Fund Helps Teacher Fight for Life

From The Living Church with video-

Three autoimmune diseases threaten the life of Cristy Kessler, and her fight to stay alive has taken her to Istanbul, Turkey, for an experimental treatment involving stem-cell and bone-marrow transplants.

The One of Our Own Fund has helped Kessler, a 39-year-old associate professor of education at the University of Hawaii, raise an initial payment of $22,000 for the pre-transplant therapy she will receive in Turkey. She arrived in Turkey Feb. 26 to begin preparing for the transplant procedure.

Organizers of the fund have also raised an additional $35,000 for debts accumulated in Kessler’s 7-year struggle with scleroderma, vasculitis and ankylosing spondylitis. They’re now trying to raise $55,000 to cover the transplant stage of treatment.

The Rev. Liz Zivanov, rector of St. Clement’s Church, Honolulu, is Kessler’s partner and a cofounder of the fund. She launched a weblog, From Here to Istanbul, to post reports about Kessler’s therapy at Anadolu Medical Center, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Zivanov says the fund has attracted support from as far away as Maryland, New Hampshire and American Samoa.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2011/3/3/fund-helps-teacher-fight-for-life

Episcopal Bishops Laud Doctrine Report

And now - a moment in history- Picture from "Time" Article from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 1967.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OcpRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bGwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6026,4455945&dq=episcopal&hl=en

Bishop of Jerusalem to take court action over visa refusal

From ACNS-

The Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem and Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, the Rt. Revd Suheil Dawani has been denied the renewal of his "Temporary Residency Status" in Jerusalem. This action was taken when the A-5 permits held by himself, his wife and youngest daughter were revoked by the government of Israel, effective 24 September 2010.

Bishop Dawani was elected in 2007 as Bishop of the Diocese and was recognized by the State of Israel as the head of the Episcopal Diocese in accordance with the decision by the State of Israel in 1970 which acknowledged the Diocese as one of the thirteen recognized churches in Israel. All Anglican Bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem who have not held Israeli citizenship have been granted residency permits (A5) to allow them to live in Jerusalem where the Bishop's residence, diocesan offices and cathedral are located.

Bishop Dawani, his wife and daughters had successfully renewed this permit, as required, in 2008 and 2009. On 24 August 2010, Bishop Dawani went to renew the permit with the Ministry of the Interior and was informed in writing that permits for himself, his wife and daughter would not be renewed because of allegations pending against the Bishop. The letter, in Hebrew, included the following: "Bishop Suheil acted with the Palestinian Authority in transferring lands owned by Jewish people to the Palestinians and also helped to register lands of Jewish people in the name of the Church." There were further allegations that documents were forged by the Bishop. The letter also stated that Bishop Dawani and his family should leave the country immediately.

More here-

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2011/3/4/ACNS4807

When Roman Catholic priests marry

From Canada-

Father Martin Carter is one of only a handful of Roman Catholic priests in Canada who are married.

Formerly a married part-time Anglican minister, Carter, 65, of Charlottetown was a granted rare permission by the Pope to become a Catholic priest after he converted.

And last week, Pope Benedict gave the nod for a German Lutheran convert, Harm Klueting, 61, to become ordained and remain married to his wife.

Pope John Paul approved of married men being allowed to become ordained with special permission from the Vatican in 1980.

Since then, there have been about a dozen married Canadian men and 100 married American men who have been ordained as Catholic priests.

It took about two years before the Vatican gave permission for Carter to become ordained in August 2009.

More here

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2011/03/04/17491151.html

Mounting crisis in Libya as hundreds try to flee violence

From The Church Times-

CHURCHES and Christian groups in Libya and Egypt are struggling to cope with the humanitarian challenges presented by the turmoil in the two countries (News, Comment, 25 February).

Many hundreds of foreigners in Libya, where the army has tried to sup press the widespread popular re volt, have sought refuge in Roman Catholic churches in Tripoli and Benghazi. A large number of those seeking help are migrants from other African countries who were hoping eventually to reach Italy or other EU states.

