How evangelicals took over the Church of England

From Premier Christian-

In 1966 two of the most well-loved and respected church leaders of their day faced off against one another. Speaking at an Evangelical Alliance event in Westminster, famed preacher Martin Lloyd-Jones publicly criticised evangelicals for remaining inside the Church of England, thereby aligning themselves with leaders in the denomination who promoted liberalism. He said evangelicals “scattered about in various major denominations” were “weak and ineffective”. The Welsh minister of Westminster Chapel suggested evangelicals should instead form their own association of churches.

As chair of the event, John Stott was expected to offer his polite thanks to Lloyd-Jones. Instead the rector of All Souls Church issued an impassioned spontaneous rebuttal, arguing that evangelicals should remain inside the Church of England and fight for truth from within. Thankfully the two men were later reconciled after their very public falling out.

More here-

https://www.premierchristianity.com/Past-Issues/2017/November-2017/How-evangelicals-took-over-the-Church-of-England

Church of England bishops adopt full IHRA definition of antisemitism

From Jewish News-

Church of England bishops have adopted the full international definition of antisemitism. 

A statement endorsing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, including all its working examples, was agreed during the annual residential meeting of the College of Bishops in Oxford this week. 

This comes after the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, spoke of the need for its full backing during a pre-Rosh Hashanah video shot at the house of Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis.  

The statement “notes the necessity of making explicit its adoption of and adherence to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, including all examples, without qualification or exemption.”

More here-

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/church-of-england-bishops-adopt-full-ihra-definition-of-antisemitism/

Gay marriage in Welsh churches? Welsh bishops say it is 'unjust' not to provide for same-sex couples

From Wales-

The Bishops of the Church in Wales say it is “unsustainable and unjust” not to make formal provisions for people who are in committed same-gender relationships.

Members of the church’s governing body will today vote in a private ballot to say whether or not they agree that new arrangements are needed.

This could pave the way for future legislation to open the door to gay marriage in the Church in Wales.

Last year Scottish Anglicans voted to allow gay couples to marry in church however the move would not take effect until after 2021.

A similar vote in Wales in 2016 was in favour of allowing gay marriage in Church but was said to be too narrow to consider change.

More here-

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/gay-marriage-church-wales-15139880

Anniversary of Yellow Fever Epidemic Shows Ongoing Need in Community

From Memphis-

St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral dean Andy Andrews joked with Margery Wolcott over the weekend that her Constance Abbey street ministry has lasted longer than lots of restaurants do at five years.

The ministry is in two houses next to St. Mary’s Cathedral on Poplar Avenue at Alabama Street.

“We offer for the street people, and whoever wants to come, coffee on our porch and we’re open for a couple of hours for a shower and doing laundry,” Wolcott said as she and Andrews talked in Morris Park, the city park across Poplar from the cathedral.

The Saturday, Sept. 8, health fair and block party there was part of the church’s commemoration of the 1878 Yellow Fever epidemic. The cathedral was an important shelter during the epidemic and that day is a feast day in the Episcopal church.

Constance Abbey is named in honor of Sister Constance, an Episcopal nun who was among the nuns and priests who died in the epidemic that devastated Memphis.

More here-

https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2018/sep/12/yellow-fever-anniversary-shows-ongoing-need/

Rector at St. Wilfrid in Huntington Beach under investigation for financial misconduct

From Los Angeles-

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is investigating allegations of financial misconduct against the Rev. Canon Michael D. Archer, rector of St. Wilfrid of York Church in Huntington Beach.

“These allegations were reviewed by both the bishop and a diocesan committee and have been deemed serious enough to warrant an investigation,” Joan Pashley-Baynes and Allison Hainlen, wardens for St. Wilfrid’s vestry, said in a Sept. 2 letter to parishioners. The allegations apparently involve Archer’s handling of expense and discretionary accounts at St. Wilfrid’s, according to a statement from the Right Rev. John Harvey Taylor, bishop of the six-county Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.

