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[ACNS] The following is the beginning of the report
given to the Anglican Communion Joint Standing Committee of the
Primates meeting and the Anglican Consultative Council today,
February 15.
Background
At their meeting in London in March 2006, the Joint Standing
Committee of the Primates and the Anglican Consultative Council
nominated four of its members to assist the Archbishop of
Canterbury and the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion
in discerning the response of the Anglican Communion to the
decisions of the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal
Church. Some of these decisions related to requests made of the
Episcopal Church in the Primates’ Statement of February 2005 at
Dromantine, which incorporated the Primates’ response to the
recommendations of the Windsor Report. The group appointed met
in London in September 2006.
At the Primates’ meeting in Dromantine, the Presiding Bishop
of the Episcopal Church had made it abundantly clear that only
General Convention was empowered under the constitution of the
Episcopal Church to give a response to the sorts of undertakings
requested in the Windsor Report on behalf of the Episcopal
Church. The Primates at Dromantine therefore decided to give the
Episcopal Church (and the Anglican Church of Canada – although
that Church is not the focus of current consideration) space to
allow its proper processes to function.
The 75th General Convention
It is clear to this group that in the period following the
Dromantine meeting, the Episcopal Church took the Windsor Report
and the recommendations adopted by the Primates extremely
seriously, establishing a Special Commission to work on its
response, dedicating a particular legislative Committee (Special
Legislative Committee 26) at the 75th General Convention to
carry forward business associated with the Windsor Report, and
devoting a lot of time to considering this work.
Full report enclosed with snail-mail print version or
available at www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/.
ENS report by Matthew Davies
The Primates' Meeting of the
worldwide Anglican Communion has convened February 15 for its
five-day agenda near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with every
indication that all participants are present at the table.
Three of the 38 Primates—the Communion's presiding bishops,
archbishops and moderators—are unable to attend the meeting:
Archbishop Barry Morgan of Wales, who is on sabbatical; and
Archbishop Joseph Marona of Sudan, who cited health reasons; and
the Most Rev. Joel Vidyasagar Mal, Moderator of the Church of
North India, for reasons unspecified.
The Episcopal Church is represented by Presiding Bishop
Katharine Jefferts Schori, who said before the meeting that she
looked forward to the Primates' collaborative work.
One of the first items on the Primates' agenda was the response
of the Episcopal Church's 75th General Convention to the Windsor
Report, a document that recommends ways in which the Anglican
Communion can maintain unity amid differing viewpoints. Full
report at www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_82469_ENG_HTM.htm.
ENS report by Mary Frances Schonberg
More than 900 Episcopal clergy and
laity have signed on to an open letter developed by a coalition
of Episcopal peace and justice organizations and sent it to the
Archbishop of Canterbury before he left England for the Primates
Meeting in Tanzania.
The letter calls on Archbishop Rowan Williams to reject requests
for alternative primatial oversight because they "would pose a
grave danger to the Anglican Communion."
According to information released with the letter, the effort
originated from the Consultation Steering Committee, a network
which includes representatives from Integrity, Episcopal Urban
Caucus, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, Episcopal Women's Caucus,
Union of Black Episcopalians, Episcopal Ecological Network,
National Episcopal AIDS Coalition, Province VIII Indigenous
Ministries, Episcopal Church Publishing Company, Episcopal
Network for Economic Justice, Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry
Advocates, and Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission.
The dioceses of Pittsburgh, Central Florida, Dallas, Fort Worth,
San Joaquin, South Carolina, and Springfield asked Williams in
writing for alternative primatial oversight on July 20, 2006.
The Diocese of Quincy joined the appeal September 16. Complete
story available at www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_82463_ENG_HTM.htm.
ENS report by Mary Frances Schonberg
The Episcopal Church has joined the Diocese of Virginia in its legal
dispute over possession of the property of 11 congregations in which the
majority of the members and clergy voted in 2006 and early 2007 to leave the
denomination and affiliate with African Anglican bishops.
Lawyers filed a 20-page complaint in the County of Fairfax, Virginia, courts
on February 9. The complaint lists the Episcopal Church as the plaintiff and
names as defendants the former clergy and vestry members of 11 parishes and
missions, as well as trustees who technically hold title to the real
property of some of the parishes.
