Episcopal Life Online Newslink November 13, 2007
Episcopal Life Online is available at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.
Today's ELO Newslink includes:
* TOP STORY - Presiding Bishop, China Christian Council exchange expressions of friendship * DIOCESAN DIGEST - OHIO: Bishop highlights mission work locally and globally * WORLD REPORT - EL SALVADOR, MEXICO: Episcopal Relief and Development responds to severe flooding * FEATURE - 'Rachel's Garden' invites meditation, honors environmental pioneer * OPINION - A premier storyteller, Madeleine L'Engle inspired community as well as writers
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TOP STORIES
Presiding Bishop, China Christian Council exchange expressions of friendship
By Neva Rae Fox
[Episcopal News Service, Shanghai] Expressions of friendship and hopes for close collaboration in the future marked the visit between Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and the China Christian Council (CCC) on November 13.
"We really treasure the long-term friendship of the Episcopal Church and the church in China," said the Rev. Cao Shengjie, CCC president. "When you visit, the friendship and cooperation of our churches is enhanced."
"It will promote our relationship between the China church and churches in the U.S.," noted Presbyter Ji Jianhong, chairperson for the national committee of Three-Self Patriotic Movement of Protestant Churches in China (TSPM) and executive vice president of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary.
The honored guest of the CCC, Jefferts Schori is making her first visit to mainland China.
The work of the church in China "is a gift for the church around the world," the Presiding Bishop said during her visit to the CCC national headquarters. This work, she continued, "will bear fruit and is something that all of us will learn from."
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_91840_ENG_HTM.htm
More Top Stories: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife
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DIOCESAN DIGEST
OHIO: Bishop highlights mission work locally and globally http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_91842_ENG_HTM.htm
More Diocesan news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_ENG_HTM.htm
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WORLD REPORT
EL SALVADOR, MEXICO: Episcopal Relief and Development responds to severe flooding http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_91838_ENG_HTM.htm
More World news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_ENG_HTM.htm
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FEATURES
'Rachel's Garden' invites meditation, honors environmental pioneer
[Episcopal News Service] Twelve years after some committed "green thumbs" of Grace Episcopal Church in Everett, Massachusetts, began to transform a weedy patch of ground left by builders from the construction of the new parish hall, parishioners dedicated their churchyard garden to Rachel Carson.
Children of Grace Church released 100 ladybugs in tribute, one for each year since the pioneering environmentalist's birth in 1907, as part of the ceremony of blessing.
"To our knowledge, this is the first church in the country to honor Ms. Carson in this way," said the Rev. Barbara Smith-Moran, priest-in-residence.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81834_91835_ENG_HTM.htm
More Features: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78936_ENG_HTM.htm
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OPINION
A premier storyteller, Madeleine L'Engle inspired community as well as writers
By Sharon Sheridan
[Episcopal Life] I first encountered Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time as a reading assignment in Mrs. Ferguson's fifth-grade advanced reading group. And although I didn't quite do what a friend of mine did the first time she read the book -- completed it, then immediately turned back to page one to read it again -- I did periodically reread Wrinkle, drawn back to its sympathetic characters and otherworldly quest and message of love's ultimate mastery of evil.
I first encountered Madeleine L'Engle herself at a writer's workshop at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, New York. I went expecting to pick up a few writing tips, perhaps a little constructive criticism, a little inspiration. What I found was a community that drew me -- and many others -- back January after January for her annual workshop and the retreat she always led afterwards.
Yes, I picked up a few writing tips. I received positive feedback on the stories and poems I wrote as workshop exercises. I returned home with my creative batteries recharged.
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80050_91834_ENG_HTM.htm
More Opinion: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80050_ENG_HTM.htm