Africa's first woman bishop admits 'world is watching'

From Swaziland-

While the Church of England wrings its hands over the appointment of women bishops, Africa's first woman Anglican bishop is determined to get on with the job without being hung up on the gender debate.

"All leaders are ordained by God," said 61-year-old Swazi primate Ellinah Wamukoya, skimming over the very topic that has brought her worldwide attention.

"It is not like any other post where you apply. Here God calls you and you respond to that call. If you do respond, your mind should be focused on what God says to the position to which He has called you," she told AFP.

"I have responded to the call of God."

But the timing of that call could hardly have been more dramatic, or contentious.

Her enthronement as Anglican bishop of the Diocese of Swaziland last Saturday came in the very week the Anglicans' mother church, the Church of England, very publicly voted not to allow women bishops.

The outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams described opposition to the move as "wilfully blind."

More here-

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/283638/news/world/africa-s-first-woman-bishop-admits-world-is-watching

Dr Williams warns: no short cut, no simple solution

From The Church Times-

THE Archbishop of Canterbury told the General Synod on Wednesday morning "very bluntly" that it had "a lot of explaining to do", after it failed to give final approval to the draft women-bishops Measure.

The presidents of the Houses of the Synod met last night, and the House of Bishops had held "informal discussions" early on Wednesday morning, Dr Williams said.

Church House issued a statement shortly after the vote. It said: "The consequence of the 'no' vote of terminating any further consideration of the draft legislation means that it will not be possible to introduce draft legislation in the same terms until a new General Synod comes into being in 2015, unless the 'Group of Six' (the Archbishops, the Prolocutors, and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the House of Laity) give permission and report to the Synod why they have done so."
More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2012/23-november/news/uk/dr-williams-warns-no-short-cut,-no-simple-solution

ACC-15 Thinks Thinly

From The Living Church-

The 15th Anglican Consultative Council which met Oct. 27-Nov. 7 in Auckland was a stirring occasion for the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia. It offered an opportunity to showcase our “three tikanga” life, the way in which we express ourselves as church according to the cultural streams of Maori, New Zealanders of European origin, and Polynesia. That showcasing included significant opening events as well as wonderful and generous hospitality. ACC members fanned out across the country to participate in worship services in many parts of the North and South Islands. For the whole church, this was the first time Archbishop Rowan Williams was able to visit during his time in office. His visit to Christchurch, my home diocese, was a blessing as we saw and heard for ourselves this fine Christian leader and insightful, intelligent theologian.

But ACC does not exist to impress host churches every three years. It exists as one of the Instruments of Communion in the life of global Anglicanism. In recent years an emerging argument from some commentators has been that it is the most important instrument of them all, as it is the only one that involves not only bishops but other clergy and laity as well. The vital question to ask of each ACC meeting, then, is how it will affect the Communion. As best I can tell, ACC-15 will have little, if any, effect on the Communion.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/acc-15-thinks-thinly

Happy "Snarksgiving!"

From Kansas (Made me laugh)

It seems most appropriate on this Black Friday, to share some thoughts from the (still bloated) underbelly of Thanksgiving. Over on Twitter yesterday several rather snarky clerics created a Litany of #Snarksgiving throughout the day. It was an enjoyable and humorous exercise in between courses and conversations and quarters (the football variety, not the drinking game).

I felt compelled to compile these intercessions in case the Liturgical Standing Committee of the Episcopal Church ever authorizes a shadow Book of Common Prayer. I’ll share the names of the participants but, for fear of reprisals, I won’t attribute them. Of course, if you’re on Twitter you can go back and figure it out but I’m betting no one has the energy or will to actually do that.

Besides me, contributors included the Rev.’s Laurie Brock, Scott Gunn, Anne Lane Witt, and the ever-mysterious ChurchSnobTEC. If you’re on the Twitters, I suggest following these folks — never a dull moment when they get going. But without further ado here it is:

Litany of "Snarksgiving"

For people who say, “Get up! Let’s go DO SOMETHING instead of nap!” We give snarks.

For family members who don’t like football and consider it rude to put the TV on, we give snarks.

For distant relatives who call and have the phone passed all around, we give snarks.

