November 2009

Send us your Response

From The Rev. Rob McCann • Lafayette, California, Nov 16, 2009 For eons, if not forever (so I'm dramatic), two groups of people have been historically marginalized within the human family - women and homosexuals.

With the Vatican's invitation to drum up more interest among disenchanted Anglicans to become Catholics, the same incessant unequal beat goes on - and precisely over what so many of us see as two issues of justice not served.

The sudden invitation is curiously un-ecumenical following decades of theological headway and occasional bonhomie. It is wrapped with The Prayer Book and the possibility of married male priests. The sadness for so many of us centers around a powerful hierarchy that continues to disenfranchise more than half of its own members with no questions asked, nor tolerated.

As one who has swum on both sides of the Tiber, may I recommend reading the cautionary tale of the Trojan Horse in Virgil's Aeneid before any planned journey.

Rounding out worship

From The Rev. William F. Maxwell • Port Townsend, Washington, Nov 16, 2009 I am a retired cathedral dean, ordained priest for 60 years last September. I have gladly tried new forms of liturgy -- embraced some, rejected some. The seating in the round is the most important change in my experience, and I love it! At Grace Church, Bainbridge Island, we worship in the round. We sing a hymn that includes a line, "I see glory in each face", and I do as I look across the church at my friends who are worshipping with me. This doesn't happen readily with the backs of peoples' heads, and those faces at Grace enrich my worship every time. It is community at worship -- liturgy at its most engaging, and not only with fellow Christians but with our Lord. Thank you for the article.

Vatican's Apostolic Constitution explained

From Rich Dykstra • Valparaiso, Indiana Nov 16, 2009 As a liberal-minded Catholic, I would like to see the entire Anglican Communion accepted into the Catholic Church just as it is, as The Anglican Rite of The Roman Catholic Church. But, it's going to be a very long time before the Roman Church "catches up" to the workings of the Holy Spirit in the Anglican Church! Unfortunately, I see hundreds of years passing before the Roman Church "catches up."

PAKISTAN: Church-run school burned down in suspected terrorist attack

From Cherian P. Varghese • Chennai, Tamilnadu, India, Nov 16, 2009 We are standing with these Christians of Pakistan, trusting in the power of our Lord Jesus to support them, as they wish to give faithful witness about the true Biblical faith inside Pakistan.

Our Lord will surely help them.

Rethinking theological education

From Dale Carter • Asheville, North Carolina, Nov 16, 2009 I am in the discernment process in the Diocese of Western North Carolina. I find this article encouraging. It seems that there my be options and opportunities emerging that would allow some of us to continue to work and save for further education while still working towards our calling.

I am hoping I am interpreting this correctly. I am interested in more information on this program. Thanks for the article!

Episcopalians urged to support affordable health care

From Justin Varteresian • Whitinsville, Massachusetts Nov 16, 2009 I am an Episcopalian who is in opposition to the bill. Frankly, I am disgusted by how our church (the Episcopal Church, not my parish) is run, and I demand reform now. This bill is socialism at its finest. Jesus told us to help the poor, not give our money to the government so that they can semi-help the poor. As I understand it, Jesus and the institution of government did not get along very well. I see troubles ahead of us; our willingness to allow anyone into our church has caused our church to make a strong dash to the left on social and economic issues.

Episcopal-Moravian full communion could offer mission 'riches'

From Barbara Haring • Sealy, Texas, Nov 16, 2009 Today I was on the internet looking for a new Episcopal Church home for my husband and myself. Imagine my surprise when I came upon this article. I live in Texas now, but I was raised in Bethlehem. I went to St. Andrew's from the time I was 9 until I was 15. When my family moved into town, not having transportation I transferred to Trinity which I could walk to. I began dating a young man who belonged to the Moravian Church. We alternated going to the Episcopal Church and the Moravian Church, participating in both youth groups and each other’s Christmas pageants, etc. When John Kennedy was assassinated (our junior year of high school) we attended all the memorial services for both religions. While my church was more formal and ritualistic, his was much simpler. What a blessing it was to be able to participate in both religions, and what a wonderful idea it is to bring them both together at last.

