Diocese of Central Ecuador leadership to resign

From ENS-

For the "sake of the diocese" the leadership of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Ecuador – including members of the Standing Committee, Bishop Luis Fernando Ruiz, the chancellor, its legal representative and all other diocesan leaders – have agreed to resign by Oct. 1.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori Sept. 20 convened a meeting of the leadership, along with Bishop Victor Scantlebury and Bishop Clay Matthews, the Episcopal Church's bishop for pastoral development, at the Hilton Colón Hotel in Quito, where the agreement was reached.

By resigning their positions, the leadership yields its authority to the presiding bishop; she appointed Scantlebury, who had served as an assisting bishop in the Diocese of Chicago until he retired July 1 to serve as interim bishop.

The announcement was made to the House of Bishops, which has been holding its fall meeting Sept. 15-20 in Quito, during its business session. Jefferts Schori, Scantlebury and Matthews have been holding meetings with the Central Ecuador leadership throughout the six-day meeting.

"They have been advising me to think about my resignation," said Ruiz in Spanish through an interpreter. "This is something that really hurts me … but as I have been saying, if this will contribute to calm in the diocese, and I can get my life back in order.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_129895_ENG_HTM.htm

Bishops to invite thousands of GTA commuters 'Back to Church'

From Canada-

On the morning of Thursday, September 22nd, Bishops from the Anglican and Evangelical Lutheran Churches, dressed in their ecclesiastical vestments and mitres, will reach out to thousands of commuters across the greater Toronto area to invite them 'Back to Church'.

The outreach is part of an international Christian initiative, which has designated Sunday, September 25th as 'Back to Church' Sunday. On that day, thousands of Anglicans, Evangelical Lutherans and other Christians throughout the world will be accompanying their friends and relatives back to church.

"The Church is an integral part of society, woven into its history and fabric," says Bishop Philip Poole of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. "Anglican and Evangelical Lutheran bishops look forward to meeting and chatting with commuters even for a few moments to invite people to return to church or to try us out for the first time. You'll be most welcomed at church or your place of worship this or any weekend."

The Bishops will be handing out a simple invitation to all who will accept one. They will be visiting GO stations in Ajax, Brampton, Agincourt and Barrie.

More here-

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2011/19/c4494.html

Subversive believers will have the last laugh

From The London Telegraph-

Have you heard the one about the comic who took on the establishment that loves him? Frank Skinner, the comedian, has accused atheists of threatening humanity. Interviewed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Skinner, a practising Catholic, urged fellow believers to stand together against secularists who undermine religion.

Even if it had been Dr Rowan Williams issuing this call to arms, the audience at Canterbury Cathedral would have stopped fanning themselves with their programmes, sat up and taken notice: turning the tables on, rather than turning the other cheek to, atheist bullies represents a sensational departure from the script British Christians have recited for generations.

But the man advocating that we “stop giving in” to atheists is a popular entertainer, the football-loving king of “laddish” humour. The issue is no longer a surprising rethink; it is a breathtaking act of subversion.

By outing himself as a believer – even in miracles, God help us – Skinner was sticking two fingers up at the liberal establishment. The BBC, a pillar of that establishment, for whom Skinner works, has shown what it thinks of religion. They have nipped and tucked at God slots for years, so now the skeletal model looks nothing like its original, vibrant self. Atheists such as Charles Handy share their scepticism on Thought for the Day, and the new “face” of BBC religion is Dr Francesca Stavrakopoulou, a self-proclaimed atheist. As for Richard Dawkins, his non-stop exposure and fanatically loyal ageing groupies have turned him into the Cliff Richard of atheism.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8774285/Subversive-believers-will-have-the-last-laugh.html

NEW YORK: Two priests added to bishop coadjutor slate

From ENS-

The Rev. Canon Andrew Dietsche and the Rev. Canon Petero Sabune have been added to the previously announced slate of five candidates to stand for election as bishop coadjutor for the Episcopal Diocese of New York.

Sabune, 58, the Episcopal Church's Africa partnerships officer, and Dietsche, 57, the New York diocese's canon for pastoral care, were nominated by petition to stand for the election, scheduled for Oct. 29 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York.