The RC Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, Bishop Giovanni Innocenzo Mar tinelli, said that the main concern was for “hundreds of Eritreans who are stranded here and no one cares for their evacuation. We are appealing to all to help these people.” Italy agreed to take 54 of the stranded Eritreans, and there were scuffles at Tripoli air port when dozens of others tried to reach the plane taking them to Rome.

Bishop Martinelli said that he had “entered contact with the Red Crescent and other Muslim organisations to appeal for protection of our churches, of the convents, of our faithful, and of the sisters who work in the hospitals”.

Fr Daniel Farrugia, of St Francis of Assisi’s, in Tripoli, stressed that he and his colleagues had no intention of leaving: “We feel we belong here with our Sisters who are giving their ser vices in social centres. Their work is so much appreciated by the Libyans.”

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=108963

Missionaries bring, receive gifts as South Sudan grows into independence

From ENS-

Throughout several decades of civil war, the Episcopal Church of Sudan kept 2,000 schools open, mostly under trees – a testament to its commitment to educating its people.

Today, with four million members, the Episcopal Church accounts for almost half of the south's population. It is one of the biggest social service providers in the country, and as such is strategically positioned to reach deep into the hearts of local communities.

For Robin Denney, development work is about the changing of hearts and minds, and through her service as an Episcopal Church missionary in Sudan she's witnessed those transformations in abundance through the church's ministry.

"You can't just convince someone to change their behavior by telling them something or by giving them training," she said. "It's through discerning as a community where is God calling us that people's hearts and minds are changed and that is the work of the church, and the church here has such a vision for development."

Denney, of El Camino Real, and Larry Duffee, an Episcopal missionary from Virginia, have traded in their lives in the U.S. to share their gifts and play a small part in helping to rebuild South Sudan, just four months away from independence after voters in a January referendum almost unanimously chose to secede from the north.

More here-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/79425_127406_ENG_HTM.htm

Vatican Aide Affirms, Anglican Ordinariate Very Important to Pope

From Catholic Online-

A priest at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is affirming that the newly established Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, the Ordinariate of the United Kingdom, is "very important" to Benedict XVI.

Members of the ordinariate, established for former Anglicans wishing to enter full communion with the Catholic Church, recently visited Rome and met with staff at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, including the prefect, Cardinal William Levada.

Father Hermann Geissler, head of the dicastery's doctrinal office, gave an interview to The Portal, an independent review of the ordinariate.

He affirmed that "the ordinariate is very important to the Holy Father."

"In the area of ecumenism it strengthens the Catholic Church's approach in two ways," the priest noted. "It promotes sincere dialogue with a Christian defense of life and the promotion of peace."

He stated: "The goal of the ecumenical movement is complete visible union with one Christ and with Peter in one Church. We must cooperate and grow together."

Father Geissler affirmed that the Pope is called to promote unity in the Church and world. "He is the chief shepherd, he cannot do otherwise."

"Unity is built on two pillars, love and truth," the priest added.

More here-

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=40553

Northern Michigan bishop-elect receives church's consent

From ENS-

Diocese of Northern Michigan Bishop-Elect Rayford Ray has received the required consent of the wider Episcopal Church for his ordination and consecration.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has notified the diocese that Ray has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process, according to a press release from the Office of Public Affairs.

Ray was elected on December 4. His ordination and consecration service is slated for May 21 with Jefferts Schori as the chief consecrator.

Under the canons of the Episcopal Church (III.11.4), a majority of bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan standing committees must consent to a bishop-elect's ordination as bishop within 120 days of receiving notice of the election.

As outlined under Canon III.11.4 (a), for every bishop election the presiding bishop confirms the receipt of consents from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction, and reviews the evidence of consents from diocesan standing committees sent to her by the standing committee of the electing diocese.

