REST IN PEACE LAUGHING SISTER

Comments to Andee at BAREFOOT AND LAUGHING please.

If you would like to light
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Comment moderation is switched on for today. I will not have Kirstin's passing tainted by those who do not walk in the light.

LOUD FRIDAY

This bunch of scallywags are from Canberra, Australia. Their bio has them down as neo-grunge. Personally, I think they sound more like The Stooges than Pearl Jam. Whatever. It's Friday and they are loud and that's good enough for me and Lois.



BAND'S WEBSITE

PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE

I KNOW IT'S A PAIN BUT I HAVE TO ASK

It's the first of the month again and the bills are already piling up. I am particularly worried about my finances this month as I still have to pay back the money I borrowed to stay online last month. Also, we are hoping to move home in July and this is proving very expensive. So, once again, I am asking those who can afford to and don't do so already, to consider donating to my ministry.

I spend over 60 hours a week putting my blogs together. A sizeable chunk of my time is spent putting together the St. Laika's services. They each take about 5 hours to compile. They could be cobbled together quicker, but that's not my style. My efforts in this respect are being rewarded with some incredibly healthy stats. I know from comments that both the St. Laika services and the daily Prayer List are very much appreciated. This is why I can say, in all honesty, that your donations to my online ministry are contributions to the work of the church and the furtherance of God's kingdom.

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AT LEAST TWO MORE YEARS OF SUFFERINGBIGOTRY FOR ENGLAND'S GAY PRIESTS

Civil partnerships and same-sex relationships
a statement by the House of Bishops of the Church of England
Issued by the Church of England Communications Office

The House of Bishops today issued a statement about the continuing debate within the Church of England about same-sex relationships.

Speaking on behalf of the House, the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, said: “Contrary to popular perception the House of Bishops has spent very little time over recent years discussing homosexuality. The last substantive engagement with the issue was in 2005 when the House agreed to issue a pastoral statement prepared by a group under my chairmanship on the implications of the introduction of civil partnerships. The House has now agreed that the time has come to commission two new pieces of work.

“First it has asked for a review of the 2005 statement in the light of subsequent developments. The review will include examination of whether priests in civil partnerships should be eligible for appointment as bishops. The 2005 statement was silent on this issue and, while the relevant legal background was analysed in a recently published Legal Office note, the House acknowledges its responsibility to address the policy issue. To avoid pre-empting the outcome of the review the House has concluded that clergy in civil partnerships should not, at present, be nominated for episcopal appointment. The review will be completed in 2012.

“Secondly, the House has committed itself to a wider look at the Church of England’s approach to same-sex relationships more generally in the light of the listening process launched by the Lambeth Conference in 1998. The Bishops will produce a consultation document in 2013. The House’s decision is motivated by a desire to help shape the continuing debate constructively and not by any view about what the outcome should be.”

A Statement from the House of Bishops of the Church of England

“It is now nearly six years since the House issued its Pastoral Statement prior to the introduction of civil partnerships in December 2005. The preparation of that document was the last occasion when the House devoted substantial time to the issue of same sex relationships. We undertook to keep that Pastoral Statement under review. We have decided that the time has come for a review to take place.

“Over the past five and half years there have been several developments. Consistent with the guidelines in the Pastoral Statement a number of clergy are now in civil partnerships. The General Synod decided to amend the clergy pension scheme to improve the provision for the surviving civil partners of clergy who have died. More recently Parliament has decided that civil partnerships may be registered on religious premises where the relevant religious authority has consented (the necessary regulations are expected this autumn).

“The review will need to take account of this changing scene. The Pastoral Statement was not concerned with clergy alone but with the whole people of God. We recognise that bishops and clergy have found ways of engaging pastorally with those in civil partnerships, both at the time of registration and subsequently. Within the Anglican tradition our theological thinking is formed by a reasoned interpretation of Scripture, within the living tradition of the Church informed by pastoral experience. The House believes there is a theological task to be done to clarify further our understanding of the nature and status of these partnerships.

“These are the background issues for a review of the 2005 Statement. It will be undertaken in the context of the Church of England’s teaching on same sex relations as set out in the General Synod motion of November 1987 and Issues in Human Sexuality (a teaching statement from the House of Bishops in 1991). It will also be consistent with the approach taken by the Anglican Communion in Resolution 1.10 of the Lambeth Conference 1998 and subsequently.

“Among the matters to be considered in the review of the 2005 Statement there is one of some importance which the House did not address in advance of any experience of civil partnerships. This is whether clergy who have registered civil partnerships should be eligible for nomination to the episcopate. The House has concluded that it would be wrong to pre-empt the outcome of the review and that clergy in civil partnerships should not at present, therefore, be nominated for episcopal appointment. The House’s intention is to complete the review, which will need to take account of the legal analysis set out in GS MISC 992 (Choosing Bishops – the Equality Act) during 2012.

“The House has also decided that more work is now needed on the Church of England’s approach to human sexuality more generally. In February 2007, the General Synod passed a motion commending ‘continuing efforts to prevent the diversity of opinion about human sexuality creating further division and impaired fellowship within the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.’
“Alongside the review of the 2005 Pastoral Statement, the House intends, therefore, to draw together material from the listening process which has been undertaken within the Church of England over the recent years in the light of the 1998 Lambeth Conference resolution. The House wishes to offer proposals on how the continuing discussion within the Church of England about these matters might best be shaped in the light of the listening process. Our intention is to produce a further consultation document in 2013.”

