First ordained female deacon Phyllis Edwards dies at 92

From Episcopal Life Online-

The Rev. Phyllis Edwards, the first woman ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church, died July 7 in Forks, Washington. She was 92.

Edwards was a civil rights activist who marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and fought for the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church. She was ordained to the diaconate in 1965 by California Bishop James Pike. (General Convention didn't officially recognize women deacons until 1970.)

"That was the day when there were deacons and deaconesses, it was not like actor and actress," said the Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton, president of the Episcopal Women's Caucus and rector of the Episcopal Church of St. Paul in Chatham, New Jersey. "She became a full and equal partner in the ministry of Jesus and opened the door for other women to become full and equal partners."

"She told me one time that she wanted to be a priest since the time she was 13," said Dawn Edwards-Tibbett, Edwards's daughter, in a telephone interview, adding that Newark Bishop John S. Spong ordained Edwards to the priesthood on June 29, 1980.

A native of Chicago, Edwards earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, South Dakota, while teaching elementary school and raising four children. In 1962 she enrolled in Seabury-Western Seminary to become a deaconess. In 1964, after graduation, she was sent to work in the Mission District in San Francisco.

More here-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/81831_112767_ENG_HTM.htm

US vote ‘not a snub to Archbishop of Canterbury

From Religous Intelligence-

The US General Convention’s endorsement of gay bishops and blessings and the sharp cut in funding for the Anglican Consultative Council was not a calculated snub of the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Anglican Communion, but an honest statement of the Episcopal Church’s economic and theological realities, bishops and deputies tell Religious Intelligence.

On July 15, the Church endorsed a new three-year budget that included a one-third cut in its contribution to the ACC --- from $600,000 to $400,000 per year, while the House of Bishops gave their approval to the “local option” for same-sex blessings.

Deputy Sally Johnson of Minnesota said the votes on gay bishops and blessings were an “honest” statement of the church’s views on these questions. “It is difficult to have deep meaningful conversation” within the Anglican Communion “without honesty,” she said.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams “told us to be truthful” on July 8. “We were,” Ms Johnson said.

The votes were “not at all a walking apart” from the Communion, San Diego Bishop James Mathes said, and the budget cuts represented the “economic reality of the church.”

Oklahoma Bishop Edward Konieczny added the ACC reduction was not part of “targeted cut,” as the church’s budget had been cut “across the board.” The gay bishops and blessings votes stated “who we are as a church.” The Episcopal Church had “crossed over into a position of vulnerability” with the wider Anglican Communion, and the bishops believed that by these votes “an invitation had been extended to walk with us,” Dr Konieczny said.


More here-

http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=4762

Signs, signs everywhere signs #21

Not sure this is where I want to worship !

The Real Decline of Churches

From Belief Net-

Three news stories in recent days point to significant change in the landscape of North American religion. For decades now, the conventional wisdom about church growth has been that only conservative churches--those that take the Bible literally and embrace conservative politics--could grow. But it appears that conventional wisdom is being seriously questioned.

Take a look at these stories:

1. The Southern Baptist Convention--the largest and most conservative Protestant denomination in the USA--records a continued decline in baptisms and an increasingly aging membership. The oft-reported number of 18 million members has declined in the last decade to just over 16 million. And, according to journalist Christine Wicker (see her book, The Fall of Evangelical Nation), the internal number of active members may well be around 5 million people.

2. The Anglican Church of North America, the umbrella group for conservative Episcopalians who have left their denomination over women's ordination and full inclusion of gay and lesbian persons, has long claimed over 100,000 members. Recently, they admitted that only 69,000 persons in 650 churches in the USA and Canada have joined their association. There are 2.2 million Episcopalians in the United States and approximately 1 million in Canada. Thus, the conservative group--the one that has garnered so much media attention in recent years is a very small percentage of the entire North American Anglican membership--some 2% of the total. And with their rigid opposition to women's ordination, it is hard to imagine that this group will find much appeal with young North Americans.

3. President Jimmy Carter last week publicly explained why he renounced his life-long affiliation with the Southern Baptists in an opinion piece appearing in The Age. He denounced the Convention's leaders statement that women are inferior to men (created "second") and responsible for original sin as inherently discriminatory and that Southern Baptist views on gender were contrary to both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the teachings of Jesus.

More here-

http://blog.beliefnet.com/progressiverevival/2009/07/-three-news-stories-in.html

Former British priest John Mountford murdered amid child abuse claims

From the London Times-

A British former priest has been founded murdered in Libya after telling friends that he was being blackmailed over claims that he had sexually abused children.

John Mountford, 53, is reported to have been stabbed to death shortly after returning to Tripoli, where he was teaching English at a school for the children of foreign oil workers.

