Home World South American Church leaders call for 'zero deforestation' following Amazon fires

From Christian Today-

Anglican bishops from across South America have united in a call to governments around the world to implement zero deforestation policies following the devastating fires that have raged in the Amazon. 

In a joint statement, the bishops said that the fires reflected "human pride and disobedience against God's command to be stewards of His creation". 

They want to see governments implement laws and programmes aimed at protecting and restoring the Amazon rainforest as they warned of destruction to biodiversity and homes.

They said that delaying such action could see an increase in natural disasters.

"We believe that without genuine repentance on the part of all of us, we will continue to pay a huge price with greater disasters than those we have recently seen in our countries," they said. 

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/south-american-church-leaders-call-for-zero-deforestation-following-amazon-fires/133365.htm

Long road to priesthood for family man

From Canada-

When newly ordained Fr. Robert Assaly refers to seeking help from “Mother,” the term is just as likely to refer to his wife Nancy as it is to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
 

With his family of six children, it’s a natural fatherly thing for the first married Catholic priest in the Montreal archdiocese to say. Such was the case last week during an interview when one of his sons popped into the study in the rectory at St. Thomas More Church in suburban Verdun to ask a question.

“Mum will have it,” Assaly assured the young man.

It was a small, lived moment that illustrated the enormous difference between him and his brother priests. Its daily ordinariness showed the truly unusual character of Assaly: how usual he makes the unusual in his life. 

The evidence? His marital status is but one dimension of that. His ordination on Sept. 20 at age 59 came after 10 years of discernment. That discernment came after 35 years as an Anglican priest, during which he married and began his family with Nancy. It doesn’t end there. The Anglican priesthood beckoned when he was in his mid-20s and an avowedly atheist millionaire stockbroker.

More here-

https://www.catholicregister.org/features/call-to-service/item/30389-long-road-to-priesthood-for-family-man

Breakaway diocese in South Carolina loses legal battle to keep its name

From The Church Times-

A DIOCESE in South Carolina which broke away from the Episcopal Church in the United States after years of disagreements over issues including the ordination of openly gay clerics has lost a drawn-out legal battle to keep its name.

The breakaway diocese was known as the Diocese of South Carolina. It left the Episcopal Church in 2012 (News, 23 November 2012). The parties have since been entangled in a dispute over the right of the congregations of the breakaway diocese to retain their identity and property, including 29 parish churches valued at $500 million (News, 15 June 2018).

On 21 September, however, a district court in Charleston ruled in favour of the Episcopal Church and its diocese — the Episcopal Church in South Carolina — in a trademark case that compelled the breakaway diocese to change its name. The Judge, Richard M. Gergel, issued an injunction which prevented the breakaway diocese and its parishes from using the original seal and names of the diocese. These are: “Diocese of South Carolina”, “The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina”, and “The Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of South Carolina”.

More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2019/4-october/news/world/breakaway-diocese-in-south-carolina-loses-legal-battle-to-keep-its-name

‘Royal Preacher’ coming to Upper Peninsula

From Northern Michigan-

The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, in partnership with the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will welcome the Most Reverend Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop Primate of The Episcopal Church, to the Upper Peninsula on Sunday, Oct.13.

Beginning at 5 p.m. in the ballrooms of the Northern Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University, Curry will lead “Revival – The Way of Love UP North.”
 
Curry is known for his dynamic preaching and his love and enthusiasm for “The Jesus Movement,” which he describes as “following Jesus and growing a loving, liberating, life-giving relationship with God, with each other, and with creation.”
 
In addition, Bishop Curry made headlines in the spring of 2018 when he preached at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle. 

The event is family-friendly and open to everyone — Christians and seekers alike. It will feature charismatic preaching, offerings from local artists and musicians, personal testimony and storytelling, invitation to social action and intentional outreach with people who aren’t already engaged in a faith community.

More here-

https://www.dailypress.net/life/features/2019/10/royal-preacher-coming-to-upper-peninsula/

The Trump Administration and Refugees

From South Carolina-

The Episcopal Church condemns the administration’s decision to reduce the number of refugees and further dismantle the refugee resettlement program. We also strongly condemn the decision to allow states and localities to reject refugees. The historic average for annual refugee admissions has been 95,000. The FY2020 determination of 18,000 refugees is the lowest in the forty year history of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to welcome the stranger and respect the dignity of every human being. Those fleeing persecution have a particular claim on our attention and concern as they seek a life of dignity and peace in the face of oppression.

