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A Special Meeting of the Congregation called. | ||
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Rummage - Yard Sale Sub-Committee | ||
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A Bishop’s Committee Workshop. | ||
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Robert E. Miller Remembered | ||
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Canon Harold Trott | ||
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Canon Trott to return----- In a “One-On-One” set for >> Sat. Sept. 13th at St. Paul’s | ||
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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams reflections on the Lambeth Conference. | ||
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Unexpected Detractors for UK's Make Me a Christian | ||
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Americans (and More Evangelicals) Want Churches out of Politics Sarah Pulliam | ||
On Sunday, Aug. 3rd a special meeting of the congregation met to discuss the budget deficit. Among the recommendations discussed, was to do fund-raising events. Shelli Montoya told the group that she has been involved in many fund-raising events for various groups and organizations .
Based on her experience and as a member of the Bishop’s Committee, Shelli was asked to Chair the Fund -Raising Committee and has agreed. Our thanks to Shelli Montoya for her expertise and offer.
A Rummage /Yard Sale was suggested as a means of rasing money. It was pointed out that the congregation had such a sale in the past and that it was very successful.
Volunteers to sort and price items as well as to be present on the actual sale date are as follows: Fr. Peter Margaret Cacoperdo, Lillian Neuls, Jody Parish and Ann Pratt. John Wheeler offered space for storage for items that could be brought to the church before the sale date. Lois DiAndrea also agreed to do “fliers”.
Update: At a recent meeting it was decided to have a Rummage/Yard and Bake Sale on Saturday Oct. 11th beginning at 8:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M.
Members of the congregation are invited and encouraged to bring items to be sold each Sunday in Sept. Arrangements for special “ pick-up” can be made. Please speak to Fr. Peter or Jody Parish [744-4432].
A brief Bishop’s Committee Workshop was conducted after the Special Meeting. It was decided that there was a need to establish a sub-committee that is responsible to report to the Bishops Committee.
The committee will examine the parameters of Deanery-Grant, then suggest to the Bishop’s Committee how we may properly proceed. The Committee will be chaired by Victor Montoya. Other members present who volunteered include, Lois DiAndrea, Bob Dawkins. In addition, Barbara Bennett will be invited to join the committee.
On Sunday, August 24th, a new liquid wax Paschal Candle was present to the congregation. The ladies of the Art’s and Craft Group asked that the dedication be made on that Sunday in particular in as much as it marks almost to the day, one year since Bob Miller past onto life eternal. [Bob passed away on Aug. 25th 2007]
As promised at his meeting with the congregation on June 25th, Canon Harold Trott sent a Pastoral Letter with regard to his visit. The letter arrived in the second week of July and was read on the next Sunday, July 13th . It was also posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. For those who may have missed it a copy is available upon request.
As you may know, Canon Trott is the Diocesan officer for Pastoral Care. Canon Trott came to St. Paul’s when letters from four members, and one former member of the congregation were sent to the Standing Committee with complaints regarding the vicar. In his Pastoral Letter, Canon Trott observes; “Virtually all of you [there were about 40 persons present] felt that Fr. Peter and Margaret are capable, loving, sacrificial servants of Our Lord. And my sense is that you are people of good-will who want a vibrant Christ-honoring, Eucharistic-centered, loving family...”
I believe I am correct is stating that Canon Trott is viewed by most if not all, as a compassionate, loving peace-maker. I have thanked Canon Trott and do so again in this publication. I trust, you do likewise.
Canon Trott offered to return to St. Paul’s at a later date to conduct a “Retreat”. In fact that took place this past Saturday. At the end of that event he offered to come back yet a third time to spend time in a “one-on-one discussion with anyone who wished to do so. Our Thanks to the members of the Daughter’s of the King for providing a wonderful lunch and snacks during the meeting on Sat. Aug. 23rd .
Canon Trott to return----- In a “One-On-One” set for >> Sat. Sept. 13th at St. Paul’s
As I write, I can say that Canon Trott has agreed to be at St. Paul’s on Saturday Sept. 13th from 8:30 AM till 2:30 PM. A “sign-up list” is available, speak to Bobby Dawkins, our Bishop’s Warden to place you name in one of the time-slots. We are asking that each person take no more than a half hour in order that more people many have the opportunity to speak to Canon Trott.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams reflections on the Lambeth Conference.
