By Victor Lee Austin What makes forgiveness an ethical issue? Forgiveness is obviously central to Christian belief: God offers sinners forgiveness of sins. But what makes it a question of morals? The Lord’s Prayer asserts the connection in the petition that God forgive us our trespasses “as we forgive those who trespass against us.” In this prayer, Jesus makes the claim … [Read more...] about Ethics: Forgiveness, in Three Parts
compassion
Hospitality and Mercy Are Timeless
By Retta Blaney Members of New York theater company Blessed Unrest were meeting in 2015 with their partners in the Kosovo theater group Teatri ODA, searching for a third original play. They had no way of knowing that their choice — a story of Albanians’ life-saving hospitality during World War II — would be so timely when it opened Off-Broadway in the spring of 2019. “It’s … [Read more...] about Hospitality and Mercy Are Timeless
TV Report on Md. Flood Relief
Saving Ellicott City, a 25-minute report on Maryland Public Television’s Chesapeake Bay Week, shows the work of the Rev. Anjel Scarborough and St. Peter’s Church in response to two thousand-year floods in 2018. Adapted from Maryland Episcopalian … [Read more...] about TV Report on Md. Flood Relief
Excellence in Health Care Honor
Del Joiner, vice president and chief quality officer of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, N.Y., has received the United Hospital Fund’s (UHF) Excellence in Health Care Award. “I am pleased that UHF has recognized Mr. Joiner for his contributions to developing, leading, and implementing strong customer-focused, organization-wide performance improvements at St. … [Read more...] about Excellence in Health Care Honor
Vanier’s Last Community: Hospice
Jean Vanier, the Canadian theologian and humanitarian who founded L’Arche, has entered hospice care. He had a heart attack in 2017 and has devoted most of his time to rest since then. Until recently he lived at the first L’Arche community in Oise, France. Vanier, 90, founded L’Arche, a ministry among people with developmental disabilities, in 1964. He founded a similar … [Read more...] about Vanier’s Last Community: Hospice
Pensions for Cuban Priests
The Episcopal Church has launched Together Again/Juntos de Nuevo: Cuba Pensions Campaign to help 25 priests of the Episcopal Church of Cuba. The campaign follows a vote last summer at the 79th General Convention to readmit the Cuban church as a diocese after 52 years of separation. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry encourages all Episcopalians to participate in the campaign … [Read more...] about Pensions for Cuban Priests
Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday
Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry invites all Episcopalians to observe Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday on March 10. “As we follow in the footsteps of Jesus this Lent, we know that living out God’s love for the world is our ultimate goal,” Bishop Curry said. “I invite all congregations to devote a Sunday in Lent to reflect on the life-giving work of Episcopal Relief … [Read more...] about Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday
Supplies for Besieged Syrians
Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches in providing supplies to cover winter needs of people displaced by the war in Syria. During the harsh winter months, the partnership will meet immediate needs for 500 families in Aleppo and Homs Governorate who have been newly displaced or seriously affected by the war. The … [Read more...] about Supplies for Besieged Syrians