For in-laws who can’t travel without small, yappy dogs, we give snarks.

For a mother-in-law who’d hadn’t yet put the turkey in when we arrived (!), we give snarks.

For having to make culinary compromises for vegans, we give snarks.

For those who consider pigs in a blanket an appropriate appetizer, we give snarks.

For being overstimulated & undermedicated, we give snarks.

For those posting pictures of food on Facebook, we give snarks.

For inane discussions about the moose lodge, we give snarks.

For family members who think alcohol is “of the devil,” we give snarks. (And drink. Wine.)

For Reunite as the “good” wine, we give snarks.

For people who think Thanksgiving is the right day to bust out Christmas music, we give snarks.

For family that buys champagne but doesn’t put it on ice, we give snarks.

For those who insist holiday cocktail hour doesn’t begin until happy hour, we give snarks.

For the children’s table at ages 35+, we give snarks.

For less sleep than we get during the work week, we give snarks.

For guests who don’t leave after the pie, we give snarks.

For being put in a twin bed like we’re 12, we give snarks.

For relatives that didn’t buy Bloody Mary mix, we give snarks.

For traditional family dishes that no one likes, we give snarks.

For family that awake us from naps and then won’t go away, we give snarks.

Well, there we go. We hope you enjoyed this litany and encourage you to use it in place of grace at next year’s Thanksgiving feast.


http://www.dodgeglobe.com/article/20121123/BLOGS/311239994

Official Anglican Church Wins Cases: Kunonga Claims Dismissed

From Zimbabwe

Supreme Court Decides Anglican Church Appeals:

Ruling For the Official Anglican Church and Against Kunonga Camp

On Monday 19th November the Supreme Court decided two appeals in favour of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa [“the Church”] – and against breakaway former Bishop of Harare Nolbert Kunonga and his adherents. The Church has at last, after a five-year legal battle, obtained a final court order confirming its legal right to possession and control of the Church’s property in Zimbabwe – and putting an end to the claims of Dr Kunonga and his adherents to Church property. [The background to the appeals was described in Court Watch 20/2012 of 24th October.]

The Meaning of the Decision

[Note: “the Church” refers to the Church of the Province of Central Africa – the long-standing “official” Anglican Church]

The effect of this decision is to grant the Church an order:

•    prohibiting Dr Kunonga from claiming to be the Church’s bishop of Harare

•    prohibiting Dr Kunonga and his “board of trustees” from:

•    claiming to be office bearers in the Church

•    accessing and operating the Church’s bank accounts

•    working or doing business from any of the Church’s cathedrals, churches, chapels and other immovable property

More here-

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/news/zimbabwe/62408/official-anglican-church-wins-cases.html?utm_source=thezim&utm_medium=homepage&utm_campaign=listarticle&utm_content=headinglink

As Episcopalians move toward split, questions and painful decisions remain

From South Carolina-

South Carolina Episcopalians are headed for a painful split now that a majority of Lowcountry Episcopalians have sided with an emboldened Bishop Mark Lawrence in his standoff with, in Lawrence’s view, an increasing liberal and theologically-wobbly national church.

But questions remain about Lawrence’s authority to engineer a secession of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina from the Episcopal Church, which was approved by a majority of delegates Saturday at a special convention called by Lawrence in Charleston.

At issue, too, is the status of those Lowcountry Episcopalians who don’t agree with Lawrence’s decision to disassociate. At least 12 congregations among the 75 in the Lowcountry diocese have expressed a desire to remain with the American church, which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Bishop W. Andrew Waldo, the head of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, had hoped to avert this moment. Over the past few months, he has remained in conversation with his fellow South Carolina bishop, a man with whom he shares a rich friendship.

Read more here:

 http://www.thestate.com/2012/11/23/2529851/as-episcopalians-move-toward-split.html#.UK97cEJOxH8#storylink=cpy

Prayer divisive at public meetings

From Pittsburgh Trib-


It happens every week at meetings in towns, counties and cities nationwide. A lawmaker or religious leader leads a prayer before officials begin the business of zoning changes, contract approvals and trash pickup.

But citizens are increasingly taking issue with these prayers, some of which have been in place for decades. At least five lawsuits across the country — in California, Florida, Missouri, New York and Tennessee — are actively challenging pre-meeting prayers.