“This decision will substantially hamper the vital work of Episcopal Migration Ministries to show the love of Christ to some of the most vulnerable people in the world” said The Rev. Dr. C.K. Robertson, canon to the presiding bishop for ministry beyond The Episcopal Church. “There are millions of displaced persons around the world. The United States has a solemn obligation to do its part to aid this problem by showing generosity to refugees. Security and compassion are not mutually exclusive.”

More here-

http://www.edgefieldadvertiser.com/2019/10/the-trump-administration-and-refugees/

Single, not married, is the new church norm

From Australia-

Does the church have any idea how to treat single people?

Eternity’s With All Due Respect podcast recently welcomed Dani Treweek into the recording studio to help answer this loaded question. Since completing a theological degree and spending ten years in parish ministry, Dani has thrown herself into extensive research about singleness and the church. She is currently undertaking a PhD, as well as a Fellowship at Anglican Deaconess Ministries in Sydney, with the aim of developing a theological and pastoral ethic of singleness. 

She will continue this work in 2020 as Researcher and Writer in Residence at Moore Theological College’s Centre for Christian Living.

Hosts of With All Due Respect, Megan Powell du Toit and Michael Jensen, fired some informed questions at Dani.

More here-

https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/single-not-married-is-new-church-norm/

Speaker to explore intersection of religion, climate change

From Western Massachusetts-

The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas believes religion and climate change are not mutually exclusive subjects, but rather that individuals can prepare themselves spiritually to combat climate change in their own lives.

This belief will be the topic of Bullitt-Jonas’ free talk titled “Earth Care, Soul Care: Reflections from the Front Lines,” Thursday at the First Congregational Church in Ashfield. The event, which starts at 7 p.m., will be preceded by a 6 p.m. potluck.

“I’m deeply concerned about the climate crisis,” Bullitt-Jonas said, adding that “I really feel that at this point, we need a power greater than ourselves” to guide our relationships with the Earth.
Her concern about the planet led her to a unique role. In 2013, she became the minister for creation care for the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. That role turned into an ecumenical one — she is also the minister of care for the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ.

More here-

https://www.recorder.com/When-the-Spirit-Fights-for-the-Earth-local-talk-on-religion-s-role-to-combat-climate-change-28999998

Worship to continue after piece of ceiling falls at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Stapleton

From Staten Island-

A large piece of ceiling fell at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Stapleton on Tuesday afternoon in a crash that could have been fatal had someone been sitting in the pews, the church vicar told the Advance.

The Rev. Frederick Schraplau said he’s grateful that nobody was sitting on the pews, which are now badly damaged, when the 1-inch-deep and approximately 10-by-10-foot piece of concrete fell from the ceiling on Tuesday sometime in the late afternoon.

“It could have killed somebody,” he said.

More here-

https://www.silive.com/news/2019/10/worship-to-continue-after-piece-of-ceiling-falls-at-st-pauls-episcopal-church-in-stapleton.html

Diocese of Oklahoma names three nominees for bishop

From ENS-

The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma is excited to announce the nominees for the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Oklahoma. Following a yearlong search and discernment process, the Search Committee announces that the nominees are the Rev. Scott Gunn, the Rev. Greg Methvin and the Rev. Poulson C. Reed.

Gunn is currently the executive director of Forward Movement, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Methvin is currently the rector of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Frisco, Texas. And the Reed is currently the rector of All Saint’s Episcopal Church and Day School in Phoenix, Arizona.

The candidates will participate in “walkabouts” from Dec 6-8 to engage with diocesan clergy and community members.  The election will take place on Dec. 14 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City, and the bishop consecration will follow on April 18.

The Rt. Rev. Edward J. Konieczny, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, announced in November his intention to retire on January 1, 2021. Konieczny was elected and consecrated as the fifth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma in 2007, and at the time of his retirement will be in his 15th year as bishop.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/10/02/diocese-of-oklahoma-names-three-nominees-for-bishop/

Archbishops' movement inspiring Christians worldwide to pray for friends and family

From Christian Today-

An ecumenical movement launched by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York has inspired a fresh wave of prayer among Christians for their loved ones.

In the four years since it was launched, Thy Kingdom Come has seen huge growth, with Christians in 172 countries now taking part. 

This year reached new milestones with endorsements for the first time from Pope Francis and the Queen. 

