News for Week Ending 2/8/2010

CoE General Synod begins

The Church of England’s General Synod is meeting February 8–12, 2010. Of greatest interest to Episcopalians is the debate over the powers of women bishops and whether the CoE will declare a desire to be in communion with the Anglican Church in North America. Episcopal News Service has published a story about the General Synod on the first day of its week-long meeting.

Central Florida blazes trail on right

At its 41st annual convention in Lakeland, Florida, on January 30, 2010, the Diocese of Central Florida, led by its conservative bishop the Rt. Rev. John W. Howe, passed a number of resolutions taking positions sharply to the right of the Episcopal Church mainstream. The Living Church reported on the convention February 3, 2010. The convention passed resolutions that “affirmed” the Anglican covenant and the position taken in the Anaheim Statement; “dissociated” the diocese from the church’s connection to the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice; declared that, if Mary Glasspool is consecrated by the Diocese of Los Angeles, episcopal consecrators will have “walked apart” from those in The Episcopal Church who “remain committed to the Faith proclaimed in the Scriptures”; and asserted that there is no theological need to broaden the definition of marriage.

CANA and supporters file briefs in Virginia case

The Commonwealth of Virginia, the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) churches directly involved, and various other organizations have filed briefs with the Virginia Supreme Court in the appellate phase of the property dispute with the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. (Pittsburgh Update reported here the earlier filings by the diocese.) Amicus briefs have been filed by the American Anglican Council and other conservative religious groups. The diocese, meanwhile, has asked to be allowed to file additional material. All the briefs can be found on the Web site of the diocese here.

Pittsburgh diocese celebrating busy weekend

On Saturday, February 13, 2010, a Leadership Day is being held at Calvary Church for various diocesan leaders. That evening, the Rev. Gay C. Jennings will be giving a talk sponsored by Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh at Church of the Redeemer, Squirrel Hill. The title of Jennings’ presentation is “Where We Are: Reflections on the Path from B033 to D025 and Beyond.” (Jennings chaired the committee that was responsible for Resolution D025 at the 2009 General Convention.) All are invited to attend. Another diocesan-wide event is being held Sunday afternoon. A Celebration of New Ministry for the Right Reverend Kenneth L. Price, Jr., will take place at Trinity Cathedral at 4:00 PM and will be followed by a reception.