As the Lambeth Conference of 2008 comes to an end, I want to offer some further reflections of my own on what the bishops gathered in Canterbury have learned and experienced. Those of you who have been present here will be able to share your own insights with your people, but it may be useful for me to add my own perspectives as to where we have been led.
For the vast majority of bishops, it seems, this has been a time when they have felt God to have been at work. The Conference was not a time for making new laws or for binding decisions; in spite of the way some have expressed their expectations, Lambeth Conferences have never worked straightforwardly in this way. The Conference Design Group believed strongly that the chief need of our Communion at the moment was the
rebuilding of relationships - the rebuilding of trust in one another -and of confidence in our Anglican identity. And it was with this in mind that they planned for a very different sort of Conference, determined to allow every bishop's voice to be heard and to seek for a final outcome for which the bishops were genuinely able to recognize an authentic account of their own work.
I believe that the Conference succeeded in doing this to a very remarkable degree - more than most people expected. At the end of our time together, many people, especially some of the newer bishops, said that they had been surprised by the amount of convergence they had seen. And there can be no doubt that practically all who were present sincerely wanted the Communion to stay together.
But they also recognized the challenge in staying together and the continuing possibility of further division. As the proposals for an Anglican Covenant now go forward, it is still possible that some will not be able to agree; there was a clear sense that some sort of covenant will help our identity and cohesion, although the bishops wish to avoid a legalistic or juridical tone. A strong majority of bishops present agreed that moratoria on same- sex blessings and on cross-provincial interventions were necessary, but they were aware of the conscientious
difficulties this posed for some, and there needs to be a greater clarity about the exact expectations and what can be realistically implemented. How far the intensified sense of belonging together will help mutual restraint in such matters remains to be seen. But it can be said that few of those who attended left without feeling they had in some respects moved and changed.
We were conscious of the absence of many of our colleagues, and wanted to express our sadness that they felt unable to be with us and our desire to build bridges and restore our fellowship. We were aware also of the recent meeting in Jerusalem and its statements; many of us expressed a clear sense of affinity with much that was said there and were grateful that many had attended both meetings, but we know that there is work to do to bring us closer together and are determined to do that work.
The final document of Conference Reflections is not a 'Report' in the style of earlier Conferences, but an attempt to present an honest account of what was discussed and expressed in the 'indaba' groups which formed the main communal work of the Conference by the Reflections Group. But although this document is not a formal Report, it has a number of pointers as to where the common goals and assumptions are in the Communion. Let me mention some of these.
First, there was an overwhelming unity around the need for the Church to play its full part in the worldwide struggle against poverty ignorance and disease. The Millennium Development Goals were repeatedly stressed, and there was universal agreement that both governmental and non-governmental development agencies needed to create more effective partnerships with the churches and to help the churches increase and improve their own capacity to deliver change for the sake of justice. To further this, it was agreed that we needed a much enhanced capacity in the Communion for co-ordinated work in the field of development. Our Walk of Witness in London and the memorable address of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom formed a powerful focus for these concerns. And the challenge to every bishop to identify clear goals for developing environmentally responsible policies in church life was articulated very forcefully indeed: information was provided to all about how the 'carbon footprint' of the Conference itself might be offset, and new impetus given to careful and critical self- examination of all our practices. We were reminded by first-hand testimony that the literal survival of many of our most disadvantaged communities was at risk as a result of environmental change. This enabled us to see the issue more clearly as one of justice both to God's earth and to God's people
Second, on the controversial issue of the day regarding human sexuality, there was a very widely-held conviction that premature or unilateral local change was risky and divisive, in spite of the diversity of opinion expressed on specific questions. There was no appetite for revising Resolution 1.10 of Lambeth 1998, though there was also a clear commitment to continue theological and pastoral discussion of the questions involved. In addition to a widespread support for moratoria in the areas already mentioned, there was much support for the idea of a 'Pastoral Forum' as a means of addressing present and future tensions, and as a clearing house for proposals concerning the care of groups at odds with dominant views within their Provinces, so as to avoid the confusing situation of violations of provincial boundaries and competing jurisdictions.