COMMENT: Take your time, bishops. Do carry on as normal. Don't sweat it. It's only human lives we're talking about here. Those gays can wait another couple of years or so. As Jesus said, "Always get the theology right before raising a finger to help anyone."

A LITTLE OLDER, A LITTLE MORE CONFUSED

Neighbourhood birthdays:

Yesterday: LESLEY, MOTHER AMELIA, LOIS.

Today: THE ARKANSAS HILLBILLY, THE VERNACULAR CURATE.

Happy birthday you lot So glad you made it.

WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

From THE DIOCESE OF LICHFIELD:

The Bishop of Lichfield, Jonathan Gledhill, told his Diocesan Synod, meeting in Stafford on Thursday night, that “One of the reasons for our recent decline is that we have stopped creating a fringe, and one reason for a declining fringe is that you have got to be quite tough to come to some of our services if you are not a regular attender.”

The bishop made it clear he was not attacking the Eucharist, but added: “the truth is that we Christians like Eucharists and we like them too much to make concessions to others. Paul had to rebuke the Corinthians for eating the Eucharistic bread and drinking the wine without thinking of their poor neighbours. Perhaps that is a little like us devising more and more intricate and beautiful services for our own use – and forgetting those who might come if we made things simpler for them to start with.”

He said the increased use of Eucharists had resulted in longer services that were less simple and inclusive; and that lay ministers had become disenfranchised. He said: “Morning Prayer used to last 50 minutes with a good sermon; Family Services only 45 minutes. But a sung Eucharist can take anything from an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half. Sometimes I find myself thinking that this is a good way of saying ‘Go away’ to young people who come to visit us.”

He added: “Anglicans are actually very good indeed at devising non-Eucharistic services at certain times and seasons: Harvest, Remembrance, Crib Services, Carol Services, and so on. Then there is the Family Service phenomenon, Taizé services, Messy Church and all sorts of things which build up a fringe of occasional worshippers.

“What I notice about these special services is that far more people come to them. They work because they put the thoughts and feelings of ordinary people into words that connect their lives with God. It is as if these services are for the whole community. That is one of the reasons why there is a Church of England – to serve the 75% of the population who call themselves Christians; and even beyond."

He added: “There is work for us all to do if we are going to raise our game and ask how different age groups who don’t normally come; and different sorts of people who don’t normally come; how they might be enabled to put their worship of God into words that make sense in this generation. And we can look at our regular pattern of worship from the point of view of those who might come and try us out; but as yet don’t come. Let’s provide a welcome for the outsiders and the occasional people as well as the regulars.”

OH, I'M REALLY SCARED

From YOUR STORY:

The Senior Apostle and faithful members of the Church of Twelve Tribes Apostolic Kingdom (TTAK) voice their feelings concerning the Anglican Church being set to approve controversial guidelines allowing openly homosexual clergy to become Bishops.

The Church of TTAK call this decision “appalling and a major disappointment”. ”Ecumenical dialogue with the Anglican Communion will be greatly hindered by this move” says His Beatitude Trevor Greene, the Senior Apostle, & Patriarch of the Church of TTAK. ”We, by Biblical standards set even during the days of Moses, and adhered to by the Apostles, cannot accept this as being Christian behavior. We therefore call for the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Anglican Communion as a whole to return to Biblical standards, Orthodox Christianity, purity and holiness.”

COMMENT: Never heard of them.

DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME JIM

Some people say there is no difference in the English language between "complete" and "finished." I beg to differ because, there is :

When you marry the right woman, you are "COMPLETE".

And when you marry the wrong one, you are "FINISHED"!

And when the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are ... "COMPLETELY FINISHED" !!!

DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME MAD DAD

One day an old German Shepherd starts chasing rabbits and before long, discovers that he's lost. Wandering about, he notices a panther heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch.

The old German Shepherd thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep do do now!"

Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the panther is about to leap, the old German Shepherd exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious panther! I wonder, if there are any more around here?"

Hearing this, the young panther halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees.

"Whew!," says the panther, "That was close! That old German Shepherd nearly had me!"

Meanwhile, a squirrel who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the panther. So, off he goes.

The squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the panther.

The young panther is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, squirrel, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!"

Now, the old German Shepherd sees the panther coming with the squirrel on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?"

But instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old German Shepherd says...

"Where's that squirrel? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another panther!"

Moral of this story: Don't mess with old dogs.

DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME JOHN

A senior citizen in Louisiana was overheard saying, "When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana ."

When asked why, he replied, "I'd rather be in Louisiana 'cause everythang happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the world."

***

A young man from Mississippi came running into the store and said to his buddy, "Bubba, somebody just stole your pickup truck from the parking lot!"

Bubba replied, "Did you see who it was?"

The young man answered, "I couldn't tell, but I got the license number."

***

A man in North Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait. A passerby studied the scene as he drove by, and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was.

The man replied, "I got a flat tahr."

The passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?"

The man responded, "When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back. I never did understand it neither."

***

A Texas sheriff pulled up next to a guy unloading garbage out of his pick-up into the ditch. The Sheriff asked, "Why are you dumping garbage in the ditch? Don't you see that sign right over your head."

"Yep," he replied. "That's why I'm dumpin' it here, 'cause it says: 'Fine For Dumping Garbage.'"

