This Famous Cat Is Getting Her Own Stone Sculpture Inside A Cathedral

From Huffington-

Most cats just get nine lives. This British feline is aiming for immortality.

Doorkins Magnificat, a beloved, longtime resident of London’s Southwark Cathedral, is having a stone carving of her likeness installed in a wall on the north side of the centuries-old church building.

The addition, scheduled for Aug. 20, means that the cat’s memory will live on in the cathedral for decades to come.

The stone carving, called a corbel, is one of four designed by students at the City & Guilds of London Art School that will replace eroded corbels in the cathedral’s north side. The other three corbels depict the nearby Borough Market, suffragette Evelyn Sharp and Wayne Marques, a British police officer who was injured during the 2017 London Bridge terror attack. 

The carving of Doorkins was created by Miriam Johnson, a student in Historic Carving at the art school.

More here-

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/doorkins-magnificat-southwark-cathedral_us_5b6da87fe4b0bdd06208d115

Richard Sipe dies

From The New York Times-

A. W. Richard Sipe, a researcher, psychotherapist and former priest who spent his life studying the roots of sex abuse within the Roman Catholic Church, becoming one of the subject’s leading experts, died on Wednesday in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego. He was 85.

His wife, Marianne Benkert Sipe, said the cause was multiple organ failure.

Mr. Sipe’s research into celibacy and sexuality within the clergy helped establish a foundation for those studying, investigating and responding to the sexual abuse crisis of the 2000s. Along with describing how celibacy was lived, his work resulted in several striking estimates arrived at in the 1980s.

One was that fully 6 percent of all priests were sexual abusers of children and minors. Another was that at any given time, only 50 percent of priests were celibate — an estimate that the church said was overblown.

More here-

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2018/08/richard-sipe-dies/ 

also here-

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/the-death-of-richard-sipe/

A year after Charlottesville: Confederate symbols wear out welcome at Ohio cathedral

From Southern Ohio-

Symbols of the Confederacy that have long been a part of one of Cincinnati's oldest churches are slated for removal.

The journey to this decision started one year ago for Christ Church Cathedral following a sermon by Dean Gail Greenwell. From her pulpit, she challenged the cathedral’s vestry to consider what to do with the memorials – a plaque honoring Episcopal bishop and Confederate Gen. Leonidas Polk and a stained glass pane honoring Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee – and to review what might be missing from the church.

The vestry accepted the challenge. Two scholars were brought in to discuss the context of the symbols and the issue of Confederate memorials in general. Conversations and listening session were held, according to the cathedral's head of the vestry, Senior Warden Don Lane.

Various opinions and concerns were considered by the vestry before a decision was made.

More here-

https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/ohio/a-year-after-charlottesville-confederate-symbols-wear-out-welcome-at-ohio-cathedral/95-582469557

Anglican investigator found 'more than enough' evidence to revoke Peter Hollingworth's holy orders

From Australia-

The former director of professional standards for the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne last year told a survivor of sexual abuse that he believed there was enough publicly available evidence to revoke Peter Hollingworth's bishop's orders.

Vincent Lucas was the director of professional standards at Kooyoora Ltd between July 2017 and June 2018.

In October last year, he told a survivor: "I just don't understand why [Archbishop] Philip Freier … hasn't just said, 'That's enough, you can't be in Holy Orders'."

Dr Hollingworth was forced to resign as governor-general in 2003 after a series of scandals over his handling of sexual abuse allegations against priests and teaching staff while he was the archbishop of Brisbane in the 1990s.

More here-

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-10/peter-hollingworth-investigator-revoke-holy-orders/10103114

Losing Faith: Why South Carolina is abandoning its churches

From South Carolina-

South Carolina churches are shedding thousands of members a year, even as the state’s population grows by tens of thousands.

In the place we call the Bible Belt, where generations have hung their hats on their church-going nature and faithful traditions, an increasing trend of shrinking church attendance — and increasing church closings — signals a fundamental culture shift in South Carolina.