The former Anglican chaplain at The Blue Coat School in Edgbaston, Birmingham, told friends that he had been threatened by people preparing to reveal that he had been accused of abusing a boy at a leading Australian private school. They had also threatened to spread allegations that he was sexually assaulting children in Libya.

Mr Mountford’s employers reported him missing to the British Embassy in Tripoli on Thursday last week soon after he returned from visiting relatives in Britain. The Foreign Office was informed last night that his body had been found.

More here-

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6721757.ece

Accused Australian pedophile 'murdered'

From Austrailia-

ADELAIDE'S Anglican Church is trying to confirm reports a former chaplain accused of sexually abusing pupils at Saint Peters College has been murdered in Libya.

Archbishop Jeffrey Driver said reports John Mountford had been found dead in his Tripoli apartment at the weekend had not yet been confirmed.

"This has been a sad and difficult experience," Mr Driver said.

"A violent death is always a tragedy and causes shock and sadness for family and friends; I recognise that.

"But I also recognise that reports of Mr Mountford's death may stir difficult emotions for some and my thoughts and prayers are with them."

Mr Mountford was charged with sexually abusing students at the prominent boys' school, but the trial collapsed after his extradition from Thailand.

A second trial reportedly collapsed in 2007 and the charges against Mr Mountford were subsequently dropped.

Adelaide friends of Mr Mountford told the Independent Weekly the former chaplain was stabbed to death in Tripoli, where he had been living for two years, shortly after returning from London to celebrate his mother's birthday.

Mr Mountford reportedly claimed to friends that people in Tripoli, where he had established an English language school that was in no way connected to the Anglican Church, were blackmailing him and threatening to reveal his past in Adelaide.

Mr Mountford was charged with five counts of indecent assault, two of procuring the commission of an act of gross indecency and one of unlawful sexual intercourse in 2005.

The rest is here-

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25814343-401,00.html

First Lady's Office Mum on When Obamas Will Pick A Church to Attend

From CNSNews-

The White House has told CNSNews.com that First Lady Michelle Obama is in charge of handling questions from the press about whether and when the Obama family will join and attend a church in Washington. But repeated requests to her press office asking for a response to that question have gone unanswered.

Although President Obama has not had difficulty selecting a golf course on numerous Sundays since he took the oath of office (see earlier story by CNSNews.com), choosing a church has resulted in a wide range of statements on the subject, from Obama himself as well as White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Joshua DuBois, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Statements by Obama and his spokesmen on the subject date back to May 2008, when Obama officially resigned from Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago where he had been a member for 20 years. The resignation came after news reports focused on repeated controversial statements from the pastor of the church, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Back then, Obama told reporters his family would probably not join another church until after the November presidential election.

“But, you know, I'm confident that we're going to be able to find a church that we find comfortable with and that will reflect our concerns and our values,” Obama said at a May 31, 2008 press conference when he announced he was leaving the Trinity United Church of Christ.

“I'm not going to approach this as a political exercise. This is a deeply personal exercise about trying to express your faith,” Obama said at that press conference.

More here-

http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=51314

Jimmy Carter leaves Southern Baptists, backs women in ministry

From Philadelphia-

Here's an instant replay, in case you missed it: after 60 years, former President Jimmy Carter has split with the Southern Baptist Convention over its position on the role of women in the church.

"I personally feel that women should play an absolutely equal role in service of Christ in the church,” Carter told the Atlanta Constitution today.

Carter's decision came about one month after the convention voted against women serving as pastors (the convention met June 23-24). Comments began flowing today. Exact wording of the convention's decision could not be determined. The Convention website does not mention the vote. A story by Charlotte's atheism examiner , which includes a YouTube video of Carter, appeared earlier today.

Carter writes about his decision in an article entitled "Losing My Religion for Equality" on The Age.com website. He plans to continue serving as a deacon in his hometown church in Plains, Ga., and associating with Baptists who share his views.

"My faith is a source of strength and comfort to me, as religious beliefs are to hundreds of millions of people around the world. So my decision to sever my ties with the Southern Baptist Convention, after six decades, was painful and difficult. It was, however, an unavoidable decision when the convention's leaders, quoting a few carefully selected Bible verses and claiming that Eve was created second to Adam and was responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be 'subservient' to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service." Carter wrote.

More here-

http://www.examiner.com/x-10271-Charlotte-Episcopal-Examiner~y2009m7d21-Jimmy-Carter-leaves-Southern-Baptists-backs-women-in-ministry

Good Stuff in TEC: Ohio

Senior Menu

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 197 E. Center St., provides a free meal, which is open to the public at 5:15 p.m. each Tuesday.

