Hello St. Paul’s, Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent, the first season of the church year, as we once again begin the cycle that takes us through the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, through Pentecost, with the second half of the year focusing on the teachings of Jesus. You’ve probably noticed … READ MORE…
An important letter from PB Katharine Jefferts Schori and the Rev Gay Jennings, President of the House of Deputies: September 1, 2015 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: On June 17, nine members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, were murdered by a white racist during their weekly bible study. Just a … READ MORE…
For those of us who became Episcopalians over the past thirty years, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer is about all we’ve ever known. It replaced the 1928 BCP, a book held in great reverence by many or the faithful. But the 1979 BCP presented Rite One (language from the 1928 book) as well as … READ MORE…
The Episco-blogs are talking about a column in the British newspaper The Guardian, in which theologian Theo Hobson describes an Epiphany of sorts. Frustrated with the glacial movement of the Church of England towards modernization, he longed for an active, vibrant faith. Organised religion was intolerably illiberal, but only organised religion seemed able to organise … READ MORE…
Do you enjoy singing? Does music enhance your experience of worship? Whether you sit in the pews, in the chancel, or in the choir, your opinion is being sought! A survey is being conducted to see whether a revision of The Hymnal 1982 is needed and wanted by the Episcopal Church. From the survey page: … READ MORE…
Every year, it seems the commercialism of Christmas becomes more extreme: decorations up before Halloween, incessant carols on the radio (if I hear the Chipmunks singing one more time I think I shall go mad!) and of course, rampant consumerism. The Advent Conspiracy is a movement to try to reduce the consumption, and increase the … READ MORE…
There is an online Advent exhibition of The Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts called Seeking and Serving. “Consider the art in this exhibit as a meditative way to challenge yourself during Advent to not only worship Christ within the walls of the church, or the walls of your heart, but also to seek him … READ MORE…
The Rev. Susan Russell of All Saints, Pasadena, is a member of a task force for the Standing Committee for Liturgy and Music (SCLM) that is working on how to implement resolution CO56, to “collect and develop” resources for the blessings of same sex unions. Writing on her blog, she tells us about the task … READ MORE…