At least 97 Protestant churches across South Carolina have closed since 2011, according to data from the Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist and Southern Baptist denominations. An untold number of other closings, certainly, are not captured by these statistics.

Many churches are dying slow deaths, stuck in stagnation if not decline. And if they don’t do something, anything, in their near future, they’ll share the fate of Cedar Creek United Methodist, a 274-year-old Richland County congregation that dissolved last year; Resurrection Lutheran, a church near downtown Columbia that will hold its last service on Sept. 2; and the dozens of churches that sit shuttered and empty around the state.

More here-

https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article215014375.html

Read more here: https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article215014375.html#storylink=cpy

Religiosity linked to lower teen suicide rates

From The Washington Times-

Scientists and researchers often point to the positive aspects of religion in creating a sense of community and providing a purpose for life. But research shows it can have a protective effect on children against suicide, even if they are not religious.

Researchers from Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute found that children whose parents believe in religion are less likely to have suicidal thoughts and fewer of them commit suicide.

Their study, one of the first to look at how religious beliefs influence offspring, was published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry.

“Previous research has examined a number of risk factors of child and adolescent suicide, but one that has received little attention is religious/spiritual belief,” the authors said in the introduction of their report. “This is surprising given that religious beliefs and practices have been associated with lower rates of suicide.”

More here-

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/aug/8/parents-belief-religion-influences-happiness-child/

Much Ado about Bishops

From The Living Church-

By John Bauerschmidt

The recently concluded General Convention of the Episcopal Church took up many matters of business, some of them widely reported and blogged upon before, during, and after the convention. Others have drawn less attention. From my perspective, as a member of the House of Bishops, it’s worth taking note of the work of the convention on the reform of the episcopate. Actions taken (and not taken) tell a story whose significance is not yet fully known. If you’re a General Convention aficionado you may want to skip down several paragraphs, but at the risk of too much inside baseball I offer this account from my vantage point as a participant in the daily legislative work of one house.

Through Resolution D004, the 2015 General Convention established a Task Force on the Episcopacy charged to address a number of concerns: studying the selection and responsibilities of bishops; racial and gender diversity in the House of Bishops; proposals for revising the process of “discernment, nomination, formation, search, election, and transition” for this ministry; and developing “best practices and educational materials” available to the wider church. During the intervening triennium the task force did its work, and in the months before the convention it presented this report. (I was not a member of the task force.)

More here-

https://livingchurch.org/covenant/2018/08/10/much-ado-about-bishops/

Melbourne Anglican diocese denies ignoring complaints about Peter Hollingworth

From The Guardian-

The Anglican diocese of Melbourne has rejected criticism it is ignoring complaints about Bishop Peter Hollingworth, as questions were raised about the independence of the diocese’s office of professional standards.

Hollingworth admitted to the child sexual abuse royal commission in 2016 that he poorly handled a complaint of sexual abuse by a priest, and he apologised to the victim. He also accepted that he failed to protect child sexual abuse victims within the church. Hollingworth was head of the Brisbane diocese from 1990 to 2001.

A report from the child abuse royal commission found Hollingworth misled the commission when he said he believed a report of abuse made to him about pedophile priest John Elliot at the Church of England Grammar School in 1993 was an “isolated incident”.

More here-

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/08/melbourne-anglican-diocese-denies-ignoring-complaints-about-peter-hollingworth 

and here-

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-08/abuse-survivors-outraged-that-hollingworth-remains-a-bishop/10086910

and here-

https://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/story/5575220/anglican-church-responds-to-clergy-claims/?cs=6904

Willow Creek pastor, elders step down, admit mishandling allegations against Bill Hybels

From Chicago-

Answering critics' calls to let new leaders shepherd northwest suburban Willow Creek Community Church, lead pastor Heather Larson and other church elders resigned Wednesday and apologized for mishandling allegations that church founder Bill Hybels engaged in improper behavior with women.

Larson and the elders announced their resignations Wednesday evening during a packed congregational meeting at the church’s South Barrington campus. Audience members applauded the elders’ decision. But some people audibly groaned over Larson’s announcement, and one even approached the stage in protest.

