Archdeacon Gets On His Bike For Epic Ride

From the "Because It's There" department.

An Archdeacon has begun an epic bike ride that will see him visit each of the 180 Anglican churches on his patch.

The Ven Hugh McCurdy, Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech, started the 500-mile marathon in the Huntingdon deanery two weeks ago at Great Gidding, having ridden from his home in Ely, and by Saturday evening had 40 churches under his belt.

The 70-miles-a-day slog resumed last Friday, when he visited the 15 churches in the St Neots deanery, followed by a similar number in the St Ives deanery, north of the river, on June 12.

June 17 and 18 will see him in the 25 churches of the Wisbech Lynne Marshland deanery, followed by the Fincham and Feltwell deanery on June 24 and 25.

He returns to churches in Sawtry and surrounding villages on June 29, concluding with the March and Ely areas in a saddle-sore July.

"Some people think I'm completely mad. Others want to join in," said the 51-year-old economist and former Vicar of Histon, who has been archdeacon since 2005.

But he is no stranger to long-distance cycling, having recently completed the coast-to-coast ride between Whitehaven in Cumbria and Whitby in north Yorkshire. "The fish and chips in Whitby were wonderful at the end of that ride but, if I accepted all the hospitality I've been offered this time, I would have difficulty getting on the bike."

The charity marathon, which covers the whole of north Cambridgeshire and parts of south Norfolk, is to celebrate Ely Cathedral's 900 years at the heart of the Christian community.

The Hunts Post caught up with him at Fenstanton Parish Church on Saturday, May 2, where he is pictured with, from left, sub-churchwarden Philip Blunt, church council member Jane Blunt, churchwarden Martyn Saunders and treasurer Joy Saunders.

http://www.huntspost.co.uk/content/hunts/news/story.aspx?brand=HPTOnline&category=News&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestHPT&itemid=WEED15%20May%202009%2017%3A30%3A08%3A387

Finding, sharing faith on Facebook

Welcome to the online church/synagogue/mosque of the 21st century.

Here you can follow congregants' "tweets" about sermons delivered at Westwinds Community Church by Michigan pastor John Voelz.

Log on to Texas pastor Laura Heikes' podcast sermons -- one posted recently when swine flu worries shut down worship at First United Methodist Church in New Braunfels.

And in this new spiritual landscape, it's easy to find out what Roanoke College Lutherans are doing. Just "friend" Virginia Synod Youth Programs Director David Delaney, who organizes events and posts announcements via Facebook from his Salem office.

"Facebook is now the primary mode of communication with young adults," according to Delaney, who said he has about 1,200 Facebook friends. "If I want to get something out to the college-aged crowd, the first thing I do is send out a message through Facebook."

E-mail, Delaney said, is now his second choice.

From prayer tweets to YouTube religious education videos, faith groups across the country and in the Roanoke and New River valleys are using online social networking in the millennia-old pursuit of evangelism and ministry.

And none of those tools has proven more powerful than Facebook.

Launched in 2004, today the site claims 200 million subscribers around the world, who can connect to friends, family and even strangers. Friends can then invite each other to events and parties, share interactive photo albums and video and audio files, even play a Facebook version of Scrabble.

more here-

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/205004

Good Stuf in TEC: Colorado

Takin’ it to the street: Outdoor church services minister to the homeless

With his clerical collar peeking out from under his gray sweatshirt, the Rev. Marc Genty welcomes his modest-sized congregation, thanking its members for believing in “the crazy notion of having church on the street.”

“I have seen Jesus more clearly standing here in this park than I have ever in my life,” Genty told a crowd of more than 30 gathered May 8 at downtown Longmont’s Collyer Park.

Genty, a deacon at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Fort Collins, heads the Common Cathedral, an outdoor ecumenical church for the homeless in Longmont.

Each week, a small throng convenes to worship and eat, usually sack meals provided by Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement’s Soup Angels program.

But the May 8 service included cakes and burgers to mark Common Cathedral’s one-year anniversary.

Many who attend the weekly services are homeless, are in transitional housing or recently have left the streets, Genty said. Others are curious neighbors or people seeking an ecumenical spiritual experience, he said.

“Wherever we are, we just try to be incredibly good neighbors,” he said.

Give the poor padre a break

From the Pittsburgh Trib-

Father Alberto Cutie, the widely popular priest at St. Francis de Sales in Miami Beach, was photographed cavorting romantically on a Florida beach.

The good news: He was with a woman, thank God, not an altar boy.

Given the torrent of sordid revelations in recent years, the church should be positively giddy with relief that one of its rising stars was caught snuggling with a very adult-looking female.