THIS IS NOT THE REVOLUTION

Yesterday, in England, there was a teachers' strike. The profession is fighting the government who intend to increase the retirement age of teachers and increase the employee contribution to their pension plan (compared to what most English workers have to put up with it is an excellent pension scheme at present). Today, I read that doctors are planning similar action for similar reasons.

Nobody likes having their standard of living lessened or to be surprised by changes to what they have been promised in the future. As an ordinary human being, with the ordinary human tendency towards self-interest, I sympathise with them. But, as a socialist and Christian, I am incredibly uneasy about all this. You see, in my country, teachers earn a very good wage and doctors earn an obscene amount of money. They are also intelligent and well organised collectively. When they lose a day's pay because they are on strike it must be annoying for them but it doesn't make a huge difference to their lives. On the other hand there are many workers in England, whose standard of living is being reduced by government initiated austerity measures, who already struggle just to provide for their their families and themselves because of low wages. For them, strikes are personally extremely sacrificial. Also, they are not as well organised as those in the middle class professions or as savvy when it comes to taking on employers.

The teachers and doctors are, in my opinion, being selfish. If they win then the poorly paid will suffer the consequences. Of course, if the teachers and doctors were including the lowly paid in other occupations, in particular those occupations that support doctors and teachers, within their action, refusing to accept a deal unless it was the same deal for everyone, then their action could be seen as righteous. But they are not and they never do. In both the teaching profession and within the medical profession, those in the higher paid posts always organise separately, always make their own pay and conditions claims, and never tie these in with the aspirations of the lower paid staff.

From where I stand, trying to survive on £600 per month, teachers and doctors are as much a part of the problem as bankers and other big business fat cats. They don't have to be but they choose to be.

THE GREEN MAN

Further details at KINSTON.COM.

Thanks to Ellie for sending the pic into MadPriest Towers.

NEWS FROM THE NEW ZEALAND FRONTLINE

From GAYNZ.COM:

Auckland's St Matthews-in-the-city has taken to its infamously bold billboard once more in the hope of stirring up debate on the issue of discrimination against gay and lesbian people in the Anglican Church.

The central Auckland church is now displaying a "gay-dar" meter that shows "Straight" on one side and "Gay" on the other, suggesting the Church uses this to determine who its potential priests might be.

Vicar Glynn Cardy says St Matthew's has had enough of New Zealand's Anglican bishops refusing to consider any candidate for ordination who is gay or lesbian and in a committed relationship.
It comes after congregation voted unanimously to send a letter to their bishop respectfully asking him to end this discrimination in their diocese.

"We see this as an issue of discrimination that harms not only the gay and lesbian community, but society and ultimately the church as well," Cardy says.

COMMENT: This is a fine example of what DAN SAVAGE is asking non-homophobic Christians to do. The congregation of St. Matthew's-in-the-city are most definitely part of the solution and not part of the problem. Good on them. Collectively, they are our:

BRICK OF THE DAY

THE PRAYER LIST - 1ST. JULY 2011

Today, especially, please take time to light a candle by clicking on the link at the foot of this post.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

We pray for Kistin and Andee, Göran and Joe.

The hospice staff have told Andee that Kirstin will die within the next couple of days. Please read Andee's latest post at BAREFOOT AND LAUGHING.

From Tim:

Could everyone please redouble their prayers for my friend Joe Walker and his family? Joe has a very aggressive and fast-acting cancer and things do not look good for him; various procedures have been tried to make him more comfortable, and nothing seems to be working. His wife is Alisa and they have four children under twelve: Emily, Adam, Sarah Joy, and Justin.

***

From PAUL:

J. is having a small melanoma, detected early, removed tomorrow (1st July). I'd appreciate your prayers.

***

Judy has asked us to pray for her son, Matthew, as he continues to have problems with addiction.

***

Lois asks us to pray for Betty.

***

Posted by Ormonde Plater at THROUGH THE DUST:

Murdered this week in the New Orleans area:

6/26 Christopher Riley 21
6/27 Van Batiste 28
6/27 Durrell Caldwell 28

Please pray for the victims, their murderers, and their families.

***

If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.

Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.

CONTROVERSY OF THE DAY

From ALJAZEERA:

A bill which would ban halal and kosher slaughter methods has passed through the Dutch parliament, despite opposition from Muslim and Jewish groups who say a ban would impinge on their religious freedoms. The bill, which was passed overwhelmingly by parliamentarians on Wednesday, still has to pass through the Dutch senate, which is unlikely before the summer recess.

If the Netherlands outlaws procedures that make meat kosher for Jews or halal for Muslims, it would be the second country after New Zealand to do so in recent years. Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland also ban religious slaughter.

Both halal and kosher slaughter rules prescribe that animals' throats must be cut swiftly with a razor-sharp knife while they are still conscious, so that they bleed to death quickly.

COMMENT: It is overwhelmingly believed by the native peoples of Western Europe that halal and kosher slaughter is more cruel than current secular methods of slaughter. It is also generally agreed by all citizens of Western Europe (bar a few psychos and far too many blood sport enthusiasts) that if an animal is to be slaughtered for human consumption then it should be done in the most humane way that is feasibly available. This is a moral matter.

Most of us who hang around this Neighbourhood believe that it is cruel to bar same sex couples from the right to marry. We believe that doing so is inhumane and that no religious belief should get in the way of getting rid of the pain suffered by same sex couples who are not allowed to marry at present.

Therefore, any regular reader of this blog should agree wholeheartedly with the Dutch decision.

