The very fact that an entire decennial gathering of Bishops should be spent bickering about homosexuality in an environment dominated by swarms of homosexuals, rather than seeking a deeper understanding of Jesus' message to our schizophrenic generation, reveals how far our priorities have wandered away from what the Crucifixion really means to every sinner among us. We want all the trappings, Bishop's Mitres, prestigious titles, sumptuous real estate, and freedom from guilt about our actual behavior, without having to pay the price of self surrender to the transforming power of Jesus Christ, or considering what He was telling us in the Sermon on the Mount. --- John Becker, East Carolina Episcopal layman L4.E.Carolina.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
www.virtueonline.org
8/22/2009

It was not a good week for The Episcopal Church especially in the DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA. For the third time, a judge ruled in favor of 11 churches in that diocese who had decided to depart for greener spiritual pastures. The judge said the contracts clause would apply to any church property before 1867; historically in Virginia, denominations could not own church property at the time; only trustees of each church could. The ruling "is a significant victory," said Steffen Johnson, one of the lawyers for the 11 churches. "It eliminates their last constitutional argument that the statute is not valid." At stake is $30 million to $40 million worth of properties.

Does this mean the diocese will now roll over? Not a prayer. The diocese has no intention of taking this lying down with Bishop Peter Lee saying that while he was disappointed in the ruling the diocese will continue "to explore every option available to restore constitutional and legal protections for all churches in Virginia."

Clearly no one is listening to the Archbishop of Canterbury who called for a cessation of lawsuits (he also called for an end to diocesan boundary crossing). Perhaps Dr. Williams was merely "thinking aloud" and should not therefore be taken seriously. Apparently no one is taking him seriously about much anymore.

There will be a trial in October to finally settle the issue. TEC and the diocese will appeal directly to the VA Supreme Court. Beyond that, the cases will be heard in federal court (1st amendment issues). Schori's scorched earth policy will be her dismal legacy.

Not to be outdone, the California Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for Oct. 8 in Riverside County over the Episcopal Church Property cases led by the DIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES: http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/dockets.cfm?dist=0&doc_id=484283

Is this the third or fourth attempt by the diocese to take back these parishes? It is almost impossible to keep up with the litigation going on across the country. Among the parishes under siege is St. James Anglican Church, Newport Beach. Recently this parish called the Rev. Richard C. Crocker as its new rector. He left Truro Church in Virginia, one of the parishes under siege by Bishop Lee. Is this a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire for Crocker and his family?

The Rev. Matt Kennedy in the DIOCESE OF CENTRAL NEW YORK got a stay of execution recently when a judge ruled that the Good Shepherd parish in Binghamton could stay put until next year. The diocese got a bit too pushy with the judge who decided to hold off any action till next year, giving the young rector and his congregation some breathing room. In the end, they will probably lose as New York does not have the same property laws as Virginia and California, but Binghamton is an old industrial town and there are plenty of rentable places for him to take his congregation.

In the DIOCESE OF SAN JOAQUIN, the Episcopal version, not the Anglican version, the newly appointed Bishop Jerry Lamb says he won't immediately inhibit and depose any fleeing Episcopal priests who have joined the ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF SAN JOAQUIN.

In a July letter, Lamb said he would issue another invitation leading to reconciliation. He offered the clergy three choices, "(1) I want to remain a member of the clergy of the Episcopal Church and adhere to my ordination vows; (2) I no longer wish to exercise my ordained ministry in of the Episcopal Church, and desire to be removed there from for reasons not affecting my moral character; or (3) I do not consider myself a clergy member of the of the Episcopal Church, nor do I believe I am obligated to conform to the doctrine, discipline, or worship of the Episcopal Church." On Aug. 4, Bishop Schofield, his standing committee and diocesan council wrote to Bishop Lamb informing him that "we accept the recognition by the Archbishop of Canterbury of our bishop and reject any purported authority of The Episcopal Church, or Bishop Jerry Lamb, over any of our ministries. Our obligation is to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the world-wide Anglican Communion." Basically what Schofield is saying is "we don't care what you do or do not decide to dare, it is irrelevant, and we are under the Province of the Southern Cone."

