Rwandan bishop shares stories of reconciliation

From Ft. Wayne-

Earlier this year, Pat Jehl of Fort Wayne felt God calling him to go to Rwanda, and specifically to the city of Ruhengeri in the northwest corner of that African nation.

Jehl didn't know why or what he was supposed to do there, but he went in August.

He happened to meet Bishop John Rucyahana, an Anglican clergyman who is leading his nation's efforts at reconciliation after the genocide that devastated the country in 1994. The bishop also is part of an African-based Anglican Church outreach to people in North America who don't have a faith or church.

At Jehl's invitation, Rucyahana will speak at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. worship and communion services Sunday at Heartland Church on Vance Avenue.

Rucyahana also will speak at 3 p.m. Sunday with any interested local clergy. In addition, he will be in Fort Wayne on Monday and Tuesday, but his schedule on those days had not yet been finalized, said Jehl, a Heartland member.

Wrote book based on Rwanda

Born in 1945 in northwest Rwanda, Rucyahana's family had to flee its homeland in 1959 to escape persecution by the Tutsi tribe, his biography said.

They settled in Uganda, where Rucyahana lived for 38 years. In 1975, he was ordained a priest in the Anglican Church of Uganda, and served as rector of St. Paul's Cathedral in Hoima, Uganda, during the final years of dictator Idi Amin's violent reign.

More here-

http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101009/NEWS01/10090302/1001/NEWS

Anglican Head to Embark on 16-Day Visit to India

From Christian Post-

The head of the worldwide Anglican Communion is expected to arrive in India on Saturday, according to an announcement by the British High Commission in New Delhi.

Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams is scheduled to embark on a 16-day visit to India from Oct. 9 to 24 at the invitation of the Communion of Churches in India, the commission reported.

The Anglican leader is slated to travel across several cities in India, including Kolkata, Ranchi, Nagpur, New Delhi, Chennai, Vellore, Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram.

During his visit, the archbishop will visit congregations and development initiatives of the Church of North India, the Church of South India and the Mar Thoma Church.

He will also meet civic and religious leaders in many places, including Hindu leaders in Bangalore, where he is scheduled to have a dialogue meeting.

“I look forward greatly to being back in India once more,” said the archbishop before leaving London for Kolkata. “Family connections, many friendships and the memory of two inspiring earlier visits mean that India is a special place for me, and I am grateful for the invitation to visit again.”

More here-

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20101008/anglican-head-to-embark-on-16-day-visit-to-india/

Fort Ligonier Days held this weekend

From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette- Ah home sweet home!

Fort Ligonier will be under siege again.

The 51st annual Fort Ligonier Days will take place Friday through Sunday at the garrison and the borough that encircles it.

More than 100,000 people are expected to attend over the three days. The event is free except for activities at the fort, where admission is $8 for age 15 and older; $5 for ages 6 to 14; and free for 5 and younger.

The fort is the site of what turned out to be the pivotal battle of the French and Indian War. The British were still building it in the wilderness when French forces attacked at 11 a.m. Oct. 12, 1758.

The French attempted to circle and take over the fort but were driven back by British artillery in a four-hour conflict in the rain.

Waiting until nightfall to strike again, the French were repulsed by mortar fire from within the fort.

That defeat caused the French to abandon Fort Duquesne at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers -- in what would become Pittsburgh -- and led to a British victory.

Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10280/1093138-59.stm#ixzz11rcmtaVI

Christ Episcopal plans grand opening

From Mississippi-

Christ Episcopal Church in Bay St. Louis will host a community grand opening at 4 p.m. Sunday for the new church and parish hall, rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the previous structures. Christ Church is at 912 S. Beach Blvd.

Established in 1889, the church has been destroyed by fire and two hurricanes and is rebuilt back on the beach where it was.

This time, however, said the Rev. Patrick Skutch, rector, “it’s deliberately turned in a different direction so that as you drive along the beach, you see the profile of the church, and it was very important to the congregation that the church be inviting. It says very strongly, ‘We are here, and we are open and we would like to see you.’

“The old church was set back a little bit further on the landscape, and you did not see as much of it when you went by.”

The sanctuary and the parish hall next door to it were consecrated in May for parish use and worship.

“This opening is geared toward an intentional welcome and open house for the community itself,” Skutch said.

Read more:

http://www.sunherald.com/2010/10/08/2541398/christ-episcopal-plans-grand-opening.html#ixzz11rXIehuz

Episcopal, Anglican dioceses to meet

From Fresno-

A representative of the U.S. Episcopal Church will speak in Modesto at the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin convention.

Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies for the Episcopal Church, will speak at 6:45 p.m. Oct. 15 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1528 Oakdale Road, Modesto. The convention will conclude next Saturday.
In December 2007, Bishop John-David Schofield led the diocese in a secession movement out of the U.S. Episcopal Church over differences such as the ordination of an openly gay bishop and the supreme authority of Scripture. The breakaway diocese, based in Fresno, is now part of the Anglican Church in North America.

Not long after the diocese voted to break away, the national Episcopal Church sued over ownership of church property. In July 2009, a Fresno County Superior Court judge handed a critical victory to the national church. The breakaway diocese is asking the 5th District Court of Appeal to overturn the ruling. Oral arguments are scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 20.

Read more:

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/10/08/2110758/episcopal-anglican-dioceses-to.html#ixzz11rWLoB7h

If Jefferts Schori is at meeting, I won’t come, says Primate

From The Church Times-

PRIMATES from the Global South are contemplating a boycott of the next Primates’ Meeting because the US Presiding Bishop, Dr Katharine Jefferts Schori, will be present.

The Archbishop of the Indian Ocean, the Most Revd Ian Ernest, has confirmed that he will not attend the meeting, due to take place in Dublin, 25-31 January.

Archbishop Ernest said last week that he had written to the Archbishop of Canterbury in the summer to convey his distress at the election in the United States of the Rt Revd Mary Glasspool, a partnered lesbian, as Bishop of Los Angeles. He had urged Dr Williams to exclude Dr Jefferts Schori from future Primates’ Meet ngs.

“There were conditions attached in that letter,” he said last week, “and I can confirm I will not attend if those conditions are not fulfilled.”

Dr Jefferts Schori has already con firmed that she will attend the meeting.
Primates of the Global South are expected to meet this month to discuss whether they will refuse en masse to attend.

They are being encouraged to attend by, among others, the presid ent of the American Anglican Council, the Rt Revd David Anderson, a suffragan bishop within the Con vocation of Anglicans in North America, who has posted a letter on a website urging traditionalist bishops to go to the meeting.

In a bizarre suggestion, he advises that Dr Jefferts Schori be shut out of the room, or removed “by force of numbers” if she attends. If Dr Williams objects to this, the meeting could go ahead in a separate room without him.

He writes: “Dr Williams is being advised that numerous provinces won’t attend the Primates’ Meeting if Jefferts Schori attends. Having booked the venue, he might as well have the meeting since he is committed to paying for it, but without the orthodox Primates in attendance it could be a dangerous meeting, giving opinion and credence to teachings and beliefs that are not representative of orthodox Anglicanism.

“If asked my opinion, I would strongly advise the orthodox Primates to: 1) organise before the Prim­ates’ Meeting; and 2) attend and remove by force of numbers the Presiding Bishop of the American Episcopal Church (not physically, but by either voting her off the ‘island’, or reces sing to another room and not letting her in).

“The meeting is a place to gather and potentially to settle some of the issues that are pulling the Anglican Communion apart, and to begin to restore health to a most wonderful communion.
“In the above case, if Dr Williams did not go along with Jefferts Schori’s exclusion, then I would suggest having the next-door meeting with out him. I just don’t believe staying home from the field of battle helps win a war over the truth and nature of Christianity within Anglicanism.”
Lambeth Palace declined to comment.

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=101953

Church urges women to go for top posts

From Kenya-

The Anglican Church of Kenya has joined groups calling on women to go for leadership positions created by the new Constitution.

Speaking on Thursday at a women’s conference organised by the church, in Nairobi, the ACK provincial secretary, Canon Rosemary Mbogo, said women should strive to capture competitive posts. Her sentiments were echoed by Water minister Charity Ngilu.

Canon Mbogo said women’s participation in national matters had been enhanced by the new laws and that they should prepare themselves to benefit from the gains.

“A woman should not see herself as someone who doesn’t have the capability. She should present herself and other women will support her,” she said. “They need to be a voice to help the country achieve the anticipated gains. We don’t want them to be caught unawares.”

Mrs Ngilu, who attended the conference, reiterated the need for women to take part in leadership in the country.

While noting the progress made in gender equality in Kenya and enshrined in the new Constitution, Mrs Ngilu called on other countries to learn from Kenya.

More here-

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Church%20urges%20women%20to%20go%20for%20top%20posts%20/-/1064/1028380/-/14ouecgz/-/

NEW BISHOP FOR ARGYLL AND THE ISLES

From Scotland-

The Very Rev Kevin Pearson has been elected the new Bishop of Argyll and The Isles for the Scottish Episcopal Church.

