TREC issues A Letter to The Episcopal Church
The Taskforce for Reimagining The Episcopal Church (TREC) has issued A Word To The Episcopal Church.
Bible Study: Proper 15 (A) – 2014
Genesis 45:1-15 A friend, who is a senior Master of Divinity student, and I had a conversation about veterans today. He and a mutual friend, who is an Episcopal priest in the Austin area, work together on the Episcopal Veterans Fellowship here, planning services and pilgrimages; creating safe space for those who served in America’s […]
Baptism Into the Fold, Easter 4 (A) – 2014
In her retirement, some years ago, a woman lived in the English countryside. And from her living-room window, she could see a large hill, at the top of which was the ancient parish church. One of the bell-ringers who helped summon people to worship was a shepherd. In lambing season, his flashlight could be seen at all […]
Recalling the Resurrected Jesus, Easter 3 (A) – 2014
It is hard to understand how two faithful disciples of Jesus could have traveled with him, side by side, without recognizing him. Maybe disappointment blinded their eyes and their hearts to the truth. In Jerusalem, they had learned the devastating news about Jesus’ death. Despite having heard about the women and other disciples reporting that […]
Bible Study: Easter 3 (A) – 2014
Acts 2:14a, 36-41 This passage, which appears in Acts 2 after the people in Jerusalem have witnessed the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the speaking of many languages, is the beginning of Peter’s teaching on Pentecost. Peter has explained that scripture, properly understood, foretells that Jesus is the Messiah, whom God has raised from […]
EPPN Lenten Series Part 7: Holy Week Reflection
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this, your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. […]
EPPN Lenten Series Part 5: Spotlight on Refugees
Be present, O merciful God, and protect us…so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world, may repose upon thy eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. – Concluding Collect for Compline, Proposed Book of Common Prayer of 1928, Church of England Dear Fellow Advocate, The preceding collect, […]
Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer is something of an icon for the crazy-quilt nature of Anglicanism. The collect we prayed gives thanks for the beauty of his liturgical language and notes that his death was revelatory of God’s power in human weakness. His history is a striking mix of deep theological wrestling and expedient action, both personal and […]
Bible Study: Lent 4 (A) – 2014
1 Samuel 16:1-13 “Le roi est mort. Vive le roi!” The king is dead. Long live the king! Wait. The king isn’t dead. What just happened? Does anyone hear shouts of coup d’etat? Luckily it all happened far outside the capitol in Bethlehem. Nevertheless, the prophet Samuel committed capital treason. He anointed a new king […]
EPPN Lenten Series Part 4: Spotlight on Security
Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your dominion may increase, until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. – Collect for […]
Episcopal Church House of Bishops Spring 2014 retreat meeting: Daily Account for Monday, March 24
The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church is meeting in retreat at the Camp Allen Conference & Retreat Center in Navasota, TX (Diocese of Texas) from March 21 to March 26. The following is an account of the activities for Monday, March 24. The theme for the spring meeting of the Episcopal Church House […]
Bible Study: Lent 1 (A) – 2014
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Rabbi Nachman of Breslov said, “God made man because he loves stories.” And what is the first story about humans? It is a story of temptation, disobedience and clothing manufacturing. Other than the talking snake, this story in Genesis always strikes me as so ordinary and mundane. When they eat the forbidden […]
A Lenten Reflection on Repentance
A Lenten Reflection on Repentance February 12, 2013 “Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desires not the death of sinners, but rather that they turn from their wickedness and live…pardons and absolves all those who truly repent and with sincere hearts believe his holy Gospel.” – The Absolution in the Ash […]
'Build the Serving Church' Capital Campaign Kickoff – 40th Anniversary
A couple of weeks ago I had a free Sunday in New York and took the opportunity to visit a congregation I’d just heard about. The subway put me off in a really gritty part of Brooklyn. Outside the station there were a quite few dilapidated buildings, plenty of graffiti, and a number of signs […]
March 2: World Mission Sunday
World Mission Sunday is March 2 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 to raise our awareness […]
Martyrs of Japan – Executive Council
Traditionally the church has talked about two kinds of martyrs – white martyrs and red ones. Red martyrs shed blood for claiming their faith, like Perpetua and Paul, or because of the challenge that they’ve offered to the principalities and powers of this world – like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Oscar Romero. White martyrs […]
Presiding Bishop’s opening sermon from Executive Council
[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs] Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori delivered the following sermon on Feb. 5 during the opening Eucharist at the Episcopal Church Executive Council meeting currently gathered at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights, MD (Diocese of Maryland). Martyrs of Japan Executive Council, Maritime Center, Linthicum Heights, MD […]
Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music seeks feedback on Holy Women, Holy Men
The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) has issued the following request for responses concerning Holy Women, Holy Men. At the last General Convention, the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music was directed to continue revising Holy Women, Holy Men with particular attention to the 2006 guidelines, renewed attention to the form, poetry, and […]
Episcopal Church Office of Communication: 2013 by the numbers
For the Episcopal Church Office of Communication, 2013 was a remarkable year. “The year 2013 showed continued dramatic growth in audiences for all of our digital publications, our website and our social media outlets,” noted Anne Rudig, Director of Communication. Our internal and external media relations efforts yielded some significant placements and much expanded activity.” […]
Bible Study: Epiphany 1 (A) – 2014
Isaiah 42:1-9 “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet.” Arguably, Juliet’s words about Romeo in the famous balcony scene from Shakespeare’s play are among the most frequently quoted in Western culture. She speaks aloud, unaware that he is below in the garden, listening. […]