“It has become clear to me that this church needs a fresh start,” Larson said.

“This is really important,” she said. “Trust has been broken by leadership, and it doesn’t return quickly. There is urgency to move us in a better direction.”

Hybels stepped down from the helm of the megachurch in April following a Tribune investigation that revealed allegations of misconduct with women — including church employees — that spanned decades. Women have continued to come forward with allegations, among them Hybels’ former executive assistant, who told The New York Times that she was sexually harassed and fondled by the pastor for over two years in the 1980s. Hybels denied those allegations.

More here-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-willow-creek-elders-step-down-20180807-story.html#

Rwanda Restricts Fasting as 8,000 Churches Closed

From Christianity Today-

About 8,000 official and unofficial churches, as well as 100 mosques, have been closed in Rwanda for failing to comply with health, safety, and noise regulations. This includes 4 in 10 congregations belonging to a nationwide association of 3,300 Pentecostal churches.

And authorities indicate such shutting down of houses of worship in the East African nation will continue until congregations meet the strict requirements of a new law adopted by Rwanda’s parliament on July 27.

The latest requirement: Pastors must now have a degree in theological education from an accredited school. The law also prohibits church leaders from urging their followers to fast for lengthy periods—like Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness—in order to better secure God’s blessing; authorities claim this is a form of starvation.

More here-

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/august/rwanda-churches-closed-fasting-restricted-rgb-religion-law.html

Rare medieval Bible returns home 500 years after it disappeared from Cathedral

From Canterbury-

A rare medieval Bible has been saved for the nation and returned to Canterbury Cathedral 500 years after it disappeared from the Cathedral’s monastic book collection at the time of the Reformation.

Now known as the Lyghfield Bible, after the 16^th century Cathedral monk who once owned it, the 690-leaf volume was purchased at auction from a private seller at a specialist sale of manuscripts in London in July. The £100,000 purchase was made possible with a grant of almost £96,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) and further funding from the Friends of the National Libraries, the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral and a private donation.

The Lyghfield Bible was written in the latter 13^th century on high quality parchment or vellum which is almost tissue-like in quality. The fine Latin script and extensive and very fine illumination (decoration) was probably produced in Paris, one of the medieval centres for this type of work.
The Bible is pocket-sized and as such was designed for personal use, possibly whilst travelling.  The volume formed part of the collection of the medieval monastery of the Cathedral in the 16th century, but may well have been in Canterbury well before that time.

More here-

https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/whats-on/news/2018/07/31/rare-medieval-bible-returns-home-500-years-after-it-disappeared-from-cathedral/

The Liturgical Movement and the History of Prayer Book Revision

From The Living Church-

The appearance of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer was many generations in the making, and it was the fruit of a remarkable convergence of factors: historical research into the early Church, warm and creative ecumenical relationships with other Christians, a renewed focus on baptism’s relationship to both the life of the Church and the Paschal Mystery of Easter, and perhaps most importantly an orientation to the apostolic Church in our evangelism and worship. This was the Liturgical Movement.

This is the first of two posts, and my focus here is tracing the history of the movement, noting especially a long gestation — close to four centuries — to rites that have only been in use for about 40 years. The hope is that this may put current initiatives for prayer book revision in context. The second essay will highlight the methods of the movement and reflect on the absence of many of those critical elements today.

More here-

https://livingchurch.org/covenant/2018/08/03/the-liturgical-movement-and-the-history-of-prayer-book-revision/

Be Back Thursday

Edinburgh church votes to split from the Scottish Episcopal Church in early sign of schism at decision to support gay marriage

From The Telegraph-

One of the largest churches in Edinburgh has voted to split from the Scottish Episcopal Church amid tensions over its decision to become the first Anglican body in the UK to endorse gay marriage.
St Thomas’ is the latest evangelical parish to quit the official Anglican church in Scotland and back a rival splinter movement in reaction to the vote supporting gay marriage in June last year.

