The Primates and Moderators of the Anglican Communion, at their recent meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, called Anglican Churches world-wide to observe 25th February, Ash Wednesday, as a day of prayer and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe. UPDATED
If Jesus had Twitter, what would Jesus tweet? The Church of England’s Love Life Love Lent outreach via social networking sites Twitter and Facebook may have the answer.
Folks who had trouble viewing our Brian McLaren video might want to try one of the new formats now available.
Out of these ashes, these signs of our mortal nature, comes something else. Once we recognize our own responsibility for wrongdoing, once we acknowledge our mortal and dusty nature, the ashes also become a sign of fertility. If we are truly repentant, and truly cleansed, and open to the reality of God around us, then we are also fertile, ready to give growth to greatness.
Come, true light.
Come, life eternal.
Come, hidden mystery.
Come, treasure without name.
Come, reality beyond all words.
A new church in Moline, Illinois formed out of the split in the Diocese of Quincy has held its worship in its new home and is getting ready for a visit in April by the Presiding Bishop. The members describe themselves as a “happy bunch” and who are getting more people in church than they expected.
The National Council of Churches Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches reported a decline in Roman Catholic and Southern Baptist membership for first time in recent experience. The Episcopal Church declined less than United Church of Christ but slightly more than the Evangelical Lutherans.
Conflict is normal in every congregation. Some disagreement and conflict provides energy and generates ideas but it is like Goldilock’s porridge: organizations thrive when conflict is not too hot and not too cold but just right.
The Changing Attitude blog reports that the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs reported to the UN periodic review of human rights in Geneva on February 9, 2009 that they know of no gay and lesbian groups in Nigeria and therefore see no reason to protect their rights. Davis Mac-Iyalla and other leaders of Changing Attitude Nigeria described the statement as a lie.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams will attend General Convention for the first time July 8-9. He will participate in Bible study and be a keynote speaker at a global economic forum on the evening of July 8.