NewsLink, Serving the Episcopal Church
Daybook -- Today is Tuesday, January 16, 2007, in Epiphany.
* 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 in 1923, Bishop Cameron Mann presided over the primary diocesan convention of the Diocese of Southern Florida (later the Dioceses of Southeast Florida, Southwest Florida, and Central Florida). http://centralflorida.anglican.org/ministry/policyhandbk/about/history.ht m
- - -
World Report
MIDDLE EAST: Jerusalem church leaders offer to mediate in Fatah, Hamas conflict http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_81200_ENG_HTM.htm
SOMALIA: Horn of Africa church leaders warn against further US air strikes http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_81199_ENG_HTM.htm
- - -
Teaching: CALL offers online courses to clergy and congregations
[CDSP] The Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership (CALL) at Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) in Berkeley, California, recently announced a series of online courses for churches seeking to update and expand adult education offerings.
"Since its beginning, CALL has worked closely with congregations, dioceses, and ministry networks through the Church to offer opportunities for all Christians -- lay and ordained -- to deepen their faith, learn new skills, and enhance their gifts for effective leadership," said David T. Gortner, director of CALL. "Accessibility is the key. It's exciting to see the increase in students from around the country, and even internationally, enrolling in our online courses."
Classes such as Total Ministry in Any Size Parish; Making Choices: Ethics in the Anglican Tradition; Introduction to the Old Testament: Law and Former Prophets; Contemplative Practices in the Anglican Tradition; and Islam for Christians, are among more than 40 classes that have been designed specifically for parishes.
Reaching beyond parishioners in the pews, a number of online classes are designed specifically for clergy and other church professionals who are required by the canons to participate in ongoing education. They include:
* It's Not Your Father's Pledge Drive * Systems in Families and Congregations * Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry * Advanced Conflict Resolution * Short-Term Spiritual Guidance * Charting the Way of Multi-Cultural Ministry: Pentecost or Babel
For more information, to request a course catalog, or to register for CALL classes and events, visit the website: http://www.cdsp.edu/call, or contact the CALL office: 1-800-353-CDSP or 1-510-204-0720.
- - -
Catalyst: "Blessed is She: Living Lent with Mary" from Morehouse Publishing, by Tim Perry, 96 pages, paperback, c. 2007, $10.95
[Source: Morehouse Publishing] -- Everyone is happy to see Mary in the crèche at Christmastime, but by the time the Magi head back East after the Feast of the Epiphany, Christians of many traditions are often ready to place Mary to the side too. But Timothy Perry presents a Mary who belongs in Lent as much as in Advent, showing what it means to die and live with the crucified and risen Jesus.
Drawing primarily from the Gospel of Luke, this lovely book of spiritual reflections reveals a Lenten Mary who teaches us about being disciples. The result is a complex, inviting, strong character -- a disciple to be emulated by all Christians, especially during this holy season. With a study for each week of Lent, along with questions to ponder, this is a thought-provoking volume for private use or parish study.
To order: Episcopal Books and Resources, online at http://www.episcopalbookstore.org or call 800-903-5544.
- - - - - - - - -
To SUBSCRIBE to Episcopal News Service, send a blank email message, from the address which you wish subscribed, to join-enslist@epicom.org and include "subscribe" in the subject line.
Send QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS to news@episcopalchurch.org
ENS provides information and resources which we consider to be of interest to our readers. However, statements and opinions expressed in the articles and communications herein, are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of ENS or the Episcopal Church.