“Canon Archer has promised to cooperate fully,” Taylor said Monday. “Under the Episcopal church’s canons, respondents are presumed to be innocent until the facts show otherwise.” Archer could not be reached for comment. The diocese did not release further details about the allegations or what prompted the investigation.

More here-

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/09/11/rector-at-st-wilfrids-in-huntington-beach-under-investigation-for-financial-misconduct/

More than a footnote: Locals honor the legacy of Margaret Mercer

From Virginia-

Loudoun County quietly forgot teacher and abolitionist Margaret Mercer after her death in 1846, even though she practiced racial integration and STEM education more than a century ahead of her time. On the grounds of St. David’s Episcopal Church and School, all that remains of her work are ruins and an obelisk erected by grateful students.

At least, that is, until now.

Mercer’s legacy returned to the spotlight Sunday, when dozens of public figures from Loudoun and Liberia gathered at St. David’s in Ashburn to dedicate a Virginia historical marker in her honor.

“[Mercer] needs to be remembered and not ignored,” said Ken Courter, a member of St. David’s and one of those who spearheaded efforts to erect the memorial.

More here-

https://www.loudountimes.com/news/more-than-a-footnote-locals-honor-the-legacy-of-margaret/article_8d23404e-b53f-11e8-9192-63a2a94a0e5a.html

Episcopal Church of South Sudan’s Bishop of Yirol, Simon Adut Yuang, killed in plane crash

From ACNS-

The Anglican Bishop of Yirol, Simon Adut Yuang, was one of 20 people killed when a plane carrying them from the South Sudanese capital Juba crashed into a lake as it attempted to land at Yirol Airport. Reports say that thick fog around Yirol, in the centre of the country, may have played a part in the accident. Only three of the plane’s passengers: two children and an Italian doctor, survived.

Other victims include a member of the Red Cross in South Sudan. “When it arrived the weather was so foggy and when it tried to land it crashed into Lake Yirol adjacent to Yirol town”, regional government minister Abel Aguek was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying. “The whole town is in shock, the shops are closed, some people have taken their relatives for burial. It is a commercial plane that crashed.”

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2018/09/episcopal-church-of-south-sudans-bishop-of-yirol-simon-adut-yuang-killed-in-plane-crash.aspx

Episcopal Diocese of Newark to make history with consecration of 11th Bishop

From Newark-

The Rev. Carlye J. Hughes will be consecrated the 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark on Saturday, September 22, at 11 AM, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. She was elected on May 19, 2018 on the first ballot and will be the first woman and first African-American to serve the Diocese of Newark as diocesan bishop.

The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, will officiate as Chief Consecrator. On the same day Hughes was elected bishop, Presiding Bishop Curry made headlines around the world for his sermon at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

More here-

https://dioceseofnewark.org/content/media-advisory-episcopal-diocese-newark-consecration-11th-bishop

The Imperative of the Imperium

From First Things-

In “The End of the Imperial Episcopate,” Fr. Jay Scott Newman speculates about the Church's current situation. One of his premises is that many bishops have become too much like distant managers and administrators, and that this has contributed to today's problems. He also suggests “the clerical culture in which bishops and priests live is in many ways diseased and deformed, requiring renewal.” I fully agree with Newman on these points. We do not need politicians and administrators. We need bishops who act like bishops:  teaching, shepherding, and, when necessary, disciplining like bishops. We need priests who don’t act like camp counselors, committee chairmen, facilitators, or socialites; we need priests who focus on their priestly, liturgical, and sacramental mission. Further, we need religious who remain faithful to the particular charisms of their founders instead of behaving like secular social justice activists.  In short, we need faithfulness to particular callings across the board.

