+Atlanta: Grateful for Adoption

From The Living Church-

The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, 10th Bishop of Atlanta, spoke recently with Dennis O’Hayer of NPR affiliate WABE.

Wright discussed his role as the first African American bishop of Atlanta, the Episcopal Church’s rite for blessing same-sex couples, the gospel (“The issue of God is the most to me; “I think we’ve got to talk about God more”), racial profiling and decriminalizing traffic offenses, and Georgia’s proposed personhood amendment, which he supports, while also “respecting people’s right to choose.”

“As someone who was adopted personally and as someone who has adopted, I am grateful, in a profound way, that … my mother, my biological mother, brought me to term, and gave me the opportunity to live the life that I have lived,” he said. “I am grateful to God for that.”

The bishop said the personhood amendment also should shape Georgians’ thinking about the death penalty and care for the elderly.

More here (including links to the interview)

http://www.livingchurch.org/atlanta-grateful-adoption

Atlanta's Episcopal Church ordains new bishop

From Fox Atlanta-

The Episcopal Church and its 50,000 followers in north Georgia have a new leader this weekend.

Robert Wright became the first African American bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta in a ceremony Saturday on the Morehouse College campus.

Former United National Ambassador Andrew Young delivered the sermon during the ceremony.

Wright studied the Civil Rights Movement at Howard University. He spent the last ten years at Saint Paul's Church in southwest Atlanta.

He is the 10th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta.

A former Navy veteran, Wright is married with five children.

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/19814484/atlantas-episcopal-church-ordains-new-bishop

Wright becomes first African-American Episcopal bishop for Atlanta diocese

From Atlanta-

The Rev. Robert C. Wright will be ordained as the 10th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta in a ceremony Saturday at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College.
The ceremony, which begins at 10:30 a.m., will be held at the chapel, 830 Westview Dr. S.W.

Wright, 48, a Howard University and Virginia Theological Seminary graduate, will become the first African-American bishop to lead the diocese, which is among the largest in the world. The Atlanta diocese, which covers middle and north Georgia, has 96 parishes and 56,000 members.

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, will perform the ordination. Former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young will preach during the service, which is expected to draw more than 2,000 people.

“God’s invitation is to draw the circle wide and invite people to into that circle,” said Wright, who has led St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta. “I’m talking about a God that is big and loving and wise and I’m going to talk about that God as often as I can.”

The service is open to the public.

More here-

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/wright-becomes-first-african-american-episcopal-bi/nSb3P/

Atlanta Diocese of the Episcopal Church to have first black leader

From Atlanta-

For the first time ever, a man of color will take the reins of the Atlanta Diocese of the Episcopal Church.

Reverend Rob Wright will be ordained as Bishop in a ceremony at Morehouse College King Chapel Saturday.

In an interview with WSB’s Pete Combs, Wright said he is convinced the Episcopal Church is awakening, as if from a long sleep.

“An old theologian once said, ‘From time to time, the Church forgets who she is. But every once in a while, we remember and we begin to act like a church,” Wright said. Now, he continued, is such a time of remembrance.

As for being the first African-American to lead this Diocese, Wright called it “a sign of real hope.”
“People are finally moving into this notion of character content versus color,” he said.

More here-

http://www.wsbradio.com/news/news/atlanta-diocese-episcopal-church-have-first-black-/nSbXB/

Holy Innocents’ opens expansion, chapel

From Atlanta-

After nearly two years of construction, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church this month opens its new, $8 million expansion, including a towering, glass-walled chapel.

The 30,000-square-foot building includes meeting spaces, offices, event facilities and the chapel. It also includes a gallery that will feature work by local artists, the church said in a press release.

Atlanta architect Thomas W. Ventulett III, a member of the Holy Innocents’ parish, designed the building and the 1,245-square-foot chapel.

Holy Innocents’ Rector Michael Sullivan said the chapel combines stone, wood and glass, and creates “a beautiful space.”

