The Most Reverend Michael Wright

His postings included the British Army of the Rhine, Nato at Shape, near Mons, and Hong Kong. When in Aden he was regularly flown by helicopter to take Communion services in the Radfan region of Yemen, using ammunition boxes for an altar.

He was serving in Cyprus when the 1974 coup occurred. Returning to his rectory there, he found a convoy of cars, bringing some 1,000 refugees from Nicosia and Famagusta.

For almost a fortnight Wright and his wife slept in their sitting room while feeding the guests allotted to them on unchanging "compo" rations and explaining the gravity of the situation to exasperated, bikini-clad tourists. Afterwards he and his wife were bemused to find that a large sports field nearby had been used as a car park and was now left with one vehicle – a Rolls-Royce.

After returning home to Woolwich, he was woken from his bed to attend the victims of the bombing of the King's Arms there in 1974. But the posting also gave him time to paint a large picture of the barracks and church in acrylic. It was greatly admired when exhibited – one general judged it a mixture of LS Lowry and Canaletto – but Wright refused to sell, though some miniature copies were made. His other works included a large picture, Christ in Glory, at a church in Mönchengladbach, western Germany, which he painted on his study floor over several months before it was mounted on a wooden frame and placed over a window to give the impression of stained glass. Another commission, produced in fibreglass for the new garrison church at Bovington, Dorset, was a sculpture with golden-coloured angels holding the shields of different regiments. This was placed in the sanctuary.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/religion-obituaries/5195761/The-Most-Reverend-Michael-Wright.html

Facing $1M Deficit, Michigan Sets Funding Priorities

An estimated 300 clergy and lay delegates from the Diocese of Michigan met April 18 for a six-hour special convention to address an anticipated $1 million diocesan deficit.

Meeting at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit, delegates ranked funding priorities from among 17 categories and reviewed long-term strategy options for use by diocesan council as it seeks to reconcile income and expenses.

Ministry with youth and young adults was ranked as the top priority, with congregational vitality a close second and discernment and training for ministry finishing third. Evangelism and total ministry, or ministry of all the baptized, tied for last.

The special convention was scheduled during the annual convention last October when delegates approved a $2.9 million budget for 2009 which included the use of principle from the Extended Ministries Fund to cover an expected $985,835 shortfall in income.

In several letters to the diocese prior to the special convention, the Rt. Rev. Wendell Gibbs, Bishop of Michigan, announced that five diocesan staff positions would either be eliminated or left vacant. He also postponed the launch of the first phase of a diocesan-wide survey that was to have cost more than $300,000. Bishop Gibbs also noted that the estimated $2 million in income, primarily from contributions made by diocesan congregations, may have been overly optimistic. Other cuts are expected when council meets again on May 9.

Left unresolved by the convention was an ongoing theological debate within the diocese over the use of the $7.1 million Extended Ministries Fund. Some diocesan leaders advocate leaving the principle untouched and using only a portion of dividends to provide a modest but predictable revenue stream. Others believe that the principle of the fund should be tapped in order to support new or imperiled ministries, particularly during times of economic distress.

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/4/21/facing-1m-deficit-michigan-sets-funding-priorities

Man stabbed at East Cobb church

From Atlanta-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Episcopal Studies program to adhere to views of national church

Brite Divinity School's new Episcopal Studies Program will be geared toward those who are seeking ordination from the national Episcopal Church, which leans toward ordination of women and acceptance of gays, said the Rev. Fred Barber, acting director of the Episcopal Studies Program.

Barber said there was much talk about the formation of the Episcopal Studies Program and how it might be beneficial toward the church, especially since Brite already has several other denominational programs.

"We think it'll be beneficial for church and seminary by adding a group of students that will bring an Anglican Episcopalian understanding to the community," Barber said.

Barber said he hopes the program, which begins this fall, will expand and add more elements in the following years.

Stephanie Burke, a trustee at the Brite Divinity School and a member of All Saints Episcopal Church located in Fort Worth, said tension grew between the former Episcopalian Bishop of Fort Worth, Jack L. Iker, and the national Episcopal Church because of the national church's general acceptance of homosexuality and especially because of its ordainment of women.

"When he (Iker) was asked the question, 'Who would he take communion from?', he answered that if it was a gay priest, it was a valid communion but immoral," Burke said. "He told us if it was a female priest, it's completely invalid."

