Episcopal Life Online Newslink October 3, 2007
Episcopal Life Online is available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.
Today's ELO Newslink includes:
* TOP STORY - House of Bishops provides necessary clarifications, Joint Standing Committee report finds * DIOCESAN DIGEST - FORT WORTH: School backs out of convention-hosting plan * DIOCESAN DIGEST - GEORGIA: Leadership of oldest church in diocese votes to leave * DIOCESAN DIGEST - NEW YORK: Anniversary of Britain's Slave Trade abolition commemorated * SPIRITUAL REFLECTION - Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 22) - Year C [RCL]
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TOP STORIES
House of Bishops provides necessary clarifications, Joint Standing Committee report finds
By Matthew Davies
[Episcopal News Service] A report from the Joint Standing Committee of the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates of the Anglican Communion has found that the Episcopal Church has "clarified all outstanding questions" relating to its response to the requests of the Windsor Report, and questions on which the Primates sought clarifications by September 30.
"The Joint Standing Committee report has recognized the hard work of the House of Bishops and that our responses reflect our repeatedly expressed desire to remain in full communion with the rest of the Anglican Communion," Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said. "I am gratified to see that they believe we have met the requests of the Windsor Report and the further requests of the Primates' Communique, that they recognize the need for a prompt end to incursions from other provinces, and the urgent need to uphold the full human dignity of gay and lesbian persons in all provinces of the Communion. The Joint Standing Committee has also recognized the aspects of our polity that mean that bishops cannot bind the whole church."
The committee's 19-page report
(http://www.aco.org/acc/docs/JSC%20Report%20on%20New%20Orleans%20071003.p df) in two parts comes in response to the House of Bishops September 20-25 meeting (http://www.episcopalchurch.org/89878_ENG_HTM.htm) in New Orleans.
The first part of the report addresses the Episcopal Church's response to the Windsor Report, released in 2004 with recommendations of how the Anglican Communion can maintain unity amid differing theological viewpoints. The second part addresses pastoral issues concerning dissenting groups within the church, gay and lesbian people, and issues of polity within the Episcopal Church, including a call for unauthorized interventions by bishops in other jurisdictions to cease.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_90678_ENG_HTM.htm
Full text of the Joint Standing Committee's 19-page report: http://www.aco.org/acc/docs/JSC%20Report%20on%20New%20Orleans%20071003.pd f
More Top Stories: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife
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DIOCESAN DIGEST
FORT WORTH: School backs out of convention-hosting plan http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_90668_ENG_HTM.htm
GEORGIA: Leadership of oldest church in diocese votes to leave http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_90665_ENG_HTM.htm
NEW YORK: Anniversary of Britain's Slave Trade abolition commemorated http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_90679_ENG_HTM.htm
More Diocesan news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_ENG_HTM.htm
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WORLD REPORT
More World news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_ENG_HTM.htm
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SPIRITUAL REFLECTION
Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 22) - Year C [RCL] Lamentations 1:1-6 or Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; Lamentations 3:19-26 or Psalm 137 or 37:1-9; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10 By Kirk Alan Kubicek
[Sermons That Work] How much is enough? This is a fundamental question for all of us: How much is enough? Especially at this time of year when words such as "stewardship," "pledge," "proportional giving," and "tithe" are in the air. Luke has told us in no uncertain terms that Jesus has set his face toward Jerusalem. On the way, Jesus talks endlessly about the life of discipleship. He talks about hospitality, welcoming and helping strangers, seeking lost sheep, visiting prisoners, lost coins, prodigal sons, the rich man, and Lazarus. Then he lays it on in Chapter 17 by saying if you cause anyone to sin, may you sleep with the fishes with cement overshoes on! And you must rebuke those who sin, and forgive those who repent seven times a day.
Is it any wonder the disciples cry out, "Increase our faith"? They are being asked to assume major leadership positions in the community of Christ. And no one wants to end up in the proverbial sleep with the fishes.
Full reflection: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_90571_ENG_HTM.htm
More Spiritual Reflections: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_ENG_HTM.htm