News for Week Ending 9/6/2010

Church leaders urge covenant study

To facilitate informed action on the proposed Anglican covenant by the 2012 General Convention, congregations are being urged to study the final covenant draft and forward their opinions to an Executive Council Task Force. The suggestion came in a September 3, 2010, letter from Episcopal Church leaders. More details are available from Episcopal News Service. Executive Council approved a study guide for the proposed covenant at its June meeting that can be downloaded here.

Jericho Road project wins orchard

Episcopal News Service reported September 2, 2010, that the Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative of New Orleans will be the recipient of a 50- by 125-foot orchard as a result of public voting on projects sponsored by Edy’s Fruit Bars and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. An earlier ENS story can be read here. The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth was a strong advocate for the Jericho Road initiative. A “thank you” from Jericho Road can be viewed on YouTube.

Bennison should have wisdom to resign—Bonnie Anderson

President of the House of Deputies Bonnie Anderson has said that the Rt. Rev. Charles Bennison, Bishop of Pennsylvania, should have the “wisdom and generosity of spirit to resign.” So reported Episcopal News Service in a September 2, 2010, story. Bennison was convicted of conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy, but his conviction was overturned on a technicality. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) Anderson said that a review of the canons is in order.

Tennessee diocese clashes with Nashville church

Conservative Web site VirtueOnline reported September 1, 2010, on the conflict between the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee and St. Andrew’s Parish of Nashville, which claims to be part of the Anglican Diocese of Quincy. Despite a summary judgment against the parish determining that the property is to be used by The Episcopal Church, the parish has not relinquished its real estate. This past week, the Bishop of Tennessee presented the church’s priest for refusing to submit parochial reports (thereby denying that the parish is a part of the Diocese of Tennessee). Details are available on VirtueOnline here.