More here-

http://www.reporternewspapers.net/2012/10/10/holy-innocents-opens-expansion-chapel/

Crossroads helping Atlanta’s homeless for 40 years

From Atlanta-

There is a castle on Peachtree Street, one with big red doors and an iron gate surrounding it. When you walk from the building’s parking lot, red and brown brick columns lead you inside of this church where Crossroads Community Ministry operates. The brick sign reads “Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church.” More important than its exterior is what’s happening on the inside of these brick walls for the less fortunate in Atlanta. Crossroads Ministries is a 40- year-old nonprofit organization, soup kitchen and shelter for the homeless.

Beyond those basics, Crossroads also offers legal help and case management, programs to help individuals apply for Social Security Disability applications, a free mail-room so that people can apply for jobs, a program to provide free Marta cards, housing for the disabled, housing for women and children, rehabilitation programs and hot meals throughout the week.

More here-

http://www.atlantaintownpaper.com/2012/08/crossroads-helping-atlantas-homeless-for-40-years/

New Episcopal bishop elected for Atlanta

From Atlanta-

The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta elected its 10th bishop, and first African American leader, on Saturday.


The Very Rev. Robert C. “Rob” Wright, 48, will take over as leader in Atlanta, the ninth largest among the Episcopal Church’s 110 dioceses, in October. The Atlanta diocese, which covers middle and north Georgia, has 96 parishes and 52,000 members.

“I think the biggest challenge for us and all of mainstream Christianity is to begin to talk about the good news of Jesus Christ and what his message means in the 21st century,” Wright said Saturday. He said he will be ready to partner with Episcopalians across the diocese and to reach out to all generations, especially the young.

Wright has been rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Peyton Road in southwest Atlanta for 10 years and is dean of the diocese’s Mid-Atlantic Convocation.

More here-

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/new-episcopal-bishop-elected-1451327.html

Atlanta diocese adds nominee to bishop slate

From ENS-

The Rev. Martha N. Macgill, 54, rector of Memorial Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland, has been nominated by petition and added to a slate of five priests already chosen to stand for election as the Diocese of Atlanta’s next bishop.

The other candidates, announced on Feb. 13, are:

the Rev. George F. Adamik, 58, rector, St. Paul’s Church, Cary, North Carolina (Diocese of North Carolina);

the Rev. Michael A. Bird, 44, rector, Christ Church, Bronxville, New York (Diocese of New York);

the Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, 55, dean, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia (Diocese of Atlanta);

the Rev. Canon James H. Pritchett, 55, canon to the ordinary, Diocese of Western North Carolina; and

the Very Rev. Robert C. Wright, 48, rector, St. Paul’s Church, Atlanta, Georgia (Diocese of Atlanta).

The person elected will succeed Bishop J. Neil Alexander, who was elected in 2001. At the time of his election, Alexander was a professor at the University of the South School of Theology and was priest in charge of St. Agnes’ Church in Cowan, Tennessee. Upon his retirement as diocesan bishop he will become professor of liturgics and head the Department for Anglican Studies at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/03/19/atlanta-diocese-adds-nominee-to-bishop-slate/

Atlanta announces slate of 5 nominees for 10th bishop

From ENS-

Five priests have been nominated to stand for election to become the 10th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta.

They are:

the Rev. George F. Adamik,58, rector, St. Paul’s Church, Cary, North Carolina (Diocese of North Carolina),

the Rev. Michael A. Bird, 44, rector, Christ Church, Bronxville, New York (Diocese of New York),

the Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, 55, dean, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia (Diocese of Atlanta),

the Rev. Canon James H. Pritchett, 55, canon to the ordinary, Diocese of Western North Carolina and
the Very Rev. Robert C. Wright, 48, rector, St. Paul’s Church, Atlanta, Georgia (Diocese of Atlanta).

The Feb. 13 announcement opens a month-long period during which members of the diocese may petition to add additional names to the ballot. (Information about the petition process is here.)

“Today we look with excitement to the presentation of candidates for our next bishop,” said the Rev. Timothy Graham, president of the Standing Committee, in a press release. “I express profound gratitude for the careful and comprehensive work of the nominating committee. This committee, made up of clergy and lay representatives from across our diocese, has given us a fine slate of diverse, talented and qualified candidates.”