A number of other churches have either left or are considering leaving in the wake of the decision to change the Scottish Episcopal Church's (SEC) definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.

St Thomas' is one of the largest Anglican churches in the capital and the move to split from the SEC will be seen as a major blow to Scottish bishops trying to hold together the deeply opposed factions over same-sex marriage.

More here-

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/04/edinburgh-church-votes-split-scottish-episcopal-church-early/

Portsmouth cathedral removes 'distressing' nude paintings

From England-

A cathedral has withdrawn a series of nude paintings from an art exhibition after attracting complaints.

Portsmouth's Anglican cathedral said "worshippers expressed distress" at the four depictions of women by artist Joe Greenwood.

It said it had agreed with exhibition organisers to remove the work, in order to "balance the needs" of all visitors.

Mr Greenwood, 40, said he was unhappy that his work had been deemed "inappropriate".
He said: "While I'm obviously disappointed that my opportunity to exhibit has been affected... I don't bear a grudge against any of the parties involved."

More here-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-45063602

New congregation planted in Hermitage

From North West PA-

With new siding and parking spaces, people passing by the Resurrection Church: An Episcopal Congregation at 5130 E. State St. in Hermitage can tell the building has undergone some renovations.

But it’s not just the building that is getting an upgrade. Father Jason Shank says the way the congregation worships will change, too.

“We’re a church creating a fresh expression of vintage Christianity,” Shank said.
The building formerly housed the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, and was a part of St. Jude’s Mission, including the Trinity Episcopal Church in New Castle and St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in Greenville. Although the church in Hermitage didn’t grow as anticipated, the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania still wanted a church in Hermitage.

However, the project doesn’t just involve fixing an old building. The congregation itself must be built up “from scratch,” Shank said.

More here-

http://www.sharonherald.com/news/local_news/new-congregation-planted-in-hermitage/article_649f0ab8-9799-11e8-b672-9f36d5699fbb.html

Diocese of Virginia bishop to retire in November

From The Episcopal Church-

Editor’s note: Diocese of Virginia Bishop Shannon S. Johnston announced Aug. 3 that he will resign his office in three months.

The announcement appears to culminate a process that began in October 2017 when he announced plans to seek a bishop suffragan after the retirement of the Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick, assistant bishop. Then on May 24, Johnston announced an end to the search, citing “serious questions raised by members of the diocesan staff having to do with the leadership and the culture among diocesan staff,” and taking “full responsibility for this situation.” Johnston also said that he had begun to look more seriously about retiring earlier than he had originally planned, having reached age 60 and with 30 years of service in the Episcopal Church.

Dear Diocesan Family,

After many months of intense prayer and reflection, and in close consultation with the presiding bishop and our Standing Committee, I am formally announcing that I have decided to resign my office and ministry as Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia effective November 3, 2018, prior to the adjournment of our annual convention. I will then serve the diocese in a consulting capacity to facilitate the transition to new leadership. I will fully retire effective July 1, 2019, having served over twelve years as a bishop in this diocese.

More here-

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/article/diocese-virginia-bishop-retire-november
 
 

Episcopal bishop retired to Abilene pens book that addresses church challenges

From Texas-

As a retired rector and bishop in the Episcopal Church, Claude Payne naturally is concerned about the decline in church attention among most mainstream denominations.

He’s not alone.

Plenty of current bishops, ministers and other church leaders are worried about the same thing. Payne offers an approach to perhaps reversing that trend with a new book, “Reclaiming Christianity,” which was released by Forward Movement during the Episcopal Church’s triennial General Convention held in Austin in July. The book went on sale to the public Wednesday and is available for $15 on amazon.com.

Payne and his wife, Barbara, both grew up in Abilene and live here in retirement. Payne was rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston before becoming bishop of Texas in 1995. He participated in the April 21 funeral of former First Lady Barbara Bush at St. Martin’s.