WHO'S THE LEADER OF THE FAITHTHAT'S MADE FOR YOU AND ME?

From METRO:

Naguib Sawiris, a Coptic Christian and billionaire telecoms mogul has been accused of ‘making fun of Muslims’ after he tweeted a cartoon of a bearded Mickey Mouse and Minnie in a full-body ‘niqab’ veil.

One Facebook group has said: 'If you are really a Muslim, and you love your religion, boycott his projects. We have to cut out the tongue of any person who attacks our religion.'

At least 15 Salafi lawyers have filed lawsuits accusing Mr Sawiris of religious contempt.

In 2007, Mr Sawiris was criticised for comments against niqabs. ‘When I walk in the street, I feel like a foreigner,’ he said.

COMMENT: What do you think? Should Naguib Sawiris be cast out of society after having his tongue removed for taking the name of Mickey Mouse (peace be upon him) in vain? Should all micky taking of popular cartoon characters be regarded as blasphemy? And one last question: WTF is up with the world, Doc?

UPDATE ON THE AMY DELONG TRIAL

From THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NEWS SERVICE:

For the first time in 20 years, a conviction for performing a same-sex union has not resulted in a United Methodist elder's defrocking or indefinite suspension.

Instead, after seven hours of deliberations, a jury of 13 United Methodist clergy voted 9-4 to suspend the Rev. Amy DeLong from her ministerial functions for 20 days beginning July 1.

The jury, which is called a trial court, also sentenced DeLong to a more detailed process for a year after her suspension to "restore the broken clergy covenant relationship." At least seven votes from the trial court of five women and eight men were required to approve a penalty.

"I hope this signals to folks around the country and around the world that the United Methodists in Wisconsin aren't going to throw their gay children out," said a smiling DeLong, sitting beside her partner of 16 years, Val Zellmer.

COMMENT: I have very mixed feelings about this. If I was Amy, I would probably have told them to shove their sentence where the sun don't shine and opted for the defrocking option. The suspension and, even more so, the retraining conditions, are so patronising. They have basically told Amy that she is a naughty little girl and treated her with complete contempt.

On the other hand, in the not too distant future, when gay people are regarded as equal in all things, within the United Methodist Church, people will look back on Amy's courage and pragmatism and regard it as a sea change moment in the life of their church, which it would not have been if Amy had stomped off in MadPriest style.

So, God be with you, Amy DeLong, you are a good person who has been treated badly.

And, God is obviously not with you, judges and hypocrites. Otherwise you would have behaved in a Christlike manner and not like a bunch of jobsworth, infant school teachers handing out a punishment to some child who had written "fart" on her desk top.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

IT has posted a very interesting piece at THE FRIENDS OF JAKE which I think many of you may want to read and comment on. She begins:

Not all gay people are thrilled about marriage equality. There is a distinct group that likes things the way they are. They are happy with domestic partnerships, and are worried that if marriage is legal, the status of DP will be eliminated. (In most states, DPs are not available to straight couples). They decry the idea that gay couples should be treated like straights, and required to marry if they want benefits like partner coverage. Instead, they think that DPs should be an option for everyone, straight or gay.

PUT YOUR THINKING HATS ON!

I have received an imaginary email from A CERTAIN ELDERLY GENTLEMAN who is new to the blogging scene. He has asked me to point out to my readership that he is most definitely not a troll and the only reason he has been commenting anonymously is that he has not yet come up with a good pseudonym for when he's online. The suggestions he has received so far, "Benny. My. God.," "Hitler Youth" and "Big Boy" (which was his secretary's suggestion) are, in his opinion, not quite right for the trendy image of himself that he's trying to get across. So, knowing that you lot are top flight creative thinkers, he has asked me to ask you to come up with a handle for him.

There's a plenary indulgence from the very top, for the inventor of the winning suggestion.  So I suggest you get to it, straight away.

THE PRAYER LIST - 30TH. JUNE 2011

THANKSGIVING

From SKY NEWS:

Two French television journalists kidnapped in Afghanistan have arrived back in France after spending 18 months as prisoners of the Taliban.

***

From THE BBC:

Rival Sudanese forces have agreed to withdraw from the north-south border, ahead of the south's independence next week.

***

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

We pray for Kirstin and Andee, Göran and Joe.

It's margaret posted the following on her blog, LEAVE IT WHERE JESUS FLANG IT, yesterday:

Last night, I received a letter from Courageous and Compassionate A, who is nursing dear Kirstin. In so many words, the news is that it appears Kirstin has reached the threshold. Courageous and Compassionate A wrote, The Hospice staff say that once these kinds of changes start happening so quickly, the person generally only has 7-10 days left to live.

It's margaret's words surrounding this announcement are inspired by the Spirit of God and I suggest you all go read them.

Our friend Göran is suffering from a very aggressive form of prostate cancer.

***

Leonardo Ricardo at ERUPTIONS AT THE FOOT OF THE VOLCANO had to make the decision to say goodbye for now to his beloved canine friend, Marcos, on Tuesday.

Marcos was very much alive until he simply couldn´t get up anymore...he cried, and cried with great pain all through last night and this morning Dr. Hugo his longtime physician took the pain away to stay...we were there, we saw Marcos go away today...Marcos doesn´t live here anymore as he´s gone to rejoin Ruth and Walker again...he did it with his eyes wide open and didn´t even tremble or cry. Lord hear my prayer for Marcos, Walker and Ruth and their happy reunion today.