Rethinking theological education

From The Rev. Lee A. Gaede • Evanston, Illinois, Nov 12, 2009 It is very frustrating to once again hear presbyteral education be the only subject of theological education, as it is in this article. Seminaries seem to have completely ignored lay and diaconal education, and are now paying the price. Theological education should be about all the people of God. I would hope that the decision makers in the Episcopal Church and in the seminaries would begin to think creatively, with a goal of truly opening theological education to all, not just those preparing for the priesthood.

Southern Ohio gets approval for same-gender blessings as dioceses gather for annual sessions

From Michael McCroskey • Sugar Land, Texas, Nov 12, 2009 The Ohio news saddens me as I see it as just one more wedge splitting the Episcopal Church apart. If we can't read the Bible, what good are we as Christians? The world tells us we're wrong, but we insist we are "enlightened" and continue to move away from the truth.

First Pakistani woman priest ordained

From Elizabeth Loweth • Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada Nov 12, 2009 What a great event! Thank you for reporting it so well. There is another element, though, and she and her husband face prejudice possibly with violence. The women who repesent their primates and who are provincial links for the international Anglican Church women will be supportive contacts for this newly ordained woman. As the link for Canada, I celebrate this ordination and hope she will stay close to other women througout the Anglican Communion via the IAWN, a network established by the Anglican Consultative Council.

Episcopalians pick five strategic goals for future

From Barbara Calvin • Winston Salem, North Carolina, Nov 12, 2009 I find it sad that the church wants to focus on youth and youth ministry and DOESN'T want to focus least on multi-cultural inclusion. A multi-cultural world is the world where our youth are living. It is what they value. They are not going to come to a church that is more segregated than their high schools. How will they feel inviting their multi-cultural friends to their faith community when that same faith community doesn't value their friends' experience? The Episcopal Church should be a witness to the inclusion of God. There is a reason why non-denominational churches are growing and the traditional denominations are shrinking ... The church can no longer justify being the most segregated institution that exists.

EPPN urges action on health-care reform

From The Rev. Jay Kanzler • St. Louis, Missouri, Nov 11, 2009 Why is EPPN, which is a not-for-profit entity, engaging in political lobbying? Also, please publish a link where I can find resources and contact Congressmen about defeating this misguided and potentially devastating piece of legislation.

MAINE: Bishop 'grieved' over defeat of same-gender marriage law

From Robert Sutton • California, Nov 11, 2009 I am really pleased to see a small segment of the American public has the "guts" to stand up to the large "permissive" segment of society that believes that what the Bible stands for does not really count in the affairs of man and society. Our church has unfortunately been dominated by a large liberal segment of society who either have been blinded by permissive bishops and a permissive convention who fly in the face of what our Bible stands for. Christ must be close to building up his wrath to match that of the Father who will deliver his wrath to the earth one of these fine days. Can your Soul bear the brunt of that wrath?

PITTSBURGH: Diocese releases 135 clergy

From A. A. Lingo • Stockton, California Nov 11, 2009 Thanks for your article of Nov. 3, 2009. We, the members of the San Joaquin diocese wish the people of Pittsburgh the best of luck. You are facing tremendous problems and painful experiences. We went through the same painful steps and it is so bad that you have to repeat the same pains all over again. What makes it also so bad is that the millions of dollars to be spent on the legal aspects of the case, should be spent in doing church work and not legal maneuvering.

Haunted by love

From Sandy Ragan • Boerne, Texas, Nov 11, 2009 I really like that concept of being "haunted by love," one I hadn't previously encountered. And I wish my own Episcopal church shared your All Saints tradition. Aside from honoring our dead loved ones, I think that this sort of custom and those associated with El dia de los muertos are healthy ways of connecting living and dying, ways that we don't often see in our death-avoidant culture. Thank you for a lovely essay. It left me thinking of what items commemorating my sister, father, and mother that I'd want to bring to the altar.