The See became vacant following the retirement last year of the Rt Rev Martin Shaw who had served the diocese as Bishop for five years.

Kevin Pearson is currently Rector of St Michael and All Saints Church in Edinburgh, a Canon of St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, Dean of the Diocese of Edinburgh and the Provincial Director of Ordinands (responsible for the discernment and selection process for candidates for ministry), a role which he was instrumental in creating in 1991 on behalf of the College of Bishops.

In accordance with the Church's canonical process the right of election of the new bishop of Argyll and The Isles passed to the Episcopal Synod (consisting of all of the Church's Diocesan Bishops). Chair of the Synod, the Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church said: “I warmly welcome the unanimous election by the Episcopal Synod of the Very Rev Kevin Pearson as Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles.

“Dean Pearson has been greatly loved as Rector of St Michael and All Saints in Edinburgh since 1995. He has been a distinguished Dean of the Diocese of Edinburgh. As Provincial Director of Ordinands he has been a major influence on the shape of the ministry of our whole church.

More here-

http://www.dunoon-observer.com/index.php/news/1-news/1135-new-bishop-for-argyll-and-the-isles

Tutu, 79, Retires from High-Profile Public Life

From The VOA-

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has retired from public life to spend more time with his family and on personal pursuits. However, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate will continue some leadership roles.

Archbishop Tutu marked his 79th birthday and his retreat from public life with a party for family and friends on a cruise ship in Cape Town harbor.

The "Arch" as he is fondly known in South Africa, said in July he was spending too much time on planes and in airports on the lecture and conference circuit. Rather he said, he wants to have tea in the afternoons with his wife, write, pray, and watch lots of sport on TV.

Tutu used the pulpit and his clerical standing to boldly challenge the apartheid government for the injustices of the race based system. His actions brought him global recognition and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He became the darling of the international media, but the target of government invective and anger. In an earlier interview Tutu told VOA that he may have been the one to stand out, but many others were at his side.

"I had very many supporting me and if I was standing it was because of all the many who were carrying me on their shoulders," he said. "And that is not being conventionally modest, it is the truth."

More here-

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Nobel-Prize-Winner-Desmond-Tutu-Retires-From-Public-Life-104493694.html

Native businessman turned Episcopal minister to share conversion story

From South Carolina-

Believers recognize that God moves in mysterious ways. One Orangeburg native with first-hand experience of those ways will share his unique story next week.

The Very Rev. Frank F. Limehouse III, dean of Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Ala., worked in his family's third-generation apparel business, Limehouse Ltd., for 20 years before converting to Christianity - by way of a golf course - and entering the ministry.

"The business was started by my grandfather in 1922, and I worked there after I graduated from Wofford College in 1966," Limehouse said. "I was about 46 when I converted."

Limestone will participate in a revival at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer of Orangeburg Tuesday through Thursday, Oct. 12-14. The Rev. Dr. Frank Larisey said a former church rector was responsible for influencing Limehouse's decision.

"Bill Snow, who was (Church of the Redeemer) rector from the middle-1960s to the late-1980s, was a pretty good scratch golfer," Larisey said. "He used it to evangelize.
"He would get into foursomes on the golf course. He would say, ‘If I miss this shot, I'll pay up. But if I make this shot, you owe me two Sundays in church.' Since he was so good, many of them ended up coming to church, but a lot of them also ended up staying."

More here-

http://thetandd.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/article_3ac4a4bc-d250-11df-9285-001cc4c002e0.html

Mt. Calvary Considers Roman Catholicism

From The Living Church-

An Anglo-Catholic parish in the Diocese of Maryland is within weeks of becoming the first Episcopal congregation to accept the Vatican’s invitation, through Anglicanorum coetibus, to become a Roman Catholic church.

Mount Calvary Church, Baltimore, has scheduled a vote Oct. 24 on whether to affirm unanimous vestry decisions to leave the Episcopal Church and to become a Roman Catholic parish under the terms of Anglicanorum coetibus.

The Rev. Jason Catania, rector of Mount Calvary since 2006, said the congregation has consulted with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore about the parish’s future and with the Diocese of Maryland about the possibility of amicable separation.

If the congregation affirms the vestry’s two resolutions, the parish will send a proposal to the Diocese of Maryland’s standing committee four days later, Fr. Catania told The Living Church.

“A group from the standing committee has met with the vestry, and Bishop [Eugene] Sutton will be here on Sunday [Oct. 10] to hear from the folks,” he said.

He said Mount Calvary already had begun thinking about becoming a Roman Catholic parish when the All Saints Sisters of the Poor announced their decision to become a Roman Catholic Order.