Please also go read Leonardo's post HERE. It is a companion piece to his announcement of Marcos' passing over and the most appropriate response to such an event that you could possibly think of. Leonardo is a beautiful man.

Marcos was about 18 years old when he died.

***

Di, at THE KITCHEN DOOR, is about to start seminary. She writes:

I'm praying, starting now, but hopefully up to and beyond graduation, that my classmates and I learn to love each other.

Di is a naturally loving and lovely person. I expect she'll get her fellow students well bonded before the end of the first half-semester.

***

From REUTERS:

A lightning strike has killed 18 children and their teacher in Uganda, police said.

Uganda has one of the highest rates of lightning strike deaths in the world and its capital Kampala has more days of lightning per year than any other city. Local meteorologists have criticised the government for not providing enough lightning conductors for buildings in storm hotspots.

***

If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.

Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.

DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME JIM

WORSHIP AT ST. LAIKA'S

A service of holy communion for today, the feast day of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The words and credits can be found at ST. LAIKA'S.


MP3 File

EVIL AND HYPOCRISY IN THENIGERIAN ANGLICAN CHURCH

From VANGUARD:

The Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to pull out of the United Nations Organization, UNO, if it continued in its recognition of gay marriage in the guise of promoting fundamental human rights. The Primate, who made the call in Abuja at the human rights consultative forum to define the stance of the church on the issue of human rights and homosexuality, described as a wolf in sheep clothing those championing homosexuality under the guise of human rights advocacy.

His words: “In reaction to the role of the UN human rights groups who were using that platform to fight for the two Malawi boys who got married as homosexuals, I said that if the UNO is now an organ for the advancement of homosexual lifestyle, it was time Nigeria pulled out of that organisation in order to protect the moral health of our nation.

The guest speaker, Dr, Vinay Samuel, from UK in his keynote address, urged Nigerians to be carried away by the quest for human rights that will make them flourish rather than one that was contested, saying every human right must be shaped by the cultural understanding of each area.

He said: “Nigeria as a much larger nation has to take leadership in seeking to relate human rights to Christian faith and to African culture.

COMMENT: Dr. Vinay Samuel is an Indian by nationality who lives and works in England. He is linked to Anglican Mainstream and the Global South groups who are now actively trying to undermine the enlightened morality of the English people. Therefore, I assume, having said the above he will now be campaigning for the full acceptance of and equality for all gay people in the Church of England because inclusiveness is most definitely the cultural zeitgeist in England at this moment in time. If he doesn't then he is a hypocrite and, as an academic, a complete phoney.

MUSCULAR, BLEEDING HEART,LIBERAL CHRISTIANITY

I feel all affirmed in my
blogging enterprise by
the video IT posted at
GAY MARRIED 
CALIFORNIAN
yesterday, and I'm sure
most of you will too.

Check it out!

THE PRAYER LIST - 29TH. JUNE 2011

We pray for Kirstin and Andee, and for Joe in Canada.

***

Posted by James at THE THREE LEGGED STOOL:

Our very beloved brother, Gören, has been on hospice for a week. He has an aggressive form of prostate cancer. According to his niece, the does not have a lot of time before he joins the Communion of Saints. Please keep him in your prayers as he graduates from mortality. And remember his blood family and his adopted family one of whom I am privileged to be.

Growing up in the shadow of a Swedish Lutheran Church, I learned Children of the Heavenly Father at a very young age. It was always sung in times of distress and for funerals. The last verse of the English translation says:

Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord, His children sever.
His the loving purpose solely,
To preserve them, pure and holy.

***

Posted by LKT at THE INFUSION:

You may recall after lovely Georgia died, we took up with a winsome old Golden Retriever named Jed who had been left with Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue after his owner went into the hospital. Well, this morning we got a call from Homeward Bound saying the owner was out of the hospital and baying for his friend. So Jed's gone back home to be with the companion of the first 12 years of his life. It's a happy ending, but I'll miss the old guy. He is grand.

***

From JCF:

Would you all please pray for our friend Skittles? Her financial situation has become very difficult.

***

Posted by Padre Mickey at
PADRE MICKEY'S DANCE PARTY:

A week ago today, our beloved friend and drummer, Ricardo Staple, entered Hospital San Fernando with heart trouble. He's pretty weak. I'm requesting prayers for my friend.

***

Posted at DIOBETH NEWSPIN:

Pray for our young men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families:

Tech. Sgt. Daniel L. Douville, 33, of Harvey, Louisiana
Spc. Matthew R. Gallagher, 22, of North Falmouth, Massachusetts
Spc. Nicholas C. D. Hensley, 28, of Prattville, Alabama
Pfc. Dylan J. Johnson, 20, of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sgt. Marlon E. Myrie, 25, of Oakland Park, Florida
Spc. Levi E. Nuncio, 24, of Harrisonburg, Virginia
Gunnery Sgt. Ralph E. Pate Jr., 29, of Mullins, South Carolina
Staff Sgt. Russell J. Proctor, 25, of Oroville, California
Cpl. Gurpreet Singh, 21, of Antelope, California

Pray also for the fallen heroes also of our coalition partners, and for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan who have died, unnamed and unknown to us, and for those who mourn ... and for an end to this endless war.

***

From VOICE OF AMERICA:

Afghan officials say a team of gunmen, including some suicide bombers, attacked a prominent hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, late Tuesday night. The fighting to re-secure the building lasted hours. Afghan security forces called in support from NATO helicopters. Authorities say 10 civilians and all of the gunmen were killed in the fighting.

