MADPRIEST UPDATE

My removal is imminent.

As this will involve going from a reasonable sized house to something slightly smaller than a shoe box I am having to give away, throw away or sell most of my personal possessions and furniture (and I do mean most). I have already donated my library of about 1000 books to Oxfam and I am busy selling my CD collection on eBay at the moment. I hate this man:

All this takes time and I don't have much time left. So, blogging will be sporadic at the best at OCICBW... over the next few weeks. I will try to produce the Prayer List each day and hopefully cobble together a podcasted communion service on Sunday. If anyone wants to copy JimB and submit a guest post or two, that would be nice.

GROUPTHINK AND COURAGEA GUEST POST BY JIMB

After the debacle in Vietnam, Bill Moyers wrote an interesting and introspective analysis of the White House decision-making culture. The need to be in the group, to be a part of the culture and not be a problem for it, overrode judgement. Even though White House staff individually knew the bombing campaign against North Vietnam simply was not working, the need to be part of the inner circle led to recommendations for more bombs. The ongoing deaths of US military personnel and Vietnamese civilians did not move them to change tactics.

When anyone finally broke ranks, resigned and said what everyone else knew, that the bombing was not working, the members of the group found it easier to attack that person than to face the facts.

Which leads me to think of two groups. One group is very small and prophetic; the other is steadfastly loyal to the inner circle.

Two English bishops have become Episcopal Patrons of the No Anglican Covenant Coalition, placing themselves outside the circle of institutional Covenant supporters. (See link.) Bishops Saxbee and Selby are now at risk of being slurred and isolated. Their action took courage. We also know that several of our brave clerics have given up any hope of advancement to the House of Bishops by being in the Coalition.

Groupthink mentality is very hard to escape. Moyers is a powerful intellect, and even he was not able to do so for quite a while. So the persistence of other group, the Lambeth staff, English House of Bishops, and the lay leadership that continues to promote the Covenant, is hardly surprising. We hear that there are members who know the Covenant is a multi-dimensional failure. They know it won't be universally adopted and will not therefore bring the Communion together, let alone keep it together. The covenanted Church will become hugely litigious. But they do not speak up; they do not resign. They stay in the inner circle. It is safer there. The group thinks well of them.

Jesus was not an insider. He did not take the safe path. He demanded justice from the powerful. Likewise, Nathan demanded justice from David. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, it is those who demanded justice who are remembered as prophets, those who spoke for God. When Jesus is recognized as a prophet in the Gospels, it is because he calls for justice and does not bow to mere rulers. Do I think I know two prophetic bishops? Yes. Do I know some prophetic priests? Yes.

It is difficult to fault those who stay in the circle of power. After all, they are doing their jobs and supporting their archbishops. But it is relevant to note that history has sided against every single point made by those who called the first Lambeth Conference intending to rebuke a prophetic bishop. History largely forgets those who play it safe. For those in the inner circle, for the archbishops who demand yes men and women, that is something to think about.

FWIW
jimB

EVIL OLD BIDDY OF THE DAY

From THE ARGUS:

Edna Beck, who walks with a Zimmer frame, tormented people living in her block of flats in Hove. Police reports dating back to 2004 revealed she shouted out “Heil Hitler” a number of times. Youngsters were described as being “terrified” of her and she asked a group playing outside if they were “Hitler's children”. Grey-haired Beck also insulted gay people, Muslims, Jews, Germans and Poles. On one occasion she threw her soiled underwear out of the window. She also pushed over a visitor's motorbike, threatened to punch people and stole or hid neighbour's post. She would also scrawl graffiti on people's mail. She made Nazi salutes and on one occasion goose-stepped behind a visitor. She would shout and sing for up to six hours.

But yesterday she was handed an interim antisocial behaviour order by Brighton Magistrates' Court and told to behave.

Speaking outside court, Beck said, “I'm not antisocial. I'm a normal woman and everyone can tell you that.”

THE SOPPY LKT SELECTION

Here's Harper cuddling up to a feline friend on a chair LKT bought ready for when the call to episcopal office comes through.

Full details at THE INFUSION.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OCICBW...'SOLD CHUM DENNIS

THE PRAYER LIST - 7TH. JULY 2011

THANKSGIVING

The Cajun's dental surgery went smoothly and our friend is not even suffering from jaw ache following his experience. He hopes to be back to full chomping by the weekend.

***

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Posted by The Cajun at ON TRANSMIGRATION:

I called the PCP's office to get the results of those tests performed THREE weeks ago. The nurse began by going off on me about Hepatitis antibodies and that they had never shown up in any blood work before... I stopped her mid-sentence saying I wanted to speak with the doctor.

