Episcopal Life Online Newslink August 29, 2007
Episcopal Life Online is available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.
Today's ELO Newslink includes:
* TOP STORY - Hands-on rebuilding projects set for House of Bishops' meeting in New Orleans * TOP STORY - ERD commemorates the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina * SPIRITUAL REFLECTION - Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 17) - Year C [RCL]
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TOP STORIES
Hands-on rebuilding projects set for House of Bishops' meeting in New Orleans Archbishop of Canterbury to join September gathering
By ENS Staff
[Episcopal News Service] When the House of Bishops meets September 20-25 in New Orleans, members and spouses will have hands-on opportunities to help rebuilding efforts in hurricane-affected areas.
While some will join weekend work projects of "mucking and gutting" damaged structures, others will join in prayer and pastoral visits with congregations and individuals.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, visiting at the bishops' invitation, will participate in a September 20 evening interfaith gathering to rededicate the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
Williams will join in dialogue with the bishops on subjects including the recently proposed Anglican covenant and the Primates Meeting communiqué issued in February 2007 in Tanzania urging support for the communiqué's requests by September 30.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_89558_ENG_HTM.htm
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ERD commemorates the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
[Episcopal News Service] On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina, a powerful Category 4 storm, slammed onto the Gulf Coast forever changing the lives of people in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) recognizes the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina August 29, 2007.
ERD and its partners have been active in the Gulf Coast through three- to five-year long-term recovery programs that focus on rebuilding homes and small businesses, providing case management services, creating a framework for medical and volunteer services, and offering psychosocial counseling for people affected by Katrina. To learn more about ERD's programs in the Gulf Coast, visit the Katrina Recovery Center here.
A place to call home
Along the Gulf Coast, more than 270,000 homes were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. In Louisiana, ERD partnered with the Diocese of Louisiana and Whitney Community Bank to create the Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative. The program plans to construct 500 affordable homes during the next five to seven years.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_89555_ENG_HTM.htm
More Top Stories: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife
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SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS
Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 17) - Year C [RCL] Sirach 10:12-18; Psalm 81:1, 10-16 or 112; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14
By Charles Hoffacker
[Sermons That Work] There are two senses of the word "pride."
Sometimes "pride" refers to the self-respect and strength needed to sustain a group in the face of hardship. Thus we have the slogan used in one area of a small Midwestern city: "Pride in the South Side." Pride of this kind can be acceptable, even necessary.
Another meaning of this word refers to inordinate self-esteem, a self-esteem that is out of line, excessive, unreasonable, and thus dangerous. Pride of this second type is attacked vigorously in today's readings.
Our passage from Sirach declares, "The beginning of pride is sin, and the one who clings to it pours forth abominations."
Full reflection: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_89482_ENG_HTM.htm
More Spiritual Reflections: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_ENG_HTM.htm