The Rest-

http://media.www.tcudailyskiff.com/media/storage/paper792/news/2009/04/22/News/Episcopal.Studies.Program.To.Adhere.To.Views.Of.National.Church-3720220.shtml

Executive Council considers new partnership with Liberian Episcopal Church

From Episcopal Life Online

As the Episcopal Church of Liberia tries to rebuild after years of civil war that ravaged the church and the nation, the Episcopal Church is being asked to continue aiding that work.
The Episcopal Church's Executive Council will on April 22 consider approving a new covenant partnership between the Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Church in Liberia. The Liberian diocese approved the agreement at its convention earlier this year.

The current agreement may be read here.

Founded by the U.S.-based Episcopal Church in 1836, the Episcopal Church of Liberia was a diocese in the Episcopal Church until 1980, when it became part of the Anglican Province of West Africa. As part of that change of affiliation, the Episcopal Church and the Liberia diocese signed the current covenant partnership, which pledges each entity to mutual ministry and interdependence and calls for financial subsidies for a certain amount of time.

From 1983 through 2007, the Liberian church received close to $6.6 million from the Episcopal Church.

Liberian Bishop Jonathan B.B. Hart told council on April 21 that the diocese knows the Episcopal Church has many demands on its resources. "Thanks be to God, your hearts were led our way," he said, adding that the partnership "has built a fellowship in Christ you can proudly boast of." Hart told council members that he is "a product of the institutions you have supported and sustained."

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_107006_ENG_HTM.htm

Signs, signs, everywhere signs #16

Another piece of the puzzle falls into place.

Major-Gift Initiative Could Fund Archives’ Move

The estimated $30-million cost of relocating the Archives of The Episcopal Church could be paid for by “three to four” major donors, according to the Rev. Susan McCone, director of the Mission Funding Initiative. Ms. McCone made a presentation to members of the national Executive Council, which is meeting in Portland, Maine, April 20-22.

The meeting—the last meeting for Executive Council during the 2007-2009 triennium—began with a plenary that included a presentation by the Archives Strategy Committee. The committee is seeking approval to proceed with a plan to spend $9.5 million plus closing costs to buy a vacant block in downtown Austin, Texas. The archives are currently located on the campus of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, but a variety of factors necessitate relocation, which Executive Council already has approved.

Treasurer Kurt Barnes said funding should not be a problem. He noted that gross annual income on the lot, which is currently used for parking, is $570,000. That amount “will more than cover the carrying costs of this acquisition” until enough money is raised to construct the new building, he said.

The cost of relocation could be funded as part of The Episcopal Church’s first-ever attempt to cultivate large gifts. The project has a goal of $250 million. Ms. McCone told council that the Mission Funding Initiative committee has identified 500 Episcopalians “with a verified giving capacity” of at least $1 million each. About 125 of those potential donors are capable of giving $500 million. Ms. McCone encouraged members of Executive Council to see the project through to completion.

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/4/21/major-gift-initiative-could-fund-archives-move

Guerilla worship: Christians fight back

From the Guardian in London- (the little one must be a charismatic)

An important religious event took place over Easter – in Liverpool. (I've been away on holiday, so I'm afraid my response is a bit tardy.) A group of trendy Christians called Dream, who are linked to the Church of England, created an alternative worship event in a big shopping centre. There were about fifty people spread out in the shopping centre – at the signal they took off their shoes, like Moses in the presence of God, and congregated on a bit of grass, where they said a prayer, let off a balloon, and formed the shape of a cross – some bystanders joined in. They call it "guerilla worship".

This might sound like the trivial stunt of a few oddball God-botherers to you – I beg to differ. I think it the most significant bit of Christian culture I've come across in years. It's one of the first "alternative church" initiatives that has made me feel positive about this vague movement.

"Alternative church" has been talked of for a decade or so. It mainly means little groups of young-ish Christians, almost entirely Anglicans, who want to worship more creatively, who feel that all official worship is offputting. (The leading lights tend to be liberal evangelicals, often called "post-evangelicals".) They incorporate bits of youth culture, especially the overlap between the ambient side of the 90s rave scene and new age spirituality. In other words, they favour soft trancey music and arty video shows. And they also invent new rituals, often linked to social justice and green issues. The deeply ambiguous mother of this movement was the "Anglican cult" of the mid 1990s – the Nine O'Clock Service, which put on rave-style services. Because this went wrong (the priest in charge developed cult-leader tendencies), there is a certain caution built into the alternative church movement. "Let's not get carried away", many of its leaders seem to be warning.

