Support the Café
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling today in Fulton v. Philadelphia (see coverage from NPR here, and from the Washington Post here), both the Presiding Bishop,
“As a Christian who is committed to a stance of nonviolence, I recognize the oddity of doing what may seem like an attempt to normalize bloodshed. This is anything but.”
On property owned by St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Clinton Hill, Brooklyn an 17-story apartment tower will rise. The current parish hall is being demolished to make way for the tower. The developer has a 99-year ground lease with the church. Thirty percent of the housing will be affordable. And there will be space in the new building for church operations.
Like the Greatest Generation, the Classes of 2020 have been “formed and forged in a crucible of hardship,” as the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry ’75, D.D. ’20 told graduates in his Commencement address. “Part of your most important formation as human beings has happened in the crucible not of a Great Depression, but of a great pandemic.
David and Charlette talk about what it means to be good soil, and our need to control how things grow.
We close out our conversations on the creeds by talking about the Athanasian creed (which isn’t really a creed nor was it written by Athanasius) plus we highlight an ancient heresy and Lisa delights to learn Jon was wrong* in a previous episode.
This week we’re taslking about the Spanish mystic, reformer, author and Doctor of the Church, Teresa of Avila
The crew talks about their own picks for your pop culture delight
“As a Christian who is committed to a stance of nonviolence, I recognize the oddity of doing what may seem like an attempt to normalize bloodshed. This is anything but.”
“Peace, be still.
It is the time of year that darkness descends like a curtain on the ground only reluctantly, when the long days stretch indolently like a satisfied cat. This is the time of year when the lure of the outdoors exercises a mesmerizing hold on those of us who love summer.”
The clouds that run in on the wind cannot obscure God’s judgement or muffle her mercy; that the Holy Spirit dances in the tree tops, bending with them towards the earth, kissing the ground that we walk upon with grace and loving kindness.
“Forge a new path.
Listen to bird songs.
Follow your children.
Linger on the front porch.”
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling today in Fulton v. Philadelphia (see coverage from NPR here, and from the Washington Post here), both the Presiding Bishop,
Another committee member argued against a fellow member’s request, saying there is no one in the SBC who favors sex abuse.
Canadian Catholic bishops do not apologize for latest atrocities discovered at residential schools. Anglican Church of Canada archbishop and primate reminds us her church had residential schools with a grim history, and she apologizes.
In 1913 Hudson Stuck, Archdeacon of the Yukon and the Artic, organized a party for an attempt to be the first to reach the summit of Denali (Mount McKinley). The group reached the summit on June 7, 1913. Alaskan native Walter Harper was first to reach the summit.
But that is where the happiness over my homily came to an end, because I said that as Christians, perhaps we should add a ritual to Valentine’s Day. Perhaps we should celebrate Agape as much as Eros, and follow the words of Our Lord, to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, to put aside anger and vengefulness in favor of the call Jesus made to us, who follow Him.
When disaster hits, how can one remain fearless? The Psalmist’s faith is focused solely on God’s near presence and support, not on something remarkable in himself, his nation’s rulers, or the superpowers of his time. The entire Psalm has the same theme of trusting in God’s presence, support, and security for God is their refuge. It also emphasizes God’s existence and friendship with His people, and the Psalmist reveals the secret of his unwavering certainty and faith in God’s presence. The Psalm’s second section (vv. 4-8) starts by proclaiming the blessings of being in God’s presence (v. 4). The river that runs through Jerusalem brings joy to the city of God. In its metaphorical sense, the river denotes blessing, regeneration, harmony, and prosperity, with the river serving as a source of life.
If we believe that God sits high above us, on some judgment seat, pulling strings and ordering angels around, and acting impulsively and capriciously – well, the chances are that we ourselves will act like that. If we think that God just sits around getting angry and upset all the time – well, the chances are that we will act like that.
But, if we believe that God actually loves people – well, the chances are that we ourselves will love people, too. And, if we believe that God lives in holy and healthy relationship – well, the chances are that we ourselves will try to live in holy and healthy relationship.
Deadly violence in Israel has erupted once again. It’s captured the world’s attention, and with it aspersions are cast in angry self righteousness. The Levant has been a whirlpool of contending peoples visiting war, famine and death on each another since the beginning of recorded history, so the current outbreak should not surprise anyone.
The Episcopal Café seeks to be an independent voice, reporting and reflecting on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican tradition. The Café is not a platform of advocacy, but it does aim to tell the story of the church from the perspective of Progressive Christianity. Our collective sympathy, as the Café, lies with the project of widening the circle of inclusion within the church and empowering all the baptized for the role to which they have been called as followers of Christ.
The opinions expressed at the Café are those of individual contributors, and, unless otherwise noted, should not be interpreted as official statements of a parish, diocese or other organization. The art and articles that appear here remain the property of their creators.
All Content © 2017 Episcopal Café
