The Church of England is homophobic, despite Justin Welby's trendy-vicar act

From The Guardian-

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has given an interview to the gay magazine PinkNews. Which is very trendy-vicar of him. He has also said that it was "great" that parliament passed the same-sex marriage bill. Except that that's not what he meant. He meant that it was "great" that parliament makes acts in a general sense. He remains against gay marriage himself. Though he also imagines that he's against homophobia.

Presumably, he thinks "homophobia" is being personally rude and aggressive to gay people because they are gay, but that asking them to kindly observe the "heterosexuals only" sign is fine, as long as one is polite about it. He is wrong. He and his church discriminate against people because of their sexuality, so the Anglican church is homophobic. Since it's an established part of the state, the state is homophobic. In part. It's all a bit of a curate's egg.

More here-

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/17/church-of-england-is-homophobic

Nigerians must reject corrupt politicians in 2015, says Anglican bishop

From Nigeria-

Nigerians must take  their destinies in their hands and reject candidates without credible pedigrees at the 2015 general polls, the Bishop of Lagos West Diocese of the Anglican Communion, the Rt. Rev. James Odedeji, said yesterday.

He asked Nigerians to “shine their eyes” and make quality decisions that will deliver the dividends of democracy to them.

Odedeji spoke while delivering his state of the nation address at the official opening of the 3rd session of the 5th Synod at Archbishop Vinning Memorial Church Cathedral in Ikeja.

The synod attracted delegates from the diocese, including Bishops and lay members.

The deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, was also in attendance.
Odedeji, who spoke on “We Will Serve the Lord”, said Christians must take more than passing interests in 2015 general elections, but “also shine our eyes to ensure that only credible candidates are elected into office”.

More here-

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/nigerians-must-reject-corrupt-politicians-2015-says-anglican-bishop/

Statement from the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia

From Anglican News-

Following the sentencing to death of a pregnant Sudanese woman for refusing to abandon her Christian faith, the Anglican Archbishops of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia are calling on all people of good-will to raise their voices in protest.

Archbishops Brown Turei, Philip Richardson, and Winston Halapua, say it is hard to find words to describe the plight of the woman. The Archbishops believe people across all faiths, who seek charity, love, and justice, will find the court’s decision hateful and heartless

Meriam Ibrahim and her Christian husband were married in 2011. They have an 18-month-old son. A court, in the Sudan capital of Khartoum, has sentenced Meriam to flogging for marrying a non-Muslim and to death for abandoning the Muslim faith for Christianity.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/05/statement-from-the-anglican-church-in-aotearoa,-new-zealand-and-polynesia.aspx

Calif. court’s preliminary decision: return 27 properties to Episcopalians

From ENS (with links to the court documents)-

In a preliminary decision, a California court has ordered the return of 27 properties held by a breakaway group to the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin and has said that dioceses cannot opt to leave the Episcopal Church.

St. James Cathedral, the former diocesan offices, the Episcopal Camp and Conference Center near Yosemite National Park, the diocesan investment trust and 25 other church properties, valued at about $50 million, are included in the May 5 decision.

In the 41-page opinion in a case  brought by the Episcopal Church and its Diocese of San Joaquin, Fresno County Superior Court Judge Donald S. Black also said that “because a diocese is a geographical construct of the Church, it makes no sense that a diocese can ‘leave’ the Church; it does not exist apart from the Church.”

While individuals may exercise their right of freedom of religion to leave and form a new church in another religious denomination, “they cannot tell the Church that it no longer has a diocese in a particular geographical area such as San Joaquin,” Black concluded.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/05/16/calif-courts-preliminary-decision-return-27-properties-to-episcopalians/

How N.C.'s next Episcopal bishop will be chosen

From East Carolina-

In the last few weeks, a group of four men and one woman wearing white clerical collars have been on a spiritual road trip of sorts, meeting hundreds of people in Southeastern North Carolina.

With each person they met, the questions followed them – is he (or she) the one?

The four are candidates to be the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina. They are: the Rev. Mimi Lacy, rector of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Greenville and the only candidate from the diocese; the Rev. David Pfaff, Canon to the Ordinary for the Bishop of Milwaukee; the Rev. Robert Skirving, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Midland, Mich.; and the Rev. Stephen Smith, rector of St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Dublin, Ohio.

