Plan for Compassion

From The Living Church-

Long aligned with progressive causes, Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon, did not hesitate when Pastor Mark Knutson announced 20 years ago that the church would be a “sanctuary congregation” where undocumented immigrants could avoid federal agents with warrants to deport them.

But that did not mean Augustana’s congregants were fully prepared when their commitment was suddenly tested in 2014.

With federal agents in pursuit of El Salvadoran national Francisco Aguirre, Augustana’s chancel was transformed overnight into a sleeping space. A husband, father, and local labor organizer, Aguirre also faced charges for drunken driving and illegal reentry after a prior deportation. How long he would be a 24/7 resident of the church was anybody’s guess.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/plan-compassion

Churches Challenge Nigeria Forcing Pastors to Retire

From Christianity Today-

The surprise resignation of Nigeria’s highest-profile pastor has exacerbated a debate among West African Christians on the merits—and limits—of pastor tenure.

Last weekend, Enoch Adeboye resigned his role as general overseer of the 5-million-member Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Nigeria (though not as overseer of its international presence in 192 nations). He cited the nation’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and its newly-introduced Governance Code for his action.

Section 9:3 of the code stipulates that leaders or founders of nonprofit organizations—including churches and ministries—must hand over leadership to a non-family member after 70 years of age or 20 years of being in charge. Adeboye is 74, and has been leading his megachurch since 1981.

The law, which is designed to guarantee financial accountability, went into effect in October 2016. If fully implemented, 90 percent of the populous West African nation’s evangelical church founders and leaders would be required to step aside.

More here-

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/january-web-only/churches-challenge-nigeria-pastors-resign-rccg-adeboye-frc.html

Should we pray for Trump? Anglican leader asks Christians

From Premier UK-

Anglicans in the United States have been challenged over whether they will be praying for US-President elect Donald Trump.

The question was posed by the Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, Most Rev Michael B Curry who said the recent election was "contentious", with Episcopalians of all political backgrounds holding "deep feelings."

Writing the week before an Inaugural Prayer Service for the Republican at the Washington National Cathedral next Saturday, Bishop Michael responded to his own with the answer:

"Yes! We can and, indeed, I believe we must pray for all who lead in our civic order, nationally and internationally. I pray for the President in part because Jesus Christ is my Saviour and Lord.

"If Jesus is my Lord and the model and guide for my life, his way must be my way, however difficult. And the way prayer for others is a part of how I follow the way of Jesus."

Bishop Curry wrote the principal of praying for our leaders runs "deep" in Biblical traditions, referring to 1 Timothy 2: 1-2 where Paul writes: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/World/Should-we-pray-for-Trump-Anglican-leader-asks-Christians

Washington National Cathedral under fire for participating in Trump’s inauguration

From Think Progress-

The Episcopal Church’s Washington National Cathedral is under fire for agreeing to lend its space—and its choir—to the inaugural festivities of President-elect Donald Trump, with members of the liberal denomination chiding leaders over the decision.

Earlier this month, the Washington National Cathedral announced that in addition to hosting its traditional interfaith prayer service the day after the inauguration, it will also allow the church’s Choir of Men, Boys and Girls to participate in Trump’s official ceremonies.

ThinkProgress has learned that, at the request of the president-elect, Saturday’s prayer service will not include a central preacher or a customary sermon—unlike similar services held for President Barack Obama.

More here-

https://thinkprogress.org/washington-national-cathedral-under-fire-for-participating-in-trumps-inauguration-9ca64674a30#.tk3dkz2eb

Exclusive: Bishop of Chelmsford Stephen Cottrell Is Favourite To Be Bishop Of London

From Christian Today-

The Bishop of Chelmsford, Stephen Cottrell, has been named as the favourite to succeed Richard Chartres as Bishop of London.

Cottrell is 3/1 favourite with bookmakers William Hill for the Church of England's third most senior job after Archbishop of Canterbury and York.

Although the formal appointments process has not yet begun, his name is increasingly being spoken of in Church circles as someone with the experience and charisma to lead the Church of England's fastest-growing, most diverse and most complex diocese.