Lawyers on both sides say there is a new complaint almost weekly, though they don’t always end up in court. When they do, it seems even courts are struggling to draw the line over the acceptable ways to pray. Some lawyers and lawmakers believe it’s only a matter of time before the Supreme Court will weigh in to resolve the differences. The court has previously declined to take on the issue, but lawyers in a New York case plan to ask the justices in December to revisit it. And even if the court doesn’t take that particular case, it could accept a similar one.


Read more:

http://triblive.com/usworld/nation/3003679-74/prayers-prayer-meetings-court-courts-meeting-towns-issue-lawyers-case#ixzz2Cxdrb7OJ

Swaziland Gets First Female Anglican Bishop

From ABC-

 As the Church of England weighs whether it will allow women to become bishops, the Anglican Church has ordained its first female bishop in Africa.

Ellinah Wamukoya, 61, was consecrated Saturday to serve as the church's bishop in Swaziland, a tiny, impoverished nation surrounded by South Africa that is the continent's last absolute monarchy. Speaking Monday to The Associated Press, Wamukoya said she wanted to bring integrity to the church.

"I am going to try to represent the mother attribute of God," Wamukoya said. "A mother is a caring person but at the same time, a mother can be firm in doing whatever she is doing."

Wamukoya also acknowledged that she represents a historic change for the Anglican church on the continent, where other denominations don't allow women to serve as bishops. Recently, the Southern Africa diocese elected a second woman, Margaret Vertue, to become a bishop in the Cape Town area of False Bay.

More here-

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/swaziland-female-anglican-bishop-17761656#.UK4dKEJOxH8

Strong-arm tactics vs misplaced niceties: how the legislation was sunk

From The Independent-

In the immediate aftermath of last night’s shock vote at the General Synod, supporters of women bishops gathered in St Matthew’s, an ornate Victorian church just a stone’s throw from the hall where their campaign to rid the Church of institutional sexism had come crashing to a halt.

The atmosphere was despondent. How had things gone so wrong? Earlier that morning the pro-women’s lobby appeared confident. After 20 years of patiently waiting, the established Church - an organisation that is effectively headed by a woman in the form of the Queen - was about to vote on women bishops. Most were largely convinced that the legislation would pass. But it was simply not to be.

Nursing a conciliatory glass of wine, one senior figure in the pro-women  camp summed up why the equality train had derailed. “We underestimated the Anglican desire to bend over backwards to be nice to everyone, whatever their views,” she said. “We’ve made so many compromises over the last 20 years, we’ve been so patient and yet it’s still not enough.”

More here-

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/strongarm-tactics-vs-misplaced-niceties-how-the-legislation-was-sunk-8340896.html

In defence of the CofE’s House of Laity

From The Spectator-

Even friends of an Established church like myself – though I’m a Catholic – should think twice about the wisdom of the idea after the naked political interference in the affairs of the CofE in the Commons. The Speaker, who is non-religious/agnostic, was among the most overt in encouraging MPs to overturn the church’s decision not to approve women bishops. Perhaps, he suggested, they might like to refer the matter to the Equalities Minister (Maria Miller)? It was more or less to say that the equalities legislation should be brought to bear on the CofE when it comes to its way of appointing bishops. Ben Bradshaw too was all in favour of parliament getting involved. So was Chris Bryant, who is not only an ex-Anglican vicar, but by his own account an ex-Christian.

But there were a few actual practising Anglicans among the politicians who couldn’t wait to tell the Church what to do. The Prime Minister was, of course, one. ‘The Church should get with the programme,’ he declared, which pretty well ran counter to most of Christ’s teachings about fitting in with the world. But he did have a point in saying that ‘we should give them a prod’ – yep, as a communicant Anglican he could indeed have got involved in the House of Laity and played a part in the vote, or if otherwise engaged, got his mother to.