More here-

https://www.reporternews.com/story/life/faith/2018/08/03/episcopal-bishop-retired-abilene-pens-book-church-challenges/878536002/

 

More than 5,500 UK churches put faith in clean energy

From Business Green-

More than 5,500 churches and cathedrals across the UK have put their faith in 100 per cent renewable power, helping divert over £5m each year from fossil fuels towards green energy providers, Christian Aid revealed today.

Thanks to a raft of group buying schemes, thousands of Church of England, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Quaker, and Salvation Army places of worship now run on renewable energy, according to the charity.

The news follows the CofE's recent decision to sell its shares in fossil fuel companies which it deems are not on track to meet the aims of the Paris Agreement.

As well as small parish churches, the cohort of sites running on green power includes fifteen Anglican cathedrals such as Salisbury, Bristol, Sheffield and York Minster, which are all now on 100 per cent renewable electricity tariffs through the CofE's Parish Buying procurement group.

More here-

https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/3037019/praise-be-more-than-5-500-uk-churches-put-faith-in-clean-energy

Anglican Priest Denounced for Telling Gays the Bible Is Just 'Silly Words'

From CBN-

An Anglican priest on the Caribbean island of Barbados has been strongly condemned for giving his public support and encouragement to the LGBT community and attacking the Bible in the process.

At a gay pride parade last week, Father Clifford Hall told marchers that nothing can stop their movement, "...legions of Pharisees won't stop it... the roaring lion won't stop it. And some silly words written in a book thousands of years ago won't stop it." 

His words were met by loud applause from parade attendees. Hall also told them they were accepted into the "flock of Christ" and that God is willing to give them the Kingdom.  

He also claimed that homosexuality has "always been part of the natural order of things."

In a separate opinion piece for the Barbados Daily Nation, entitled "Time to Live free from Shame," Hall encouraged the local LGBT group to "assert yourselves unapologetically. Write your letters...hold public Christian services...don't be afraid. There are those who will support you – in the name of Jesus."

More here-

http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2018/august/anglican-priest-denounced-for-telling-gays-the-bible-is-just-silly-words

Urbana native elected dean of Buffalo Cathedral

From Southern
Ohio-

The Rev. R. Derrick Fetz, a 2000 graduate of Urbana High School, will serve as the next dean of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Buffalo, New York (www.spcbuffalo.org), beginning in September. The Vestry, the top leadership body at the local level, unanimously elected Fetz after a series of interviews with prospective candidates conducted by an interview team.

After being asked to consider the opportunity, Fetz was drawn to the position because of the Cathedral’s commitment to making a difference in the daily lives of those who call Buffalo home, including the homeless and marginalized, its implementation of a variety of worship styles, its diversity among parishioners, its success in partnering with and attracting Millennials, its focus on inclusion and social justice, and its appreciation for choral music.

The cathedral in many Episcopal dioceses is the mother church and spiritual center of the diocese, holding many worship services and other events on behalf of the diocese. As a result, a dean of a cathedral works closely with the diocese’s bishop and her/his staff to plan and implement a variety of festivities, including major holiday services, ordinations, festivals and lectures. In addition, the dean oversees the day-to-day life of the Cathedral, its staff, and its programs.

More here-

https://www.urbanacitizen.com/news/64033/urbana-native-elected-dean-of-buffalo-cathedral

Kavanaugh thinks prayer in government is OK, and here's why

From Dallas-

When Barack Obama was elected, he invited two private ministers, the Revs. Rick Warren and Joseph Lowery, to lead prayers at the inaugural ceremony. He also asked Chief Justice John Roberts to add the phrase "so help me God" to the presidential oath of office.

This prompted a lawsuit from a group of atheists, who complained the prayers and oath violated the clause in the First Amendment that bars government from establishing a religion. The case ended up in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 2010, before Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

The court affirmed dismissal of the case, saying the plaintiffs lacked standing. Judge Kavanaugh agreed with the decision, but not for lack of standing. Instead, he concluded that such religious references in government traditions do not violate the First Amendment. Below is an excerpt of his concurring opinion.