In his article, Newman proposes various reforms. These include requiring bishops to spend more time in their own cathedrals, eliminating the auxiliary bishop model, and reducing diocesan bureaucracy. While I might offer a few caveats, in principle I think these suggestions have merit. Where I believe Newman goes off the rails is in his proposal that certain elements of the “imperium,” such as traditional episcopal vesture and titles, “need to go.” Newman presents some rather specious arguments that are neither consistently applied nor rooted in a fulsome view of Church history or the Christian East. These proposals do not address the current situation, and, if implemented, may even compound the Church's problems rather than eliminate them.

More here-

https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2018/09/the-imperative-of-the-imperium

Honest, direct, yet gentle: Raleigh Episcopal priest pens picture book to explain death, grief to kids

From North Carolina-

The subject of death, dying and grief has intrigued Mary Davila since she was at least an undergraduate student at the University of Richmond, willingly getting up to take an early morning class on the topic during her senior year.

The lessons from the class intrigued Davila - and have served her well in her current career. Davila has been an Episcopal priest for 13 years and served as a children's minister before she went to seminary. Today, she's assistant rector at Christ Church in Raleigh and the co-author of a new picture book called "Grandpa's Tent" about grief.

More here-

 https://www.wral.com/honest-direct-yet-gentle-raleigh-episcopal-priest-pens-picture-book-to-explain-death-grief-to-kids/17826026/

Myers-Briggs Doesn’t Know Who You Are

From The Anxious Bench-

Why do we need someone else to tell us who we are? And if we do, why would we choose a “lucrative global corporation” to tell us? What extrovert doesn’t know she is one? What introvert doesn’t know he is one, even before the label is heard?

Merve Emre’s new book about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) refreshes persistent doubts about the test’s scientific validity. Emre calls the test a “flagship product of a lucrative global corporation, one whose interests sit at the shadowy crossroads of industrial psychology and self-care.” Devised in the 1940s by Carl Jung devotee Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers, the test is a favorite evaluative tool in big corporations and the military, in colleges and churches, not to mention the counseling of engaged couples.

More here-

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiousbench/2018/09/myers-briggs-doesnt-know-who-you-are/

South Sudan: Several dead as passenger plane crashes in river

From South Sudan-

At least six people died in South Sudan when a small aircraft carrying passengers from Juba International Airport to the city of Yirol crashed, a witness said.

"We are still removing bodies from the water because the aircraft fell into a river," the witness told Reuters news agency. 

"So far, in front of me there are six bodies recovered from the water." 

Other reports said up to 17 people were killed in the crashed. 

Officials said they are investigating the cause of Sunday's crash.

"We have not yet established full details of the airline but what we know it is a 19-seater plane coming from Juba to Yirol this morning," Taban Abel Aguek, regional information minister for the Eastern Great Lakes state, told AFP news agency.
"When it arrived the weather was so foggy and when it tried to land it crashed... Its so sad. Many people on board are feared dead. We are still establishing details," he added.

Anglican Bishop of Yirol, Simon Adut, was confirmed among the dead, according to Abel.

More here-

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/09/south-sudan-dead-passenger-plane-crashes-river-180909094823122.html 

also here-

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2018/09/09/At-least-17-killed-in-South-Sudan-plane-crash.html

Church of England staring at oblivion as just 2% of young Britons say they identify with it

From The Independent-

The number of people who identify as belonging to the Church of England has dropped to a record low in an “unrelenting decline” that could threaten the denomination’s future, research suggests.
CofE affiliation has fallen to just 2 per cent among adults aged 18 to 24, while the majority of every age group now has no religion, the British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey found.

The number of Britons who describe themselves as part of the church has more than halved since 2002, from 31 per cent to 14 per cent. The number who actually attend sermons is far lower.

The sharpest drop was among 45- to 54-year-olds, only 11 per cent of whom identify with the CofE compared to 35 per cent in 2002.

The strongest affiliation with the church was among over-60s, but even there a minority of 30 per cent say they belong to the denomination.