No apparent felony was in progress while Cutie and his companion rolled in the sand, although he obviously wasn't administering one of the sacraments.

After the photos were published by a Spanish-language magazine, Cutie apologized for his actions and church authorities removed him from his post at St. Francis de Sales.

The decision has upset many parishioners and reopened the debate over the celibacy vow that Catholic priests still are required to take. No one knows how many wise and decent men have been deterred from pursuing the priesthood by the moldy rule -- imposed almost four centuries after Christ died -- that forbids sex or marriage.

Not surprisingly, the number of active priests has been shrinking precipitously for decades and the church is starved for novitiates. My late uncle was a priest who taught at a Washington seminary that had once been bustling; these days the dorms are nearly empty. The church won't attract many new candidates for the priesthood by punishing Cutie, one of its most charismatic and well-known young clerics.

That's not to say his judgment that morning on the beach was razor-sharp. A vow is a vow.

More Here-

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_625379.html

To stay alive, churches are making changes

From Kentucky-

Across Jefferson County, small congregations in older urban neighborhoods have faced the stark reality of declining membership. By 2006, for instance, St. Peter's Evangelical United Church of Christ in the Russell neighborhood was down to 15 active members, most of them elderly or commuters from elsewhere.

Endowment funds left by deceased members, which had kept the church solvent, were running out. The church, with its rich history, had to decide if it was willing to accept a radically different future - or no future at all.

One-third of Americans and Kentuckians do not attend church regularly, according to the Barna Group, a religion research group. And half of Americans who do are now concentrated in just 10 percent of all congregations, according to the National Congregations Study, a research project conducted by a consortium of universities and religious research organizations.

"Some (smaller) churches will catch on, grow and do a lot better, and some will be planted new, and frankly, some will die," said Louisville Area Bishop Lindsey Davis of the United Methodist Church. "You either change and adapt, or you die."

St. Peter's decided to change, The Courier-Journal reported recently.

Under its first African-American pastor, it began reaching out to people it rarely encountered before - residents of a public housing complex across the street. In the past three years, the church also has offered after-school activities for children, substance-abuse recovery programs and Saturday morning food distributions accompanied by optional worship services.

More here-

http://www.kentucky.com/471/story/797924.html

Signs, signs everywhere signs #20

Must be because he's immortal.

Good Stuf in TEC: Florida

Youth minister at St. Andrew's in Spring Hill gets kids involved

For Jody Bowes, a youth ministry involves more than activities for kids. She wants them to get excited about what they do — and about God.

"A lot of times, kids are only thinking whatever it is their friends are thinking," the youth minister for St. Andrew's Episcopal Church explained. "We want to get them interested in not only an activity, but the reason behind the activity. We want them to buy into something because it's important to them as a person and a way to grow creatively."

Bowes would like children to understand what it means to be a spiritual being as well as a human being.

"It's important for them to become closer in their relationship to God and to understand that things are bigger than just them or just a youth ministry," she said.

With that in mind, Bowes leads St. Andrew's youth, ages 8 to 18, in being active participants in numerous church events — some for themselves, and others as an outreach.

The group of about 30 kids gets together on Wednesday evenings. Creative activities include singing, playing instruments, skits and participation in an annual talent show. Spiritual activities include a monthly contemporary worship service, visiting other church youth groups, Bible trivia games and discussions.

More here-

http://www.tampabay.com/news/religion/article1001408.ece

The church can invest more ethically

From the London Guardian-

It's been a mixed week financially for the Church of England. It proudly announced that public donations for the archbishops' Zimbabwe appeal had reached £292,330. However, it also admitted to losing some 4,500 times as much – £1.3 billion – through investments in shares and property. That's a fifth of its investment wealth.

But the church still has assets of £4.4bn, and to put that in context, Christian Aid Week aims to raise just £15m annually for the world's poor.

The C of E seems to see its investments primarily as a fundraising vehicle. The Church Commissioners previously officially aimed at 5% profit over and above the rate of inflation. According to their latest annual report (pdf) that seems to have changed – probably due to the threat of deflation and heavy losses. Now the goal is now just to make as much money as possible.

The commissioners do not see their investments as integral to the church's mission, but as additional – a dualism which suggests both bad theology and seeking to justify investment decisions by ends rather than means.

It is true that the church doesn't invest in companies that promote pornography or supply armaments, or where over 25% of group turnover relates to gambling, tobacco, alcohol, military equipment, doorstep lending or human embryonic cloning. But this looks a bit like New Labour's "ethical foreign policy". Proudly worn on its sleeve, but somewhat lacking in substance and subservient to self-interest.