*****

So where is all the money coming from to litigate against fleeing parishes and dioceses? A reliable source sent the following report to VOL: "At the Executive Council meeting in NYC, June 2007, there was conversation about taking endowments and trust funds to probate court and getting their expressed purpose changed so that the money could be spent for other 'purposes.' These were primarily trust funds and endowments established more than 60 years ago and were deemed to have '"archaic'" language in their purpose statements. Also, at the February Executive Council meeting, there was discussion about broadening the stated language of trust funds. Those designated for '"missionary'" purposes were originally used for overseas mission. Now, they can be used to reestablish dioceses here in the States. The prime example was $500,000 designated to rebuild San Joaquin, Ft. Worth and Pittsburgh that came from 8 funds designated for '"mission'" purposes. If the trust language does not include the word '"overseas'" mission work that money can be used anywhere."

*****

THE next big speed bump for the HOUSE OF BISHOPS is the deposition of the Rt. Rev. Bob Duncan at the HOB meeting in Salt Lake City Sept 16-19. Mrs. Jefferts Schori is planning on installing her bishop within days after the vote, not giving the 30-day time required for deposition to take effect as per the canons, VOL has learned. "Her" bishop will then run the diocesan convention and attempt to avert the vote to withdraw. But Mrs. Jefferts Schori and David Booth Beers need to read the canons: 1) The canons require that a bishop be inhibited before there is a vote. Duncan has not been inhibited 2) The canons require abandonment of communion. Duncan has not taken any action. 3) The canons require abandonment to a group not in communion with The Episcopal Church. The Province of the Southern Cone is in communion with TEC and 4) the canons require a majority vote of ALL bishops entitled to vote - not merely a majority of those present.

*****

PITTSBURGH Assistant Bishop Called to New Ministry. Bishop Henry Scriven is moving to the United Kingdom to take up a key mission post for South America. The new position will begin January 1, 2009. Bishop Scriven will continue in his work as the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh's assistant bishop until mid-December. The Church Mission Society (CMS) and South American Missionary Society (SAMS) are planning to join together progressively from January 2009, subject to final negotiations and decisions by their respective governing bodies. Bishop Scriven will initially work in a leadership role within SAMS but it is planned that he will ultimately become the Mission Director for South America for the new joint entity that SAMS and CMS will set up together. Bishop Scriven, a British citizen, has a long history of involvement in mission work, including serving with SAMS in Argentina, serving as the chaplain of the British Embassy Church in Madrid, Spain and as Suffragan Bishop in Europe for the Church of England.

*****

AS the Episcopal Church unravels with more fleeing parishes and dioceses, Continuing churches that started to flee TEC in 1977, at the time of the St. Louis Convention, are looking and sounding a little more cocky with some saying "see we told you so" statements on a number of blogs. The biggest and fastest growing of the Anglo-Catholic groups is the Traditional Anglican Communion, headed up by Australian-born Archbishop John Hepworth. He was briefly in Philadelphia and agreed to an extensive interview about his church's proposed union with the Roman Catholic Church. What he wants for his 700,000 followers is full sacramental and organic union. You can read the interview here or in today's digest. http://tinyurl.com/5bm475

*****

Ever wondered what evangelism looks like in the ultra-liberal DIOCESE OF MASSACHUSETTS? The Bishop of Massachusetts, Tom Shaw doesn't want what he calls "conservative fundamentalist Christians to define the word evangelism". So in "These Young Evangelists," a column of his in the Summer 2008 issue of the Episcopal TIMES, the diocesan newspaper of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, he equates a female graduate student at Boston College as being an "evangelist" for having arranged an evening of Reiki therapy and Zen tarot card readings with the assistance of her Episcopal college chaplain. Furthermore, he states, regarding the five examples he gives, "These young people under the age of 35 seem unafraid of being evangelists. They see themselves as disciples, the 21st-century recipients of our risen Lord's command to go out everywhere teaching in the name of God (Matthew 28:20)."

*****

A couple of liberal Episcopal bloggers believe The Episcopal Church should step back from remaining in the Anglican Communion if they do not accept full inclusion Executive Council and House of Deputies member, Canon Mark Harris seriously considers the possibility that it will not. Some are calling the decision before The Episcopal Church - between, on one hand, remaining in the Anglican Communion under the moratorium prohibiting the blessing/marriages of same sex couples as well as prohibiting the election and consecration of non-celibate homosexuals or, on the other hand, embracing what has been described as the "prophetic witness of full inclusion" as an Episcopal-version of Sophie's Choice.

