wfn.org | [ENS] Episcopalians' gifts head to Haiti's quake zone for Holy Week and Easter / General Theological

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>Episcopal News Service
>March 31, 2010

[Editor's note: Episcopal News Service will resume full service on
Tuesday, April 6.]

Episcopal News Service is available at  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/ens.

>Today's Episcopal News Service includes:

* TOP STORY - Episcopalians' gifts head to Haiti's quake zone for Holy
Week and Easter
* TOP STORY - General Theological Seminary suspends dean search, faces
financial crunch
* TOP STORY - In Easter message, presiding bishop calls on
Episcopalians to stretch their spiritual muscles
* TOP STORY - In Easter letter, archbishop of Canterbury urges prayers
for world's suffering Christians
* DIOCESAN DIGEST - ATLANTA: Visiting Tanzanian bishop reminds clergy
to 'point the way to Jesus'
* DIOCESAN DIGEST - SOUTH CAROLINA: Mount Pleasant parish members vote
to leave Episcopal Church
* WORLD REPORT - RWANDA: Archbishop Kolini says approval of second gay
U.S. bishop is divisive
* CALENDAR - Upcoming special events and services
* SPIRITUAL REFLECTION - April 1, 2010 - Maundy Thursday - Year C
* SPIRITUAL REFLECTION - April 2, 2010 - Good Friday - Year C
* SPIRITUAL REFLECTION - April 3, 2010 - Easter Vigil - Year C
* SPIRITUAL REFLECTION - April 4, 2010 - Easter Day - Year C
* DAYBOOK - April 1-4: Today in Scripture, Prayer, History
* EBAR PICK - "New Proclamation: Year C, 2010, Easter to Christ the  King"
* EBAR PICK - "Images of Haiti: Stories of Strength"

>_____________________

>TOP STORIES

Episcopalians' gifts head to Haiti's quake zone for Holy Week and Easter

>By Mary Frances Schjonberg

[Episcopal News Service] In the nearly three months since a
magnitude-7 earthquake devastated large parts of Haiti on Jan. 12,
Episcopalians have helped survivors in ways both large and small.

The donations run the gamut from pick-up trucks to balls and dolls, to
cite just three examples.

The trucks, which have come to the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti through
a major fund-raising effort in the Diocese of Virginia, are needed to
ferry supplies to quake victims who have settled in church communities
in hilltop villages outside of Port-au-Prince and Léogâne.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_121230_ENG_HTM.htm

>- - - - -

General Theological Seminary suspends dean search, faces financial  crunch

>Presiding bishop will appoint advisory group

>By Mary Frances Schjonberg

[Episcopal News Service] Facing what some have termed a financial
crisis, the board of trustees of the General Theological Seminary has
suspended its search for a new dean and president and is looking for
ways to cover the expense of the 2010-2011 school year.

Meanwhile, at the request of the trustees, Presiding Bishop Katharine
Jefferts Schori will convene a small group of advisors outside of
General to address the seminary's financial concerns. The group is
meant to provide "fresh eyes and will serve in an advisory capacity,"
according to the Rev. Dr. Charles Robertson, canon to the presiding
bishop.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_121229_ENG_HTM.htm

>- - - - -

In Easter message, presiding bishop calls on Episcopalians to stretch
their spiritual muscles

[Episcopal News Service] Beginning with the example of the people of
Haiti, who "need to practice saying Alleluia" this year so that they
can celebrate Easter in the midst of grief and darkness, Presiding
Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori calls on Episcopalians to stretch
their spiritual muscles in order to "insist on resurrection everywhere
we turn" in her 2010 Easter message.

The Easter message is also published in ENS Weekly bulletin inserts
for Easter Day, April 4.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_121207_ENG_HTM.htm

>- - - - -

In Easter letter, archbishop of Canterbury urges prayers for world's
suffering Christians

>By ENS staff

[Episcopal News Service] In his ecumenical Easter letter to fellow
church leaders, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams urges those
living in politically secure environments to offer practical support
as well as prayers for suffering Christians around the world,
particularly in Zimbabwe, Mosul, Egypt and Nigeria.

"We need to keep our own fears in perspective. It is all too easy to
become consumed with anxiety about the future of the church and
society," he said. "We need to witness boldly and clearly but not with
anger or fear; we need to show that we believe what we say about the
Lordship of the Risen Christ and his faithfulness to the world he came
to redeem."