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/exclusive.bishop.of.chelmsford.stephen.cottrell.is.favourite.to.be.bishop.of.london/103853.htm

Alien Citizens Karl Barth, Eberhard Arnold, and Why the Church Is Political

From Plough-

What did Christians have at stake in the past presidential election? The question is not primarily which candidate we should have voted for, a decision that for me was made easy by Donald Trump. Instead, we ought to be asking: Why should we vote at all and, once the 55 percent of eligible voters have voted, what are Christians to make of the outcome of the election? How then shall we live now that “the people have spoken”?

How will Trump rule, or be led by those who want to rule through him? Now that less than half of the voters have coerced the rest of us to call Trump our leader, how then should we live? How will we exorcise the demon of American-style racism and xenophobia that Trump has unleashed?

More here-

http://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/politics/alien-citizens

Some upset over National Cathedral’s decision to participate in Trump’s inauguration

From The Washington Post-

The Washington National Cathedral, which has long been a gathering spot for symbolic national events, has found itself in the middle of controversy over whether Christians who oppose Donald Trump’s rhetoric should participate in his inauguration.

The National Cathedral’s Choir of Men, Boys and Girls will sing at the inauguration on Jan. 20, prompting an outcry from some who don’t believe Christians should participate in a ceremony for Trump, who has been decried for his comments on immigrants, Muslims and other groups.

The day after the inauguration, the cathedral will also host an interfaith prayer service, following its tradition for many inaugurations in the past century.

More here-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/01/13/washington-national-cathedrals-decision-to-participate-in-trumps-inauguration-is-creating-tension/?utm_term=.4ba08135294c

Black people breed too much, says Bahamas archdeacon

From Caribbean News-

Anglican Archdeacon James Palacious said on Tuesday that black people in the Bahamas are “recycling poverty” by having too many children they cannot afford.

While speaking to hundreds of people after the 50th Majority Rule Day march, Palacious said “black people breed too much” and rely too much on the government to do things that “we should be doing ourselves”.

“We live in a society where the rich get richer and the poor get children,” he said.

“What I mean is this, unless we can control our reproductive process, we will always be recycling poverty. We’re recycling poverty. That’s what we’re doing.

“My MP in Montagu, Richard Lightbourn, made some most unfortunate remarks at the FNM convention.

“He later apologized for it, and that is important.

More here-

http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/headline-Black-people-breed-too-much,-says-Bahamas-archdeacon-33151.html

God provides refuge in face of persecution, Archbishop says

From ACNS-

The Archbishop of Jos in the Anglican Church of Nigeria has spoken about how Christians are finding refuge in God “in the face of turbulence, persecution and wickedness” in the north of the country. Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi made the comments at the opening service at the annual retreat of Anglican bishops in the province, which is being held at St Peters Chapel at the IBRU International Ecumenical Centre in Agbarha-Otor. He said that the “forces of evil are still at work but Jesus has already defeated powers of hell, of darkness of wickedness and of evil.”

Archbishop Benjamin asked the church to “intensify their prayers” for churches in the northern part of Nigeria. Persecution is biting very hard, he said, adding that “the devil has failed because God cannot be defeated.”

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2017/01/god-provides-refuge-in-face-of-persecution-archbishop-says.aspx

Christians in Asia and India most at risk, says charity

From The Church Times-

RELIGIOUS nationalism is driving soaring levels of anti-Christian persecution across Asia and the Indian subcontinent, Open Doors warns this year, as it publishes its 25th World Watch List. The charity campaigns on behalf of persecuted Christians.

The rebirth of Hindu and Buddhist nationalism in the 1990s was “the trend the world refused to notice”, the charity says. Its report, which ranks the 50 countries in which it is most difficult to practise Christianity, calculates that Christians are being killed for their faith in more countries than ever before: 38.

India was ranked higher than ever before, at 15, in the wake of the election of President Modi and rising religious nationalism. Open Doors researchers recorded more than 15 violent attacks on Christians every week in 2016. The persecution is partly, they write, “a reaction to the rapid growth of the Indian Church”. Pastors have been beaten, churches burned, and converts harassed. The second biggest increase in persecution is reported in Bangladesh, owing to attacks by terrorists linked to Islamic State.