More here-

http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/melanie-mcdonagh/2012/11/in-defence-of-the-cofes-house-of-laity/

It's time to privatise Anglicanism

From The Telegraph-

This morning’s Telegraph leader makes a robust – and justifiable – defence of the independence of the Church in the wake of yesterday’s vote on women bishops:

Commentators and politicians – including the Prime Minister – queued up to express their regret or their anger, with some suggesting that the Church had somehow proved itself unfit for the modern world, or to be the state religion of a modern, civilised country” it noted, before urging “It is at this point that we need to take a deep breath. The purpose of the Church is not to accommodate the demands of secular society; its duty is to a higher power.

As I wrote yesterday, I have some doubts about the actual existence of that higher power, but the principle is sound. Our parliamentarians are currently running around trying to shove in more oars than an Oxford eight. We’ve got Leveson and press regulation. I’ve lost count of the number of inquiries we’ve got into Savile, the BBC and the miscellaneous child-abuse allegations. And at the beginning of the week the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, was forced to politely but firmly push back on Defence Secretary Philip Hammond after – again at Parliament’s urging – he tried to insert himself into the ongoing case of jailed SAS sniper Danny Nightingale.

More here-

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danhodges/100190975/its-time-to-privatise-anglicanism/

An unholy mess: Addressing sexual abuse in the Catholic Church

From ABC-

Next week, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference will hold its normal November meeting beside the tomb of St Mary of the Cross, Australia's first saint. It is noteworthy that the bishops will discuss the holy and unholy mess created by the clerical sexual abuse scandal and the forthcoming Royal Commission into the institutional responses to child sexual abuse, as well as the continuing fallout from the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry.

The Church has already lost the public relations war. The evidence of the Victoria Police has made very sure of that by the evidence of their statistics. These show that between January 1956 and June 2012 in their Victorian jurisdiction, of the 519 "distinct victims," 71.29% occurred within the Catholic Church system as compared to the Anglican (7.13%), Salvation Army (6.94%) and Jewish (3.47%) figures - although, of course, these figures do not pertain just to ministers of religion.

More here-

http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2012/11/21/3637725.htm

Thanksgiving tradition continues between Vallejo synagogue, Benicia church

From California-

More than 100 people from different faith backgrounds gathered at a Vallejo synagogue Wednesday night for a spiritual Thanksgiving tradition that began decades ago.
This year, more churches participated in Congregation B'nai Israel's and St. Paul's Episcopal Church's Interfaith Thanksgiving Service as a result of the synagogue joining a network of local congregations.

"It's spiritual, it's wonderful and gives us a chance for a lot of old friends to get together," said Heather Holpen Campbell, a member of B'nai Israel. "The more, the merrier, because this is a wonderful holiday for sharing."

The service was held at B'nai Israel's temple at 1256 Nebraska St. Afterward, many participants adjourned to the social hall for cake and coffee.

The synagogue -- the only one serving American Canyon, Vallejo and Benicia Jews -- and St. Paul's in Benicia started the service as a way to reach across religious barriers and get to know more people.

"I've been a member 20 years and they were already doing it when I joined," said Fred Zola, president of Congregation B'nai Israel. "Many years ago, the pastor at St. Paul's and the rabbi here thought it would be nice to have an interfaith service. People have changed over the years, but we've kept this going."

More here-

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_22048064

Blended Roman Catholic, Episcopal parish in Virginia Beach told to separate services

From Virginia Beach-

A Virginia Beach church that has offered blended Roman Catholic and Episcopal services for three decades has been told by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond to meet in separate rooms for Holy Communion.

Clergy at the Church of the Holy Apostles were told to devise a plan that allows parishioners to remain under the same roof but worship separately.

The plan is subject to approval by Roman Catholic Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo and Bishop Herman Hollerith of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.

Parishioners told the Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/Ugpi8P) the blended church has allowed families in mixed marriages to worship side by side and strengthen their community.