The other nominees are:

the Very Rev. Peter Eaton, 53, dean of St. John's Cathedral in Denver, Colorado;

the Rev. Cathy Hagstrom George, 55, priest-in-charge of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Dorchester, Massachusetts;

the Rev. Canon John Harmon, 47, rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.;

the Very Rev. Tracey Lind, 57, dean of Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio; and

the Rt. Rev. Pierre Whalon, 58, bishop-in-charge of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe.
The consecration is scheduled for March 12, 2012, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Seven meetings from Oct. 11-14 will be held for members of the diocese to become acquainted with the nominees.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80263_129866_ENG_HTM.htm

Napa man believes one is never too old to serve God

From California-

John Morris believes “it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.” The former submarine officer was ordained as a priest earlier this month at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at the age of 72.

For Morris, the idea of becoming a priest came later in life. “I think what we are called to do in our 20s is not necessarily what we are called to do in our 70s,” he said.

Born and raised in Denver, Morris’ education and early goals were far from theological studies, yet serving his country and community was always part of his life.

“I think we are called to make the world a better place,” he said.

Morris attended the University of Colorado School of Engineering for a year before being appointed to the Naval Academy, graduating in 1961.

Seven days after his graduation, he married Patricia, his high school honey. “Pat and I knew each other since I was 5 and she was 4. We got engaged while I was in the academy,” he said.

Read more:

http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/napa-man-believes-one-is-never-too-old-to-serve/article_e20b1d78-e343-11e0-b62a-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1YURbEjx8

Bishops, spouses hold prayer service at the Colombia-Ecuador border

From ENS-

Vehicle and foot traffic flows uninterrupted on the bridge separating Colombia and Ecuador at Tulcán, a border town where annually thousands of Colombians cross over, seeking refuge from violence and persecution. The national police are present on both sides, but no one is stopped, no questions asked, no identification is required to enter.

Some of the bishops and spouses who made the long trip through the Andes made a similar trip to the Arizona/Mexico border in advance of the House of Bishops fall meeting in Phoenix in September 2010, just after the Arizona legislature passed what was then the strictest immigration law passed in the United States (Alabama has since passed an even stricter law aimed at curbing undocumented immigration).

On Sept. 17, a group of Episcopal Church bishops and spouses rode in a bus for four and a half hours one way from Quito, the capital of Ecuador, to Tulcán, one of its most popular border towns, to hold a noonday prayer service on the bridge in honor of the thousands of Colombians who each year cross over in search of refuge and a new life.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_129862_ENG_HTM.htm

Former Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Nashotah House

From Milwaukee-

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. George Leonard Carey, will visit the Episcopal Nashotah House Theological Seminary this fall, speaking at its convocation Oct. 28 and the installation service of its new dean and president, the Rev. Edward Salmon, on Oct. 27.

Carey served as the spiritual leader of the world's 70 million Anglicans from 1991 to 2002. Described by Nashotah House as a "faithful teacher and spirited defender of Biblical and orthodox Christianity," Carey was known for his emphases on evangelism and interfaith efforts. But he was also considered controversial by many. He oversaw the church's transition to allowing women priests and managed the dissent that followed, has spoken out against the ordination of openly gay and lesbian priests and in support of immigration limits in England.

Nashotah House is one of 11 Episcopal seminaries in the country. More information about the school is available at www.nashotah.edu.

More here-

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/130144073.html

Episcopal Church House of Bishops Fall 2011 meeting: Daily Account for Monday, September 19

From ELO-

The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church is meeting in Province IX in Quito, Ecuador (Diocese of Ecuador Central) from September 15 to September 20. The following is an account of the activities for Monday, September 19.

The Episcopal Church House of Bishops began Monday, September 19 with Morning Prayer and Bible Study. The Bible study focused on the Mission of the Church through the lens of Matthew 5:21-26. At the conclusion of the Bible study, HOB chaplain the Rev. Stephanie Spellers of the Diocese of Massachusetts asked the bishops to reflect on their call to be reconcilers asking, “What is the breach you feel most compelled to repair?”