Importantly, it was recognized that all these matters involved serious reflection on the Christian doctrine of human nature and a continuing deepening of our understanding of Christian marriage. A joint session with bishops and spouses also reminded us that broader moral issues about power and violence in relations between men and women needed attention if we were to speak credibly to the tensions and sufferings of those we serve.
Third, there was a general desire to find better ways of managing our business as a Communion. Many participants believed that the indaba method, while not designed to achieve final decisions, was such a necessary aspect of understanding what the questions might be that they expressed the desire to see the method used more widely - and to continue among themselves the conversations begun in Canterbury. This is an important steer for the meetings of the Primates and the ACC which will be taking place in the first half of next year, and I shall be seeking to identify the resources we shall need in order to take forward some of the proposals about our structures and methods.
The Conference was richly blessed in its guest speakers, who all testified to their appreciation of the Anglican heritage, while asking us searching questions about how flexible and creative our evangelistic policies were, about the integration of our social passion with our theology and about the nature of the unity we were seeking both within the Anglican Communion and with other Christian families. Our many ecumenical representatives played a full and robust part in all our work together and we owe them a considerable debt.
Finally and most importantly of all, we were held within an atmosphere of steady and deep prayer by our Chaplaincy Team. The commitment of the Conference members to daily worship was impressive; and this has much to do with the quality of that worship, both in moments of profound quiet and in exuberant celebration. It mattered greatly that we were able to begin with a period of retreat in the context of Canterbury Cathedral; the welcome we received there was immensely generous and we all valued the message clearly given, that this was our Cathedral, and that all of us were a full part of the worshiping community that had been here since Augustine came to Canterbury in 597.
I know that all present would wish me to express thanks once again to all who planned and organized the Conference, to those who composed the Bible Studies, those who devised and monitored the work of the indaba groups and all others who served us so devotedly in all sorts of ways -not least the Stewards, whose youthful energy and commitment and unfailingly supportive presence gave all of us great hope for the future. Thanks to all of you - bishops and spouses - who attended, for the great commitment shown and for the encouragement you have given each other.
But together we give thanks to God for his presence with us, his faithfulness to us and his gifts to our Communion. As was said in the closing plenary session, we believe that God has many more gifts to give to and through our Communion; and we ask his grace and assistance in teaching us how to receive what he wills to give. _He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness (2 Cor. 9v10) Your servant in Christ +Rowan Cantuar:
A lap dancer, a lesbian, and a lapsed Christian with a pregnant girlfriend are among the participants on the U.K.'s newest reality show, Make Me a Christian, where Christian leaders attempt to bring a group of unlikely candidates to the faith. The show's premise is to find out if Christianity can help repair the moral fabric of British society.
The volunteers aim to live by the teachings of the Bible for three weeks, guided by the Rev. George Hargreaves, outspoken political activist and leader of the Christian Party, and his team of mentors. The participants take Communion, get their own Bibles, receive lessons on the correct way to view sex, and learn about service in soup kitchens.
The three-episode show has been airing Sunday nights on Britain's Channel 4. The final episode airs Sunday night.
_I was pleased at first to hear that the producers were trying to make Christianity accessible to people who might not usually watch religious programming,_ said Charis Gibson, senior press officer for the Evangelical Alliance. After watching the first two episodes, however, she said, _I'm starting to think I would prefer spending my Sunday nights being bashed repeatedly in the face with a large, leather-bound King James Version._
Other British Christians are reacting with similar dismay.
_The program says little about relationship and a great deal about regulation,_ said Melvyn Cooke, minister of Gillingham Methodist Church. _While there is a slim chance it may promote conversation, by and large my view is that it is damaging to the gospel._
Even the Christians on the show are unhappy. Joanna Jepson, chaplain at the London College of Fashion and one of the mentors on the show, agrees. Describing the show as _sensational,_ _irresponsible,_ and _contrived,_ she took legal action to compel the producers to remove her scenes from the last episode. Those efforts were rebuffed.
Jepson said the show's producers were only interested in fostering conflict and presenting Christians as people obsessed with sex and imposing Christian standards on everyone else, according to The Daily Telegraph.
