August 2008

Presiding Bishop's statement at the conclusion of the 2008 Lambeth Conference

From Stanley A. Leavy, MD • Hamden, Connecticut, Aug 07, 2008 OK for the good will and ambitious hopes, but what about the elephant in the parlor? Do we keep our liberty in the ordination of priests and bishops,and the blessing of gay and lesbian  communicants? Or do we politely, cautiously, go along with our archbishop and hold a "moratorium"- which means denying full Christian equality to people who love members of their own sex? If this sounds blunt, I mean it to be so. There is no "middle way" between right and wrong.

Presiding Bishop's statement at the conclusion of the 2008 Lambeth Conference

From The Rev. William R. Blott • Dunnville, Ontario, Canada, Aug 07, 2008 I think we are, indeed, at the beginning of something new; something the Anglican Communion by its open, network nature is better able to respond to than most other Christian bodies. I think this "new" thing involves the working out of issues raised at the Renaissance-Reformation, issues involving the nature of the Bible and what it means to be Christian and to engage in Christian worship. I believe this is a vocation we are called to by God.

Presiding Bishop's statement at the conclusion of the 2008 Lambeth Conference

From George Bedell • Gainesville, Florida, Aug 07, 2008 Just having read your statement at the end of Lambeth, I was reminded of how glad I am that you're our PB.

KENYA: Boycotting primate wants Lambeth Conference to continue

From Keith Toepfer • Bothell, Washington, Aug 07, 2008 Your statement that "GAFCON is widely seen as having been an 'alternative' Lambeth Conference" may be correct as far as it goes. Unfortunately, an action or event being "widely seen" in some particular light, although often used to imply a truth, is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition to establish it as truth. Thus, your inclusion of the comment can only be taken to be intended as an attempt at propaganda, i.e., drawing your readers to what is simply your desired conclusion.

Presiding Bishop's statement at the conclusion of the 2008 Lambeth Conference

From Dennis Costa • Jersey City, New Jersey, Aug 07, 2008 Thank you for your thoughtful insights into the Lambeth Conference. Often the news media is interested in the conflict rather than the process you pointed out our communion is going through--"the birth pangs."  Thanks again.

Presiding Bishop's statement at the conclusion of the 2008 Lambeth Conference

From Irene Ayres • Branford, Connecticut, Aug 07, 2008 Dear Bishop Jefferts Schori:  For years and years, I have said that I am absolutely positively without a doubt in the "right" church. What an honor to read your statement about the Lambeth Conference. Now if we could just all agree that God is love with no limitations, it would suit me to a T.

Reactions to Lambeth Conference span the spectrum

From Jim Prevatt • Greensboro, North Carolina, Aug 07, 2008 Since moratoria seem to some important, I suggest there be a moratorium on any Anglicans participating in war in which they might have to kill somebody. This seems really more important than not ordaining partnered gay bishops or blessing gay unions. It was the rule before Constantine made the church the Empire's preferred religion. Maybe it's time we returned to that. What some Anglicans want to do amounts to practicing shunning. Maybe we should follow the Amish, who do shun and who never participate in killing or war.

Episcopal Church to hold 'Day of Repentance' to apologize for participation in slavery

From Alma T. Bell • Baltimore, Maryland, Aug 07, 2008 While I commend those in the Church who are involved in the "Day of Repentance", I hope that the next step will be to take action by committing to strengthening the Historically Black Episcopal Colleges. Education was and is the way to make a lasting, positive difference in the lives of those who may still feel the after effects of the legacy of slavery.

The writer is a deputy to General Convention from the Diocese of Maryland.

CANADA: Video marks 15 years since primate's apology to Aboriginals

From Ginny Doctor • Tanana, Alaska, Aug 06, 2008 I was there when Michael Peers made the apology. It was indeed a very powerful moment in the life of "the" Church. However, the acceptance actually came a day or two later after much deliberation on the part of the Elders. That moment was marked by the soaring of eagles above our heads as we celebrated the Holy Eucharist.