Emcee for the day was Bishop Paul Lambert of Dallas. Bishop Clay Matthews reintroduced the theme “Proclaiming the Gospel: Caring for the Least as Bishops in the 21st Century.”

The morning was devoted to a panel discussion on Migration, Poverty, Indebtedness, and the Environment in Ecuador. Panelists were Franklin Canelos, economist and university professor; the Rev. Nilton Giese, General Secretary of Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias (Latin-American Council of Churches); Esperanza Martinez, sociologist, biologist and researcher with Oil Watch; and Ana White, Immigration and Refugee Policy Analyst at the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations. Each presented data which detailed the many points and aspects of the topic; presentations were in English and Spanish.

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/newsline_129867_ENG_HTM.htm

Anglican evictions turn nasty

From Zimbabwe-

Veronica Murombedzi sits aimlessly in the overcrowded kitchen and ponders her next move. Most of her family’s belongings, from kitchen utensils, sofas, bed, TV and radio sets are all crammed in the room, which also serves as a lounge and bedroom.

Some of her family’s property is lying in the yard since they moved into the house last week. “This house belongs to some late relatives of one of our parishioners,” Muro-mbedzi explains.

“She offered us accommodation here after we were thrown out of Daramombe Mission.“On the first day, we slept by the roadside, where the deputy sherrif dumped us.”

Veronica is the wife of Father Muyengwa Murombedzi, the Anglican priest who was recently evicted from Daramombe Mission in Chivhu by Nolbert Kunonga.

Kunonga is the ex-communicated bishop of the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA)’s Harare Diocese, who now runs a rival church, the Anglican Church Province of Zimbabwe.

Daramombe Secondary School headmaster, Denford Javangwe, Daramombe Primary School head and senior nursing staff were also evicted as Kunonga upped his stakes in the property wrangle between himself and the CPCA.

“We believe that everything happens for a reason,” Veronica said last week. “Our parishioners still want us to work with them, so even if we were to stay in the open for us to be there for them, we were going to do that.

More here-

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/local/31641-anglican-evictions-turn-nasty.html

Renegade clergy’s defiance threatens to split United Methodists

From Beliefnet-

Hundreds of United Methodist clergy are expressing deep concerns over a pledge made by a renegade group of fellow ministers to marry same-sex couples. Their concern is that if the pledge is carried through, the future of the denomination is in jeopardy.

“We do not know how many, if any, marriages or ‘holy unions’ of same-sex couples will be performed by UM clergy in the near future,” reads a letter, currently signed by more than 400 pastors, to the Council of Bishops. “But we do know the destructive effects that will result in our local churches and throughout the denomination if such services are performed by UM pastors.”

The Presbyterian and Episcopal denominations have seen several larger, growing, conservative congregations seeking to distance themselves from national hierarchies that have forced recognition of homosexual clergy and marriage onto their denominations. Large churches in Virginia, Texas and California have taken measures to pull out of the U.S. Episcopal denomination. The Presbyterians are seeing a new, conservative denomination split away after national leadership voted to drop longstanding prohibitions on homosexuality.

Read more:

http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2011/09/renegade-clergy-defiance-threatens-to-split-united-methodists.php#ixzz1YOZuEExF

Five churches unite to help downtown Rockford

From Rockford IL - (with video)

Five churches combined service this morning in hopes of helping downtown Rockford.

Court Street United Methodist, Emmanuel Episcopal, First Presbyterian, and Shalom Comunidad de Paz all met at Second Congregational United Church of Christ.

But this morning was about more than just hearing the word, worshippers and church leaders want to show Rockford that they're committed to helping downtown.

Retired pastor Bob Hillenbrand explains the churches mission is simple:

"It began with a vision from the Prophet Jeremiah, "seek the shalom or the well being of the city where I've sent you, because in it's health you shall find your own health."

The faith community is united in the not for profit organization Jeremiah Development through which they work to beautify and enhance downtown Rockford. They've already rehabbed one house.

