[ENS] In Dominican Republic, gathering explores climate justice perspectives

[<mdavies@episcopalchurch.org>]

>Episcopal News Service
>December 8, 2010

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

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>Today's Episcopal News Service includes:

* TOP STORY - In Dominican Republic, gathering explores climate
justice perspectives
* CHURCHWIDE - Forward Movement head announces planned retirement
* WORLD REPORT - KENYA: Cooperate with international court, church 
leaders urge
* OPINION - The mysteries of prayer, By Lori Erickson
* CALENDAR - Upcoming special events and services
* SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS - December 12, 2011 - Third Sunday of Advent 
- Year A
* DAYBOOK - December 9: Today in Scripture, Prayer, History

>_____________________

>TOP STORIES

In Dominican Republic, gathering explores climate justice perspectives

>By Lynette Wilson

[Episcopal News Service] What started in 2004 as a 2,000-square-foot
organic garden behind La Iglesia Santa Maria Virgen in Itabo, Cuba,
grew to a community-wide project that empowered people and spread to
vacant lots, yards and other dioceses.

"A small group of people, in small places, doing small things, can
change the face of the earth," is a popular saying in Cuba, said
Bishop Griselda Delgado Del Carpio of the Episcopal Church of Cuba.

Delgado, formerly the rector of Santa Maria Virgen, shared the story
of her parish's garden during a presentation here Dec. 7, the first
day of the inaugural Episcopal Climate Justice Gathering.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_126095_ENG_HTM.htm

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

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>CHURCHWIDE

Forward Movement head announces planned retirement

>By ENS staff

[Episcopal News Service] The Rev. Dr. Richard H. Schmidt will retire
as editor and director of Forward Movement Publications on Aug. 1,
2011.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80263_126116_ENG_HTM.htm

More Churchwide news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81847_ENG_HTM.htm

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>WORLD REPORT

KENYA: Cooperate with international court, church leaders urge

>By Fredrick Nzwili

[Ecumenical News International, Nairobi] Kenyan church leaders are
calling on politicians to fully cooperate with the International
Criminal Court, which is investigating the 2007-2008 post election
violence that killed 1300 people.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_126105_ENG_HTM.htm

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

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>OPINION

>The mysteries of prayer

>By Lori Erickson

[Episcopal News Service] Ever since author Christopher Hitchens was
diagnosed with serious cancer this past summer, he's drawn nearly as
much attention from Christians for his illness as he has for books
like God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80050_126086_ENG_HTM.htm

More Opinion: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80050_ENG_HTM.htm

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>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

December 12, 2011 - Third Sunday of Advent - Year A

>By the Rev. Steve Kelsey

(RCL) Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:4-9 or Canticle 3 or Canticle 15;
James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

"Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us."

When cooks attending services in villages all over England would hear
these words from the Collect of the Day, they would hurry home
afterward to stir up the fruity batter that had been fermenting in
their kitchens for weeks, the prime ingredient for their Christmas
plum puddings and fruitcakes. Although the reading of this Collect
used to occur in November, since 1979 it has fallen on this Sunday in
December. The traditional English batter for Christmas puddings and
cakes would be too thick by now to stir, but we still refer to this as
"Stir Up Sunday." How many sermons have been preached on Stir Up
Sunday on what needs to be stirred up in our souls, to be prepared to
receive what God is birthing among us at Christmas?

Full reflection:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sermons_that_work_125803_ENG_HTM.htm

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

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>DAYBOOK

>On December 9, 2010...

* 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 December 9, 1843, the world's first commercial
Christmas cards were created in England. On December 9, 1893, George
Job Elvey, English sacred music composer and organist, died at
Windlesham, Surrey, England.