MAINE: Bishop 'grieved' over defeat of same-gender marriage law

From Marius Jan Hulswit • New York City Nov 11, 2009 As a longtime heterosexual member of the parish of "The Little Church Around the Corner," as well as the father of a daughter who lives in Maine, who, in turn, as a heterosexual, was behind this vote for all the most civic reasons, I am proud of the bishop in Maine speaking out. I applaud him, and I pray for God's blessings for his efforts. We must ALL love one another, outside and far beyond the simple beauty of sexual expression. Then, we may experience results in our lives even more miraculous and equally God-given.

MAINE: Bishop 'grieved' over defeat of same-gender marriage law

From Ken Thomas • Fort Myers, Florida Nov 11, 2009 My grief is with the Episcopal Church that I grew up with for more than 60 years. After staying the course for all those years my wife and I could no longer be a part of the church's slide away from the Gospel to the liberal "everything goes and all's right with the world, interpret the Word to fit the crime" religion. So, we left to find a God-fearing Bible-believing church where we could be taught and be nurtured by the truth and not the watered down version the Episcopal Church has become. Shame on your grief! You will be accountable some day to our Lord for your missled flock. May he have mercy on your soul.

EPPN urges action on health-care reform

From The Rev. Jay Kanzler • St. Louis, Missouri, Nov 11, 2009 Why is EPPN, which is a not-for-profit entity, engaging in political lobbying? Also, please publish a link where I can find resources and contact Congressmen about defeating this misguided and potentially devastating piece of legislation.

Jerusalem bishop, partners aim to coordinate mission in Middle East

From Sami Joseph • Aylesbury, United Kingdom, Nov 11, 2009 Unfortunately, western Christians have no idea what is really going on in the Holy Land and the Middle East. They are being used to eliminate Christianity from that region. I am baffled that when the Zionists surround the birthplace of Jesus with an 8-ft concrete wall, no intelligent western Christian seems to get the real message what Zionism is all about!

MAINE: Bishop 'grieved' over defeat of same-gender marriage law

From Jack Hodson • Houston, Texas, Nov 11, 2009 What the good bishop has to realize is that there are many Episcopalians who are anything but grieved by the outcome of the Maine election. We are a "big tent" religion afterall, and that includes people with opposing viewpoints on sexuality and the sanctity of marriage. Either that's the case or there will be a wholescale exodus to Rome.

Bishop C. Charles Vaché, of Southern Virginia, dies at 83

From Lawrence Outten • Portsmouth, Virginia, Nov 11, 2009 Bishop Vaché's ministry will long be remembered by those he served and those who served him and the Lord. He was a true Anglican, living and professing his faith in his daily life and ministry. Morning and Evening Prayer were said daily and the Eucharist was celebrated regularly on three days in addition to Sunday. Saints' days were always celebrated on their day during his tenure as rector at Trinity. He was strong in his beliefs, and sometimes willing to change his mind when what is right and proper made it necessary. He was a dynamic and faithful bishop, and after his retirement continued to serve the Lord and the church with strong executive leadership. The church has been greatly enriched by his ministry, and is saddened with his death. How fitting that the end should come for him on All Saints Day. May light perpetual shine upon him.

PITTSBURGH: Diocese releases 135 clergy

From Gary Gaertner • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Nov 11, 2009 While generous treatment is appropriate for any returning parishioners and perhaps some of the clergy who were led astray, there is a strong sense that the diocese has acted too leniently. Some of the departing clergy have spread falsehoods about the Episcopal Church as they have swayed their congregations. I have spoken to members of congregations who were very torn by the choice imposed upon them, and worried about the future of their parishes. The attempt to leave with all diocesan assets including operating funds and real property is little more than theft. A thief cannot be forgiven until the stolen property has been returned, and the crime has been confessed. The departed clergy remain defiant and cocksure that they are God's chosen. The rebellion was years in the making and undertaken with great deliberation and scheming, as Robert Duncan supporters were placed in key positions to rig the conventions. The ringleaders of the rebellion should have their ordinations permanently revoked as a consequence of their wrongful conduct and the injury that they have caused. Some megalomania has seemingly been contagious in the circles of the departed clergy. I would not trust any of them to interpret the Gospels with wisdom, or to place their flocks above their own personal interests.