The Episcopal leader of the church says he's confident the changes can be made.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/fc8e053b9abd4ab982861e09dfa713d1/VA--Blended-Church

Why I am Grateful to Be an Episcopalian: Part 3 – Thanksgiving

From Patheos (links to pt. 1 and 2 included)

My identity as an Episcopalian stems partly from family history and partly from choice. On this Thanksgiving Eve, I am grateful for how the Episcopal Church has formed and is forming my Christian journey. I am particularly grateful for:

The Book of Common Prayer

I am a lousy pray-er. When I set aside time to pray, I spend far too much time figuring out what to pray about/for, or what kind of prayer to focus on (thanksgivings, intercessions, confession). When I try centering prayer, I fall asleep. I’ve finally come up with a twofold strategy that works pretty well. I offer lots of short, spontaneous prayers throughout the day of the Anne Lamott “help, thanks, wow” variety, in response to whatever events or feelings come up. And for set prayer times, whether at home, at church, or in some other communal setting, I rely on words other people have already written, especially the Psalms, the Jesus prayer (“Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”), and the rich offerings of the Book of Common Prayer. Whether I’m confessing my sins with my congregation on a Sunday morning, using one of the daily devotions to structure my morning or evening prayer at home, or finding a suitable prayer for a specific need in the “Prayers and Thanksgivings” section in the back, I can always count on the BCP to provide authentic, beautiful prayers when I am incapable of coming up with anything on my own (which is most of the time).

More here-

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/ellenpainterdollar/2012/11/why-i-am-grateful-to-be-an-episcopalian-part-3-thanksgiving/

South Carolina Diocese Can't Secede Said Katharine Jefferts Schori, Episcopal Presiding Bishop

From Huffington-

Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said Thursday (Nov. 15) that the Diocese of South Carolina can't unilaterally secede from the national church, and urged conservatives to stay despite sharp disputes over theology and homosexuality.

"The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina continues to be a constituent part of The Episcopal Church, even if a number of its leaders have departed," said Jefferts Schori, who heads the 1.9 million-member denomination.

Leaders in the Diocese of South Carolina announced Oct. 17 that disciplinary actions taken against their bishop, Mark Lawrence, triggered their disaffiliation from the Episcopal Church. On Sept. 18, the denomination's Disciplinary Board for Bishops found Lawrence guilty of abandoning the Episcopal Church and renouncing its rules.

The split escalated a long-running feud between the national church, which has approved gay bishops and same-sex marriage, and South Carolina conservatives who oppose the moves.

More here-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/21/south-carolina-episcopal-diocese-secede_n_2149042.html

England says ‘no’ to women as bishops

From ENS-

The Church of England on Nov. 20 rejected legislation that would have enabled women to become bishops.

The legislation, called a measure, required a two-thirds majority in all three houses of laity, clergy and bishops at General Synod, the church’s main governing body meeting at Church House in Westminster. The measure passed the houses of bishops and clergy, but failed in the House of Laity by 6 votes. The laity voted 132 in favor, 74 against, with 0 abstentions; clergy 148 in favor, 45 against, with 0 abstentions; and bishops 44 in favor, 3 against, with 2 abstentions.

Archbishop of York John Sentamu said the measure would not proceed any further and cannot be considered again until a new synod is elected in 2015, unless a convincing case is presented by the leadership of synod and supported by its members.

Speaking after the vote, Bishop Graham James of Norwich, said: “A clear majority of the General Synod today voted in favor of the legislation to consecrate women as bishops. But the bar of approval is set very high in this synod. Two-thirds of each house has to approve the legislation for it to pass. This ensures the majority is overwhelming. The majority in the house of laity was not quite enough. This leaves us with a problem. 42 out of 44 dioceses approved the legislation and more than three quarters of members of diocesan synods voted in favor. There will be many who wonder why the General Synod expressed its mind so differently.”

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/11/20/england-says-no-to-women-as-bishops/

MDEA: Priest mailed drugs to Wiscasset jail inmate

From Maine-

A top midcoast drug agent said Monday that a local Episcopal priest arrested for drug trafficking earlier this month mailed drugs to an inmate he was friendly with and more charges will be filed in the case.

State to prosecute clergyman charged with giving drugs to Wiscasset prisoners
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He would not say whether those charges will be against the priest and inmates -- who are already charged -- or other people involved in getting prescription drugs transported.

"It could be all of the above," said James Pease, supervisor of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency office covering Waldo, Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties.