“That was very important,” he said. “They were our parish sisters, and we remain very close to them.”

Catania grew up Lutheran, but his college education is thoroughly Roman Catholic and then Anglo-Catholic: a bachelor’s degree in music from Notre Dame; a master’s degree from Washington University, St. Louis; and a master’s of divinity degree from the Catholic University of America. He earned a master of sacred theology degree from Nashotah House Theological Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood by the Rt. Rev. Daniel Herzog, Bishop of Albany, in December 2000.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2010/10/5/baltimore-parish-considers-roman-catholicism

Can the Instruments of Unity Be Repaired?

From Ephraim Radner-

When the turmoil surrounding Gene Robinson’s consent and consecration arose in 2003, everyone knew that the Anglican Communion was in for some rough times. But even more pessimistic observers believed that these times would be relatively limited, and that somehow the Communion would muddle towards some stabilizing resolution. Few could have imagined how quickly and how completely the organizations that held the Communion together would fragment and crumble. Yet this is where we have arrived: a seemingly single incident in one small corner of the global church’s reach has managed to unravel centuries of common bonds and shared witness to Christ.

At this point, all the so-called Instruments of the Unity for the Anglican Communion are broken, some, it seems to me, beyond any hope of repair. What can be done about this? The four Instruments – the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) and the Primates’ Meeting (in order of their founding) – have each, in different ways and together, been key means by which Anglicans around the world, drawn from their various migrational and missionary origins, have grown into a vital communion of churches. And this Communion has been characterized by elements unique, admired, and even desired still by many non-Anglican Christians. With the demise of the Instruments of Unity, the question of the Anglican Communion’s survival and vocation is necessarily raised.

I will discuss the status of each Instrument today; then ask what we have learned from these Instruments’ collapse; finally, I will address the question of what we can do about any of this.

More here-

http://www.anglicancommunioninstitute.com/2010/10/can-the-instruments-of-unity-be-repaired/

David Bailey / Illness made him follow his gift for music

From This morning's Post-Gazette. David's father has been the Canon Theologian for the diocese for many years.

David Bailey, a Christian musician whose songs reflected his 14-year survival from a cancer that was supposed to kill him long ago, died Saturday in Charlottesville, Va.

He often performed around Pittsburgh, and was the son of the prominent New Testament scholar Kenneth Bailey and his wife, Ethel, of New Wilmington, Lawrence County.

He was 44.

His final concert, given in July, was for the New Wilmington Mission Conference at Westminster College.

"For me, death has sort of become like a friend who walks beside me but is annoying enough that I keep him at a solid arm's length," he told blogger Michael Manning in a 2007 interview.

"Cancer saved my life. It showed me how precious the gift of time is.

"It forced me to overcome some fears and pursue a passion.

"It drove me to want to make a real difference in the world and in other people's lives by sharing hope and to leave a legacy for my children more resounding than a few mementos and a 401(k)."

He grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, where his parents were Presbyterian missionaries. Civil war forced him to finish high school in Germany.

Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10280/1093225-122.stm#ixzz11gHv9Am5

Katharine Jefferts Schori to make her first visit to a church in the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan

From Michigan

St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Grand Blanc Township will welcome a special visitor on Oct. 16.

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, will preside and preach during the church's Festal Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 16 at 9020 S. Saginaw in Grand Blanc Township.

This is Schori's first visit to the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan which includes land east of Interstate 75 from Genesse to Alpena counties.

Schori is chief pastor to the Episcopal Church's 2.4 million members in 16 countries and 110 dioceses. She was elected bishop at the 75th General Convention in 2006. Schori previously served as Bishop of Nevada and is the 26th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church.


More here-

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2010/10/presiding_bishop_of_the_episco.html

RPM Bowden, lifelong Episcopal churchman, dies at 80

I worked with RPM at convention-

RPM Bowden, a lifelong Episcopal churchman who served as a deputy to 10 General Conventions and two terms on the church's Executive Council, died Oct. 5 in Atlanta after an extended illness. He was 80.
Born Richard Perry Milas Bowden in San Antonio, Texas, he was known throughout the church simply as "RPM." He was the eldest of three sons born to an Episcopal priest, the Rev. Henry Bowden, and Minnie Lee Bowden of Atlanta. He was proud of saying that he first donned the vestments of an acolyte at the age of 2.

