revoked after a diocesan board found them guilty of unspecified homosexual practices.

More worryingly still, the report said that the Church of Nigeria would be seeking “special status” in its witch-hunt against LGBT+ people. In fact, Nigeria has some of the most far-reaching and punitive laws in the world against gay and transgender people already.

More here-

http://news.trust.org//item/20190606081111-h7rey/?source=gep

The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan Elects First Openly Gay Female Priest as 11th Bishop

From Michigan-

The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan announced last week the election of The Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry, rector of All Saints’, Chicago, as its 11th bishop diocesan.

Perry is the first woman and first openly gay priest to be elected bishop since the diocese was formed in 1836. This also marked the first time in the history of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan that the slate of candidates was comprised entirely of women.

Perry was elected on the fifth ballot of the Special Electing Convention held today in Detroit. She received 64 clergy votes and 118 lay votes. A minimum of 55 clergy votes and 94 lay votes were necessary for election on that ballot.

The other nominees were:

– The Rev. Dr. Grace Burton-Edwards, Rector, St. Thomas, Columbus, Georgia

– The Rev. Canon Paula Clark, Canon to The Ordinary & Canon for Clergy Development, Multicultural Ministries and Justice, Diocese of Washington

– The Rev. Canon Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, Canon to The Ordinary, Diocese of Colorado

More here-

 https://pridesource.com/article/the-episcopal-diocese-of-michigan-elects-first-openly-gay-female-priest-as-11th-bishop/

Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, church goes solar

From Pittsburgh-

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon will celebrate its “moving off the grid” when it formally inaugurates its newly installed solar panels during a blessing ceremony to take place on Saturday, June 8 at 3:30 p.m.

Bishop Dorsey McConnell of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh will officiate the service from the roof of the church.

St. Paul’s is the first church in southwestern Pennsylvania to install its own solar panels on-site, while others have switched to solar power through cooperatives or third-party electric providers, according to Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light, a State College-based organization that helps communities of faith respond to climate change.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/pressreleases/mt-lebanon-pennsylvania-church-goes-solar/?fbclid=IwAR02BfH518_JKJhZbpTTUci8YLJ9VLP4_3VYOUFtySY5lQ7E3MbwknNPi_k

New partnership agreement for Welsh and Finnish churches

From Wales-

A FORMAL link has been agreed between the Anglican Diocese of St Asaph in Wales and the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of Helsinki in Finland. 

The Partnership was signed by the Bishops of both dioceses during the visit of a Finnish delegation to North Wales this week 

It will see spiritual, imaginative, sustainable, enriching and joyful links developed between the two Christian communities. 

Sixteen people from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland have been in North Wales meeting counterparts in the Diocese of St Asaph and discussing partnership opportunities. 

More here-

https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17684921.new-partnership-agreement-for-welsh-and-finnish-churches/

Praying for presidents? That's normal. Praying for Donald Trump? That fires up Twitter

From Get Religion-

Is it controversial to pray for the president of the United States?

Not really. Anyone who knows anything about religious life in America knows that, week after week, people in a wide variety of religious congregations pray for the president (and the nation’s leaders in general) in a wide variety of ways. Sometimes these prayers are short, inserted in a longer litany of concerns (as in the Orthodox Christian parish I attend) and sometimes they are longer and more specific.

Here is a special-use prayer drawn from the world of liturgical mainline Protestantism (The Book of Common Prayer used in the Episcopal Church): 

More here-

https://www.getreligion.org/getreligion/2019/6/4/praying-for-the-president-thats-normal-praying-for-donald-trump-that-sets-twitter-on-fire

Pope calls on all Catholics to join Anglican prayer campaign

From La Croix-

Pope Francis has urged all Catholics to join a global prayer campaign that begins at the end of this month called "Thy Kingdom Come."

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby met with Pope Francis on April 11 at the Vatican and used his smartphone to record a video message from the head of the Catholic Church.

The pope said all Christians seek to embrace the Holy Spirit.

In the video, he prayed this would "expand out hearts and the heart of the Church, from within, so that we could make decisions in obedience and with farsightedness and peace."

https://international.la-croix.com/news/pope-calls-on-all-catholics-to-join-anglican-prayer-campaign/10200?fbclid=IwAR3EkjZVTPPHdcFtlDg6IH0Mvh8qnQr1uPsHPZQ3DzVKQd0lZq2c0nKMsMc#

A different calling? Episcopal Diocese to market Trinity House for leasing or redevelopment

From Pittsburgh-

It has served as a spiritual hub for the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and a set for “The Dark Knight Rises” movie. Now the Trinity House, a 20,000-square-foot building in the heart of Downtown, is being marketed for leasing or potential redevelopment.

