Prof Mbiti, the Anglican cleric who dared to promote African religions

From Kenya-

“Mbiti” (hyena) is probably the first word that I learnt in Kiikamba. This was back in the late 1960s, long before I had a home in Ukambani. My interest in “Mbiti” was that it was the name of one of my most admired teachers and senior colleagues when I joined Makerere as a graduate student and tutorial fellow. This was the Reverend Canon Dr John S. Mbiti of the then-Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies.

CREATIVITY AND ACTIVISM

He was later internationally known as Prof John Samuel Mbiti, former Director of the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches in Regis-Bossey, who passed away in Geneva, Switzerland, at the beginning of this week. At Makerere, where he lectured for some 10 years, Mbiti was one of the small group of young academics, including David Rubadiri, Joseph Ouma Muga, Pio Zirimu, and Ali Mazrui, up to whom we wide-eyed aspiring “scholars” looked as mentors and role models.

More here-

https://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/weekend/Prof-Mbiti--Anglican-cleric-who--promoted-African-religions/1220-5307918-w5fy38z/

One man, two churches: John Henry Newman’s legacy lives on for both Catholics and Anglicans

From American Magazine-

The Rev. Dr. Will Adam is the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Ecumenical Adviser and Director of Unity, Faith and Order for the Anglican Communion. Dr. Adam was ordained in 1994 and served in several parishes, most recently in London, before joining the senior staff at Lambeth Palace in early 2017. A graduate of the Bossey Ecumenical Institute, he oversees the Anglican Communion’s relations with the Catholic Church and other Christian communions.

In preparation for Pope Francis’ Oct. 13 canonization of Blessed John Henry Newman in Rome, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has announced sending a delegation to represent the Church of England, Newman’s former faith community. On Oct. 9, I interviewed Dr. Adam, a member of the delegation, by email about Newman’s legacy in the Anglican tradition and for ecumenical relations.

What is the significance of the Anglican Communion including John Henry Newman on its liturgical calendar?

More here-

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/10/11/one-man-two-churches-john-henry-newmans-legacy-lives-both-catholics-and-anglicans

and here-

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2019-10/biography-cardinal-john-henry-newman-anglican-catholic.html

and here-

https://religionnews.com/2019/10/11/newman-poised-to-be-saint-of-friendship-in-todays-polarized-church/

Utah’s Episcopalian bishop announces his retirement

From Utah-

The Right Rev. Scott B. Hayashi, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, announced this week that he will be retiring. 

In a letter posted on the Episcopal Diocese of Utah’s Facebook page, Bishop Hayashi, who was consecrated as the 11th bishop of Utah in November 2010, said his calling “has been and continues to be a blessing and joy that I never expected to have in my life.” 

The letter also noted the date of the election for a new bishop has not been firmly set, but will be held in the spring of 2021.

“I pledge to you that I will be diligent in my responsibilities of being your bishop until the ordination of the new bishop of our diocese,” the letter reads.

According to the diocese’s website, Bishop Hayashi, who graduated from Harvard Divinity School, was ordained a priest in 1984 and served as a parish priest Washington, Utah and California. In 2005, he became the canon to the Ordinary — or bishop’s office in the Diocese of Chicago.

More here-

https://www.deseret.com/2019/10/11/20910312/utahs-episcopalian-bishop-announces-his-retirement

Vt. Episcopal Bishop Shannon MacVean-Brown On Inclusivity, Community And 'Creation Care'

From Vermont-

Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown is the first black woman to lead the Vermont Episcopal Church, and just one of three black women to hold the title of bishop in New England. MacVean-Brown says that experiencing this "otherness" can be uncomfortable, but it's also what informs her ministry. 

Listen to Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown speak with Morning Edition host Mitch Wertlieb above.

Church work called to MacVean-Brown from the beginning. She grew up in a religious household, though she said her parents also allowed her plenty of freedom to explore. 

“Even at one point I thought I wanted to be Buddhist,” she said.”But I just kept having conversations with Jesus, and that doesn’t quite work.”