The complaint names the parishes as defendants "because their real and
personal property and affairs are currently under the de facto control of
individuals who claim the right to sever the link between the parties and
the Diocese and the Episcopal Church, to divert the parishes' real and
personal property for their own use in affiliation with another denomination
outside the United States, and to exclude the parishes' faithful
Episcopalian members for use and control of that property."
The clergy and vestry, or vestry committee members in the case of the two
missions, are named because they "have left the Episcopal Church, yet
continue to exercise control over the real and personal property" of the
congregation.
Virginia Bishop Peter Lee inhibited 21 diocesan clergy in mid-January and
rescinded the licenses of six others, saying that he was acting on a
determination by the diocesan Standing Committee that the clergy "have
openly renounced the doctrine, discipline or worship of the Episcopal Church
and, therefore, have abandoned the communion of the Episcopal Church"
because of the votes.
The filing comes in support of actions already taken by the diocese. Complete
story: www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_82371_ENG_HTM.htm.
[ENS] Offering an online overview of news and
views "left, right and center," the Episcopal Church's Office of
Communication has launched a new web log, or blog.
Called "epiScope: looking over the Episcopal Church," the blog
seeks "to add perspective and context to some stories, and to
correct the record in other instances," said the Episcopal
Church's communication director, Canon Robert Williams.
"epiScope is an essential component of the Episcopal Church's
overall communication strategy at the present time when
reporters increasingly consult the 'blogosphere' for story leads
and interpretation," Williams added.
He said the blog is part of the new "Episcopal Church Online"
initiative that is working "to support Episcopalians' increasing
participation in building community through the latest net-based
strategies."
The Rev. Jan Nunley, the Episcopal Church's deputy for
communication, is moderator of the epiScope blog. Visit the blog
at http://episcopalchurch.typepad.com/episcope/.
The 85th Convention of Upper South Carolina's Episcopal Church Women took place on Saturday, February 10, at All Saints', Cayce. Bishop Henderson was on hand and presided at the closing Eucharist. Bishop William Skilton, retired suffragan bishop from the Diocese of South Carolina, was guest preacher at Morning Prayer.
Among the business handled by convention was the selection of ECW mission projects for next year. They are orphanage assistance in the Diocese of Lake Malawi, Africa (World Mission Project); The rebuilding of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Gulfport, Mississippi, following destruction by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 (National Mission Project): Michael's Way, a program of Greenville's United Ministries Learning Center that trains, equips, and supports adults seeking employment that can provide a life-sustaining wage (Diocesan Mission Project); and financial and in-kind support for the Hispanic Ministries after-school program at St. Francis, Greenville.
Officers and board members elected at Convention were Beck
Sullivan, St. Peter's, Greenville, president; Kathy Siegel, St.
Peter's, Greenville, secretary; Silva Davis, Good Shepherd,
York, treasurer elect; Penny Hayne, St. John's, Columbia
(Christian Education and Church Periodical Club; and Sue Perrin,
deacon at Church of the Advent, Spartanburg, Missions and
Christian Social Relations.
Christ Church Episcopal School senior Duvall honored for
faith and leadership
Senior Beverly Duvall only came to Christ Church Episcopal
School (CCES) as a junior last year, but when her name was
announced as winner of the 2007 Epiphany Scholarship, students
and faculty spontaneously rose to their feet in a standing
ovation.
The name of the recipient, kept secret according to CCES
tradition, was announced by The Rev. Dr. Robert S. Dannals,
rector of Christ Church, during the school's annual Epiphany
Scholar Chapel, held this year on January 17.
Established in 1991 by the rectors of Christ Church, the
Epiphany Scholarship honors "a student who exemplifies
commitment to Christian values through worship, sensitivity and
outreach to others, personal manifestation of love of God and
God's people in his or her daily life at school, at church and
within the community." The scholarship carries with it a
monetary award. Duvall is the daughter of Christ Church
associate rector the Rev. Ted Duvall and his wife Katherine.
