There are many, very many mistakes about Lent. People generally speak of it as a time of fasting, a season of self-denial, and so it is; but this is not all. There are many persons in the Church who have no definite idea about this holy season, whose notions fall as far short of the truth as those of persons out of the Church.
As I was looking at resources for Ash Wednesday I came upon a website and saw in bold letters: WARNING – ashes and water do not mix – will cause burning!! And so it does. It makes a mixture that will burn skin. But the image captured my imagination and I thought it is even truer than the physical effects of mixing ash and water.
Part of the magical thinking that infects call committees and personnel committees is the expectation that the new hire or new call will include all of the strengths of the previous occupant of the position, plus those that were conspicuously absent. At some point, a reality check sobers everybody up. Then authentic and faithful ministry can begin.
Either personal and public cohere or they do not, but this playing the middle of see how nice I am so keep with me while speaking unkind words to the press and church public gatherings must stop: “the gay bishop”, “chosen lifestyle” “sacrificial” “conversion”. +Robinson rebuked him for this sort of thing in New Orleans, but he has continued with it.
A significant “uncertain middle” of Mainline clergy who would show leadership on LGBT issues if they were not afraid of stirring controversy in their congregations. A new campaign aims to jump start this missing conversation and to create space in American Christianity for a true welcoming of LGBT people and their families.
“Even those elsewhere who agree with a full inclusion position do not on the whole support how we have gone about it. While General Convention is the final arbiter of what The Episcopal Church believes, simply relying on bald resolutions and election results does not spell out its teaching.” – Bishop Whalon
We also deplore the statement, attributed to our fellow Bishop, describing those who are opposed to this legislation as “lovers of evil”. Though there are a breadth of theological views among us on matters of human sexuality, we see this Bill as a gross violation of human rights and we therefore strongly condemn such attitudes and behaviour towards other human beings.
ACNA’s partisans are attempting to portray the Church of England’s decision not to recognize them as a smashing victory and proving primarily that they are cheap dates. Malcolm French nails it: “while the resolution nicely acknowledges that the founders of ACNA want to be part of the Anglican Communion, it is actually pretty explicit that they are not.”
In conversation with him one day I said, “Mahatma Gandhi, I am very anxious to see Christianity naturalised in India, so that it shall no longer be a foreign thing identified with a foreign people and a foreign government, but a part of the national life of India and contributing its power to India’s uplift and redemption. What would you suggest that we do to make that possible?”
Though it may make for blushing, the Song presents a healthy spirituality and a healthy sexuality.