Williams also acknowledges the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of
Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador, who was shot
dead while celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980. "Christians will never
be safe in a world of injustice and mindless fear, because Christians
will always stand, as did Archbishop Romero, for the hope of a
different world, in which the powerful have to let go of privilege and
rediscover themselves as servants, and the poor are lifted up into joy
and liberty," he said.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_121202_ENG_HTM.htm

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

>_____________________

>DIOCESAN DIGEST

ATLANTA: Visiting Tanzanian bishop reminds clergy to 'point the way to  Jesus'

>By Nan Ross

[Diocese of Atlanta] The role of clergy is to point the way to Jesus,
Bishop Mdimi Mhogolo of the Diocese of Central Tanganyika told
deacons, priests, bishops and others gathered for the Diocese of
Atlanta's annual Renewal of Ordination Vows at noon March 30 at the
Cathedral of St. Philip.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_121213_ENG_HTM.htm

>- - - - -

SOUTH CAROLINA: Mount Pleasant parish members vote to leave Episcopal  Church

>By Mary Frances Schjonberg

[Episcopal News Service] Some 700 members of a parish in the Episcopal
Diocese of South Carolina have voted to leave the Episcopal Church.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_121208_ENG_HTM.htm

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

>_____________________

>WORLD REPORT

RWANDA: Archbishop Kolini says approval of second gay U.S. bishop is  divisive

>By Fredrick Nzwili

[Ecumenical News International] Anglican Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini of
Rwanda has warned that the approval of a second openly homosexual
bishop in the U.S. Episcopal Church will further tear apart the
77-million-member worldwide Anglican Communion.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_121205_ENG_HTM.htm

More World news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_ENG_HTM.htm

>_____________________

>CALENDAR

A round-up of upcoming special events, services, concerts and diocesan
conventions taking place throughout the Episcopal Church is available
at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/calendar.htm

>_____________________

>SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS

>April 1, 2010 - Maundy Thursday - Year C

(RCL) Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14; Psalm 116:1, 10-17; I Corinthians
11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35

>By Katerina K. Whitley

[Sermons That Work] "And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father
had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and
was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and
tied a towel around himself."

Have you ever heard a verse of scripture as if for the first time?
Have you ever noticed a connection that, in many hearings in the past,
you had ignored? Did you now hear the stunning juxtaposition contained
in this one sentence?

Full reflection:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sermons_that_work_120925_ENG_HTM.htm

>- - - - -

>April 2, 2010 - Good Friday - Year C

(RCL) Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9;
John 18:1-19:42; Psalm 22

>By Katerina K. Whitley

[Sermons That Work] "For this I was born, and for this I came into the
world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth
listens to my voice."

>Pilate asked him, "What is truth?"

Good Friday comes every year with its unique burden of grief. We know
the story, we have heard it, felt it, wept over it. But every year it
comes to us with renewed regret and sorrow, even though, for the
Christian, the outcome of the story does not remain in tragedy but
emerges in triumph. Yet the pain of it never diminishes. When we hear
the words of John, so simple and so utterly heartbreaking, we allow
our hearts to be wounded anew.

Full reflection:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sermons_that_work_120923_ENG_HTM.htm

>- - - - -

>April 3, 2010 - Easter Vigil - Year C

(RCL) The Liturgy of the Word: Genesis 1:1-2:4a [The Story of
Creation]; Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18, 8:6-18, 9:8-13 [The Flood]; Genesis
22:1-18 [Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac]; Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21
[Israel's deliverance at the Red Sea]; Isaiah 55:1-11 [Salvation
offered freely to all]; Baruch 3:9-15, 3:32-4:4 or Proverbs 8:1-8,
19-21; 9:4b-6 [Learn wisdom and live]; Ezekiel 36:24-28 [A new heart
and a new spirit]; Ezekiel 37:1-14 [The valley of dry bones];
Zephaniah 3:12-20 [The gathering of God's people]
(RCL) The Eucharist: Romans 6:3-11; Psalm 114; Luke 24:1-12

>By the Rev. Dr. Susanna Metz

[Sermons That Work] "Alleluia, the Lord is Risen! The Lord is risen  indeed!"