For faith leaders it's a chance to help the community and a reminder of their duty to serve.

More here-

http://www.wrex.com/story/15491958/five-churches-unite-to-help-downtown-rockford

Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori preaches at Quito Cathedral during House of Bishops meeting

From ELO-

The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church is meeting in Province IX in Quito, Ecuador (Diocese of Ecuador Central) from September 15 to September 20.

[September 18, 2011] Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori presided at Eucharist at Catedral del Buen Señor, Quito, Ecuador, and preached in English and Spanish, noting “No one receives more than another, for all we have is a gift from God.” “Nadie recibe más que otro, por todo lo que tenemos es un regalo de Dios.”

The House of Bishops, meeting in Quito, joined the parishioners of the Cathedral along with Episcopalians who traveled hours for the Sunday morning Eucharist.

The following is the text of the Presiding Bishop’s sermon:

Catedral del Buen Señor, Quito
18 septiembre 2011

It is very good for brothers and sisters to live together in peace – even if it doesn’t happen very often. Human life has been marked by conflict since Cain and Abel. Their conflict was about whose religious offering was better – sheep or crops. They were competing for God’s recognition.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/newsline_129851_ENG_HTM.htm

Remove stench of corruption

From South Africa-

The arms deal has been described by the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa) as "the litmus test of South Africa's commitment to democracy and good governance". We rightly take pride in our constitution. There is nothing more destructive of democracy than corruption.

The arms deal represents the betrayal of South Africa's struggle against apartheid, hence my commitment for the past 15 years to expose the corruption which the arms deal unleashed.

Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane assigned me to represent the Anglican Church at the 1996-98 parliamentary defence review. The defence white paper acknowledged that there was no conceivable foreign military threat to our country and that eradication of poverty was the prime priority in the post-apartheid era.

The Anglican Church's stance, in common with other voices of civil society, was that every cent we could muster should be allocated to education, health, housing, job creation and crime prevention.

More here-

http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2011/09/18/remove-stench-of-corruption

House of Bishops daily account, Sept. 17

From ENS-

On Saturday, Sept. 17, the members of the House of Bishops and the HoB spouses/partners group, which is meeting concurrently, visited various sites of mission and ministry in and beyond Quito.

One group traveled to the Episcopal mission in Tulcán, located more than four hours outside of Quito, on the border between Ecuador and Colombia. While there, they conducted a prayer service at the bridge where people seeking refuge cross. And they met Colombian refugees -- a woman and her young daughter -- who have fled the violence and troubles in that country.

Another group traveled to Iglesia San Felipe, an Episcopal Church in Ibarra, a city of about 182,000 people, located about three hours from Quito. The group met with its vicar, the Rev Carlos Zapata, and retired priest, the Rev. Marco Mejia and his wife, Dolly, and parishioners and learned about the ministries sponsored by the church for the people in that area. Since Zapata took over the ministry five years ago, average Sunday attendance has increased from five people to 50.

The church members talked about their ties with the Dioceses of Atlanta, which helped them purchase the building; Connecticut, which as strong ties to the church; New Jersey, which helped build a sports center; and Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis, which purchased the pews.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_129849_ENG_HTM.htm

Hefty, scholarly biography does not ignore Chesterton's quirky side

From The Catholic Sentinel-

Any adjective denoting great size — gargantuan, titanic, huge — seems to apply aptly not only to the literary output of G.K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton but to his physical appearance as well. Chesterton, best known today as the author of the Father Brown stories, was 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighed close to 300 pounds. He usually wore a cape and walked with a sword in his hand and a cigar in his mouth.

In his writing career, which spanned the years 1895 to 1936, he wrote 80 books, hundreds of poems, 200 short stories and more than 4,000 essays. He wrote literary and art criticism, detective novels, political commentary and Christian apologetics. Chesterton could dictate without hesitation a complete essay to the exact word count required by the newspaper or magazine's requirements.