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/02/13/atlanta-announces-slate-of-5-nominees-for-10th-bishop/

Rev. Rich Martindale steps down at Trinity Episcopal Church

From Atlanta-

The Rev. Rich Martindale, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, has resigned after nearly six years leading the historic downtown parish.

He resigned Monday night at his church’s Vestry, or board, meeting. A letter went out to parishioners Tuesday.

“For the last several months, the Vestry, the Wardens and I have been working and praying very hard to discern how best to meet the needs of the Parish and do the work we have been given to do in the name of Christ. At times, that discernment has been exhilarating; other times it has felt like a struggle,” Martindale wrote. “After consultation with the Bishop of Atlanta, the Wardens, and of course, my dear wife, my own portion of that discernment has led me to understand that the time has come for me to conclude my ministry to and with my friends at Trinity.”

Read more:

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/06/23/1629902/trinity-episcopal-church-rev-rich.html#ixzz1Q67v9sXR

Episcopal priest and former Vietnam POW helps veterans

From Atlanta-

Hurtling through the dark but missile-streaked skies over Hanoi in 1972 after his B-52 bomber was shot down, Robert Certain was pretty sure he was going to die, just like three of the men in his plane had, and remembers praying for his parachute not to open rather than dying in captivity.

Then a 25-year-old Air Force navigator, the Rev. Certain is now the 63-year-old senior priest of St. Peter and St. Paul Episcopal Church in east Cobb, but war is still very much on the mind of the retired colonel.

Now, though, he thinks more about helping the military personnel returning from wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Certain had flashes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for decades, which is one reason his large church is doing all it can to help returning veterans deal with the problems that cause more suicides among military people today than ever.

The military suicide rate has been rising for five years even though the Department of Veterans Affairs offers more psychological help to vets now than in the past.

More here-

http://www.ajc.com/news/episcopal-priest-and-former-983142.html

Church of Month: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, One of Fastest-Growing in Nation

From Atlanta-

Jacqueline Forde-Wright was raised in a quiet, subdued Anglican church in Barbados. She wasn’t quite prepared for the clapping, standing and shouting at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

She didn’t expect to be moved to tears by the sermon that seemed to be directed at her.

And she didn’t realize that when she walked into the church five years ago it would become her second home.

“It happens a lot in our church. The sermon and the choir often move you to tears,” Forde-Wright said. “You just don’t go to church at St. Paul’s. It is church. It’s all around you.”

The church, parceled beyond a slight bend on Peyton Road, is one of the fastest growing church in the Atlanta diocese, which include 96 churches in north and middle Georgia.

And, according to local Episcopalians, it’s one of the largest African-American parishes in the Episcopal Church nationwide.

“It really stands out as a church because of its music, the preaching and the outreach,” said Nan Ross, spokeswoman for The Episcopal Diocese of Greater Atlanta. “There is just a lot of positive energy in that place and it’s attracted a lot of people.”

More here-

http://cascade.patch.com/articles/cascades-st-pauls-episcopal-church-one-of-fastest-growing-in-nation#photo-6188338

ATLANTA: Bishop says he'll return to teaching

From ENS-

Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta Bishop J. Neil Alexander has announced he plans to step aside next year after 11 years to join the faculty of Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.

According to a story posted Feb. 8 on the diocesan website, Alexander, 57, told the diocesan Standing Committee and clergy of his intentions Feb. 7. The bishop intends to resign upon the ordination and consecration of his successor.

"I believe it is reasonable to expect an election in the spring of 2012 and the ordination of the next bishop of Atlanta late that summer or early in the fall," he wrote in a letter to clergy of the diocese.

The bishop's move will return him to the academic life he left when he was elected 10 years ago as the ninth bishop of Atlanta. Alexander served at the General Theological Seminary and the School of Theology at the University of the South, both Episcopal Church-affiliated seminaries, during that time.

"I am richly blessed," he said in the diocesan news story. "These years in the Diocese of Atlanta have been a wonderful season in my vocation."

At Emory, his primary duties will be as a professor of liturgy, focusing on the practical disciplines of ministry: liturgy, preaching and pastoral theology. He also will direct Candler's Anglican-Episcopal Studies program.