Episcopal Church to hold 'Day of Repentance' to apologize for participation in slavery

From Ann Fontaine • Lander, Wyoming Aug 06, 2008 When will we do as Canada has done on the boarding school abuse of native people?

Episcopal Church to hold 'Day of Repentance' to apologize for participation in slavery

From Ron Davin • Fall River, Massachusetts, Aug 06, 2008 How repentant should I be?  Are we responsible for all the slaves brought here, or just the ones brought over by England? All the ones brought over by England, or just with Anglican ties? Is there a distinction before and after the American Revolution when this country and the Episcopal Church became independent? What if our ancestors did not join the Anglican Church until the 20th century, are we exempt? Are there credits for the sacrifices made during the War of Northern Aggression? What about tax payments made during the 20th century for welfare? What about those of us with Irish ties? What about the fact that many African American families would have been wiped put by events in Africa during the last decade? If I suspect that my great-great-great grandfather already repented and I believe that Jesus came and died to take away my sins, once and for all, am I exempted?

Please compute and get back with me so I can adjust my repentance level.

Reactions to Lambeth Conference span the spectrum

From Barbara Barillas • Guatemala, Aug 05, 2008 With all due respect to the Bishop of South Carolina, I find his words, as cited in the¨article, somewhat mystifying. Just what "new prince" was born in Jerusalem and just who will take his seat at Canterbury?  Is the bishop referring to a particular new prince of the Church or that the GAFCon association will become the ostensible head of the Communion? I think I understand where the bishop’s sympathies lie, but the wording is cryptic. The reporter undoubtedly left out crucial statements when quoting the bishop.

Presiding Bishop's statement at the conclusion of the 2008 Lambeth Conference

From Barbara Bloom • Bloomington, Indiana, Aug 05, 2008 I am sure that it was a very rich and rewarding experience for the attendees of Lambeth. It is undoubtedly true that they learned a great deal, over and above intellectual learning, from their interactionswith each other.  Let's hope that at the NEXT Lambeth, the one bishop who was excluded in 2008 will not be excluded in 2018.  I am sure that everyone would also learn, in mutuality, from his inclusion.

Keep Communion Safe

From Bill Kindel • Fort Morgan, Colorado, Aug 02, 2008 Indeed, gluten-free hosts are available through any number of sources.  They're significantly more expensive than the usual wheat hosts, but they're hardly a budget breaker.

It is also the case that Coeliac disease affects a very small percentage of communicants, though Dr. Delaney's 5% figure is grossly inflated.  Even 1% might be too high, but it will do.  For planning purposes, each communicant has a 99% chance of being Coeliac-free. Multiply them together, subtract the product from 100%, and you have the probability that at least ONE communicant has Coeliac disease and should be offered a gluten-free host. For 50 communicants, the probability is 40%; for 100 communicants, it's 63%, and so on.

I agree that congregations would be wise to have gluten-free hosts available for those who need them, though not all communicants are as clear in communicating their needs in advance as Dr. Delaney appears to be. None of mine have, thus far.

EAST CAROLINA: Diocese commemorates baptisms of lost colony

From Anne Daniel • Greenville, North Carolina, Aug 02, 2008 While reading the Bishop's blog today, I learned that archives (which were put on display at Lambeth Palace) relating to the Anglican presence in North America/Lost Colonies make reference to the main rivers in Eastern North Carolina, namely the Roanoke and the Chowan among others.  This fact is very poignant to me as a native of eastern North Carolina who used to water ski on those rivers and because our diocese will commemorate the first documented baptism in North America, Manteo, and the baptism of the first English-born child, Virginia Dare. Please pause to consider the icon which was made lovingly over a period of nearly two years to commemorate this event and ponder its many wondrous implications: differences in age, in ethnicity and in gender, yet bound together by the Holy Spirit. Isn't this what our Anglican Communion is all about:  different and yet bound?