Another blogger calling himself Pluralist writes on the possible decision to make this sacrifice. It has been picking up steam in recent days by Jim Naughton of the Diocese of Washington and with the leader of Integrity, Susan Russell.

The Presiding Bishop has publicly taken the view that such a decision would come from General Convention, but at the same time opens the door wide by qualifying her remarks, saying: "Individual bishops have always made their own decisions within the canonical responsibilities of their dioceses." So if individual bishops make their own decisions to choose full inclusion over inclusion in the Communion, there seems no evidence that Katharine Jefferts Schori will do anything to stop them. Perhaps she might apply the same logic to those who wish to flee her embrace for sounder theological and ecclesiastical pastures.

*****

ON the plus side of the equation, the FREE CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION in Broadmoor, New Orleans opened its doors to Jubilee Church, formerly Christian Faith Ministries, and the Rev. Gregg Thomas, to the Uptown sanctuary in September. The move unites the two churches in ministry while maintaining separate entity status. Annunciation Church, a member of the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal diocese of Louisiana, will move its primary Sunday service to 10 a.m. and Jubilee, a nondenominational church, will congregate at 11:30 a.m. Annunciation's Prayer Book Service at 8 a.m. will remain unchanged. The Rev. Jerry Kramer, rector at Annunciation Church, said the new partnership goes beyond sharing space and will afford the two congregations new opportunities for ministry. "I believe passionately that churches must work together," Kramer said. "This is not two churches under one roof. Our eyes will be continually open for opportunities to join together in prayer, worship, service and outreach."

Since Katrina, Annunciation has partnered with the Broadmoor Improvement Association for neighborhood restoration, working on 50 homes and posting a net worth of volunteer services set to surpass $2 million this year. Other mercy ministries include a reduced-cost food program, a children's camp, a senior adult ministry and global partnerships with an East African orphanage and an AIDS hospice. Thomas said the partnership will facilitate his return home to a racially blended community that fits well with the two congregations.

*****

The Bishop of the DIOCESE OF GEORGIA, Henry I. Louttit wrote to his clergy, in a "Lambeth 2008 - What happened?" letter which blasted the proposed Covenant offered up by the Archbishop of Canterbury saying, that from an American Protestant experience, it was a wonderful tool for splitting denominations and congregations, not for holding people together. ("Look you did not do it correctly, look at Item VI A, Paragraph 3 - You are heretic and no longer belong to our church.") "However, I think we will have one. Will it be accepted, I do not know. But the finished Covenant Text is months and probably more like a year and a half to two years away.

"Each of the Provinces - that means national or multinational self governing churches - not internal subdivisions as we use the word "Province" in the Episcopal Church. In world Anglicanism, "Province" means the Episcopal Church or the Church in England. It is also interesting to note that the Episcopal Church itself has dioceses in number of other countries, at least twelve that I can count in my head. "The Archbishop of Canterbury on several occasions called the Bishops to work to stay together. Once saying "If we split, it would take at least 400 years to put us back together." He stated, "God needs us together!"

*****

The former Bishop of the DIOCESE OF EAU CLAIRE, William Wantland recently told members of the South East Wisconsin American Anglican Council (SEWACC) at Nashotah House that "GAFCON (the Global Anglican Future Conference) didn't need Lambeth, but Lambeth needs GAFCON."

Now the Assisting Bishop of Fort Worth, Wantland said he was confident that the GAFCON council of primates, which is currently comprised of the nine primates who attended the meeting in Jerusalem in June, would recognize a provisional overlapping Anglican province in North America within the next year.

"Rather than seeking official recognition of the new province from Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the primates will work to bring the matter to a vote before the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC). By precedent, the ACC is the canonically recognized body with the authority to recognize a new province," Wantland said.

"It is not totally unknown to have overlapping jurisdictions, but it is not the norm," the bishop said. "You think you're living in a litigious time of confusion now? Well, welcome to chaos after that happens. We are in for a long period of confusion and litigation. It almost makes me wish I was still a practicing lawyer." "In my opinion, we missed a golden opportunity to address the crisis [at Lambeth]," he said. "Sweeping it under the rug is not dealing with it. I don't want to be unduly critical of this Lambeth Conference, but they really didn't know what they were doing."

