Bob Marcotte's recounting of the story of Episcopal minister Algernon Crapsey reminds us of many things. The first is that the storm in the Episcopal Church that is now the spectacle of the world didn't start with Vickie Gene Robinson's being made a bishop. It didn't even start with James Pike's journey to nowhere. It …
Some Thoughts on the Exit of the San Joaquin Diocese
It's unsurprising but monumental all the same: the Diocese of San Joaquin in central California finally votes to leave the Episcopal Church (also covered here.) Although both sides (especially the orthodox) have had a lot to say, a few observations are in order. First, it's not quite a done deal yet. TEC will surely fight …
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Collect for the First Sunday in Advent
ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his …
Gene Robinson Travels to Sympathetic Territory
The controversial bishop is taking his message to Nova Southeastern University law school: While some Episcopal dioceses are discussing breaking away from the church, the controversial bishop is traveling around the world to spread a peaceful and inclusive message. His next stop -- South Florida, where a number of Episcopal leaders have shown their support …
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The Worst Imperialist?
Although I find much about our government's MO to be objectionable, I also find Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams' characterisation of the US as the ‘worst’ imperialist amusing and not a little disingenuous. His idea that the US "wields its power in a way that is worse than Britain during its imperial heyday" shows a …
The Backlash Against Tithing
As my church's Finance Committee chairman, the article about The Backlash Against Tithing (also here) certainly hits home. It's something I deal with all the time, especially at budget season. At one time in evangelical churches, people tithed first and then gave offerings on top of that. Today people are more likely to mentally allocate …
Falling off the fence
One of my father's consistent gripes about the Episcopal Church--a gripe usually made specifically about our Rector at Bethesda--is that its ministers rode the fence too hard, never took a stand on anything, etc. That "strategy" (if it can be dignified by that name) lost TEC many members, but it also won it a few …
Yet Another Baptismal Certificate, and Why I Blog About the Anglican/Episcopal World
I've been presenting a series of baptismal certificate forms (the back of them) on this site; this is another, from the mid-1960's. It is very similar to the one from the 1920's except for the formatting. All three baptismal certificates can be downloaded in one pdf file by clicking here. Now that orthodox Anglicans can …
On the Value of American Missions, Dollar and Otherwise
Abu Daoud is absolutely correct in his response concerning the impact of the falling US Dollar on American missions: The weakening dollar will have a bad effect on world missions, by the way. It will become more difficult for the US to send out as many missionaries as it does today. Working as I do …
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Glad We Didn’t Have to Put Our Siamese Cat Through This
One of the newer blessings (other than same-sex blessings for people) that Episcopalians can avail themselves of is the "blessing of the animals." Needless to say dear old Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach not only did this, but got a video of this in the online Shiny Sheet. (Who needs YouTube when you have the Palm …
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Positive Infinity 