More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/13-january/news/world/christians-in-asia-and-india-most-at-risk-says-charity

Q&A with Martin Scorsese: Director examines his own spiritual journey

From Providence (originally LA Times)-

At a 1988 dinner following the premiere of Martin Scorsese's controversial testament of faith, "The Last Temptation of Christ," Paul Moore, then the Episcopal bishop of New York, told Scorsese about a book he should read. Within a day or two, Moore sent the filmmaker a copy of "Silence," Shusaku Endo's novel about two Jesuit priests who travel to Japan in 1639 to find their mentor, a man rumored to have renounced his beliefs under torture.

When Scorsese began reading the novel a year later, he found he couldn't shake the story of its conflicted main character, Father Sebastiao Rodrigues, a man working through his own pride and doubts in his quest to serve his God. Scorsese came close to making "Silence" several times in the intervening decades. Now that he has, he views the finished film as a "stripping away of everything extraneous to get to the essence, the spiritual."

More here-

http://www.providencejournal.com/entertainmentlife/20170112/qampa-with-martin-scorsese-director-examines-his-own-spiritual-journey

Episcopal leaders address church’s part in Trump’s inauguration

From The Epsicopal Church (with a link to Michael Curry's statement)-

The involvement of Washington National Cathedral and one of its choirs in the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump has stirred concern in parts of the Episcopal Church.

The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys accepted an invitation to perform during the musical prelude to the Jan. 20 inauguration ceremony. That prelude begins at 9:30 a.m. EST. The actual ceremony is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. The program is here.

The cathedral confirmed three weeks ago that it would once again play out one of its traditional roles in U.S. life by offering Trump and the nation a chance to come together in prayer. The invitation-only 58th Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service will take place at 10 a.m. Jan. 21, the day after Trump is sworn in as the 45th president.

After news of the choir’s participation prompted a deluge of comments on social media as well as emails to officials involved, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Diocese of Washington Bishop Mariann Budde and Cathedral Dean Randolph Hollerith all issued statements on Jan. 12 addressing those concerns.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/01/12/episcopal-leaders-address-churchs-part-in-trumps-inauguration/

Does Catholic praise for Mary Magdalene show progress towards women priests?

From The BBC-

The gospels depict Mary Magdalene as one of Jesus' closest companions. Her emotional encounter with the risen Jesus and her supposed sinful past have fascinated Christians for centuries.

The latest of many films about her is released shortly. Its heroine, played by Rooney Mara, is billed as a young woman who joins "a radical new social movement" and "must confront the reality of Jesus' destiny and her own place within it".

There was amusement when cast members were pictured in ancient garb smoking on set.

Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Church has enhanced the saint's status. Last year her Saint's Day (22 July) was promoted to a Feast, equal to those of most of the male Disciples.

Explaining the decision, Archbishop Arthur Roche pointed out that she had long been known as "apostle to the apostles, as she announces to the apostles what they in turn will announce to all the world."

More here-

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38528682

Priest dies weeks after child abuse charges reinstated

From Australia-

A former Hunter Valley priest accused of child abuse has died just weeks after charges against him were reinstated.

During a recent royal commission hearing into Newcastle's Anglican Diocese, abuse survivor CKA said he was abused by a priest known as CKC while he was an altar boy between 1971 and 1975.

A trial against CKC started in 2001, but the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions ended up withdrawing the charges.

The case was no-billed when CKC's defence team produced a register showing the abuse could not have happened when CKA said it did.

But the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was told last year charges would likely be reinstated on the back of fresh evidence.

More here-

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-12/priest-dies-weeks-after-child-abuse-charges-reinstated/8178476

Fewer churches seem to be planning trips to see Trump’s inauguration. Is your church coming?

From The Washington Post-

When Barack Obama was sworn in as president, churches near and far rented buses, piled congregants aboard and drove to Washington to see the nation’s 44th president take the oath of office.