More here-

https://www.vpr.org/post/vt-episcopal-bishop-shannon-macvean-brown-inclusivity-community-and-creation-care#stream/0

St. George's school: Episcopal priest apologizes for racial comments in guest speech

From Memphis-

An Episcopal priest recently gave a speech at St. George's Independent School in Collierville in which he mentioned his past fears of African Americans. His approach struck some in the audience as racist, and the school held a second assembly the same day to apologize to students.

The priest, Rev. Thomas Momberg, has apologized, too.

A student newspaper at St. George's, The Lodge, said Momberg described a 1966 incident in which he felt fearful of three young black men and locked his car door.

The student publication wrote that Momberg seemed to be trying to make a bigger point about fear and racism, but didn't communicate the message clearly, and his delivery left some students feeling confused and hurt.

Head of school Ross Peters wrote an email to parents later that day, Sept. 17.

More here-

https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2019/10/10/racial-issues-st-georges-school-speaker-reverend-thomas-momberg-apologizes-after-comments/2379883001/

Pittsburgh institute expects rise in Newman interest, visits after sainthood

From Pittsburgh-

The Catholic Church’s newest saint may soon be attracting people to Pittsburgh.

Cardinal John Henry Newman, an Anglican churchman who converted to Catholicism in 1845, will be canonized in Rome on Sunday.

Among those attending the canonization Mass will be Ryan Marr, director of the Oakland-based National Institute for Newman Studies, and institute co-founders the Rev. Drew Morgan and Catharine Ryan.

Founded in 2002, NINS is now the largest curator of digital archives for Newman and the foremost center for Newman studies and research in North America. In August, the institute launched the NINS Digital Collections, an interactive, online platform that is home to more than 250,000 Newman archives. Marr said interest in Newman is booming and is likely to bring Newman-related tourism to Pittsburgh.

More here-

https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-institute-expects-rise-in-newman-interest-visits-after-sainthood/

Channel Islands to move Church of England diocese

From The BBC-

The Church of England in the Channel Islands is set to become part of the Diocese of Salisbury.

The islands' 500-year-old relationship with the Winchester diocese was changed in 2014 due to safeguarding concerns.

It followed a dispute between the then Dean of Jersey and the Right Reverend Tim Dakin, the Bishop of Winchester.

Winchester retained oversight and legal responsibility for administrative affairs with the Canterbury diocese taking over other areas.

A report into the relationship between the Channel Islands and the wider church has made seven recommendations, including updating laws about female bishops and safeguarding and appointing local lawyers to supply independent legal advice.

More here-

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-jersey-49905996

In Rememberance of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Beckwith

From Springfield-

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Beckwith died on Friday, October 4, 2019 at the age of 80.

As the third longest serving Bishop of the Diocese, he shepherded our communities through challenges both large and small. He believed in the value of full-time resident priests, and initiated The Springfield School of Ministry to address the rural and small town needs within the diocese. Bishop Beckwith emphasized faithful corporate worship and sought to maintain connection to the larger church. On the ecumenical level, this included nurturing an ecumenical connection with the ELCA.

Born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1939, he attended Hillsdale College where he received a BA in 1961, having majored in Philosophy and Religion. Bishop Beckwith attended seminary at University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, earning his Master of Divinity in 1964. He also earned a Master of Sacred Theology from Nashotah House in 1974. In addition, he held several honorary degrees including a Doctor of Theology from Hillsdale College and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Nashotah House.

More here-

https://www.episcopalspringfield.org/in-rememberance-of-the-rt-rev-dr-peter-beckwith/?fbclid=IwAR12bQBr2f2i-AKl_QctY7cco6cZZMTc8p3lei11MTXqy09HldKuGaaqous

Three Decades Ago, America Lost Its Religion. Why?

From Atlantic-

The idea of American exceptionalism has become so dubious that much of its modern usage is merely sarcastic. But when it comes to religion, Americans really are exceptional. No rich country prays nearly as much as the U.S, and no country that prays as much as the U.S. is nearly as rich.

America’s unique synthesis of wealth and worship has puzzled international observers and foiled their grandest theories of a global secular takeover. In the late 19th century, an array of celebrity philosophers—the likes of Friedrich Nietzsche, Karl Marx, and Sigmund Freud—proclaimed the death of God, and predicted that atheism would follow scientific discovery and modernity in the West, sure as smoke follows fire.

