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Daybook -- Today is Monday, November 20, 2006. The Church calendar remembers Edmund, King of East Anglia (840-870)
* Today in Scripture: Daily Office meditation: http://www.forwardmovement.org/todaysreading.cfm * Today in Prayer: Anglican Cycle of Prayer: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acp/index.cfm *Today in History: On this day 1976, the Rt. Rev. Gerald N. McAllister was elected bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma. http://www.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/ENS/ENSpress_release.pl?pr_number=76365 - - -
Mission: Healing of the Nations is focus of NCC General Assembly
By Matthew Davies
[ENS] The General Assembly of the National Council of Churches, at its November 7-9 meeting in Orlando, Florida, delivered a pastoral message on the war in Iraq, adopted a new policy on human biotechnology, and passed resolutions on combating global warming, opposing human reproductive cloning, and bio-warfare oversight.
Each day, the General Assembly began with worship to help delegates explore the theme: "For the Healing of the Nations" (Revelation 22:1-2).
Representing the Episcopal Church among 248 delegates from 35 member denominations were: the Rev. O.C. Edwards of Western North Carolina; the Rev. Dana Corsello of Virginia; Shelly Lynn Fayette of Olympia; the Rev. C. Dana (Dan) Krutz of Louisiana; Carole Jan Lee of California; Jolinda Matthews of Kansas; the Rev. Dr. Alfred Moss of Maryland; Sonia Omulepu of New York; Frank Oberly of Oklahoma; Gladys Rodriguez from Southeast Florida; and Alice Webley of Virginia.
The three-day gathering also welcomed several speakers, including the Rev. Dr. James Forbes, senior minister of the Riverside Church in New York City, who facilitated the closing keynote conversation.
In addition to the General Assembly and a Governing Board that meets quarterly, the work of the NCC is mostly shared among its five commissions -- Communication; Education and Leadership Ministries; Faith and Order; Interfaith; and Justice and Advocacy -- which meet several times a year.
Edwards, a member of the NCC's Executive Committee and co-chair of the Faith and Order Commission, acknowledged healing as a vital banner under which to meet because "we still have divisions among ourselves that need healing, we certainly have divisions with Christians outside NCC that need healing, and both our nation and the world at large are badly polarized."
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_79834_ENG_HTM.htm _ _ _
Catalyst: "Waiting in Joyful Hope: Daily Reflections for Advent & Christmas 2006 - 2007" from Morehouse Publishing, by Katherine L. Howard, O.S.B., 94 pages, paperback, c. 2006, $2
[Source: Morehouse Publishing] -- In the hectic weeks before Christmas, it's tough to set aside time for prayer. That's why readers will appreciate this little book of devotions for each day of the Advent and Christmas seasons. With one-page reflections based on seasonal scripture readings, this a perfect companion to keep in pocket or purse, to focus a few minutes a day on the coming of the Christ Child into lives and hearts.
This booklet's low price makes it a great stocking-stuffer, and an attractive thank-you gift for churches to order in bulk to present to parishioners.
To order: Episcopal Books and Resources online at http://www.episcopalbookstore.org or call 800-903-5544.
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