Vincentian woman to be ordained priest in Anglican Church next week

From The Windward Islands-

For the FIRST time ever, a Vincentian woman will be ordained priest in the Anglican Church in the Diocese of the Windward Islands.

Alison Samuel will also be the first female to be ordained priest by the Anglican Church here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, at a ceremony which takes place on August 28 at the Church of the Ascension at Sion Hill.

“My spiritual journey began since a child. I remember my mom taking me to Sunday School the first time and I was so fascinated by the story I heard about Jesus and as time went by, she made sure we went to Sunday School and church every Sunday,” she told SEARCHLIGHT in an interview on Tuesday.

The Paul’s Avenue resident said it was during those early days that she developed a love for the Bible. She went on to join the adult choir at the St George’s Cathedral at age 11 and later served as a Sunday school teacher and then the superintendent of the Sunday School.

More here-

https://searchlight.vc/searchlight/news/2019/08/23/vincentian-woman-to-be-ordained-priest-in-anglican-church-next-week/

Bell-ringing ceremony to mark anniversary of first slaves landing in U.S.

From South Carolina-

The Most Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, invited all Episcopal churches to participate in what is being called a day of healing.

Each Church will ring their bells one minute for each of the four centuries that have passed since slavery began on wh
at is now American soil.

Many Episcopal churches were active in the civil rights movement, which is commemorated in a stained glass at St. Athanasius Episcopal Church on Albany Street in Brunswick. The stained glass memorializes martyrs of the movement.

St. Athanasius will hold its own bell-ringing observance.

Terry E. Brown, superintendent of Fort Monroe, stressed that Sunday’s event will be somber.

More here-

https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/local_news/bell-ringing-ceremony-to-mark-anniversary-of-first-slaves-landing/article_631d50c3-3d76-5c2d-9c07-ed259708a97d.html

Erie’s Episcopal cathedral to get new dean

From Erie-

Erie’s Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul will have a new dean in mid-October.

The Rev. Melinda Hall was named the first female and eighth dean to lead the 250-member congregation at 134 W. Seventh St. Hall, vicar of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Brookville, was elected in July by the church’s governing board and will begin her new post on Oct. 15.

“I’m honored and excited to be in ministry with the people of the cathedral,” she said in a statement. “This is a fascinating time for Erie and for the cathedral congregation. As downtown Erie redevelops, the cathedral’s more open spirituality and tradition of beautiful worship can provide opportunities for people to find a sacred space where they can connect to themselves and to God.”

Hall will succeed the Rev. John Downey, who has served the cathedral for 32 years. He will leave the position for a sabbatical on Oct. 1 and retire Dec. 31.

More here-

https://www.goerie.com/entertainmentlife/20190824/in-brief-eries-episcopal-cathedral-to-get-new-dean

There will always be an England? BBC helter-skelter cathedral report misses a crucial fact

From Get Religion-

Let me state the obvious. This is one of those stories that people would worry about if it ran at a satire-news website like The Onion or, especially, The Babylon Bee.

It would fit either place since it combines British humor, pop culture and a 12th century cathedral.

But, no, this report is from the venerable BBC. And what a wild story it is, combining outlandish visuals with a solid hard-news angle that is perfect for religion-beat coverage. The only problem is that BBC totally missed the serious-news content in this strange story. The headline states, “Norwich Cathedral: Bishop delivers sermon from helter-skelter.”

Helter skelter? No, we’re not talking about The Beatles song and there’s no link here, obviously, to the Manson Family. No, this is a story about a painfully hip bishop (#IMHO) and an oldline Protestant institution that is really, really anxious to pull a few people through its doors. Here is (hang on tight) the overture:

More here-

https://www.getreligion.org/getreligion/2019/8/22/there-will-always-be-an-england-bbc-helter-skelter-cathedral-report-misses-a-crucial-fact

Priest who borrowed a book from his elderly neighbour as a child is touched to be given the title more 30 years later after her death - and finds pressed flowers he gave to her aged 18

From The Daily Mail-

A priest has told how he was given a book by the family of a late neighbour and found flowers he had given her as a teenager pressed inside. 

Reverend Daniel Brereton, from Ontario, Canada, took to Twitter to tell how he had fallen in love with 1901 novel The Making of a Marchioness after reading it at the home of his elderly neighbour Mrs Smith, whom he affectionately called 'Granny'. 

The title, which Mrs Smith forevermore called 'Danny's book', was passed down to her daughter, and later her granddaughter. 

Writing on Twitter, Reverend Brereton, now thought to be in his 40s, explained how he was touched when Mrs Smith sent him the book on her mother's death.