More here-

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2018/08/03/kavanaugh-thinks-prayer-in-government-is-ok-and-heres-why

Bishop Curry Not Faithful

From The Bahamas-

Bishop Michael Curry is an engaging communicator. This is evident from his Royal Wedding sermon and, more recently, his sermon at Christ Church Cathedral on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE). But more important than being engaging, a preacher of God’s word must be faithful to God’s word. Sadly, by this more important measurement, Bishop Curry falls far short.

Although Bishop Curry preached from two very different texts (1 John 4:7-8 for the Royal Wedding and 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 for the UBE service), on both occasions he preached the same message: Love is the way. And without any distinction, Bishop Curry called everyone to live out the love expressed in 1 John 4:7-8 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, which is an impossibility; because only those who have been born of God can love that way. Let me explain.

The personal pronouns “we” and “us” are frequently used in the New Testament letters. And the mistake many people make in reading the New Testament letters is this: They take the pronouns “we” and “us” and apply them universally to the whole world. But in 1 John 4:7-8 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, “we” and “us” refer exclusively to those who belong to Christ — those who have been born again. And not everyone belongs to Christ because not everyone has been born again. 

More here-

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2018/aug/01/bishop-curry-not-faithful/

An Open Letter To The Episcopalians’ General Convention Hatefest

From The Jewish Press-

Just in case no one bothered, dear members of The Episcopal Church, we’re reaching out to thank you for giving us the resolve to go on. You see, the most potent weapon against the Jewish State is not a Hamas suicide belt or an Iranian missile. With the help of G-d and Israel’s army, we can deal with those. What really does the most harm is a hug – and you folks just gave us the antidote.

Beleaguered Jews are suckers for love. Lob missiles into our kindergartens, and we’ll fight back. But send some signal that you “might be ready” to live alongside us, and we melt. On the road to Oz, we bought into the Oslo Accords, and really wanted to believe that somehow the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza would help bring peace. In the end, both were catastrophic.

To your credit, your Church removed any veneer of objectivity or fairness from your General Convention, and zeroed right in on those pesky Zionists. We watched as you introduced a dozen resolutions hostile to the Jewish state, prompting one bishop to ask why Episcopalians were intent on “piling on” to Israel. We heard allegations that Israel incarcerates children for 10-20 years simply for throwing stones; that Israel suppresses peaceful protests in Gaza with lethal weapons.

More here-

http://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/opinions/an-open-letter-to-the-episcopalians-general-convention-hatefest/2018/08/01/

Could the Trump Compromise Cause Evangelicals to Follow the Path of the Mainline?

From The National Review-

I’ve long thought that one of the most important stories of modern times is the precipitous decline of so-called mainline Protestant denominations. It wasn’t long ago that mainline denominations such as the Episcopal Church and Presbyterian Church (USA) were titans in the American religious landscape. Now, many of them are declining so fast that they’re in danger of disappearing entirely. Books and essays have been written analyzing the decline, and the point of this post isn’t to rehash every explanation. However, central to the analysis is that fact that each of these churches compromised on core tenets of biblical Christianity. In fundamental ways, they secularized. They responded to social pressure by conforming to (mainly) secular progressive moral norms. They merged with the ambient culture to the extent that the distinct meaning and purpose of the church was lost.

The loss of the mainline and the corresponding rise of the Evangelical church has changed American culture and transformed American politics. And each step of the way, Evangelicals looked at their brothers and sisters across the theological aisle and told them that church is purposeless when it merges with NPR.

More here-

 https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/evangelical-trump-compromise-mainline-decline/

Community watch volunteers offer 'peace of mind' to Ellicott City shop owners

From Maryland-


On Wednesday in the late afternoon, Kim Pelech was in the middle of her 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. shift for the community watch group. Pelech is volunteering every day for the rest of the week.

“There’s great spirit of everyone around here helping,” Pelech said.

Pelech said the business owners and contractors. “use us as a resource. They like having someone else around.”

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, which has served as a hub for the community during both floods, is assisting with the effort.

The Rev. Anjel Scarborough, who has been priest-in-charge since November 2017, said that the efforts of the community watch group is to “give those folks on Main Street a little extra peace of mind as Main Street reopened.”

