Week Ahead: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Observed
Episcopal News Service. January 19, 2005 [011905-2-A]
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an ecumenical initiative that involves Christians throughout the world, is being observed January 18 - 25 under the theme "Christ, the one foundation of the Church" (1 Cor. 3:1-23).
Resource materials, including reflections on the biblical text, a sample worship service and a history of the Slovakian ecumenical situation, have been prepared by the Theological Committee of the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Slovakia in consultation with the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. These are available online at the Vatican website. Further information is also available from the World Council of Churches and can be found online at: http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/faith/wop-index.html.
Coming up Thursday, January 20, 2005...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Washington rector to give invocation at Bush inauguration
The Rev. Dr. Luis León, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., will deliver the invocation for the inauguration of President George W. Bush, which will begin at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20, at the U.S. Capitol. As part of the day's celebrations, a service will be held at St. John's Church, Lafayette Square, from 9 - 10 a.m.
Since his ministry began in 1995, León has specialized in building inner city parishes through spiritual leadership, preaching, excellence in worship and liturgical music, stewardship and outreach. Prior to his time at St. John's, he served as rector of Trinity Church in Wilmington, Delaware, and St. Paul's Church in Paterson, New Jersey. Leon began his spiritual journey when he was baptized into the Episcopal Church in Guantanamo, Cuba. He came with his sister to the United States in 1961 at the age of 12 and was supported by the Episcopal Church in Miami.
ATLANTA, Georgia - On Thursday evenings in January, the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta will host "A Symphony of Sacred Texts" from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in the Great Hall.
The evenings will offer an opportunity to find out what the Torah, Christian Scriptures, and the Koran say about various topics. Meet Rabbis, Christian Pastors, and Imams as they celebrate their Sacred Texts, and enjoy the company of the Atlanta Interfaith community. This Thursday, Jan. 20, will focus on the topic, "How to Pray," and guests will include: Rabbi Analia Bortz, Congregation Or Hadash; the Rev. Dr. Barbara King, Hillside Chapel & Truth Center; and Iman Ibrahim Pasha, the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam.
Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, Georgia 30305. Tel: 404.365.1000. http://www.stphilipscathedral.org/.
BEVERLY HILLS, California - All Saints' Association, an extension ministry of All Saints' Episcopal Church, Beverly Hills, will hold its third national conference from January 20 - 22. A one-day conference titled Transformational Preaching will be held on Thursday, Jan. 20, followed on Friday and Saturday by Transformational Worship.
Speakers will include the Rev. Carol Anderson, rector of All Saints'; Dr. Robert Webber, expert in the "art of Christian worship" and author of over 40 books, including Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail, Ancient Future Faith and The Younger Evangelicals; and Dr. William Bradley Roberts, Director of Music Ministry at St. John's Church, Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C.
In his plenary session, Worship & Culture, Webber will explain how the return to ancient-future worship can impact parishes. The session will offer those responsible for planning worship old, yet new, paths for the Liturgical Year to become a cycle for evangelism and spiritual formation.
A schedule of sessions along with speakers' bios and online registration are available at: http://www.allsaintsassociation.org/. All Saints' Association contact: Andy Carmichael 310.278.6305. Email: acarmichael@allsaintsassociation.org.
All Saints' Episcopal Church, 504 North Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
Coming up Saturday, January 22, 2005...
CHICAGO - A diocesan-wide forum on how Christians might respond to terrorism and war will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22, at St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church on Chicago's South Side.
"What is the Christian Response to War and Terrorism?" is sponsored by the diocesan Commission on Peace and Justice. Discussion materials will be available at the forum, and will include Anglican Communion resources, a resolution on "Ending the Occupation of Iraq," and the ad which appeared in USA Today titled, "Confessing Christ in a World of Violence."
Participants will hear two presentations on the issues of war and terrorism, with the majority of the time being reserved for group discussion. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by the opening presentations at 10 a.m. The noon lunch will be followed by open discussion, and the day ends at 2 p.m. To register, contact the Rev. Primitivo Racimo, chair of the P&J Commission: 773.221.5505.
St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church, 2555 East 73rd Street, Chicago, Illinois 60649.
