We have worked with great sacrifice to our families, our 'day jobs', and our larger vocations as priests and teachers and authors. We have sought to avoid political short-cutting, have kept confidences, and have prayerfully tried to understand how the Instruments of Unity might remain focused on the tasks confronting them in this season. We have neither over-stipulated outcomes nor gotten ahead of the Holy Spirit's hard and painful work; or, we have tried not to.
Read moreKevin, left, and Joseph Seiger-Cottoms arrange a display at Olivet Episcopal Church, where they worship but are not allowed to marry. Kevin, left, and Joseph Seiger-Cottoms arrange a display at Olivet Episcopal Church, where they worship but are not allowed to marry. (By Tetona Dunlap -- The Washington Post)
Read moreWriting in a Guardian/Barrow Cadbury book published next month, Sunder Katwala, the society's general secretary, argues that a fresh settlement is needed between religion and the state because saying the country is largely a secular society and must remain so is no longer tenable. Religion cannot be left out of the public debate.
Read moreThe other churches are All Souls, the Church of the Redeemer and Calvary Church, all in Jacksonville: St. Michael's in Gainesville and St. Luke's Community Church of Life in Tallahassee.
Together, they represent about 4,000 parishioners in a diocese that includes 77 congregations and about 35,000 members in 25 counties in northeast Florida. Several conservative Episcopal congregations in other states have also protested Robinson's consecration, saying it violates the Bible.
Read moreBut few knew of his record as a leading liberal theologian and, until recently, his position as chairman of the pro-gay Modern Churchpeople's Union, an Anglican society promoting a liberal theology. Now Mr Henderson is facing protests over the choice to make him bishop of one of four dioceses in Malawi in a dispute that threatens to plunge the Anglican Church into fresh controversy.
Read moreWhile disappointed that you did not grant our request, we are grateful for your recognition that we are seeking to act together as two missions and four parishes. We understand that you believe we in "the six congregations have ignored an important avenue for reconciliation," (your letter, p. 17) and we are together in being open to considering other forms of oversight with you.
Read moreThe generational decline is too advanced to reverse, the report suggested, as the proportion of people who believe in God is declining faster than church attendance.
Dr David Voas, who oversaw the study at the University of Manchester, said religion would reach "fairly low levels" before very long.
Read moreDr. William Witt, a spokesman for the vestry, says members of St. John's are doing the best they can to stick together as a parish.
Read moreThe lawsuit¹s dismissal means that St. James Church will retain legal possession of its church buildings, property and financial records. It also brings to a close almost a year of uncertainty for the members of St. James Church over the potential loss of a place to worship, their financial contributions and even their hymnals.
Read moreNow the church plans to lump its 29 dioceses into regional archdioceses. Then it will appoint new bishops specifically for missionary work in areas where its influence has been weakened.
"These will be bishops without judicial authority or physical office and will be working under a senior bishop," said Bishop Eliud Wabukhala, who chaired the five-man committee that has recommended the reforms.
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