More here-

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/church-england-uk-young-adults-identify-british-social-attitudes-a8527136.html

Cardinal Wuerl Recognizes Calls for ‘New Leadership’ – Proposes Season of Healing

From NCR-

Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington on Thursday recognized calls for new leadership in the archdiocese, including from local priests, but did not say whether he was considering stepping down.
In a September 6 letter to the priests of the archdiocese, Wuerl referenced a 90-minute period of prayer and discernment he had held with the priests of diocese three days earlier, before the annual Labor Day cookout.

“Among the many observations was that the archdiocese would be well served by new leadership to help move beyond the current confusion, disappointment and disunity,” he said in the letter.
Wuerl, who has faced growing calls for resignation over allegations of mishandling abuse reports, did not elaborate on his future leadership intentions. Sources have told CNA that Wuerl had hoped to stay on as Archbishop of Washington until the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ fall general assembly in November.

More here-

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/cardinal-wuerl-recognizes-calls-for-new-leadership-proposes-season-of-heali 

and here-

http://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/09/07/cardinal-wuerl-acknowledges-calls-for-new-leadership/

Welby proposes radical tax reforms

From The Church Times-

BIBLE verses are not normally traded at press conferences, but there was a sharp exchange on Wednesday, when the Archbishop of Canterbury launched a radical set of proposals to reform the UK economy.

The proposals are contained in Prosperity and Justice, a report produced by the Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) Commission on Economic Justice, of which Archbishop Welby is a member. The report’s premise is that wealthy individuals and corporations must contribute more to ensure a just society.

“Isn’t there a risk that, if the Government were to impose a wealth tax, particularly on earnings that people had already paid tax on, they would fall foul of the eighth commandment: ‘Thou shalt not steal’?” Sky’s economics editor, Ed Conway, asked.

More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/7-september/news/uk/welby-proposes-radical-tax-reforms 

and here-

https://www.ft.com/content/268ff106-b1f7-11e8-99ca-68cf89602132

Bp. Prior on Canon Pipkin’s Case

From The Living Church-

The Rt. Rev. Brian N. Prior, Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, writes to his diocese about accusations brought against the Rev. Canon Michael Pipkin:

I write this day asking for your prayers.

Every person in discernment for a possible call to the episcopate encounters a deep vulnerability — not only for the potential candidate, but for their family as well.

The Episcopal Church in Colorado has removed your Missioner for Missional Management, Michael Pipkin, from consideration in their bishop search.

As such, I ask for your prayers for the entire Pipkin family, as well as the Episcopal Church in Colorado, as they continue to discern whom God is calling to be their next bishop.

Once I became aware that concerns were raised about Michael, which led to his removal, I gathered together the President of the Standing Committee, Tom Cook, the Chair of the Personnel Committee, Judy Shoulak and the Chancellor for ECMN, Doug Franzen. This group counseled that we seek to gather all relevant material regarding these concerns in order to conduct our own independent inquiry.

More here-

https://livingchurch.org/2018/09/07/bp-prior-on-canon-pipkins-case/

Diocese of Colorado drops candidate from bishop search process

From Colorado-

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Colorado on Sept. 6 released the following letter regarding the search process for the diocese’s next bishop diocesan.

Dear People of God in The Episcopal Church in Colorado:

In the last several days, we have received reports of serious personal, professional, and vocational issues involving The Reverend Canon Michael Pipkin. Because we recognize that these complaints are serious, and because they cannot be resolved prior to our October 27 election, the Standing Committee voted unanimously on August 29 to remove him from consideration in the upcoming election for the 11th Bishop of Colorado.

As these changes in our discernment and election process have unfolded, we have been in close communication with Canon Pipkin’s bishop as well as with Bishop Todd Ousley, who works for the Presiding Bishop and provides oversight and guidance for all episcopal elections. These allegations have been referred to them for further action under the provision of The Episcopal Church’s canons.