SARASOTA, Florida - A series of workshops titled "God's World: A Call to Eco-Stewardship," will be held Saturday, Jan. 22, from 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. at St. Boniface Episcopal Church in Sarasota. Led by Joyce Wilding, Province IV Environmental Ministry coordinator responsible for EM work in 20 dioceses and a member of the Episcopal Environmental Network National Steering Committee, topics will include Greening the House of the Lord, with an overview of Care for Creation; Food and Faith; and the Water of Baptism, concluding with a Creation-Centered Liturgy using the BCP.
Costs: $10 per person to cover materials and refreshments. Lunch will be "brown bag" with a prize given for the "most environmentally responsible" lunch
St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota (on Siesta Key). Contact: Kay McGimpsey, 941.924.2770. http://www.boniface.cc.
EVENT CANCELLED TRENTON, New Jersey - A day for parish communicators, "A maze of messages," will be held at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22. Speakers will include: Jerry Hames, editor of the Episcopal Church’s national newspaper, Episcopal Life; Susan Robinson, director of communications for the Diocese of Newark; the Rev. Mark Cyr, webmaster for the Diocese of New York, and Neva Rae Fox, director of communications for the diocese of New York. Anyone interested in learning more about Episcopal communications is invited to attend. Further information can be found online at: http://www.newjersey.anglican.org/.
Trinity Cathedral, 801 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08618. EVENT CANCELLED
Coming up Sunday, January 23, 2005...
BOSTON - This week's Trinity Forum, "The Search Process for a New Rector" will be presented by Albert G. Mulley Jr., Trinity Church's senior warden, at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23, at Trinity Church, Boston.
The search for a new rector at Trinity Church follows former rector Sam Lloyd's call to become dean of Washington National Cathedral. Further information can be found online at: http://www.trinityboston.org/about.asp.
Trinity Church, 206 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. Tel: 617.536.0944. http://www.trinityboston.org/default.asp.
SAN FRANCISCO, California - The Forum at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, will feature George Lakoff from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23, at Gresham Hall, on the Crypt Level of the Cathedral.
"Have you ever had an argument with a friend or family member who didn't share the same political values, only to have it erupt into a yelling match? George Lakoff, UC Berkeley professor of cognitive linguistics whose scrutiny of the language of politics has begun to bring him national recognition, is the master of bringing civility to the dinner table. His newest book, 'Don't Think of an Elephant! Know Your Values and Frame the Debate,' is the definitive handbook for understanding and communicating effectively about key public policy issues in 2004 and beyond. Find out how to navigate the muddy waters of political discourse."
Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St. (at Taylor St.), San Francisco, California 94108. Tel: 415.749.6300. http://www.gracecathedral.org/.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - State Day prayers this Sunday will remember Texas in liturgies at Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues Northwest (Mount St. Alban), Washington, D.C., 20016; 202.537.6200; http://www.cathedral.org/. The Rev. Canon Samuel Van Culin will be the preacher at the 11 a.m. service. Next Sunday, Jan. 30: State Day prayers will remember Wisconsin.
ANGLICAN COMMUNION - Following the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, this Sunday (Epiphany III) will give thanks for the Diocese of Lokoja - Province of Abuja, Nigeria and the Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Sokowamju Egbunu, bishop. The Anglican Cycle of Prayer can be accessed online at: www.anglicancommunion.org/acp/main.cfm.
Coming up Tuesday, January 25, 2005...
BERKELEY, California - Church Divinity School of the Pacific will present "Epiphany West 2005: Truth and Dialogue: Friends or Enemies?" from Jan. 25 - 29 at its campus in Berkeley, California.
Leading theologians will explore vital issues facing the Episcopal Church with a focus on scripture, the Anglican Tradition and the challenges they present for congregations today. Featured presentations include: Tracing the Word, Fredrica Thompsett, professor of Historical Theology at Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Sharing the Word, Richard Jones, professor of Mission and World Religions at Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, Virginia; Hearing the Word, Paul Zahl, dean and president at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania; and Exploring the Word, Donn Morgan, President and Dean, Professor of Old Testament at Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California.
Conference Classes will be held Jan. 25-26: conference presentations (as listed above) will be held Jan. 27-29.
Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Episcopal Seminary of the West, 2451 Ridge Road, Berkeley, California. To register, or for more information, call 510.204.0720, or visit http://www.cdsp.edu/.