These meals are provided by seven local churches - Emanuel Lutheran, St. Mary Catholic Church, Trinity Lutheran, Epworth United Methodist, First Presbyterian and First United Church of Christ - with all meals being served at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Nutrition sites

Nutritious meals are offered each noon Monday through Friday on weeks with no holidays to anyone older than 60 who makes a reservation a day in advance, or by 8:30 a.m. for same day service.

Reservations may be made by calling 740-375-0202 between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for meals served at Community Action Center, 1183 Bellefontaine Ave. Menus are subject to change.

Transportation is available if requested when reservations are made. All meals are served with milk, coffee, bread and unsweetened fruit. The meals are subsidized, and voluntary donations are requested.

http://www.marionstar.com/article/20090720/NEWS01/907200301

Church ponders next step on gay vows

From the Boston Globe-

Episcopal bishops in New England and Iowa, the only parts of the nation where same-sex marriage is legal, are preparing for a wave of requests to allow priests to oversee the ceremonies as the result of a decision last week by the Episcopal Church that opens the door to church weddings for gay couples.

In interviews yesterday, none of several bishops interviewed said they were immediately prepared to allow priests to officiate at same-sex weddings, which remain prohibited by the canons of the Episcopal Church.

But, citing the denomination’s decision Friday to allow bishops in states where same-sex marriage is legal to “provide generous pastoral response’’ to same-sex couples, the bishops indicated that they are looking for ways to allow priests to at least celebrate, if not perform, gay nuptials in church.

“The problem is the prayer book says that marriage must conform to the laws of the state and the canons of the church, but if we respond to the laws of the state, we are in violation of the canons of the church,’’ said Bishop Stephen T. Lane of Maine, where the situation is further complicated by a possible referendum to overturn same-sex marriage. “We’re trying to respond pastorally, but not to get so far beyond the bounds of what the church understands that our clergy are just sort of hanging out there.’’

Lane also said bishops of New England, where same-sex marriage has been approved in every state but Rhode Island, are hoping to reach a common plan, because “we don’t want people running back and forth between the New England states.’’

More here-

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/21/episcopal_bishops_ponder_next_step_on_gay_vows/

'Defense of Marriage' Concern Will Get Further Review

From The Living Church-

During the final business session of General Convention on July 17, the House of Bishops turned back Resolution C023: Same-Sex Unions—Defense of Marriage Statutes, voting to refer the resolution to a standing committee of The Episcopal Church in the final legislative act at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Rt. Rev. John B. Chane, Bishop of Washington, presented the resolution on behalf of the National and International Concerns Committee, urging concurrence with the House of Deputies in endorsing the resolution.

However, during the bishops’ private table groups, concerns were raised over the entanglement of the church in the political arena. The resolution calls upon “all Episcopalians to work against the passage of so-called ‘Defense of Marriage’ state statutes and state constitutional amendments, and, in states where such statutes or constitutional amendments already exist, to work for their repeal.”

The Bishop of Oklahoma, the Rt. Rev. Edward J. Konieczny, told the house he was concerned by the call for “all Episcopalians” to agitate for the repeal of the laws. He questioned the wisdom of having the church direct its members on such a divisive political issue.

Bishop Porter Taylor of Western North Carolina asked that the resolution be sent to a committee for review over the next triennium. No debate was held and it passed on a voice vote with minimum opposition.


The House of Deputies then received the resolution, and in the last legislative act of the convention, concurred with the bishops’ request, prompting the president of the house, Bonnie Anderson, to note this was the first convention in her memory that ended early with all outstanding legislative matters addressed.

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/7/17/defense-of-marriage-concern-will-get-further-review

Good Stuff in TEC: Alabama

From Alabama-

Local teens spend week as camp counselor

Maddie Webb didn't know what to expect when she signed up to spend a week at Sawyerville Day Camp in Hale County.

Now that she's home in Florence and reliving her experience with friends and family, she said she's ready to go back.

"The kids that we worked with are practically coming from nothing, and they come to camp to have a good time," Webb said.

"You hear all the time that people are equal and that we're all the same, but you can't really understand that until you've lived it. We come from so many different backgrounds and with so many different experiences."

Webb, along with seven other members from the youth group at Trinity Episcopal Church in Florence, spent last week as counselors at the Sawyerville Day Camp, an outreach of the Episcopal Dioceses of Alabama and Episcopal parishes in the Black Belt.

More here-

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090720/ARTICLES/907205015?Title=Local-teens-spend-week-as-camp-counselors

Sainthood granted to Buffalo native

From the Buffalo News-

Buffalo native Harriet Bedell is now a saint in the Episcopal Church.