***

From AFP:

Clashes erupted Wednesday between protestors and police firing tear gas in several parts of Athens ahead of a vote in parliament on austerity measures aimed at preventing a Greek debt default.

***

From CNN:

Police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and pellets early Wednesday in Tahrir Square, Cairo, to break up a demonstration by relatives of those killed in Egypt's revolution. The clashes left at least 26 officers injured. 14 protesters were also seriously injured and admitted to hospitals.

***

If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.

Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
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MADPRIEST DISCOVERS IDENTITYOF NIXON IS LORD

NEW YORK REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERSBACK THE RIGHT HORSE

From EDGE NEW YORK:

A new Quinnipiac University poll in the wake of New York’s marriage equality law shows that support for the measure remains high -- and the opposition of faith leaders barely makes a difference. The poll showed that overall, voters in New York State support the new marriage equality law by a wide margin, with 54% in favor and only 40% opposed.

Marriage equality proponents are heartened by recent polls that show that, for the first time, a majority of Americans nationwide favor marriage equality. The vote in Minnesota could represent the first time that voters given a chance to limit the rights of a minority definitively reject such a curtailment.

JUST A BUNCH OF SOFTIES

TOADYISM AND HOMOPHOBIAIN THE GLOBAL SOUTH

From THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER:

Amy and her friends would have the world believe that the church in Africa is made up of super-Christians, especially when compared with the church in the developed world.

Bollocks!

With a few notable exceptions, the African church is more connected to the corruption and graft of the secular world than even the established Church of England at its most grovelling. The homophobia of the Nigerian church is just another expression of an unenlightened, pre-modern, immoral mindset that also encourages its bishops and leading laity to believe that handing out gongs to the political thugs that keep Nigeria stuck in an eternal dark ages is a righteous thing for the Bride of Christ to be engaging in. The truth has to be told and damn the consequences - the Nigerian bishops are tin pot generals in a tin pot church in a tin pot country run by tin pot opportunist grifters masquerading as politicians. The fact that Nigeria is going to hell in a hand cart is nothing to do with a lack of foreign investment and everything to do with the fact that nobody wants to do business with such a backward and corrupt people other than other corrupt people.

Of course, there are perfectly decent, honest Nigerians. I know this because most of them have managed to escape to England.

FLIPPING THE BIRD AT THE DEVIL

From THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE:

Between 10,000 and 15,000 people flocked to the Marondera Show Grounds to commemorate the life of Bernard Mizeki this weekend, despite being denied access to the shrine itself by the authorities.

All 15 bishops of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa con-celebrated the Eucharist on the Saturday morning. The Province's Primate Archbishop Albert Chama preached what was described as "a moving and encouraging sermon".

Following the Eucharist the day was filled with teaching on various topics by the clergy, drama based on the life of Bernard Mizeki, a programme led by the Mothers' Union and then singing, worship and shared preaching by both clergy and laity. The celebrations finished after an early morning Eucharist service on Sunday and Harare's Bp Chad D Gandiya presided at the Eucharist.

In a letter following the weekend's celebrations, Bp Chad said it had been a truly blessed weekend: "I am writing to thank you all very much for your prayers. Our Bernard Mizeki celebrations at the Marondera Show Grounds went very well. Our theme for the weekend was, "Mukristu Usanete: Namata Urinde! Christian seek not yet repose: Watch and Pray!" We even had police protection which we appreciated very much."

Pilgrims were hoping to visit the shrine after the main service, but police prevented them from doing so.

The Anglican Church in Zimbabwe has been under attack from an ex-communicated bishop, Dr Nolbert Kunonga, a supporter of President Mugabe, who left the Anglican Province of Central Africa (CPCA) in 2007 to try and set up a rival church. Kunonga, with the support of police and henchmen, has seized CPCA church property and used violence to break up church services.

For anyone wanting to show their support for persecuted Anglicans in Zimbabwe, please visit the FACEBOOK PAGE.

CAPTION COMPETITION

GREAT MUSIC FREEBIE

Paste Magazine are launching a new online weekly called Paste MPlayer. To celebrate its launch they are giving away the first nine issues completely free of charge.

Each issue contains loads of good, downloadable music. Number one includes mp3s from The Low Anthem, The Decemberists, Bright Eyes and Over The Rhine, features on Suzanne Vega and American real ale, reviews of new albums from Bon Iver and Gillian Welch, various films, games and books and also a video of U2 performing "I Will Follow" back in 1981.

Click HERE to go straight to Paste MPlayer. There's no catch, you don't have to sign up to anything that will cost you money. Honestly, it's a steal, what have you got to lose?

WORSHIP AT ST. LAIKA'S

A service of evening prayer for today, the feast of Saint Iranaeus.
The words and credits can be found at ST. LAIKA'S.


MP3 File

MADPRIEST'S QUESTION OF THE DAY

One of my trolls is signing himself "June" which is the real name of one of the Neighbourhood's most distinguished bloggers. Which leads to me to ask the question:

Why are trolls always male?

HEADLINE OF THE DAY

IT COULD EASILY BE A TRUE STORY

When Sarah Palin was a little girl her father was watching her playing in the garden. He smiled as he reflected on how sweet and pure his little girl was. Tears formed in his eyes as he thought about her seeing the wonders of nature through such innocent eyes.