Earlier this year, thousands of Christians filled Trafalgar Square for a major prayer event in the heart of London on Pentecost Sunday that was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and joined by worship artist Matt Redman. 

There were also contributions from all five presidents of Churches Together in England, as well as the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, and the Methodist Church's Rev Trey Hall.

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/archbishops-movement-inspiring-christians-worldwide-to-pray-for-friends-and-family/133328.htm

Religious discrimination bill so flawed it cannot be supported, Anglicans say

From The Guardian-

The flaws in the Coalition’s religious discrimination bill are “so serious” it cannot be supported in its current form, the Sydney Anglican diocese has warned.

Bishop Michael Stead has warned the bill would force Anglican youth camps to host Satanist masses at its campsites and has the “perverse effect” of encouraging companies such as Qantas to threaten to withdraw sponsorship to justify restrictions on religious speech in cases like Rugby Australia’s sacking of Israel Folau.

In a separate submission, the Freedom for Faith group has claimed the bill fails a commitment by the prime minister, Scott Morrison, “that the law would not take faith groups backwards in terms of protection of religious freedom”.

More here-

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/01/religious-discrimination-bill-so-flawed-it-cannot-be-supported-anglicans-say 

and here-

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/major-problems-with-draft-religious-discrimination-bill-says-anglican-church/news-story/7185821043fed70deb07e1608a46b341

Pittsburgh Synagogue Gets Help From Neighboring Church, 1 Year After Deadly Shooting

From NPR-

Nearly a year after a man opened fire in Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue, members of the congregation are holding their High Holy Days celebration at an Episcopal church that welcomed them in.

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: 

The Jewish High Holidays are here, and we're going to look now at how the synagogue that suffered the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history is marking them. That attack, of course, was in Pittsburgh nearly a year ago. As Bill O'Driscoll of member station WESA reports, the congregation is getting support from Christian neighbors.

BILL O'DRISCOLL, BYLINE: As soon as regular Sunday services ended yesterday, Calvary Episcopal Church volunteers began preparing the 113-year-old sanctuary for a second service. That evening, hundreds of members of Tree of Life, or L’Simcha Synagogue, arrived to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

WILLIAM STEVENS: These will be covered for the next two weeks.

More here-

https://www.npr.org/2019/09/30/765834514/pittsburgh-synagogue-gets-help-from-neighboring-church-1-year-after-deadly-shoot 

also here-

https://www.wesa.fm/post/gesture-hospitality-tree-life-marks-high-holidays-calvary-episcopal#stream/0

Pondering how to address the reverend clergy

From Baltimore-

Despite commendable efforts at housecleaning in recent years,* the Associated Press Stylebook retains some regrettable relics. For today’s homily, we’ll have a look at Rev.

The stylebook entry states what has long been considered orthodox practice: “When this description is used before an individual’s name, precede it with the word the because, unlike Mr. or Mrs., the abbreviation Rev. does not stand for a noun.”

That is, the word reverend and its abbreviation are adjectives.

There are some problems with this supposed rule, which H.L. Mencken in The American Language traces to nineteenth-century diktats by Richard Grant White (who delighted in inventing rules of grammar and usage) and William Cullen Bryant (who delighted in prohibitions).

More here-

https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/columnists/mcintyre/bs-ed-mcintyre-20190929-cm763jmgezbppeffuqaqau45fm-story.html

'Long past time,' Anglican priest says of permission to perform same-sex marriage

From Canada-


Some Anglican churches within the diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador have been given the green light to perform same-sex marriages.

The decision comes after the Anglican Church of Canada voted against equal marriage at its General Synod in Vancouver, and opted instead to allow each diocese to make its own independent decision.
Eight local parishes made requests to Bishop Geoffrey Peddle, and late last week he sanctioned the requests and immediately authorized those parishes to perform same-sex marriages.

The Rev. Jonathan Rowe of St. Michael and All Angels Church in St. John's says it's likely that there will soon be even more local churches within the diocese offering equal marriage.

More here-

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/anglican-church-eastern-newfoundland-authorize-equal-marriage-1.5302006

Calvary Episcopal Church Opens Doors For Tree Of Life Congregation

From Pittsburgh-

The Jewish New Year has begun and with it comes a time of reflection, forgiveness, and new beginnings. 

It comes nearly one year after the mass shootings that took place at the Tree of Life.
The Calvary Episcopal Chruch in Shadyside has opened its doors to the Tree of Life congregation as a place of worship. 