The Rev. Dena Bearl, rector of Grace-Calvary Church, Clarkesville, and president of the Standing Committee, said: "We give thanks to God for having provided this diocese with such a capable and dedicated bishop. Bishop Alexander has fulfilled his vows as bishop with great devotion to the church."

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80263_126956_ENG_HTM.htm

Bishops Help One Another Amid Floods

From The Living Church-

The Bishop of Atlanta has encouraged parishes to take collections for flood relief in the Diocese of Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian diocese is one of three dioceses in companion relationships with Atlanta.

Rio’s bishop, the Rt. Rev. Filadelfo Oliveira, participated in Atlanta’s annual council in 2008.

“The Diocese of Atlanta, together with other Anglican-Episcopal companions around the world, has been asked to provide whatever funds we can spare to assist with the relief efforts,” Bishop J. Neil Alexander wrote Jan. 18. “Many of you will remember Bishop Filadelfo from his visits to our diocese and address to Annual Council two years ago. A number of other friends from Rio de Janeiro have blessed us by their presence among us.”

The bishop asked that congregations within his diocese collect donations Jan. 23 or Jan. 30. The diocese also accepts donations through this webpage.

“As you all can see in the news, unusually heavy rain has been falling in Southeastern Brazil for days,” Bishop Oliveira wrote in an online statement Jan. 14. “The mountains in the countryside of Rio de Janeiro State have been affected by the worst rainstorms in their history. In cities such as Teresópolis, Petrópolis and Nova Friburgo, hundreds of people have instantly died due to mudslides that caused entire hills to collapse. It is by far considered the worst catastrophe in Brazilian history.”

Australians are dealing with a flooding crisis as well, and Anglican priests from New Zealand are preparing to offer on-site help.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2011/1/19/bishops-help-one-another-amid-floods

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

Atlanta’s Historic St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Reduces its Energy Usage by 18 Percent

From Atlanta-

St. Luke's Episcopal Church, located in midtown Atlanta, has reduced its carbon footprint by a third over the past four years. The historic church’s energy savings programs have exceeded the Governor’s Energy Challenge by cutting energy consumption more than 18% since 2006.

“We were seeking to be good stewards of God's creation, so St. Luke's got an early start on our sustainability initiative with a Southface-sponsored energy audit in 2006,” said longtime parishioner, Cotten Alston. “In particular, our energy conservation projects include automatic HVAC controls, high-efficiency lighting, and occupancy sensor lighting controls. These, combined with conscientious management by church staff, are saving us more than $36,000 annually. St. Luke's is also working to meet the goals of Georgia's Water Conservation Implementation Plan."


About St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Under the leadership of Charles Quintard, an Atlanta physician and priest, St. Luke’s parish was established on Easter Monday, 1864. Now, 140 years later, St. Luke’s is a thriving crossroads parish of over 2,000 diverse communicants located on Peachtree Street in midtown Atlanta. The first liturgy celebrated in the current modified, late-English Gothic building was at its consecration in 1906. The parish is deeply committed to outreach. Crossroads Community Ministries was born in the St. Luke’s kitchen and today includes its own kitchen and dining room, a health clinic and a mail room, and offers counseling services for the homeless. St. Luke’s long-established Training & Counseling Center (TACC) is known for its numerous educational and clinical programs for adults, children and youth. For more information, visit www.stlukesatlanta.org.

The Reverend Dan Matthews, Jr. is Rector of St. Luke’s.

http://atlanta.dbusinessnews.com/shownews.php?articletitle=Atlanta’s%20Historic%20St.%20Luke’s%20Episcopal%20Church%20Reduces%20its%20Energy%20Usage%20by%2018%20Percent&newsid=216139&type_news=latest&s=sbcn

The Rev. Canon Herbert J. Beadle Jr., Episcopal priest who headed addiction recovery center

From Atlanta-

In his four decades as an Episcopal priest in Atlanta, the Rev. Canon Herb Beadle distinguished himself in many ways.

He was director of St. Jude's Recovery Center for alcohol and drug addiction treatment. He was a canon at the Cathedral of St. Philip. He was vicar at Emmaus House, a neighborhood ministry. He was a chaplain at Lovett School. He was a baritone soloist at All Saints Episcopal Church. Even in retirement, he led services at churches when their pastors needed a Sunday off.