The diocesan Special Convention to elect the next bishop will be Saturday, May 17, at Christ Episcopal Church in New Bern. You can watch the election results live at http://www.ecdio.org/election.html.

More here-

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140516/ARTICLES/140519719/1177?Title=How-N-C-s-next-Episcopal-bishop-will-be-chosen

Missing schoolgirls: Welby warns over difficulties of negotiation with Boko Haram

From Chuch Times-

THE whereabouts of more than 200 schoolgirls abducted in northern Nigeria remain unknown a month after their kidnapping. Never the less, the Archbishop of Canterbury has cautioned against military intervention by Western nations to find them.

Writing in the Church Times (below), Archbishop Welby says that defeating Boko Haram, the Islamist militants who snatched the teenagers from their school in Chibok, would take a combination of local police work, winning the hearts and minds of Muslims in the region, and economic development.

He also writes: "External intervention is always difficult. In the first place, our history as the colonial power, and the role of the USA in Iraq and Afghanistan, makes both countries (and indeed much of the 'Christian West') suspicious for many Muslims."

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/16-may/news/world/missing-schoolgirls-welby-warns-over-difficulties-of-negotiation-with-boko-haram

Anglicans and Catholics expect rewarding talks in South Africa

From Ecumenical News-

Anglican and Catholic theologians meeting in Durban, South Africa from May 12 to 20 are confident their  dialogue will make significant progress in bringing their churches closer.

The theme for the third phase of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission or ARCIC III is to explore the Church as Communion, local and universal, and how to discern correct ethical teaching together.

Archbishop David Moxon, the Anglican co-chair of the talks, said that new collaboration in mission has progressed. Moxon is the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Holy See and director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, Vatican Radio reports.

More here-

http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/anglicans-and-catholics-expect-rewarding-talks-in-south-africa-24810

Austin pastors pray for rain as drought drags on

From Texas-

Austin City Hall has looked to conservation and searched for additional sources of water to help deal with the persistent drought. On Thursday, a group of pastors came to City Hall to encourage Austin to appeal to a higher power.

The half-dozen or so pastors, speaking during the invocation that begins council meetings, urged the city to pray for rains that end the drought. Senior Pastor Will Davis, Jr. of Austin Christian Fellowship entreated God to fill Lake Travis so that it reaches 681 feet above sea level, which is considered full.

“Father, we are perhaps more concerned this drought might be from you, that you might be causing it or allowing it,” Davis said. He added that when “people you give favor to get distracted … sometimes you call for the rains to stop, that a people might do what we’re doing right now, stand before you and humble ourselves and return the rain to the land.”

More here-

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/austin-may-ask-residents-to-pray-for-rain-as-droug/nfxny/

Decrying gay marriage, black pastors join legal fight

From USA Today-

 Declaring "the fight is on," a formidable coalition of conservative Christian groups filed legal briefs in federal appellate court Wednesday supporting Michigan's ban on gay marriage.

Representing potentially millions of worshippers in the state, the Michigan Catholic Conference, the Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., and a national coalition of Baptists, Lutherans, Mormons and evangelicals led by Catholic bishops filed three separate briefs Wednesday in the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. The briefs back Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette in his efforts to defend the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, which was overturned earlier this year by a federal judge in Detroit.

More here-

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/14/michigan-same-sex-marriage-black-ministers/9094721/

Bishop: Parishioners should switch to different church

From Virginia-

Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo has urged Roman Catholics attending a one-of-a-kind Catholic and Episcopal church to worship at a nearby parish because he has not been able to find a "suitable priest" to serve the blended congregation.

It was the latest round of adversity for a church that has battled to maintain its ecumenical mission in the face of flagging support in the Catholic hierarchy.

In a letter read Sunday to members of the Church of the Holy Apostles, DiLorenzo noted that the 36-year-old congregation's interim Catholic priest is in poor health and has been unable to serve consistently.

A monthslong search for a replacement, DiLorenzo said, has not succeeded. He urged Catholic congregants to "prayerfully consider" attending Holy Spirit Catholic Church a few blocks away on Lynnhaven Parkway until a new priest is found.