The 45th president’s inauguration doesn’t seem to be nearly as popular a destination for a church bus trip.

Searching for a church group planning to attend the inauguration, The Washington Post asked plugged-in pastors, representatives of denominations large and small, and many others who work with churches nationwide. The National Association of Evangelicals — representing evangelical churchgoers, who voted heavily for Donald Trump — said it does not know of any church planning to attend.

More here-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/01/11/fewer-churches-seem-to-be-planning-trips-to-see-trumps-inauguration-is-your-church-coming/?utm_term=.b89f354b3f4e

Controversy Over Cathedral Koran Reading Deepens With Denial That Jesus Is Son of God

From Christian Today (Scotland)

The controversy surrounding a reading of the Koran at a Christian cathedral has deepened after it emerged the text read included a passage that explicitly declares Jesus is not the Son of God.

The denial of this key Christian doctrine was read out at a leading cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church in Glasgow.

The cathedral's Provost, Rev Kelvin Holdsworth, invited the recitation from the Islamic holy book that gave the Muslim interpretation of Jesus' miraculous conception and birth. The reading was given by Madinah Javed, a Muslim law student, at St Mary's Cathedral at the Epiphany service which celebrates the incarnation of God as His son Jesus.

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/controversy.over.cathedral.koran.reading.deepens.with.denial.that.jesus.is.son/103780.htm

Also here (BBC)

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-38591559 

and here-

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/753180/koran-passage-sung-st-mary-episcopal-cathedral-glasgow-arabic-scottish-church-service-god

California Episcopal parish refuses to pray for US prez by name

From Los Angeles-

The Episcopal parish here has stopped praying for the President of the United States by name because praying for Donald Trump could cause trauma to some worshipers.

It is customary for Episcopalians and other Anglicans to pray for their church leaders and the President of the United States—including the President-elect in a transition–during Sunday liturgy.

Mike Kinman, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California, blogged this week that

“Whereas before we prayed for ‘Barack, our president,’ we are now praying for our president, our president-elect, and all others in authority.”

“Whereas before we prayed for ‘Barack, our president,’ we are now praying for our president, our president-elect, and all others in authority.”

More here-

http://usa.inquirer.net/957/california-episcopal-parish-refuses-pray-us-prez-name

Presiding Bishop announces retirement of John E. Colón as Director of Human Resources

From The Episcopal Church-

Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry has announced the retirement of John E. Colón as Director of Human Resources at the Episcopal Church, a position he has held since 1989.

“John has served the church as a member of the staff of four Presiding Bishops,” Presiding Bishop Curry said.  “What a tenure of service and witness! We will miss his kind, faithful and delightful presence, but we thank God that we have served with him.  As was said when John Glenn was about to orbit the earth, we say now, ‘Godspeed’ John Colón.”

“It has been a privilege and an honor to have served at the churchwide offices for more than 28 years under four Presiding Bishops and with current and former colleagues,” Colón said. “Be assured that as The Jesus Movement continues to revive us in this Church, I will be there walking alongside you in prayer, action and thanksgiving.”
More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/presiding-bishop-announces-retirement-john-e-colón-director-human-resources

Anglican priest, 65, threatens to axe wife, 38, for denying him sex

From Zimbabwe-

A Zimbabwean Anglican priest, 65, threatened to axe his wife after he accused her of denying him his conjugal rights and of being "disrespectful", a report said on Wednesday.

According to the Chronicle newspaper, this came to light when Father Climax Dewa appeared in court on Tuesday in Bulawayo for violating a peace order not to physically and verbally abuse his wife, Doris Dewa, 38.

Doris had applied for a peace order against her husband last year, as she accused him of physically, emotionally and psychologically abusing her. The order was granted to in April.

Father Dewa told the court during his appearance that his wife was a "gold digger". He also claimed that she was "disrespectful", adding that she also denied him his conjugal rights.