In Canon III.11.4 (b), standing committees, in consenting to ordination and consecration, attest they are "fully sensible of how important it is that the Sacred Order and Office of a Bishop should not be unworthily conferred, and firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion without partiality, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that we know of no impediment on account of which the Reverend A.B. ought not to be ordained to that Holy Office. We do, moreover, jointly and severally declare that we believe the Reverend A.B. to have been duly and lawfully elected and to be of such sufficiency in learning, of such soundness in the Faith, and of such godly character as to be able to exercise the Office of a Bishop to the honor of God and the edifying of the Church, and to be a wholesome example to the flock of Christ."

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80263_127391_ENG_HTM.htm

Parishes, Dioceses Reach Amicable Settlements

From The Living Church (last week)

In another case, St. Philip’s Church, Moon Township, will buy property from the Diocese of Pittsburgh and sever its ties with the ACNA for at least five years.

In the same diocese, Somerset Anglican Fellowship will surrender leased property and some liturgical artifacts to the Episcopal diocese but will retain its affiliation with the ACNA.

“We have some principles to uphold, but we don’t want to be cruel,” said the Rt. Rev. Kenneth L. Price Jr., Bishop of Pittsburgh, in an interview with The Living Church. Price said the diocese consulted with David Booth Beers, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori’s chancellor, throughout the negotiations.

The Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh, led by Archbishop Robert Duncan of the ACNA, objected strongly to both of those settlements. It characterized the St. Philip’s settlement as raising issues of church-state separation because of the stipulation that the parish must break its previous ties.

Bishop Duncan issued a godly directive that requires his clergy to consult with the Anglican diocese before engaging in any discussions with the Episcopal diocese.

In the Diocese of Virginia, Church of Our Saviour, Oatlands, will lease property from the diocese for five years and will not affiliate with the Anglican District of Virginia, CANA or the ACNA.

“It is truly heartening for us to come to an agreement,” said the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, Bishop of Virginia. “This settlement ensures that the legacy entrusted to the Episcopal Church continues, while providing a clear way forward for the Oatlands congregation.”

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2011/2/24/parishes-dioceses-reach-amicable-settlements

Vancouver Anglicans seek $100,000-plus in court costs

From Vancouver-

The Vancouver-area Anglican diocese is trying to recoup more than $100,000 in court costs from a bitter dispute with conservative dissidents over four church properties.

The diocese, led by Bishop Michael Ingham, recently applied to the B.C. Appeal Court to retrieve a portion of the soaring court costs in a case rooted in a battle over same-sex blessings and how to interpret the Bible.

The diocese has been saying for months the three-year-old legal dispute has bled away financial assets that could have been more usefully going to helping the poor, protecting the environment, supporting the Third World, strengthening parishes and other purposes.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Kelleher awarded court costs to the diocese on June 29, 2010, when he upheld the diocese's right to the four parish properties, including 1,000-member St. John's Shaughnessy (left), which has become home to evangelical Anglicans.

However, the dissident parishes argued in B.C. Appeal Court against having to pay the court costs to the more liberal diocese, even though the diocese ended up winning in both B.C. Supreme Court and in a unanimous decision of the B.C. Appeal Court.

More here-

http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/blogs/thesearch/archive/2011/03/01/vancouver-anglicans-seek-more-than-100-000-in-court-costs.aspx

Christchurch earthquake: Bell sounds in Parnell as hundreds pay tribute

New Zealand-

The single ring of a bell echoed through the Holy Trinity Cathedral, signalling the moment the earthquake struck.

Hundreds of people stood together silently, heads bowed, to remember the dead at a ceremony in the Anglican church in Parnell yesterday.

Most of those gathered - who included police staff, MPs and Auckland city councillors - were dressed in Canterbury colours, black and red.

Others had a bright red ribbon or a rose pinned to their chests.

Auckland Dean Jo Kelly-Moore's encouraged all New Zealanders to remember their fellow countrymen in Christchurch.

"May you [in Christchurch] know our love and support in your grief. And may you know courage, strength and hope," she said. "Today we remember those who have died ... and the families who are still waiting to be reunited with their loved ones."