Ian Ker's new biography of Chesterton is the first in several decades. It is a scholarly biography with perceptive analysis of his major works of apologetics — "Orthodoxy," "The Everlasting Man," "St. Francis of Assisi" and "St. Thomas Aquinas" — but it does not ignore the quirky humanity of Chesterton. Chesterton could produce penetrating criticism of Dickens, but he frequently lost his way on trains and would have to telegraph his wife to find out where he was and how to get home.

More here-

http://www.catholicsentinel.org/Main.asp?SectionID=6&SubSectionID=31&ArticleID=16150

Bishop: Seek God first

From Trinidad-

Citizens are being urged to seek God first and live a life filled with respect and discipline.

The advice comes from Anglican Bishop Claude Berkley who addressed members of the Judiciary yesterday morning at a service held at the Trinity Cathedral to commemorate the opening of the 2011/2012 law term.

Berkley, in addressing those seated in the Cathedral, made reference to the "Nelson Street 21", letters to the editor and radio programmes, the latter two having been inundated with responses from members of the public expressing concern over the State of Emergency.

Berkley said: "All is not well in the State of T&T, in terms of the State of Emergency."
The Bishop said blame should be heaped on the shoulders of all in society for the present state of affairs.

More here-

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Bishop__Seek_God_first-130001988.html

Episcopal Church House of Bishops Fall 2011 meeting: Daily Account for Friday, September 16

From ENS-

The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church is meeting in Province IX in Quito, Ecuador (Diocese of Ecuador Central) from September 15 to September 20. The following is an account of the activities for Friday, September 16.

The House of Bishops opened its session on Friday with Morning Prayer, with parts in English, Spanish and French.

Emcee for the day was Bishop Julio Holguín, Diocese of Dominican Republic.

The morning discussion focused on Scriptural and Theological Foundation for Liberation Theology, presented in Spanish by Silvia Regina, Director of Departamento Ecumenico de Investigaciones (Department of Ecumenical Research).

At noon, Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Bishop Alfredo Morante, Diocese of Ecuador Litoral. Preachers were the HOB chaplains, the Rev. Simone Bautista, Diocese of Washington, and the Rev. Stephanie Spellers, Diocese of Massachusetts.

Bishop David Alvarez, Diocese of Puerto Rico, moderated the afternoon session on “Prophetic Proclamation and Liberation Theology” with Don Compier, professor at St. Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, MO; the Rt. Rev. Naudal Gomes, Bishop of Curitiba, Brazil; and Professor Silvia Regina, the morning speaker. All three speakers spoke of how the principles of liberation theology, which is God’s good news for the poor, can speak to our various church contexts. “There is only God and the poor,” said Prof. Regina, highlighting the importance of this theological understanding for authentic biblical witness today.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/newsline_129844_ENG_HTM.htm

Central Florida nominates seven priests for bishop election

From ENS-

The Diocese of Central Florida announced Sept. 15 that seven priests had been nominated to stand for election as the diocese's fourth bishop.

The nominees are:
the Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, 60, rector, Episcopal Parish of Calvary-St. George's, New York, New York, Diocese of New York;

the Very Rev. Anthony P. Clark, 50, dean, Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, Florida, Diocese of Central Florida;

the Rev. R. Jonathan Davis, 51, vicar, Episcopal Church of the Incarnation and director, Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center (Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center, Oviedo, Florida), Oviedo, Florida, Diocese of Central Florida;

the Very Rev. Charles L. Holt, 40, rector, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Lake Mary, Florida, Diocese of Central Florida;

the Rev. Timothy C. Nunez, 49, rector, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Belleview, Florida, Standing Committee member, Diocese of Central Florida;

the Rev. Mary A. Rosendahl, 60, rector, Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Port St. Lucie, Florida, Diocese of Central Florida; and

the Rev. James A. Sorvillo Sr., 48, rector, Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Orlando, Florida.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80263_129804_ENG_HTM.htm

Diocese of Haiti announces three nominees for bishop suffragan

From ENS-

Three priests in the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti have been nominated to become bishop suffragan in that diocese.

The nominees, who were announced Sept. 16 in a press release from the Episcopal Church's Office of Public, are:

the Rev. Ogé Beauvoir, dean of the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Port-au-Prince;

the Rev. Bernier Noe, priest-in-charge of St. Esprit Church in Cap-Haitien; and

the Rev. Joseph Jean Jeannot, priest-in-charge of St. Pierre Church in Mirebalais.