More here-

http://www.news24.com/Africa/Zimbabwe/anglican-priest-65-threatens-to-axe-wife-38-for-denying-him-sex-20170111

The oldest, most complete Gospel book on Earth is in Ethiopia

From Aleteia-

The world’s earliest known illustrated copy of the Gospels, the Garima Gospels, has been saved for centuries in a remote Ethiopian monastery. 

The astonishingly beautiful Garima Gospels are named after a monk, Abba Garima, who arrived in Ethiopia in 494, from Constantinople. Legend says he copied the Gospels in just one day because God delayed the sun from setting so the monk could finish his work. The incredible relic has been kept ever since in the Garima Monastery, near Adwa, in northern Ethiopia at 7,000 feet.

The survival of the book is the more surprising considering all throughout its history, the country has suffered different invasions, and that, in 1930, a fire destroyed the monastery’s church. 

More here-

http://aleteia.org/2016/07/06/the-oldest-most-complete-bible-on-earth-is-in-ethiopia/?ru=e04bf1fda54c96b0e2e4932a8d655814

Can we have the ‘kingdom of God’ without God?

From Psephizo-

The term ‘kingdom of God’ crops up frequently in conversations about mission and ministry (see, for example, the recent use in Martyn Percy’s discussion of bishops), but it is not always very clear what the term means, or what relation it bears to Jesus’ use of the term in the gospels. It seems to me to be rather important to look carefully at the meaning of the term before we hitch it to our own agendas for a theology of ministry.

The first thing to note about the phrase is that it is presented by Jesus (and by John in Matthew 3.2) as the fulfilment of expectation. Its meaning cannot therefore be detached from OT and intertestamental expectation of God’s reign, even if Jesus’ teaching significantly reinterprets such expectations. The phrase ‘kingdom of God’ does not occur in this form in the OT, but the theme of God’s kingship runs like a thread through it, from the dominion God has over creation which he then delegates to humans made in his image, through his rule over his people in contrast to Pharoah’s control in the Exodus, to the theme of theocracy in the debate about whether Israel needs a king (1 Sam 8.6). A number of psalms express God’s sovereignty, and some include extravagant expositions of God as king:

More here-

http://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/can-we-have-the-kingdom-of-god-without-god/

SHOOTING THE MESSENGERS? ‘CONSERVATIVE’ THEOLOGY AND CHURCH GROWTH

From The Living Church-

Ideas have legs. Or, if you will, you reap what you sow. The truth of these sayings is nearly universally accepted; their wisdom is incontrovertible — unless you are reacting to a sociological study analyzing the cause of growth and decline in mainline congregations.

After a five-year study of 22 congregations, and interviews with over 2,220 congregants and the clergy who serve them, David Haskell, Kevin Flatt, and Stephanie Burgoyne concluded that ideas have legs. More specifically, their study, “Theology Matters,” concluded that congregations that espouse “liberal” theology are declining and congregations that espouse “conservative” theology are growing.

One would assume that this relatively straightforward conclusion, backed by strong statistical evidence, would be cause for prayerful reflection by congregations of all theological stripes and sizes. A particularly pertinent question for reflection is: How are we, as God’s people in this community, being faithful or unfaithful to the traditions we have received? (cf. 2. Thess. 2:15). Like all traditions, Christian tradition is living and breathing and therefore requires careful stewardship and contemplation in every age and culture. Faithfulness matters.

More here-

http://livingchurch.org/covenant/2017/01/10/shooting-the-messengers-does-conservative-theology-matter/

Is unity the most important thing to Pope Francis?

From Catholic News Agency-

As if the events of the first half of the year weren’t enough, after popping over to Poland for WYD in July, Francis made a quick visit to Assisi at the beginning of August to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the dedication of the Portiuncula chapel, the site where the Franciscan order began.

During the visit he had a surprise meeting with Mohamed Abdel Qader, the Imam of Perugia and Umbria, who was present with the Pope at the 30th World Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi a month later.

Convoked by St. John Paul II in 1986, the gathering brings together representatives of various other religions, both Christian and non-Christian. During the September encounter, Francis was joined by Patriarch Bartholomew, Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, as well as Imam Ahmen al-Tayyeb.