The rest-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/apr/20/religion-christianity

Church of Scotland magazine backs gay partnerships

A potential rift within the Church of Scotland over gay relationships emerged yesterday after the Church’s house magazine backed civil partnerships and openly gay ministers.

Accusing religious traditionalists of selectively quoting the Bible to support their attacks on homosexual relations, the editorial in Life And Work urged the Kirk to show strong leadership on an issue that has threatened to split the Church of England and could prove just as divisive in Scotland.

The article, which was written by the magazine’s editor, Muriel Armstrong, comes ahead of next month’s General Assembly in Edinburgh and has been timed to influence a key debate on whether openly homosexual ministers can be appointed to the Church.

Ms Armstrong rounds on the “selective literalists” who use parts of the Bible to bolster their own views but ignore other parts that undermine them. She says that these commentators “presumably no longer accept biblical teaching on sexual matters such as polygamy and sex with slaves” but are happy to quote Leviticus 18:22 on homosexuality: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”

More here-

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6136167.ece

Sri Lanka: Speaking out for peace

Our partners in Sri Lanka have offered to step in as negotiators between fighting forces in an attempt to avert an escalating humanitarian tragedy in the north east of the country

Tens of thousands of people are believed to be trapped in the so-called "safe zone", surrounded by intense fighting and are being bombed and shelled every day.

The health of the people is also a concern with very little food and water available. The majority are suffering severe trauma and psychological problems from the constant danger and upheaval.

Most people are spending all day and night in home-made bunkers to escape the shelling. Heavy rains have added to their misery and dire living conditions.

Church leaders, including Catholic and Anglican Bishops, said: "As religious leaders, we are willing to attempt to facilitate, by ourselves or in association with others, a temporary cessation of fighting for the sole humanitarian purpose of ensuring the safe evacuation of the civilians."

So far their offer has not been taken up by either the Tamil Tigers or the government.

More here-

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/OYAH-7RAPSQ?OpenDocument

Vatican denies royal gift rumour

From the BBC-

The Vatican has denied Prince Charles will receive a memento of Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon (pictured) at a meeting with the Pope next week.

Pope Benedict XVI will meet the prince and his second wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, when the couple visit Italy.

It had been reported that the Pontiff would give Charles a copy of the 1530 appeal by English peers for the annulment of Henry's marriage.

But chief Vatican spokesman the Rev Federico Lombardi said this was untrue.
It will be Charles's first audience at the Vatican since his divorce from the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Current wife Camilla has also been married before.

Succession rules

Henry VIII's battles with the Vatican over his divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, ultimately led him to separate the Anglican church from Rome and create the Church of England.

The Pope refused permission for the divorce and Henry broke with Rome, passing the Act of Supremacy, which proclaimed the King the Supreme Head of the Church of England.

The rest is here-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8008677.stm

Bribe claims fly ahead of ACK poll

A report about possible bribery in the election of the next Archbishop of Kenya-

Allegations of bribery, lobbying by some candidates and attempts by politicians to influence voting have emerged ahead of elections set for Friday to decide the next leader of the Anglican Church of Kenya.

One of the contestants, Taita bishop Samson Mwaluda, claimed a rival candidate was dishing out money.

“If I do not get favours from God, money cannot influence anything. My greatest weapon are prayers. I have heard money is already exchanging hands but I will not do that because I know I have what it takes to lead the church,” he said in an interview with the Daily Nation at the Coast over the weekend.

He said he depends on God’s miracle to ascend to the top.

The cleric said those who do not have a calling from God are bound to bribe their way to the position.

The 150-member electoral college, the body that will elect the new leader, will gather at the All Saints’ Cathedral in Nairobi on Friday to elect the new head in a secret ballot election.

Others in the running are Maseno West bishop Joseph Otieno Wasonga, Kitale bishop Stephen Kewasis and Bungoma bishop Eliud Wabukala.

Also raising allegations that money had begun changing hands ahead of the poll was another bishop from Western Province not in the race who sought anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter.