From Texas he moved in 1934 to North Carolina, where his father was rector of St. Mark's, Wilmington. Another call in 1946 took the family to Tuskegee, Alabama, and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. As a 1950 graduate of Tuskegee Institute, Bowden came to Atlanta to teach at Booker T. Washington High School. He remained an educator and administrator for more than 40 years, teaching instrumental music and later focusing on community education. He was inducted in 2002 into the National Community Education Association Hall of Fame.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81831_124997_ENG_HTM.htm

Doctober! Halladay hurls second playoff no-no

One walk away from Don Larson- (For you soccer fans a no hitter is when the opposing team doesn't get a hit)

Roy Halladay waited his entire life to pitch in the postseason.

He did not disappoint.

Halladay threw a no-hitter Wednesday in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Reds at Citizens Bank Park, which the Phillies won, 4-0. The Reds have had only baserunner: Jay Bruce, who walked on six pitches with two outs in the fifth.

The only previous no-hitter in postseason history was a perfect game thrown by the Yankees' Don Larsen against the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.

The Reds have had only a couple close calls for hits: a line drive Travis Wood hit hard to right fielder Jayson Werth to end the third and a ground ball Joey Votto hit deep into the hole to shortstop Jimmy Rollins to end the fourth.

The best example of Halladay's dominance? Halladay struck out Reds shortstop Orlando Cabrera on three pitches in the fourth: a 93 mph fastball, a 79 mph curveball and an 85 mph changeup.

Cabrera shook his head after swinging and missing at the third pitch.

Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez endured a nightmarish 1 2/3 innings compared to Halladay. It started when he allowed a one-out double in the first to Shane Victorino, who stole third and scored on Chase Utley's sacrifice fly to right field to hand the Phillies a 1-0 lead.

Victorino made a nice slide to beat the throw from Bruce, hopped up after making a nice slide to beat Bruce's throw and patted home-plate umpire John Hirschbeck.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101006&content_id=15455266&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Cuts to infrastructure aimed at achieving balanced budget for 2011

From Canada-

Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, met with General Synod staff today to discuss major infrastructure changes made to achieve a balanced budget for 2011.

Fourteen staff positions have been affected. Ten positions have been eliminated. Six people received lay-off notices, while others have been offered different or new jobs. Further details about how the cuts will affect each department will not be made public until the staff involved have had time to decide whether they want the new position they have been offered…or the severance. Every General Synod department has been affected to some degree.

The cuts are in keeping with a 2009 decision that deficit budgeting be eliminated by 2012. While cost-cutting measures over the past two years have included staff layoffs, the biggest reduction remained to be articulated in 2011, with an estimated $1.1 million to be cut from the General Synod operating budget.

More here-

http://www.anglicanjournal.com/nc/news-items/article/restructuring-announced-at-general-synod-offices-9391-1.html

Christopher Chessun named as Bishop of Southwark

From London-

Christopher Chessun, currently Bishop of Woolwich, succeeds the Rt Revd Tom Butler who retired earlier this year.

"I was surprised and humbled to have been nominated to be the tenth Bishop of Southwark," says Bishop Christopher.

"It has been a great privilege and joy to serve as Bishop of Woolwich for the last five years, serving as part of Bishop Tom Butler's staff team, until his recent retirement.

"The bishops work closely together in this very vibrant siocese where clergy morale is high and the area system ensures that effective support is given in equipping the clergy and people of our parishes to serve the kingdom of God in their localities.

"I greatly look forward to getting to know the priests, people and parishes across the whole diocese. By God's grace, I shall endeavour to deepen our unity in Christ and lead the diocese in mission and engagement with the wider community. Please pray for me as I prepare to serve as your new diocesan bishop."

The Diocese of Southwark was formed in 1905 and covers Greater London south of the River Thames and part of the county of Surrey. The diocese has three area bishops – Woolwich, Kingston and Croydon – who each look after part of the larger area.

Bishop Christopher will be the tenth Bishop of Southwark.

More here-

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/4858

Chief Episcopal pastor Jefferts Schori in Milwaukee this weekend

From Wisconsin-

The chief pastor of the world's 2.4 million Episcopalians will be in Milwaukee this weekend to take part in the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee's annual convention, which begins Friday.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will meet with clergy in the morning at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 2755 W. Grange Ave. in Greendale, before leading one of the convention workshops in the afternoon at Milwaukee's Italian Community Center in Milwaukee.

About local 300 members are expected at the convention, where the diocese, among other things, passes its annual budget.

Jefferts Schori was the first woman to head a province in the 77 million-member Anglican Communion when she was elected Episcopal primate in 2006. She has led the U.S. church at one of its most tumultuous times, fielding criticism from more conservative provinces in the Anglican Communion for its more liberal stands on homosexuality, gay clergy and other social issues.

