PB investiture coverage on the way

I encourage all readers to make some time this Saturday to watch the investiture of Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as the 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. The service, to be held at Washington National Cathedral, begins at 11 a.m. Eastern time this Saturday, November 4. It will be a grand occasion with lots of pomp and ceremony.

You will be able to watch the service live via streaming video on your computer (if you have a fast Internet connection). You can also attend an "Investiture Party" (that's my phrase, not the Official Diocesan Title) at Diocesan House Annex. That starts a little before 11. There's parking right near by. Here's the location.

Finally, your intrepid reporter will be there. If I get a decent seat and some Internet, I'll be blogging during the service. ENS is covering this, and I'll try to post some photos, etc., here during the service. Check back often.

Bishop's Convention Address available

I've received a copy of the Bishop's Address given at Diocesan Convention last weekend. In the address, Bishop Wolf address many of the challenges that we face as Christians, as a diocese, and as a church. She puts this in the context of facing crossroads, and she says that this is a good time to be a Christian.

The ancient path for all of us is the path of faithfulness. Through faith and commitment, we do not fear roads that intersect, but acknowledge them to be the cross upon which we live for a time. We believe that resurrection will prevail, and the Light of Christ will enlighten the heart of the Church and the darkest corners of the world.

"The Lord said to Jeremiah, stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. (Jeremiah 6:16a)"

I encourage you to read her entire address, which is posted online here (PDF). For those of you who are looking, her comments on the Windsor Report and her position are near the end, on pages five and six.

Images from Convention

Display Hall - Episcopal Conference Center

Display Hall - Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation

Main Floor - hard at work

Parish Displays

Come and change the world!

JESUS ROCKS
Holy Communion with music of Bono/U2
U2CHARIST
SATURDAY•OCTOBER 28•6:00PM
Christ Episcopal Church in Lincoln
1654 Lonsdale Avenue Lincoln, RI
For more info…401-954-0715
Brought to you by
EPISCOPALIANS FOR GLOBAL RECONCILIATION AND
THE BLACKSTONE DEANERY YOUTH
Preacher – The Rev. Mike Kinman, Executive Director Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation
Presider – The Rev. Peter Mayer
Deacon – The Rev. Dn. Susan Wrathall

Choir, Prayers, Worshippers, YOU!

Offering to benefit the Millennium Development Goals work of Episcopal Relief and Development, HELP (Homeless Ecumenical Leadership Program), and PICA (Providence In Town Church Association).
“One love, one blood, one life, you got to do what you should. One life with each other: sisters, brothers…we get to carry each other. One.” (Bono)
You’ve heard about U2CHARISTS
Now be a part of the EXPERIENCE!
SATURDAY•OCT 28•6:00PM
ERADICATE WORLD POVERTY!
www.e4gr.org

Autumn RISEN is online

You can be among the first to read the latest diocesan and churchwide news. The autumn issue of RISEN is now posted online. The issue includes news from around the Anglican Communion and the state. There's a feature for all people currently in the ordination proces in RI. Lots of stuff in there.

When you download this, you'll notice four blank pages in the center. Those will hold a special selection of content from Episcopal Life when the issue is printed. Due to technical problems, I was not able to directly insert the Episcopal Life content, but that will be coming here soon.

Walking toward a better world

Bishop Wolf is among several religious leaders of many faiths participating in an upcoming Faith Walk for Charity in Bristol. The whole idea sprang from the outreach committee at St. Michael's, Bristol.

From a column in today's Projo:

Things could get out of hand at Colt State Park in Bristol next weekend. You might want to be there.

Consider the possibilities. There in the park, a Baptist could talk to a Catholic, a Jew to a Muslim, an Episcopalian to a Methodist. Or, possibly, a Baptist, a Catholic, a Jew, a Muslim, an Episcopalian and a Methodist could all talk to each other at the same time. Kids could get involved.