The election will be held on Nov.25. Pending all necessary consents, the ordination and consecration will be held on a date to be determined in 2012.

This marks the first time that the Diocese of Haiti will elect a bishop suffragan.

The bishop suffragan will assist Bishop Jean Zaché Duracin as he serves the needs of the people and clergy of the diocese, the largest diocese in the Episcopal Church, which continues to recover from a devastating January 2010 earthquake, according to the press release. The new bishop suffragan will be headquartered in the Greater North Region of Haiti, according to an earlier report.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80263_129839_ENG_HTM.htm

Church should be a safe place for kids

From Mississippi-

Rachel Misener's church ran a background check on her when she became a vacation Bible school leader.

Offended? Nope.

She appreciated that St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral had policies in place to safeguard children against potential predators - an approach she believes all places of worship should take.

"At St. Andrews, they have so many different things in place that help protect the children," said Misener, the mother of Jude, 4, and Hazel, 1. "We feel very safe to allow our children to go to events at church where we might not be the parents supervising.

"There's even background checks done on people who help volunteer with the youth. I feel like our church covers all the bases."

More here-

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20110917/FEAT04/109170315/Church-should-safe-place-kids?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cp

Sheffield synod votes in favour of women bishops

From The Sheffield Telegraph (England)

REPRESENTATIVES of the Anglican Church in the Sheffield region have voted in support of women bishops.

A motion was carried by 37 votes to 28 with six abstentions. The Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Rev Steven Croft, voted in favour at a meeting of the Sheffield Diocesan Synod last Saturday.

The outcome indicated the laity was more convinced that the clergy. Laity voted 23-16 in favour with one abstention, clergy 13-12 with five abstentions.

All 44 dioceses in the Church of England must vote before November. If a majority of the diocesan synods give consent, approval will rest with the General Synod, likely to be in July 2012, and finally with Parliament. The earliest that the first woman could be consecrated as a bishop is in 2014.

Bishop Steven said: “Personally, I have been convinced for many years of the rightness of ordaining women as deacons, priests and bishops.

More here-

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/local/sheffield_synod_votes_in_favour_of_women_bishops_1_3774819

Anglicans (sic) and Episcopalians still at odds over ownership of churches

From Virginia-

Litigation over ownership of St. Stephens Church in Heathsville and eight other churches that formerly housed Episcopal congregations entered a new phase when the parties filed their post-trial briefs in August.

The briefs followed a 22-day trial at which 67 witnesses appeared and "thousands of exhibits" were filed, according to the brief for the defendant churches all of which have disassociated themselves from the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and joined the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). According to the schedule set up by the Circuit Court of Fairfax where the case over ownership of the nine churches is being tried, the parties may respond to each other's briefs by Sept. 23 and after that the court may hear oral argument and decide the cases.

The briefs filed by the CANA churches, which includes the St. Stephens Anglican congregation, and those filed by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and the national Episcopal Church all run to about 200 pages and are packed with court citations and arguments over what the cases cited mean.

More here-

http://www.northumberlandecho.com/news/view_sections.asp?idcategory=49&idarticle=2949

Anglicans Back Youths for Top Jobs

From Kenya-

The Anglican Church yesterday unveiled an initiative meant to mentor the youth on leadership roles and forestall their abuse by politicians intent on forming militia groups ahead of the general election.

Bungoma ACK Bishop George Mechumo said the church seeks to equip the youth holistically by addressing the spiritual, educational and social transformation needs.

He explained that his church has lined up a series of meetings "exclusively for the youth to equip them with necessary life skills empowering them to refrain from deviant behaviour but pursue challenges relentlessly as leaders to realise prosperity". The clergyman told the Star at St Crispins Diocesan Headquarters that Kenya is at crossroads. "The devolution is soon taking off yet more than 50 per cent of the youth in the country face serious challenges including unemployment, drug abuse, Hiv Aids, involvement in militia groups and abuse by politicians.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201109160062.html

No promises were broken, says GRAS

From The Church Times-

A NEW report published by the Group for Rescinding the Act of Synod (GRAS) says that promises made to opponents of women’s ordination “have not been broken”. Traditionalists should be confident that provisions in the draft legislation for women bishops will be upheld, it argues.