More here-

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/article/diocese-colorado-drops-candidate-bishop-search-process

Two longtime state representatives ousted in primary upsets

From Boston-

In a pair of major upsets, two longtime state representatives and high-ranking Democrats were unseated in Tuesday’s primary election, according to unofficial results. 

State Representative Byron Rushing, the House assistant majority leader and the fourth-highest ranking Democrat in the House, was defeated by Jon Santiago, a Boston Medical Center emergency medicine resident. In a three-person race, Santiago received 48 percent of the vote to Rushing’s 37 percent. 

State Representative Jeff Sánchez, a Jamaica Plain Democrat and the House Ways and Means chairman, was defeated, 52 percent to 48 percent, by Nika Elugardo, who has worked for a number of state and local advocacy organizations.  

More here-

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/09/04/two-longtime-state-representatives-ousted-primaries/blaf9aqLAwvNJdaZEjFrFL/story.html

Albany Episcopal Diocese discusses resolution on same-sex marriages

From Albany-

More than 130 clergy members from the Albany Episcopal Diocese spent Thursday morning discussing the recent passage of resolution B012, which will allow same-sex couples to be married in the churches, including the Albany diocese, where gay marriage remains forbidden.

But as members exited the Christ the King Center that afternoon, no answers were offered as to what would happen next for the Albany diocese.

Albany Bishop William Love, who spoke with The Times Union following the meeting, said the time was used to pray, worship and converse in private.

More here-

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Albany-Diocese-clergy-members-discuss-resolution-13210836.php#item-85307-tbla-4

Debunking Myths about Origen

From The Patristics Project-

Whenever the topic of Origen presents itself, it seems to always come packaged together with a whirlwind of false information. I have seen, time and time again, Origen summoned by ignorant men merely to be whipped and sent back to the dungeon. One internet commentator even said, “Origen is only worth quoting if you are commenting on his heresy.” The image of Origen has become so marred by the mud of slander, accusation, and polemic, that one finds it difficult to discern what is actually Origen and what is not. Most people, whether they realize it or not, have uncritically sided with Jerome’s polemical rhetoric over and against his rival translator Rufinus, rather than the objective evidence. However, modern scholarship has discovered that past negative assertions of Rufinus’ translations of Origen were misled and incorrect. Contrary to Jerome’s assertions, Rufinus was not trying to hide Origen’s errors in his translations. Rufinus even states that he would not mess with Origen’s speculations and oddities but would only fix what he considered to be malicious additions concerning the Trinity alone:[1] not because he had some secret agenda and wanted people to accept Origen, but because such content contradicted Origen’s own words in other places. So, in the name of charity, Rufinus simply made Origen agree with himself to kill two birds with one stone: 1) undoing the foreign additions to Origen’s work, and 2) clearing away the cloud of scandal surrounding Origen, so we can all benefit from his work.

More here-

https://www.patristics.co/debunking-myths-about-origen/

A Crisis—but Not of Faith

From The Wall Street Journal-

In the ancient creed recited at Mass on Sundays, Catholics affirm their belief in “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.” It’s not difficult to imagine hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Catholics in the U.S. choking on that second adjective over the past several months.

Grisly allegations of sexually abusive clergy in Chile, Honduras, Ireland, Great Britain, Australia and the U.S.; the former cardinal-archbishop of Washington unmasked as a serial sexual predator specializing in the degradation of seminarians under his authority; clueless and bureaucratic responses to these crimes from some bishops seemingly incapable of sharing the rage being expressed by their people; unprecedented charges of inattention to sexual abuse against a sitting pope, first leveled by furious lay Catholics in Chile and then by a retired Vatican diplomat; stonewalling in Rome; unhinged polemics across the spectrum of Catholic opinion: Where is the holiness of the Church in all of this? 

Little wonder, then, that some of my fellow-Catholics have taken to the internet and the op-ed pages, not just to condemn gross failures of Catholic leadership but to confess to a crisis of faith. In this summer of nightmare, with the bad news by no means all out, the gag reflex of many Catholics is entirely understandable.