Texas: Thousands attend Fort Hood vigil for the dead, wounded

From Ira Houck • Fort Hood, Texas, Nov 11, 2009 Thank you for remembering the good work of our Lord Jesus Christ being done through the hands of our military chaplains who work for peace not war, who stand with those who deploy and serve honorably to protect our freedoms in this great nation. I am humbled by the courage and commitment of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. God bless America and all praise be to the Blessed Trinity who inspires continued service.

In Hong Kong, Anglican consultation addresses horrors of human trafficking

From Patricia McKellar • Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, Nov 11, 2009 The article gives both a sense of hopelessness and hopefulness. My response will be to post a copy on my Parish bulletin board so that others can be exposed to this terrible fact. Thank you all for the maximum effort you are giving at this time.

Send us your Response

From Terry Francis • Covington, Kentucky Nov 04, 2009 I was taken aback at some of the responses to the Vatican's proposal to welcome former Anglicans. Taken aback, but not surprised. Paul Mendenhall called the Catholic Church bigoted and reactionary, Julianne Fletcher implied that Catholic theology needed to move into the 21th century, while Louis Richards proclaimed that those who are closed-minded (funny how conservatives who dare to disagree with or challenge progressives are always "closed-mined") and like to engage in discriminatory practices would be more comfortable in the Catholic Church. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought one of the things Episcopalians aways prided themselves in was to not stand in judgment of others. Well, the rhetoric I just mentioned sounds pretty darn judgmental to me. If as a progressive you disagree with my interpretation of scripture, fine. But don't imply that you are a better person or a truer Christian just because you embrace a different, i.e. progressive version of the Bible. If you do then you are guilty of the very intolerance you are always self-rightously accusing others of practicing. The Vatican is inviting Anglicans/Episcopalians who are no longer comfortable with the leftward tilt the church in Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. has taken in the past 25 years. Progressives should wish them good luck and pray that they have found the church home they were looking for in the Catholic Church - not ridicule and insult them for making the choice.

Readers respond to articles about Vatican's proposal to welcome former Anglicans

From James Locke • Dallas, Texas, Nov 04, 2009 The reactions to this action are amazing. It was Anglicans who broke off because we wanted to be able to divorce and re-marry, not because of some theological dispute. Our very founding was petty. It was not until Elizabeth I that we decided to become different from Rome in many ways, but then in the 20th century we decided to ditch it all for no reason. We have never had a good reason to be away from Rome and now they have welcomed us back with open arms! Praise be to God for their generosity and I hope that you will follow us in going back to the one, true church.

Many readers are correct that Rome's ecumenism is "our way or the highway" because truly, the force of truth lies in their hands, not ours. Who are we to disobey the Holy Spirit working within them when they offer us a chance to retain our cultural Anglican norms? Ad Altare Dei, let us go!

SOUTH DAKOTA: John Tarrant consecrated as bishop coadjutor

From The Rev. Mary Bredlau • Las Vegas, Nevada, Nov 04, 2009 I was thrilled and proud to read of Bishop Tarrant's consecration in Sioux Falls in Episcopal Life Online. I was born and grew up in the rural area surrounding Milbank, South Dakota, an area where Sioux was the primary Native American population. I am now an Episcopal priest serving Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church, and primarily the wider community in Las Vegas as I officiate at mortuary funerals and memorial services and serve as grief counselor and chaplain to the dying. It was good to hear of my home state consecrating a new bishop. I appreciated his quoted words in the online article.

KENYA: Coastal church leaders reject Muslim scarves at schools

From Rosemary Bagin • O'Fallon, Missouri Nov 04, 2009 This is a good example of why the "Separation of Church and State" is so important. This article from Kenya shows the government trying to force the religious beliefs of some on to other members of their society, in this case Christian schools.

There are those in the U.S. government who would like to do the same to us. To force us through legislation to live by their religious beliefs. Citizens should be able to live out their lives according to their religious beliefs; but should not be able to impose their lifestyles on the rest of us whether we are atheists, or [belong to] some other denomination.