Bedell, who was born in 1875 and grew up on Amherst Street, was recognized as a saint for her missionary work among Native Americans in Oklahoma, Alaska and the Florida Everglades.

In the Episcopalian church, sainthood is bestowed on those who exemplify what it means to be a Christian. Unlike the Catholic church, Episcopal Church USA doesn’t require the confirmation of two miracles in the saint’s name.

While virtually unknown in Buffalo—her work focused mostly out of state—she was well respected by Episcopalians and Native Americans for her ability to cross cultural lines and improve the quality of life of thousands of American Indians.

Bedell was first listed in 2006 on a trial basis on the Lesser Feasts and Fasts, a calendar of saints celebrated each year by Episcopalians. She was elevated to the calendar during the Episcopal Church’s 2009 General Convention in Anaheim, Calif., which concluded Friday.

Inclusion on the calendar is temporary for four years and becomes permanent unless objections arise during that time.

“There wasn’t any bone of contention about that at all,” said Laurie Wozniak, spokeswoman for the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York.

Bedell was nominated for the honor by the Episcopal Women’s History Project.

More here-

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/737805.html?imw=Y

Will Episcopal Church move draw in -- or drive out-- believers?

USA Today-

The Episcopal Church is opening the role of bishops to gays and lesbians -- and maybe widening the gap between the U.S. church and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

In a packed hall at their governing meeting in Anaheim Monday, the House of Bishops echoed the House of Deputies (priests and lay leaders) in a lopsided vote in favor of the move to allow "any ordained ministry" in the Church to any qualified person, according to Episcopal News Service.

(For the roll call vote, and observations of the post-vote press conference, check Episcopal Cafe for Jim Naughton's posts.)

This is expected to lift a self-imposed "restraint" on the Church confirming any more gay bishops since it accepted openly gay New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson in 2003.

Whether that "restraint" was a formal block or simply appeared like one, no other openly gay candidates have been elected since Robinson's confirmation ignited open warfare with traditionalists in the 2.1 million member denomination, the U.S. branch of the Communion.

Traditionalists had been unhappy for decades with changes in the prayer book, the acceptance of women bishops and other theological disputes. Last month, a breakaway umbrella group of Anglican traditionalists -- which will exclude women and gay bishops but allow discretion on whether women can be ordained as priests --Â started a rival national church, the Anglican Church in North America.

More here-

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/religion/post/2009/07/68494351/1

Cronkite’s Funeral Scheduled for Thursday

And that's the way it is-

Plans were set on Saturday for a private funeral for Walter Cronkite, the pioneering CBS News anchorman who died Friday.

A service for relatives and friends will be held on Thursday at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Manhattan, a CBS spokesman confirmed. The Associated Press said “the Rev. William Tully will preside over the Episcopal service at the Park Avenue church, which the Cronkites attended for many years.”

A larger memorial is expected to take place in the next few weeks at Lincoln Center.

The Associated Press reported that Mr. Cronkite would be buried in Kansas City, Mo., next to his wife, Betsy, who died in 2005.

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/cronkites-funeral-scheduled-for-thursday/

Episcopal leaders affirm new policy on same-sex blessings

From the LA Times-

On Friday, the U.S. church's top two officials sought to calm fellow Anglicans, including the communion's spiritual leader, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

In a letter to Williams, Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and the president of the church's House of Deputies, Bonnie Anderson, described the resolution on gay bishops as "more descriptive than prescriptive in nature."

They said it does not repeal the earlier ban on such ordinations, but instead reaffirms commitments made by the church's constitution and canons, which prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

More here-

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-episcopal18-2009jul18,0,2066151.story

"In adopting this resolution, it is not our desire to give offense," they wrote. "We remain keenly aware of the concerns and sensibilities of our brothers and sisters in other churches across the communion. We believe also that the honesty reflected in this resolution is essential if indeed we are to live into the deep communion that we all profess and earnestly desire."

Copies of the letter were sent to the communion's 38 other regional leaders.

During the convention, Jefferts Schori voted for the new polices on ordinations and blessings.

In an interview Friday, the Episcopal leader spoke of the need to balance the aspirations of her church with the broader goal of unity.

"Change doesn't happen overnight," she said, predicting that the church would continue to deepen its relations with the Anglican Communion, despite the conflict that erupted after the Episcopal Church's 2003 consecration of an openly gay bishop from New Hampshire. Some Anglican leaders from Africa and elsewhere have since cut ties with the U.S. church.

Jefferts Schori also said she believes that the tensions between the church and some Anglicans are less the result of theological differences than varying social norms in different regions of the world.

"I think we are learning more about each other's contexts," she said of the relationships in the communion. "We know more about what it means to be a Christian in Pakistan or North India or Kenya."