More here-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/may/15/church-investments-ethical

Bells play 'anti-religion' song

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

The bells of Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral will ring out to the sounds of John Lennon's anti-religious anthem Imagine later.

A team of seven volunteer bell ringers will play the 1971 song, which begins "Imagine there's no Heaven", as part of an arts festival.

The cathedral said it had carefully considered the "sensitivities" surrounding the song's lyrical content.

Lennon himself described the song as "anti-religious, anti-conventional".

The former Beatle, who was born in Liverpool and murdered in New York in 1980, said it was also "anti-capitalistic".

A spokesman for the Anglican Cathedral said: "The cathedral feels this performance has inspired many to think about their relationship with God in their lives."

Leading the recital is cathedral ringer Sam Austin, 23, a student at Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music.

More-

http://www.stars-portraits.com/images/portraits/stars/j/john-lennon/john-lennon-by-Eli.jpg

Canadian delegates to ACC hopeful about future of Anglican Communion

Canadian delegates to the 14th Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) echoed sentiments of hope and optimism expressed by other attendees, although tempered by the fact that despite a good meeting, issues related to human sexuality remain on the table for the Anglican Communion.

“I came to this meeting quite burdened, quite worried. I have come home with evidence, not just hope, that the Communion will last and that we will be a part of it,” said Suzanne Lawson, lay delegate of the Anglican Church of Canada. In a report on her discernment group, she quoted one of the delegates as saying “'I’m not taking back a bunch of ACC resolutions, I’m taking you back, and you, and you.'" She added:" It may sound soft, but it’s hard fought and hard won.”

The diocesan bishop of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Sue Moxley, bishop delegate of the Anglican Church of Canada, said she came to the meeting “hopeful” because she saw how the 2008 Lambeth Conference of bishops “turned around” under the leadership of Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and the meeting managers. “I thought the same thing would happen. My expectations were met; this was light years better than the horrible experience we had at Nottingham,” she said. At that ACC meeting in 2005, the Canadian and American delegates sat on the sidelines after their churches were censured for liberal views on human sexuality.

Lutherans, Episcopalians prepare for conventions

Members of two of the largest Protestant denominations in the United States are gearing up for national conventions this summer, when the topic of homosexuality once again promises to heat things up.

The 4.7-million member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will hold its biennial Churchwide Assembly Aug. 17-23 in Minneapolis, while the Episcopal Church will meet for its triennial General Convention July 8-17 in Anaheim, Calif.

(snip)

Leaders of the Episcopal Church, which has 2 million members nationwide, held a live online "webcast" this week to discuss the upcoming Anaheim convention.
Participating were Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, the leader of the Episcopal Church; Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies; the Rev. Gregory Straub, General Convention executive, and the convention's host bishop, Bishop J. Jon Bruno of Los Angeles.
It was the Episcopal Church that propelled the issue of gay clergy into the national headlines when it elected an openly gay priest, the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.

Nearly six years later, the issue continues to tear at the seams of the denomination.
Archbishop Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury and head of the global Anglican Communion, this week compared the divisions within the church to the deep-seated and longstanding tensions in the Middle East.

"The other day we were giving quite intense attention to the situation in the Holy Land, and in that discussion I thought there are echoes of language we hear nearer home," Archbishop Williams said. "Emergencies mean all the rules and standards are suspended. We can't discuss while there are tanks on the lawn. We can't discuss when there are facts on the ground."

More here-

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090516/NEWS10/905160400/-1/NEWS04

Vancouver Anglicans go to court

ANGLICANS in the Diocese of New Westminster are scheduled to go to court May 23 in a case that could determine the shape of Canadian Anglicanism.

At stake is the ownership of four church buildings, but the case could set a precedent that would affect the ownership of other church buildings across Canada, Anglican and otherwise.

The two sides in the dispute are currently engaged in a mediation process that is due to conclude at the end of this week. If the mediation effort is unsuccessful, the court case will go ahead as scheduled May 23; it is expected to take two to three weeks, with a decision likely to come before the end of the year.

The court case was launched in September 2008 by leaders of St. John's Shaughnessy parish in Vancouver, who made a "statement of claim" for ownership of the parish building, which is valued at over $10 million. Leaders of three other parishes have also joined the court case: St. Matthew's in Abbotsford, BC; St. Matthias and St. Luke's in Vancouver; and Church of the Good Shepherd in Vancouver.

All four parishes have voted to leave the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and are now affiliated with the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), along with 23 other Canadian parishes.

