'Hairy' testimony leads to bald truth

From Mary W. Cox • Miami, Florida, Jul 03, 2008 The Holy Spirit seems to have called a number of clergy into "hairy" acts of self-sacrifice this spring. At least three congregations in the Diocese of Southeast Florida also boast clergy who were shorn for charitable purposes: The story can be found on p. 14 of the current issue of our diocesan newspaper, The Net.

Global Anglican Future Conference issues final statement

From Jim Bigham • Columbia, South Carolina, Jul 01, 2008 Praise the Lord! Finally to hear the truth being spoken from our bishops. Hopefully, the Episcopal Church will return to the scriptures as providing all the guidance required for our lives in Christ. Between this great news and the wonderful news coming out of Virginia, this has truly been a blessed week.

Virginia court rules application of 'Division Statute' is constitutional

From Bruce Barber • Chicago, Illinois Jul 01, 2008 The good news here for the Episcopal Church is that GAFCON has directly stated that there is no schism ... no "division"... this conviction should clearly play out in favor of TEC as the property disputes wind their way through the civil courts. While those who seek to make life difficult for TEC -- through non-canonical consecrations, episcopal incursions and re-affiliations -- will surely continue (as we know that these items addressed in the Windsor Report don't seem to apply at all), the stealing of TEC property and assets will doubtless come to an end. Thank you GAFCON.

PITTSBURGH: Bishop gets state approval for new corporation

From Joni Carlson • Mishawaka, Indiana Jul 01, 2008 I was a communicant in the diocese of Pittsburgh from 1978 to 1998, and it is with great sorrow that I have observed the developments there under Bishop Duncan. (I was a delegate to the special diocesan convention that elected him, but did not vote for him.) The sad fact is that by the early '90s, much had been done to overcome the long-standing polarization within the diocese. Not only has Bishop Duncan undone that work, he now seems bent on destroying the diocese, and creating his own little ecclesial fiefdom. It is all too ironic that the second resolution for the upcoming convention asks that "charity and generosity continue to be embraced as virtues in diocesan life...." My observation is that those virtues have been sorely lacking in diocesan life for a long time, and Bishop Duncan has done little to model and/or promote them. One wonders if Bishop Duncan's new fiefdom, born in anger and lack of charity, will itself become a hot-bed of charity and generosity.

Global Anglican Future Conference issues final statement

From Sharon Veenker • Englewood, Florida, Jul 01, 2008 What wonderful good news that the majority of the Anglican Communion declares and believes in the 14 Articles stated. Instead of the loosey-goosey, wishy-washy doctrine of the [Presiding Bishop and the Episcopal Church], the GAFCON statement endorses a true faith I can live and die for. God bless and guide all those who desire to follow the true faith that Christ has died for.

Global Anglican Future Conference issues final statement

From Ben • Atlanta, Georgia, Jul 01, 2008 This statement reads like the review of a play in which the actors performed a muscular, hateful choreography. Absurd and sad, gestures like this power-mad gathering will falter when the next round of purification is required.

PITTSBURGH: Bishop gets state approval for new corporation

From T. Denlinger • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jun 27, 2008 Many of us in Pittsburgh are very proud of our Bishop for standing for the foundations of our faith.  We believe in the inspiration of the Holy Scripture and that Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but by me".  We do not believe that Jesus died on the cross to be one of many ways to the Father. Fortunately, these truths are held to by the majority of Anglicans around the world, unfortunately, not by most North Americans (Episcopalians).

Conservative Anglicans meeting in Jerusalem struggle to find a united voice

From Tony Hunt • Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jun 27, 2008 Thank you for covering even those events, such as GAFCON, which are not sympathetic to the mainstream of Episcopalianism.  I think that it is an indicator, maybe, of the possibility of American's continuing dialogue even with our conservative brothers and sisters.

Conservative Anglicans, meeting in Jerusalem, struggle to find a united voice

From William Keith Gilders • Atlanta, Georgia, Jun 27, 2008 I was disgusted, though not especially surprised, to read that Archbishops Akinola and Orombi "declined to condemn violence against homosexuals after a series of questions from the media specifically addressed reports of gay and lesbian people being raped and tortured in Africa. Both archbishops referred to contextual issues and Akinola noted that 'every community, every society, has its own standards of life.'"  It has long been clear that these men adhere to a "different gospel" (Galatians 1:6), one that allows for violence against God's gay and lesbian children.  What I'd like to know is if pseudo-bishop Martyn Minns and his disciples in CANA agree with their Nigerian archbishop and if the former-Episcopalians in Savannah, Georgia, agree with their archbishop that violence against gay and lesbian human beings can be accepted on "contextual" grounds and by appeal to different "standards of life"?  This would certainly help to clarify matters with regard to questions about whether the Episcopal Church should seek to remain in any kind of "communion" with such people.

Conservative Anglicans, meeting in Jerusalem, struggle to find a united voice

From Deborah Meister • New Brunswick, New Jersey, Jun 27, 2008 I note with some dismay that "'Bishop' Minns claims that "Lambeth is designed not to wrestle with the important issues" being addressed at GAFCON." In my understanding, this Lambeth conference is designed as a time of deep prayer and Scriptural reflection. In what way do those activities, arguably the central activities from which all Christian life springs (with the addition of the Sacraments), constitute a way to "wrestle" with serious issues? If 'Bishop' Minns has come to a point that he places conferences and discussions ahead of prayer as a form of Christian action, perhaps he needs to reconsider the forms of his faithfulness.

Do we really need a Communion?

From Bettye Anderson • Dallas, Texas Jun 27, 2008 It is my opinion that there is no need for worldwide communion. Each person is responsible for responding to what their own heart says to them.  There is no way that one hundred percent of all Episcopalians [or any other religions] worldwide can unanimously agree on anything.  Every person knows his/her belief and what he/she needs to do to stay true to it.  We do not need any modern day Pharisees attempting to have every single person or Episcopalian on earth to be in total agreement, ever. I would like to worship and believe as I choose [as a member of the Episcopal Church USA] and allow others [Windsor people, AAC people and CANA people] without my infringement to worship and believe as they choose without infringing upon my beliefs.

LOS ANGELES: Soulforce co-founders wed in Pasadena

From Travis Coreale • Corpus Christi, Texas, Jun 23, 2008 As a parishioner, youth minister, and homosexual man living in a conservative diocese (West Texas) and state, stories like these give me hope for the future. One of the reasons I realized I could be gay and Christian was due to Mel White's book, "Stranger at the Gate." This book gave me the courage to be a Christian that just so happened to be gay and to live that life faithfully each and every day of my life. One of the reasons I came back to my family's church (St. Bartholomew's- C.C.) was because I read in his book about All Saints' Parish and how much they supported him and loved him. We at St. B's are still working on it, but we whole-heartedly welcome everyone. Alleluia for All Saints' Parish, Alleluia for Mel White. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Thanks be to God!

ENGLAND: Gay priests' civil partnership blessed in London church

From Charles Nehring • Chicago, Illinois, Jun 23, 2008 These people should start their own religion not make this one look more foolish than it looks now! These priests will have to face the real head of the church: Christ. Let's see if he throws rose petals at them!

Conservative Anglicans, former Episcopalians arrive in Jerusalem for GAFCON

From E Grady • Los Angeles, California Jun 23, 2008 "Meanwhile, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams told a Diocese of Hereford conference June 18 that differences over sexuality could be resolved and denied a rift in the church, according to the Hereford Times newspaper." The Archbishop may well believe that differences can be overcome but how can I believe in him or trust his guidance when he denies a rift in the church? Is that hiding his head in the sand?

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