More here-

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/earthquakes/news/article.cfm?c_id=184&objectid=10709594

Australia leading way with UK in Anglicans swimming Tiber

From "The Record"

INTEREST in the Pope’s offer to Anglicans to join the Catholic Church via a unique arrangement is gaining momentum with up to 60 Anglican clergy to be ordained as Catholic priests in Australia and the Torres Strait by Pentecost this year.

That number – including 30 from Australia and 30 from the Torres Strait - is also expected to rise.

Archbishop Barry Hickey and his Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton showed their strong support for the Ordinariate by both attending the 26 February festival at Como Catholic Parish introducing the Anglican Ordinariate in Australia.
Archbishop Hickey said those participating in the Ordinariate and the festival are joining in the “important prayer” of Jesus Himself, who prayed to the Father that “all may be one, as You and I are one”.

Dossiers seeking ordination from Forward in Faith Australia chair Bishop David Robarts and TAC Bishop of WA Harry Entwistle, Bishop Tolowa Nona (Torres Strait) and retired TAC Bishop Raphael Kajiwarra (Japan) are being submitted for approval. A fifth is a former diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Church in Australia, who cannot yet be named.

Pentecost is when Anglo-Catholics hope the new Ordinariate will be established under Pope Benedict XVI’s 2009 apostolic constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus (“Groups of Anglicans”). Some seminarians aligned with the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC), which claims 400,000 members globally, attend the Adelaide College of Divinity where Catholic seminarians also study.

More here-

http://www.therecord.com.au/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2381&Itemid=27

Anglican leader shocked at Pakistani minister’s murder

Pakistan-

The archbishop of Canterbury expressed “shock and sorrow” Wednesday at the murder of a Catholic Pakistani government minister, saying it increased fears about the security of Christians there.

Archbishop Rowan Williams, the leader of the worldwide Anglican church, urged Pakistan to protect minorities after Shahbaz Bhatti was shot dead in broad daylight in a residential area of Islamabad.

“It is with the greatest shock and sorrow that we have heard of the assassination of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, minister for religious minorities in Pakistan,” he said in a joint statement with Archbishop of York John Sentamu.

“This further instance of sectarian bigotry and violence will increase anxiety worldwide about the security of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan, and we urge that the government of Pakistan will do all in its power to bring to justice those guilty of such crimes and to give adequate protection to minorities.

“Meanwhile, we assure Mr Bhatti’s family of our prayers and deep sympathy, and promise our continuing support for all those of whatever faiths who are working for justice and stability in Pakistan.”

More here-

http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/02/anglican-leader-shocked-at-pakistani-ministers-murder.html

Bishop Richard L. Shimpfky remembered for support of ethnic ministry

From ENS-

The Rt. Rev. Richard Lester Shimpfky was remembered March 1 as an ardent supporter of Episcopal Asiamerican and Latino ministries, and for his spiritual leadership and humility.

Shimpfky, 70, served as the second bishop of the Diocese of El Camino Real from 1990 to 2004, and most recently was bishop-in-residence at Christ Episcopal Church in Short Hills in the Diocese of Newark. He died Feb. 28 with his wife of 45 years, Jamel Kassim Shimpfky, and other family members gathered around him, according to an email from the Newark diocese.

"The people of Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real give thanks to God for the life and work of Bishop Shimpfky as their second bishop. While we are saddened by his death, we rejoice that he is now at peace," Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves said in a statement emailed to ENS. "We will honor Richard's life with a memorial service at Trinity Cathedral in San Jose at a later date.

"Several members of the diocese will attend his services in Ridgewood, New Jersey," Gray-Reeves added.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12, at Christ Church in Ridgewood, with Bishop Mark Beckwith officiating.

"As former Asian missioner of the Diocese of El Camino Real, I will miss Richard as a bishop, a pastor and a personal friend," said the Rev. Winfred Vergara, missioner for Episcopal Asiamerica ministries for the Episcopal Church.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80263_127370_ENG_HTM.htm

Nigeria: Anglican Communion Holds Committee Meeting in Owerri

From All Africa-

ALL is now set for the standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria(Anglican Communion) holding in Owerri, Imo State capital from March 1-5.