More here-

https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-crisisbut-not-of-faith-1535641698?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=13

Archbishop Welby should spend more time saving his Church from extinction - and rather less copying Corbyn

From The Daily Mail-

The Archbishop of Canterbury is a decent and well-intentioned man. Justin Welby is intelligent, too, and knows about money, having worked in the oil industry before becoming a priest.

Nor is there any question that lots of people in our society feel left behind, or in common parlance 'marginalised'. How else can one explain the astounding success of Jeremy Corbyn despite his obvious weaknesses?

Moreover, as a man of God, Mr Welby has every right to represent the poor, as indeed he should. Jesus Christ spent far more time with the dispossessed than with the rich and powerful.

So I've no quarrel with the Archbishop for speaking up on behalf of those who have no voice. But I'm afraid he is very unwise to have associated himself with a controversial and, I believe, often wrong-headed economic report.

More here-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-6136975/STEPHEN-GLOVER-Welby-spend-time-copying-Corbyn.html

Church leaders resign over Anglican decision on same-sex blessings

From New Zealand-

A Blenheim minister and his two assistant pastors have resigned over the Anglican Church's decision to allow blessings of same-sex married couples.

St Christopher's Church minister Sam Anderson said he intended to leave the Anglican Church of New Zealand altogether, saying he did not think the Bible endorsed same-sex relationships. 
"It's not easy to be a Christian in today's society, so if you're actually going to be a Christian you may as well hold onto what you believe rather than running with the crowd," Anderson said.

The Anglican ruling body, the general Synod, voted in May to allow same-sex blessings, but only if they are authorised by the local bishop. Former Christchurch Bishop Victoria Matthews discusses the regional synod vote in March.  

More here-

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/106854185/church-leaders-resign-over-anglican-decision-on-samesex-blessings

Early Americans’ struggles immortalized at the Washington Memorial Chapel

From Reading-

Symbolism reigns supreme at one of the grandest and most evocative edifices in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Its location on the most prominent hill of Valley Forge National Historical Park commands attention. But, within its walls are relics and reminders of American history.

That becomes evident just inside the entrance.

The "Justice Bell," a one-ton replica of the Liberty Bell, was commissioned in 1915 by Katharine Wentworth Ruschenberger and became an icon for the suffrage movement. Mrs. Ruschenberger willed what was once called the "Women's Liberty Bell" to the chapel, and it remains as a reminder of the women's struggles to win the right to vote.

The Washington Memorial Chapel is actually not on Valley Forge National Park grounds; it is a parish of the Episcopal Church and was founded in 1903.

More here-

http://www.readingeagle.com/weekend/article/early-americans-struggles-immortalized-at-the-washington-memorial-chapel

Saint Michael church teams up with developers for new mixed-use project in North Dallas

From Dallas-

The last large vacant development site in North Dallas' exclusive Preston Center district is being planned for a major mixed-use development.

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church has owned the almost 4-acre block at Douglas Avenue and Frederick Square for more than a decade.

An apartment complex once sat on the land located just east of the Dallas North Tollway.
Now the church — which has been in Preston Center since 1948 — is teaming up with Dallas developer Lincoln Property Co. to build residential and commercial buildings as part of an expansion of the church's campus. 

A large underground parking garage would meet the needs of both Saint Michael and the new development.

More here-

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/real-estate/2018/09/06/saint-michael-church-teams-builders-new-mixed-use-project-north-dallas

Best-selling author Barbara Brown Taylor writes first children’s book

From Atlanta-

Barbara Brown Taylor has been called one of the effective preachers in the English language.
She’s one of Christianity’s most influential writers.

Now, the Georgia-based theologian and best-selling author of “Leaving Church” and “Learning to Walk in the Dark” has turned her attention to reaching young minds.

“Christmas is a tough season,” said Taylor, who recently released her first children’s book, “Home by Another Way: A Christmas Story” on Flyaway Books.

