Week Ending 11/12/18

Albany Bishop Defies General Convention

The Update has been following the response of the 8 conservative bishops  who had not allowed use of the liturgies for same sex marriage before General Convention 2015 passed resolution B012 which mandated that all dioceses must find a way to allow parishes and clergy who wished to use the liturgies to do so.  All the bishops made some form of compliance statement except for Bishop Love of Albany.  After delaying nearly to the required implementation deadline (the first Sunday in Advent), Bishop Love issued an 8 page pastoral letter forbidding use of the liturgies by any parish or priest.  He cites conscience and places diocesan canons above General Convention votes.  Bishop Love's position had already led several Albany parishes to seek Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight. At one of those parishes, St. Andrew's Albany, some parishioners held a symbolic burning of the letter outside on the church steps as the letter was read inside.  Both the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies have issued responses to Bishop Love's letter.

Episcopal Campus Ministries Reach Out to Homeless and Hungry Students

Rising costs for tuition and books have left many scholarship students with limited funds for housing and food.  Episcopal campus ministries are stepping in around to the country to feed and sometimes house students.  The Episcopal News Service has more here. 

Episcopal Forum Disbands

In March 2004 representatives from 10 dioceses  where schism seemed a real threat met to create an alliance.  One of these groups was the Episcopal Forum of South Carolina.  The group provided continuous witness through the years leading up to schism, and its leadership provided support following schism as faithful Episcopalians formed the continuation of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh.  The Episcopal Forum had been know especially for its successful conferences bringing in speakers from around the Episcopal Church, and after reorganization continued its mission as a source of education on the Episcopal Church.  Now, with the property law suits winding down, and the diocese stabilized and growing, the Episcopal Forum has decided its task is done.  Their public statement is here.

Bishops Offer Litany for Mass Shootings

The group the Episcopal Bishops United Against Gun Violence has published a litany for mass mass shootings. It begins by praying for the victims of each 34 mass shootings in the U.S. all since the Newtown CT school Shooting in 2006.  The litany includes those killed at Tree of Life Synagogue and the shooting in Thousand Oaks California.    A statement  precedes the prayers.

Parties in Litigation Make Statements Preparing Ground for November Court Hearing

November 19 is the date set for oral arguments by the state district court judge charged with implementation of the South Carolina Supreme Court decision granting most of the disputed church property to those remaining in the Episcopal Church.  Both sides in the litigation have issued statements in anticipation of the hearing.  Mark Lawrence has asked those participating in the schismatic organization to pray for their legal representatives and for all parties in the litigation.  Bishop Skip Adams and Archdeacon Callie Walpole  of the Episcopal Church in South Carolina have issued a summary of the long dispute explaining how he hopes that events will lead to reconciliation.