wfn.org | [ELD] BRITAIN: Churches warn on neglecting environment in economic crisis / SUDAN: Interfaith consul

["Matthew Davies" <mdavies@episcopalchurch.org>]

>Episcopal Life Daily
>March 11, 2009

Episcopal Life Online is available at  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.

>Today's Episcopal Life Daily includes:

* WORLD REPORT - BRITAIN: Churches warn on neglecting environment in
economic crisis
* WORLD REPORT - SUDAN: Interfaith consultation explores deeper
engagement between Christians and Muslims
* OPINION - Expanding the faith: Internet church not intended to
replace brick version
* CALENDAR - Upcoming special events and services
* SPIRITUAL REFLECTION - March 15 - Third Sunday in Lent - Year B
* DAYBOOK - March 12, 2009: Today in Scripture, Prayer, History
* CATALYST - I Love God's Sense of Humor; I Just Wish He'd Let Me in on  the
Joke

>_____________________

>WORLD REPORT

BRITAIN: Churches warn on neglecting environment in economic crisis

>By Martin Revis

[Ecumenical News International, London] Churches in Britain are
working with Christians throughout Europe to lobby government
ministers who are to meet in Brussels on March 18 to decide on the
European Union's position at a United Nations summit on climate change
in December.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_105820_ENG_HTM.htm

>- - - - -

SUDAN: Interfaith consultation explores deeper engagement between
Christians and Muslims

[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Church of the Sudan's (ECS)
Commission for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations held its first
consultation February 23-27 in Juba to address the goal "that Sudanese
communities of different faiths understand, respect and live in
harmony (co-existence) with each other," said a report from the Rt.
Rev. Michael Jackson, bishop of the Church of Ireland's Diocese of
Clogher, who attended the meeting.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_105816_ENG_HTM.htm

More World news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_ENG_HTM.htm

>_____________________

>OPINION

>Expanding the faith

Internet church not intended to replace brick version

>By Mary Wanamaker

[Episcopal Life] Editor's note: The October 2008 issue of Episcopal
Life carried an article about various church manifestations on the
Internet. The January 2009 issue carried a column expressing the
opinion that a worship service on the Internet isn't the same as
attending a "real" church. This month, Episcopal Life presents two
other views, which are being published online this week. The second
opinion column follows; the first is available here
(http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80050_105774_ENG_HTM.htm).

>- - - - -

As one of the leaders of the Anglican Church in Second Life, I read
with interest the opinion piece "Not by Internet Alone." I would like
to present another side of this issue.

This article seems to be based on a misunderstanding of the basic
premise of online worship. Our intention never has been to replace the
"face-to-face" worship experience with the virtual.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80050_105818_ENG_HTM.htm

More Opinion: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80050_ENG_HTM.htm

>_____________________

>CALENDAR

A round-up of upcoming special events, services, concerts and diocesan
conventions taking place throughout the Episcopal Church is available
at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/calendar.htm

>_____________________

>SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS

>March 15 - Third Sunday in Lent - Year B

Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22

>By the Rev. Ken Kesselus

[Sermons That Work] One driver sticks post-it notes all over the
dashboard of her car to make sure she remembers each errand. Kitchen
calendars fill up with family appointments. Many cell phones now
include calendars so their owners can have instant access to
appointments that are too numerous to remember.

Chronic stress accompanies an increasing number of Americans who feel
busy beyond measure. It's a common problem for the current generation,
even among the retired. People are so overwhelmed that one of the
greatest luxuries of the twenty-first century is free time.

Busy-ness intrudes on all of us because we have so many opportunities.
And because we want everything -- and more. We have become slaves to
what we desire, not what we need. We have become possessed by our
activities -- our getting and spending and doing. Isn't that part of
the malady that infects us during this difficult economic period?
Living beyond our means? Materialism and greed? No boundaries to keep
us in check?

Full reflection:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sermons_that_work_105437_ENG_HTM.htm

More Spiritual Reflections:  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_ENG_HTM.htm

>_____________________

>DAYBOOK

On March 12, 2009, the church calendar remembers Gregory the Great,
bishop of Rome (c. 540-604).

* 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 March 12, 1685, Anglican bishop and philosopher
George Berkeley was born at his family home, Dysart Castle, near
Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland.

>_____________________

>CATALYST

"I Love God's Sense of Humor; I Just Wish He'd Let Me in on the Joke"
from Beacon Hill Press, by Stan Toler, 152 pages, paperback, c. 2006,
$12.99

[Beacon Hill Press] Have you ever felt like you were the only one in
the crowd who didn't get the joke? The joke was told with great
delivery ... but the punch line just flew over your head? The
Christian life can be a lot like that. We're told that God has a great
sense of humor, but sometimes His irony leaves us gasping instead of
giggling. In his new book, I Love God's Sense of Humor; I Just Wish
He'd Let Me in on the Joke, Stan Toler addresses the awkward moments
of life and the silence that fills the air after trouble or tragedy
has occurred. With humor and insight, Toler revisits the lives of
biblical heroes who struggled to find the humor in horrifying
situations yet found the courage and faith to overcome the obstacles
in their lives. He helps you learn to deal with some of life's most
pressing problems -- while still managing to keep a smile on your
face. I Love God's Sense of Humor; I Just Wish He'd Let Me in on the
Joke ... will remind you that you don't necessarily need a great sense
of humor to get God's punch lines. You just need a great sense of
faith -- the ability to see that God will get you to Jerusalem even if
you have to go through Cleveland to get there.

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

More Catalyst: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/83842_ENG_HTM.htm

>_____________________

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