David Allen – Page 14 – Episcopal Cafe

American Family Association still claims to represent the majority of families in the US

July 28, 2016 4 Comments

The American Family Association (AFA) was formerly the National Federation for Decency. The organization is considered by many to promote a fundamentalist Christian world view. The Southern Poverty Law Canter has listed the AFA as a hate group since 2010 for the “‘propagation of known falsehoods’ and the use of ‘demonizing propaganda’ against LGBT people.” The most recent brand that the AFA has gone after is Hilton Worldwide.

The girl’s softball team, the AR – 15 rifle and the priest

July 23, 2016 10 Comments

A little over a week ago a girl’s softball team in the Willamette OR area decided to raise $6000 by raffling an AR – 15 rifle. The 15 girls are age 14 – 18, are from 3 local high schools (Centennial, Gresham, and Milwaukie) and are raising the funds to represent Oregon in the West Regional Tournament. The tournament is to be held in Lancaster CA starting today, 23 JUL, and running through the 27th.

Joint ordination service exemplifies values held in common in Aotearoa New Zealand

July 23, 2016 No Comments

Recently 600+ folks from Tikanga Pakeha and Tikanga Maori gathered at the Diocese of Christchurch’s Transitional Cathedral for a joint diaconal ordination service for candidates of both the Diocese of Christchurch and the Amorangi Te Wai Pounamu.

New Russian Federation anti-extremism laws will have profound effect on citizens’ lives

July 23, 2016 2 Comments

In June of this year the Russian Federation’s Duma approved a finalized version of anti-extremist/anti-terrorist legislation. Vladimir Putin signed the bill 7 JUL. The new law was scheduled to go into effect 20 JUL 2016 and would have a profound affect in the religious lives of many Russian citizens.

The Western Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church elects first lesbian bishop

July 16, 2016 7 Comments

This past weekend the Western Jurisdiction of the UMC, after a total of 17 ballots, has elected the Revd Dr. Karen P. Oliveto as a new bishop. The Western Jurisdiction has always strived for full inclusion in the life of the UMC and has been known for electing a number of firsts in the past. This time it has elected the first openly LGBT person as a bishop.

A new star studded music video to raise money for Orlando organizations

July 16, 2016 No Comments

Last week, a group of artists; singers and singing actors, recorded a new song written to raise funds for organizations serving the Orlando victims families and the LGBT community.

Duncan Gray, Bishop & Civil Rights Advocate dies at 89

July 16, 2016 No Comments

The Rt. Rev. Duncan Montgomery Gray Jr., a civil-rights advocate at Ole Miss, former rector at St. Peters Episcopal in Oxford and retired bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, died Friday. He was 89.

United Reformed Church finalizes approval of same gender marriage

July 9, 2016 4 Comments

The United Reformed Church (UK) announced that the General Assembly, in a vote of 240 in favor and 21 against, approved allowing individual congregations to register their buildings to conduct and register marriages for same gender couples wishing to marry in the UK.

Canadian Anglicans faced with yet another issue of inclusion.

July 9, 2016 1 Comment

UPDATE – Tonight, 11 JUL 2016, the resolution to bring marriage equality to the ACoC failed in the House of Clergy by 1 vote. It passed by the needed 2/3s majority in the Houses of Bishops & Laity. A motion to reconsider the vote on the resolution was defeated.

During his sermon for the opening eucharist for the Anglican Church of Canada’s 2016 triennial synod, the most Revd Fred Hiltz, reminded those gathered that the Canadian Church had passed through questions of inclusion a number of times since it’s first synod held in 1893.

First wedding cakes, now birthday cakes too!

July 9, 2016 26 Comments

It appears that in the name of religious liberty, at least one baker has decided that not only will she not create wedding cakes for same gender couples, if she finds out that someone is LGBT, she won’t make them a birthday cake either.

The Archive

Author: David Allen