Promises — kept, broken or never made?, which was published this week, says that the provision made by the General Synod for those who are unable to accept the ministry of women bishops is “very similar” to that made for opponents of women’s ordination in 1993. Last year, the Synod approved a code of practice for traditionalists, the contents of which have not yet been worked out (News, 16 July 2010). It fell short of the statutory provisions for which traditionalists had asked.

The author of the new report, the Revd Rosalind Rutherford, a Team Vicar in Basingstoke Team Ministry, examined records of the debates in General Synod in July and November 1993, when the Act of Synod was proposed and debated. The Act introduced the concept of extended episcopal oversight and of Provincial Episcopal Visitors (PEVs), or flying bishops, to care for parishes that could not accept women priests.

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=117978

House of Bishops daily account, Sept. 15

From ENS-

The fall meeting of the Episcopal Church House of Bishops meeting started with a Eucharist with Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori presiding and preaching. By considering the life of James Chisholm, priest in tidewater Virginia during a yellow fever epidemic in the 1800s, she connected the HOB meeting theme of liberation theology with incarnational ministry. The least unlikely person can be an instrument of God's healing love when presented with challenges that call forth a sacrificial offering of self.

Emcee for the day was Bishop Nedi Rivera of Eastern Oregon.

Bishop Stacy Sauls, chief operating officer for the Episcopal Church, greeted the bishops and talked about the Everyone Everywhere 2011 conference, a conference on domestic and global mission, will be held in October.

Bishop Scott Hayashi of Utah introduced the discussion on the Denominational Health Plan and the Lay Pension. Details were presented by representatives of Church Pension Group: Frank Armstrong, chief actuary and senior vice president; Laurie Kazilionis, vice president; Michael McDonald, vice president.

The afternoon was dedicated to a presentation and discussion on the "Spiritual Foundation for Prophetic Proclamation to the Least," presented by Don Compier, professor at St. Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, Missouri, and in Spanish by the Rt. Rev. Naudal Gomes, bishop of Curitiba in Brazil. They impressed upon us the seeds of liberation theology present in our own Anglican history. They also made connections with our Eucharistic liturgy, Incarnation, and God's preferential option for the poor.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_129803_ENG_HTM.htm

Bishops make Alabama immigration law matter of religious freedom

From Orlando about Alabama-

Episcopal, Roman Catholic and Methodist bishops have joined with civil rights groups to challenge an immigration bill signed into law in June by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on grounds it violates religious freedom.

The law makes harboring, transporting or shielding undocumented people a criminal offense. Yet faith communities are often transporting immigrants to church, hospitals, and events, while assisting them with food, shelter and school supplies—the very hospitality commanded by scriptures.

“Religion is not just about what we do on Sunday morning in worship, it’s about how we live and love our neighbor, how we do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God in our dealings with each other. But the law creates a climate of fear…” says the Right Reverend Henry Nutt Parsley, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. ”We are people under the law and we have to be obedient to the laws, but laws have to reflect the morality of the culture.”

Republican Senator Bryan Taylor claims the law is meant to crack down on employers who are knowingly hiring illegal immigrants and to provide more employment opportunities for the citizens of Alabama, one reason his constituents largely support it.

More here-

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features-the-religion-world/2011/09/15/bishops-make-alabama-immigration-law-matter-of-religious-freedom/

Lawyers Summoned Over Anglican Church Feud

From Zimbabwe-

Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku has summoned lawyers representing the feuding Anglican Church factions to a meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

Chidyausiku on Tuesday ordered lawyers representing the Bishop Chad Gandiya-led Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) and those aligned to ex-communicated Anglican Bishop Nolbert Kunonga to report to his chambers at 12:00 on Wednesday.