More here-

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/is-unity-the-most-important-thing-to-pope-francis-48247/

Carl Wright reaches required majority in canonical consent process for bishop suffragan for armed services and federal ministries

From ENS-

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry and registrar of General Convention, the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, have notified the Rev. Carl Wright that the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process have been received for bishop suffragan for armed services and federal ministries.

Wright was elected bishop suffragan for armed services and federal ministries on Sept. 19.  His ordination and consecration service is slated for Feb. 11 at Washington National Cathedral. Curry will officiate.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/01/09/carl-wright-reaches-required-majority-in-canonical-consent-process-for-bishop-suffragan-for-armed-services-and-federal-ministries/

The Obama presidency: ‘War on religion’ or ‘Amazing Grace’?

From Salt Lake (RNS) -

He had done it before, after Tucson, Aurora, Fort Hood and Sandy Hook: taken on the mantle of the pastor-in-chief before a crowd of mourners for lives taken too soon by a man with a gun.

But when President Obama stood among African-American bishops in Charleston, S.C., to eulogize the minister slain with eight of his flock after welcoming the stranger to their Bible study, what he did was unlike anything he’d done before.

After eulogizing the Rev. Clementa Pinckney and discussing the moral and spiritual dimensions of racial hatred and gun violence, the president broke out into the first stanza of “Amazing Grace,” bringing the overflow crowd in Charleston’s TD Arena along with him.

“It was like — wow. Wow,” said Bishop Vashti McKenzie, who was standing just behind Obama when he spoke at the June 26, 2015 funeral.

More here-

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865670756/The-Obama-presidency-6War-on-religion7-or-6Amazing-Grace7.html

Yei Episcopal Church hopes to celebrate 100 years in peaceful environment

From South Sudan-

The Episcopal Church in South Sudan’s Yei River area is hoping to celebrate its one hundred years in existence in a peaceful environment. The leadership of the church has started preparations for celebrations planned to take place on the 6th February 2017. It is not clear whether the event is organized to coincide with the visit of President Salva Kiir due in the same month. The event aimed at commemorating the first introduction of Christianity headed by an Angelical missionary Paul Gibson to the people of greater Yei area in 1917.

The Christian missionaries who came to Yei as early as 1917, established the current  Immanuel Diocese in the area  together with numerous literacy primary, secondary, health centers and churches in Lainya, Kajo-keji and Morobo counties respectively.

Bishop Hillary Luate Adeba says the celebration marks a fundamental; cultural, spiritual, economic and socio-political transformation of communities in Yei.
More here-

https://radiotamazuj.org/en/article/yei-episcopal-church-hopes-t-celebrate-100-years-peaceful-environment

Bishop Mokiwa Caught Up in Financial Controversy

From Tanzania-

The Anglican Church of Tanzania's Bishop for Dar es Salaam Diocese, Dr Valentino Mokiwa, yesterday rejected a call to resign from his position over failure to assist a special committee investigating fraud and alleged abuse of office.

The church through a letter signed by Chief Bishop Jacob Chimeledya says Bishop Mokiwa was asked to step down after he had failed to assist in an investigation of fraud amounting to over Sh200 million in connection with a special account opened at the Dar es Salaam Commercial Bank (DCB).

The bishop is accused of failing to supervise church assets in collaboration with other church organs by allowing the leasing of 200 hectares of land in an allegedly shady contract.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201701090123.html

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali Condemns Koran Reading At Anglican Cathedral Epiphany Service

From Christian Today-

Christians are familiar with the Bible texts that detail the conception and birth of Jesus to His mother, the Virgin Mary.

But they are not so used to hearing the Muslim version of the story read out in church. And especially not on Epiphany, which celebrates the incarnation of God as His son Jesus - a doctrine denied by Muslims.

Michael Nazir-Ali, a leading evangelical Christian in Britain, has now condemned the reading on a service at the Scottish Episcopal Church's Glasgow Cathedral last Friday.

