Letter to the Church after the GC

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_112789_ENG_HTM.htm

"My sense is that we have been very clear that we value our relationships within and around the Communion, and seek to deepen them. My sense as well is that we cannot do that without being honest about who and where we are. We are obviously not of one mind, and likely will not be until Jesus returns in all his glory. We are called by God to continue to wrestle with the circumstances in which we live and move and have our being, and to do it as carefully and faithfully as we are able, in companionship with those who disagree vehemently and agree wholeheartedly. It is only in that wrestling that we, like Jacob, will begin to discern the leading of the Spirit and the blessing of relationship with God."

General Convention- closing comments

It was great to follow the General Convention, and especially nice to see headlines like "Episcopalians make move to be more inclusive of gays" appear on CNN and MSNBC, etc. I wondered how the Episcopal Church could get out the news that it is an inclusive church, and you can't buy better advertising than that.

In her closing sermon, Presiding Bishop Katharine says:

"We've heard lots of words these last 11 days. We've used those words to make policy, to claim our missionary heartbeat, to bind ourselves in solidarity with the least, the lost and the left out. Some of us have even had to eat our words – unexpected things have happened, we've made mistakes, and we may even have misused our words. We have eaten Word, sacramental Word becoming flesh in us, that our words might come closer to that original Word."

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_112704_ENG_HTM.htm


She also gave the attendees some "homework", or "marching orders", take your pick- on feeding the sheep:
"The food you have to offer has to be digestible and attractive – it needs to be good news, if you’re going to tend the sheep around you. Going home with a list of complaints, or full of anger about what you wanted that didn’t pass, is only going to generate indigestion. That is not an act of love. Sure, every flock finds a few noxious weeds in the pasture, but healthy sheep learn to how to avoid them. Tending the sheep means leading them to good pasture and caring that they might grow. What food will you take?"

May God bless Bishop Katharine and all of those who attended the Convention. Grant them all safe travel back home where hopefully they will start to make more shalom. +In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Lifting Women's Voices

http://www.churchpublishing.org/products/index.cfm?fuseaction=productDetail&productID=3532

This is a new book by Church Publishing which is a compilation of prayers written for and by Anglican women from all over the world. I had submitted a prayer when the editors were asking for contributions, and I am published in this book! It is such an honor to be in this wonderful book. It's special focus is on the Millennium Development Goals-which deal with women's empowerment, eliminating poverty and respecting the earth, and much more.

So what does this have to do with KJS? She wrote the forward to the book, and a beautiful forward at that. "We pray because we live in hope.", she says. It is so special to me that I am in the same book she is!

I'd like to share my prayer which is also in this book:

A Petition of Prayer for Women

For all women in our community, nation and world; we pray to you Lord God.

For all oppressed women; grant them strength to strive for equality, freedom and justice.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

For all women suffering abuse; grant them full autonomy of body and mind.

Give every woman a healthy sense of self-worth and confidence that does not cease.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

Grant every woman infinite opportunity in religious and secular life.

Give them means to ascend to new heights and to break new ground.

Let their pathways be filled with peace and dignity.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

We remember those women who came before us, and we prepare for those we have yet to know. Let our prayers be an inspiration to them, now and forever. AMEN.

General Convention II

I Like This Quote!

"Episcopalians are like Boy Scouts – we like to be ready, with prayer book, hymnal, and bulletin in hand, and a Swiss army knife in our back pocket to open the wine bottle."

Sunday Eucharist sermon to United Thank Offering (UTO):

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_112412_ENG_HTM.htm

General Convention, July 9, 2009: "Mission, mission, mission!"

Opening Eucharist and Sermon:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_112160_ENG_HTM.htm

"A new heart results in renewed creation – that reconciling mission we're so fond of talking about."

Interestingly, she also spoke of "new hearts" when I saw her preach in March. It was great to hear, and I am glad she is speaking of that again.

Fasten Your Seatbelts!

Our KJS immortalized in a cartoon! This is July 2009 in a calendar by Church Publishing. The original is in color, with purple bishop's shirt, etc but the office doesn't have a color copier right now...so here's B&W version.

Prayers for this week's General Convention of the Episcopal Church

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (from the Book of Common Prayer)


My own prayer:
Almighty God, please grant all who are attending the Convention the wisdom and strength to practice the Baptismal Covenant, especially in matters of respecting the dignity of every human being. Especially look upon our sister, Bishop Katharine. Let her be an effective and strong leader during any turmoil that may strike during this time. Grant her safe travel, make her an instrument of peace and reconciliation. +In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

More "Gospel"

"Gospel in the Global Village..." book review on EpiscopalLife
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81827_111285_ENG_HTM.htm

Here's another quote from the book that I like, she said this in England, where women are still fighting to become ordained bishops.

"Courage come from a deep confidence in being beloved of God, in knowing that nothing can separate us from that love, including death, failure, social opprobrium, or the ecclesiastical equivalent of being labeled a feminist, a bitch, or even nastier things."