A THEOLOGY OF EMAIL?

By Andrew Carey

Theologians may one day explore a “theology of email” or a “spirituality of email,” but it may not be necessary.

Reports from the Greenbelt festival noted that Archbishop Rowan Williams spoke about how email technology fueled the global debate over sexuality within the Anglican Communion. Emails allowed campaigners across the world to mobilize quickly and encouraged rapid responses.

New communication technology certainly accelerates controversy. Yet similar patterns existed long before email—through the printing press, newspapers, and press releases.

At the same time, the internet has allowed isolated conservatives in liberal dioceses to find support and encouragement from others who share their views.

Nevertheless, disagreements among Christians require grace and patience. Before pressing the “send” button, Carey suggests four simple disciplines:

1. Sleep on contentious emails before sending them.

2. Consider how you would feel receiving the message.

3. Ask whether everyone on your list needs to receive it.

4. Ask whether the email needs to be sent at all.

VIRGINIA: EX-ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY TO PRESIDE AT CONFIRMATION

By Julia DuinThe Washington Times — September 7, 2004

Several hundred Virginia Episcopalians unhappy with their bishop’s support for homosexuality are bringing in a retired Archbishop of Canterbury to preside over confirmation services.

The event will feature confirmation candidates from eleven churches in Northern Virginia and former Archbishop George Carey, who will place his hands on each candidate during the rite.

The service is being organized by conservative Episcopalians who split with Bishop Peter J. Lee after he approved the election of Bishop Gene Robinson as the Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop.

EPISCOPALIANS TO U.K. FOR DAMAGE CONTROL

London, Sept. 8 (UPI)

The head of the Episcopal Church flew suddenly to London to address growing tensions within the Anglican Communion.

Frank Griswold traveled to support four other U.S. bishops attempting to slow momentum toward disciplinary action against the Episcopal Church following its support for gay and lesbian advocacy.

Reports indicate the recommendation for sanctions could be made soon but publicly revealed later in the year.

RITES AND PRAYERS BEFORE A STORMBy Terry Mattingly

Anyone who has lived in a hurricane zone knows the rituals before a storm: boarding windows, filling bathtubs with water, checking radios and flashlights.

Eventually, however, people begin to pray.

But what should believers pray for? Should they ask God to redirect the storm elsewhere, or simply pray that God’s will be done?

Christian traditions have long wrestled with these questions. Catholic liturgies include prayers “for averting tempests,” while Lutheran and Orthodox traditions offer prayers for protection and mercy.

In times of danger, many believers simply pray for deliverance—for themselves and for others.

LONDON CONSECRATION SETS PRECEDENTS FOR BOUNDARY CROSSING

News AnalysisBy David W. Virtue

The decision to allow the consecration of an English vicar by an African primate as a missionary bishop raises major questions about authority and jurisdiction within the Anglican Communion.

The Rev. Sandy Millar of Holy Trinity, Brompton will become a Ugandan bishop responsible for Alpha parishes in England following consecration by the Primate of Uganda.

This extraordinary action could have legal implications across the Communion, particularly in the United States where orthodox parishes are engaged in disputes with Episcopal bishops.

By allowing such cross-boundary ministry, the Archbishop of Canterbury may have unintentionally strengthened arguments made by orthodox clergy seeking alternative oversight.

Whether this move helps preserve unity or deepens division remains to be seen.