“Love Like Christ”: Presiding Bishop’s pastoral visit to post-hurricane Puerto Rico

From ACNS-

Bishop Rafael Morales leaves no impression he is still wading into his job. He had led the Diocese of Puerto Rico a mere two months when Hurricane Maria devastated the island in September, and since then he, his staff and clergy around the diocese have mobilised relief efforts with a determination that earned praise from Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of the US-based Episcopal Church, during a two-day visit.

Hurricane Maria was and continues to be an unparalleled catastrophe, Morales said, but he is seizing the opportunity for ministry to his fellow Puerto Ricans.

“Our people have a good heart,” he said on the road to the coastal town of Toa Baja accompanied by Curry. Puerto Rico’s culture is one of thanksgiving, Morales said. “This diocese is a diocese of hope.”

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2018/01/love-like-christ-presiding-bishops-pastoral-visit-to-post-hurricane-puerto-rico.aspx

Seeking direction in 2018? Check out the pope’s thought-provoking Epiphany homily

From Aleteia-

Pope Francis today celebrated Mass for the Feast of the Epiphany. Here is the official Vatican translation of his homily:
~
Three actions of the Magi guide our journey towards the Lord, who today is revealed as light and salvation for all peoples. The Magi see the star, they set out and they bring gifts.

Seeing the star. This is where it starts. But why, we might ask, did the Magi alone see the star? Perhaps because few people raised their eyes to heaven. We often make do with looking at the ground: it’s enough to have our health, a little money and a bit of entertainment. I wonder if we still know how to look up at the sky. Do we know how to dream, to long for God, to expect the newness he brings, or do we let ourselves be swept along by life, like dry branches before the wind? The Magi were not content with just getting by, with keeping afloat. They understood that to truly live, we need a lofty goal and we need to keep looking up.

More here-

https://aleteia.org/2018/01/06/seeking-direction-in-2018-check-out-the-popes-thought-provoking-epiphany-homily/

Keep The Faith: The Rev. Paula J. Toland

From Massachusetts-

Today, January 6th, many Christians celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. It is the day commemorating the arrival of the magi, commonly known as the three wise men, at the stable where they meet the infant Jesus. We are told that these men, perhaps astrologers and the scientists of their time, were guided by a star in the East. It would have taken many days to come from their home west of Bethlehem, which explains the time between Christmas and this day. In many churches, the wise men are an integral part of the Christmas story, which then, in essence, is a combined story of the Nativity and the Epiphany.

The story of the magi is important in and of itself. Their story is our story. It is the story of how real people, going about their daily lives, allow their curiosity, their innate awareness of the need for something beyond themselves, to lead them to an encounter with God. And in that first encounter they are changed. They and their lives are transformed. The grace they received is grace extended to all of us. It is meant for all of us. It is freely given and undeserved. It is, as the saying goes, “ours for the asking.”

More here-

http://www.telegram.com/entertainmentlife/20180105/keep-faith-rev-paula-j-toland

Investing in what matters

From Seven Whole Days-

As I write this, it is the Feast of the Epiphany. On this day, we celebrate the manifestation of Jesus Christ to all nations, to all peoples. God gave a sign — in the form of a star — showing that it is God’s desire for all people to know Jesus. Magi traveled at great difficulty over a great distance to offer homage to Christ Jesus, and then they left transformed. Every encounter with Jesus leads to transformation.

In the assigned epistle for today from Ephesians, we read of what we could call Epiphany Work.

…to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Did you catch that? Through the church, the wisdom of God in its rich variety is to be made known to rulers, authorities, and, presumably, all people.

Are we doing that very well? I don’t think so, and if I’m talking more specifically about the Episcopal Church, the answer must surely be a resounding no. The draft churchwide budget for the Episcopal Church contains a staggering 41% cut to evangelism. I want to pause right there.
More here-

https://www.sevenwholedays.org/2018/01/06/investing-in-what-matters/

Is Epiphany plausible?

From Psephizo-

The Feast of the Epiphany in the church’s liturgical calendar is based on the events of Matt 2.1–12, the visit of the ‘wise men’ from the East to the infant Jesus. There are plenty of things about the story which might make us instinctively treat it as just another part of the constellation of Christmas traditions, which does not have very much connection with reality.

The first is the sparseness of the story. As with other parts of the gospels, the details are given to us in bare outline compared with what we are used to in modern literature. We are told little of the historical reality that might interest us, and the temptation is to fill in details for ourselves. This leads to the second issue—the development of sometimes quite elaborate traditions which do the work of filling in for us. So these ‘magoi’ (which gives us our word ‘magic’) became ‘three’ (because of the number of their gifts), then ‘wise men’ and then ‘kings’ (probably under the influence of Ps 72.10. By the time of this Roman mosaic from the church in Ravenna built in 547, they have even acquired names. Christopher Howse comments:

[T]hink how deeply these three men have entered our imagination as part of the Christmas story. “A cold coming they had of it at this time of the year, just the worst time of the year to take a journey, and specially a long journey, in. The ways deep, the weather sharp, the days short, the sun farthest off, in solstitio brumali, the very dead of winter.”

More here-

https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/is-epiphany-plausible/

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

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

Chalking the Door: Blessing Your Home for Epiphany

From Aleteia-

A beautiful Epiphany tradition will continue at my parish this morning, as a priest will bless chalk and scrawl markings over the door of the church at the start of our 10 a.m. Mass, carrying forth an ancient custom practiced in many homes around the world.