“There are claims that some people want to influence the outcome of the elections with money. I want to, however, state that this would be unfortunate as we want only God’s intervention,” he said.

Speaking to the Nation in Nairobi yesterday, the church’s equivalent of a secretary-general, bishop Lawrence Dena, said no direct campaigns were allowed and Friday’s election was considered a mere formality as the “head has already been identified by God”.

The rest is here-

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/562338/-/u4aycb/-/

Church should not be silent — Makgoba

From South Africa-

It was the responsibility of the church to speak on all matters affecting “the people of God” and it would not be silent about politics as some believed it should be, Anglican Archbishop for southern Africa Thabo Makgoba said yesterday.

The outspoken cleric has in the past condemned the disintegration of Zimbabwe into a police state, the HIV/AIDS denialism of the government under former president Thabo Mbeki, xenophobic violence and the secrecy surrounding the arms deal.

Yesterday in a speech at the Cape Town Press Club, Makgoba said politicians who advocated the separation of religion from politics were wrong and had forgotten the important role faith-based communities had played in the struggle against apartheid. The dichotomy between religious and political matters was false and superficial.

Makgoba said it was inevitable that the church was involved in politics as a “critical friend” of the constitution, supporting the government when it delivered on its provisions and criticising it when it failed to do so. “The primary task of the church is to promote a constitutional democracy,” he said.

Makgoba added his voice to the litany of concern over the comments made by president-in-waiting Jacob Zuma about the overriding status of Constitutional Court judges. “Judges are human but so are politicians and this is why all are subject to checks and balances,” Makgoba said.

More here-

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A984783

Pennsylvania files lawsuit against Forward in Faith parish

The Diocese of Pennsylvania has filed suit against the flagship parish of the Forward in Faith movement in the US, the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rosemont, seeking control of the property.

Last month’s pleading, filed on behalf of the diocesan standing committee, asked a suburban Philadelphia court to eject the Rt Rev David Moyer and his congregation from the property, arguing the parish’s secession from the diocese violates canon law which requires parish property to be “held or used for the work of the Episcopal Church.”

The battle between Rosemont’s rector and the Bishop of Pennsylvania, Charles Bennison, began in 2002, when Bishop Bennison deposed Fr Moyer for “abandoning the communion” of the Episcopal Church for contumacy.

Fr Moyer filed suit against Bishop Bennison in a civil court for damages, and in a legal first persuaded the court that the bishop’s actions were so egregious that a civil review was needed. A jury in October 2008 found that Bishop Bennison’s actions did not merit redress. In an unrelated legal proceeding, however, a church court deposed Bishop Bennison for conspiracy to cover up child abuse. His case is presently under appeal.

After he was deposed, Fr Moyer was received by the Traditional Anglican Communion, a continuing church group, and is now a bishop within that church. Following the conclusion of the litigation last year between Bishop Bennison and Bishop Moyer the standing committee in Pennsylvania started legal proceedings to gain control of Rosemont.

More here-

http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=4281

Good Stuff in TEC: Massachusetts

‘Communion Camp’

A different kind of First Communion Instruction for children will take place at Grace Episcopal Church on Saturday afternoon, May 2, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Children will learn about this sacrament of the church by baking bread, making crafts, sharing stories, and playing games. The afternoon will conclude with a dinner for all the children and their families.

Children who attend the afternoon activities will make their first Holy Communion the next day, at a special family-friendly worship service on Sunday, May 3, at 10 a.m. To register, call Grace Episcopal Church at 781-762-0959. All are welcome.

“We want children to feel the joy of being part of God’s family,” said Rev. Kate Ekrem, Grace Church’s priest, “so we show the children the meaning of sharing in Holy Communion in fun ways, and talk about how it’s like our own family meal celebrations. And we teach lessons about Jesus and his Last Supper through skits and storytelling so it’s really fun. But the part the kids always like best is getting the behind-the-scenes tour of the sacristy and altar, and getting to see all the beautiful altar things up close. Of course they also love kneading the bread dough!”
So come and learn about First Communion at Grace Church; all are welcome.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/norwood/calendar/x126903791/-Communion-Camp

You can see all of the Good Stuff posts by clicking on Good Stuff in the labels below.

Another Big Hat

I have no idea what Bono's doing with this hat !