More here-

http://www.jsonline.com/features/religion/104368469.html

Church of Denmark signs Porvoo Agreement

From Christian Today-

The Church of Denmark has ended years of separation from Anglican Churches in northern Europe by signing the Porvoo Agreement.

The Agreement underscores the Porvoo Communion of Evangelical-Lutheran Churches in northern Europe and Anglican Churches in Britain and Ireland.

Although the Church of Denmark participated in discussions leading up to the Porvoo Agreement some 15 years ago, it never signed the document because of differences over the status of women.

With women now being accepted into the priesthood by the Anglican Churches in the Porvoo Communion, the Church in Denmark announced last year that there was no longer any barrier to becoming a full member.

The Agreement was signed at a service in Copenhagen Cathedral by Hanna Broadbridge, chairman of the Council of International Relations of the Danish Church, and Bishop of Viborg, Karsten Nissen.

The Church called the signing of the Agreement momentous. It said that an era of “reticence” had been replaced by a “more open and trusting atmosphere” between the Churches.

The Bishop of Copenhagen, Bishop Peter Skov-Jakobsen, said that one of the most urgent tasks was to get to know each other better.

“It is in the interaction with each other that the things we have in common really become clear,” he said.

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.of.denmark.signs.porvoo.agreement/26832.htm

Bishop’s ‘eat their money’ challenge triggers uproar

From Tanzania-

Anglican Church of Tanzania Archbishop Valentino Mokiwa yesterday came under fire for encouraging the people to take the money offered by corrupt politicians, but refuse to vote them in the October 31 General Election.

The critics of the top church leader said in separate interviews in Dar es Salaam that the statement by the Most Rev Mokiwa last Sunday, was unfortunate, as if followed, it would defeat the whole purpose of the campaign against corruption, which clergymen should strongly support.

The Registrar of Political Parties, Mr John Tendwa, rejected the cleric’s advice, saying it amounted to legalising corruption. He denounced those expressing similar sentiments, accusing them of being “agents of corruption”.

Mr Tendwa was responding to a question from journalists in Dar es Salaam after he officiated at a one-day seminar for journalists organised by his office to discuss the Election Expenses Act.

CCM publicity secretary John Chiligati said the statement by Archbishop Mokiwa was uncalled, since corruption is a criminal offence under the Election Expenses Act.

“The archbishop is wrong on this one. We all know that giving people money during election campaigns is corruption and, therefore, a criminal offence. We want voters to elect leaders not through the influence of money but due to the good policies of their parties,” Mr Chiligati added.

He said the law must be effectively enforced “if we are to strengthen our democratic process”.

On Sunday, speaking at the launch of a health insurance programme for low-income earners in Dar es Salaam, Archbishop Mokiwa said it “is not sinful to receive money from foolish and corrupt politicians, who are hell-bent on winning elections by manipulating voters”. However, he urged those who receive such cash not vote for the corrupt politicians.

More here-

http://thecitizen.co.tz/component/content/article/37-tanzania-top-news-story/4567-bishops-eat-their-money-challenge-triggers-uproar.html

N. Michigan Names Four Nominees

From The Living Church-

The Diocese of Northern Michigan has nominated three men and one woman in the search for its 11th bishop.

The nominees are:

The Rev. Dr. Susanna E. Metz, a former Roman Catholic religious and executive director of the Center for Ministry in Small Churches at the University of the South.

The Rev. Rayford J. Ray, a 20-year veteran of ministry in Northern Michigan and a member of the diocese’s Episcopal Ministry Support Team.

The Rev. Nigel J. Taber-Hamilton, a native of England and rector of St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods Church, Freeland, Wash.

The Rev. Jos C. Tharakan, a native of India and rector of All Saints Church in Russellville, Ark.
The diocese’s ninth bishop, the Rt. Rev. James A. Kelsey, died in a car crash in June 2007. The diocese elected a sole nominee, the Rev. Dr. Kevin Thew Forrester, in February 2009, but he did not receive consents from a majority of bishops or standing committees.

The diocese is accepting nominees by petition. Instructions for such nominees are posted on the dioecese’s website [PDF]. The diocese will elect its next bishop Dec. 4 in Escanaba.

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2010/10/1/n-michigan-names-four-nominees

Heading to Rome? Will Entire Maryland Episcopal Parish Become Catholic?

From Baltimore-

In a letter to parishioners, the Reverend Jason Cantania, rector of Mount Calvary Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland, announced that the vestry of the parish had voted unanimously in favor of two resolutions. First, they have voted to leave The Episcopal Church (TEC) where they are a part of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, and, second, to become an Anglican Use parish in the Catholic Church through the new initiative from Rome - the Anglicorum Coetibus.