So he gets on the line and asks pretty much the same questions. Then he went silent. He began again slowly by saying, "Ah, you've never had hepatitis, but your Ex had it before you knew him."

Yes, he did, about a year prior to our meeting.

The only explanation he could offer was my compromised immune system after the hospitalization due to the polymyositis a while back was the likely reason for the new results. Another $367.00 spent to find out what was already in a chart, if not the Dr's mind.

***

From Tracie:

Prayers for Dan, who just got out of hospital where he was receivng treatment for a really bad diabetic ulcer on his heel. He's in a nursing home rehab facility until docs say he can go home. He is also in stage 4 renal failure, and I think he may also have fibromyalgia or arthritis. He's only 45 years old.

***

From IT:

BP's friend T. died on the 4th, from a recurrence of pancreatic cancer. He was in his 50s, and died at home surrounded by his family (his youngest just finished college.) BP and her RC folk-choir friends "played him home" Sunday night. Between losing BP's cousin, Kirstin and now T, we're feeling a bit .... death ridden right now.

***

From Allie:

My grandmother died this morning (6th. July 2011). Rosalie Kushins 1929-2011.

Rosalie had been suffering from various illnesses and physical problems since she was thirty years old. Allie is "pretty sure that she's acutally happy for the first time in decades."

Allie and her partner, Ben, were married on the 25th. June this year. Although her grandmother was not well enough to attend the wedding the couple had managed to visit her a few weeks beforehand.

***

From Ellie:

A sad but beautiful update from Casey:

"Dear little Cookie died this afternoon on our back porch with me, my brother and my mom petting her. She was loving and noble to the end. We had a lovely funeral for her, my dad made a little box that I painted with flowers and trees and a sunset, my mom wrote her a letter, and my brother dug out the dirt. If ever a pet was laid to rest with love, it was this cat. She now has a pink rosebush residing above her. It was really touching how unabashedly my whole family gathered around her to pay respect in whatever way they needed to. Thanks so so much for all of the prayers and thoughts. It's mainly just very reassuring to know that other people love their animals this much too, and that generally they agree that it's worth it. To love. Thanks again, see you next week." (Casey)

Needless to say, I write now with tears in my own eyes. I can't tell you all how helpful it was to be able to tell Casey about this prayer list and to assure her that people post about their animals all the time here.

***

Daniel's companion, Gracie, had an eye removed yesterday because of Glaucoma. She is now home, safe and sound.

***

More details from Jim about his upcoming surgery:

I hope it will be rather routine. The surgeon expects that it will be.

The serious concern is that I take Plavix, a very strong anti-coagulant that makes me susceptible to uncontrolled bleeding. We decided which hospital to use based on the availability of my cardiologist, whom the surgeon described as "the most important guy involved."

What I expect is an uncomfortable week. But then the unexpected is always out there.

Thanks again to all who pray.

***

Update from Grandmère Mimi concerning her husband, Tom:

Thanks for the prayers for Tom. He just returned from a visit to the doctor with a diagnosis of colitis as a side effect of the Cipro he took for his abscessed teeth. The doc said that the disturbance will run its course, that he needs no medication.

***

From Brian:

IT, I'm with you on the death overload. Five and counting since last November. I haven't felt this way since the 1980's when so many of my friends died of AIDS related complications. I keep humming There's Got To Be A Morning After and burning up the air with prayers.

***

Posted at DIOBETH NEWSPIN:

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

Spc. Nicholas P. Bernier, 21, of East Kingston, New Hampshire
1st. Lt. Dimitri A. Del Castillo, 24, of Tampa, Florida
Lance Cpl. John F. Farias, 20, of New Braunfels, Texas
Sgt. Chad D. Frokjer, 27, of Maplewood, Minnesota
Staff Sgt. Michael J. Garcia, 27, of Bossier City, Louisiana
Lance Cpl. Mark R. Goyet, 22, of Sinton, Texas
Spc. Kevin J. Hilaman, 28, of Albany, California
Staff Sgt. Nigel D. Kelly, 26, Menifee, California
Capt. Matthew G. Nielson, 27, of Jefferson, Iowa
Cpl. Michael C. Nolen, 22, of Spring Valley, Wisconsin
Cpl. Kyle R. Schneider, 23, of Phoenix, New York
Staff Sgt. Donald V. Stacy, 23, of Avondale, Arizona
Spc. Robert G. Tenney Jr., 29, Warner Robins, Georgia
Capt. David E. Van Camp, 29, of Wheeling, West Virginia
Pfc. James A. Waters, 21, of Cloverdale, Indiana

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 THE HINDU:

At least 38 people were killed and 32 others injured when a train rammed into a bus carrying a marriage party at an unmanned crossing. The accident occurred at 2.20 am when the train going from Mathura to Chapra in Bihar rammed into the bus carrying a marriage party from Adupura village at the crossing in Dariyawganj, Uttar Pradesh.