Stubbornly pious Americans threw a wrench in the secularization thesis. Deep into the 20th century, more than nine in 10 Americans said they believed in God and belonged to an organized religion, with the great majority of them calling themselves Christian. That number held steady—through the sexual-revolution ’60s, through the rootless and anxious ’70s, and through the “greed is good” ’80s.

More here-

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/09/atheism-fastest-growing-religion-us/598843/?fbclid=IwAR2u7SAiQzB0saLVQ7hueM-ot7wBpERWOB-Auerfae7F8GN23Z0mCrjb5Z8

Cardinal John Henry Newman might well be the patron saint of ecumenism

From Ireland-

Theologian, scholar, educationalist, poet, novelist, convert, cardinal and blessed are some of the outstanding titles of John Henry Newman we can celebrate on the occasion of his canonisation in Rome next Sunday (October 13th).

Yet, 174 years after he converted from Anglicanism to Catholicism, it is his conversion that we remember as the great watershed moment of his life.

Newman, the convert, created a huge stir at the time as did those of his contemporaries who became Catholics in the Oxford Movement. There is no doubt but that the church then, and oftentimes since, saw Newman’s conversion as a boost to Catholicism that evoked a measure of triumphalism in the church.

But there should be no hint of triumphalism in his being declared a saint by the church. It is not the final “one in the eye” for Anglicanism that shows Newman’s conversion as the natural high point of his life. On the contrary, I see him as a saint of Christian traditions Catholic and Anglican.

More here-

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/cardinal-john-henry-newman-might-well-be-the-patron-saint-of-ecumenism-1.4042906

The only Anglican priest in Iraq comes to Guildford

From England-

Faez Jirjees, Vicar of St George's in Baghdad, visited Guildford on his first trip to the UK for seven years to speak about the plight of Christians in Iraq and his work bringing peace to the country.

Rev Faez Jirjees is, by any measure, a brave man.

As the vicar of St George's, Baghdad, he is Iraq's only Anglican priest and a member of a dwindling Christian minority that faces discrimination, persecution and violence.

"Any speech that I give that they didn't like, that could turn to violence or threats," he told SurreyLive on a recent visit to Guildford , his first trip to the UK in seven years, where he is spreading the word about the plight of Iraqi Christians and the need for secular government if there is to be peace in the country after 16 years of war. 

"They" turns out to be a wide array of groups who might take exception to a Christian priest calling for a secular state in Iraq.

More here-

https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/only-anglican-priest-iraq-comes-17020033

Archbishop Gregory to get the trappings of his new office on Thursday

From Jamaica-

Bishops from the eight Dioceses in the Province of the West Indies will be concelebrants at a historic recognition service for The Most Reverend Howard Gregory, Archbishop of the West Indies, on Thursday, at the Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega, Spanish Town, starting at 3:30 pm. 
 
Also scheduled to attend will be three Bishops of the Episcopal Church in the United States.

Highlight of the service will be the passing of the Primatial Cross by retired Archbishop, The Most Reverend, Dr John Holder, to Archbishop Gregory, signifying his authority as leader and guide of the Province.

This will be preceded by the reading of the Deed of Recognition which ratifies Bishop Gregory's election and appointment to the office of Archbishop of the West Indies, Primate and Metropolitan.

More here-

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/archbishop-gregory-to-get-the-trappings-of-his-new-office-on-thursday_176583?profile=1373

Religious freedom laws panned by all sides

From Australia-

The Morrison government's proposed religious freedom laws have managed to please few, with religious groups and human rights organisations alike calling for changes.

 

While religious figures say the laws don't go far enough, secular groups say they override the rights of other marginalised parts of society.

 

Submissions on the draft religious freedom bills closed last Wednesday, but the sheer volume received means the Attorney General's Department is yet to publish them.

 

The government hopes to get the legislation to a parliamentary vote by the end of the year.

But with a final form of legislation yet to be settled, only four sitting weeks remaining, and the expectation of Senate committee scrutiny, that looks unlikely.

 

The Catholic and Anglican churches hold similar concerns about the bill, including that its protections don't extend across the full gamut of religious organisations.

 

More here-

 

https://www.9news.com.au/national/religious-freedom-laws-panned-by-all-sides/fac836bf-2b3f-4835-bc9b-0afac4e8fe51

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/