More here-

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/05/bishop-catholics-blended-church-should-go-elsewhere

ECF Fellows Sportlight: Liza Anderson - Rethinking Vocation & Leadership in the Church

From The Episcopal Foundation (A spotlight on a friend and Executive Council Colleague)-

The ECF Fellowship Partners Program turns fifty this year, and we are marking that milestone with a series of interviews as we prepare to announce the names of the 2014 Fellows. In this third of four interviews, we hear Elizabeth (Liza) Anderson as she reflects on her work, her ECF Fellowship, leadership development and vocation.

The accepted insight that study abroad has a defining influence on the rest of a student’s life is certainly true for 2010 ECF Fellow Elizabeth (Liza) Anderson. A religion major at Swarthmore College, she traveled to Egypt in 2003 for her junior year abroad. “I thought I was going to study Islam,” she says, “but I fell head over heels in love with the Coptic Church.” That unexpected passion marked the beginning of her study of early Christianity, ecumenism, and Christianity in the Middle East.
More here-

http://www.episcopalfoundation.org/news-and-events/news-detail?newsID=79c43221-46f0-4e13-aa8e-85de56731790

Catholics and Anglicans meet for ARCIC talks in South Africa

From Radio Vatican (with audio)

Catholic and Anglican theologians meet together in Durban, South Africa on Monday for the opening of a fourth session of their current dialogue known as ARCIC III. The theme for this third phase of Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission is to explore the Church as Communion, local and universal, and how, together, they come to discern correct ethical teaching.

The new Catholic co-secretary of the dialogue is Fr Tony Currer, in charge of relations with the Anglican Communion at the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Philippa Hitchen caught up with him just ahead of his departure for South Africa to find out more about what this meeting can hope to achieve:

More here-

http://en.radiovaticana.va/articolo.asp?c=798595

Anglican teachers declare 5-day prayers for safe release of Chibok girls

From Nigeria-

As the world awaits the result of Western intervention on the abducted Chibok school girls, Anglican teachers in the Diocese on the Niger have directed all its members under the diocese to observe a five-day fasting and prayer session.

The directive was given during the 13th annual convention of Anglican Teachers Association held at All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha.

The President of the association, Lady Peace Ofoche, who is also the principal of Anglican Girls’ Grammar school, Nkpor said that the call became imperative following the continued captivity of over 200 young school girls who were abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno State by the Boko Haram militants.

http://dailypost.ng/2014/05/12/anglican-teachers-declare-5-day-prayers-safe-release-chibok-girls/

As South Sudan rivals agree truce, church plays pivotal role

From ENS-

South Sudan’s political rivals have struck a new peace deal to end the five-month conflict that has left thousands dead and forced some 1.5 million people to flee their homes.

Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and South Sudan departed early from a London meeting of the Anglican Communion Standing Committee last week when he was summoned to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to take part in the May 9 negotiations between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his sacked former deputy turned rebel leader Riek Machar.

It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two rivals since the conflict erupted in December after Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup d’etat. Deng led the two leaders in prayer before they signed the peace deal.


More here-


http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/05/12/as-south-sudan-rivals-agree-truce-church-plays-pivotal-role/

Vicar calls on Anglican church to approve same-sex marriages

From New Zealand-

The newly appointed vicar of Auckland's Anglican church St Matthew-in-the-City has called on the church to approve same-sex marriages and ordination of gay vicars.

Reverend Dr Helen Jacobi, in her sermon on Sunday, spoke to the church's two-yearly General Synod, being held this week.

Rev Jacobi said the Synod had a clear choice, "they can and try and keep the church locked in the 1950s or the 1850s, thinking they can stop the movement for justice and inclusion of our lesbian and gay sisters and brothers which our hearts yearn to see''.

More here-

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11253716

Who came up with the idea of Mother's Day?

From Winston-Salem-

Anna Jarvis is generally recognized as the founder of a national day to recognize mothers.

Before Jarvis, there were other people in the United States who started celebrations honoring mothers in their towns. Mother's Day is celebrated in other countries, too.