When it’s all over, there’s just no telling what kind of spontaneous, thoughtful connections might be made. Bring all these people, all these faiths, together in the park and there’s a very good chance that they’ll leave with some new thoughts on some very old questions.

The organizers of the event even go so far as to suggest that what’s common about different religions is more important than what’s different.

One thing’s for sure. This walk in the park on Oct. 15 is going to help some people. It’s going to raise at least $20,000 for Crossroads Rhode Island for its services to the homeless. Half of that is a matching grant from Alan Shawn Feinstein who calls the idea of helping the needy by people of all faiths walking together “my ideal.”

Support the walk, by walking, by donating, by praying. However you do it, please support the walk. Visit the website to learn more and to get involved.

Fran McKendree in benefit concert this Saturday night

I usually listen to classical and choral music, so I wouldn't have guessed how much I'd love the music of Fran McKendree. He's a Christian folk singer and outstanding guitarist. His songs are musically sophisticated and theologically nuanced. But mostly, his music is fun. It's engaging for all ages. You can hear some samples on his website.

This Saturday night at 7 p.m., you can hear Fran McKendree in person. He's appearning at St. Michael & Grace Church in Rumford. The concert is a benefit, and proceeds will be sent to Grace Church in New Orleans. This is the church that a mission group from our diocese visited this past summer.

So come hear some great music. Bring kids. Bring your neighbors. I promise you'll love the concert. Suggested donations for tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for kids. Directions are on the SMG website.

Disclaimer: I work at SMG, but I'd post the same glowing write-up if it were happening elsewhere.

Canterbury Cathedral is held up by duct tape?

Yes, it it's true. Canterbury Cathedral is now being held together by duct tape. And you thought things were bad among the people in the Anglican Communion. At least most of us don't need duct tape to stay together.

Yesterday's Telegraph has the article with this quote: "Canterbury Cathedral is falling apart at the seams, with chunks of masonry dropping off its walls and a fifth of its internal marble pillars held together by duct tape."

You can help! Canterbury Cathedral is looking for donors in a massive fundraising campaign. You can visit their most excellent website to learn about the sad state of the fabric of the cathedral, and you can make a donation.

I've been to Canterbury, and it's a breathtaking, inspiring pilgrimage site. Donate now. Or visit before the whole thing falls over.

U2charist

This year, in our diocese, one of the focuses is the Millennium Development Goals. In celebration of this, there will be a U2charist on Saturday October 28 following Diocese Convention. The U2charist will be held at Christ Church in Lincoln beginning at 6pm. The Rev. Mike Kinman will be the guest preacher at the service. The service is being sponsored by Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation (EGR) and the Blackstone Deanery Youth. Any questions can be sent to me - Dee Tavolaro - at BigDee6541@aol.com. More information is on the way!

STAND UP against poverty

I recently received the following email from EPPN (Episcopal Public Policy Network), about STAND UP against poverty.

Dear Dee,
Help Set A World Record By Standing Up Against Global Poverty!
On Sunday, October 15, Episcopalians have an opportunity to help set a new Guinness World Record by standing up against global poverty and supporting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
What is STAND UP?
Launched by the Millennium Campaign, STAND UP is an innovative and exciting challenge to set an official Guinness World Record - the greatest number of people ever to STAND UP Against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals - on October 15-16, 2006. STAND up is supported by the ONE Campaign, the Episcopal Church, and other anti-poverty advocates, and is designed to raise public awareness of global poverty and the MDGs. To learn more, click here: http://standagainstpoverty.org.
How Can You Engage Your Congregation?
One great way to engage your congregation is to use special Prayers of the People focused on the Millennium Development Goals on Sunday, October 15. During the prayers, encourage all people in the congregation to STAND (even if you normally kneel for the prayers). Before the service, register your event online at http://standagainstpoverty.org/events/organize. Then, after the service, return to the website and log in the number of people estimated to have been in attendance. That number will then count toward the global total of people seeking to establish a world record.
Where Can I Find Prayers of the People on the MDGs?
An example of Prayers of the People for the Millennium Development Goals can be found online at www.episcopalchurch.org/ONE. These prayers were used on September 15 at a special ecumenical service in New York City celebrating the new pastoral letter on the MDGs, "That All May be One," authored by Episcopal Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold and Lutheran Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson.
How Does STAND UP Relate to the ONE Episcopalian Campaign?
If you are a member of a ONE Episcopalian congregation, STAND UP is one way to continue raising awareness about your congregation's commitment to ending global poverty. If your parish has not yet become a ONE congregation, STAND UP is a great opportunity for you to introduce the ONE Episcopalian campaign to your congregation.
Share experiences, photos, and numbers from your STAND UP with leaders of the ONE Episcopalian campaign and the Episcopal Public Policy Network at EPPN@episcopalchurch.org.

