Episcopal Life Online Daybook -- Today is Wednesday, December 19, 2007. The Church calendar remembers an Ember Day.
* 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 this day in 1855, William Henry Draper, Anglican priest and hymnist, was born in Kenilworth, England.
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WEEKS AHEAD
Full calendar: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78650_1669_ENG_HTM.htm
Events
12/21/2007
>> ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey: Hip Hop Christmas
1/18/2008
>> GREENSBORO, North Carolina: Diocese of North Carolina to meet in convention
1/25/2008
>> GATLINBURG, Tennessee: Diocese of East Tennessee to meet in convention >> PARSIPPANY, New Jersey: Diocese of Newark to meet in convention >> WASHINGTON, D.C.: Diocese of Washington to meet in convention >> ORMOND BEACH, Florida: Diocese of Central Florida to meet in convention >> ROANOKE, Virginia: Diocese of Southwestern Virginia to meet in convention >> RESTON, Virginia: Diocese of Virginia to meet in convention
1/26/2008
>> LIVE OAK, Florida: Diocese of Florida to meet in convention
1/27/2008
>> BURLINGTON, Vermont: Developing Spiritual Communities >> WASHINGTON, D.C.: State of West Virginia to be celebrated at Cathedral
1/28/2008
>> BERKELEY, California: Epiphany West Interfaith Conference 2008
1/31/2008
>> EAST CAROLINA: Diocese of East Carolina to meet in convention
2/2/2008
>> GENEVA, New York: Diocese of Rochester to elect VIII Bishop
2/11/2008
>> QUITO, Ecuador: Executive Council of the Episcopal Church
2/13/2008
>> OAKLAND, California: Episcopal Urban Caucus
2/16/2008
>> WASHINGTON, D.C.: Recognition Day - Historically Black Episcopal Colleges
2/17/2008
>> WASHINGTON, D.C.: State of Oregon to be celebrated at Cathedral >> NEW YORK CITY: Prospective Students Conference at GTS
2/21/2008
>> ST. LOUIS, Missouri: Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes
Music 12/19/2007 >> CLEVELAND, Ohio: The Annual Messiah Sing
12/20/2007
>> NEW YORK CITY: Trinity Church Concerts at One
1/6/2008
>> LAS VEGAS, Nevada: Choral Evensong and Organ with Instruments Recital
1/13/2008
>> THE PLAINS, Virginia: Grace Church Concert Series continues >> MEMPHIS, Tennessee: Concert Series
1/25/2008 >> BIRMINGHAM, Alabama: Mid-day Musical Menu
2/9/2008
>> THE PLAINS, Virginia: Grace Church Concert Series continues
2/22/2008 >> MEMPHIS, Tennessee: Concert Series
Full calendar: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78650_1669_ENG_HTM.htm
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Catalyst: "The Sum of All Heresies" from Oxford University Press, by Frederick Quinn, 221 pages, hardcover, c. 2007, $29.95
[Source: Oxford University Press] Current global tensions and the spread of terrorism have resurrected in the West a largely negative perception of Islamic society, an ill will fueled by centuries of conflict and prejudice. Shedding light on the history behind these hostile feelings, Frederick Quinn's timely volume traces the Western image of Islam from its earliest days to recent times.
Quinn establishes four basic themes around which the image of Islam gravitates throughout history: the Prophet as Antichrist, heretic, and Satan; the Prophet as Fallen Christian, corrupted monk, or Arab Lucifer; the prophet as sexual deviant, polygamist, and charlatan, and the Prophet as Wise Easterner, Holy Person, and dispenser of wisdom. A feature of the book is a strong portrayal of Islam in literature, art, music, and popular culture, drawing on such sources as Cervantes's Don Quixote; the Orientalism of numerous visual artists; the classical music of Monteverdi and Mozart; and more recent cultural manifestations, such as music hall artists like Peter Dawson, Charles Trenet, and Edith Piaf; and stage or silver screen representations like The Garden of Allah, The Sheik, Aladdin, and The Battle of Algiers. Quinn argues that an outpouring of positive information on basically every aspect of Islamic life has yet to vanquish the hostile and malformed ideas from the past. Conflict, mistrust, and misunderstanding characterize the Muslim-Christian encounter, and growing examples of cooperation are often overshadowed by anger and suspicion.
To order: Episcopal Books and Resources, online at http://www.episcopalbookstore.org, or call 800-903-5544 -- or visit your local Episcopal bookseller, http://www.episcopalbooksellers.org