The new information provides a clearer picture of the case against the Rev. Stephen Foote, 70, of Bremen, who was arrested Nov. 1 and faces a class C charge of trafficking in prison contraband. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office alleges Foote trafficked suboxone strips at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

More here-

http://www.kjonline.com/news/mdea-drugs-were-mailed-to-prison-inmate_2012-11-19.html

Why I am Grateful to Be an Episcopalian: Part 2 – Adventures in Church Shopping

From Patheos- (looking for part one)

My husband Daniel and I met at the Potter’s House Church in Washington, D.C., which was part of the Church of the Saviour movement. We worshipped on Wednesday evenings in a coffee house that the church also ran as a nonprofit business. The Potter’s House was the center of our social and spiritual life. We still count the friends we made there among our most intimate lifelong friends, the kind of people whom we see very rarely, but with whom we are able to pick up just where we left off. The Potter’s House took both social justice issues and a personal relationship with Jesus seriously—a surprisingly rare combination in a church.

But by the time we married, Daniel finished grad school, and we moved north to Connecticut for his first professional job, we were both burned out by the Potter’s House/Church of the Saviour model. In a small church with no clergy, there was not only a lot of work to do, but also a lot of conflict as we tried to work out a common vision for both our worshipping community and our coffee house business through consensus. If you wanted to see something done in our church, you absolutely had to do it yourself. 

More here-

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/ellenpainterdollar/2012/11/why-i-am-grateful-to-be-an-episcopalian-part-2-adventures-in-church-shopping/

Two views of the Episcopal diocese conflict

From South Carolina-

One side says it’s the Episcopal Church that has launched an attack and betrayed the “doctrine, discipline and worship” of orthodox Anglicanism. The other side says it’s a renegade and secessionist diocesan leadership that’s rebelling against an inclusive church. Both call themselves “the Diocese of South Carolina.” At stake is millions of dollars in property assets and a community of believers. The Post and Courier presents two points of view, each questioning the motives of the other.

Read the guest column by Peter Mitchell, a vestry member at Prince George Winyah Episcopal Church in Georgetown, here.

Read the guest column by the Rev. Dr. William L. Hills Jr., a retired priest in the diocese, here.

Links Found here-

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20121118/PC1204/121119387/1268/two-views-of-the-episcopal-diocese-conflict&source=RSS

New Episcopal bishop known for his social media savvy

From New England-

The newly ordained Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Rhode Island is helping to bring the church into the 21st century with the use of social media, church officials say.

The Very Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely Jr. is one of only six Episcopal bishops in the country who use Twitter, said Arizona Bishop Kirk Smith. Knisely was ordained Saturday at Dorrance Field House at St. George’s School in Middletown.

More than 2,000 people attended the 2½-hour service, including the Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, the presiding bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, The Providence Journal reported. Knisely is the Diocese of Rhode Island’s 13th bishop.

Smith said Knisely is a smart and media-savvy bishop who will be taking advantage of Facebook, Twitter and other social media to “communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ in a whole new exciting way.” He said the aim is to better reach young people through the communication methods they use.

More here-

http://www.thewesterlysun.com/news/new-episcopal-bishop-known-for-his-social-media-savvy/article_f0a7d678-3257-11e2-9309-001a4bcf887a.html

Church of England Prepares for Vote on Female Bishops

From The New York Times-

Two decades after it supported the introduction of women priests, the Church of England was set to begin three days of deliberations on Monday that will include a critical vote on the ordination of female bishops — a notion that still splits its members and priests into rival camps.

The 470-member national assembly of the church, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion that is deeply divided on issues of gender and sexuality, is to vote on Tuesday on the issue. The measure requires the approval of all three houses of the synod — grouping bishops, clergy and laity — by a two-thirds majority.

While bishops and clerics are regarded as likely to endorse a compromise allowing traditionalist parishes to reject the authority of female bishops, the vote among lay members is far less assured, according to British analysts.

More here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/world/europe/church-of-england-female-bishops-vote.html?_r=0

Episcopal leader says S.C. diocese can’t secede

From The Washington Post-

Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said Thursday (Nov. 15) that the Diocese of South Carolina can’t unilaterally secede from the national church, and urged conservatives to stay despite sharp disputes over theology and homosexuality.

“The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina continues to be a constituent part of The Episcopal Church, even if a number of its leaders have departed,” said Jefferts Schori, who heads the 1.9 million-member denomination.

