Episcopal Church
The Communion Partner Bishops released their Minneapolis Statement after the most recent gathering of bishops, expressing support for Bishop Love of Albany and disappointment in the House’s response to the un-invitation of same-sex spouses to the upcoming Lambeth Conference
https://communionpartners.org/minneapolis-statement-september-2019/
Greg Brewer, Bishop of Central Florida expands on the Lambeth issue in his own letter to the diocese
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sv1Dd2LrBux2q_BTyy9TAW9ddTIeeLUp/view
Oklahoma announces its episcopal slate – uniquely these days, all male – including Forward Movement’s Scott Gunn
https://www.epiok.org/candidates
And in more bishop news, Southern Virginia has elected their new bishop, the Rev Susan B. Haynes
http://www.diosova.org/congregation_res/article465411.htm
Ceiling crashes down on pews on Long Island – thankfully no one there at the time
https://www.silive.com/news/2019/10/worship-to-continue-after-piece-of-ceiling-falls-at-st-pauls-episcopal-church-in-stapleton.html
A hopeful story of a college ministry in Georgia
https://www.unionrecorder.com/news/campus-missioner-looks-to-spread-message-of-love-acceptance/article_2a196bde-e380-11e9-8c43-b315fa893106.html
Anglican Communion
In a letter from the GAFCON vice chair (Abp of Rwanda), there is further evidence of their movement to break ties with Canterbury and just do their own thing; they have dropped “Province” from their official church name, saying”Removing the word ‘Province’ is a significant change. We are not subjects. Some want us to accept that it is essential to being Anglican that you are recognised by Canterbury, but we find our identity first and foremost through our Biblical and Anglican doctrinal inheritance in Christ.”
http://anglican.ink/2019/09/30/gafcon-vice-chairmans-september-letter/
Church Times (UK) covered it, including the Anglican Communion Office’s “diplomatic” response
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2019/4-october/news/world/anglican-church-of-rwanda-decolonialises-its-name
Thy Kingdom Come, a prayer initiative of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York is still going strong after four years
https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/38000
and
https://www.christiantoday.com/article/archbishops-movement-inspiring-christians-worldwide-to-pray-for-friends-and-family/133328.htm
A second diocese in Australia set to authorize marriage equality
https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/anglicans-same-sex-blessings-dispute-deepens-as-newcastle-joins-in/
Justin Welby speaks of his dreams for the Anglican Communion at gathering of church leaders in Southeast Asia
https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2019/10/archbishop-welby-expresses-vision-for-anglican-communion-at-east-asian-anglican-meeting.aspx
Other Interesting Items
Lots of anxiety in the RC world over the upcoming synod in the Amazon and the potential for married priests
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/amazon-synod-has-set-pope-francis-professional-haters-edge
and
https://religionnews.com/2019/10/02/vatican-cardinal-skeptical-about-married-priests-for-amazon/
Life of Brian at 40
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2019/27-september/comment/opinion/how-life-of-brian-drew-me-to-christianity
Op-Ed on religious liberty within denominations
http://honisoit.com/2019/10/op-ed-freedom-of-religion-is-being-ignored-within-churches/
image: from Monty Python’s Life of Brian