_We were encouraged to take part on the understanding that we were dealing with a group of people who genuinely wanted to embrace Christianity,_ she told the newspaper. _But that was clearly not the case._
The producers at Channel 4 seem to be trying to get a grip on the lifestyle of Christians, not the foundation of the faith, said Malcolm Smith, director of Youth for Christ in Gillingham.
_In doing this they have edited a warped view of evangelical Christianity,_ he said. _There seems to be very little mention of Jesus, and little mention of love. The program portrays that you can't be a believer or follower of Christ until you get [the rules] sorted out. Surely that goes against 'whilst we were still sinners Christ died for us.'_
Christianity isn't the producers' first stop. Channel 4 aired Make Me A Muslim last Christmas, showing seven volunteers living according to Islamic teachings for three weeks. Their homes were emptied of alcohol, pork, inappropriate clothing, and other items forbidden by Islam. They were asked to pray and fast, and the women dressed in hijabs. Muslims objected, saying the show focused on the rules instead of the faith.Great Britain has been an incubator for many shows that successfully cross to the United States, including Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, American Idol, (called Pop Idol in the U.K.), and The Office.
Americans (and More Evangelicals) Want Churches out of Politics Sarah Pulliam
A majority of Americans want religious institutions to keep out of political matters, a survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life shows.
For a full decade, majorities of Americans voiced support for religious institutions speaking out on social and political issues, but the survey found that a narrow majority (52 percent) say churches should keep out of politics.
Among evangelicals, 36 percent say that churches should keep out of politics, a jump from 20 percent who said the same thing in 2004.
_It doesn't mean that conservatives have abandoned the idea that religion should be involved in politics; it seems to be a frustration we're picking up,_ said Greg Smith, a research fellow with the forum.
The survey also showed that the Democratic Party is seen as slightly less friendly to religion than it was in 2004. The party and the Obama presidential campaign have made numerous efforts to reach out to religious voters since the last presidential election.
Only 37 percent of Americans say the Democratic Party is friendly toward religion, compared with 40 percent who said the same in 2004. The number of evangelicals registered as Democrats rose slightly from 28 percent in 2004 to 30 percent this year.
For the first time, an interfaith gathering will mark the official opening of the Democrats' convention week on Sunday. The party will also hold four forums for people of faith, two of which will be moderated by Sojourners head Jim Wallis.
Florida megachurch pastor Joel Hunter will give the benediction after Sen. Barack Obama's nomination speech at Invesco Field. Evangelist and sociologist Tony Campolo, a member of the party's platform committee, has pushed for an abortion-reduction plank.
Obama's campaign has held several faith forums across the country, and the candidate has repeatedly talked about his faith. Still, 15 percent of Americans believe the party is unfriendly toward religion, compared with 13 percent in 2004.
This question is closely linked with overall views of the party,_ Smith said. _People who view either party as unfriendly toward religion view them unfavorably._
The numbers for the Republican Party stayed the same over four years, with 52 saying the party is friendly toward religion. Although a majority of evangelicals support Sen. John McCain, their enthusiasm is less strong than their support for President Bush in 2004. The survey showed that McCain had the support of 68 percent, up from 61 percent in June but down from 71 in 2004. And while most evangelicals back McCain, only 28 percent of them say they _strongly support_ him, compared with 57 percent who strongly supported Bush in August 2004.
Mark Silk, professor of religion in public life at Trinity College, said that unenthusiastic voters are voters who often turn out less.
_While it's clear that evangelicals are not as anywhere enthusiastic about John McCain [as about] George W. Bush, it doesn't mean that they're going any other way,_ Silk said. _The question is whether evangelicals will turn out in the same kinds of numbers._ As a group, evangelicals dropped their Republican Party affiliation from 66 percent in 2004 to 62 percent this year, according to the survey, which polled 2,905 adults between July 31 and August 10. Of those evangelicals, 38 percent of evangelicals think religious conservatives have too much power over the Republican Party, up from 28 percent last year.
The survey shows that more evangelicals put their thinking caps on this election. This year, 79 percent of evangelicals said they thought _a lot_ about the election, compared with 69 percent in 2004 and 59 percent in 2000. In order of importance, evangelicals listed these issues as very important: moral values, the economy, terrorism, energy, Iraq, education, abortion, health care, immigration, gay marriage, environment, and trade policy.