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Daybook -- Today is Thursday, January 25, 2007, in Epiphany. The Church calendar remembers the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle.
* 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 1841, John Henry Newman published Tract 90 (in a series began in 1833), an argument for a catholic interpretation of the Thirty-Nine Articles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tract_90
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Diocesan Digest
A round-up of news from Episcopal dioceses since January 18:
ALASKA: Rector conveys parish's forgiveness to man who destroyed church building http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_81401_ENG_HTM.htm
CHICAGO: Committee extends bishop nomination deadline http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_81600_ENG_HTM.htm
CONNECTICUT: Ex-choir director pleads guilty to possessing child porn http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_81402_ENG_HTM.htm
GULF COAST: Presiding Bishop visits Louisiana, Mississippi http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_81543_ENG_HTM.htm
OHIO: Bishop says Kenyan archbishop does not have his permission for planned ordination http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_81598_ENG_HTM.htm
VIRGINIA: Bishop inhibits clergy; diocese responds to filings by separated churches http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_81537_ENG_HTM.htm
More Diocesan news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_19507_ENG_HTM.htm
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World Report
ENGLAND: Anglican archbishops to lead slavery repentance march in London http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_81602_ENG_HTM.htm
KENYA: Surrender of Somali leader offers peace and hope, say church leaders http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_81605_ENG_HTM.htm
More World news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_77937_ENG_HTM.htm
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Catalyst: "The St. Matthew Passion: A Text for Voices" from Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., by John Reeves, 108 pages, hardcover, c. 2003, $16
[Source: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.] Musical settings of the story of Christ's Passion, as recounted by St. Matthew, date back to antiquity. First incorporated into the liturgy as a chant for Palm Sunday, the Passion text of St. Matthew developed over the centuries into elaborate settings for choir and soloists with instrumental accompaniment. J. S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion is widely acknowledged as the pinnacle of this tradition and, even more, as one of the greatest achievements of Western music.
Award-winning poet and composer John Reeves here offers twenty-one verse meditations directly inspired by Bach's masterpiece. Written and arranged to be heard as well as read, these eloquent poems capture Reeves' own experience of hearing Bach's work performed in various cities around the world. They also reflect imaginatively on the role of the Passion in the creative and spiritual life of Bach and on the central place of the Passion in church worship.
The poems are introduced and linked by short passages of prose. These identify the cities visited by Reeves, annotate Bach's response to the Passion as a believer and composer, evoke the various church liturgies commemorating the Passion, and relate each poem to the point reached in the Passion story. The inclusion of a fine English translation of Bach's libretto at the end of the volume adds value to Reeves' creative work.
Transcending sectarian differences and appealing to anyone with a love of music and a respect for the Christian tradition, this beautiful book offers unique insights that will enhance personal reflection on the Passion and awaken deeper appreciation of Bach.
To order: Episcopal Books and Resources, online at http://www.episcopalbookstore.org or call 800-903-5544.
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