*****

LAMBETH LEFTOVERS. Western Bishops dominated Lambeth. The Church of England Newspaper reports that Bishops from the American Episcopal Church and the Church of England comprised almost 40 percent of the bishops present at the 2008 Lambeth Conference. The largest proportion of those who attended came from the Episcopal Church which sent 127 bishops followed by the Church of England with 113 bishops. Australia sent 39; Canada, 37; and Southern Africa 27, with these five provinces sending over 55 percent of all bishops present. The majority of African bishops boycotted the Lambeth Conference with 209 of the continent's 324 diocesan bishops absent. As many African as American bishops attended Lambeth with the continent sending 127 bishops: 115 diocesan and 12 suffragan. The Anglican Communion comprises 729 dioceses divided into 38 provinces and six extra-provincial jurisdictions. 469 diocesan bishops, 140 suffragan and assistant bishops, and 8 bishops without territorial sees, accepted Dr. Williams invitation to Lambeth.

*****

A KENYAN Anglican bishop has backed a call by the country's prime minister for Palestinian independence, made at a ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of deadly bomb attacks in East Africa that the authorities blamed on al-Qaida. "I support an independent state for Palestinians. Much of the terror there has to do with a degree of oppression and suppression by Israel," Bishop Gideon Ireri of Mbeere told Ecumenical News International. "You only need to go to Gaza and see the degree of oppression we are talking about." Ireri was commenting on a statement that Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga made earlier the same day. Odinga had said that unless just solutions were found to crises such as that in the Middle East, there would be an increase in the kind of extremism that led to the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed more than 230 people and injured another 5000.

*****

In the ROMAN CATHOLIC Diocese of Kansas City, MO, - St Joseph, Fr. Ernie Davis of St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church, wrote VOL to say that his parish was going to provide another haven for orthodox Episcopalians and Anglicans in Kansas City."We are beginning September 7th at 11:15 with the Liturgy of the Word (Rite I) from the Book of Divine Worship followed by an instructive talk. Presentations will be made by Catholics with Episcopalian or Anglican backgrounds. These liturgies and presentations will continue through Advent when we will launch the Anglican Use mass. It is not necessary to intend to convert to the Catholic Church. People can visit and participate as long as they like, but Catholic discipline on reception of the sacraments will apply." Orthodox or lapsed Episcopalians who may be willing to give the Anglican Use a visit are welcome, he said. People can visit his blog www.gospel-anglican.blogspot.com, or his website: www.ourladyofhope.org.

******

The PRIMATE OF NIGERIA, the Most Rev. Peter Jasper Akinola has been moved in his spirit to call on all intercessors throughout the world to seek God's face fervently, spending nights and days on our knees, praying earnestly for our Anglican Communion. The Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin A. Kwashi Archbishop of Jos coordinator of GAFCON Prayer Teams is asking for Spirit-led, united leadership for the GAFCON Primates Council, that they may remain faithful to the teachings of the Bible, steadfast in promoting the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and uncompromising in the pursuit of the truth of the word of God and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Also pray for the GAFCON Theological Resource Group and the GAFCON Leadership team that they may remain faithful, focused and not distracted."

*****

The Church in the Vineyard, Bronx, NY, will welcome The Lord Bishop of Ukwa Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Province of Nigeria) and The Rt. Rev. Kelechi Eze, to the Greater New York Area from Sept.11 -September 14, 2008. They will be in the area to conduct revival meetings. Members of CANA and all the Nigerian Anglican congregations in the Greater New York area, including New Jersey and Connecticut, will come together again to build up their fellowship and foster bonds as they see things falling apart in The Episcopal Church. Contact: The Venerable M. Joe Omeokwe, Ph.D., Senior Pastor, The Church in the Vineyard - CANA (718) 538-9211 (Church).

*****

The Reverend Rob Schenck (pronounced SHANK), who was recently quoted in the Los Angeles Times and on National Public Radio criticizing PASTOR RICK WARREN for announcing he would not pose questions on hot-button issues to presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain during his Civil Forum on the Presidency, reversed his negative opinion before the event had even ended.

"I was wrong to jump to negative conclusions," said Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council and a minister to elected and appointed officials in Washington, DC. "I made the wrong assumptions. As a result of his Saddleback Forum, Rick Warren helped us to get a clearer picture of the candidates, their moral and spiritual principles and their philosophy of government. It was better than I had prayed it would be."