“There is so much oversell and such high expectations,” she said. “Everyone gets into buying and selling happiness a lot. This is a quieter story.”

More here-

https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/books--literature/author-turns-short-story-into-children-book/DETH59sSPmTnEmnNHDi8PP/

Minister who railed against same-sex marriages resigns after disrespecting his wife

From Florida-

An anti-gay Anglican minister in Florida resigned last week after admitting to sexual harassment and “undesired physical displays of affection.” Dudley is married and the father of three.

Father Eric Dudley is the founder of St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Tallahassee and was the leader of that church until he resigned.

In a letter sent to parishioners by the Bishop Neil G. Lebhar of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese, complaints were brought against Dudley and an inquiry was launched by senior priests.

“Father Dudley admitted to inappropriate treatment of others, abuse of alcohol, and anger issues,” Lebhar wrote. “The complaints included patterns of undesired physical displays of affection which were deeply damaging to others and contrary to diocesan harassment policy.”

More here-

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2018/09/minister-railed-sex-marriages-resigns-disrespecting-wife/

Episcopal Church of South Sudan’s national youth coordinator killed in gun attack

From ACNS-

The national youth coordinator for the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) has died after being shot while travelling to Yei. Thousands of young people gathered at the house of Joseph Kiri yesterday (Monday) to pay their respects for the youth worker and evangelist, who was killed just days after the Primate of South Sudan, Archbishop Justin Badi Arama, said more needed to be done to turn a peace deal on paper into peace on the ground.

In addition to his work with the ECSS, Joseph Kiri worked for a church humanitarian organisation Across. He was shot near the village of Limbe, a few kilometres away from Yei, when unknown gunmen targeted his NGO vehicle. He was travelling to Yei to deliver field reports for Across, where he worked as a nutrition officer.

The Executive Director of Across, Elisama Wani Daniel, said that Kiri died instantly after being shot in the chest as the vehicle was sprayed with bullets. His driver, Maliamungu, managed to escape and ran to a military base at Limbe. Soldiers rushed to the scene of the attack and recovered Kiri’s body, which was being transferred to the capital Juba, today.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2018/09/episcopal-church-of-south-sudans-national-youth-coordinator-killed-in-gun-attack.aspx

Anglican Primate, Okoh explains why homosexuality has taken over Nigeria

From Nigeria-

Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, says homosexuality is “veritably poisoning” the Nigerian society.

Okoh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the unlawful act was being fed by “disintegration of social values and cultures.’’

The cleric blamed the development on the influence of western culture facilitated by the internet and satellite broadcasting.

“Homosexuality hinders the progress of a nation and such ungodly images should never be shown in Nigeria.

“It is pertinent to note that the advent of satellite broadcasting has continued to pose a serious challenge to our traditional cultures, religious values and our identity as a people.

More here-

http://dailypost.ng/2018/09/04/anglican-primate-okoh-explains-homosexuality-taken-nigeria/

Whatever Prayer Is For, It Isn’t That

From Freelance Christianity-

A week ago, the small Episcopal church that I frequently attend moved its morning services out of the sanctuary into a beautiful August morning, heading a half mile down the road to a town park on Narragansett Bay. A small table in the gazebo served as the altar, as twenty-five or so 8:00 service regulars enjoyed a modest version of taking the gospel into the streets (or at least onto the grass).

During the passing of the peace, one of the regulars at the adult education seminar that I lead after morning services once a month told me a story. Betty, who used to be a fifth-grade teacher, knows that I recently signed a contract to write a book on prayer with the working title “Prayer for People Who Don’t Believe in God.” One of her eleven-year-old students once posed the following problem:

What if there were two babies who were both sick with something that might be fatal. A whole bunch of people pray for the first baby to get better, while no one prays for the second baby. Is God more likely to heal the first baby rather than the second baby?

More here-

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/freelancechristianity/whatever-prayer-is-for-it-isnt-for-that/