Julia Ward Howe suggested a Mother's Day in 1872, and picked June 2 as the day. Howe was horrified by the carnage of the Civil War, and hoped that the idea of a day for mothers would promote peace. For several years, Howe held an annual Mother's Day observance in Boston. Mary Towles Sasseen, a Kentucky schoolteacher, started Mother's Day celebrations in 1887. Frank E. Hering of Indiana started a campaign for a national observance in 1904.

More here-

http://www.journalnow.com/news/ask_sam/ask-sam-who-came-up-with-the-idea-of-mother/article_7518bd96-39f6-5a47-af79-6073d71b1396.html

Churches debate blessing gay couples

From Upper South Carolina-

The bishop presiding over half of South Carolina’s Episcopalians has given permission for clergy to bless the relationships of same-sex couples a little more than a decade since Episcopal churches across the state first began to fracture over the issue of sexual identity.

Ultimately, congregations in the Upstate and the Midlands will make their individual decisions.

They aren’t bound to perform the blessing, which doesn’t carry with it the weight of the ecclesiastical and secular laws of marriage.

More here-

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/2014/05/10/churches-debate-blessing-gay-couples/8952581/

The Class of ’94 celebrate 20 years since ordination

From The Church Times-

MASSED on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral, they stood smiling and waving in glorious sunshine, as friends, husbands, children, and grandchildren strained to spot their own in the Class of 1994.

The 20th anniversary of the first ordination of women as priests in the Church of England on Saturday was, the Archbishop of Canterbury confirmed, "party time". About 700 of those ordained in 1994 attended the service at St Paul's. Many arriving after taking part in a walk of witness from Westminster Abbey.

For 15 minutes, as they processed into the cathedral through the west doors, the congregation applauded.

"It was a very charged atmosphere," said the Revd Alison Morris, a non-stipendiary minister at St Michael and All Angels', Pelsall, who was ordained five years ago. "As they entered, they were clapping those who were clapping and affirming them. Some had tears in their eyes."

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/9-may/news/uk/the-class-of-’94-celebrate-20-years-since-ordination

Primates unite in outrage, prayer for schoolgirls kidnapped in Nigeria

From ENS-

Primates from countries all over the Anglican Communion have joined the worldwide outcry the abduction of more than two hundred young girls from Chibok, Nigeria.

Over the past week church leaders on five continents have added their voices to the multitude of others calling for the safe return of the girls.

Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, Thabo Makgoba condemned abductions of Nigerian Schoolgirls as an ‘outrage’. He called for “all of Africa, and especially South Africa” to rise up and demand the release of hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls who were abducted from their school three weeks ago.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/05/09/primates-unite-in-outrage-prayer-for-schoolgirls-kidnapped-in-nigeria/

Episcopal Church: Presiding bishops talks of healing wounds

From South Carolina-

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, told 300 church loyalists from across the state to have faith during a day-long conference Saturday at Holy Cross-Faith Memorial Episcopal Church.

“The world prays for you in South Carolina,” Schori said during her address at the “Enthusiastically Episcopalian in South Carolina” Conference. “Human relations to God cannot be right with other relationships out of plumb,” Schori said. “It’s God’s mission to restore all creation to unity with him. When relationships are restored, old wounds heal.”

Schori, leader of 2.1 million Episcopalians in 17 countries, said the church wants its members to understand values and celebrate diversity. “None of us can do it all,” she said. “None of us can do it in isolation.”

More here-

http://www.coastalobserver.com/articles/2014/050814/5.html

Web letter by Edward S. Little II: Episcopal Church celebrates 175 years in Fort Wayne

From Northern Indiana-

On Saturday, May 10, the Episcopal Church celebrates the 175th anniversary of its ministry in Fort Wayne, the City of Churches. It has been a privilege for us to be immersed in the life of this vibrant community, to contribute to its growth and prosperity and in turn to receive a welcome that characterizes the city of Fort Wayne.

