Episcopal Life Online Newslink June 27, 2007
Episcopal Life Online is available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.
Today's ELO Newslink includes:
* TOP STORY - July 1 bulletin insert examines Independence Day, the Episcopal Church in American History * DIOCESAN DIGEST - LOS ANGELES: Bishop, chancellor comment on court decision upholding diocese's claim to parish property * DIOCESAN DIGEST - NEWARK: Baseball field to be named after retired bishop * DIOCESAN DIGEST - PENNSYLVANIA: Historic church plans Independence Day commemoration * DIOCESAN DIGEST - VIRGINIA: U2charist inspires worshippers, new bishop * WORLD REPORT - BRITAIN: Church racial justice head warns on immigration fears * SPIRITUAL REFLECTION - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 8) - Year C [BCP]
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TOP STORIES
Episcopal Life This Week: Bulletin Insert for July 1, 2007
With the Fourth of July approaching, Episcopal Life Bulletin Inserts examine Independence Day and the Episcopal Church in American History.
Bulletin inserts are available at
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78650_8852_ENG_HTM.htm
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DIOCESAN DIGEST
LOS ANGELES: Bishop, chancellor comment on court decision upholding diocese's claim to parish property http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_87361_ENG_HTM.htm
NEWARK: Baseball field to be named after retired bishop http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_87320_ENG_HTM.htm
PENNSYLVANIA: Historic church plans Independence Day commemoration http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_87363_ENG_HTM.htm
VIRGINIA: U2charist inspires worshippers, new bishop http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_87319_ENG_HTM.htm
More Diocesan news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_ENG_HTM.htm
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WORLD REPORT
BRITAIN: Church racial justice head warns on immigration fears http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_87345_ENG_HTM.htm
More World news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_ENG_HTM.htm
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SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 8) - Year C [BCP] 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21; Psalm 16 or 16:5-11; Galatians 5: 1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62
By Greg Rickel
[Episcopal Life] No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God. What kind of harsh statement is this? And exclusive, too. How about unrealistic? Undoable? Ridiculous? OK, maybe now we are getting carried away. But when you read this, do you have a nagging question in the back of your mind? "Then, who is ever fit for the Kingdom of God?" Even in this multitasking world we live in, with every possible organizational gadget we can possibly manufacture, most people metaphorically, "Put their hands to the plow" and then look back, or leave the plow all together!! If what this means is never failing faith, without doubt or regret, ever, then there might well be a new word for us all-denial. However, as is always the case, we would do well to try to read the whole story, from Luke and this 9th chapter, as well as the whole story of the Gospel. When we do both of those things we can see that the picture is bigger, as it almost always is. As in so many things in this life, we like to make this an either/or scenario. It's got to be one or the other. Can you say-Perspective?
But take a closer look at this text: instead of an "either/or," Jesus is really positing a "both/and." Notice that both of the poor souls that ask to go take care of other business are exclusive in their request as well. "Sure, I will follow you Lord, but first, let me go bury my father." And then another, "well sure I'll follow you Lord, would love to, but first let me go tell them good bye at home; I mean they are expecting me for dinner; it would be rude to just not show up!"
In both cases, and in many cases in this world as well, and the church is not excluded, the answer is, "Yes, Lord, I will follow, I will pray, I will give, I will work, I will whatever, BUT FIRST, I need to pay off my boat; I need to find a job; I need to get my taxes done; I need to get the clothes washed. It is the "But First" that seems to be key here.
Full reflection: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_87217_ENG_HTM.htm
More Spiritual Reflections: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_ENG_HTM.htm
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