Episcopal Life Daily January 28, 2008
Episcopal Life Online is available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.
Today's Episcopal Life Daily includes:
* TOP STORY - World Mission Sunday focus of February 3 Episcopal Life Weekly bulletin inserts * TOP STORY - South Carolina consecrates Lawrence as 14th bishop * TOP STORY - In San Joaquin's continuing Episcopal diocese, reconciliation and hope central * DIOCESAN DIGEST - CHICAGO: Jeffrey Lee to be ordained and consecrated February 2 * DIOCESAN DIGEST - NEWARK: Convention reaffirms full-inclusion stance, hears call to renewed urban ministry * TEACHING - Evolution Weekend to elevate discussion on religion and science * FEATURE - Block by Block: Transforming Detroit * DAYBOOK - January 29, 2008: Today in Scripture, Prayer, History * CATALYST - The Forgotten Touch: More Stories of Healing
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TOP STORIES
World Mission Sunday focus of February 3 Episcopal Life Weekly bulletin inserts
World Mission Sunday will be celebrated this year on February 3. The bulletin insert for that Sunday will offer information about this year's observance, "Extending God's Grace to Everyone, Everywhere." The focus is on the many ways God's mission in the world is carried out, including through the gifts of prayer, relationship, time, labor and money.
Bulletin inserts are available at
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78650_8852_ENG_HTM.htm
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South Carolina consecrates Lawrence as 14th bishop
By Staff
[Episcopal News Service] The Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul in Charleston, South Carolina, was filled to overflowing January 26 as Mark Joseph Lawrence was consecrated the 14th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. Several parishes provided streaming video when the cathedral's capacity of 1,100 was reached.
Twenty-five bishops from Canada, Dominican Republic, England, Tanzania, and the United States were present.
East Carolina Bishop E. Clifton Daniel, president of the Episcopal Church's Province IV, was the chief consecrator during the service which began at 11 a.m.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_94309_ENG_HTM.htm
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In San Joaquin's continuing Episcopal diocese, reconciliation and hope central Fresno parish welcomes House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson as preacher, forum leader
By Pat McCaughan
[ENS -- Fresno, California] -- Hope was palpable as House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson facilitated a conversation among parishioners gathered between Sunday-morning worship services January 28 at the Holy Family Episcopal Church in Fresno.
Emphasizing the importance of reconciliation, Anderson commended those gathered for their courage and Christ-centered work within the continuing Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. The diocese can "be a new amazing creation.from God," said Anderson, who was guest homilist at the church's 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services.
In her sermon, Anderson preached about surrendering control to God. "Everything can change in the drop of a hat, and astonish us with the news that even though we think we're in control of our lives, ultimately we are not," said Anderson, citing the apostles' experience recounted in the morning's gospel text. "One minute you are passing the day fishing, and the next you are following an itinerant preacher who will change the world. Like Peter and Andrew, like the sons Zebedee, our lives can and do change in the drop of a hat."
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_94326_ENG_HTM.htm
More Top Stories: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife
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DIOCESAN DIGEST
CHICAGO: Jeffrey Lee to be ordained and consecrated February 2 http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_94307_ENG_HTM.htm
NEWARK: Convention reaffirms full-inclusion stance, hears call to renewed urban ministry http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_94313_ENG_HTM.htm
More Diocesan news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_ENG_HTM.htm
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TEACHING
Evolution Weekend to elevate discussion on religion and science
By Phina Borgeson
[Episcopal News Service] The third annual Evolution Weekend, February 8-10, will be marked by members of more than 100 Episcopal congregations calling upon scientists and science educators in their communities to employ their skills as preachers and teachers.
One important goal of the observance is "to elevate the quality of the discussion on [religion and science] -- to move beyond sound bytes" notes Michael Zimmerman, founder of the initiative.
Evolution Weekend is an outgrowth of the Clergy Letter Project, signed by more than 11,000 religious leaders of many denominations who recognize the compatibility of evolutionary theory and Christian belief. Formerly Evolution Sunday, the name has been changed to embrace all faith traditions.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_94294_ENG_HTM.htm
More Teaching: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80263_93222_ENG_HTM.htm
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FEATURES
Block by Block: Transforming Detroit
For the good of all, the church must become involved in urban redevelopment
By Pat McCaughan
[Episcopal Life] The Rev. Steve Bancroft has some tough talk for the Episcopal Church, and here's the short version: "Help redevelop urban America or die." Bancroft, who retired in June 2007 after 36 years as a priest, now devotes his energies and efforts toward real estate development.
His last dozen years in ministry were spent as dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit, which has been involved in neighborhood revitalization for decades. He predicts that, unless more urban congregations actively participate in rebuilding their neighborhoods, ultimately they will die a painfully slow, mostly irrelevant death.
Most churches, he says, flunk the name game. "I challenge you to go into any neighborhood with a church and ask people on the street about it. Most of the time, they've never even heard of the Episcopal Church. They can't tell you where it is or what it is. What does that tell you?"
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81834_94305_ENG_HTM.htm
More Features: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78936_ENG_HTM.htm
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DAYBOOK
On January 29, 2008...
* Today in Scripture: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_ENG_HTM.htm * Today in Prayer: Anglican Cycle of Prayer: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acp/index.cfm * Today in History: On January 29, 1769, Thomas Middleton, first Anglican bishop of Calcutta, was born in Kedleston in Derbyshire, England.
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CATALYST
"The Forgotten Touch: More Stories of Healing" from Church Publishing, Inc., by Nigel W. D. Mumford, 135 pages, paperback, c. 2008, $15
[Source: Church Publishing, Inc.] The author's unusual spiritual journey transformed him from a Royal Marine Commando, trained to kill or be killed, to the director of the healing ministries of Christ the King Spiritual Life Center, where he now teaches people to heal and be healed.
This long-awaited sequel to Hand to Hand: From Combat to Healing, Mumford's experience of healing in the trenches, offers vivid snapshots of God at work in the world. These true tales from the author's healing ministry and prayers gives the reader insight into the little-known world of modern miracles.
Inspiring to Christians and non-Christians alike, these accessible stories challenge us to explore the depths of our faith. They will encourage healers in their ministry of prayer and those who are ill to seek physical and spiritual healing for themselves.
To order: Episcopal Books and Resources, online at http://www.episcopalbookstore.org, or call 800-903-5544 -- or visit your local Episcopal bookseller, http://www.episcopalbooksellers.org
More Catalyst: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/83842_ENG_HTM.htm