Faith and the Zen bishop-elect (updated)

If you search the World Wide Web for the name of Father Kevin G. Thew Forrester and the word “bishop,” you will find that an ocean of digital ink has been spilled in coverage of the bishop-elect of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan. However, once again, you will find that this is apparently a “conservative” news story, with most of the “news” reports running in alternative, conservative publications and stirring up responses in advocacy media on the left.

Alas, if you look for the story in the mainstream press, you will find next to nothing. This is strange, because there are several interesting and newsworthy angles to this election in a tiny liberal diocese, which has a total membership about the size, or smaller, of a single evangelical megachurch.

The headline grabber is that Thew Forrester is both an Episcopal priest and an ordained — whatever that means — teacher of Zen Buddhism. However, it is also interesting that, when he was elected, Thew Forrester was the only nominee. In an attempt to derail the election, conservatives are asking, “Who anointed him in this manner and why?”

The bishop-elect has avoided mainstream coverage, in part, by declining interviews from publications such as the respected Anglican periodical The Living Church. The lack of info has allowed his supporters to simply say he is being attacked by people who have no interest in understand the complex nature of his approach to these faiths.

However, Frank “Bible Belt Blogger” Lockwood of The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has marched into the gap, landing an interview that may be just as hot as his famous — on the record, nicely recorded — interview with former President Carter in which he called the George W. Bush administration the “worst in history.”

More here-

http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10940

Growing churches sit down for ‘Big Lunch’

Churches are being encouraged to grow their own produce – or use local food – and break bread with their own community as part of the Eden Projects nationwide ‘Big Lunch’ this summer.

Launched this month, to give growers and organisers time to prepare for the big day on July 19, the Big Lunch aims to bring communities – both rural and urban - together to create a new sense of neighbourhood and make the most of what they have on their own doorstep.

With a Christian presence in every community the Church of England is keen to tap into the event and support community ventures or host their own.

Church members at St Mary The Boltons in Chelsea have already planted herbs and vegetables for their homegrown ‘loaves and fishes’ meal they plan to host as part of the Earls Court Festival. The Revd Ruth Lampard associate vicar of St Mary The Boltons said: “We are delighted to support ‘the simple act of community’ objective of the Big Lunch project. Through The Boltons Big Lunch we want to reach out to the local community, especially the lonely and isolated, and share good food and sunshine. We are aiming for a festival picnic atmosphere, Le déjeuner sur l'herbe.”

Dr Jill Hopkinson, the National Rural Officer for the Church of England, said this would be a chance for churches to celebrate with their communities: “The rural church has always been deeply involved in its local community and this is a great way to show it. The Big Lunch is an opportunity for rural churches of all denominations to work together to encourage gardeners, support local farmers and food producers and have fun with the whole rural community.”

http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr4309.html

Dalai Lama drapes Tutu with scarf of honour

Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has received a spiritual leadership award from Humanity's Team and a gift from the Dalai Lama at Freedom Park in Pretoria.

A representative of the Dalai Lama draped a white scarf around Tutu's shoulders.

"Leaders such as Madiba (Nelson Mandela) spent 27 years in prison and humbly reconciled with the enemy. One would expect them to be bitter," said Tutu.

"The Dalai Lama has been in exile for 50 years and one would expect that by now he should have been corroded by bitterness - and he is not."

Nobel Peace laureates Tutu and F W de Klerk pulled out of a peace conference last month after the South African government refused the Dalai Lama, a fellow laureate, a visa. The conference has been postponed indefinitely.

As Tutu walked in to Freedom Park on Saturday evening, he was greeted with an electrifying mix of African opera, pop and rock music.

Singer Joseph Clark stood beside him, while the Gaabo Motho Tenors, Yollandi Nortjie and traditional dance group Amakhono We Sintu performed on stage.

http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4943106

Cathedral plans to market its 'product' abroad

Kent’s top historic tourist traps should market themselves as exports, says a leading expert.

Chris Lowsley, an International Trade Adviser with UK Trade and Investment South East, said the centre of the Anglican world should be seen as a major force in the market for exports, along with the host of other Kent attractions.

He said: "It's not the normal way you think of exporting, but it actually makes sense.

