Jim Naughton – Page 537 – Episcopal Cafe

Warmth, metaphorical and otherwise

October 18, 2008 No Comments

When I think of the warmth of the oven as the bread comes out, or of the pleasure I’ve taken by a warm fireplace, or in that first cup of coffee on a cool morning, I have my own empirical sense that the connection works both ways. That sense of warmth, of comfort and safety, contributes to my own experience that “all’s right with the world,” including my own place in it. I wonder what that might mean for our congregations.

Physician and evangelist

October 18, 2008 No Comments

Luke, which is a familiar form of Lucius, was a Gentile, a physician, and a close friend of Paul (Col. 4:10ff.), a fellow worker with Paul (Phlm. 24), and a companion of Paul’s in prison, probably in Rome (2 Tim. 4:11). Greek was obviously his native tongue, as his language is flawless Koine, the common Greek of the time (which was much less sophisticated than the language of Homer and the great philosophers).

Fighting poverty with faith

October 17, 2008 1 Comment

One in eight Americans is poor. One child in six is poor. And the numbers are growing. From 2000 to 2007, the number of children living in poverty increased by 15 percent. The income gap is growing as well. In 2007, the richest 20 percent of Americans had over 50 percent of the nation’s income, while the poorest 20 percent had only 3.4 percent.

LA Diocese produces education materials on same-sex marriage

October 17, 2008 4 Comments

The education materials that Bishop J. Jon Bruno mentioned in his letter posted Thursday are now available. An extract: While churches are allowed to oppose

Florida faith leaders rally against gay marriage ban

October 17, 2008 No Comments

A coalition of religious leaders from across Florida joined forces Thursday to speak against a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage. Florida Clergy for Fairness, a group of interfaith clergy, say that Amendment 2 is mean-spirited and an infringement upon the religious freedoms of all Floridians.

Comment problem is fixed

October 17, 2008 2 Comments

We’ve been having some trouble with our comment function, but we think we’ve got it licked, so all you folks who were eager to talk

Church property: we are stewards, not owners

October 17, 2008 2 Comments

The claim has been made that the property belongs to those who are currently tending it. One of the clearest of principles in The Episcopal Church (and many others) is that we are stewards, not owners. It is a scriptural concept, that we are the temporary managers whose job description is to maintain and enhance that which has been entrusted to us.

Halloween humor and a dark-skinned son

October 17, 2008 19 Comments

It started a few days ago with my neighbors down the street. They have these humongous

McCain/Palin signs in their yard, and as they were decorating their yard for Halloween they added their usual assortment of ghouls and ghosties. But this year one of the ghouls was leaning over the McCain sign, holding the severed head of Barack Obama.

Join the choir

October 17, 2008 1 Comment

From Ignatius, whose other name is Theophorus, to the deservedly happy church at Ephesus in Asia; notably blessed with greatness by God the Father out of His own fullness; marked out since the beginning of time for glory unfading and unchanging;

Diocese of Virginia will appeal Fairfax court rulings

October 16, 2008 No Comments

Bishop Lee writes to the diocese: Let me assure you that the Diocese of Virginia will vigorously appeal every court decision that denies any Episcopalians their rightful church homes. The Diocese of Virginia has experienced challenges in the past and we have always come through renewed and strengthened in our mission to serve Christ’s church. Virginia will do so again.

The Archive

Author: Jim Naughton