This week has seen a number of excellent local stories about the ministry of the Episcopal Church and its congregations across the country. Much of the coverage has talked about the way Episcopalians are responding to the needs of the people in Haiti, but even as most of the Church focuses on that, there is still much regular day to day ministry ongoing.
The Anglican Church of Canada was forced to make significant staff cuts to the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) following a shortfall in fundraising during the past year. The Executive Director of the PWRDF, Cheryl Curtis has resigned as of the end of February.
Lionel Deimel has done a careful reading of Friday’s court ruling in favor of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. He’s posted the major points of
Pope Benedict visited Rome’s main synagogue over the weekend. The visit comes as tensions are growing between the Vatican and Jewish leaders over the Pope’s decision to honor Pius XII by moving him closer to sainthood.
The reports coming out of Haiti are still focusing on the rescue efforts and the first signs that the aid streaming in from around the world is starting to reach the victims.
Next month’s General Synod of the Church of England will probably have another round of controversial voting when a motion to increase the benefits of same-sex couples to that of traditionally married clergy is considered.
Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has been struck with a devastating earthquake this evening. According to initial reports, the 7+ magnitude quake
The trial regarding the constitutionality of denying same-sex couples the ability to marry each other began with formal arguments today. The trial was to be broadcast, but in a last minute decision the court decided to bar video access for the first three days. However there are liveblogs of the proceedings to be found online.
The Roman Catholic Church may have the Red Mass for the legal profession, but now the Anglicans can consider doing Plow Monday with a new information worker twist. A vicar in “The City” has taken an old custom of blessing the tools of farmers in a new direction by blessing the tools of the modern worker, their laptops and their phones.
Today is the world-wide observance of Human Trafficking day, an attempt to draw attention to the increasing problem of slavery, sexual trafficking and child labor. The Lutherans have some very helpful resources posted that are appropriate for congregational use.