Suddenly she just stopped and stared at the ground. He went over to her to see what work of God had captured her attention. He noticed she was looking at two crane flies mating.

'Daddy, what are those two spiders doing?' she asked.

'They're mating,' her father replied.

'What do you call the spider on top?' she asked.

'That's not a spider it's a Daddy Longlegs,' her father answered.

'So, the other one is a Mummy Longlegs?' Sarah asked.

As his heart soared with the joy of such a cute and innocent question he replied, 'No dear. Both of them are Daddy Longlegs.'

Sarah, looking a little puzzled, thought for a moment, then said, 'Well, we're not having any of that gay shit in our garden,' and stamped them both to death.

THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR DOLLAR DOG

From INCREDIBLE FEATURES:

Abandoned by a family fleeing their foreclosed home and their mother dead, Naki’o and his brothers and sisters barely survived the harsh Nebraskan winter. Weakened by malnourishment, the red heeler puppy stepped into an icy puddle in the basement and got his four paws stuck in freezing water. At just five weeks old the litter was taken to an animal rescue center. Under the shelter’s care Naki’o's paws, lost to severe frostbite, healed to rounded stumps.

Veterinary technician Christie Tomlinson was on the look out for a playmate for her Jack Russell terrier mix Poki when she came across Naki’o. Fearful of the pain that walking and playing with other dogs would cause, Naki’o resigned himself to crawling along on his belly at home and at the veterinary clinic’s doggy daycare.

Christie organized a fundraiser to pay for Naki’o to have his two back legs fitted with prosthetics. He took to these so enthusiastically, that Orthopets decided to complete the process free of charge. It was the first time they’d fitted an animal with a complete set of new legs.



Yo, Christie!

Yo, Naki'o!

Yo, generous people at Orthopets!

Your are all worthy recipients of OCICBW...'s most prestigious award:

BRICK OF THE DAY

Thanks to the eternally soppy Paul(A) for
sending this story into MadPriest Towers.

DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME JANIS

I bought an armchair a while back, but one day when I got home from work I saw that it had somehow turned itself into an ottoman. I called the furniture store to complain and was told "Oh, you must have bought an occasional chair."

BEING CHARITABLE SHOULD BEGIN AT HOME

David has posted a thought provoking piece entitled "The Business Of Church" on his blog, THE VERNACULAR CURATE. I'm not going to engage with the exact content of his post here, so do go check it out. However, it did get my mind concentrating on an old hobby horse of mine which follows.

I think that churches, under their canon law, should outlaw the giving of monies to charities out of church funds. This is not to insist that Churches do not arrange specific events or refrain from putting out a collection box for specific charities. It simply would stop church councils from giving away money that belongs to their churches.

I have often come across situations where churches have failed to pay their parish share or take proper care of their building and/or staff, whilst still giving away the 10% of their income (or whatever) to charity. I think this is basically immoral, as well as being bad management. It also demonstrates what a low regard many congregations have for the financial wellbeing of their staff.

But the main reason I think it should be outlawed is because it makes it too easy for members of the congregation to avoid their duty to be personally charitable and gives the members of the Church council the opportunity of feeling good at no cost to themselves. That is not charity. Also, it takes away from the individual the responsibility of choosing the beneficiary of their charitable giving. I don't think anyone, not even a government minister, has the right to decide to give away money that is not theirs.

However, having said that, I think church ministers and politicians should encourage individuals to be charitable according to their means. This should include coming up with ideas for raising funds for particular charities. This is a perfectly fair way of raising money as people can opt out if they do not wish to support the charity concerned, or give more to that particular charity than the institution would give on their behalf under the system I am suggesting we ban.

Basically, I think we need to make the giving of alms a moral obligation of the highest order and I believe that anything that takes away an individual's choice in this matter reduces the feeling of individual obligation.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Check out Tracie's post, at ON HOLLADAY - FORIDA STYLE, on how atheists have infiltrated and taken over neo-paganism. It's very interesting.

THE PRAYER LIST - 28TH. JUNE 2011

THANKSGIVING

Sally at ETERNAL ECHOES is off on her pre-ordination retreat. As she is a Methodist minister she has actually been doing the job for three years now and her ordination is more a part of an ongoing process than it would be in the Anglicanism where it is more of a beginning. Even so, it is a major event in her life pilgrimage and an affirmation of her commitment to serve God in a "priestly" role. So we thank God for calling such a brilliant person and pray that this weekend with be both delightful in itself and the beginning of a new and fulfilling stage in Sally's life.

***

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

We pray for Kirstin and Andee, Göran and Joe.

***

Please keep our old friend, Bailey, Jay Simser's ageing companion, in your prayers. On his blog, BAILEY'S BUDDY, Jay writes:

Poor Bailey. He is getting more and more confused. Today he went outside and could not find his way back to the house. I left him out for quite awhile and finally had to go get him. He went around and around in circles. Mostly all he does is sleep. H likes his treats but Miles usually steals half of them while he is eating his. He is due to be 16 on August 25 so he is getting up there. He is not in any pain but his quality of life isn't what it used to be.

***

From AFP:

Two girls were confirmed killed and three customs officers wounded Monday in a fresh blast in the north Nigerian city, Maiduguri, where 25 people died a day earlier when suspected Islamists tossed bombs and fired on a crowded beer garden. Residents and witnesses put the death toll (at the most recent incident) at about a dozen.

***

If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.

Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.