The congregation at St Mary's cathedral heard the Muslim version of the Virgin Mary's conception of Jesus, from the Koran's Sura 19, sung by Madinah Javed. The passage explains how Mary gave birth after an angel told her God would give her a child.

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bishop.michael.nazir.ali.condemns.koran.reading.at.anglican.cathedral.epiphany.service/103716.htm

CLERGY TAKE TO PULPITS TO DECRY RELIGIOUS AND RACIAL HATE

From Vermont-

Churches, synagogues and mosques usually focus on love. But recently, many are fending off hate.

“Some people are using the current political climate to justify anti-Semitic or Islamophobic beliefs or degrade human beings,” Vermont Episcopal Bishop Thomas Ely says. “That’s not acceptable, and religious people need to say that.”

To do so, Vermont Interfaith Action — a nonpartisan coalition of more than 40 spiritual communities encompassing 10,000 members from Brattleboro to Burlington — spoke out over the weekend through a “Sabbath of Listening and Healing.”

“The intention,” the coalition said in a statement, “is for our member congregations throughout Vermont to spend time in prayer and preaching at their worship services listening to the voices of the vulnerable in our midst, listening to the concerns for safety and inclusion, listening in a deep way beyond our normal political posturing and to initiate the actions of healing that will enable our congregations to continue to seek justice for their communities.”

More here-

https://vtdigger.org/2017/01/08/clergy-take-pulpits-decry-religious-racial-hate/

With Grace, church members offer warmth

From Madison-

The congregants at Grace Episcopal Church on the Capitol Square work tirelessly in service to the homeless. And Sunday, in a first-time event, parishioners made a practical as well as symbolic gesture by tying scarves to nearby trees offering additional warmth to anyone who might need it.

Each winter scarf had a tag attached that read, “I’m not lost. Please feel free to take me with you if you are cold.”

The tags had wishes for a Happy New Year and included one of organizer Pat Werk’s favorite blessings:

Life is short and precious and we do not have too much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us; so be swift to love, and make haste to forgive and be kind; and may the blessing of the One who made us, who loves us, and who travels with us, be upon you, and those you love dearly, this day and always.

Amen.

More here-

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/with-grace-church-members-offer-warmth/article_3006ceb1-4f70-5d06-8b48-9b0ef7a4e106.html

Following yonder star: the story behind the writing of ‘We Three Kings’

From Aleteia-

“We Three Kings“, also known as “We Three Kings of Orient Are” or “The Quest of the Magi“, is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. Many versions of this song have been composed and it remains a popular Christmas carol….

…At the time he was writing “We Three Kings” in 1857, John Henry Hopkins, Jr. was serving as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Although he originally worked as a journalist for a New York newspaper and studied to become a lawyer, he chose to join the clergy upon graduating from the University of Vermont. Hopkins studied at the General Theological Seminary in New York City and after graduating and being ordained a deacon in 1850, he became its first music teacher five years later, holding the post until 1857 alongside his ministry in the Episcopal Church.

- See more at:

http://aleteia.org/blogs/deacon-greg-kandra/following-yonder-star-the-story-behind-the-writing-of-we-three-kings/#sthash.Xj1G7Nhf.dpuf

Episcopal leader says church will not reverse gay marriage stand

From AP-

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said Friday the U.S. Episcopal Church will not roll back its acceptance of gay marriage despite sanctions imposed this week by Anglican leaders.

In a phone interview from England, where he attended the gathering of top Anglican archbishops, Curry said he told his fellow leaders they should expect no change. The top Episcopal legislative body, called General Convention, last year voted overwhelmingly to authorize same-sex marriage ceremonies in church. In response, Anglican leaders Thursday stripped the Episcopal Church of any role in deciding doctrine or determining how the Anglican Communion operates for three years, effectively reducing the church to observer status in the 85 million-member global fellowship.

“They heard from me directly that that’s not something that we’re considering,” Curry said. “They basically understand we made our decision, and this is who we are, and we’re committed to being a house of prayer for all.”

More here-

http://lubbockonline.com/faith/2016-01-16/episcopal-leader-says-church-will-not-reverse-gay-marriage-stand