More here-

http://www.canadianchristianity.com/nationalupdates/090514anglicans.html

Good Stuf in TEC: Florida

Christ Episcopal Church Charitable Foundation

The Christ Episcopal Church Charitable Foundation presented four year Florida pre-paid college scholarships to Haley Brown, Christopher Dell, and Alex Sopchak of Nease high School and two grants to Kelley Davis and Sydney Ilano of Fletcher High School. Brown plans to attend Nova Southeastern University, Dell plans to attend Stetson University, Sopchak and Davis plan to attend University of Florida and Ilano plans on attending Florida Gulf Coast University.

"We are excited and proud to assist these outstanding young people to pursue a college education and their dreams for the future. We congratulate them and wish them the best," said The Rev. Richard S. Westbury, Jr.

The Foundation has awarded a total of 36 scholarships since 1994. Scholarship recipients are selected based upon financial need, a strong spiritual background of any faith and the ability to succeed academically.

http://www.pontevedrarecorder.com/content/975_1.php

You can see all of the good stuff posts by clicking on "Good Stuff" in the tags below.

Devon is the daughter of Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies. I've worked with her at General Convention. She'll do a wonderful job.

The board of directors of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation (EGR) on May 14 announced the Rev. Devon Anderson has been named executive director, replacing the Rev. Michael Kinman, as of May 15.

EGR is a grassroots organization that uses the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to organize Episcopalians to eradicate world poverty.

"It's about building leadership and leadership capacity in the church, and trying to set measurable goals and strategies organized around global policy," said Anderson in a telephone interview, adding that she is excited to work with EGR and its board in this mission.

"In my theology, promises made to the poor are particularly sacred. I think we've reached a defining moment in our church. We could decide as a church to move on to the next thing, or we could follow through on the promises we've made to the poor. I am confident the church will redouble its efforts."

Anderson said she feels her previous work--both in the church and in government--has prepared her for this position.

"Devon combines experience at the local and national church level with experience in Washington, D.C., and in community organizing. But most important is her passion for the MDGs and the mission of EGR," said John Hammock, board president, in a news release.

Anderson, 42, has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a master's in divinity from Harvard Divinity School. She was ordained a deacon in 1997 and a priest in 1998.

The rest-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81831_107725_ENG_HTM.htm

Episcopal Church leaders give webcast preview of General Convention

From Episcopal Life Online (I was there and in my opinion the video needs a car chase)

The role of young people, the fate of controversial resolutions and the effect of actions on the "people in the pews" were some of the topics discussed during an Internet broadcast, or webcast, May 13 with officers of General Convention, the Episcopal Church's triennial governing meeting.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, General Convention executive the Rev. Gregory Straub, and Bishop J. Jon Bruno of the host diocese of Los Angeles were the presenters.

The webcast, which was moderated by Neva Rae Fox, program officer for public affairs for the Episcopal Church, originated from Anaheim, California, where the convention will meet from July 8 to 17. Jefferts Schori began the webcast by invoking the convention theme, "ubuntu," a Zulu Xhosa word that is often translated as "I am because we are." "General Convention is a remarkable opportunity for Episcopalians and those who will be peering over our shoulders to see this church in action, in its way of having deep and vigorous conversation in community," said Jefferts Schori. "We never all agree about anything except that it is good to be together."

She said she looks forward to welcoming church members and visitors of every language and culture as well as ecumenical observers and guests from the Anglican Communion. "It's an opportunity for the world to see how we make decisions, in all of our incarnate messiness." Anderson pointed out the importance of General Convention to the church. "All other positions and bodies in the Episcopal Church derive their authority from General Convention," she said. "This General Convention is providing us with a unique opportunity to explore our mission together." The convention, she said, "will have time set aside to explore the question of the church's mission through a process called public narrative."
More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_107550_ENG_HTM.htm

Anglican faction in U.K. blasts Church council resolution condemning Israel

The U.K.-based Anglican Friends of Israel this week lambasted the Anglican Communion's latest resolution on the Middle East, saying it is one-sided and unfairly critical of Israel. The Anglican Communion - an international association of national Anglican churches representing 88 million members in over 160 countries - passed a resolution Saturday condemning Israel for creating "severe hardship" for Palestinians by enacting policies resembling a "physical form of apartheid."

"Once again, Anglican representatives have singled out Israel for criticism without placing her actions in context or directly addressing the Palestinian contribution to the conflict," Anglican Friends of Israel's co-chair Simon McIlwaine wrote in a statement published Tuesday. "Thus the Resolution calls on Israel to lay down all measures which protect her citizens from Arab terrorism while failing to demand that Palestinian leaders meet any of the obligations placed on them by UN resolutions, such as the requirement to dismantle their terrorist networks."


The non-profit group, which was founded in 2005 and aims to bring the Anglican Church "back to an understanding of [its] Jewish roots," said the Communion's "ghastly pronouncement threatens to completely sabotage Anglican-Jewish relations."