The twice in a year event, which is the executive arm of the General synod of the Church of Nigeria, would be Presided over by the Primate, His Grace, The Most Rev'd. Nicholas Okoh. No fewer than 1000 delegates including 14 Archbishops and 165 Bishops are expected to congregate at the Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (CATOL) in the Eastern Heartland of this ecclesiastical brainstorming event.

Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Orlu, His Grace, Most Rev'd Bennett Okoro PhD disclosed these facts to journalists, at the Bishop's Bourne Owerri, during the pre-event briefing.

He traced the history of church councils to the Apostolic times (The first council in Jrusalem) as recorded Acts chapter 15, where the apostles took decision on the admission of the Gentiles to Christianity without precondition of circumcision.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201102281085.html

‘My miracle moment’

From New Zealand-

A NORTH-EAST woman has described the “miracle moment” when she survived the New Zealand earthquake.

Jo Cundy, of Lanehead, in Weardale, was in Christchurch Cathedral and had just lit a candle in memory of her late husband, the Right Reverend Ian Cundy, Bishop of Peterborough, when disaster struck.

Twenty-two people died as the quake reduced the cathedral’s west wing and its spire to rubble. So far, 148 victims have been recovered from across the city.

Mrs Cundy spoke about her ordeal from Dunedin, south of Christchurch, were she is now staying with relatives.

She had gone to the cathedral to meet the Bishop of Christchurch, Victoria Matthews, a long-standing friend of her husband, who died two years ago.

After lunch, she and a cousin went into the cathedral, which attracts more than 700,000 visitors a year.

More here-

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8881703.___My_miracle_moment___/

Anglican bishop in Malaysia calls for Christian transformation

From Malaysia-

Christians have a mission to transform society and this includes transforming the Church, a Malaysian Anglican bishop says. “Within the Church itself, we face challenges - people can be from two extremes,” Bishop Andrew Phang said at the Anglican Church’s second South East Asia Provincial Gathering held February 22-24 in Penang.

Elaborating on the gathering’s theme, “Rising Above the Storms,” he said within the Church there is a cold and orthodox group which refuses to have anything to do with society or politics. At the same time, there are “liberals” who pick some scripture and act on it. They base their actions on their emotions even if the act is wrong.

The Church in Southeast Asia faces great challenges as it is a small minority in Muslim and Buddhist countries, he added.

Finding burial grounds and places of worship are a continual problem, he told some 500 Anglican Church leaders. Often we “have to use shop houses as places of worship,” he said.

He later said: “The Church hopes to be the catalyst of favorable changes which are meaningful and beneficial,” noting that “globally there is a cry for change. However, changes are hard to predict as there are good and bad outcomes.”

http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=49332&t=Anglican+bishop+in+Malaysia+calls+for+Christian+transformation

TEXAS: Pakistani bishops seek partnerships for ministry in hostile land

From ENS-

On a recent visit to the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, retired Pakistani Bishop Mano Rumalshah of Peshawar described his diocese as "not a church for the poor, because there are too many. We are a church of the poor."
Rumalshah and the new bishop of Peshawar, the Rt. Rev. Humphrey Sarfaraz Peters, visited Houston in February to share the story of their ministry with Episcopal churches.

Straddling the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Diocese of Peshawar exists in one of the most hostile settings on earth. Taliban forces take refuge in this area, as part of the diocese encompasses a buffer zone or "lawless" area between the two countries where global powers engage in the war against terrorism. According to Rumalshah, no real border exists because one tribe of people represents the majority population of both Afghanistan and the Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan (or NWFP) within the diocese.