***

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THE PRAYER LIST - 6TH. JULY 2011

THANKSGIVING


May God bless Sally from the ETERNAL ECHOES blog who was ordained by the Methodist Church in England at the weekend.

***

Liz at FINDING LIFE HARD? is a grandmother!

Jamie Robert was born on 4th July at 2.57 pm. He weighed in at 6lb 13 and a half oz!



***

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

We pray for Göran and Joe.

From Tim (4th. July 2011):

Thanks for your prayers all; early indications are that Joe seems to have come through his surgery okay; I'll update you as soon as I know more.

***

Please pray for our good friend, JimB, who is going into hospital for quite a serious operation on the 21st. July.

***

Please pray for Tom who is not too well after suffering a tooth abscess and what appears to be a bad reaction to the antibiotics he was prescribed.

***

From Brian:

Please add my mother to the next prayer list again. She had a setback yesterday and had to be hospitalized due to complications from the medication she was prescribed. She will be in hospital for the next few days while the monitor her heart and run tests and try to modify her medications.

***

From Ellie:

Cookie who is eighteen years old is now in her final illness and very close to death. Cookie's human, a young woman named Casey, is understandably distraught as Casey was only seven years old when Cookie became her cat.

Please do whatever you do: send thoughts, offer prayers, practice compassion meditation for them both.

***

Posted by Sir at WHY DO WE HAVE TO DO THIS, SIR?:

It was with great sadness that I discovered this morning that David had died. He was a pupil of mine. He had complex additional learning needs and life was not easy for him. I had grown very fond of him.

Some weeks ago David stepped out into traffic and was knocked down. He suffered devastating brain trauma. Initially we were told that he would spend up to two years in a special neurosergical ward and that he would never make a full recovery. He had his sixteenth birthday in hospital.

A week ago he developed an infection and required further surgery. Then he was moved to a hospice. He died yesterday afternoon.

Please pray for David's foster parents and his younger brother Michael at this time.

***

From XINHUA NEWS AGENCY:

As many as 197 African immigrants were killed on Sudanese regional water in the Red Sea after a boat, which had been illegally transporting them to Saudi Arabia, caught fire.

***

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HOW THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS AVOIDEDA POSSIBLE MAJOR EMBARRASSMENTFOR THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

THE EVIL SPREADS(AND I'M NOT ON ABOUT VEGEMITE)

The sickness that has plagued Sydney Diocese due to the ecclesiastically unhygienic habits of carrier, Typhoid Peter, has spread to Adelaide and is rapidly taking hold of those members of the Anglican church there who are most susceptible to contagion because of existing latent bigotry.

From ADELAIDE NOW:

The Rev Ali Wurm - who announced last month she was leaving Semaphore's St Bede's Anglican Parish after being subjected to bullying and threats related to her sexuality has called on senior Anglicans to show stronger leadership to resolve internal tensions surrounding the issue. She says the Anglican hierarchy must advocate for equality of all church members - regardless of gender or sexuality - to avoid further discrimination for gays working in the church and among the congregation.

"There must be full inclusion at all levels of life within the Church, and not just allow gays and lesbians to sit at the pew and toss money into the collection bag. We need to ask ourselves, as a church, what do we stand for - does the organisation stand for social justice or is it just a heterosexual sect? People who are supportive of a church that excludes gay and lesbian members from holding leadership positions within the church need to question what are they afraid of. I've lost the confidence and faith in the leadership's willingness to take risks and to put the issue of social justice before supporting a distorted and false notion of unity."

Dr Ogden, who worked with Ms Wurm from 2002-04 during his tenure as Dean of Adelaide, said her resignation would reverberate around the nation.

"(It is of) national significance because it raises questions about the kind of Church we feel called to be in, in the 21st century. It is important to revisit issues concerning gender and sexuality but this has to be more than an intellectual debate because it's about real people." he said.

Ms Wurm will preside over her farewell service at St Bede's on August 21.

Archbishop Driver, who has refused to comment on the matter will preside over the funeral of Christianity in the Anglican church in Adelaide sometime in the near future.

Archbishop Driver's leadership has come under scrutiny after last month's resignation of the first female Dean of Adelaide, Sarah Macneil, who told parishioners she could "no longer work with integrity at diocesan level".