Under the terms of this apostolic constitution, the Church has provided opportunities for "personal ordinariates for Anglicans entering full communion with the Catholic Church." As an Anglican Use parish, they will be authorized to use an authorized version of the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer called the "Book of Divine Worship."

Mount Calvary Episcopal Church, founded in 1842, is located in the heart of the city of Baltimore. On their website they describe themselves as a parish that has "borne faithful witness to the essential truth of Catholic Christianity and the tradition of the Oxford Movement for over 150 years, and remains to this day a bulwark of orthodox Anglo-Catholic practice.

More here-

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=38508

Southern Africa: Major step in adopting Covenant

From ACN-

The Anglican Church of Southern Africa voted on Friday October 1st to adopt "The Anglican Covenant", the document setting out a statement of common "affirmations and commitments" by churches of the worldwide Anglican Communion which has been drawn up in response to disagreements over issues around human sexuality.

A resolution adopting the Covenant was proposed at the triennial meeting of the church’s Provincial Synod by the Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Revd Thabo Makgoba, and seconded by the Dean of the Province, the Right Revd Paddy Glover, Bishop of the Free State. The decision will need to be ratified by the next session of the Synod in three years’ time.

Motivating the resolution, Archbishop Makgoba said he believed the church in southern Africa needed to try to "play a reconciling role" amid the current disputes over human sexuality in the Communion. He said the Covenant "is not a guarantee of an easy solution to the problems we face in the Communion" but hoped it would be a way of "healing and moving the Communion forward…" It was a document which, although not a complete statement on the nature of the Anglican Communion, sought to "describe our common identity in the Anglican Church… What is at stake here is to try to articulate our relationship in words."

Bishop Glover said the Anglican Church could best be likened to a family: "There are no outsiders; we are all insiders... We are all different but we are members of a family… bound together by bonds of affection and bonds of loyalty." The covenant sought to reinforce this relationship.

More here-

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2010/10/4/ACNS4736

Orthodox church ordains Dormont man first priest since '70s

From The Pittsburgh Tribune Review-

Matthew Stagon, 26, said he was a teenager when he first felt the pull to become a priest.

No heavenly voices urged him to do it, as he recalls. And he had no pressure from ministers or other clergy.

Just a feeling.

"You just know," he said.

On Sunday, the sound of bells and aroma of incense at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in East Pittsburgh signaled Stagon's ordination as one of the religion's newest priests. It was the first such appointment for the church in nearly four decades.

Parishioners cheered "Axios!," the Greek word for "he is worthy," as other clergy adorned Stagon with each layer of his new priestly wardrobe -- a belt, a robe, a golden stole and a cross.

"When a man is ordained, he's continuing the same unbroken apostolic tradition of our church," said the Rev. Jonathan Tobias, a priest participating in the ordination. "He'll be a great addition to the tradition."

The Orthodox Christian faith is made up of about a dozen administratively independent local churches that trace their roots to Russia, Georgia, Ukraine and other parts of Eastern Europe. Those who follow its Scripture often pride themselves on their adherence to tradition and a history that dates to the Byzantine Empire and Constantinople.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_702576.html

Not a 'Halfway House' for Anglicans: New Idea of Anglican Ordinariate Emerging

From The Catholic Herald-

It was not the step that we were led to expect during the years of negotiation with Anglicans about corporate unity. But it is prophetic - and the prophet in question is our present Holy Father, who believes that Anglicans who already accept the Magisterium of the Church should be given freedom to worship and evangelize in communion with Rome as a matter of urgency.

A new idea of the Ordinariate is emerging. It should no longer be seen as a halfway house for disaffected Anglo-Catholics 'defecting' from the Church of England

The plans for the Ordinariate for ex-Anglicans are gathering pace. One of the last things Pope Benedict XVI said before leaving Britain, and one of the most important, was to emphasise that the Ordinariate is the next step towards Church unity.

It was not the step that we were led to expect during the years of negotiation with Anglicans about corporate unity. But it is prophetic - and the prophet in question is our present Holy Father, who believes that Anglicans who already accept the Magisterium of the Church should be given freedom to worship and evangelize in communion with Rome as a matter of urgency.

More here-

http://www.catholic.org/hf/faith/story.php?id=38548

Nation's top Episcopal bishop speaks in Shepherdstown

From West Virginia-

Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown had what Pastor G.T. Schramm called one of its proudest moments Sunday when the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States led a service there.

The church at the corner of Church and German streets was nearly filled to capacity when the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori celebrated the 10 a.m. service.

The Right Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia and its 70 churches, accompanied Jefferts Schori.