The issue of same-sex blessings took up part of the convention's final day of legislative business.

Clergy and laity in the church's House of Deputies voted 152 to 64 to approve the measure, affirming a decision made two days earlier by Episcopal bishops.

The resolution acknowledges "changing circumstances" in the United States and other countries resulting from legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships for gays and lesbians.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-episcopal18-2009jul18,0,2066151.story

Pared-Down Episcopal Church Is Looking to Grow Through ‘Inclusivity’

From the New York Times-

The Episcopal Church is betting its future on the hope that there are more young people out there like Will Hay.

Mr. Hay, 17, was one of the youngest voting delegates at the church’s 10-day triennial convention, which ended Friday. He has stuck with his church, even when the priest and most of the parishioners in his conservative San Diego parish quit the Episcopal Church two years ago in protest of its liberal moves, particularly the approval in 2003 of an openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson. Mr. Hay has helped rebuild his parish, which was left with 48 people and has since drawn nearly 100 new members.

Mr. Hay is no left-wing ideologue, and in fact fears that some of the convention’s landmark decisions last week may alienate even more conservatives. The church’s convention voted not to stand in the way if another gay bishop were elected and to allow for the blessing of same-sex couples.

But Mr. Hay was not troubled by those things. And he believes that the church can grow by emphasizing “inclusivity,” the favorite buzzword of Episcopalians.

“I’m sure we will attract people who are saying maybe we are doing it right,” Mr. Hay said as he came off the convention floor for lunch one day with his mother. “For me it seems right because I was raised in a household where we were always taught to accept everyone, regardless of creed, color, gender or sexual identity.”

Whether Episcopalians really can regenerate a church based on youth and “inclusivity” remains to be seen.

So far, they have paid a price for their actions. Four bishops, the majority of their dioceses and numerous parishes around the country jumped ship in the last few years to form a new, theologically conservative entity called the Anglican Church in North America. That group will not consecrate women, not to mention gay men and lesbians, as bishops. It has about 100,000 members, while the Episcopal Church has about two million.

More here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/us/19episcopals.html

Pa. House prayer rejected over 'Jesus'

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-

Three weeks ago, a Christian clergyman from Adams County was surprised and upset when state House officials wouldn't let him open a session with a prayer that contained what they termed an "offensive" word -- the name of Jesus.

He planned to end his prayer with "In Jesus' name, Amen." Now the Rev. Gerry Stoltzfoos of the Freedom Valley Worship Center in Gettysburg is hoping for a different result next week, when he opens a state Senate session with a prayer.

State House officials said they didn't err when they asked the pastor to alter his invocation due to a brief, quickly repealed policy of vetting prayers.

But as word about the incident spreads in and out of the Legislature, they are hearing increasing numbers of complaints, online criticism and even threats of lawsuits, which is bogging down the already complicated process of enacting an overdue state budget.

The Rev. Stoltzfoos said he didn't really want to open the House session but agreed to pray as a favor to a member of his church, state Rep. Will Tallman, D-Adams.

"I reluctantly agreed because it always seemed to me that the prayer was more for show than that they really wanted to get guidance from God," the Assembly of God pastor said last week. "But I agreed for Mr. Tallman's sake because I respect him very much."

He said House Speaker Keith McCall's office asked him "to submit my prayer in writing and to make sure it was nondenominational. I wrote it out and sent it to them. They said my prayer was rejected because it contained an offensive word. Just once, in closing, I mentioned Jesus.

"I was incredibly surprised," he said. "I thought they were kidding. I had carefully crafted the prayer not to be offensive in any way."

More here-

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09200/984917-454.stm

Dissenting Bishops Issue 'Anaheim Statement'

From the Living Church-

Twenty-nine bishops have endorsed affirming their desire to remain part of the Anglican Communion and Episcopal Church while being faithful to the calls for restraint made by the wider church.

Styled as the "Anaheim Statement," the letter of dissent to the actions of the 76th General Convention pledged the bishops’ fealty to the requests made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the 2008 Lambeth Conference, the primates' meetings and ACC-14 to observe a moratoria on same-gender blessings, cross-border interventions and the ordination of gay and lesbian people to the episcopate.

In the hours after its release, the statement drew support from 23 diocesan bishops, four suffragan and assistant bishops, and two retired bishops and included bishops who voted on both sides of D025 and C056 -- resolutions that rescinded the ban on two of the three Windsor Report moratoria.

Rising to speak on a point of personal privilege during the House of Bishops afternoon session July 16, the Rt. Rev. Gary W. Lillibridge of West Texas read a statement prepared by an ad hoc committee of concerned bishops.