More here-

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7382601/Anglican-priest-receives-flowers-gave-elderly-neighbour-29-years-picked-them.html

Bishops Invite Faith Community to Toll Bells

From Afro-

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church and Bishop W. Darin Moore of the AME Zion Church are among clergy leaders across the country inviting their memebr to engage in a national action in rememberance and honor the first enslaved Africans in America. The petition is for churches to toll their bells at 3 p.m., for one minute on Sunday, Aug. 25.

As the landing point for the first enslaved Africans in the English colonies in 1619 and the site of the first emancipation policy decision during the Civil War, Fort Monroe marks both the beginning and the end of slavery in the United States.

“I’m inviting us as The Episcopal Church to join in this commemoration as part of our continued work of racial healing and reconciliation,” said Curry. “We can join together with people of other Christian faiths and people of all faiths to remember those who came as enslaved, who came to a country that one day would proclaim liberty. And so we remember them and pray for a new future for us all.”

More here-

https://www.afro.com/bishop-invites-faith-community-to-toll-bells/

 

NT Wright appointed University of Oxford senior research fellow

From Pemier-

Scholar and theologian NT Wright has been appointed as senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall at the University of Oxford.

The former Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Prof Nicholas Thomas Wright is currently Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at St Mary's College, St Andrews in Scotland.

NT Wright prepared for ordained ministry at Wycliffe Hall and is one of the world's leading New Testament scholars, and a world authority on the apostle Paul.

Wright is the author of over 80 academic and lay-level books such as Surprised by Hope, The Day The Revolution Began and Paul: A Biography (writing under the name Tom Wright for a general audience).

Wright is ordained in the Church of England and, among other roles, served as Bishop of Durham between 2003 - 2010.

More here-

 https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/NT-Wright-appointed-University-of-Oxford-senior-research-fellow

Episcopal bishop calls for bell-tolling to remember 1619 slave-trade incident

From Atlanta-

The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, based at Buckhead’s Cathedral of St. Philip, is calling on its churches and schools to toll bells on Aug. 25 in remembrance of the first enslaved African people forced to come to English North America 400 years ago this month.

That 1619 event in what was then the Colony of Virginia was recently highlighted by the New York Times Magazine in “The 1619 Project,” a package of stories about the legacy of slavery in American history.

Rev. Robert C. Wright, the bishop of the diocese, said in a press release that the bell-tolling, scheduled for 3 p.m., is intended to be part of a national commemoration involving other Christian denominations and other religions.

“At 3 p.m., we can join with people of all faiths to remember those who came enslaved, those who came to a country that one day would proclaim liberty,” Wright said in the press release.

More here-

https://www.reporternewspapers.net/2019/08/21/episcopal-bishop-calls-for-bell-tolling-to-remember-1619-slave-trade-incident/

Pittsburgh Episcopal church will host Jewish High Holiday services for synagogue targeted in 2018 mass shooting

From ENS-

The Pittsburgh synagogue that was devastated by a mass shooting last October will hold its Jewish High Holiday services this fall at an Episcopal church down the street.

The Rev. Jonathon Jensen, rector of Calvary Episcopal Church, offered his church as a worship space shortly after neo-Nazi terrorist Robert Bowers opened fire during a Sabbath service at Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation on Oct. 27, killing 11 people, according to authorities.

That day, Calvary was packed with parishioners for a fundraiser, Jensen told the Episcopal News Service. Along with a financial gift and card from Calvary parishioners, Jensen sent a letter to Tree of Life.

“Everybody says something like, ‘let us know if there’s anything we can do to help,’ and I was specific in guessing that they would need space – worship, office, meeting – and so I offered specifically. ‘We’re good at doing that. If you need any of this, it’s yours,’” Jensen said.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/08/21/pittsburgh-episcopal-church-will-host-jewish-high-holiday-services-for-synagogue-targeted-in-2018-mass-shooting/

'God is a tourist attraction' Anglican bishop says on cathedral carnival ride

From England-

A controversial amusement park ride erected in Norwich Cathedral has come down after an 11-day installation.

Rt. Revd. Johnathan Meyrick, the Anglican bishop of Lynn, delivered a sermon midway down the helter-skelter slide during the final liturgy held in the cathedral with the ride present.

“God is a tourist attraction,” Meyrick said, claiming that God would be “revelling” in the joy it brought to visitors. During the time the helter-skelter was installed, over 20,000 people came to visit the nearly thousand-year-old cathedral.