Some background:

The family gathers to ask God’s blessing on their home and on those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.

A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk to write above the home’s entrance, 20 + C + M + B + 16. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and 2016 is the year.
- See more at:

http://aleteia.org/blogs/deacon-greg-kandra/chalking-the-door-blessing-your-home-for-epiphany/#sthash.RCqTPkey.dpuf

Oklahoma City church opens doors to unusual visitors for Epiphany service

From Oklahoma-

An Oklahoma City church had several unusual visitors appear at a recent service.

Two camels were part of the Epiphany celebration Jan. 5 at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 14700 N May.

Epiphany is the Christian celebration of the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi.

The Magi also are known as the three kings or wise men.

Epiphany is generally observed Jan. 6.

According to the Bible, the three kings presented baby Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Rev. Joseph Alsay, rector of St. Augustine, said the live camels have added a realistic and fun flair to the church's Epiphany service the past few years.

He said children, in particular, seem to enjoy watching as the unexpected visitors slowly make their way through the sanctuary.

More here-

http://newsok.com/article/3922658

Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran Epiphany devotions available

From ENS-

Epiphany devotions for 2013 developed by the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada are available here.

“These devotions for Epiphany are a mark of our deepening partnership and the common work of our four churches,” noted Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.  “Our working together is another sign of our full communion relationship.”

The six devotions for the season of Epiphany are based on the shared gospels for the Sundays and are appropriate for groups or individuals.

Sunday, January 6: Epiphany 1, Feast of Epiphany
Sunday, January 13: The Baptism of Our Lord
Sunday, January 20:  Epiphany 2
Sunday, January 27: Epiphany 3
Sunday, February 3: Epiphany 4
Sunday, February 10: Feast of the Transfiguration

The contributors to the devotions are members of the Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating Committee (USA), and the Joint Anglican-Lutheran Commission (Canada).

“We commend to your use an inspired collection of devotions for the season of Epiphany, each prepared by a different member of the Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating Committee (USA) and the Joint Anglican-Lutheran Commission (Canada),” the denominational leaders stated in a joint letter.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/01/02/full-communion-epiphany-devotions-available/

Three Kings Day a post-Christmas treat

From New Jersey-

t was a post-Christmas celebration with a Latin flair Saturday night as Sussex County's Spanish-speaking community came together at Christ Episcopal Church to celebrate "Día de los Tres Reyes," or Three Kings Day. The event, in its seventh year at the church, is organized through immigrant outreach program El Refugio as a means of promoting Latino cultural traditions, Father Robert Griner said.

Attendees were treated to dinner, music, games and gifts. A trio dressed as the iconic Three Kings -- the dignitaries who visited Jesus Christ after his birth -- handed out a gift apiece from under a Christmas Tree to each of the 96 children who came to the celebration.

Three Kings Day is traditionally held on Jan. 6 but was rescheduled for Saturday to accommodate prospective attendees' work schedules, said Mauricio Soperanes, who emceed the event. As Soperanes explained, in many Spanish-speaking cultures the Three Kings are considered the foremost figureheads of the Christmas season, rather than Santa Claus.

More here-

http://www.njherald.com/story/16470496/three-kings-day-a-post-christmas-treat-for-spanish-speaking-families

Happy Epiphany!

Good Stuff in TEC: West Virginia

Epiphany service celebrates twelfth day of Christmas

“Epiphany, January 6, is the traditional time of the visit of the wise men to the baby Jesus,” Father Russ Hatfield, pastor of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church said. “Epiphany means an awakening or understanding; taking the light into the world. Epiphany Eve, (today) is the twelfth day of Christmas. The Tazewell Cluster of Episcopal Parishes will be celebrating Epiphany (at 6:30 p.m., today) at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church with the reading of scripture, singing, a message, Holy Communion followed by a feast of delicious food and drink.”

Hatfield came to St. Mary’s in 2001, and as a result of a suggestion made by his wife Debbie, the church started hosting Epiphany Eve services on Jan. 5, 2002. This year will mark the cluster’s seventh Epiphany service during Hatfield’s tenure, although he said the church may have been holding Epiphany services in the past.

“This church was built in 1910,” Hatfield said of St. Mary’s, located at 708 Tazewell Avenue, about a block away from historic downtown Bluefield, Va. The beautiful brown stone structure that will celebrate its centennial next year, also has an interesting historical feature inside. The pulpit was a gift (in 1910) from R.E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church in Lexington, Va., and was the same pulpit that Confederate General Robert E. Lee preached from as Senior Warden at (then) Grace Episcopal Church in Lexington, according to Hatfield.

http://www.bdtonline.com/local/local_story_004203103.html

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Honoring Christ's baptism

A nice piece on Christmas and Epiphany from the Salt Lake paper-

The Rev. Rick Lawson hates the sight of discarded Christmas trees in the gutter as he drives home from church on Christmas Day. He winces at the day-after rush to the stores.

"Nothing is more shocking to me," says Lawson, dean of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Salt Lake City. "So many people see it as the end of the festivities, but in the church it is just the beginning of a celebratory season."

For many branches of Christianity, that season culminates on Jan. 6, which is known variously as Epiphany, or Twelfth Night. Taken from the Greek for "manifestation," Epiphany began in the Eastern Orthodox Church in the third century to honor Jesus' baptism. In that tradition, the Epiphany service includes a blessing of water as a symbol of renewal and regeneration. Individual members can take some of the blessed water to their homes to drink and to use for healing.

More here-

http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_11355475