Here is our collection of stories opening up the world of faith and the Anglican experience
Episcopal Church
Vermont elected a new bishop, the Reverend Dr. Shannon MacVean-Brown, who also happens to be an African-American woman.
https://www.wcax.com/content/news/First-African-American-Bishop-elected–510124251.html
and
https://www.vpr.org/post/vt-episcopal-churchs-next-bishop-will-be-woman-color#stream/0
Kym Lucas consecrated as bishop of Colorado
https://episcopalcolorado.org/2019/05/kym-lucas-is-consecrated-as-11th-bishop-of-the-episcopal-church-in-colorado/
Rain falling on Mayor Pete’s parade (and his religious identity)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/05/20/pete-buttigieg-shouldnt-lead-religious-left-there-shouldnt-even-be-religious-left/?utm_term=.b2205b8914d4
The church just being a good neighbor in Jeffersonville, IN
https://www.newsandtribune.com/news/prayer-service-offered-for-those-impacted-by-explosion-in-jeffersonville/article_4515ea22-7bcd-11e9-b50e-2b151211917e.html
UK
Archbishop of Canterbury responds to the resignation of Theresa May as Prime Minister of the UK
https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2019/05/archbishop-of-canterbury-pays-tribute-as-uk-prime-minister-announces-her-resignation.aspx
Michael Curry is a bona fide global phenomenon; here a story about racism in the UK wedding industry has the PB has launching off point
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47632929
For the Anglophile/history buffs: Ancient remains thought to belong to Saxon Queen Emma, the mother of King Edward the Confessor and wife of two successive Kings of England, Ethelred and Cnut, have been found in Winchester Cathedral
https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2019/05/english-cathedral-identifies-ancient-royal-remains-of-queen-emma-through-carbon-dating.aspx
Agenda for CoE’s upcoming General Synod Announced
https://www.churchofengland.org/media/17571
A group put out by CoE’s guidance on Transgender issued a statement signed by a fair number of people.
https://www.christiantoday.com/article/the-church-of-englands-transgender-guidance-should-be-withdrawn/132493.htm
A great photo essay of women priests in the CoE diocese of Southwark
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/22/photo-exhibition-celebrates-25-years-of-female-priests
Around the Anglican Communion
Tomorrow is the Feast day of Augustine of Canterbury and Anglican communion Sunday
https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2019/05/christians-around-the-world-observe-anglican-communion-sunday-this-weekend.aspx
Some pushback on the Church in Jamaica’s statement of support for abortion in some instances
https://www.trinidadexpress.com/opinion/columnists/abortion-promotes-irresponsibility/article_0e95fb34-7a94-11e9-8d0c-e7d36aed23db.html
Recently consecrated Anglican bishops from all around Africa gathering in Kenya learn how the Anglican Communion can be a vital partner in combatting malaria on the continent.
https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2019/05/vital-role-for-african-church-leaders-in-wiping-out-malaria.aspx
And Other Interesting News
Pope Francis encourages Roman catholics to join ecumenical prayer campaign in a video recorded by Justin Welby on his smartphone
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/05/20/pope-encourages-catholics-to-join-ecumenical-prayer-campaign/
This should not be new to most Café readers; but could be a useful starting point for anyone of a conservative mindset willing to examine other views
https://viamedia.news/2019/05/17/does-the-bible-really-say-anything-at-all-about-homosexuality-as-we-understand-it-today/
New poll shows Jewish fears for safety increasing with Trump being held responsible. This highlights the divergence between American Jews and Israelis that Trump’s policies have exacerbated.
https://religionnews.com/2019/05/22/poll-american-jews-feel-threatened-blame-trump/
An essay from the Christian Century titled “The extinction of whales, birds, and other creatures that once praised God,” reflecting on humanity’s wanton use of plastic
https://www.christiancentury.org/article/editors/extinction-whales-birds-and-other-creatures-once-praised-god
image: Helen Harknett fights for social justice and LGBTI inclusion. Photograph: Jim Grover