Diocese officials have hired the Colliers International real estate firm to find a potential tenant or a development partner for the early 20th century building at 325 Oliver Ave. adjacent to Trinity Cathedral.

The historic Gothic-style cathedral itself, completed in 1872, is not affected by the decision.
Trinity House currently houses offices for the cathedral and diocesan staff, meeting space, and social services.

Colliers will pursue two separate paths for the building — finding a tenant or tenants to lease the property or a developer interested in partnering with the diocese to redevelop it.

It plans to issue a request for proposals within the next couple of weeks to judge interest from developers in retrofitting the building or perhaps even demolishing it and starting anew.

Also to be investigated is whether air rights — the right to develop above a property — can be used to expand the four-story building.

More here-

https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/06/03/Trinity-Cathedral-Trinity-House-Episcopal-Diocese-Downtown/stories/201906040067

Disciplinary action against former Anglican Bishop Philip Newell halted

From Tasmania-

The Anglican Church in Tasmania has been ordered by the Supreme Court to stop its proceedings against the Bishop.

In its 2017 report, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse highlighted failures of the church in Tasmania and criticised Bishop Newell, who allowed a now-convicted paedophile to stay in the church.

The commission referred to evidence he had been made aware in 1987 that now-convicted paedophile Louis Daniels had sexually abused three boys.

He allowed Daniels to stay in the church, and promoted him to a high-ranking position two years later on the basis he "amend his life".

The church instituted disciplinary proceedings after the commission's criticisms but last year, shortly before the Diocesan Tribunal was to begin hearing the case, Bishop Newell applied to the Supreme Court for a stay of proceedings based on ill-health.

More here-

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-04/former-bishop-philip-newell-wins-court-case/11178160 

and here-

https://au.news.yahoo.com/tas-bishop-child-abuse-probe-halted-065743786--spt.html 

and here-

https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6200085/tribunal-looking-at-bishops-response-to-abuse-claims-axed/?cs=12

Trump proclaims June National Caribbean-American Heritage Month

From Jamaica-

Singling out Barbadian Joseph Sandiford Atwell, Trump said Sandiford Atwell, “through his dedication to his faith, exemplified the unyielding spirit of Caribbean Americans.”

Born in Barbados in 1831, Atwell moved to the United States in 1863 and attended the Philadelphia Divinity School, Trump noted.

Following the Civil War, he said Sandiford Atwell “went to spread God’s message of hope and love to the emancipated slaves in the South.

“Due to the strength of his ministry, he became the first black Episcopal deacon ordained in the Diocese of Kentucky and went on to become the first black Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Virginia,” Trump said.

More here-

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/caribbean/20190603/trump-proclaims-june-national-caribbean-american-heritage-month

Rev. Bonnie Perry elected bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan

From Chicago-

When the Rev. Bonnie Perry first started working at All Saints Episcopal Church in Ravenswood, she remembers the pews being filled with no more than 30 parishioners during a Sunday service. Now, Perry estimates more than 300 people come to a service.

The secret? Building an active community inside and outside church walls, she said.

“We’re fun, we’re vital, we’re relevant,” Perry said. “We worry about what’s important. When the world is having a hard time, this is a place you can cry. When you’re angry, it’s a place people can express our outrage.”

But after 26 years in Chicago, Perry, who serves as the rector of All Saints, is planning her departure after being elected bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. She is the first woman and first openly gay priest to be elected bishop in Michigan.

More here-

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-bonnie-perry-bishop-michigan-20190602-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2nDXQ1o97ZikDEEPE3IuG7-lFqOQUyA5lD3XIwpdw8iBWWDLSbXNP-eew 

and here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/06/03/diocese-of-michigan-elects-bonnie-a-perry-as-11th-bishop/

Oklahoma Episcopal bishop speaks up about LGBTQ issue at Anglican gathering

From Oklahoma-

The worldwide Anglican Communion continues to grapple with the inclusion of gays and lesbians in the church, with mixed results.

The most recent example of the faith group's wrestling with the issue stemmed from a proposal that Oklahoma's Episcopal bishop made at a recent leadership gathering.