Palmetto Parent Camp Fairs in Greenville, Columbia, Charleston; lodging for the Masters Tournament, April 2-8; and, of course, Camp Gravatt. Read all about what's going on at your camp and conference center online at www.bishopgravatt.org, and while you're there register for camp and sign up for Gravatt's new e-mail newsletter.
By Amy Sander Montanez
For a little over an hour on Sunday,
January 28, just before twilight at Trinity Cathedral, I
was transported out of Columbia, SC. Perhaps I was in a
cathedral in London, or maybe even in the grand Notre Dame, on
the edge of the river Seine. I remember feeling this way in the
Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy. Cradled in a safe
place, sacred sounds filling my ears and my heart, sounds that
can only be described as perfect, whole, totally complete. I was
in a cathedral, I knew that for sure. The plaster walls and
large columns. The tile floors. More beautiful stained glass
than I can remember. A gorgeous altar. Flowers and candles and
brass. And for just the right medieval touch, a visiting bat,
flying around before the concert began, making the ushers
nervous and puzzling a priest as to what, if anything, could be
done.
I listened to the drone of the orchestra, as each instrument
whispered a few notes or phrases that needed a last minute
review or touch-up. I love that sound, one phrase, one melody on
top of another, none matching, each musician intensely focused
on some random section of a piece. The complexity of that sound,
the sheer confusion and fullness of it heightens my senses,
until suddenly it all stops and there is total silence. The
conductor and soloist walk in, the applause dies down, and the
breath of anticipation is released.
There was an organ concerto. Poulenc. It rolled around in my
ears like a sip of fine wine rolls around your mouth. I noticed
different things at different times…a fine viola section, the
humanlike voice of the cello, the organ, paradoxically light
and cascading one minute, layered and auspicious the next. The
timpani, offering an undercurrent, a vibration that went
straight to my core. The tension, the release. The perfection. I
wondered, as I often do when listening to the music of the
masters, about the brilliance and giftedness of the composer.
What kind of hearts and minds write music like this? How do they
imagine all the parts in their heads and in their ears when they
are writing it? Surely they have a direct line of some kind to
the Divine, I always think. And then my heart fills with love
and thanksgiving for the musicians. The sheer number of hours of
practice, training, devotion and coordination needed to
accomplish this moves me. And I know that somehow, through the
music, they remember what is important in the world and they
remind the rest of us of this. They say with the music that
which we really cannot say with words. I am reminded of a plaque
in my home that reads, “For heights and depths no words can
reach, music is the soul’s own speech.”
During the break as the organ was moved off center and risers
were set up for the choristers, new musicians joined the
orchestra. Durufle’s Requiem was the next selection. I noticed
the boys' and girls' choir in the left balcony. They buzzed with
smiles and excitement, and I was hoping they were somehow going
to be a part of the music. Again the silence, and again the
applause as we settled in to receive the next gift. By the time
the Kyrie was over, I was totally transported. Surely this was
the music of heaven. Is it possible that this is mostly a
volunteer choir? Just regular people like me, joining their
voices with the grace of God to make music that soars, lifts,
humbles, and inspires? By this time, I was so full I was
weeping.
It continued in this beautiful vain, and I kept breathing and
receiving and allowing myself to go wherever the music took me.
And then the children sang. Pie Jesu…sweet Jesus…sweet Jesus
indeed, must have been right there in the cathedral. Their sound
was compelling, crystal clear, one voice, one breath, coming
from on high, as it were. But what struck me the most was the
relationship these children seemed to have with the choir
director/conductor. They seemed locked to each other, joined by
eyes and lips and hearts and breath. Is it too much to say that
I sensed a love and respect for each other that was palpable?
The composition was perfection, the expectations were high, the
giving was mutual and total, and the result was nothing less
than stunning. Why do we think children have to be entertained
and distracted and coddled and dumbed down? Sweet Jesus was in
the synergy, I am sure, letting this be an example to all who
were present that our children are amazing when we give them our
best and expect their best in return. Isn’t this exactly what
Jesus modeled?
The requiem ended peacefully. Almost in silence. A full silence.
A perfect silence. May it be so for each of us at the end, I
thought. Wherever that is. Wherever I am. Columbia? London?
Paris? Assisi? Amen.
Amy Sander Montanez is a member of St. Mary's, Columbia.