DEMOCRATS, WE HAVE A PROBLEM

At this moment in time the government of Syria is regarded as a very bad thing by the democratic peoples of the world. And the truth is they are. But, prior to the revolution now taking place in that country, Syria was regarded by the same democratic nations as the most enlightened of Muslim countries because of its tolerance of all religions and because of its support of learning and intellectual debate which, again, was relatively far greater than any other Middle Eastern country, including Israel. However, we have decided that the evils of the Syrian dictatorship outweighs all other considerations, even our own national interests.

But this is hypocrisy. Yesterday, on the BBC News, I watched something that made me feel sick to the core. It was an interview with the Mayor of Birmingham, who was praising the Chinese government and excusing their evil, which is far worse than anything the Syrian government ever got up to, simply because the prime minister of China had visited his city and agreed to invest heavily in their at present devastated car manufacturing industry. Basically, this local politician was putting the prosperity of his city's workforce before all other considerations.

I am a socialist and I am a true socialist because I am an international socialist. The workers of the world are my brothers and sisters. Socialism that is concerned only with the enrichment of the working classes within its own national borders, without sacrificial concern for workers outside of its borders is national socialism and that is fascism.

We should not have invited the Chinese leader to our country and we should not do business with China until its government has adopted a standard of ethical behaviour that is acceptable. That does not have to be full democracy, but it does have to be a form of governance that doesn't suppress, to the point of unfair imprisonment and even massacre, its own citizens. We should pursue this policy whatever it costs us and our people. If you study the Gospels you will not find Jesus saying "do not' followed by the word "unless."

MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Unblessed are those who actually believe for they shall find no place for themselves within the Bride of Christ.

THE MIDNIGHT JUKEBOX

This is a rather brilliant version of "Secret Agent Man" by Jerry Lee Colbert who normally records tracks which are more 60s Nashville in style. I think he should definitely explore the country soul genre because I personally think this is the best thing he's ever done. In fact, I've not heard blue-eyed soul this good for a long time.



Check out more of Jerry's work on YOUTUBE.

HEADLINE OF THE DAY

And here it is:

WORSHIP AT ST. LAIKA'S

Here is a service of Holy Communion for today,
the First Sunday after Trinity.

As we had so much fancy liturgy with Corpus Christi and John the Baptist I've made this service quite plain. There's still some lovely music and a short sermon, but there isn't as much mixing and editing as usual. I hope you enjoy the change of pace.

The words and credits can be found at ST. LAIKA'S.


MP3 File

FROM SUSAN, OCICBW...'S NO. 1 LURKER

NEXT STOP IS VIETNAM

With thanks to Michael on Facebook
for bringing this to my attention.



And this because nothing ever changes.

WHERE DOES HE FIND THEM?

This brought tears to my eyes and I want
to share that experience with you.

This is a classic of its genre (the "Where does he find them?" genre) and so I am prepared to give 2000 days off purgatory for absolutely anybody who gets all the way through it.

BISHOP OF BETHLEHEM CALLS FOR NO MORESEX ABUSE COVER-UPS IN EPISCOPAL CHURCH

From LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL:

A Las Vegas Episcopal priest resigned from his duties at his church Thursday after his name surfaced in a lawsuit alleging a Missouri monastery covered up sexual abuse by him. The lawsuit, filed in Missouri by a former choir boy, alleged the Roman Catholic monastery, Conception Abbey, kept secret the boy's 1987 sexual assault by Bede Parry, then a Catholic priest who directed the choir.

Parry, 69, who was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, had been serving as the organist and choir director at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Las Vegas since 2000. He did not deny the 1987 incident in Missouri and said the abbey sent him to New Mexico afterward for several months of treatment. The former choir boy's parents confronted abbey officials after the assault and were told that Parry had a "mental breakdown" and would undergo treatment, the lawsuit said.

"In fact, Father Parry did not have a mental breakdown," the lawsuit alleged. "Instead, Father Parry was a known serial child predator who had sexually abused numerous students before Father Parry sexually abused plaintiff."

The current lawsuit alleges that the results of psychological testing in 2000 showed that Parry was a "sexual abuser who had the proclivity to reoffend with minors." The results were provided to Catholic and Episcopal church leaders in Nevada, the lawsuit said.

Parry acknowledged the results but said Episcopal leaders here were not informed in 2000. He said he told church officials about the 1987 incident when he was applying to become an Episcopal priest in 2002. They did a background check and ended up allowing him into the priesthood in 2004.

But there seems to be an even bigger elephant in the room. If I am reading Bishop Paul Marshall's comment on the situation correctly it would appear that diocesan bishops in the Episcopal Church have been "advised" by legal council to keep a lid on sex-abuse cover-ups and that they have done so. Fortunately, Bishop Paul has proved in the past that he is a man of integrity and he is obviously willing to do so again. This is his email to the Episcopal Cafe:

Now let's be serious. When 815-level lawyers threaten and cajole diocesan bishops not to reveal multiple sex-abuse cover-ups at the highest level lest former leaders be embarrassed, what can we expect, and why do we look down on the RCC? Serious and credentialled investigative reporters can contact me.

As a rector I had to follow a priest who was simply passed along by another bishop, and as a bishop have had the same experience with a staff member who was protected by his bishop, with catastrophic results here

On paper, we are a one-strike church, but in reality, too may people are walked. 815 refused comment on this story with principled-sounding obfuscation, which essentially tells it all, doesn't it? There is no more transparency at 815 than previously, as some of the commentators above know to their pain.