In the end, the Rt. Rev. Ed Konieczny's proposed resolution and an ensuing debate resulted in the Anglican Communion's symbolic leader apologizing for snubbing the spouses of gay and lesbian bishops. A promise also was made to develop a format for churches in the Anglican Communion to hear the voices of gays and lesbians and others who bear the brunt of discrimination.

Konieczny, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, called it a win for the unity of the Anglican Communion and his desire to see that the human dignity of all people is respected in the church.

More here-

https://oklahoman.com/article/5632700/oklahoma-episcopal-bishop-speaks-up-about-lgbtq-issue-at-anglican-gathering

Dover’s St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church to offer Open Baptism

 From Massachusetts-

On Sunday, June 9, at 10 a.m., St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 18 Springdale Ave., Dover, will hold its first-ever open baptism. The open baptism service is available for anyone who desires to be baptized or have a child baptized regardless of their relationship with the Episcopal Church or any church, for that matter.

Holy Baptism is a rite of welcome into the Christian Church where the baptized are reminded of God’s love for them. Anyone who has never been baptized is welcome to participate.

Rev. Sean Leonard, St. Dunstan’s rector, said, “We are glad to offer this service to our friends and neighbors in Dover. Baptism is a wonderful moment in a person’s life where all are reminded of God’s deep love for them.”

More here-

https://www.enterprisenews.com/news/20190602/dovers-st-dunstans-episcopal-church-to-offer-open-baptism

Frank Allan led church through challenging times

From Atlanta-


In the late 1960s, while rector at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Macon, the Rev. Frank Allan, who’d later become the eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, stood squarely at a crossroads. St. Paul’s already had a smattering of black members. But during a sermon one Sunday, Allan told his congregation that further integration and shifts were imminent and critical.

He was interrupted in mid-sentence by a woman named Hazel Burns, who reportedly stood up and asked, “Are you saying that [as an all-white church) we’ve been wrong all these years?”

He abandoned his sermon and engaged Burns in a dialogue that other parishioners joined. Though she wasn’t present that day, Allan’s longtime friend and colleague, the Rev. Martha Sterne, said the congregation “discussed, argued, discussed some more and some even cried.”

More here-

https://www.ajc.com/news/local-obituaries/frank-allan-led-church-through-challenging-times/NvlPALGDpMYnFg6DySQQwL/

Decline and revival in the Church of England

From Christian Century-

British media regularly re­port the latest surveys of religious faith and activity in that country, and rare is the news that is not deeply depressing. So rapid has been the process of secularization that it hardly seems far-fetched to imagine a near future in which Christian faith in the country would be confined to recent immigrants.

Particularly hard hit is the Church of England, which in practice attracts only a tiny proportion of the national population on any kind of regular basis. Yet even among what seem to be the battered ruins of Anglican loyalty are surprising signs of life and even vigor. (I will focus here on England, as conditions in other parts of the British Isles differ in many ways.)

The Church of England has long been divided between high and low church factions, between Anglo-Catholic ritualists and evangelicals. During the 1960s, a new force appeared on the scene in the form of a charismatic revival. Over the following decades, that charismatic impulse rose and fell in influence, but it received new infusions of support from the global church repeatedly. At different times, those overseas influences derived from transatlantic revivals, both in the US and in Latin America, but also from new immigrant populations from Africa and the Caribbean. These new influences reshaped many urban parishes, some of which became what an American would easily recognize as evangelical-charismatic megachurches.

More here-

https://www.christiancentury.org/article/notes-global-church/decline-and-revival-church-england

Workshop to examine future of church buildings

From Canada-

With their congregations shrinking, churches across Canada are looking for a renewed place in their communities.

That search is to bring together religious leaders, community groups and elected officials on Saturday at The Spire for a daylong workshop about reimagining places of worship.

According to the National Trust for Canada, within the next decade about one-third of Canada’s 27,000 places of worship could be closed.

“These are really community hubs, they have been from the day churches were first built, that’s where everything happened. We’re trying to reclaim that,” Bruce Hutchinson of Friends of The Spire said.

“The model of a church that is empty all week is no longer financially viable.”

The workshop is to include sessions on how congregations can change how they see their church’s place in the community. 

