wfn.org | [ELD] Survey launched for Episcopal Life Weekly Bulletin Inserts

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>Episcopal Life Daily
>November 2, 2009

Episcopal Life Online is available at  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.

>Today's Episcopal Life Daily includes:

* TOP STORY - Survey launched for Episcopal Life Weekly Bulletin Inserts
* TOP STORY - Bulletin inserts for Nov. 8 continue report on Native  American Ministries
* DIOCESAN DIGEST - FORT WORTH: Texas diocese set to elect next  provisional bishop
* DIOCESAN DIGEST - SOUTH DAKOTA: John Tarrant consecrated as bishop  coadjutor
* PEOPLE - Bishop C. Charles Vaché, of Southern Virginia, dies at 83
* DAYBOOK - November 3: Today in Scripture, Prayer, History
* CATALYST - The God Strategy - How Religion Became a Political Weapon  in America

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>TOP STORIES

Survey launched for Episcopal Life Weekly Bulletin Inserts

[Office of Communication] Since their unveiling, the Episcopal Life  Weekly Bulletin Inserts have been a welcomed addition to congregations  as an educational and informational tool.

Now, after nearly three years, it's time to hear firsthand from readers  and users. A survey has been developed for feedback, ideas, suggestions  and comments from those who use the bulletin inserts regularly or not so  regularly, as well as those who don't utilize the service.

The 21-question survey is available at:  www.episcopalchurch.org/bulletininsertsurvey.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_116286_ENG_HTM.htm

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Bulletin inserts for Nov. 8 continue report on Native American  Ministries

[Episcopal News Service] The second in a set of two bulletin inserts on  Native American and Indigenous Ministries in the Episcopal Church has  been prepared for Nov. 8. The second insert reports on General  Convention resolutions dealing with issues affecting the native peoples,  especially repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery -- a 15th-century  assertion that European explorers had the right to subjugate indigenous  people.

Bulletin inserts are available at  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/95270_ENG_HTM.htm.

More Top Stories: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife

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>DIOCESAN DIGEST

FORT WORTH: Texas diocese set to elect next provisional bishop

Delegates to consider retired Bishop C. Wallis Ohl of Northwest Texas

>By ENS staff

[Episcopal News Service] Delegates to the 27th annual convention meeting  of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, Nov. 13-14 will be asked to  elect their next provisional bishop, to succeed the Rt. Rev. Edwin F.  (Ted) Gulick Jr.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_116276_ENG_HTM.htm

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SOUTH DAKOTA: John Tarrant consecrated as bishop coadjutor

>By Pat McCaughan

[Episcopal News Service] About 600 Episcopalians, ecumenical guests and  local dignitaries gathered Oct. 31 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center  to celebrate the consecration of the Rt. Rev. John Tarrant as bishop  coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_116274_ENG_HTM.htm

More Diocesan news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_ENG_HTM.htm

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>PEOPLE

Bishop C. Charles Vaché, of Southern Virginia, dies at 83

[Diocese of Southern Virginia] The Rt. Rev. C. Charles Vaché, the 7th  Bishop of Southern Virginia, died on the Feast of All Saints (Nov. 1).

Vaché, 83, was in hospice care at Westminster Canterbury in Virginia  Beach, Virginia.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81831_116283_ENG_HTM.htm

More People: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81831_ENG_HTM.htm

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>DAYBOOK

On November 3, 2009, the church remembers Richard Hooker, priest  (1554-1600)

* 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 November 3, 1534, British Parliament passed the  Supremacy Act, whereby Henry VIII and his successors to the English  throne were declared "the only supreme head in earth of the Church of  England."

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>CATALYST

"The God Strategy - How Religion Became a Political Weapon in America"  from Oxford University Press, by David Domke & Kevin Coe, 231 pages,  hardcover, c. 2008, $30

[Oxford University Press] In The God Strategy, scholars David Domke and  Kevin Coe offer a timely and dynamic study of the rise of religion in  American politics, examining the public messages of political leaders  over the past seventy-five years-from the 1932 election of Franklin  Roosevelt to the early stages of the 2008 presidential race. They  conclude that U.S. politics today is defined by a calculated,  deliberate, and partisan use of faith that is unprecedented in modern  politics.

Sectarian influences and expressions of faith have always been part of  American politics, the authors observe, but a profound change occurred  beginning with the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980. What has developed  since is a no-holds-barred religious politics that seeks to attract  voters, identify and attack enemies, and solidify power. Domke and Coe  identify a set of religious signals sent by both Republicans and  Democrats in speeches, party platforms, proclamations, visits to  audiences of faith, and even celebrations of Christmas. Sometimes these  signals are intended for the eyes and ears of all Americans, and other  times they are distinctly targeted to specific segments of the  population.

"For U.S. politicians today, having faith isn't enough; it must be  displayed, carefully and publicly. This is a stark transformation in  recent decades," write Domke and Coe. With innovative, accessible  research and analytical verve, they document how this has occurred, who  has done it and why, and what it means for the American experiment in  democracy.

"The God Strategy tells the intriguing story of how God-talk has  functioned in American political life in recent decades. Domke and Coe  invite both Democrats and Republicans to take the planks out of their  own eyes before casting the first stone. This book could become a  voter's bible, helping citizens (and media pundits) evaluate  election-cycle rhetoric with critical scrutiny." --Brian McLaren

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