“At this convention,” Bishop Lillibridge said, the house had “heard repeated calls for honesty and clarity” on The Episcopal Church’s stance on the contested issues surrounding sexual ethics. The attempts to “modify wording which would have been preferable to the minority in the vote were respectfully heard and discussed, but in the end most of these amendments were found unacceptable to the majority in the House.”

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/7/17/dissenting-bishops-issue-anaheim-statement

Continuing dioceses: The church is alive and well

From Episcopal Life Online-

Bishops and deputies from what are known collectively as the four continuing dioceses of the Episcopal Church -- individually the dioceses of Fort Worth (Texas), Pittsburgh, Quincy (Illinois) and San Joaquin (California) -- have had a chance to settle into General Convention and focus on the work at hand: committee assignments, legislative sessions, amendments, votes, elections, worship and fellowship.
As the close of General Convention nears, attendees who have remained loyal to the Episcopal Church after leaders of their dioceses departed over theological differences shared their experiences and what they hoped to bring back to their dioceses and parishes.

Across the board, each person interviewed reported a warm welcome from bishops, deputies and visitors. Others often have sought out members of these dioceses to talk about the work they are doing and sometimes simply to ask how things are.

"Many deputies have come by our table to extend a personal welcome and express their support," said Deputy Jan Dunlap (San Joaquin). "Identifying my diocese as San Joaquin is usually met with a big smile and 'glad you're here.'"

Compared to past conventions, this one is not only welcoming but also "less contentious," said Stephen Stagnitta, Pittsburgh alternate lay deputy. "The people I run into are happy to see us here. I had the opportunity to work on the Evangelism legislative committee here and was well-received. The reception is like you would have hoped."

The most recent diocese to experience a split was Quincy. For Deputy Tobyn Miracle, General Convention has been a catharsis of sorts. She described the conflict as a heavy weight that is physically and emotionally exhausting.

More here-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/79901_112639_ENG_HTM.htm

Episcopal Bishops Give Ground on Gay Marriage

From the New York Times-

The bishops of the Episcopal Church agreed Wednesday to a compromise measure that stops short of developing an official rite for same-sex unions, but gives latitude to bishops who wish to go ahead and bless such unions, particularly in states that have legalized such marriages.

Over two days of debate, some bishops said they felt compelled to act because of their pastoral responsibility to gay couples who were increasingly coming forward to ask the church to bless their unions. Many also said they saw it as a simple matter of granting equal rights to gay men and lesbians.

The measure was written to defer to bishops who oppose adopting a liturgy for same-sex blessings and to those who say their constituents are not ready for such a step. But it opens the door to doing so in the future, saying they will “collect and develop theological and liturgical resources” for same-sex blessings, and report to the next convention three years from now, which could then design an official rite.

Even with the nuance, the vote was a momentous step for a church that has been mired in intrafactional warfare over homosexuality for more than a decade. Advocates for gay rights in the church celebrated it as a victory, noting that the vote count was a resounding 104 in favor and 30 opposed, with 2 abstentions.

More here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/us/16episcopal.html

Episcopalian gay bishops decision confounds activists

From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette-

Strong differences have emerged over how to interpret a resolution of the Episcopal Church General Convention regarding partnered gay people being bishops.

Some activists on both sides of the gay ordination issue consider it a repeal of a 2006 moratorium on the consecration of partnered gay bishops, while key leaders of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh say it merely describes the fact that the Episcopal Church already has openly gay priests and one partnered gay bishop.

The moratorium "is still there. We did not repeal it," said Bishop Robert Johnson, assisting bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, which has been rebuilding since October, when the original diocese split after voting to secede from the Episcopal Church.

"I don't see that there would be any threat to the moratorium unless we get presented with another partnered lesbian or gay bishop. That would be the test. But [this resolution] was a clarification, reminding us of where we are in the Episcopal Church. That is the way the bishops saw it," he said.

The General Convention, which governs the 2.1 million-member Episcopal Church, declared Tuesday that gay and lesbian people in lifelong committed relationships "may be called to any ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church." It continued: "... Christians of good conscience disagree about these matters."

More here-

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09197/984238-455.stm

Reflections from Anaheim from Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s deputies to the Episcopal Church’s 78th General Convention are sending back reports from Anaheim, CA.

They are posted below as they are received, with the most recent at the top.

Photos of the activities are available in a constantly updated photo gallery:

http://www.episcopalpgh.org/gc09_gallery/

More here-

http://www.episcopalpgh.org/reports-from-anaheim/

Episcopal Church Moves to End Ban on Gay Bishops

From the New York Times

The bishops of the Episcopal Church voted at the church’s convention on Monday to open “any ordained ministry” to gay men and lesbians, a move that could effectively undermine a moratorium on ordaining gay bishops that the church passed at its last convention three years ago.