Join St. Timothy's Daughters for a day of meditation, silence, and centering prayer on February 24, led by the Rev. Dr. John G. Largen, pastor to the seminary Community at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbia. Time is 9 a.m. till 3 p.m., at St. Timothy's, 900 Calhoun Street, Columbia. Cost, including continental breakfast and lunch, is $10. Please contact the church (803.765.1519) or Kris Copeland (803.238.2296) for more information.
The
St. James Center for Spiritual Development will offer “Traveling
Sacred Pathways,” a labyrinth workshop led by the Rev. Bob Haden
on February 24 from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon in the Parish Life
Center. Fr. Haden will present a teaching on using the labyrinth
as a prayer tool, and participants will be able to walk the
labyrinth in the gym. Lunch will be provided. Cost of the
workshop (including lunch) is $20. To sign up, send e-mail to
retreats@stjamesgreenville.org.
The Director of The Haden Institute, Bob Haden, is a Jungian
psychotherapist, Episcopal priest, and teacher. Former Rector of
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte, he draws upon 30 years
of experience in family, individual, marriage, vocational, and
life journey individuation counseling. He brings expertise in
both Spiritual Direction and Jungian counseling to his work. He
received Labyrinth training from Lauren Artress of Veriditas,
Grace Cathedral, San Francisco.
From February 23 through February 25, the Convent of St. Helena in Augusta, GA,will offer a Lenten silent retreat led by Carol Andrew, a sister of St. Helena since 1972 and an Episcopal priest since 1995. The retreat ($160, including lodging, meals, and program) is described as "meditations on the Love that holds us close in the midst of our lives, whether in joy or sorrow. There's more information on program and presenter here.
From March 2 through March 4, the convent will host “Healing Ourselves and Our Communities: Coming Home, Claiming Our Roots, and Living the Path,” a gathering of healers led by Sr. Mary Therese n/OSH. All are invited. Cost is $160, including lodging, meals, and program.
We will enter corporately into an adventure of discovery for the gifts of medicine, sent by God, to heal ourselves, others and our communities. Through this experience, we will recognize, remember and reconcile our daily lives with who we really are and experience renewal, refreshment, fun, fellowship and learn new skills too!
For more information or to register for either program, contact Convent office manager Laura Ann Whitaker 706.798.5201 ext.1, augustaconvent@comcast.net.
St. Michael & All Angels, 6408 Bridgewood Road,
Columbia (corner of N. Trenholm & Bridgewood) is hosting its10th
Annual Sid Britt BOOK SALE and BARBECUE by Jack Dunlap,
Saturday, March 3, 9 a. m. to 1 p.m. Large selection of
books! Puzzles, games, books on tape! Hardbacks for $1,
paperbacks 2 for $1. Chopped Barbecue pound container $7.
Serving at 11 a.m. , barbecue sandwich with chips & drink, $5.
Dessert available at bake sale table. Music by praise choir. All
proceeds will support youth & young adult ministry. Call the
church with questions or for directions 803.782.8080.
Tuesday Evenings, March 6, 13, 20, 27—Choose ONE CLASS to attend for four sessions.
The Making and Meaning of our Bible, Dr. Charles
Sigel, Professor of New Testament, Emeritus
Iconography, Fr. Thomas Moore, Priest-in-Charge, Holy Apostles Orthodox Church
Personality Type, The Rev. Dr. Harvey Huntley Jr., Coordinator, and Ms Sandra Holland, AIM, Associate Director, Region 9-ELCA
Catered supper at 6pm for $7.50 ($30 for 4 weeks). Classes
meet from 6:45 to 9:00 p.m. at the Seminary, 4201 North Main Street, Columbia.
For further information or registration: sandrah@ltss.edu.
There will be a Safe Church training at Christ Church in Greenville on Saturday, March 10, at 9 a.m. Please alert your ministry leaders to this opportunity to receive this training close to home or as an alternative to the diocesan Continuing Ed Day on April 21. Christ Church needs a "head count" about 10 days before the day itself, so please RSVP to Lisa Dalton at Christ Church 864.271.8773 by February 28.
Don't miss this Lenten Quiet Day sponsored by St. Bartholomew's Daughters of the King.