Yet, in this dangerous area, the Diocese of Peshawar serves the poor with medical and pastoral care as well as educational training. In the NWFP there are an estimated 100,000 Christians out of a total population of 17 million. But the services of the Diocese of Peshawar are open to people of all faiths, including terrorist sympathizers.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80263_127351_ENG_HTM.htm

St. Mark's Episcopal Youth Community makes pilgrimage to France

From North Carolina-

The St. Mark’s Episcopal Youth Community has resumed the tradition of making a spiritual pilgrimage to the Taizé Monastery in France. During winter break this week, seven of St. Mark’s young adults were to spend two days in Paris and then venture to Taizé, in the heart of Burgundy, with a youth group from Christ Church in Bronxville, N.Y. Leading the group from St. Mark’s is Joshua Hill, director of children and youth ministries, accompanied by chaperones Erik Luchs and Katie Gojkovich.

“The kids will find this a memorable and transformative spiritual journey that will draw them into a global Christian community through singing, meditation, study, group reflection, chanting, and prayer with youth and monks from all over the world,” Hill said before the trip. “Though it may sound strange to them at first, our teens will return with a greater sense of who they are and what’s important in life.”

More here-

http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/ncadvertiser/community/86760-st-marks-episcopal-youth-community-makes-pilgrimage-to-france.html

Bombs Explode Near Church

From Boston- (with video)

Two homemade bombs exploded near a Marshfield church Saturday night.

The Rev. Barbara Peterson said she saw a bright light as she was leaving the Trinity Episcopal Church at about 7:30 p.m.

"As we were driving up the road, there was a white flash. We pulled in the driveway and called 911," Peterson said.

"I thought it was at first a very strong lightning bolt," witness Bill Wrenn said.

"And it turned out there was a bomb down here by the driveway, and then another there was another one in front of the church," Peterson said.

The bomb exploded on the church's property on Highland Street, but did not cause any damage to the building, officials said.

Several residents called police reporting that their homes were shaken by something, police said.

More here-

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/r/27023846/detail.html

Gates Mills: St. Christopher's gets help

From Ohio- (with video) Sort of ironic when you know the legend of St. Christopher.

The Episcopal church that sits on Old Mill Road in downtown Gates Mills backs right up to the Chagrin River by the pedestrian bridge.

Today the 104-year-old dam just a few hundred feet upriver by Deerfield Road failed, sending water surging down the Chagrin River towards Mayfield Village, Willoughby, Willoughby Hills and Eastlake.

When several passersby saw the water creeping into St. Christopher's, they went inside and helped move some of the church's items up off the floor to safety.

http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/177812/15/Gates-Mills-St-Christophers-gets-help

New Zealand earthquake benefit concert at Christchurch Cathedral's Glasgow 'twin'

From Scotland and New Zealand-

Worshippers will see how New Zealand's historic Christchurch Cathedral looked before it was partially destroyed during a benefit concert at its Scottish "twin" on Monday night.

St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow is an almost exact twin of Christchurch Cathedral.

The damaged cathedral was described by its dean Peter Beck as "the heart of the city", adding that its heart had been "broken" by last week's 6.3-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 147 people.

Glasgow's St Mary's was built at the same time to a design by the same architect.

Scottish singers are coming together tonight at St Mary's, on Great Western Road, for a benefit concert for the people of Christchurch. The concert will also feature the music of several New Zealanders living in Scotland.

Cathedral Provost The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth said: "People in Scotland have all kinds of strong links with people in New Zealand.

"This concert is an act of solidarity with the people of Christchurch.

More here-

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-central/231496-new-zealand-earthquake-benefit-concert-at-christchurch-cathedrals-glasgow-twin/

Bombs explode in front of Marshfield church

From Massachusetts-

The Rev. Barbara Peterson was on her way home from Trinity Episcopal Church when she was surprised by a blinding light.

“It was an amazing white light,” the Rev. Peterson said.

She immediately dialed the police on her cell phone.

At the same time, police were fielding dozens of calls from residents saying their houses had been shaken by something, police Lt. Arthur Shaw said.

The cause of the disturbance early Saturday evening was two homemade bombs that exploded on the grass in front Trinity Episcopal at 229 Highland St.