The resolution passed on Monday was written in a way that would allow dioceses to consider gay candidates to the episcopacy, but does not mandate that all dioceses do so.

A similar measure was passed on Sunday by the church’s other legislative body, the House of Deputies, which is made up of laypeople and clergy. On Tuesday, the bishops’ version will probably go back to the House of Deputies for reconsideration.

The resolution, if approved, would probably add to the strife in the Anglican Communion, the world’s third largest family of Christian churches, of which the Episcopal Church is the American branch.

The battle over homosexuality in the Episcopal Church has been watched closely by other mainline Protestant churches that are also divided internally on the issue. Many are looking to the Episcopal Church as a bellwether that could foretell whether their denominations can survive the storm over homosexuality intact.

Conservative provinces in the Anglican Communion, especially some in Africa, have broken off their ties with the Episcopal Church in recent years after the church consecrated Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the communion, who was elected in the diocese of New Hampshire six years ago.

More here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/us/15episcopal.html

B033-related legislation to move to House of Deputies

From Episcopal News Service-

An amended version of Resolution D025, concerning Episcopal elections and the Anglican Communion, is expected to move to the House of Deputies despite a July 11 split committee vote, possibly as early as Monday.

D025 is among more than a dozen B033-related resolutions submitted for consideration during the 76th General Convention July 8-17 in Anaheim. The World Mission Legislative Committee (WMC) received 13 resolutions; a WMC subgroup designed to work on framing a resolution to offer for a convention vote, elected to amend D025 from among the 13 "as a template" from which to address B033, according to the Rev. Ian T. Douglas, a committee member designated to speak with media representatives.

B033, adopted by General Convention 2006, was widely regarded as a moratorium on consecrating gay bishops.

It called on standing committees and bishops with jurisdiction "to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on the communion," which was assumed to pertain mainly to homosexual priests living opening in committed relationships.

B033 resolutions were assigned to the WMC because Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and President of the House of Deputies Bonnie Anderson thought a key question to be considered was "how do your decision in this church affect our sisters and brothers in Christ in the Anglican Communion" which falls under world mission, Douglas said.

Following a public hearing and several late-evening and early-morning sessions, a WMC subgroup offered an amended version July 11 for committee review and approval. After cordial discussion and revision, "perfecting the resolution and passed it handily" the vote split between the two houses -- with deputies voting 24-2 for approval and bishops rejecting it 3-2 -- appeared to come as a surprise.

More here-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/79901_112398_ENG_HTM.htm

Archbishop of Canterbury in bid to prevent church split over homosexuality

From the London Telegraph-

Dr Rowan Williams flew to America last week ahead of moves by church leaders in the US to introduce rites for same-sex unions and to promote more gay bishops.

Conservatives in the Church of England are threatening to divide worldwide Anglicanism if the liberal Americans force through radical reforms at a crucial meeting in California this week.

Dozens of members of the General Synod have backed a motion that calls on the Church to recognise a breakaway movement in the US opposed to the pro-gay agenda.

The Rt Rev Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham, said that the Church of England was considering recognising the new group, in a move could provoke fury among liberal clergy in this country.
Leading clergy met in London last week to launch the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans of UK and Ireland to campaign against active homosexuality in the Church.

The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, the Bishop of Rochester, is among the group's leaders who said that liberal moves have brought "heartache" and "real problems".

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5805097/Archbishop-of-Canterbury-in-bid-to-prevent-church-split-over-homosexuality.html

Episcopal commission to probe bishop

From Religious Intelligence-

An Episcopal Standards Commission has been convened to investigate complaints of misconduct lodged by the clergy of the Diocese of Ballarat against their Bishop, Michael Hough.

On July 2, Michael Shand QC, chancellor of the Dioceses of Ballarat and Melbourne told the Ballarat synod that 13 priests, along with a number of lay leaders and retired clergy had requested an investigation of the bishop by Episcopal Standards Commission.

The rural Australian diocese northwest of Melbourne is one of Australia’s smallest, with 22 congregations and 2,000 active members.

Under Australian canon law details of the complaint are not to be disclosed while the investigation is underway. Last year the parties signed a confidentiality agreement before entering into mediation talks on Dec 2-3 in Melbourne. The talks proved unsuccessful, Mr Shand later told the diocesan council, as did the private ministrations of the Primate of Australia, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall of Brisbane.

However, members of the diocese last year told Religious Intelligence the disputes centred round the bishop’s “prickly” management style and his pastoral skills, and were unrelated to the wider disputes over doctrine and discipline within the Anglican Communion.

