Episcopal Church
Have an interesting Evangelism idea? There are some grants available
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/evangelism-grants?fbclid=IwAR3iCub8v_xVm6B5EKq0nrqZJkpQH7AdtFLX9bydEeFX2d1sZSdgNHw-qCM
I love these stories! A group of church folks have been quietly doing Christ’s work; making clothes for children in need for 20+ years in Washington State.
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/aug/02/vancouver-sewing-group-stitches-clothing-for-homel/
Apparently Bishop Curry’s electrifying sermon at “that” wedding almost didn’t happen – he was plan B!
https://www.ibtimes.com/meghan-markle-reportedly-wanted-person-attend-royal-wedding-was-vetoed-2810451
The Diocese of Taiwan has elected a new bishop
https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/08/05/lennon-yuan-rung-chang-elected-next-bishop-of-taiwan/
A church in Tenn is continuing work to foster civil discourse – this effort was featured on NPR last yearhttps://www.chattanoogan.com/2019/8/5/394124/St.-Timothy-s-Episcopal-Church-To-Hold.aspx
Episcopal Church leaders speak up in the wake of the most recent mass murders
https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/08/05/church-leaders-urge-episcopalians-to-strive-for-peace-in-wake-of-massacres-in-texas-ohio/
Dio NY advocacy for sex workers and the decriminalization of prostitution
https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/08/06/episcopal-task-force-educates-new-yorkers-on-whats-at-stake-in-decriminalizing-prostitution/
Sewanee offering a workshop for clergy in parishes with Confederate symbols
https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/08/06/sewanee-workshop-to-guide-priests-grappling-with-confederate-symbols-in-their-parishes/
A parish church in Buffalo has established a pet food pantry
https://www.wivb.com/news/web-extras/pet-pantry-provides-peace-of-mind-for-animal-lovers/
Michigan parish in shock after large St Francis statue is stolen
https://wsbt.com/news/local/large-statue-reportedly-stolen-from-st-johns-episcopal-church
ELCA
Our Lutheran communion partners are holding their Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee
Bishop Eaton has been re-elected as the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA (with 82% of the vote!)
https://www.christianpost.com/news/lutheran-church-overwhelmingly-re-elects-first-female-presiding-bishop.html
The ELCA has voted to name the entire denomination a “sanctuary” church
https://religionnews.com/2019/08/07/elca-declares-self-a-sanctuary-church-body-marches-to-ice-building-in-milwaukee/
In a new social statement, sexism and patriarchy are named as sin, and white supremacy is condemned
https://religionnews.com/2019/08/09/elca-names-sexism-and-patriarchy-as-sins-condemns-white-supremacy-at-lutheran-churchwide-assembly/
UK and the CoE
A bit of a long read, but very interesting; from a lecture given in England about reclaiming Evangelism. H/T Thinking Anglicans
“Thus, new forms of ‘Fresh Expression’ promoted by the Church of England are normally careful to avoid anything that could be construed as theologically, politically or socially divisive. At the same time, these groups inhabit a social and theological construction of reality in which they believe themselves to be risk-takers and edgy. But they are usually anything but this. So, for example, we rarely learn of ‘Fresh Expressions’ for the LGBTQ+ constituency. We rarely find any ‘Fresh Expressions’ that focus on disabilities. Or, for that matter, on serious forms of exclusion from the mainstream of our society. (That ‘Fresh Expression’ for Asylum Seekers would be an interesting kind of ecclesial gathering). “
https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/news/redeeming-evangelism-authentic-mission-church-england?fbclid=IwAR38eYtYBTGjbDQuh0QMVC7cHCgGXk387ZzMFm0Fy76LJONVeBM7FGxOD6Y
The curious story of a former CoE priest who went Roman through the ordinariate but who had never celebrated in the Anglican style before.
https://catholicherald.co.uk/magazine/what-i-learned-from-celebrating-mass-in-the-ordinariate-use/
Bishop of St Albans says part of his role as an established church bishop is looking after the religious freedom of all people
https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/opinion/house-lords/105819/bishop-st-albans-my-role-speak-other-faiths-well
Anglican Communion
Nigerian bishop calls for death penalty. What a curiously different Anglicanism they have there.
https://theeagleonline.com.ng/bishop-advocates-capital-punishment-for-rapists/
Other Interesting Items
Two great clergy-related stories from the Christian Century
First on how social media impacts pastoral care
https://www.christiancentury.org/article/first-person/googling-my-way-out-pastoral-relationship
and another on how clergy can respond to declining trust in them and religious institutions
https://www.christiancentury.org/article/publisher/can-clergy-earn-back-public-trust-they-ve-lost
And similar type of story from RNS on grief and social media
https://religionnews.com/2019/08/06/navigating-grief-in-the-social-media-age/
A really interesting piece on how religious devotion can skew online ratings of businesses near holy sites.
https://religionnews.com/2019/08/07/everything-in-mecca-gets-5-stars-online/
Climate change leading to a shortage of Frankincense
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-019-0322-2
image: The Rev. Lennon Yuan-Rung Chang was elected bishop of the Diocese of Taiwan on Aug. 3, 2019, at a special election convention held at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Taichung. Photo: Diocese of Taiwan.