We who have many good things, perhaps too many, as even those of us who live relatively simple lives by the standards of our culture do? We are to use these good gifts to show mercy. Not because that makes us especially good or deserving of praise, but because it sets our hearts free from any master less than God and rectifies an injustice that is in fact killing our neighbors.
Where is the voice of the Churches today? Where is a rebuke to those who would hoard wealth out of covetousness and greed and exploit those with less or nothing for more gain? These who cry socialism for funding a school or supporting the aged without means, but who receive all sorts of government handouts in the form of tax breaks, loopholes, and incentives for themselves?
Today’s Daily Scan, which we receive courtesy of Neva Rae Fox in the Episcopal Church’s Office of Public Affairs is full of news that Episcopalians can be proud of.
With the exception of Jon Huntsman, the Republican candidates for the presidency staked out anti-gay territory in their debate last week in Iowa. Mother Jones has the story. And some video.
Yes, you can eat meat as a Christian and not sin. But no form of cruelty to animals is consistent with a biblical worldview.
One session was set aside from the regular work of the IALC in response to a formal request from the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music of The Episcopal Church (USA) – TEC – so that representatives from that Standing Commission could hear from IALC members in response to that Province’s exploratory theological rationale and liturgical principles for the development of rites for the blessing of committed same gender relationships.
World Vision’s leaders maintain the right to “consider religion in its hiring.” That’s a pretty mild way of putting what you find on their job descriptions, which includes “attend and participate in daily devotions and weekly Chapel services,” even for positions like “website support team supervisor.”
For one thing, churches are populated mostly by middle-class people, who are relatively comfortable. And ministers of these institutions value stability more than mission. We professional leaders are reluctant to do anything that would cause conflict or controversy in our churches, fearing an institutional split — or at the very least, a reduction of gifts to the church.
The church’s previous lights burned 200 watts per light. The new LED lights that have been installed burn only 12 watts per light. The church went from approximately 2400 watts to only 156 watts, according to Episcopal Church of the Annunciation Reverend Paul McCabe.
As hospital workers in different-colored smocks crammed into the lounge, Mr. Jones, the former colleague of Mr. Beaumont at Cimade, conjured up a cobblestoned Paris street by playing a Charles Trenet song, “I Wish You Love,” on his melodica, which sounds like a cross between an accordion and a harmonica. Another colleague, Muriel Glasgow, invoked Edith Piaf with her rendition of “Ne me quitte pas” (“Don’t Leave Me”).