Design Group Releases Text of Draft Anglican Covenant Presiding Bishop Elected to Primates’ Standing Committee Episcopal News Service By Matthew Davies [ENS] The text of a proposed Anglican Covenant, intended to affirm the cooperative principles that bind the Anglican Communion, was released February 19 toward the end of the Primates’ five-day meeting. The full text…
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Report of the Covenant Design Group — Excerpts January 18, 2007 The Covenant Design Group, appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury on behalf of the Primates of the Anglican Communion, held its first meeting in Nassau, the Bahamas, between Monday, 15th and Thursday, 18th January, 2007. The Archbishop of the West Indies, the Most Revd…
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In Zanzibar, Anglican Primates Join in Repentance at Former Slave Market See realities of suffering, Archbishop of Canterbury says in sermon Episcopal News Service article February 18, 2007By Bob Williams [ENS, Zanzibar] A slave market whipping post once stood where the high altar now rises inside Zanzibar’s 127-year-old Christ Church Cathedral. Here the Archbishop of…
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Millennium Development Goals & Theological Education Addressed by Primates UN Anglican Observer Underscores Upcoming Women’s Empowerment Gathering Episcopal News Service Article February 17, 2007 By Matthew Davies [ENS, Dar es Salaam] Theological education in the Anglican Communion, as well as issues of poverty eradication, economic justice and environmental ncerns — as embodied in the United…
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Seven ‘Global South’ Primates Refuse Communion And Publish Statement By Matthew Davies [ENS] Seven “Global South” archbishops refused to receive Holy Communion with their fellow Primates February 16, alleging that they were “unable to come to the Holy Table with the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church because to do so would be a violation…
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Primates Discuss Covenant, Listening Process Continue Windsor Consideration Archbishop of Canterbury visits President of Tanzania By Matthew Davies [ENS] A proposed Anglican Covenant — intended to affirm those cooperative principles that bind the Anglican Communion — together with a report on the Listening Process, and further consideration about the Episcopal Church’s response to the Windsor…
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Primates Engage in ‘Intense Listening,’ Discuss Windsor Rresponse Episcopal News Service article By Matthew Davies [ENS] Intense listening, characterized by an expression of “patience, graciousness, care and respect” was the atmosphere in which the Primates gathered February 15, said Australia’s Archbishop Phillip Aspinall during a media briefing following the conclusion of their first ay of…
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Primates Convene; Windsor Response Leads agenda By Matthew Davies [ENS, Dar es Salaam] The Primates’ Meeting of the worldwide Anglican Communion has convened February 15 for its five-day agenda near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with every indication that all participants are present at the table. Three of the 38 Primates — the Communion’s presiding bishops,…
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This Book is Changing My Life So I dare you to read it! Better Yet: Get Your Bookstore to Stock It! New from Seabury Books — An Imprint of Church Publishing, Incorporated For Immediate Release The Fire of Your Life Written by Maggie Ross Maggie Ross, a life-professed solitary and mystic under vows to the…
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US faith and community coalition welcomes minimum wage victory From Ekklesia The Let Justice Roll Living Wage Campaign, a national US coalition of 91 religious, labour and community organizations, has thanked the Senate for voting to raise the minimum wage for the first time in many years. “This is a long-overdue step forward for millions…
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Why legalism misrepresents the Bible The relationship between Christian theology and law is disputed and complex. Jesus railed against the lawyers for not understanding, and Paul contrasted a faith based on grace with one rooted in law. It would take volumes to discuss it, but even the most unbiased observer should see that the law…
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Church of England asked to acknowledge both sides of sexuality debate The Church of England’s governing body, its General Synod of lay people, clergy and bishops, will be asked to support a resolution recognising both sides in the current global debate on human sexuality when it meets later this month. Anglican leaders in England are…
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Facing Violence: Justice, Religion and Conflict Resolution A conference in San Francisco Feb 1-3 My daughter-in-law, Hélène, sent me this information. Dear God, bless the conference and grant our prayer for peace. — George My friend and employer is one of four phenomenal women for whom i have great respect. Rockrose Institute, of which she…
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A conference organised by gay Christians is to examine the link between the Christian faith and homophobia in London this February. The event, which is being sponsored by the thinktank Ekklesia, follows a controversial advert by the Gay Police Association (GPA), placed in the Independent newspaper, which highlighted connections between religious faith and homophobia. The…
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Congress has adjourned for the year without completing the majority of the spending bills for FY 2007, including poverty-focused development assistance. However, the 110th Congress will have an opportunity to add additional resources for global HIV/AIDS when it passes the continuing resolution. An increase of $1 billion would save the lives of countless parents and…
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As you read these words a young man is waiting to pick up his next sex slave outside a group foster home near you. He is a pimp. He knows his job. He learned it when he was in jail for dealing drugs. “What you do,†he was told, “is find a group home for…
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In each generation, the real ‘sacred’ of the Gospel will emerge quietly and gently, usually at the hands of those whom the strongest supporters of the sacred regard as inimicable to faith and good customs. – James Alison in “Faith Beyond Resentment†page 181 James Alison’s many admirers will find in this book [Faith Beyond…
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Dear George,  Oh, how I wish I could be with you to celebrate the life of one of the church’s pioneers! It sounds like you have put together a remarkable tribute to her life’s work, work that is ongoing and will continue to flourish. My prayers will be with you that weekend. I am…
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Last weekend your fearless reporter was a first time delegate at the 2006 Maine Democratic Party Convention in Augusta. Before I describe the problem, it was a SPIRITED, COMMITTED, EXCITED group of Americans. We are determined to throw the rascals out. And may do it. Great to be with them. With ONE GLARING OMISSION the leadership…
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On June 6th, 2005, the day before our 47th wedding anniversary I “bought the farm†on the floor of the cardiac rehab unit in Ellsworth. I woke up with an IV in each wrist and a strange nurse looking down into my face saying, “I just resuscitated you. Hope you don’t mind.â€Â “Hey, that’s great, 
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