The guest speaker is Brother Bernard Delcourt of the Order of the Holy Cross from Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY. Holy Cross Monastery is part of the Order of the Holy Cross, a Benedictine Community in the Anglican Communion / Episcopal Church USA. Brother Bernard was raised in Belgium, was an investment banker for JP Morgan and then ran a private practice as abusiness and life coach in Manhattan. He entered his religious life in April 2004 and made his initial profession of the religious vows in the Order of the Holy Cross in November 2006.
Brother Bernard will be speaking on “Finding the Christ in Everyone,” from 9 a.m. to 11a.m., and on “Life in the Order of the Holy Cross Monastery,” from 1p.m. to 2:30p.m . Registration begins at 8: 30 a.m.; Brother Bernard will speak at 9:00 a.m. Following are Holy Eucharist with a healing service (11:00-noon), lunch (noon.-1 p.m.), and Brother Bernard's remarks on religious life in Episcopal Church and life in the Order of the Holy Cross Monastery.
Cost is $10, including lunch. With questions or to RSVP, Please call
803.279.4622, ext 307. Please indicate in your RSVP if
you are coming for the entire program, morning half only or afternoon
half only and whether you will be eating lunch.
The spring Continuing Education & Training Day for Worship Leaders, Eucharistic Visitors, and those required to take the Safe Church training will take place on April 21, 2007, at Good Shepherd, Greer, and All Souls, Columbia, from 9:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. Registration forms available online at www.edusc.org or by contacting Roslyn Hook at Diocesan House, rhook@edusc.org, 803.771.7800.
Home Works volunteers will be returning to Covington, Louisiana, to repair homes in surrounding areas, March 3 through March 11. To volunteer or to donate funds or help in any manner, please contact Hank Chardos, 803.781.4536.
Each year Upper SC’s ECW
awards scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to accomplished
students in the diocese. Students who apply must be active
Episcopalians and residents of the diocese who have a “B”
average. Recipients must attend full-time any accredited
college, vocational school, or graduate school. Application
deadline is March 1.
Contact Bena Dial chairperson
Karen Ellison, 864.684.5552, with questions or to obtain a
registration form.
This is your invitation to go on a "pre-trip" to visit diocesan missionary
Cameron Graham and her work with Quito Quest, the short-term team module
of Youth World missions in Quito, Ecuador, Wednesday August 29 through
Tuesday September 4, 2007. A minimum of twelve persons are needed to
make the trip; maximum twenty.
A "pre-trip" is designed for youth leaders, clergy, and other interested
persons to learn first-hand about short-term team ministry experiences
in Quito by visiting potential ministry sites and experiencing the
food and lodging that your future ten- or twelve-day mission trip from
your congregation or organization would experience.
Missionary Cameron Graham and her husband Roberto will be with us,
leading us around to the various Episcopal churches in the area. There
also will be sight-seeing and shopping opportunities for members of the
pre-trip as well; and we will have some time with the new bishop of
Central Ecuador, The Rt. Rev. Alfredo Ramos.It's your opportunity to check things out personally before taking a
group—an ideal way to ensure the success of a future mission trip that you
might want to lead.To keep costs as low as possible, the pre-trip offers a direct flight
from Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta. Total cost for the airfare, lodging,
meals, etc., should be around $800-900.
If you would like to go on the Quito Quest pre-trip, please send a $150
deposit ASAP to the Rev.Timothy Dombek, St. James Episcopal Church,
301 Piney Mountain Road, Greenville, SC 290609-3035. Make your check
payable to "St. James" and put "Quito Quest pre-trip" in the memo.
Questions? Contact Timothy Dombek at 864.244.6358, ext. 203, or by e-mail
to
timothy@stjamesgreenville.org. Join us for a truly life changing
experience that will help you set up a short-term team trip for your
group!
Good Friday offering for Jerusalem and the Middle East: More information, including a Good Friday Offering poster and other materials, is available online at www.episcopalchurch.org/79705_21285_ENG_HTM.htm. The site also has information for submitting your offering, or if you prefer, contact Cynthia Hendrix at Diocesan House for info on how to submit (chendrix@edusc.org; 803.771.7800).