More here-

https://www.thewhig.com/news/local-news/workshop-to-examine-future-of-church-buildings

Metro Vancouver Anglicans to direct millions to Indigenous efforts

From Canada-

The dwindling Anglican church in Metro Vancouver plans to direct 10 per cent of revenue from sales of church property to Indigenous groups and projects.

Vancouver-area Anglicans voted at their weekend synod to give one-tenth of the money made from sales of Anglican church properties in high-priced Metro Vancouver retroactively to January 1, 2018 and in the future. The money involved will amount to millions of dollars.

“I have a great deal of faith in the wisdom of synod and the whole process that this is going to set loose,” Melissa Skelton, bishop of the Anglican diocese of New Westminster, said in a note to fellow Anglicans. Her diocese encompasses Metro Vancouver and out to Powell River and Hope.

Diocesan spokesman Randy Murray said the Anglican resolution “calling for restitution to Indigenous people sourced from funds of some past and all future properties was passed by a strong majority after a robust but cordial discussion on the synod floor.”

The synod vote still requires the assent of the bishop and consultation with diocesan council, which meets June 12.

More here-

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/metro-vancouver-anglicans-to-direct-millions-to-indigenous-efforts

Citing inclusion of LGBT clerics, Anglican bishops in Africa to shun Lambeth Conference

From NCR-

As disputes over homosexuality continue to stir within the worldwide Anglican Communion, conservative African bishops say they will boycott a decennial gathering of top clerics next summer unless what the Africans consider godly order is restored.

After delaying the Lambeth Conference, normally held once a decade, for two years, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the global leader of Anglicanism, has invited all active bishops and their spouses to the United Kingdom in July and August of 2020 — except the spouses of bishops who are in same-sex unions.

But the African bishops object to the invitation of bishops in the communion who are in same-sex unions. Those bishops' presence, the Africans say, constitutes an endorsement of homosexuality, which they reject as contrary to the Scriptures.

More here-

 https://www.ncronline.org/news/world/citing-inclusion-lgbt-clerics-anglican-bishops-africa-shun-lambeth-conference

Churches Outnumber Pubs in the UK

From Christianity Today-

Every village in the United Kingdom used to have a pub, a church, and a general store. Today, pubs (short for “public houses”) have become iconic, a popular destination for visitors to try drinks, traditional pub meals, and the cultural ambiance.

But these local landmarks are closing quickly; only 39,000 are left in England, down a quarter from 20 or so years ago. There are now more church buildings than pubs, according to recent figures announced last month by the National Churches Trust.

But the number of churches overall is falling too, just not as fast. The share of Christians in the UK is declining, as in America and other parts of the Western world. Total secularization isn’t inevitably around the corner for at least two reasons. First, surveys show that many who say they have “no religion” still believe in God, pray, say they have a soul, or even read the Bible. Second, there is actually substantial growth among certain types of churches in the UK, all in the context of God’s promise to build his church.

More here-

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/may/churches-outnumber-pubs-in-uk-london-attendance-pentecostal.html

Church of England praises temporary release for prisoners

From Premier-

An Anglican Bishop has said the government's decision to give more working releases for prison inmates will have a positive impact on society.

Release on temporary license (ROTL) is a system which gives prisoners the opportunity to spend time in the community for short periods, normally towards the end of their sentence.

Rules on ROTL schemes are being relaxed, to allow more inmates to work and train while serving their sentences, with the hope of boosting their future job prospects and preparing offenders for life outside of prison.

The decision to ease the rules on day and overnight release is part of a government effort to reduce re-offending, which is estimated to cost society £15bn a year.

The Bishops' Advisor for Prisons and Penal Affairs, Reverend Paul Cowley believes these work placements are vital for rehabilitation.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Church-of-England-praises-temporary-release-for-prisoners

Women Clergy and the Stained-Glass Ceiling

From JSTOR-

Unlike in Roman Catholic parishes, Episcopal laypeople have a strong say in who is selected as pastor. Sullins suggests that inequality remained in the Episcopal Church as a result of embedded cultural values which did not change much over time, even as the wider church body allowed for women’s ordination. This bore out in the way women clergy in the Episcopal Church climbed the ranks of larger church institutions and bureaucracies, while encountering frequent opposition at the parish level. The more democratic selection process of rectors—the equivalent of pastor—often worked against women seeking to advance in church ranks. On the parish level, even a small group opposed to the idea of a woman pastor could exercise an informal veto on the selection process.