While an estimated 10,000 people rode down the 50-foot-high slide, the move drew criticism from Anglicans and Catholic alike.

More here-

https://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2019/08/21/god-is-a-tourist-attraction-anglican-bishop-says-on-cathedral-carnival-ride/

David Peters, AKA ‘Hot Priest Summer’: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

From Texas-

David Peters, AKA “Hot Priest Summer,” is an Episcopal priest who has gone viral on TikTok for his humorous videos about being a priest.

Peters’ fame might be new, but his efforts to spread the word about his faith are anything but. He also hosts two podcasts, has written several books, and has written for publications like The Huffington Post and The Guardian in the past. One such post for The Huffington Post was titled “Here’s Why Veterans Don’t Talk About it,” and addresses the stigma of PTSD for veterans of war.

In addition to his podcasts, TikTok celebrity status, and work as an author, Peters also founded the Episcopal Veterans Fellowship. In an article for The Guardian, he explained, “[The goal of the Fellowship is to] educate members of my denomination about moral injury in veterans and provide community for veterans inside and outside the church.”

More here-

https://heavy.com/news/2019/08/david-peters-hot-priest-summer/ 

and here-

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7372917/Episcopal-priest-unlikely-viral-star-trendy-video-app-TikTok.html

Priest waits out injury to resume walk across country

From Colorado-

For roughly six weeks, he walked along Kansas roads as a sore on his toe worsened from a pesky blister to a painful infection. Still, the former Episcopal priest who lives in Colorado kept going.

On Aug. 10 Peter Munson, still traveling by foot, passed into Colorado and continued until he reached Colorado Springs. The 61-year-old had walked roughly 2,100 miles by then, more than half as far as he planned to go. But the pain in his toe had grown to the point that wearing a shoe felt excruciating.

Finally, he called it quits. At least for the time being.

Munson, who’s walking from South Carolina to California to raise money for charity, canceled a planned Aug. 13 appearance in Castle Rock and paused his walking mission because of the foot injury, which required that he seek medical attention.

“Saturday it was causing me to limp,” he said on Tuesday, Aug. 12, before a doctor visit in his hometown of Arvada. “Taking this week off to see if I can get well.”

The former priest began his journey on March 4 in Charleston, South Carolina. He estimated then it would take 6 million steps to reach his final destination of San Francisco. He now believes, with 1,600 miles to go, the journey will take 7.5 million steps.

More here-

https://arvadapress.com/stories/priest-waits-out-injury-to-resume-walk-across-country,285087

 

Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Sabah

 From Borneo-

Preparations are underway for the visit of the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury (2013-Present), His Grace The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Portal Welby from October 3 to 6. 

The Most Reverend Justin is the head of the established Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion, representing 85 million Anglicans worldwide.

He will arrive here from Penang after attending the bi-centennial celebration of The Church of St George, Penang, the oldest Anglican Church in Southeast Asia.

A committee has been formed to oversee the Archbishop’s itinerary in Sabah, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew.

The Most Reverend Justin, who also represents the Queen of England in his visits, will be accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Charles Hay.

More here-

https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/08/19/archbishop-of-canterbury-to-visit-sabah/

Anglican Church ordains new Bishop for Kigali

From Rwanda-

The newly ordained Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kigali, Rev. Nathan Amooti Rusengo, has said that he will put emphasis on the use of digital platforms in evangelism as he sets sight on endearing the gospel towards the urban youth.  

Officially ordained yesterday by fellow bishops, Rusengo replaces the long-serving, Louis Muvunyi, who has been Bishop of Kigali for about nine years.

Muvunyi relinquished his position following a request from fellow bishops who requested him to pursue a PhD after which he will head a new theology school that the church plans to set up in about four years.

Rusengo has been serving as the bishop of Cyangugu Diocese. He is not new to the Kigali Diocese having served as a pastor as well as a secretary in the Diocese before he moved to Cyangugu.

More here-

https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/anglican-church-ordains-new-bishop-kigali

Independent St. Stanislaus Catholic parish declines to join Episcopal Church

From St. Louis-

The independent St. Stanislaus Kostka Polish Catholic Church is no longer considering joining the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, church leaders said.

After a meeting with Episcopal Bishop Wayne Smith and lawyers, St. Stanislaus representatives declined to agree to relinquish church property to the Episcopal Church in any future dissolution of their relationship.

The Carr Square neighborhood church has been independent since its split from the Roman Catholic Church in 2005.

More here-

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/independent-st-stanislaus-catholic-parish-declines-to-join-episcopal-church/article_daeb5fed-831b-5217-8e96-966c55bf9a3b.html