The rest is here-

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1085738.html

BISHOP SUSPENDS PRIEST AFTER COMPLAINTS OF MISCONDUCT

Press Release from the Diocese of Olympia

The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel, Bishop of Olympia, has suspended the Rev. Lawrence S. Perry from his position as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Everett, Wash., having recently received two separate complaints of sexual misconduct against Perry. In both complaints, Perry crossed boundaries that are to be held between a priest and a layperson. In neither of these cases was a child or youth involved. Perry has voluntarily submitted to Rickel's care and discipline and has fully cooperated. Perry has admitted that the complaints are substantially true. Counseling has been offered to all those involved, including members of the congregation.

"Please trust that as your bishop I take this matter seriously," Rickel told the congregation. "The members of the parish, the people who have been harmed and the Perrys are all in my prayers and will continue to be in those prayers."

Although the details of Perry's discipline are still to be determined by Rickel and will in large part be between Rickel and Perry, the following terms were reported: Perry will not return to Trinity, Everett; he will be suspended from the priesthood and may not function as a priest in any way; he may not contact Trinity, Everett parishioners, be on the grounds of Trinity, Everett or wear priestly garb. If any of the terms of the suspension and discipline are not obeyed, it becomes a matter for further discipline.

"A significant amount of time and space for healing in the congregation is necessary," Rickel said, explaining that the process to call a new rector would not begin until sometime in the future. With the input of Trinity's vestry, or administrative committee, Rickel will appoint a priest-in-charge in the near future. Meanwhile, the Revs. Robert Dunn and Wayne Bond, already exercising ministry at Trinity, Everett, have agreed to cover the liturgical and pastoral needs of the congregation.

More here-

http://www.ecww.org/news_detail.cfm?NID=544

ACC’s close vote delays debate on Covenant

THE Anglican Covenant will not be sent out to the provinces of the Communion for adoption until there has been consultation on the controversial section 4, the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) voted by the narrowest of majorities at its meeting in Jamaica this week. Sec tion 4 deals with the enforcement of the terms of the Covenant.

The chairman of the Covenant Design Group, the Most Revd Drexel Gomez, the recently-retired Arch bishop of the West Indies, had urged delegates not to lose the opportunity to take decisive action on the Covenant in what was considered to be its final form, the Ridley Draft (News, 8 May). He had predicted breaks in the Communion if it did not vote to send it out.
The outgoing deputy secretary general of the Communion, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, commented on Monday of the vote: “Many will feel that any delay in the adoption of the Covenant inflicts further damage on the Communion; others feel that to take matters deliberately and with consultation can only strengthen the process overall.

“I myself believe that the Ridley Covenant Draft is mature, and feel that delay will allow more radical groups to agitate for more precipitous change or realignment.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury urged Anglicans not to put off discussing the Covenant. He told the ACC: “The text is on the table. Begin the discernment, begin that intelligent engagement as soon as you can.”

The complicated debate taxed delegates to the full. It involved 18 amendments to the resolutions, and four personal interventions by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Ridley draft had been discussed before the meeting by the Joint Standing Committee (JSC) of the ACC. The JSC had asked Dr Williams and the secretary general to develop a text for a resolution reflecting their discussions, which could be offered to discernment groups once the ACC was under way.

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=75123

Churches Aid Victims of Alaska Flooding

St. Matthew’s Church, Fairbanks, is serving as a staging area for Alaskan villagers evacuated to escape some of the state’s worst flooding in decades.

No deaths or injuries have been reported from the flooding, caused by an unusually warm spring thaw the week before, but the village of Eagle was destroyed May 12. Some villages remain under water, while others are littered with house-size boulders of ice that remained after the river receded. The floodwaters also have become contaminated with toxic chemicals, oil and gasoline that were stored in tanks that ruptured.

So far about 50 evacuees have arrived at the Fairbanks church from Tanana, a village of about 250 located along the Yukon River.

“They’re just coming in now from the village and I’m told there are three more planes coming in from Tanana,” said Hilary Freeman, St. Matthew’s parish administrator. “They brought elders, young mothers, and babies, little ones.”

Telephone lines were down, according to the Rev. David Blanchett, the Diocese of Alaska’s representative to Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, a coalition of nonprofit organizations that respond to disasters as part of their overall mission.

“We are waiting for the assessment team to come back so we can get an idea of what’s really happening and what is needed,” Fr. Blanchett said. “Right now we are in the relief stage. We are trying to have an Episcopal presence in the flood areas so that they know we care and also so that we can assess what is needed so we can try to help them in the recovery stage of it.”

