Episcopal Life Online Newslink April 18, 2007
Episcopal Life Online is available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.
Today's ELO Newslink includes:
* TOP STORY - Church is called to aid immigrants, Presiding Bishop says * DIOCESAN DIGEST - SOUTH CAROLINA: Standing Committee announces plan to re-elect Lawrence * DIOCESAN DIGEST - SOUTHERN OHIO: Presiding Bishop to be consecrator of ninth diocesan bishop * SPIRITUAL REFLECTION - April 22 - Third Sunday of Easter - Year C [RCL]
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TOP STORIES
Church is called to aid immigrants, Presiding Bishop says
Letter to church also calls for action on immigration reform
[Episcopal News Service] Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has written to the Episcopal Church decrying Congress' inability to pass immigration-reform legislation and supporting Episcopalians who answer the call to hospitality, which she called "the core of the Gospel mandate which defines our faith."
Jefferts Schori's letter echoes the stance of the Episcopal Church on immigration issues. The 75th General Convention adopted Resolution A017 stating its fundamental immigration principles.
The Executive Council also passed resolutions a year ago (INC/NAC044) and in June 2005 (NAC032) which supported comprehensive immigration reform and advised members of the church to follow the call of the Baptismal Covenant to "seek and serve Christ in all persons" in ministering to illegal immigrants, despite any laws that would criminalize such assistance.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_85083_ENG_HTM.htm
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DIOCESAN DIGEST
SOUTH CAROLINA: Standing Committee announces plan to re-elect Lawrence http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_85093_ENG_HTM.htm
SOUTHERN OHIO: Presiding Bishop to be consecrator of ninth diocesan bishop http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_85084_ENG_HTM.htm
More Diocesan news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_ENG_HTM.htm
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SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS
Third Sunday of Easter - Year C [RCL]
Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 30; Rev. 5:11-14; John 21: 1-19
By Paul D. Allick
[Episcopal Life] Saul heard a voice from heaven. It was Jesus, whom he had been persecuting. It came suddenly, and a light from heaven flashed around him. The experience was so intense that Saul fell to the ground. The light was so strong that he was blinded. After his encounter with the light and the voice, Saul's life was changed forever. Like Jacob after wrestling with an angel, even his name was changed. At his baptism, Saul regained his sight and took his new name. Saul the persecutor became Paul the advocate. Voices from heaven change everything.
John heard voices from heaven. In fact John journeyed into heaven and saw it all. How he survived such a startling vision is surprising. John stood among the four living creatures, the angels, the elders - there were myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. John heard them singing praises. And then he hears "every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea." Who could stand such glory? Who could endure the sound of everything that exists singing in full voice?
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