The Living Church is pleased to announce the 13th annual Student Essays in Christian Wisdom Competition. Any Anglican or Episcopal student enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program (BA, MDiv, MA, or equivalent diploma; not ThM or other secondary degrees) in a seminary or theological college of the Anglican Communion or accredited ecumenical equivalent may submit an … [Read more...] about Student Essay Competition Now Open
Updates
Homeless Ministry Sparks Battle in Oregon Town
By Neva Rae Fox In a coastal corner of Oregon, a local municipality has instituted new laws designed to drastically reduce the outreach and ministry of an Episcopal church. This clash has attracted the attention of the congregation, the diocese, townspeople, and the media, prompted by the small church’s ministry, which grew tremendously as a result of expanded needs … [Read more...] about Homeless Ministry Sparks Battle in Oregon Town
Forgiving Those Who Treat Us Cruelly
The very nature of God and his ways with us cause us both joy and discomfort. Who can hear Jesus telling us to love our enemies, be generous with the ungrateful, and kind to those who hurt us without wincing at the memory of our resentment and even retaliation? There is inevitable suffering in the lives of the meek and humble. The figure of Joseph and his life of rejection, … [Read more...] about Forgiving Those Who Treat Us Cruelly
You Say What You Are
By Amy Peeler 1 Corinthians 12 is a passage to which I return often; I would imagine this is true for many of you. The beginning includes Paul’s presentation on spiritual gifts, and this is probably the most applicable section. The one God gives many gifts to the people of God. We can be thankful to God for the way the Spirit has gifted us. We cannot be prideful because the … [Read more...] about You Say What You Are
My Hour Has Not Yet Come
"My hour has not yet come" (John 2:4) Six stone purification jars, filled with cold water —one can hardly imagine something more dull and dead. But Jesus makes them flow with rich wine, regaling the guests at a marriage feast. St. John is right to call this the first of Jesus' "signs." As with all the miracles in his gospel, this tale from Cana is replete with deep symbolism, … [Read more...] about My Hour Has Not Yet Come
Those Excellent Gifts
From Commentary on Acts (1555) In Baptism we are washed from our sins; but Paul teaches that our washing is the work of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5) … Our old man is crucified in Baptism, that we may be raised up to newness of life (Rom. 6:6); and whence comes all this save only from the sanctification of the Spirit? And, finally, what shall remain in baptism if it be separate … [Read more...] about Those Excellent Gifts
Springfield Elects New Jersey Priest as Next Bishop
By Kirk Petersen The Diocese of Springfield has elected a New Jersey priest and former police officer to serve as the XII Bishop of Springfield. The Very Rev. Brian K. Burgess has served since 2005 as rector of 164-year-old Christ Church in Woodbury, New Jersey, a couple of miles directly south of Philadelphia. The "Very" in his title reflects that he is dean of the Woodbury … [Read more...] about Springfield Elects New Jersey Priest as Next Bishop
Episcopal Leaders Discuss Church’s Role in Society
By Episcopal News Service Leaders of The Episcopal Church gathered Dec. 9 on Zoom for a webinar elaborating on their views of the church’s place in society. Given the massive social upheaval over the past two years in the United States, the “Work of the Church” webinar was presented as a chance to take stock of how the church has changed and where it is going. Listing a … [Read more...] about Episcopal Leaders Discuss Church’s Role in Society