Fairbanks is surrounded by a number of smaller communities where unemployment is as high as 90 percent. Many residents subsist on hunting, fishing and gathering. Only nine of nearly 50 such villages are accessible by road year-round; the others can only be reached by air or river from June through mid-September.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/5/14/churches-aid-alaska-flood-victims

Nigeria: Seven-Point Agenda a Failure, By Anglican Communion

The Diocese of Minna (Anglican Communion) Niger State has described the Federal Government's 7-Point Agenda as a failure, pointing out that instead of enriching Nigerians, it has continued to impoverish them.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the 7th Synod of the Diocese in the state capital, the church urged the government to be more practical in its approach to solving the economic hardship in the country rather than being a paper work.

The Synod also berated the interest rate charged by banks in the country, pointing out that rather than help the economy to grow it has in no small way led to the closure of the few existing industries in the country, thereby throwing Nigerians into unemployment.

The Synod which had as its theme: Christian Response to Hard Times: A Case Study of Joseph, wondered why the economy of Nigeria and its people are worst hit by the economic meltdown, whereas other continents still have their economy well managed and their citizens not hard-hit.

The Synod, which was presided over by Bishop of Minna Diocese, Rt Rev Abubakar Yisa, decried a situation where a country like Nigeria, blessed with abundant natural and human resources, has nothing positive to show for the blessings from God but rather poverty everywhere.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/200905140071.html

P.B. Opposes Revisiting Resolution B033

This year’s General Convention will be a “magic kingdom” to rival the nearby Disneyland amusement park, according to the three senior officers in charge of convention planning and the bishop of the host diocese. The four spoke at a press conference broadcast over the internet on May 13.

“What happens at General Convention will affect you,” Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said in response to a question emailed by a viewer. “It governs how your diocese is served by church-wide staff and how your diocese uses church-wide resources.”

In addition to Bishop Jefferts Schori, participants included Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies; the Rev. Gregory Straub, executive officer and secretary of General Convention; and the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop of Los Angeles.

A number of viewers wanted to know how results from the recently concluded meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council might affect convention. Bishop Jefferts Schori said the need to debate the proposed Anglican Covenant obviously was a moot point since it failed to pass during the ACC meeting in Jamaica last week.

In response to a question regarding the repeal of B033, the resolution approved at General Convention in 2006 that recommends caution in consecrating bishops whose manner of life might cause distress to other members of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Jefferts Schori said B033 would be debated, but that she opposes its repeal.

“I would far more prefer that we say here is where we are today,” she said, adding that it was a more positive way to express the mind of the church.

Bishop Jefferts Schori, Bishop Bruno and Mrs. Anderson all expressed hope that the church would emerge from convention as a people empowered and excited about mission.

“In the past we tried to do that through programs,” Mrs. Anderson said. “I’m not sure it is in our DNA yet.”

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/5/13/pb-opposes-revisiting-b033

Church’s rebuilding progresses

From Topeka Kansas-

Destroyed by a $3 million intentionally set fire more than two years ago, the worship space of St. David’s Episcopal Church at 3916 S.W. 17th is steadily rising from the ashes.

The latest sign of progress will be evident around 7:30 a.m. today when construction crews begin installing a new tower that will stand approximately 50 feet tall near the southwest corner of the church, where the new worship space will be located.

The Rev. Don Davidson, rector of the 500-member church, said the new tower won’t have a carillon but will be topped by a cross.

“For us, it’s a pretty big deal,” Davidson said. “It’s a pretty big step as far as getting the building rehabbed and ready to go.”

Davidson said work continues to progress on the church, portions of which were destroyed and other parts of which sustained extensive damage in an arson early Nov. 10, 2006.

Fire officials said the blaze started in the chapel, which was located on the southeast side of the church near S.W. 17th and Gage.

Though rewards totaling $15,000 have been offered, no arrests have been made.

Church members opted to rebuild at the original location, then met for more than a year in other houses of worship, including Temple Beth Sholom, as work was done on fire-damaged portions of the building.

More here-

http://cjonline.com/news/local/2009-05-14/church’s_rebuilding_progresses

Church goes to higher court

St. James Anglican Church will take its battle to keep its Via Lido campus after a contentious break with the Episcopal Church to the United States Supreme Court, the Newport Beach congregation announced Tuesday.

The church will ask the court to resolve whether the 1st Amendment of the Constitution protects church property ownership. In the case, the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles claims it has a right to keep St. James’ Newport Beach church after it left the Episcopal Church in 2004 over differing views on theology and homosexuality. The California Supreme Court ruled in favor of the diocese in January.

The case raises questions about St. James’ constitutionally protected religious freedoms, said John Eastman, dean of Chapman University School of Law.