This week, after the final prayers and goodbyes were said, the church covered their crosses, removed the hymnals, and a transformation began to making the church a welcoming home for the Jewish community. 

“Anyway that they would feel comfortable and know this could be their building, they could use it,” said William Stevens, Director of the Calvary Episcopal Church Altar Guild. 

After the tragedy last year, the church offered their space for worship, meetings, and offices. The Tree of Life took them up on the proposal and after several meetings decided to have their High Holiday of Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur at the church. 

More here-

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/09/30/shadyside-church-open-for-tree-of-life/

Anglican bishops: Hostility in Brexit debate ‘not worthy of our country’

From England-

The bishops of the Church of England have issued a call for respect on all sides amid growing acrimony over the debate on Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.

A joint statement issued on behalf of the Church of England’s College of Bishops has called for a new tone of listening and respect in debates and describes the use of language in some cases as “unacceptable”.

It urged for the 2016 referendum to be honoured and for the rule of law and impartiality of the courts to be upheld.

 “We should speak to others with respect. And we should also listen. We should do this especially with the poor, with the marginalised, and with those whose voices are often not heard in our national conversation,” it reads.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Anglican-bishops-Hostility-in-Brexit-debate-not-worthy-of-our-country

Former Youngstown church, ‘heart’ of north side neighborhood torn down

From Ohio (with video)-

The heart of a once-thriving North Side neighborhood in Youngstown was demolished Thursday.
 
The former Saint Augustine Episcopal Church on Parmalee Avenue was built in 1921, but the congregation got its start years before — in 1907. 

The building was labeled a historical site in 2008 by the Ohio Historical Society because it was the oldest African American congregation still in its original building in Youngstown. 

The nearly century-old building was a staple on Youngstown’s North Side.

Church members watched it fall Thursday afternoon while they shared their memories.
“Life moves on, yeah. So I guess we gotta move with it,” said member Donna Wynn. 

Wynn and Mary Ruth Hallacre stood as the former Saint Augustine Episcopal Church came down in a pile of rubble. The two best friends called it the end of an era. 

More here-

https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/former-youngstown-church-heart-of-north-side-neighborhood-torn-down/

Rev. Ohmer, Rector of F.C. Episcopal Since 2012, Announces He’s Leaving

From Virginia-

The Rev. John Ohmer, who has served as the rector of the historic Falls Church Episcopal Church since 2012, issued a letter to his congregation today saying he will be leaving his post for a new assignment in Asheville, North Carolina, in November. Ohmer has overseen a considerable revival of the church following a contentious seven-year struggle to regain control of the church property from a group of defectors in the church who refused to relinquish it following their vote to defect in 2005.     

By 2012 the Diocese of Virginia had secured the site following a number of court rulings, including a final refusal of the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal by the defectors, who had identified themselves as an arm of the Nigerian Anglican church. They defected on grounds of their opposition to the U.S. Episcopal Church’s election of an openly-gay bishop in 2003.  

More here-

https://fcnp.com/2019/09/26/rev-ohmer-rector-of-f-c-episcopal-since-2012-announces-hes-leaving/

Controversy in Cornwall town as vicar starts new church accused of extremism and homophobia

From England-

There are concerns in a Cornish town that a new church, which meets for the first time next week, is “extremist” and “homophobic”.

The Vicar of Fowey has resigned in order to start a new Anglican church in the town, under the auspices of an organisation which has been dubbed right wing.

The Rev Philip de Grey-Warter has resigned as Vicar of Fowey and Priest-in-Charge of Golant after 17 years to “plant” a new church community, Anchor, under the auspices of GAFCON, a controversial global movement of conservative Anglican clergy.

Mr de Grey-Warter decided to leave the Church of England when the House of Bishops allowed the baptism liturgy to be used for those who are transitioning gender.

More here-

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/controversy-cornwall-town-vicar-starts-3360310

Ndukuba named new primate of Anglican Church, successor to Archbishop Okoh

From Nigeria-

The Church of Nigeria’s House of Bishops meeting at St Peter’s Cathedral in Asaba has elected the Most Rev Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, the Bishop of Gombe and Archbishop of Jos as the next of Archbishop and Primate of All-Nigeria.

He will become the 5th head of the Anglican Church when he succeeds Okoh next year.

Details of the election have not yet been made public, but the Anglican Cable Network Nigeria has released this biography of the new archbishop.

The Most Revd Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, hails from Ogberuru in Orlu (Imo State). He was, however, born in Anambra state in September, 1959.