There was an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting going on inside, and members quickly filtered out to join neighbors who left their homes to see what had happened.

Police arrived to secure the area, and determined there had been little damage, save a couple holes in the ground about as wide as a basketball, Shaw said.

After interviewing bystanders at the scene, police deemed it unlikely that someone was targeted, and Shaw said it was probably the act of Internet-educated pranksters.

Since the bombs were identified as improvised explosive devices, the State Police bomb squad was called in to gather evidence, which is still being analyzed, Shaw said.

Read more:

http://www.patriotledger.com/archive/x742405540/Bombs-explode-in-front-of-Marshfield-church#ixzz1FFpq5ZeW

Presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church leads worship services in Richmond

From Richmond-

A Christian's duty should not end with the weekly worship service, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church urged Sunday.

Speaking at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Richmond, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori said Christians must extend their efforts beyond the physical building to reach people within the community who are in need.

"The work we do on Sunday morning and inside what we traditionally call 'the church' … is about supporting people for their lives outside of this place," she said. "Get lost in your involvement in the needs of the world and the opportunities to love your neighbor."

Jefferts Schori, the 26th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church and the first woman to serve in the position, led worship services Sunday at St. Paul's and at St. John's Episcopal Church in Church Hill.

More here-

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/lifestyles/2011/feb/27/presiding-bishop-of-the-episcopal-church-leads-wor-ar-871334/

Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem’s visa revoked

From Asia News-

Israel’s Interior Ministry has revoked the permit for the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, The Rt Revd Suheil Dawani, to live in Jerusalem, and has refused requests to reinstate it, in spite of protests by Anglican authorities in the West specifically the United States.

The Bishop is a native of the Holy Land and has spent most of his life and ministry here, but cannot obtain either citizenship or legal residence in Israel, since he was born in Nablus, i.e. in the West Bank, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, but has not been annexed to Israel. East Jerusalem, on the other hand, where the Anglican Cathedral and Diocesan offices are situated, was also occupied at the same time, but Israel annexed it and considers it part of its national territory (although no other country in the world recognizes this annexation). Therefore, Bishop Dawani is considered by Israel to be a foreigner who can only visit – let alone live in – East Jerusalem with a special permit, which the Israeli authorities can either grant or deny at their sole discretion. In fact, even the original Palestinian inhabitants of East Jerusalem, and their descendants, are considered by Israel to be foreigners who are no more than possessors of a residence permit, which Israel can revoke.

Since the Bishop has of course remained at his post, in Jerusalem, without the permit, he could be arrested at any moment, be put on trial for being in Israel illegally, be sentenced to a prison term – or simply be forcibly removed from Jerusalem.

More here-

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Anglican-Bishop-of-Jerusalem’s-visa-revoked-20875.html

Anglican settlement takes hold

From Canada-

The Anglican Church in Ottawa will "disestablish" one parish, and some clergy in another parish will depart the diocese as part of a settlement between the church and two breakaway congregations.

In 2008, clergy and congregations at St. Alban's and St. George's churches in downtown Ottawa voted to join the Anglican Network of Canada because of their opposition to the decision of the diocese and the national church to bless same-sex civil unions. On Jan. 16, after months of negotiations, the diocesan council and the two congregations reached an agreement under which the diocese will disestablish the parish of St. George's, and sell the Metcalfe Street property to the Anglican Network for a "substantial sum of money." The property will be renamed once the sale is completed by March 1.

At St. Alban the Martyr on King Edward Avenue, the Anglican Network clergy and those congregation members who wish to join them will depart by July 1.

St. Alban's is the second-oldest Anglican parish in Ottawa, established in 1865. St. George's began in 1885 with the purchase of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Read more:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Anglican+settlement+takes+hold/4351022/story.html#ixzz1F4qy5Dli

Cooley a ‘spiritual rock’

From Colorado- (Andrew and I worked together at Convention on Dispatch- God's Blessings Andrew)

He has been credited with reaching out to other faiths, welcoming gays and lesbians and playing a pivotal role on the national stage of his denomination. And after 16 years, the Rev. Andrew Cooley, rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, will preach his last sermon in Durango on May 1.