“By taking their church away that makes it hard for them to practice their religion,” Eastman said.

A constitutional law scholar who once served as a law clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas, Eastman has agreed to take the St. James case.

“I think there’s a decent chance that the court will take it up,” Eastman said. “This is a case of consequence not just to the Episcopal Church, but to all sorts of churches that have loose affiliations with national organizations.”

St. James has until May 26 to file with the Supreme Court, and has already set up www.steadfastinfaith.org in support of their push to get the court to take up the case. The church expects to get an answer on whether the high court will hear the property dispute by September or October, Eastman said. The court could reach a decision as early as summer 2010 if it decides take up the matter. St. James also continues to pursue its case in Orange County Superior Court.

The Rest-

http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2009/05/14/topstory/dpt-stjames050609.txt

Episcopal Church leaders give webcast preview of General Convention

The role of young people, the fate of controversial resolutions and the effect of actions on the "people in the pews" were some of the topics discussed during an Internet broadcast, or webcast, May 13 with officers of General Convention, the Episcopal Church's triennial governing meeting.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, General Convention executive the Rev. Gregory Straub, and Bishop J. Jon Bruno of the host diocese of Los Angeles were the presenters. The webcast, which was moderated by Neva Rae Fox, program officer for public affairs for the Episcopal Church, originated from Anaheim, California, where the convention will meet from July 8 to 17.

Jefferts Schori began the webcast by invoking the convention theme, "ubuntu," a Zulu Xhosa word that is often translated as "I am because we are."

"General Convention is a remarkable opportunity for Episcopalians and those who will be peering over our shoulders to see this church in action, in its way of having deep and vigorous conversation in community," said Jefferts Schori. "We never all agree about anything except that it is good to be together."

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_107550_ENG_HTM.htm

Fr. Zahl Resigns from All Saints’, Chevy Chase

Paul was the advisor on my doctoral dissertation. I wish him all the best.

The Rev. Paul F. Zahl, former dean of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, has announced his intention to resign effective June 15 as rector of All Saints’, Chevy Chase, Md.

According to accounts from several members of the parish, Fr. Zahl, 58, said in his announcement during services on Sunday, May 10, that he felt called at this stage of his ministry to concentrate on teaching, preaching and reaching the unchurched as opposed to parish ministry.

Fr. Zahl, an author and distinguished theologian, resigned as seminary dean and president in 2007. He was dean of the Cathedral of the Advent, Birmingham, Ala., from 1995 to 2004 and has served at several other prominent parishes. He has been rector of All Saints’ for about a year.

The Rt. Rev. Edward L. Salmon, Jr., Bishop of South Carolina from 1990 to 2007, has agreed to serve as a short-term interim at All Saints’. Under an arrangement reached with the Rt. Rev. John B. Chane, Bishop of Washington, Bishop Salmon has provided alternate episcopal oversight to All Saints’ for the past several years.

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/5/13/fr-zahl-resigns-from-all-saints-chevy-chase

In homosexuality debate, out of touch means out of favour

If there is one issue that threatens to destroy what remains of Europe’s Protestant ecclesiastial communities from within, it is homosexuality.

Few Christian communities have kept up with the advance in homosexuals’ civil rights.

Perhaps they do not understand how advances in education mean that young people coming out of schools today find opposition to homosexuality in the churches incredible. The Anglican Communion, possibly even the Church of England, might not survive the debate in their present form.

At a crucial meeting of its central executive body in Jamaica last week, leaders of the Anglican Communion effectively kicked a new “covenant”, into touch. This was a document designed to hold together the member provinces under a banner of agreed orthodoxy.

Some believe it could never have worked, as wealthiest of these provinces, The Episcopal Church of the US, has already embraced gay rights and has no plans to relinquish them.

The Anglicans are the most publicly divided over this issue, and are now staring schism in the face, but in the Church of Scotland the divisions also run deep, as they do in most churches.

The Methodists and the Quakers, adopting their gently liberal gospels of inclusiveness, are among the few who seem to have managed this issue with true Christian charity.

More here-

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6276906.ece

Anglicans Emerge from Meeting with More Hope for Unified Future

While the recent Anglican meeting that ended Tuesday did not produce any ultimate solutions to the problems wracking the global church body, Anglicans came out of the gathering with a sense of hope that they will remain unified.

"We believe that whatever has happened in the course of our decisions, from this point forward God has a perfect plan for his Church to remain the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church," said delegates from the Global South in a statement. "Our hope for the future is based on the fact that God has raised Jesus to be Lord and Christ and given Him as the head of the Church and commissioned us to proclaim Him as Lord and Savior to all peoples."

Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams says the 12-day Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, deepened their sense of obligation to one another as it revealed the participants' willingness to act as one body.

"[W]e have not in this meeting given evidence of any belief that we have no future together," Williams said Monday. "The question is of course what that future will look like."

The 77 million-member Anglican Communion has been threatened with a split over differences on scriptural authority and particularly homosexuality. Rifts were widened in 2003 when The Episcopal Church – the U.S. arm of Anglicanism – consecrated the first openly gay bishop.

Williams, considered the Anglican spiritual leader, noted this week that many in the communion believe the credibility of Christianity is at stake.

Some say that "Christian credibility is shattered by the sense of rejection and scapegoating which they experience, and that includes a great many of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ," Williams outlined. "The cost they feel is often they cannot commend the Christianity that they long to believe in because they feel that they are bound up in a system and a community where scapegoating and rejection are very deeply ingrained."

More here-

http://www.christianpost.com/Intl/Church_bodies/2009/05/anglicans-emerge-from-meeting-with-more-hope-for-unified-future-13/

One moment, one question, one aim: half a million people to be invited 'Back to Church'

Churchgoers across the Church of England are set personally to invite up to half a million people to services on Back to Church Sunday, 27 September 2009, making the event one of the largest co-ordinated evangelism events shared across the Church in recent history.

Every one of the Church’s 44 dioceses are taking part in the initiative this year, by encouraging churchgoers to invite someone they know who used to attend church to come back on a particular Sunday. Churches will focus on extending an even warmer welcome than usual on the day, supported by ‘Back to Church Sunday’ resources such as special red ‘welcome’ T-shirts and subsidised ‘party packs’ of fairly-traded catering products, produced in partnership with Traidcraft.

Up to 16,000 Church of England churches could be taking part, joining congregations from Churches Together in Scotland, the Church in Wales, Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed churches nationwide, Elim Pentecostal churches and Anglican churches in Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and Canada.

‘Back to Church Sunday’ began in Manchester in 2004, spread to Wakefield Diocese in 2005, nine dioceses in 2006, 20 in 2007, and 38 in 2008, when an estimated 37,000 people came back. While not each of the Church of England’s 16,000 parish churches will necessarily be taking part this year, each church has the opportunity to do so, with bishops encouraging parishes to get involved.

“The impact of Back to Church Sunday is not just measured in statistics; it is measured by the wonderful impact it has had on numerous individual lives,” comments the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, Bishop of Lichfield.

Rest is here-

http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr5309.html

Anglican leaders criticised on Israel statement

From the London Times-

Anglican supporters of the state of Israel have expressed their “dismay” at a statement from Anglican leaders from around the world criticising Israel for imposing a so-called apartheid system on the Palestinians.

At its meeting in Jamaica chaired by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, the Anglican Consultative Council, the policy body at the centre of the worldwide church, said it “laments” that current Israeli policies in relation to the West Bank “have created severe hardship for many Palestinians and have been experienced as a physical form of apartheid”.

Calling for a Palestinian state alongside Israel, the Anglican council made no request for an end to terrorism but called on Israel to end occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, freeze all settlement building, abandon its settlement policy and dismantle the separation barrier.

The lobby group Anglican Friends of Israel warned that the council’s resolution threatened to “completely sabotage” Anglo-Jewish relations.

In a statement, the group said: “Once again, Anglican representatives have singled out Israel for criticism without placing her actions in context or directly addressing the Palestinian contribution to the conflict.”

The statement continued: “Israel is falsely accused of imposing an apartheid system on Palestinians while the education of Palestinian children to hate Jews and give their lives in cause of Israel’s destruction is ignored.

More here-

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6281883.ece

Tougher times see churches increase attendance

From New Zealand-

Church flocks are growing as people search for a deeper meaning during the recession.

Christ Church Cathedral Dean Peter Beck said Anglican churches had seen an increase in congregation numbers.

"There's certainly a renewed interest; people are looking for a way forward," he said.

"Instead of consumerism and individualism, which has really consumed us in these last decades, people have been shown the result of all that is to reap this whirlwind around the world and they are looking for something better.

"It's extraordinarily encouraging really."

The church stood for values of community and responsibility and was becoming more confident about communicating that message, said Beck.

Presbyterian Church assembly executive secretary Martin Baker said churches had noticed a big rise in numbers over holiday periods.

Christmas and Easter were usually quiet times for churches as families went away on holiday, but with budgets tightening many were choosing to stay at home.

"There's some indication that people are participating more fully in the life of churches, reconnecting to the churches," he said.

"During times of change people often take time to rethink their priorities and engagements with the community and values."

More here-

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/2406010/Tougher-times-see-churches-increase-attendance