In 1839, the Right Rev. Jackson Kemper – the first missionary bishop of the Episcopal Church – passed through this area. As he traveled, he preached the Gospel, gathered Christian communities and pioneered the church’s mission to what was then called the West. Today we commemorate the first worship service in Fort Wayne, and we give thanks for the opportunity that God has given to us – and to brothers and sisters from other Christian traditions – to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a city known for its warmth and its deep roots. Fort Wayne is a wonderful environment for us to seek to follow Jesus and to apply our Christian faith in all aspects of our lives.

More here-

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140509/EDIT09/305099999/-1/EDIT01

Same-sex blessings in Midlands and Upstate Episcopal congregations to be permitted

From Upper South Carolina-

The leader of Midlands and Upstate Episcopalians told clergy Thursday he will permit congregations to perform blessings of same-sex couples, a decision reached after two years of intense theological discussions with pastors and parishioners.

The Rt. Rev. W. Andrew Waldo, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, said no clergy would be required to perform the rite. He said he will support all 61 of his congregations whether they choose to carry out the blessing ritual or not.

Read more here:

http://www.thestate.com/2014/05/08/3435096/bishop-to-permit-same-sex-blessings.html#storylink=cpy

"Rwanda on the right track," says former Archbishop of Canterbury

From Anglican News-

Visiting former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Leonard Carey, has described Rwanda as a happy and fast developing country after positively responding to post-Genocide challenges.

Carey made the remarks yesterday, shortly after he had paid a courtesy call on President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro in Kigali.

He was last in Rwanda in 1995, shortly after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and he noted that the country had significantly improved since then.

“This country has responded magnificently. It’s now vibrant and is getting over all the miseries of what happened in those terrible days. This is now a strong and buoyant country that is going in the right direction,” he said.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/05/rwanda-on-the-right-track,-says-former-archbishop-of-canterbury.aspx

Florida deacon says he was 'drummed out' of Catholic church

From National Catholic Reporter-

Norman Carroll says he is an Episcopal deacon today rather than a Roman Catholic one -- as he had been for nearly 35 years -- largely because he had a one-on-one conversation on Feb. 26, 2013, with a man who insisted that Carroll state his personal view on the Catholic church's doctrine on the ordination of women.
Carroll told the man he felt the church had the authority to ordain women and that Pope John Paul II's apostolic teaching on the ordination of women was not infallible.

His view was reported to Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski. A week later, on March 6, Wenski told Carroll's pastor to "instruct him [Carroll] that he is not to present himself for any diaconal ministries" and to "make an appointment ... to see me."

On the same date, Wenski corresponded with a parishioner of St. John Neumann Parish in Reston, Va., who had apparently been the person who complained about Carroll's mission presentation at the church.

More here-

http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/deacon-says-he-was-drummed-out-complaint-about-conversation-provoked-miami

Thin skins and prayer

From George Will-


After the marshal on Monday spoke the traditional “God save the United States and this honorable court,” the Supreme Court ruled that the upstate New York town of Greece does not violate the First Amendment’s prohibition of “establishment of religion” by opening its board of supervisors’ meetings with a prayer. This ruling would not scandalize James Madison and other members of the First Congress, which drafted and sent to the states for ratification the First Amendment and the rest of the Bill of Rights. The Congress did this after hiring a chaplain.
Three decades have passed since the court last ruled on the matter of prayers during government meetings. In 1983, the court held:

“The opening of sessions of legislative and other deliberative public bodies with prayer is deeply embedded in the history and tradition of this country. From colonial times through the founding of the Republic and ever since, the practice of legislative prayer has coexisted with the principles of disestablishment and religious freedom.”

More here-

http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/columns/george-will/george-will-thin-skins-and-prayer/article_73eccd22-96bc-5da6-a998-c592b9069661.html

Anglican Women call for action on kidnapped Nigerian girls

From ACNS-

Leaders of the International Anglican Women's Network have called on women around the Anglican Communion to do what they can to help the 200+ girls kidnapped in Nigeria by terrorist group Boko Haram.

IAWN Steering Group convener Ann Skamp has written to members encouraging them not to forget the girls some of whom, the media is reporting, have been forced to marry by their captors.

"Three weeks ago now, over 200 girls were kidnapped from their school in the northern Nigerian city of Borno. As we continue to keep the girls, their families and communities in our prayers please consider what we can do to support them," she said.