“This is totally my initiative to do this,” he said. “There’s no rule for how long to stay, but I’ve seen too many clergy who have been in one place too long, and I didn’t want that to be me.”

When he came to St. Mark’s, Cooley wanted to stay until he was 50 and his daughter had graduated from high school. He’s now 54, and she is graduating from college right after he leaves Durango.

In his next life stage, Cooley will serve as an interim rector at churches in the process of finding a replacement priest.

“I’ll probably do this for the next 10 or 15 years until I retire,” he said. “I’m eager to take the skills I’ve learned here of dealing with people in the midst of anxiety and stress and being an agent of healing and hope.”

An interim pastor will be assigned to St. Mark’s, and the vestry committee will begin a search for a new rector, which will probably take a year to 18 months.

‘Always makes you think’

More here-

http://durangoherald.com/article/20110226/NEWS01/702269985/-1/s/Cooley-a-‘spiritual-rock’

Always a symbol, now one of loss, cathedral to be rebuilt, Christchurch mayor says

From ENS-

The mayor of Christchurch, New Zealand, has vowed that the iconic Anglican cathedral in the center of that earthquake-ravaged city will be rebuilt "brick by brick, stone by stone" because "we need to find some symbols like that."

Bob Parker told the Dominion newspaper that in the wake of the Feb. 22 magnitude-6.3 quake that struck very near Christchurch "we will have to take some bold steps."

On the fourth day after the quake, emergency workers were preparing to begin retrieving an estimated 22 bodies from the ruins of the cathedral. Tourists were in the building at the time, many or most of them in the collapsed tower.

An unnamed search and rescue expert told the New Zealand Herald that a camera lowered into the damaged nave found no signs of life.

"No sound, nothing," he said.

He estimated that stone and rubble filled the building to a height of around 65 feet.

More here-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/79425_127293_ENG_HTM.htm

Bishops oppose immigration bill in Mississippi

From Mississippi-

Leaders from four Christian denominations are calling on Mississippi lawmakers to reject an Arizona-style immigration bill that would let officers check during traffic stops to see if a person is in the country illegally.


Bishops from the Catholic, Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran and United Methodist churches in Mississippi said Friday that residents must be willing to forgive immigrants who enter the United States without permission.

In an open letter to legislators and Gov. Haley Barbour, the bishops said the U.S. immigration system is "broken and outdated," but should be reformed by the federal government, not by states.

"Comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders, guarantees fair and effective worksite enforcement, strengthens our economy and provides a means for earned legalization would honor the values of human dignity, family unity, and mercy and forgiveness that our faith traditions demand of us," the bishops wrote in the letter, which was also released to news organizations.

The letter was signed by Bishop Joseph N. Latino of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson; Bishop Roger P. Morin of the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi; Bishop Duncan M. Gray III of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi; Bishop H. Julian Gordy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southeastern Synod; and Bishop Hope Ward Morgan of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church.

More here-

http://www.necn.com/02/25/11/Bishops-oppose-immigration-bill-in-Missi/landing_politics.html?&blockID=3&apID=7a906f8609a14b59bb1c7138f304fffe

Episcopal pastor gets probation, to pay $99,247

From The Denver Post-

A judge today sentenced the Rev. Donald Armstrong to four years probation for his no-contest plea to one count of misdemeanor theft of funds from the Colorado Springs church where he once served as rector.

Fourth Judicial District Judge Gregory R. Werner also ordered Armstrong to pay restitution in the amount of $99,247 that was diverted to pay for his son's and daughter's college education. The money came from a trust fund originally set up to pay for the education of seminary students.

But Werner rejected a request by a special prosecutor to order Armstrong to repay Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church an additional $191,753 in church funds that also were spent on his children's education.

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_17484410