A generation after Priesand was ordained a rabbi, women comprised about four percent of Jewish clergy, divided across the Reform-Conservative spectrum. Those early women rabbis saw their role differently than their Protestant counterparts. Protestant women ministers saw themselves in a more spiritual vein, more often feeling themselves called by God as religious leaders. Women rabbis saw themselves more as community leaders and advocates for social justice, particularly regarding issues around women’s rights.

More here-

https://daily.jstor.org/women-clergy-and-the-stained-glass-ceiling/

New Anglican Archbishop appointed

From Trinidad and Tobago-

The An­gli­can Church in the West In­dies has a new head fol­low­ing the elec­tion of Ja­maican Bish­op Howard Gre­go­ry to the post of Arch­bish­op for the Province of the West In­dies dur­ing its provin­cial syn­od at the Cas­ca­dia Ho­tel yes­ter­day.

Arch­bish­op Gre­go­ry pre­vi­ous­ly held the posts of head of An­gli­can Church in Ja­maica and Cay­man Is­lands. 

He suc­ceeds Bar­ba­di­an Dr John Hold­er, who re­tired in Feb­ru­ary 2018 and has be­come the first Ja­maican to head the An­gli­can Church in the Caribbean since Arch­bish­op William Hardie va­cat­ed the post in 1949.

Dur­ing a short press con­fer­ence fol­low­ing his elec­tion, Arch­bish­op Gre­go­ry said there were many top­i­cal is­sues in the Caribbean on which the church need­ed to be lend guid­ance.

“At the mo­ment we are deal­ing with is­sues re­lat­ed to abor­tion, we are deal­ing with is­sues re­lat­ed to mar­i­jua­na, we are deal­ing with is­sues re­lat­ed to hu­man traf­fick­ing and as a church we cer­tain­ly have to be a part of the en­gage­ment of the so­ci­ety bring in some per­spec­tives to bear on these things, not just out of emo­tion, not just po­lit­i­cal par­ti­san in any­way but to bring our the­o­log­i­cal and bib­li­cal per­spec­tive to bear on these sit­u­a­tions,” said the new Arch­bish­op.

More here-

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/new-anglican-archbishop-appointed-6.2.854840.b3c0a6ea0e 

and here-

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20190527/five-things-about-new-west-indies-anglican-archbishop-jamaican-howard-gregory

and here-

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/gregory-elected-archbishop-of-the-west-indies_165883?profile=1373

The Māori King has met with Pope Francis in Rome

From New Zealand-

They talked about current issues facing all New Zealanders, particularly Māori and indigenous communities when it comes to employment, youth issues, housing, health, and education.

The Anglican Church was pivotal in securing the audience with the Pope and the royal party for the papal audience was supported by a delegation that included the Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Sir David Moxon and Archdeacon Ngira Simmonds. 

The King is of Pai Mārire faith, while his daughter was baptised Catholic by the people of Whanganui.

The King and his delegation then went on to Monte Cassino, where he paid his respects at the Cemetery of Cassino to the 457 New Zealand soldiers that died there, including the 60 from the 28th Māori Battalion. 

More here-

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/113027915/the-mori-king-has-met-with-pope-francis-in-rome

also here-

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/papal-audience-m-ori-king-invites-pope-francis-new-zealand

Catholic Church mourns Kenyan pilgrims perished in Iganga hit and run accident

From Uganda-

The Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), the assembly of Catholic Bishops in Uganda has honoured the four Kenyan pilgrims perished in a hit and run accident on weekend as they trekked from Bungoma Diocese, Kenya to Namugongo Martyrs shrines, for the annual pilgrimage.

“Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember our dearly departed four Kenyan pilgrims who were walking to Namugongo’s Martyrs Catholic Shrine today (Sunday),” a statement shared on their official social media reads.

Two of the victims were from Kisoko Parish while the other two were from Naitiri Parish, which are both under Bungoma Catholic Diocese.

UEC adds that the victims were among the about 150 pilgrims who were heading to Namugongo for this year’s martyr’s day to be marked on June 3.

Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga says two of the pilgrims who died on the spot have been identified as Obanga Ashiuma Geoffrey, 48 of Naitiri, Bungoma and Roseline Wanjala (51), of Kisoko, Busia.