He was ordained into the Holy Orders in September, 1989 and rose though its rank.

He was elected Pioneer Bishop of the Diocese of Gombe and consecrated on the 21st September, 1999. 

More here-

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/09/25/ndukuba-named-new-primate-of-anglican-church-successor-to-archbishop-okoh/

Episcopal Church holds 'Bob Dylan Mass' in tribute to famed folk singer

From Christian Post-

A Louisiana-based congregation of The Episcopal Church will hold a “Bob Dylan Mass” as a tribute to the famous folk singer and to focus on the messages of his music on Sunday.

Christ Episcopal Church of Covington, whose membership is around 1,200, will hold a “tribute mass” at the 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. services, with musical preludes starting 15 minutes before each service.

The tribute mass will include meditations on three of his songs offered by clergy as well as performances of selections from Dylan’s music, including “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” “The Times They Are a-Changin,'” “Forever Young,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” and a gospel song Dylan wrote titled “Pressing On.

More here-

https://www.christianpost.com/news/episcopal-church-holds-bob-dylan-mass-tribute-famed-folk-singer.html

Renowned Chelsea church makes history by naming its first female, Asian-American pastor

From NYC-

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Chelsea has announced a new priest-in-charge, who will break barriers as its first ever female pastor and its first Asian American priest.

Rev. Christine Lee will be formally commissioned at St. Peter’s Chelsea, which is at 346 W. 20 St. between Eighth and Ninth Aves., during a service set for this January.

This isn’t Reverend Lee’s first time making history. In 2012, she became the first Korean-American woman ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church.

Lee was recently vicar at All Angels Church on the Upper West Side. She is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at California’s Fuller Theological Seminary, where she focuses on leading organizational and congregational change.

She will bring that focus on change to St. Peter’s Chelsea, starting a new church vitalization program that includes a Sunday School for kids, leadership training and other congregational development programs.

More here-

https://www.thevillager.com/2019/09/renowned-chelsea-church-makes-history-by-naming-its-first-female-asian-american-pastor/?fbclid=IwAR1i3D2ct0ALGdWwiLfZB0zVoX9aHx6tbUHFZ3fKNpk-Gw67cqAR-GGSFRM

Archbishop-elect Kaziimba talks adversity, ministry and triumph

From Uganda-


Rt Rev Dr STEPHEN SAMUEL KAZIIMBA MUGALU is the incoming archbishop of the Church of Uganda after the House of Bishops elected him on August 28. 

Kaziimba is thoughtful and has a charismatic character. At 57 years, the theology doctor is the outgoing bishop of Mityana and will head the Anglican Church for the next eight years. He opened up to Nicholas Bamulanzeki and Dunstan Mukalazi about his tough upbringing, challenges as a priest, inspirational lessons as well as his future plans.

On the way to the residence of Dr Kaziimba, the three-kilometre stretch from Mityana town to Namukozi hill is littered with several monuments attributed to him. Our guide, a land broker in the town, assured us that Kaziimba has had a profound imprint in Mityana.

More here-

https://observer.ug/lifestyle/62071-archbishop-elect-kaziimba-talks-adversity-ministry-and-triumph 

Anglican Church in Ghana consecrates two new Bishops

 From Ghana-

The Anglican Church in Ghana has consecrated two Bishops in Kumasi to lead the Tamale and the Dunkwa-on-Offin Dioceses of the church. 

The consecrated Bishops are Venerable Canon Dennis Debukari Tong for the Tamale Diocese and Rev. Canon Paul Appiah-Sekyere for the Dunkwa-on-Offin Diocese.

The principal consecrator and celebrant was the Archbishop and Primate of West Africa, the Most Rev. Dr Jonathan Bonaparte B. Hart, with other Bishops of the Church of the Province of West Africa as co-consecrators and celebrants.

The Archbishop per the traditions of the church, demanded the mandate for the consecration of which was read out by the Registrar of the Church of the Province of West Africa, and the constituent of legal teams of the two Dioceses presented the legal instruments for the two Bishops elect.

More here-

https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2019/09/24/anglican-church-in-ghana-consecrates-two-new-bishops/

Only Anglican priest in Iraq says a secular government would improve life for Christians

From Premier-

Iraq's first ordained Anglican vicar tells Premier he never doubts that God is good because evil is done "through what our hands do".