Lets join together in STANDing UP for justice.

One million ways to die

So I've written about St. Francis and artificially created fear today. But is the fear of terror justified? Shouldn't Christians be on board with the idea of making the world safer? OK, suppose we buy that line of reasoning.

Wired's website has an article with some facts:

In the five years since that shattering day [September 11, 2001], the government has spent billions on anti-terrorism projects, instituted a color-coded alert system that has never been green, banned fingernail clippers and water bottles from airplanes, launched a pre-emptive war on false pretenses, and advised citizens to stock up on duct tape and plastic sheeting.

But despite the never-ending litany of warnings and endless stories of half-baked plots foiled, how likely are you, statistically speaking, to die from a terrorist attack?

Here's the table, which I'm reproducing right from Wired:

S E V E R E Driving off the road: 254,419 Falling: 146,542 Accidental poisoning: 140,327

H I G H Dying from work: 59,730 Walking down the street: 52,000. Accidentally drowning: 38,302

E L E V A T E D Killed by the flu: 19,415 Dying from a hernia: 16,742

G U A R D E D Accidental firing of a gun: 8,536 Electrocution: 5,171

L O W Being shot by law enforcement: 3,949 Terrorism: 3147 Carbon monoxide in products: 1,554

So, there it is. Let's make the world safer. Who will work to lobby for a Department of Homeland Auto Safety and a Department of Avoiding Poisonous Things at Home?

Loving but not always lovable

I guess I should have posted this early today. Oh, well. Better late than never. Today is the celebration of St. Francis. Known now primarily as the author of a prayer that he probably didn't write and as the inspiration for countless birdbaths, Francis has been vastly misunderstood. I suspect he was domesticated by the church a few hundred years ago to avoid his real message: Following God is more important than anything. Period. More than money. More than institutions. More than even the church itself.

Many churches bless animals around his feast day, because Francis had legendary abilities with animals--because he was overflowing with God's love. Let's keep blessing animals, because it's good to remind ourselves that all creation is filled with God's presence and love. But let's also remember that Francis was a radical voice for reform of church and society.

There's a little essay by James Starks on one of my favorite faith websites, www.explorefaith.org. Here's an excerpt:

I cannot really explain why or how he became the saint that speaks most directly to me, but I feel a close relationship with Francis of Assisi and have so since high school. His youthful rebellion and arguments with his father made perfect sense to me. As a teenager, Francis had to struggle to figure out the difference between what his parents wanted for him and what he wanted from himself. Once he realized that God was his real father, Francis’s over-earnest commitment to faith made sense to me, too. And then his forthright manner, combined with a personal gentleness, became my ideal. I learn from Francis’s example and his teachings, and I consciously try to become more like him. I love the ways in which he was peaceful but not passive, loving but not always lovable.

Can a diocese leave the Episcopal Church?

As I blogged recently, there are dioceses scheming to leave the Episcopal Church. San Joaquin tops the list. So here's a question? Can a diocese leave? Is that even possible? Turns out it's not so simple, one way or the other. Mark Harris has a thorough discussion. If someone can recommend discussion from other perspectives, I'd happily post them here too.