That is enough. What else do we need to know on this most glorious of
all days? What else do we need to shout? Nothing! Nothing at all.

Full reflection:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sermons_that_work_120926_ENG_HTM.htm

>- - - - -

>April 4, 2010 - Easter Day - Year C

(RCL) Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1
Corinthians 15:19-26 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Luke 24:1-12

>By the Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Pagano

[Sermons That Work] In a recent essay, Nora Gallagher talks about
practicing resurrection. It is a splendid phrase, "practicing
resurrection." She wonders whether we spend too much time in the
church discussing whether we believe in the resurrection or do not
believe in the resurrection. By doing this, she thinks, we may miss
the point. She writes:

"When I think about the resurrection now, I not only wonder about what
happened to Jesus. I ponder what happened to his disciples. Something
happened to them, too. They went into hiding after the crucifixion,
but after the resurrection appearances, they walked back out into the
world. They became braver and stronger; they visited strangers, and
healed the sick. It was not just what they saw when they saw Jesus, or
how they saw it, but what was set free in them. ... What if the
resurrection is not about the appearances of Jesus alone, but also
about what those appearances point to, what they ask? It's finally
what we do with them that matters; make them into superstitions or use
them as stepping stones to new life. Maybe resurrection, like
everything else, needs to be practiced."

Maybe resurrection, like everything else, needs to be practiced.

Full reflection:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sermons_that_work_120927_ENG_HTM.htm

More Spiritual Reflections:  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_ENG_HTM.htm

>_____________________

>DAYBOOK

On April 1, 2010, the church remembers Maundy Thursday.

On April 2, 2010, the church remembers Good Friday.

On April 3, 2010, the church remembers Holy Saturday.

On April 4, 2010, the church remembers Easter Day.

* 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 April 1, 1548, the English Parliament ordered
the publication of the first Book of Common Prayer. On April 2, 1234,
Edmund was consecrated archbishop of Canterbury. On April 3, 1593,
George Herbert, Anglican priest and one of England's greatest
religious poets, was born in Montgomery Castle. On April 4, 1687,
James II issued a Declaration of Indulgence which allowed freedom of
worship in England and also severely threatened Anglican control of
church and state. The declaration permitted nonconformists to meet,
forgave penalties for ecclesiastical offenses and no longer required
oaths of supremacy and allegiance for those in royal service.

>_____________________

>EBAR PICK

"New Proclamation: Year C, 2010, Easter to Christ the King" by Philip
L. Culbertson, paperback, 256 pages, c. 2009, $25.

[Augsburg Fortress] New Proclamation continues the twenty-five-year
Fortress Press tradition of providing preachers with creative and
responsible approaches to the biblical lectionaries by leading
biblical scholars and homileticians. Unlike other preaching
commentaries that focus on a single lectionary tradition, New
Proclamation is designed to assist those who use the Revised Common
Lectionary, the Roman Catholic lectionary, and the Episcopal
lectionary. Includes:

*Introductions to liturgical seasons with an eye toward preaching.
*References to culture, media and contemporary events with practical
suggestions for incorporating these into sermons.
*Brief exegesis of the lessons and homiletic reflections on their  themes.

Thoroughly ecumenical, New Proclamation offers not only exegesis but
also specific ways in which the texts can be preached in engaging and
relevant ways.

>- - - - -

"Images of Haiti: Stories of Strength" Produced by St. James Episcopal
Church in Minnesota, softcover, 76 pages, c. 2010, $20.

[St. James Episcopal Church] What do you know about contemporary
Haiti? Poverty, corruption, hunger, disease, hurricanes, earthquakes
and despair? Yet in the midst of every negative image lie the
invisible narratives of ordinary Haitian people: strength, commitment,
laughter, pride, creativity, joy and more.

Images of Haiti tells the stories of ten Haitian women and men, ages
14 through 96 - each story is unique unto itself while also portraying
fundamental realities of life in Haiti. In both English and Creole the
project offers tools for educating about Haiti and for building
respect for Haitian people. 100% of the proceeds go to the villages of
Matenwa and Bigonet in Haiti.

To order, please visit Episcopal Books and Resources online at
http://www.episcopalbookstore.org, call 800-903-5544, or visit your
local Episcopal bookstore.