stpaul51_wpEvery year each congregation in the Episcopal Church submits a parochial report with a variety of data about membership, attendance, and finances. A new page of the report asks for statistics regarding engagement and volunteerism, something we have never formally tracked. This spring, Chapter member Jim Greer took on the daunting task of cataloging the … READ MORE…
For the first 42 years of my life, I lived in fear; the fear my true self would be discovered. I had a special place in my Roman Catholic Latino family for I was seen as the oldest son and I grew up a good Catholic boy. As I got older, I worked hard to … READ MORE…
You know, we’re still talking about it! A certain African American cleric preaches at a certain family wedding in the UK, albeit one watched by billions, and proceeds to turn the world quite literally upside down. Indeed, just last week, the Archbishop of York started his Presidential address to the General Synod of the Church … READ MORE…
Dean Penny writes Day 8 of #GC79: a long morning of legislative business debating and voting on the budget, and resolutions on responsible investment regarding Israel, caring for the children of Palestine, expanding the language of the Eucharistic prayers, and a whoe variety of stuff. I spent the lunch hour getting to know the Dean … READ MORE…
Dear St. Paul’s family, This week parishioner Anita Martinez will begin her series of yoga classes in the nave. I have heard some questions about the spiritual nature of yoga, and Anita has offered some reflections which I have incorporated into this letter. St. Paul tells us that our bodies are spiritual temples (1 Corinthians … READ MORE…
Dean Penny writes, #GC79 day six: committee hearings are starting to wind down. I surfaced a bit late to sit in on one, so I met instead with a former dean, who now works for a senior housing organization, to exchange ideas and share experience. A little shopping in the exhibit hall, then I sat … READ MORE…
Dean Penny writes, Happy Monday! And #GC79 day 5. Committee deliberations were back this morning and I returned to the Safeguarding committee where it was Groundhog Day, as they once again discussed the wording of the resolution about clergy dating. At the morning legislative session we completed debate on the resolution extending trial use of … READ MORE…
Dean Penny writes, #GC79 Day 4: being Sunday, the day didn’t begin with committee hearings, but with a prayer service by Bishops Against Gun Violence, attended by about 500 people. We heard from the parents of Carmen Schentrup and from a remarkable 14-yr-old from Waco called Abigail. Then we piled on to 12 buses and … READ MORE…
Dean Penny writes, #GC79 day 3 started with a hearing of the Safeguarding committee, discussing resolutions including one updating definitions around sexual misconduct. What are the boundsries for clergy dating lay people? The discussion was almost over when a Spanish-speaking committee member spoke up through an interpreter, making me realize how infrequently our Spanish-speaking friends … READ MORE…
Dean Penny writes, Short report from day 2 of #GC79: Safeguarding committe discussed whether the resolution condemning sexual harassment should be aimed at clergy and church employees only or at all church members too. Church members were added. A joint session of the Houses heard powerful testimony from a former skinhead white supremacist, an Austin … READ MORE…