Jefferts Schori is the 26th presiding bishop and the first woman elected to the position.

Jefferts Schori’s stop in Shepherdstown ended a three-church pilgrimage to the Mountain State. She also visited Christ Church in Fairmont, W.Va., and St. Luke’s on Wheeling Island.

She said that during a dinner at Christ Church, paper stars were passed out inviting those eating to write notes to its rector, who is facing cancer surgery. The woman turned 29 Saturday and the congregation had seen her only once since she became ill in May, Jefferts Schori said.

“At some point ... a parishioner stood up and offered a lament ... ‘Why is this vibrant young woman so terribly sick? Why has our shepherd been taken away?’” Jefferts Schori said during her sermon.

More here-

http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=254100&format=html

When savoring film of Bucs' game 7, credit Bing with save

From Today's Post-Gazette-

Plenty of baseball fans leave the room when they get too nervous about a ballgame. Bing Crosby (right), who was a part-owner of the Pirates in 1960, went a little farther.

He left for Europe.

"Bing liked to be casual,'' his widow, Kathryn Crosby, explained the other day when recalling how the couple spent Oct. 13 that year. "He didn't like to get his soul wrapped around the situation, and he knew the French were cool. If things didn't go our way, he could suffer in silence.''

So the Crosbys and friends listened on short wave in a Paris apartment. When Bill Mazeroski hit the home run to win the series for the Pirates, Der Bingle bungled. He tapped a Scotch bottle against the mantel and "started a conflagration.

"For a man who's supposed to be really cool,'' Mrs. Crosby said, "he lost it completely.''

Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10276/1091974-155.stm?cmpid=bcpanel0#ixzz11K6OHzGQ

Religious groups urge court to side with Christ Church

From Savannah-

Two theologically conservative groups have filed documents urging the state Supreme Court to reverse two lower courts' decisions placing Christ Church in the hands of the Episcopal Church.

The groups argue the property rights of every Georgia church affiliated with a religious denomination could be in jeopardy if the court fails to reverse lower rulings.

"Here, the property rights of numerous PCUSA churches in Georgia will be adversely impacted if the lower court's misapplication of law and misinterpretation of polity is affirmed," according to a brief filed Sept. 17 by the Presbyterian Lay Committee, a conservative group working within the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Another organization, the American Anglican Council, argued in a separate brief filed Sept. 23 that the court's failure to reverse the decision could give denominations "unchecked power over property titled in member congregations' names."

The decision over whether to consider the groups' briefs lies with the court.

More here-

http://savannahnow.com/news/2010-10-03/religious-groups-urge-court-side-christ-church

Storm brews over Mugabe’s fake degree

From Zimbabwe-

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe is in the eye of a storm after he accepted an honourary degree from a shadowy Anglican bishop in Ecuador as anti-genocide activists have launched a campaign to have it withdrawn.

Mugabe was supposed to fly to Quito, Ecudoran capital from New York where he was attending the United Nations General Assembly last month to receive the doctor of Civil Law degree but changed his plans at the last minute.

He flew back home last Sunday.

The veteran ruler who is already a holder of seven degrees mostly obtained during his time in jail was given the honorary doctorate in civil law by the Autonomous University in Quito.

Mugabe’s decision to postpone the trip to fetch the degree coincided with revelations that Bishop Walter Roberto Crespo had been implicated in gun running for Colombian rebels.

The Anglican Church of Harare said Crespo was also an unrecognised breakaway bishop.

While in Harare Crespo was the guest of Nolbert Kunonga, another renegade Anglican bishop with Zanu PF links.

But it has since emerged from close sources that Mugabe will travel to the South American country between next month and December.

His visit will be closely monitored by the United States-based Genocide Watch, which last week wrote to Crespo warning him against honouring a “world class criminal like Mugabe.”

More here-

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/local/26791-storm-brews-over-mugabes-fake-degree.html

Call for more women priests

From South Africa-

The call came at the triennial provincial synod of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.

The three-day conference, which ended in Benoni yesterday, focused on several contentious issues, including the continuing psychological damage to both white and black South Africans by the "dehumanising" effects of the struggle against apartheid.

Participants came from Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique and Angola.

The conference resolved that the election of women as bishops needed to be addressed, with dioceses that had yet to ordain women as priests being encouraged to do so.

The resolution, proposed by Bishop Oswald Swartz of Kimberley and Kuruman, said it was ironic that women formed the majority of church members, yet were under-represented "in theological education, at every level in leadership and in representational roles".

Some dioceses still do not ordain women as priests, while no woman has yet been elected or appointed as a bishop.

More here-

http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article686953.ece/Call-for-more-women-priests