Presiding Bishop’s keynote address
Episcopalians have a prayer that names “this fragile earth, our island home.”[1] We’ve been praying it for nearly 40 years, yet many are only beginning to awaken to our wanton abuse of this planet. We profess that God has planted us in a garden to care for it and for all its inhabitants, yet we […]
The Climate Change Crisis: Forum now available for viewing
[March 24, 2015] Now available here www.episcopalchurch.org is the Climate Change Crisis, presented by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society on March 24. Addressing one of the most significant topics in today’s society, the 90-minute live webcast originated from Campbell Hall Episcopal School, North Hollywood, CA, in partnership with Bishop J. Jon Bruno and the […]
Bible Study: Lent 5 (B) – 2015
Jeremiah 31:31-34 Few passages in the Old Testament are as important – or as difficult to understand – as Jeremiah’s prophecy about the “new covenant.” The writer of Hebrews cites this passage not once but twice (Chapters 8-10), a dense passage describing his/her understanding of the relationship between the old covenant with Israel and the […]
Bible Study: Lent 3 (B) – 2015
Exodus 20:1-17 This week’s Old Testament reading is the first instance in the narrative of the exodus of Israelites from Egypt in which the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) appears. It appears again in Exodus 34, immediately following the making of the golden calf, when Moses carries the tablets down from the mountain. In this narrative, the […]
Our Global Family, Last Sunday in Epiphany – 2015
Today, the Last Sunday After the Epiphany, the Episcopal Church celebrates World Mission Sunday. Today is a day when we are called to celebrate that we are a missionary church. Today is a day when where are all called, through our baptismal vows, to seek and serve Christ in all people and respect the dignity […]
Episcopal missionaries nurture global partnerships, deepen Communion
As The Episcopal Church prepares to observe World Mission Sunday on Feb. 15, the following article looks at some of the treasures of its missionary program. The purpose of World Mission Sunday is to focus on the global impact of the Baptismal Covenant’s call to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” (Book of Common Prayer, p. […]
February 15: World Mission Sunday
Traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday after Epiphany, World Mission Sunday in 2015 is February 15 in The Episcopal Church. The purpose of World Mission Sunday is to focus on the global impact of the Baptismal Covenant’s call to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 305), and to raise […]
Bible Study: Epiphany 1 (B) – 2015
Genesis 1:1-5 It’s hard to imagine more familiar words than the opening of Genesis, isn’t it? “In the beginning” the famous first words ring. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the words of my Old Testament professor, Dr. Robert Wilson, as he led us through the Book of Genesis: “Don’t confuse familiarity with understanding.” So […]
Bible Study: Christmas 1 – 2014
Isaiah 61:10-62:3 The reading from the Hebrew Bible today comes from the final section of Isaiah, generally referred to as Third Isaiah (Chapters 56-66), and is marked by Israel’s return to Palestine after a long time in exile. Salvation, hope and transformation are key themes in this passage. The metaphors move from what more concretely […]
Bible Study: Advent 1 (B) – 2014
Isaiah 64:1-9 Isaiah, an Old Testament prophet, is the prophet of Advent, proclaiming the coming Kingdom of God, the Messiah, and the joy and hope of Zion. However, the use of Isaiah in the New Testament betrays an underlying truth of the book – as Paul D. Hanson points out in “Isaiah 40-66: Interpretation” (John […]
UNCSW 2011: L'Apanage et le privilège
by Gregory Stark, Dioceses of Idaho and Ohio Considérez, frères, qui vous êtes, vous que Dieu a appelés : il y a parmi vous, du point de vue humain, peu de sages, peu de puissants, peu de gens de noble origine. Au contraire, Dieu a choisi ce qui est folie aux yeux du monde pour couvrir […]
Episcopal Campus Ministry at Atlanta's HBCU's
The Campus Ministry As I sit in my office typing this blog, a group of food service providers from Morehouse College are working with local labor organizers in our large gathering space called the Koinonia Cafe. Across the hall, two men of Morehouse are studying in the computer lab, and next door to my office […]
A Lenten Journey of Restoration*
During the first Wednesday dinner in Lent, a freshmen reported his excitement about hosting his first “kickback” (defined as a laid back, relaxed party). The report sounded benign to most people present, but I curiously inquired with the student about the planned location for his event. When the young man didn’t have a clear answer, […]
Where Tomorrow Meets Today: Expanding the Future of Young Adults & the Church
Today we welcome guest blogger Teresa B. Pasquale. Teresa is a trauma therapist, yoga teacher, “crooked mystic,” and 18-30’s spirituality program leader within the Episcopal tradition. Teresa is involved with planning the “Where Tomorrow Meets Today” conference in Ft. Lauderdale next February. The Question Who are young adults? What do they like? What do they believe in? […]
Focus on the Work of YASC for World Mission Sunday
This upcoming Sunday, March 2, is World Mission Sunday in The Episcopal Church. Traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday after Epiphany, the purpose of World Mission Sunday is to focus on the global impact of the Baptismal Covenant’s call to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 305), and […]
Bible Study: Proper 27 (A) – 2014
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Memory is a powerful vehicle for us as intellectual creatures. Memory connects the past to the present state of things and helps us recall the stories told by our ancestors. Memory works its magic in the stories that we tell to each other as we recollect the years past, which helps us […]
Bridging the Gap series: How a simple phone call can change a life
Today I welcome as guest blogger the Rev. Canon John W. Newton, Canon For Lifelong Christian Formation for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. This is the first of several blog posts focused on how the church can “Bridge the Gap” for graduating high school seniors to whatever is next in their lives: be it a gap year, an […]
Just in Time: A Few Ideas for Graduation and Confirmation Gifts
Today my guest blogger is the Rev. Shannon Kelly, Christian Formation Consultant and Writer. She is a Contributor to Faith Formation Learning Exchange and is on the Board of Directors of Forma. Shannon is an adult participant on the Episcopal Youth Event Mission Planning Team and was the Chaplain for the recent General Convention Official Youth […]
How do you parent after graduation?
This is the second of two posts written by guest blogger Jenifer Gamber. Jenifer is the mother of two young adults and author of Call on Me: A Prayer Book for Young People and My Faith, My Life: A Teen’s Guide to the Episcopal Church. She also leads retreats and workshops for Christian educators working with youth. Parenting Graduates […]
EYE'14 Mission Planning Team Meets, Chooses Theme
Click to view slideshow. The Mission Planning Team for the Episcopal Youth Event 2014 (EYE’14) gathered in San Diego last week for their second of four face-to-face meetings. In addition to meetings like this one, their preparations are accomplished through video conference calls, Facebook conversations, and a project organizing application called Basecamp. I couldn’t be more grateful […]