What kind of world do we live in?

Have "anti-terror " measures improved our lives? I think we've done terrible things for our common life in the name of safety. Not too long ago, I was in Denver, on my way back from the Young Adult Ministry Network 2006 meeting. This announcement came over the PA: "The Department of Homeland Security has increased our threat level to orange. Be on the alert for suspicious persons and unusual behavior." I felt like I was a character an Orwellian scene.

Now this.

A 32-year-old man speaking Tamil and some English about a sporting rivalry was questioned at Sea-Tac Airport and missed his flight Saturday because at least one person thought he was suspicious.

An exception? Hardly. This is not the only similar incident. As Christians, we must stand up for the marginalized, and it now appears that our advocacy is required for anyone who happens to be the "wrong" color speaking the "wrong" language. Sigh.

Ugandan woman named UN observer for Anglican Communion

[ACNS] Mrs. Hellen Grace Wangusa, the United Nations Africa Co-ordinator of the Millennium Development Goals, has accepted the call to be the next Anglican UN Observer. Hellen will begin her work as Anglican Observer in January 2007, in New York with her office at the Episcopal Church Center. Her appointment follows the retirement last July of Archdeacon Taimalelagi Fagamalama Tuatagaloa-Leota the former Observer.

As a lay woman, Hellen has varied and extensive experience in her field. Her undergraduate studies were taken at Makerere University in Kampala, where she worked as a teaching assistant and later as a Lecturer for the Literature Department. After leaving this post Hellen began work with the Anglican Church of Uganda as the National Women’s Co-ordinator. She co-ordinated district (Diocesan) staff of 27 women under her programme and was responsible for mobilising women as well as developing National programmes and fundraising, while also being the national link person with the global World Wide Mothers’ Union movement and the Anglican Communion.

Another stained glass ceiling shattered? Indeed. For those who have written off the Ugandan church as utterly conservative, it's worth noting that the Church of Uganda ordains women as priests and has been at the forefront of struggling with the HIV/AIDS pandemic, with medical care, pastoral care, and relevant, modern liturgical work. The witness of Uganda is why we need the Anglican Communion, and I hope the presence of a Ugandan at 815 will help foster good relations between North America and Africa.

Here's the complete release from ACNS. (Note: I'd link to the Church of the Province of Uganda website directly, but it seems to be down at the moment.)

UTO grants to be awarded

The United Thank Offering has announced they're accepting applications for grants in 2007. Grants are approved for use throughout the world. It's best to speak with folks at Diocesan House if you're interested in applying. Here's a writeup of funding priorities, etc.

The Committee gives consideration to priority ranking by the diocese or province, also to recommendations of United Thank Offering screening committees in dioceses of The Episcopal Church. We consider the Budget Priorities adopted by the 75^th General Convention, including the Millennium Development Goals. We are especially interested in overseas grants which will help achieve universal primary education for children and grants which will promote gender equality and empower women. Visit www.episcopalchurch.org/finance to view the DFMS budget, and view the budget priorities on page 3. In addition we acknowledge the priority need for Theological Education for the Anglican Communion (TEAC), as identified by the Primates.

You can learn more on the UTO website.

Dioceses are planning to leave Episcopal Church

[ENS] The Diocese of San Joaquin's December 1-2 convention will be asked
to consider constitutional amendments that would "place the Diocese of
San Joaquin in an ideal position to be part of any ecclesiastical
structure that the Archbishop of Canterbury and Primates might design,"
according to a statement posted on the diocese's website October 1.

The 13 amendments or additions are intended "with appropriate
consultation (e.g. Archbishop of Canterbury/Primates of the Anglican
Communion) to transfer all relationships and communion from ECUSA to an
Anglican Province to be determined at a Special Convention called by the
Bishop of San Joaquin," the statement said.

You can read the whole ENS article.