In all these roles, he remained upbeat yet realistic, advocating for the disadvantaged and poking fun at pomposity and sanctimoniousness. "Herb practiced a sleeves-rolled-up, let's-confront-challenges-honestly Christianity," said Bob Simpson, former St. Philip's music director now at Houston's Christ Church Cathedral.

Herbert J. Beadle Jr., 86, of Atlanta died March 16 at Hospice Atlanta of complications from a heart attack. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the Cathedral of St. Philip. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Emmaus House, 1017 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta, GA 30315-1705. H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill, is in charge of arrangements.

Born and reared in Texas, Canon Beadle was a medical supply officer at Camp Pendleton, Calif., during World War II. Witnessing the suffering of the wounded moved him to become a priest and a pacifist, said his wife, Fran McDowell-Beadle.

More here-

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/the-rev-canon-herbert-467883.html

Signs of the times debated

From Atlanta- How to annoy the neighbors.

Could it be a sign from God?

An Episcopal church in Cobb County wants to install an electronic sign to replace an old-style sign that a car destroyed two years ago. It has had to keep the high-tech shift on hold, though, because county rules prohibit electronic signs in residential areas.

Now, a ray of light may shine down on the church after all. Cobb County commissioners are considering a change to the county code that would allow electronic signs for some churches, private schools and others in residential areas.

But some Cobb residents see the proposed changes as a bad sign. They say more LED panels and digital screens mean that flashy, moving messages could invade quiet residential streets. On busier roads, electronic messages can be a dangerous distraction to motorists, residents say.

Craig Dowdy, a lawyer and member of the Episcopal Church of St. Peter & St. Paul in East Cobb, said the church needs the electronic sign to keep up with the times. Plus, the church already spent $29,000 on a new sign not knowing it was prohibited, he said.

Requiring the church to use an old-fashioned sign doesn’t make sense, Dowdy said. “It would be the same as putting a rotary dial phone on your desk,” he said.

Neighbors in West Cobb say such signs have no place in residential areas.

“That’s just going to encourage more of the Las Vegas-type atmosphere,” said Keli Gambrill, president of People Looking After Neighborhoods, or PLAN. “A person is going to look into a church. They’re going to find out what time the services are. Do we really need to put an electronic reader board out there?”

More here-

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/07/05/signs0705.html

Man stabbed at East Cobb church

From Atlanta-

Two part-time handymen at an East Cobb church may be looking for new jobs.

Cobb police say no charges have been filed following a stabbing incident Tuesday morning at a church on Johnson Ferry Road.

What started as a verbal fight between two men — age 50 and 24 — ended with the older man heading to the hospital. Police would not release the names of the men. The injured man is expected to be fine.

The incident happened shortly after 10 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul at 1795 Johnson Ferry Road, Cobb police spokesman Joe Hernandez said.

A verbal argument escalated into a physical altercation, and the older man pinned the younger man. The 24-year-old then apparently pulled out a pocket knife and cut the other man.

“Stuff like this happens all the time, but not necessarily at churches,” Hernandez said.

A church receptionist would not comment on the incident Tuesday afternoon.

http://www.ajc.com/ame)ll�2ltb�metro/content/metro/cobb/stories/2009/04/21/marietta_church_stab.html

Good Stuff in TEC: Georgia

Outdoor church serves homeless on their home turf

Folding chairs make do for pews, and hymns from a boom box replace the choir.

There’s no sanctuary either, unless you count the tall office buildings that shelter the 30-person congregation gathered in a downtown park: Welcome to Atlanta’s outdoor church for the homeless.

The worship services at Woodruff Park are open to all, but geared toward bringing hope to the homeless on their home turf. And for two years, the Church of the Common Ground has brought faith to Atlanta’s homeless through songs, gospel readings and weekly communion.

The church is affiliated with the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, which consecrated its pastor, Bob Book, as a priest in October in a ceremony in the park.

The outdoor ceremony was a first for the diocese, and a major step in a denomination where officials have been slow to recognize nontraditional street ministries as “real church.”

http://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/news/local/article/outdoor_church_serves_homeless_on_their_home_turf/48813/

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