Mrs Skamp suggested that Anglican/Episcopalian women could sign an online petition at 

http://www.change.org/petitions/over-200-girls-are-missing-in-nigeria-so-why-doesn-t-anybody-care-234girls

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/05/anglican-women-call-for-action-on-kidnapped-nigerian-girls.aspx

MEEKS: Thank you Episcopal bishops

From Georgia-

Though they are joined by many other religious leaders in their outrage at the recent gun bill that was signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal, I want to thank our Episcopal bishops for being in that number. When the state loses its mind, hopefully the church will not follow it. Too many of our Georgia legislators and our governor seem to be traveling on a very peculiar road. A road that makes them believe it is a good idea for folks to take guns to schools, churches and bars.

Some of us who understand those who live by the sword or gun are likely to die by it, can be grateful that the bill allows leaders in schools and churches to say whether or not guns can be brought on their premises. I am personally thrilled that Bishop Scott Benhase of the Diocese of Georgia and Bishop Robert Wright of the Diocese of Atlanta quickly went on record making it clear that guns will not be welcome on Episcopal property in Georgia. Thanks be to God for them and all of the other religious leaders who are taking a similar stand.

Read more here:

http://www.macon.com/2014/05/07/3084947/meeks-thank-you-episcopal-bishops.html?sp=/99/203/#storylink=cpy

Conservative Anglican leaders back Uganda anti-gay law

From The Washington Post-

Leaders of the conservative wing of the worldwide Anglican Communion equate the experiences of Ugandans who support a new anti-gay law with those of victims of an earthquake or a terror attack.

The Global Anglican Future Conference — made up chiefly of Anglican archbishops in Africa, Asia and Latin America — concluded a two-day meeting in London on Saturday (April 26) with a statement that expressed concern for violence in South Sudan and Northern Nigeria. It then said:

“We are equally concerned for the affected communities in Chile from the recent earthquake, terrorist attacks in Kenya, and the backlash from the international community in Uganda from their new legislation.”



Pittsburgh-based Archbishop Robert Duncan, the founding leader of the breakaway Anglican Church In North America, signed the GAFCON statement. Duncan and the ACNA are not on the public record supporting the Uganda legislation, and both Duncan and an ANCA spokesman declined to speak on the record about it.

When the ACNA formally launched in 2009 as a shelter for Episcopalians who objected to the Episcopal Church’s pro-gay policies, its strongest ties in the worldwide Anglican Communion were with churches in the Global South, particularly in Nigeria and Uganda.


More here-

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/conservative-anglican-leaders-back-uganda-anti-gay-law/2014/04/28/1fb26738-cf1b-11e3-a714-be7e7f142085_story.html

Supreme Court backs public prayer

From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-

When he was in the minority in a 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court vote in 1989 that banned a creche display at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Justice Anthony Kennedy could do little more than register his dissent in writing.

But a quarter century later -- now writing for a court majority -- Justice Kennedy blew the dust off his words and used them to establish new case law. Local municipal boards, he declared, can invite clergy and other citizens to offer prayers before meetings, even if most or all of those prayers end up reflecting just one religion.

The court ruled, 5-4, on Monday that the town board of Greece, N.Y., was within its constitutional rights to begin its meetings with prayers, even though it went for many years having invited only Christians to lead the prayers. Prayer-givers had invoked specific Christian doctrines, invited all to bow their heads or stand with them in prayer and used terms such as "we" and "our brother the Lord Jesus Christ."
Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2014/05/06/Court-backs-public-prayer/stories/201405060086#ixzz30w5WpCLw

Courtesy and Joy at Nashotah

From The Living Church-

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori joined in Morning Prayer, attended classes, held a discussion session, and delivered an Evensong sermon during a visit to Nashotah House Theological Seminary on May 1. It was the first time since Jefferts Schori was invested as Primate of the Episcopal Church in November 2006 that she has been to the historic Anglo-Catholic institution.

Courtesy and even joy prevailed, especially among Nashotah House’s growing presence of women students. The Rt. Rev. Edward L. Salmon, Jr., dean and president of Nashotah House, encouraged all students and faculty to attend unless their sponsoring bishop forbade it.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/courtesy-and-joy-nashotah