More here-

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/ph-ho-cf-neighborhood-watch-0731-story.html

E. Mark Stevenson named canon to the presiding bishop for ministry within the Episcopal Church

From ENS-

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has appointed the Rev. E. Mark Stevenson as canon to the presiding bishop for ministry within the Episcopal Church, a member of the presiding bishop’s staff.

In this role, Stevenson will support the ministry of the presiding bishop among Episcopalians as a pastoral assistant and strategic and theological advisor. Responsibilities include serving as liaison and representative to bishops within the church and overseeing preparations for meetings of the House of Bishops. Additionally, he will provide support for bishops and Episcopal dioceses in carrying out their ministry and mission as well as preparation for visitations by the presiding bishop. Stevenson will also work closely and collaboratively with the executive officer of the General Convention, the president of the House of Deputies, and the other canons and chief officers on the presiding bishop’s staff, in addition to directing the work of the Formation, Youth, and Young Adult Ministries and Transition Ministries departments.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2018/08/01/e-mark-stevenson-named-canon-to-the-presiding-bishop-for-ministry-within-the-episcopal-church/

 

What the early church thought about God’s gender

From The Conversation-

The Episcopal Church has decided to revise its 1979 prayer book, so that God is no longer referred to by masculine pronouns. 

The prayer book, first published in 1549 and now in its fourth edition, is the symbol of unity for the Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion is the third largest Christian communion founded in 1867. While there is no clear timeline for the changes, religious leaders at the denomination’s recent triennial conference in Austin have agreed to a demand to replace the masculine terms for God such as “He” and “King” and “Father.”

Indeed, early Christian writings and texts, all refer to God in feminine terms.

As a scholar of Christian origins and gender theory, I’ve studied the early references to God.
In Genesis, for example, women and men are created in the “Imago Dei,” image of God, which suggests that God transcends socially constructed notions of gender. Furthermore, Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible written in the seventh century B.C., states that God gave birth to Israel.

In the oracles of the eighth century prophet Isaiah, God is described as a woman in labor and a mother comforting her children.

More here-

https://theconversation.com/what-the-early-church-thought-about-gods-gender-100077

Hill Riddle, 19-year rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans, dies at 82

From Louisiana-

The Rev. Hill Riddle, an avuncular Virginian who preached a pragmatic message of Christian love and community over 19 years of nurturing social justice at New Orleans' Trinity Episcopal Church, died Sunday (July 29) at his home. He was 82.

Rev. Riddle retired as Trinity's rector in 2003 after doubling the size of its Lower Garden District physical property, which includes a church and an elementary school, and fostering dialogue and understanding across socioeconomic differences. With a mostly white, well-to-do, old-line New Orleans congregation worshiping three blocks up Jackson Avenue from the St. Thomas public housing development, Riddle's church ran summer camps for poor, black children, taught parishioners to recognize racism in themselves and society and established medical missions to Nicaragua and Honduras.

All the while, Trinity thrived with education ministries, a rich and storied music series, the Trinity Counseling and Training Center, conventional worship services and what for the Episcopal Church at the time were unconventional spiritual offerings such as Taize services and a labyrinth. With some 3,000 members it was the largest Episcopal church in Louisiana and one of the 25 largest in the United States.

More here-

https://www.nola.com/religion/index.ssf/2018/07/hill_riddle_19-year_rector_of.html

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry resting after surgery

From The Episcopal Church-

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is resting comfortably following surgery on Tuesday, July 31.  According to the presiding bishop’s family and his medical team, the surgery went well, as had been expected. Bishop Curry is resting, and a full recovery continues to be anticipated.

On July 25 Curry shared news that he had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and would be having surgery to remove the prostate gland.

Curry and his family are touched by the outpouring of prayers and well wishes. In their thankfulness, they ask for privacy during his recovery.

Further information will continue to be released by the presiding bishop’s office, as needed.

More here-

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/article/presiding-bishop-michael-curry-resting-after-surgery