Leaders in the Diocese of South Carolina announced Oct. 17 that disciplinary actions taken against their bishop, Mark Lawrence, triggered their disaffiliation from the Episcopal Church. On Sept. 18, the denomination’s Disciplinary Board for Bishops found Lawrence guilty of abandoning the Episcopal Church and renouncing its rules.

The split escalated a long-running feud between the national church, which has approved gay bishops and same-sex marriage, and South Carolina conservatives who oppose the moves.

More here-

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/episcopal-leader-says-sc-diocese-cant-secede/2012/11/16/a3a86b9a-3030-11e2-af17-67abba0676e2_story.html

South Carolinians affirm decision to leave Episcopal Church

From ENS-

The majority of South Carolina Episcopalians who attended a special convention at St. Philip’s Church here Nov. 17 affirmed actions by Bishop Mark Lawrence and the diocesan Standing Committee a month ago to disaffiliate the diocese from the Episcopal Church.

Those actions took place after Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori restricted Lawrence’s ministry on Oct. 17 after the church’s Disciplinary Board for Bishops certified to her that he had abandoned the Episcopal Church “by an open renunciation of the discipline of the church.”

On that same day, the Standing Committee announced that the action of the Disciplinary Board “triggered two pre-existing corporate resolutions of the diocese, which simultaneously disaffiliated the diocese from the Episcopal Church and called a special convention.”

Jefferts Schori issued a pastoral letter Nov. 15 to Episcopalians in South Carolina offering prayers and support for those who wished to remain in the Episcopal Church.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/11/17/south-carolina-convention-affirms-decision-to-leave-episcopal-church/

Knisely ordained as 13th Episcopal bishop in RI

From Rhode Island via Boston-

The newly ordained Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Rhode Island is helping to bring the church into the 21st century with the use of social media, church officials say.

The Very Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely Jr. is one of only six Episcopal bishops in the country who use Twitter, said Arizona Bishop Kirk Smith. Knisely was ordained Saturday at Dorrance Field House at St. George’s School in Middletown.

More than 2,000 people attended the 2½-hour service, including the Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, the presiding bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, The Providence Journal reported. Knisely is the Diocese of Rhode Island’s 13th bishop.

Smith said Knisely is a smart and media-savvy bishop who will be taking advantage of Facebook, Twitter and other social media to ‘‘communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ in a whole new exciting way.’’ He said the aim is to better reach young people through the communication methods they use.

More here-

http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode-island/2012/11/18/knisely-ordained-episcopal-bishop/mrabHtPAP6IfTwJK1CsTWK/story.html

New Archbishop of Canterbury is no bumbling academic

From Canada-

Shortly after his last big promotion, 12 months ago, Justin Welby was asked which soccer team he supported.

“I spent five years doing conflict resolution, learning how to stand in the middle of a civil war, not getting shot, so I’m not going to answer your question,” he joked.

It’s a skill that will come in handy in the years ahead now that he’s Archbishop of Canterbury.

One of the many ironies surrounding the man who was named the leader of the Anglican Communion in early November is that his church career is arguably the least interesting thing about him.

Back in the late 1980s, when greed was good, bankers were gods and North Sea gas and oilfields were ripe for exploitation, he wasn’t even a vicar. He was an oilman.
Read more:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Archbishop+Canterbury+bumbling+academic/7565175/story.html#ixzz2CZga97TI

South Carolina Episcopalians break away from U.S. church

From Reuters-

A majority of parishes in the conservative Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina voted on Saturday to leave the U.S. Episcopal Church over disagreements on issues including the national church's ordination of gay clergy and acceptance of same-sex unions.

The South Carolina diocese is the fifth Episcopalian diocese in the United States to leave the church's national body.

The vote at a convention in Charleston followed the U.S. Episcopal Church's certification last month that South Carolina Bishop Mark J. Lawrence had abandoned the church's doctrine, discipline and worship.

"This has never been about who is welcome or not welcome in our church," Lawrence said at the convention, attended by about 200 people. "It's about what we shall tell them when they come."

But Steve Skardon, a member of a Charleston church that, contrary to the action of its statewide branch, plans to remain in the national church, said of the majority: "They want to tell gay people they're wrong."

More here-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-religion-episcopalbre8ah00y-20121117,0,3072192.story