Although the agenda of the meeting was not clear, informed sources indicated that Chidyausiku wanted to engage the lawyers over the church feud which escalated following a ruling which he delivered last month in favour of Kunonga and giving him custody and entitlement to some Anglican church property.

More here-

http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/zimbabwe/9057-lawyers-summoned-over-anglican-church-feud.html

Anglican ‘conclave’ makes Roman version look transparent

From Commonweal-

It can be hard to make the Vatican look good these days, what with sex abuse victims suing the Pope for crimes against humanity and such.

But with the head of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, looking ready to retire next year, Nelson Jones at The New Statesman notes that the way a new Anglican leader is chosen is easily as obscure as a flock of cardinals meeting in a secret conclave in the Sistine Chapel — and the art isn’t as good:

The process of choosing bishops and archbishops of the Established church is convoluted and arcane, but its underlying philosophy (like much in Britain) seems to be that some matters are too important to be left to the vagaries of a democratic process. Technically, senior posts in the Church of England are appointed by the Queen, in her capacity as Supreme Governor and Defender of the Faith, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister (who isn’t required to have any religious affiliations at all). Some recent prime ministers, including Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, are rumoured to have intervened in the selection process. These days, however, the practice of submitting two alternative names to Downing Street has been superseded, which means that bishops and archbishops are now effectively chosen by an obscure committee.

More here-

http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=15111

Christ Episcopal Church welcomes people with disabilities

From Connecticut-

People with Disabilities are welcome at Christ Episcopal Church, Avon, which has added a communion service adapted for people with disabilities. The service will be held the first Sunday of every month at 11:30 a.m., beginning Sunday, Oct. 2. The communion service is known as Rhythms of Grace, and has several sites around Connecticut. Rhythms of Grace is a creative hour that includes a lesson from the Bible, therapeutic arts and crafts and a time of Holy Communion. Rhythms of Grace provides a way for all families to participate in a community of faith in an informal and inclusive setting.

Co-founder Linda Snyder, a Christian Formation consultant with over 30 years of experience notes, “Rhythms of Grace brings all sorts of God’s people together for a time of formation and fellowship. We share our challenges and our blessings.” Rhythms of Grace is a “perfect fit” for individuals on the Autism Spectrum and those with sensory, intellectual, physical and developmental disabilities, but all are welcome. There is no age limit. Parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, caregivers and people without disabilities are invited to participate. People do not have to be Episcopalians to participate. All faith traditions, and those who do not yet have a faith tradition, are welcome.

The Rev. Dr. Audrey Scanlan, an Episcopal priest, acts as the Celebrant of the service. “Rhythms of Grace is a place where families can relax and feel at ease in church,” Scanlan says. “The typical ‘acting out’ behavior that causes stress for families in typical worship settings is not a problem for us. It is just another way that some of our members communicate. God hears our many voices.”

More here-

http://www.foothillsmediagroup.com/articles/2011/09/14/avon/news/doc4e70df5815d4b375498393.txt

Westboro Baptist Church to Picket Funeral of Controversial Episcopal Bishop

From Christian Post-

The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) has announced on that it will picket the funeral of Bishop Walter C. Righter, who fought to provide greater equality for homosexuals and women in the Episcopal Church and drew controversy when he ordained a gay man as a deacon in 1990.

"Westboro will picket the funeral of Biship [sic] Walter C. Righter, 9/15/11 at 11am, Calvary Episcopal DogKennel, Pittsburgh, PA," tweeted Shirley Phelps-Roper, spokesperson for the fundamentalist Baptist church, Wednesday, adding the hashtag "#GoneToHell."

Phelps-Roger continued, "Don't follow his example! He ordained the first woman preacher in Iowa. In 1990 he ordained a fag! #GodHatesFags"

The Christian Post contacted Rich Creehan, a spokesperson for the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. Creehan chose not to comment on Westboro's picketing announcement.

In 1990, Righter ordained an openly gay Barry Stopfel, a deacon, just one rank below that of priest.

More here-

http://global.christianpost.com/news/westboro-baptist-church-to-picket-funeral-of-controversial-episcopal-bishop-55630/