The Special Tribunal Canon passed at the 2007 General Synod enumerates crimes for which a bishop may be investigated. Breaches of faith, ritual or ceremony, drunkenness, failure to honour lawful debts, unchastity, violation of the constitution, canons and ordinances of the Anglican Church of Australia and violation of a bishop’s consecrations vows are grounds for review.

More here-

http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=4727

Pittsburgh's Episcopal bishop collects on sports wagers

From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-

Pittsburgh sports and religion intersected yesterday at the Episcopal Church's General Convention in Anaheim, Calif., when Bishop Robert Johnson of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh collected on friendly Super Bowl and Stanley Cup wagers.

Bishop Kirk Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona donned Steelers gear and Bishop Wendell Gibbs of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan put on Penguins attire, fulfilling a wager made with Bishop Johnson earlier this year. The two bishops also received team towels, either a Steelers "Terrible Towel" marking the team's sixth Super Bowl win, or the white rally towel waved by Penguins fans during their run to a third Stanley Cup championship.

The original Super Bowl bet called for Bishop Smith, win or lose, to donate $100 to a cause of Bishop Johnson's choosing in Pittsburgh. However at today's presentation, Bishop Johnson turned that check, along with a matching amount, over to Bishop Gibbs of Michigan.

"Because the people of Detroit are suffering far worse in this economy, we thought that would be a much better use of Bishop Smith's money, and we're happy to help as well," said Bishop Johnson. The gift to the Bishop of Michigan was unexpected, since there was no financial wager in the Stanley Cup bet.

Many Pittsburghers have been praising Bishop Johnson for his winning ways within the diocese--and with local sports teams--since he assumed his post in January.

"It hasn't been lost on us that since he joined us, the Steelers won the Super Bowl and the Penguins won the Stanley Cup," the Rev. Dr. James Simons, president of the diocesan standing committee, remarked during a panel marking the opening of the General Convention.

Rev. Simons, an avid baseball fan, continued, "If he could only do something for the Pirates."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09192/983365-100.stm

Steal a pile of money, win a trip to jail? Maybe

From Virginia-

Money in and of itself isn't a bad thing.

Money — despite the old saw — is not the root of all evil.

Check your Scripture and you'll find that the root of all evil is the love of money.

Find yourself within easy reach of blank checks to somebody else's bank account and you never know if respect might slide into affection, could fall into infatuation, and before you know it topple madly into felony embezzlement.

Two local organizations recently learned this the hard way — Christ Episcopal Church in Smithfield and the Hampton- Newport News Community Services Board.

Both have a mission to help vulnerable populations. The poor, the needy, the infirm. Individuals and families with intellectual and developmental difficulties and/or substance abuse problems.

Both were ripped off by their own employees.

Both employees were sentenced recently.

Now one is in sitting behind bars for the next five years or so, while the other is at home with her loved ones.

Church secretary Debra Lee Epps, 51, copped a plea to multiple charges involving a pilfered $300,000.

Her original sentence was 50 years, but all but four years and eight months were suspended.

More here

http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_tamara_0710jul10,0,4602398.column

'Holy Women, Holy Men' is approved by liturgy and music committee

From Episcopal Life Online-

English composer Henry Purcell and Frances Perkins, first female U.S. Cabinet member, are among some new 100 names included in Holy Women, Holy Men, a revision of Lesser Feasts and Fasts that is on its way for consideration by the House of Bishops.
The Prayer Book, Liturgy and Music committees July 8 recommended adoption of additions to the church calendar and accompanying prayers and Scripture readings for trial use during the next triennium.

The committees also separately recommended, and the bishops later approved, permanently adding Harriet Bedell, James Theodore Holly, Oscar Romero and the Martyrs of El Salvador, Tikhon, Vida Dutton Scudder and Frances Joseph Gaudet following their approval for trial use at the 2006 General Convention. That resolution now goes to the House of Deputies.

Committee members debated the appropriateness of particular additions in Holy Women, Holy Men, notably theologian John Calvin and environmentalist John Muir, but ultimately decided to recommend the entire document for trial use with provisions for feedback throughout the triennium. The fear, explained the Rev. Susan A. Williams of Western New York, deputies committee vice chair, was "that, if we start removing particular people, we would open up the whole document to be picked apart on the floor of convention, and we really don't want to do that." Besides the time such revisions would take, she said, it was possible that could lead to the entire document being "canned."

"We want people to use it, to try it," she said.

The recommended resolution asks General Convention to direct the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music and the Episcopal Church program officer for worship and spirituality to develop and implement a plan for trial use that would solicit use by a variety of congregations, with feedback on the suitability of the proposed names, wording of the collects and appropriateness of proposed Scripture passages.

More here-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/79901_112222_ENG_HTM.htm