“The South East has a wealth of famous, historical sites - Canterbury Cathedral, Hever Castle, Leeds Castle, to name but a few – and they function like small companies in that they want to attract, retain and generate income from foreign sources, yet they might not think of themselves in terms of a 'product' that they could export.

“They may struggle to target international markets and not focus on where their customers are coming from overseas."

His radical thinking has the backing from the cathedral.

Therese Hislop, head of visitor services attended a presentation Mr Lowsley gave for the tourist board Visit Kent.

She had already analysed where the cathedral's visitors were coming from, and identified that a large number were from the United States.

She said: “The tourist board organised a presentation about a market visit to the USA, and Chris was there looking to help companies that didn't have a traditional 'product' to sell.

More here-

http://www.yourcanterbury.co.uk/kent-news/Cathedral-plans-to-market-its-_product_-abroad-newsinkent23510.aspx

The Pope’s gift for Charles and Camilla — his view on divorce

From the London Times- (is that hat or a pheasant?)

It may be an unfortunate accident or a piece of mischievous theatre. Either way, the Prince of Wales will need all his regal sang-froid when he tears off the wrapping of his gift from the Pope next week.

When the Prince presents the Duchess of Cornwall to Benedict XVI as his wife for the first time, he will receive a gift that may strike an unwelcome chord: a “luxury facsimile” of the 1530 appeal by English peers to Pope Clement VII asking for the annulment of Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

It is intended as a gesture to help to heal five centuries of schism between Rome and the Church of England, of which the Prince will one day be the head. It is also a reminder of the causes of the rift and of the Vatican’s stern views on divorce.

The Prince met John Paul II at the Vatican in 1985, together with the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and represented the Queen at the funeral of the Pope four years ago. However, he has not had an audience at the Vatican since his divorce from Diana in 1996, her subsequent death and his remarriage to Camilla Parker-Bowles.

More here-

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6129130.ece

Embrace True Worship, Bishop Urges Christians

From Nigeria-

Christians have been told to embrace true and total worship of God and to repent of their sins so as to escape external damnation.

The Anglican Bishop of Enugu North Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Destiny Eze gave the advise at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary, Ngwu at a service marking the festival of songs as part of activities to mark the season of Easter.

According to the Anglican Bishop, the season of Easter does not only begin and end from the Good Friday to Easter Sunday, but that the week before Easter and the week after Easter have a lot to be learned from in the life and ministry of Christ.

He said that Christ did not immediately ascended to Heaven after his resurrection, but stayed for some time and showed himself to many for about eight days before his ascention.

The Enugu North Diocese Bishop also pointed out that the message of Easter hinges on three component of the Christian faith, which are the knowledge of God, power of resurrection of Christ and the fellowship of his suffering.

http://www.thetidenews.com/article.aspx?qrDate=04/20/2009&qrTitle=Embrace%20True%20Worship,%20Bishop%20Urges%20Christians&qrColumn=NEWS

Good Stuff In TEC: Iowa

Here's parish that's growing. "If you build it they will come"

Church breaks ground for new projects

meet the needs of different styles of worship at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Iowa City, work will soon begin on a variety projects, including expansion.

"This old historic church needs to accommodate all of them," the Rev. Mel Schlachter said.

Following the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service, church members went outside to watch as the first shovels of dirt were overturned to kick off the projects.

This will be the second round of construction and changes at 320 E. College St. in less than 15 years as the parish continues its commitment to remain a downtown church, leaders said.

In 1995, the church added handicap accessibility and a new gathering area as well as restored original entrances and windows, architect Kevin Monson of Neumann Monson Architects said.

This year's $1.8 million project will add about 3,000 square feet of basement space under the church's worship space, add a new side entrance for the lower level, enlarge the sacristy and rebuild the organ chamber, he said.

More here-

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20090420/NEWS01/904200321/1079/news01

You can see all of the Good Stuff posts by clicking on Good Stuff in the labels below.

Good Stuff in TEC: Mississippi

Diocesan Website Aids Mississippi’s Unemployed

The Diocese of Mississippi has added a feature to its website that gives employers and Episcopalians looking for work an opportunity to connect.

The most recent statistics from the Mississippi Employment Security Commission estimate that 9.2 percent of state residents able and willing to work are unemployed.