Rev. Schenck, who has been a critic of Warren's in the past, did add he would have been even harder on each of the candidates than Warren was and would not have let them ramble on at times with well-worn stump speech language. Still, Schenck praised the contribution the forum has made to the election process.

*****

OHIO: How many light bulbs does it take to reduce 'carbon footprint' by replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs? Sixty of 95 congregations of the DIOCESE OF OHIO have exchanged their incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents (CFLs) so far this summer. "That's 5,431 bulbs," reports intern Andy Barnett. He estimates that when the bulb exchange is completed it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,640,000 pounds and mercury emissions by more than 41,000 milligrams over the next nine years. It will also bring savings of more than $298,700.

*****

For the latest word from the Rev. Dr. Robert Gagnon, a world authority on morals and ethics, and the author of "Homosexuality and the Bible" the definitive word on that subject, read the latest here: http://www.robgagnon.net/ArticlesOnline.htm

*****

Birth Rates Continue to Plunge says a US Census Bureau. The percentage of childless women who have reached the end of their child-bearing years in the United States has doubled from 10% to 20% in the last 30 years, reported the US Census Bureau on Monday. The survey also found that, "Women 40 to 44 years old will end their childbearing years with an average of 1.9 children each, a number below replacement-level fertility." This is markedly fewer children than in 1976, when 3.1 children was the national average. 36% of the women who gave birth in 2006 were separated, widowed, divorced or never married. Five percent were living with a partner. Mrs. Jefferts Schori has opined that Episcopalians are not much interested in breeding. Episcopalians, she said, "tend to be better-educated and tend to reproduce at lower rates than some other denominations. Roman Catholics and Mormons both have theological reasons for producing lots of children. We encourage people to pay attention to the stewardship of the earth and not use more than their portion." So the question is if there are no new births and no replacement of the 60 somethings that now occupy Episcopal pews, who will take over Episcopal parishes in the future? She is litigating against fleeing parish priests who have a gospel to proclaim and like families. Perhaps when all the Trust Funds have emptied and the money given to lawyers, she can find a friendly columbarium for David Booth Beers and herself...preferably a church that is still open for business.

*****

AAC Selects Chief Operating Officer -- . The American Anglican Council (AAC) has selected a new Chief Operating Officer and Chaplain (COO). His name is the Rev. J. Philip Ashey. "The COO position requires unique training and gifts; I believe Phil Ashey has both," said The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, AAC President and CEO. "His addition will strengthen our ability to advocate orthodox Anglicanism in the Americas and global Anglican Communion." Fr. Ashey is in his 22nd year of serving in the ministry. Along with parish rector, his ministry experiences include teaching at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Ambridge, PA; leading and participating in mission trips to Uganda and Kenya; and pastor and counsel for the Christian Legal Society.

*****

AND just when you thought you had heard it all, St. Luke in the Fields', of the DIOCESE OF NEW YORK, LGBTQ Youth Outreach Benefit program is reaching out to homeless and marginally housed Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning young people who hang out on the Piers near Christopher Street. "We offer dance and drama workshops, a nutritious meal, and evaluation by a social worker to connect to services they need. The benefit of a drug-free environment where over 400 thirteen to twenty year olds are affirmed and accepted for who they are is immeasurable (an average of 60 kids each Saturday)," said a flyer. There is absolutely no mention of the gospel which could actually redeem their tragic lives, just inclusivity and a shoulder to cry on.

*****

And from the DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN in New Zealand comes this. "Eighteen months ago, the bishops were invited to ask their dioceses to agree to a voluntary moratorium until General Synod 2008. This was to be in relation to taking new people into the ordination selection and assessment process. The specific issue was the selection of gay and lesbian persons in faithful committed partnerships. The Diocesan Council decided that it ought not to discriminate against any particular group and resolved that it would not take any person into the selection process. "However I continue to ask you to pray that God will provide new candidates for ordination," writes Bishop George Connor. The province of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia has only one reported orthodox diocese - Nelson - and it is growing by all accounts, otherwise the rest of the province, like most liberal provinces are in decline.

*****

There are a number of excellent columns in today's digest from some of the finest writers in the Anglican Communion including Gerald R. McDermott, William Wheatley, Mike McManus on Mccain/Obama at Rick Warren's church and many more.

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