More here-

http://www.pmldaily.com/news/2019/05/catholic-church-mourns-kenyan-pilgrims-perished-in-iganga-hit-and-run-accident.html

Closed Episcopal Church in Center City reopened to find a new mission — and graves beneath the floorboards

From Philadelphia-

For years, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Center City had been inching toward oblivion. The families that sustained it for nearly two centuries were vanishing, until Sunday services became lonesome gatherings of fewer than 10 worshipers.

So, in 2016, leaders of the denomination’s Pennsylvania Diocese decided to close the church at 10th and Ludlow Streets, between Market and Chestnut, even though they would be leaving some longtime parishioners behind — buried beneath the floorboards.

The nine graves, some dating to the early 1800s, are still in the sanctuary, but invisible no more as part of a resurrected St. Stephen’s, retooled for a new definition of “church.”

The change agent was Bishop Daniel Gutierrez, who arrived here from the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande. “When we abandon one of these places," he said, "we abandon the possibilities of spreading what we believe in so deeply.”

More here-

https://www.philly.com/news/episcopal-diocese-pennsylvania-stephens-church-furness-burial-cloister-exposed-vaults-memorial-20190526.html

After more than 200 years in Philly, Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania headquarters moves to Norristown

From Philadelphia-

Ever since 1784, the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania has been headquartered in Philadelphia, most recently leading its 134 churches from offices adjacent to the denomination’s cathedral in University City.

This fall, however, the diocese, which represents 40,000 parishioners in the five-county Philadelphia area, will move its administrative base to the suburbs — to a Norristown church that was closed nearly four years ago.

The new headquarters will be St. John’s Episcopal Church, a Gothic-style cathedral steps away from the Montgomery County courthouse. The diocese also will set up a satellite office in Philadelphia at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, another congregation that had earlier closed its doors but is now reopened as a community resource center.

The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral in University City will remain the worship center of the diocese.

More here-

https://www.philly.com/news/episcopal-diocese-pennsylvania-moving-norristown-st-johns-st-stephens-20190526.html

Kenyan court upholds bans on gay intimacy

From RNS-

In a case that pitted influential faith leaders against gay rights groups, Kenya’s High Court declined on Friday (May 24) to force the repeal of sections of the penal code widely seen to discriminate against homosexuals.

A ruling in favor of repeal would have been a trailblazing step for an Africa court, but the three-judge bench said there was not sufficient evidence of discrimination or denial of basic rights.

“We are not persuaded by the petitioner that the offense against them (gays and Lesbians) are overboard,” said Justice Chacha Mwita, one of the judges.

But pro-gay church leaders and activists reacted sharply to the ruling, vowing that the struggle for equality will continue.

More here-

https://religionnews.com/2019/05/24/kenyan-court-upholds-bans-on-gay-intimacy/

Citing ‘aging and diminishing’ congregation, St. Simon’s Episcopal Church to close

From New York-

The 165-year-old St. Simon’s Episcopal Church in Concord is set to close on July 7, according to the Episcopal Diocese of New York.

“The catalyst [for the church closing] is a steadily aging and diminishing congregation, which has gotten to the state where it simply isn’t sustainable anymore,” said Nicholas Richardson, director of communications for the Episcopal Diocese of New York.

“There’s always a sadness when churches close. ...The hope is any of the resources left over can be directed to other parishes on Staten Island,” he added.

The church is working with several groups that rent space in the church for meetings and other services to find new homes, he said.

The Rev. Mary Hansen, pastor of the Amazing Grace Interfaith Ministry, said her group has rented space for her interfaith services and events, such as feeding the homeless, from St. Simon’s for more than 20 years. The group is now in search of a new meeting place, she said.

More here-

https://www.silive.com/news/2019/05/saint-simons-episcopal-church-to-close.html

One million pilgrims expected at Anglican martyrs shrine

From Uganda-

With eleven days remaining to the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations, the Anglican Church is prepared to receive over one million pilgrims for the 3^rd June event.

The Archbishop from Kenya, Jackson Ole will lead the celebrations that are being organised by dioceses like Central Buganda, Mityana, Luweero, Mukono and West Buganda.

The venue and security coordinator Mary Nsangi Kakembo said they have prepared facilities including washrooms to cater for more than one million pilgrims.

23 Anglican Martyrs and 22 Catholic Martyrs were killed between 1885 and 1887 on the orders of Buganda King Mwanga for accepting Christian.

More here-

https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1500825/million-pilgrims-expected-anglican-martyrs-shrine