THE MOST IMPORTANTINDEPENDENCE DAY VIDEOIN THE WORLD EVER

Thanks to Mike in Texas for sending this in.

Happy Independence Day to my true American friends.

WICKED ELLIE IN PERFECTLY CLEAN JOKE SHOCK

A cruise ship hired a magician to entertain the passengers. Since the passengers changed every four or five days, the magician was able to perform the same tricks over and over.

Unfortunately, the Captain of the ship had a parrot who sat around and watched the magician perform his tricks, over and over. Eventually, the parrot learned how the tricks were done and would interrupt the act.

"It's in his sleeve," the parrot would say. "He switched balls." "It's in his pocket." Etc., etc. Naturally, the magician was quite disturbed by the parrot but could do nothing about it, since it belonged to the Captain.

Unfortunately, the cruise ship had the misfortune of hitting an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the sea in a matter of minutes. As fate would have it, the magician and the parrot managed to grab hold of the same floating piece of furniture. For 3 days, neither said anything. The magician stared at the parrot and the parrot stared back. Finally, on the 4th day, the parrot cracked and said:

"OK, I give up; where on earth did you put the ship?"

SAY GOODBYE IT'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

WHEN GOOD MUSLIMS DO NOTHING

It wasn't that long ago in the history of the Christian faith that the institutions of the church were still executing people for apostasy and heresy. There are still people throughout the world who will kill in the name of Christianity and the words and actions of church hierarchies and leaders do still cause harm to people and even, as in the case of the Roman Catholic Curia's stance on contraception, death. But, the churches have stopped killing people because of their beliefs. As far as I am aware, this is universally true of the leadership of all the mainstream religions in the world with one exception. There are places in the world where the Islamic religion still requires the death penalty for those of its members found guilty of converting to another religion and for those members of other religions who speak against Islam. Furthermore, there are far too many muslim clerics who will issue death fatwas on anybody, anywhere, who, in their opinion, insult Islam.

From CHRISTIAN TODAY:

The death sentence for a pastor found guilty of apostasy in Iran has been upheld by the country's Supreme Court. Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani was arrested in October 2009 while attempting to register his evangelical house church in the city of Rasht. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), his arrest was connected to criticisms he made about the Muslim monopoly on the religious instruction of children in Iran.

He was initially charged with protesting but the charges were later changed to apostasy and evangelising Muslims, and he was sentenced to death last year. CSW has received reports that the death sentence has now been upheld by the third chamber of the Supreme Court in the Shia holy city of Qom.

This is simply barbaric. If it was a Christian church, backed by a Christian state, insisting on the execution of a person who had converted to another religion, then the outcry from Christians throughout the world would be enormous. Without a doubt, the pope would be making official pronouncements against it as soon as it was reported in the media. But the muslims of the world remain frighteningly quiet about the matter.

It is perfectly valid for muslims to claim that Islam is a peaceable religion and that not all muslims approve of such unenlightened acts of institutional violence. However, it is not enough. It is time, if muslims do not want to be accused of being a universally evil religion, for those against acts of barbarity to say so very loudly and publicly and to actually act to stop it happening through demonstrations, boycotts, petitions etc.

There are some countries in which the leaders of the muslim population do speak out and who do appear to have the backing for doing so from the grass roots. The USA and Canada spring to mind. However, this is not the case in all parts of the muslim diaspora. In England, because such a high proportion of our muslim population comes from Pakistan, a nation that is right at the top of the list when it comes to the oppression of people of other religions than Islam, there is a sizeable section of the community that actually agrees with killing apostates and blasphemers. We only need to look back on the Salman Rushdie affair to realise that this is the truth and interviews, especially with young male muslims indicate a high level of support for the violent imposition of the Islamic faith throughout the world.

Civilised muslims (those who believe in being civil towards other people) who hold to the basic moral tenets of the United Nations cannot just sit back and do nothing. If you belong to an organisation, part of which is being evil, you cannot claim innocence by stating that it is nothing to do with you. The reason I attack the Roman Catholic position on contraception and AIDS in Africa, and its insistence that women should die rather than have an abortion, is not because I want to score points against the opposition. It is because I feel incredibly guilty that members of my faith are killing people and causing untold suffering because of ignorance and dogmatism. If I did not speak out I would have to consider myself guilty by association and part of the problem.

Intelligent muslims know this as well as I do. So, I have to ask a couple of questions. Do those muslims who claim that Islam is a peaceable and good religion in theory really want it to become so in reality throughout the whole world and, if so, why, at least in those places where it is safe to do so, are they not showing this desire in constructive words and actions?