There are nearly 20,000 ordained ministers in the Church of England; in Iraq there is just one.
That one Anglican vicar is Rev Faez Jirjees, who, aged 53, is the parish priest at St George's Church in Baghdad where Canon Andrew White used to work.

Christians make up about one per cent of the population in Iraq but many of them fled when Islamic State (IS) were at their most brutal.

Despite being bombed several times, St George's Church in the capital has, for a long time, bucked the trend by being a hub for interfaith relations, providing healthcare to Christians, as well as Shia and Sunni Muslims through its clinic, dentist's, pharmacy and laboratories.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/World/Only-Anglican-priest-in-Iraq-says-a-secular-government-would-improve-life-for-Christians

Judge finds breakaway diocese infringed Episcopal TMs

From South Carolina-

A US judge has ordered a former South Carolina diocese of the Episcopal Church to change its name, after concluding the breakaway group was infringing the Episcopal Church’s trademark-protected diocesan shield.

On Thursday, September 19, District Judge Richard Gergel issued an injunction against the breakaway diocese, ordering the group not to use nine trademarks associated with the Episcopal Church and its The Episcopal Church in South Carolina, an affiliate of the national church.

The lawsuit, which was filed in March 2013, arose out of a schism in 2012, when then-bishop Mark Lawrence departed from the national church.

More here-

https://www.worldipreview.com/news/judge-finds-breakaway-diocese-infringed-episcopal-tms-18674

Abu Dhabi's churches and Hindu temple receive official legal status

From UAE-

Senior Anglicans in the UAE on Sunday said they welcomed “a new beginning” for the Christian community in the country after more than a dozen non-Muslim places of worship received official legal status.

Abu Dhabi’s oldest church, together with the UAE’s first Hindu temple, were among 18 places of worship registered by authorities for the first time.

Many of the churches have existed in the Emirates for decades, with some having been given the land they are built on by Sheikh Zayed, the nation’s Founding Father.

Now, however, after an award ceremony, the sites will have official legal protection under a Department of Community Development initiative.

“Today marks the coming of age between the church and the United Arab Emirates,” said Rev Canon Andrew Thompson, senior Anglican Chaplain of St Andrew’s Church – one of the churches to receive a licence.

More here-

https://www.thenational.ae/uae/heritage/abu-dhabi-s-churches-and-hindu-temple-receive-official-legal-status-1.913528

The mysteries of "God Friended Me"

From CBS-

Joe Morton was raised Catholic, but says that a lot of his TV character was based on the sermon delivered at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

"Those who do not love, do not know God. Why? For God is love! … That's what love is. Love is not selfish and self-centered. Love can be sacrificial, and in so doing, becomes redemptive."

Morton said, "So, I watched him during the wedding. And I thought: That's interesting, because he comes across as a Baptist as opposed to Episcopal. And I like that a lot."
Violett Beane plays Cara Bloom, a journalist who joins Miles in his attempts to mend troubled souls. "She's definitely more of a believer than I am personally," said Beane, who was raised a Quaker. "It's a really interesting religion; it's very open. And I think that trickles down to me as an actor being open and responsive."

More here-

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-mysteries-of-god-friended-me-brandon-micheal-hall/

Young Life Voted Off Campus at Duke

From Christianity Today-

Duke University’s student government has denied the Christian organization Young Life official status as a student group on campus, citing its policy on sexuality.

The decision by the Duke Student Government Senate on Wednesday comes amid ongoing clashes nationwide between religious student groups and colleges and universities that have added more robust nondiscrimination policies.

Young Life, like many evangelical groups, regards same-sex relations as sinful. Its policy forbids non-celibate LGBTQ staff and volunteers from holding positions in the organization.

More here-

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/september/duke-university-young-life-voted-off-campus.html

Anglican congregants exchange blows in service

From Zimbabwe-

An ugly fist fight broke out during service inside St Agnes Anglican Church in Mutare on Sunday, pitting Masvingo Provincial Development Co-ordinator Mr Fungai  Mbetsa, on one side and Mr Tinotenda Magada on the other.

St Agnes Anglican Church for a while has been a hotbed of factional fights and on Sunday a normal praise and worship session came to a halt as members from feuding factions clashed.

Video scenes typical of a nightclub brawl have since gone viral on social media depicting chaos that rocked the church service on Sunday with members insulting, pushing and shoving each other.

Mr Mbetsa concurred that the church session did not come to a logical conclusion because of "political issues in the Anglican church".

More here-

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-171020.html