January 2010 – Page 23 – Episcopal Cafe

The path to Jerusalem

January 3, 2010 No Comments

The Lord’s coming every year to Jerusalem for the Passover with his parents is an indication of his human humility. It is characteristic of human beings to gather to offer God the votive offerings of spiritual sacrifices, and by plentiful prayers and tears to dispose their Maker toward them. Therefore the Lord, born a human being among human beings, did what God, by divine inspiration through his angels, prescribed for human beings to do. He himself kept the law which he gave in order to show us,

Candlemas by Denise Levertov

January 2, 2010 No Comments

With certitude,

Simeon opened

ancient arms

to infant light.

Fighting off Covenant fatalism

January 2, 2010 2 Comments

There is nothing wrong with the expression of mutual commitment, and for this mutuality to have a formal aspect. The marriage service, for instance, is precisely that. But the Anglican Covenant isn’t at all like the commitments of a marriage service. It is more like the anxious and untrusting legalism of that thoroughly distasteful feature of modern life, the pre-nuptial agreement.

Why would laypeople want theological education, anyway?

January 2, 2010 5 Comments

Doing theology” does not merely mean studying tradition, doctrine, and Scripture so that one knows about those things. Rather, theology balances fact and theory with the lived experience of God each of us has. All experience has meaning and provides insight for the journey. To stay either in the academic mode or the experiential mode would deny the wholeness of each person, God, and the universe.

Lost leaders?

January 2, 2010 5 Comments

Simon Tisdall, foreign affairs writer for the Guardian has an end-of-the-year list of international leaders that “messed up the most last year.” On his list

An annual surprise

January 2, 2010 No Comments

But, you know, life takes its toll and those childhood joys of Christmas grow mixed. The gifted memories of joy grow mixed with other memories — other packages — other bundles — some of grief, some of sorrow, some of ‘who am I and what do I mean?’ Sometimes, when Christmas comes, there are some things in and around and under the family tree that are even too painful to open up again every year. And yet reopened they are

Indigenous leadership

January 2, 2010 1 Comment

As Azariah’s friend, Sherwood Eddy, watched Azariah process down the aisle at his consecration next to the aging English Metropolitan, it suggested to him “the passing of one regime and the beginning of a new and indigenous development in Indian missions.” Sadly, however, “regimes” rarely give up leadership easily, even within the church.

Religion is a hot new topic for historians

January 1, 2010 2 Comments

The latest annual survey by the American Historical Association says that younger historians are more likely than older ones to turn their sights on faith issues.

Fighting and biting

January 1, 2010 1 Comment

A former Episcopal priest is suing his own attorney, who is also lead counsel for the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh, for malpractice. But the move is controversial among members of the parish and others in the realignment movement who believe that Moyer is only after the money.

A “gift from God” meets local opposition

January 1, 2010 8 Comments

How to stay in the city and find creative ways to fund new ministries while still maintaining the connection to the neighborhood?

The Archive

Month: January 2010