“These difficult times we’re hearing about are a reality for many members of our church, people who are very close to us,” said the Rt. Rev. Duncan Gray III, Bishop of Mississippi. “The church has probably been a little slow to respond effectively and pastorally to those who’ve been impacted in dramatic ways.”

The Rev. Scott Lenoir, editor of The Mississippi Episcopalian, said he was inspired to act after seeing an article in the Diocese of Southern Ohio’s Interchange. The resume and employment opportunity hosting service was announced in an article in the diocesan newspaper that included interviews with the first three persons to post their resumes.

“I was thinking of doing something long before I saw the [Southern Ohio] article,” he said. “The drama, trauma, of going through [unemployment] is something I felt needed to be communicated, to put some faces behind the statistics and get some practical information to people."

After the House of Bishops issued a pastoral letter on the economy at the conclusion of their spring retreat in March, Fr. Lenoir said he spoke with Bishop Gray and the idea came into clearer focus.

“We hope the article and the webpage will provide help to people searching for jobs,” he said. “The webpage particularly may initiate some networking possibilities for people that didn't exist before.”

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/4/17/diocesan-website-aids-mississippis-unemployed

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Anglicans in quiet protest at Springer

Jerry Springer The Opera? I thought that was a redundancy.

IN THE first Christian protest against the Sydney production of Jerry Springer The Opera, a prominent Anglican lecturer has dubbed the show "a vile piece … which offends religious people".

In a post at sydneyanglicans.net, the Reverend Michael Jensen, the son of Sydney's Anglican Archbishop, Peter Jensen, attacked the production for lack of artistic merit and for blasphemous content.

The show, which opens at the Opera House tomorrow, features scenes set in hell and a black Jesus who admits he is "a little bit gay".

"Shock and offence can be cheap artistic tricks which compromise art as art," Mr Jensen wrote. "Our Lord is being terribly besmirched by this tawdry show."

Mr Jensen declined to speak to the Herald on the grounds that it would give the show extra publicity.

The opera was notorious in Britain, attracting more than 50,000 complaints when the BBC televised a performance in 2005. Protesters burnt their annual television licences and BBC executives fled their homes after the organisation Christian Voice published their private telephone numbers and addresses on the internet.

Sydney's Anglicans appear to be taking a more stealthy approach. In his post, Mr Jensen advises against public protests, instead dismissing the show as "not really that good".

More here-

http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/anglicans-in-quiet-protest-at-springer/2009/04/19/1240079536191.html

Thou shalt not copy: Playmobil unleashes legal action against toy Bible

From the "You Can't Make This Stuff Up" Department

Father Markus Bomhard, who resides in Germany, is being sued by Playmobil, the famous toymakers. Why? Because he used the toys to recreate scenes straight out of the Bible to teach little kids. Father Bomhard took photos of the scenes and created a now defunct website (probably due to the current legal action) he called PlaymoBibel (his spelling, not mine) to display the pictures and use them as teaching aids.

Playmobil is not grateful for the publicity and claims that trademark issues prevent Father Bomhard from using the name Playmobil. The Daily Telegraphs reports that Playmobil were also "horrified that the scenes could offend people of other religion.” In addition, Playmobil did not appreciate that Father Bomhard redesigned the characters with clothing to change their appearance.

Playmobil is responding by claiming that their main issue is really about the disfiguration of the characters. Father Bomhard admitted he did have to melt down some of the figures to achieve the looks he wanted. Playmobil is concerned that children will attempt to deform their figurines and get hurt in the process. Ok, valid point there. They are said to be working on a compromise with Father Bomhard to figure out a way to use the characters without disfiguring them. I assume that when some sort of peace has been reached between the priest and the toy manufacturer that his website will go live again.

I do think it's ironic, however, that Playmobil let it slip they don't want to offend other religions. If that's the case, then perhaps they should consider not selling their nativity scenes and Noah's Ark playsets.

Oh, and here is a similar website that uses Playmobil toys to teach the Bible.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1146-Seattle-Eastside-Parenting-Examiners~y2009m4d8-Playmobil-sues-German-priest-for-using-toys-to-recreate-Biblical-scenes

Church of England bishop accused of trying to set up rival church

The Very Rev Colin Slee, the liberal Dean of Southwark has publicly attacked the Bishop of Rochester, Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, and said that he was one of three bishops whose position was now "open to some debate".

