Week Ending 12/7/20

Parish backs Removal of Kansas City Police Chief

 The Kansas City, Missouri Police Chief, Rick Smith has been under considerable pressure and criticism for his handling of Black Lives Matter protests this summer.  St. Mary's Episcopal Church has announced that they are joining the call for the chief's resignation as a part of their ongoing witness for racial justice.  They are hoping that their announcement will encourage other churches to join in the movement. WGEM and the Associated Press picked up the announcement. 

Director of English Safeguarding Churches Office Resigns

The church of England has been struggling for several years with its response to clergy and other church staff sexual misconduct, especially towards children.  In England the efforts go under the label  "Safeguarding Churches."Eighteen months ago they appointed a national Director of Safeguarding.  She has resigned after only 18 months.  Apparently she met so much resistance to change that she felt she could better spend her time elsewhere.  Thinking Anglicans has a compilation of the responses to her resignation and what it means for the Church.  The general view is that his is not good news for the Church of England. 

Continuing Stories

Pittsburgh Beloved Community Initiative Sponsors Service

Under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the Episcopal Church has been examining its past and working on ways to further racial reconciliation. Update has followed these efforts, with the latest post here.  Bishop McConnell of Pittsburgh created a diocesan effort by appointing the Rev. Eric McIntosh and Shahnaz Alam-Denlinger  in July to lead a Beloved Community initiative.  On December 6, the initiative sponsored a service of repentance and reconciliation followed by a panel discussion.  The event was held virtually.

Pittsburgh's ACNA Diocese Does Deep Staff Cuts

The group that left the Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh and joined ACNA is going through major changes.  This last month their bishop resigned after mishandling a case involving clergy misbehavior.  The Standing Committee took control and has brought in a bishop temporarily to handle pastoral matters, and now has announced that all three canons on the diocesan staff have been let go, supposedly to allow a new bishop to organize the office as he wishes.

Pandemic Forces Return to Virtual Services 

The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi has responded to the surge in covid cases and deaths in Mississippi, and the Governor's call to restrict all in-person gathering by directing all Episcopal churches to suspend in person meetings of all kinds including worship.  Parishes will return to virtual worship and meetings.  Episcopal Cafe has the story on the Bishop's order. WLOX has a follow-up story focused on the parish in Biloxi.  The Episcopal News Service focused on the creative ways that parishes are trying to celebrate Advent and Christmas in virtual ways. This is the latest in the ongoing Update coverage of worship during the pandemic.  Our previous story is here.  

Parish Foundation Grants Provide Aid in Pandemic

 St. Luke's Parish Foundation in Salisbury, NC makes grants twice a year.  In this grant cycle the parish made a number of grants totaling $100,000 designed to help groups dealing with human need during the pandemic  both locally and internationally.  WBTV has more on the groups receiving the grants.  Update continues to try to highlight Episcopal institutions that are reaching out during the pandemic.