THE PRAYER LIST - 4TH. JULY 2011

THANKSGIVING

From Mike In Texas:

Let's have a prayer of thanksgiving to balance out all the sad things going on.

My surgery for diverticulitis took place on Monday of this week. I was released to come home Thursday evening. It went exactly as planned, completely laparoscopically with none of the complications that were quite possible. They tell me I am well ahead of the curve in terms of healing up. I am feeling so good that I went shopping at a mall yesterday, less than 4 full days after the procedure. So let us pray in thanksgiving for the wonderful outcome so far and for continued healing without complications.

***

From THE HINDUSTAN TIMES:

Niu Niu, A two-year-old Chinese girl, survived a 10th-floor fall from her house-window after a passer-by came up with a quick reaction and caught her. Wu Juping, a mother of a seven-month-old baby, saw the child dangling from the window, and quickly kicked off her high-heeled shoes to run towards her with outstretched arms.

Niu has been hospitalized for internal bleeding and remains in a critical condition. Wu is recovering from a broken arm in a hospital in Fuyang city.

“I don’t regret anything that happened. I just hope that Niu Niu will recover,” said Wu.

***

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

We pray for Göran and Joe.

From Tim:

Please pray especially for Joe on Monday between 9 and noon Alberta time (7 hours behind the UK). One of his tumours is completely blocking the small intestine and because of its position it is inoperable. For a couple of weeks now they have been trying to get a stent to work so that nourishment can get through, but the tumour is putting too much pressure on the stent. On Monday they are going to attempt to do a bypass, but because of his very weak condition it is very risky.

Thank you all for your prayers.

From Göran:

Not quite back on FB, Password doesn't work... Wish to thank you all from my heart for your prayers and good wishes!

We pray for Andee and all those who are missing Kirstin already.

***

Posted by The Cajun at ON TRANSMIGRATION:

I had a dental emergency at work this morning and had to visit the new dental group sooner than planned to find that I have a nasty abscess that will require a root canal. Oh, the joy!!! Filled 2 prescriptions, one antibiotic, the other a pain killer, leaving the day pretty much shot. The appointment is set up for next Tuesday (my single day off!) and all should be well after that.

Our friend also has an appointment with his doctor today to discuss the results of some recent blood work.

***

Please continue to pray for our friend, Jay Simser at BAILEY'S BUDDY. It's bad enough that he is suffering from various medical problems at the moment, but things are even worse for Jay as the side effects of the tablets he is having to take are unpleasant and making his life even more uncomfortable.

***

From THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD:

Church officials and the community of Matamoros were in shock after a well-known Catholic priest was killed in crossfire during a Saturday afternoon shootout between armed gunmen and the Mexican military. Father Marco Antonio Duran Romero died at approximately 3:40 p.m. at a local hospital.

***

From CHRISTIAN TODAY:

Scottish Catholic charity SCIAF is providing frontline care to victims of two recent incidents of mass rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Around 150 ex-militiamen who had been integrated into the national army deserted and went on the rampage through two remote villages near Fizi, South Kivu, on June 10 and 11. In the first village, Abala, the soldiers looted houses and butchered livestock before systematically raping 54 girls and women. Victims included the elderly. The following day, 135 women and girls were raped when the militiamen attacked Nakiele 13km away.

***

From CHRISTIAN TODAY:

Christian Aid has launched an emergency appeal as 10 million people face starvation in the east and Horn of Africa. The food crisis has been brought on by two failed rainy seasons and rising global food prices. Kenya and Ethiopia are facing particularly severe food shortages. Other countries affected by the drought are Djibouti, Somalia and Uganda.

***

From THE BBC:

Syrian troops are raiding houses and arresting people in the central city of Hama, reports say, after massive anti-government protests there on Friday.

***

From THE BBC:

At least 10 people have been killed in a series of attacks blamed on Islamist militants in the north-eastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri. Five people were killed when a bomb exploded on Sunday inside a bar frequented by soldiers and policemen.

***

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MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Blogging has  an open door.
Facebook is a gated community.
Most people prefer Facebook.

CAPTION COMPETITION

WORSHIP AT ST. LAIKA'S

A service of holy communion for today, the feast day of Thomas the Apostle. There's lots of great music and I think the sermon might be quite good this week. The words and credits can be found at ST LAIKA'S.


MP3 File

Don't forget to check out the excellent posts
at THE ANCHORHOLD @ OCICBW....

REST IN PEACE LAUGHING SISTER

Comments to Andee at BAREFOOT AND LAUGHING please.

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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.

***

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