The Dean's broadside, delivered in the introduction to the annual report for Southwark Cathedral, will infuriate evangelical supporters of the Bishop, 59, and further widen the gulf between the traditional and liberal wings of the church.

The report was distributed to worshippers who attended last week's Easter Sunday celebration at the Cathedral.

In the article, Mr Slee argues that the decision by the Bishop of Rochester, Lewes and Willesden to boycott last year's Lambeth Conference, a meeting of Anglican bishops from around the world which is held every ten years, raises serious questions about their future within the Communion.
He wrote: "One reason why peace broke out at the Lambeth Conference was that the Puritan fringe stayed away, they boycotted the Conference – and they included the Bishop of Rochester, Lewes and Willesden in the UK. It is my view that any bishop who engaged in the boycott has placed himself outside full communion and his status as a bishop of the Anglian Church must be open to some debate"

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5176218/Church-of-England-bishop-accused-of-trying-to-set-up-rival-church.html

Ark. bishop questions possible Episcopal bishop

A candidate to become the Episcopal Church's bishop in northern Michigan has unconventional beliefs that are causing some to question his possible appointment.

The Rev. Kevin G. Thew Forrester denies that Satan exists, doesn't believe God sent Jesus Christ to die for the world's sins and teaches that many paths lead to spiritual salvation. Thew Forrester also altered the denomination's prayer book, which include its baptismal vows and the words of the Apostles' Creed.

Now, as Thew Forrester awaits potential appointment to the Diocese of Northern Michigan, Arkansas bishop Larry Benfield says he and others hope the 51-year-old priest doesn't get the position. Benfield voted against Thew Forrester receiving the position.

Bishops and diocesan governing committees have until mid-July to cast their ballots on confirming Thew Forrester.

"The Book of Common Prayer, for us, is deeply steeped in the tradition of the church and in holy scripture," Benfield told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in a copyright story published Friday. "Changes in the prayer book are very serious matters for us in the Episcopal Church."

The rest is here-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ar-bishopsbeliefs,0,2453728.story

Ancient faith spreads word in new ways

From this morning's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. (Love the hat)

While most Americans slept, Orthodox Christians gathered outside their churches last night carrying icons and candles for a midnight procession in which they would restore light to the darkened interiors, celebrating Jesus' Resurrection from death.

Easter -- Pascha in Orthodox parlance -- is the joyous highlight of their liturgical year. But most of their neighbors are oblivious to it because different church calendars and calculations usually set Orthodox Easter at a later date than the Catholic and Protestant Easter.

Now, thanks to Internet radio, Orthodox Americans can surround themselves with music and teachings of their church 24/7 on Easter and every other day.

Ancient Faith Radio at www.ancientfaith.com and the Orthodox Christian Network at www.myocn.net bring support to isolated believers.

"In my personal opinion, it's been the hand of God working in all of this," said the Rev. Tom Soroka, pastor of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKees Rocks and a popular teacher on Ancient Faith Radio.

"It's unquestionable that it has brought a daily presence of Orthodoxy into the lives of Orthodox Christians, for whom it's often impossible to come to church every day."

Orthodoxy developed in Eastern Europe and Asia when Christianity split into Orthodoxy and Catholicism in 1054, primarily due to conflict over papal authority.

More here-

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09109/963680-96.stm

Big day in the Bronx: Indians' 14-run second inning powers 22-4 landslide over Yankees

Only the second time the Yankees have given up 22 runs at home !

Fourteen runs, 13 hits and Slam No.2 to boot. Now that's an inning.
"I don't think I've ever been part of something like that," said Ben Francisco.

Not many people have, especially if they're wearing pinstripes.

Asdrubal Cabrera hit a grand slam and drove in five runs in a 14-run second inning Saturday as the Indians scored another 20-something victory over the Yankees. This time the final score was 22-4, which isn't as bad the Tribe's 22-0 victory in the Bronx on Aug. 31, 2004 -- the worst loss in Yankee history -- but it will leave a mark.

The Yankees have won 26 World Championships to the Indians' two. They've dominated the regular-season series, with more than 1,000 victories over the Indians. The Tribe, however, has certainly had its moments.
They are the only visiting team to score 22 runs against the Yankees. They've done it twice.

More here-

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2009/04/cleveland_indians_slam_yankees.html